Something to Think About...

A Cloud the Size of a Man’s Hand

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Do you ever have those times when you feel like Someone is trying to tell you something?

I remember a sermon our pastor preached, where  he mentioned some scripture about a cloud the size of a man’s hand – this wasn’t part of his main scripture, but he just mentioned it in a side illustration. Then a couple of days later, I heard someone on a radio station mention the same phrase – “a cloud the size of a man’s hand”.

The next day, a friend on Facebook used that phrase as her status .
I may not be the brightest bulb in the box, but I know when Someone is trying to get my attention. So I opened my e-Sword* software and found the chapter: I Kings 18. I started at the first of the chapter and read it, making notes as I went.
The chapter begins with Elijah going to see Ahab after a drought had been going on for three years. Elijah sees that Ahab, who is the king of Israel, has allowed pagan practices in the country. Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal; the prophets of Baal will offer a sacrifice to their god, and Elijah will offer a sacrifice to God.
Whichever god consumes his offering with fire will be the true God. Baal’s prophets cry out all day, but nothing happens. When Elijah prays to God, the fire consumes not only the sacrifice, but the wood and stones of the altar, the water in the trench, and even the dust around the altar.

 

Some of the lessons I got from this chapter: one person standing up for what’s right is always in the majority; be willing to do what God asks you, even if you’re doing it by yourself; and just one person alone can call people back to God.

There are also some negative things to learn: Ahab was the king, but he allowed a woman (Jezebel) to lead him away from what he knew was right. Because he wanted peace between his kingdom and a neighboring kingdom, he allowed ungodly behavior into his house and his country. It’s good to be peaceable with others, but not at the expense of doing what’s right.
Of course, there are lots of other things to learn from this chapter; check it out for yourself!
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*e-Sword is a wonderful Bible study program – the main program is free, and there are lots of Bible versions, as well as dictionaries, maps, images, commentaries and other tools available – some are free, while others are very reasonably priced.

Revelations

Revelation 22:6-10

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Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
 
Verses 6 to 9 takes us back to the early part of this book, when the faithful and true witness told us that He would send His angel to convey His message concerning the things that must come to pass. It starts off by emphasizing that the sayings of the book of Revelation are true and faithful that this is not a dream but the reality of what is going to happen. Next Jesus says behold I come quickly and all who keep the sayings or lives by the teaching in this book, the Bible, will be blessed. Because of what John saw and believed he fell down to worship the one who showed it to him, to many times today people want to worship a man because of their leading them to Christ, but just as the angel told John do not worship me worship God because all are servants to God for His gave and mercy shown to us. Also remember the state John was in when this all began, he had to be taken up into Heaven and his body totally healed to be able to see what he was shown. Then verse 10 he is told do not seal this up for the time is at hand and people need to understand the coming of our Lord an Savior is soon. For those that read this and never respond are you ready, and for those that do respond do you know people that are not ready?
A Note from Hope

Baby kittens everywhere! a Note from Hope

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baby kittens everywhere!Do you see what I see in this picture!? EIGHT baby kittens… EIGHT.

Do you remember the cat with fiery eyes? Well, these are her babies.  They really are cute; they smell like the other cats so I guess they’ll be OK. They just want to come up to me and smell me and touch me, so I have to dance around to stay out of their way (don’t forget, their mom slapped me a few weeks ago- I don’t want to make her mad again.)

I’ll be glad when they get big enough to really play with me- then we’ll really have fun!

Revelations

Revelation 22:1-5

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Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
 
We now learn a little more of what heaven will be like. There will be a river of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb and this river will be crystal clear. This water that flows is that same water Jesus told the woman at the well about. On either side of the river stood the Tree of Life, this is the first time this tree has been mentioned since the Garden of Eden, and it will bear twelve manner of fruit every month, and in eternity whet there is no night have you thought about how we tell time. The leaves of tree will be for the healing of nations,I have to believe this healing will be for the fellowship of the people because there will be no sickness in Heaven and to give us the energy to live a full an energetic life. There will be no more curse because all things have been restored to the way it was in the Garden of Eden at the beginning of time and God and the Lamb will walk with the people again and everyone will have access to Him anytime and we will be His servants. We will now be able to look in the face God and He will seal us with His name in our foreheads. Again it tells us ther will be no need for any light of any kind because the Lord gives the light and tells us also we will reign with Him forever an ever.
Revelations

Revelation 21: 22-27

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Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
 
Now we discover that there will be no temple, because there is no need for one. We will not need any kind of structure to worship God in other than the Holy City of God. There will also be no need for any light because the the Lamb of God will be all the light we need along with the glory of God. We will not have need of the the sun and moon. All that are saved and whose names are written in the Lambs book life will walk in the light of that shines all the time because there will be night. All will bring there glory and honor into the temple and can do it anytime because the gates of the city will never be shut. Even the nations, meaning all kinds of people no matter what nationality, will bring there glory and honor in. The gates do not have to be shut now because no one will have to worry about anyone stealing anything anymore, this is a place of peace and safety and refreshment where people can rest from labors. We are reassured that there will be no one that works any abomination or lies or sins in any way because all of that has passed away and everything has been made new and again only those whose names are written in Lambs book of life will be there.
Something to Think About...

The Biker’s Creed

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(For Those Born Again to Be Wild)

I ride first and foremost because God has called me to do so.

But, I also ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding, and the pure pleasure of it.

I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so. Thus, I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a status symbol—it exists for me by the grace of God.

My machine is not a toy—it is a mechanical wonder of steel and glass and rubber. As a good steward, I will treat it with all due respect. So, I will strive to understand all the inner-workings of my machine from the most basic to the most complex. I will learn everything I can about my machine so that I am reliant on no one but myself for its operation.

I will strive to constantly better my skills and control over my machine. I will learn its limits and use my skill so that I may ride safe and stay alive. I am the master of this machine, and it is my servant. Working together in harmony, we will become a team.

My machine should last longer than I do. Therefore, it is a legacy. I will care for it so that future bikers can enjoy it as much as I have.

I do not fear death for my life is in God’s hands. He has ordered the day and time of my death. Such fear must to be overcome with confidence in my Lord. I will, however, do everything possible to avoid death due to my own carelessness, inattentiveness, or recklessness.

I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do not ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them. For such non-riders that do not know me, I simply ask for them to try and get to know me. And, for those that do desire to know me, I will share with them the truth about myself so that they might understand me and not fear me nor others like me.

I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession–I will see them only as bikers. I am thankful to God for who I am as a biker and for the machine that I ride, but I will not flaunt such before others. If others ask about who I am or what I do as a biker, I will share with them.

I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable that myself. I will learn from them all that I can. Too, I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will teach them what I can.

It will be my task to mentor new riders in the biker lifestyle so that our lineage may continue. I will instruct them just as I have been taught– thus, preserving and honoring the traditions of bikers before me–and I will pass them on unaltered.

I will never pass by a biker pulled over on the side of a road, but I will stop and be ready to assist as best that I can any biker that truly needs my help.

I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself.

I will never be the aggressor on the highway; nevertheless, should others mess with me, their aggression will be dealt with in a manner that will both honor Jesus Christ as well as protect other bikers and myself from them.

I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker whenever and wherever I go. I am thankful to be a biker, and I hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me as well as to better understand myself as God has created me to be. But the main reason that I ride is because I have been called of God to glorify Him by sharing the height and width and depth of His love to the bikers that He brings across my path.

(author unknown)

Revelations

Revelation 21:18-21

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Revelation 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Now we get to see the walls were made of and it was a material called Jasper which is a diamond like stone and the city itself was like unto pure gold like clear glass which will help God’s glory shine throughout the city. Now the foundations were made of different stones, first Jasper = Diamond, second Sapphire = A brilliant blue stone, third Chalcedony = Sky blue with colored stripes, fourth Emerald = Bright green stone, fifth Sardonyx = Red and white striped stone, sixth Sardius = Various shades of Red, seventh Chrysolite = Transparent gold or yellow, eighth Beryl = Shades of green, yellow and blue, ninth Topaz = Yellowish green, tenth Chrysoprasus = Gold tinted green, eleventh Jacinth = Blue or violet colored, twelfth Amethyst = Purple stone. All these stones will help set off a rainbow of beautiful colors because of the brilliant light of God’s glory. Now each gate to the city was one giant pearl, remember the walls are 1500 miles high and the streets were pure gold that were crystal clear. This is a city that the glory of God will shine through at all times and we will walk on streets of pure gold, something that is not even known to man today but the gold we have today is one of the most valuable things to man. To God it is just part of His kingdom because He owns everything. Today we place value on the too many material things and not enough value on spiritual things.
Revelations

Revelation 21: 14 -17

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Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
 
 
As the angel continued showing and telling John about the city he showed him the twelve foundations which were named after the twelve apostles, the same twelve apostles that the foundation of Christianity was built on. Now the angel had a golden measuring stick to measure the city, gates , and wall . The city itself was a perfect cube, because God built and designed it, it was 1500 miles on each wall and 1500 miles high. Remember how the walls of the city in ancient times were wide enough to race chariots around on them, well these walls are 216 feet across, just a tad wider. There is more to the walls but I wanted to stop here so we can truly understand the greatness of the the construction of this city.
Revelations

Revelation 21:9-13

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Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
 
One of the earlier angels that helped with the plagues now comes to
John and tells him that he will now show him the Lamb’s wife, the bride which we know as the church that was raptured. we are passed the marriage supper and now have become the bride. Again as at the beginning of this book John is carried to high mountain where he sees the holy Jerusalem, a great city coming out of heaven from God. You have to know that this city has been ready for a while, it was not just created. The city had the glory of
God and was not in need of any special light because because God also supplied that and it was so bright John had a hard time describing it. This new city had a high wall with twelve gates, just like the old city of Jerusalem, but the new city had an angel at each gate and a name on each which is the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. On each wall, north, east, south, and west had three gates. As we continue we will learn of the description of this great city and know to that if you are a child God this is your eternal home or mansion that God has promised us.
A Note from Hope

New Babies: A Note from Hope

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kittensoDo ya’ll remember the cat with the electric eyes? Well, guess what? She had babies, just like Mom said!

Here are two of them – there are eight all together. Some of them have no tails, just like the mama, and one has just a little stubby tail.  They are very tiny so I have to be careful when I walk around them. But they like me; sometimes two or three of them stand around me and look at me like they think I might be their mama.

I can’t wait for them to get a little bigger so we can really play. We’re gonna be good friends, I just know it.

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