Book Review Friday - ! Timothy

This week's reading was a Book for living a practical Christian life on a day to day basis, a lot to think about and an excellent goal to strive for. I really don't know where to start so this review will probably be all over the place.

Some things that stood out to me. Chapter 1:3,4 and 4:1 there is a warning given to us to beware of false teaching and to hold fast to sound doctrine. We are told not to hold to genealogies and fables that don't do anything to build our faith or glorify God. The result of heeding this commandment, "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:". (vs5) I want my faith to be strengthened as I go through trials and challenges (even though I can't say I will be happy during these times) in my life. I do know that God promises that He will be with me and that all that comes into my life, good or bad, is to bring me closer to Him. How can I complain about this end result?

Chapter 2: 1, 2 gives me a wake up call with complaining about those who God has put in authority over me, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty". It is not easy for me to give thanks to those that are not doing what is pleasing to me, but I am told that this is well pleasing to God, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" (vs 3) It really doesn't matter whether we are daughters, wives, mothers, widows, or a church member, we all are under the authority of someone. God has ordained this for our protection as ladies.

Chapter 2:4 Salvation is not just for some people but God is not willing for any to perish, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:9. I am reminded that I need to look at people in every walk of life and see them as a soul that Christ died for, and that they are destined for heaven or hell. Christ didn't just die for a certain few people, but "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" 1John 2:2. I need to be more bold to witness for Christ at every opportunity, I am not the most brave person when it comes to witnessing. I am thankful that God is longsuffering and mercifull to me, and that I heard the Gospel message of salvation. I can say with Paul that, "...that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" 1Timothy1:15. (emphasis mine).

In today's world, where so many things are contrary to the Word of God, we as woman must always be on guard that we are portraying ourselves as God wants us too. We are so often looked upon as "unusual" to say the least, no surprise, we are to be pecular people. God has a perfect plan for me as a woman, I wish I could say that I have always lived up to God's standard, but that would not be so and God knows it. God wants me to be modest in my appearance and to be godly in my conversation. It has always been difficult for me to have someone in authority over me, not a good thing, and to let my husband be the leader of our home. God has the order in the home that works for harmony and so many times the roles have been reversed and so chaos occurs in homes. Woman are seen as weak by today's standards if they don't have a career, work outside the home and would dare to follow what God's Word says, what a tradgedy. It is such a blessing to me to see wives and moms that want to be "keepers at home", they surely have choosen the better things of life. Ladies this is a most important occupation and with the greatest rewards. No to mention well pleasing to God. Be happy to go against the view of society!!
As a widow I feel very blessed to have a family and church family that loves me and cares for me. My youngest son and his wife, (they have been married just two years last September), bought a house that had an apartment so that I could live in the same house, (I have the best daughter-in-law ever) , but have our own homes. I believe that they are fuling the Scripture of 5:4, "But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God ". God has been so good to me! I am very blessed and undeserving of such love and care.

There was so very much to learn in all areas of this Book and much more can be said. While reading this Book words used a lot were"faithful", "acceptation" and "true". I want to work toward being more faithful, acceptible and true in my every day life, and more pleasing to my Lord in all that I do.

This definitely was a challenging week of new truths from the Word of God to apply to my life. Looking forward to next weeks Book and what I need to learn:) I am looking forward to reading what each of you learned from this Book.

Until next time!

Book Review - Ruth

What a blessing the Book of Ruth is of the goodness and working of God! This week God has shown me how God can take wrong choices and turn them into something for good. He has changed my life and is still showing me where I need to change.

When things appeared to be difficult, Elimelech went to the world and this did not show to his family that he trusted in the Lord for provision for his family. It made me think about myself and how often I have gone to the world for provision for my life instead of asking God first. Sobering thoughts! Is God able? Definitely! Does He care about me and my little problems? Yes He does! 1Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you". (emphasis mine).

Again when Naomi decided to return to her homeland, she told her daughters-in-law to return to their people. Orpah was not willing to trust God, but went back to her homeland where things would be easier and familiar to her, (I liken this to the world). Ruth choose to stay and take whatever would come her way; I see this as trusting in the Lord and for His will for her life. She choose the best way - to follow the Lord! Too often I find myself looking for the way that causes me the least stress or problems in my life. I don't like confrontation at all. I pray the Lord would help me just to trust Him and to remember that nothing touches my life except the Lord allows it to make me more like the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no affliction that I can suffer on this earth that would ever be as bad as missing spending eternity with the Lord.

God blessed Ruth for her love and care of Namoni. She had a testimony of being a virtuous woman, "And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. " 3:16. She was not known for being a flirt with the young men, "And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich." 3;15. Ruth is an example for each of us to follow whether we are young ladies or older women.

God never promises us an easy road but as the song says"he promises us that He will go with us". Ruth is the kind of woman that I want to be like and I know that I just need to obey the Lord whether it be difficult or enjoyable to do.

Now I'm off to learn some things from each of you ladies that I missed in the Book of Ruth. As usual I found it hard not to read the Reviews before I did my own, so I just kept myself busy so I would not yield to temptation:-) I am looking forward with anticipation for the next Book you have for us Shannon. Thank you for your faithfulness in choosing the Books to challenge me in my Christian walk.

Until next time!!

Book review - 2 Thessalonians

This book has much to say about faith, prayer and being steadfast in His Word. I praise the Lord for His Word! This was another week of mediating and searching His Word for what He would have me to learn.

Paul starts out with exhortation to the Thessalonians, reminding them of their prayers and thanksgiving to God for them. I want to be careful to show this kind of care and concern for those God brings into my life. It is easy to see the faults in others and quickly point these out and not give any encouragement. I am thankful for my church family and the evidence of the caring one for another and I pray that I will never take my sisters and brothers in the Lord for granted , and that I would be an exhorter to good works and not a discourager.

I would like to say that I am always patient when faced with difficult situations as these people were, but I know that my Lord has more work to do in me in this area of my life.

Again in this book, we see that God doesn't want us to take things into our own hands with those who treat us unjustly, but rather leave it to Him who will take care of the problem justly and at the right time. These people could look at Paul's life and see his testimony of belief and faith in God. He knew that God would fulfil all His promises. I pray that I might have a life that reflects my faith and love for God relying totally on Him whatever the situation .

I am reminded that I need to be always on guard and to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15 , as well 1 John 4:1.tells me "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world".

Paul tells the people in Chapter 3 to separate themselves from those who walk disorderly and not after the example that they had witnessed in him. He tells them that, " if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother".

He again brings up the point of looking after our own affairs that we be not busybodies, interfering or gossiping about the affairs of others. This makes me realize that if it is important enough to mention more than once in God's Word that it is an area I need to take heed to in my own life.

Paul began this book with encouragement of the peace and comfort of God and ends with the exhortation of the peace and grace of God.

Many more lessons can be learned from this book, but for now I have many things to strive for, all with God's help and teaching. John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing".
Until next time. Keep looking to the One that is worthy of all our praise.

Book Review Friday - 1 Thessalonians

This book was a comforting book with some exciting promises to look forward to.

I am exhorted to pray continually for my sisters and brothers in Christ, I know that I can be more diligent in this area of my prayer life. When I read our Missionary Prayer letters, there are many struggles that they endure. I can continually pray for each of them as they serve the Lord.

I want to be gentle but firm in my witness to others, but I don't want to be pleasing man but rather to God. The glory all belongs to God for every soul that comes to Him, I desire to be a tool in God's hand to show the unsaved Calvary. Paul had a testimony that was without reproach. The people knew it was God's word not man's. I hope that my life and actions show forth a good testimony as Paul's did with the people he was giving the Gospel to. I am reminded that by living for Christ I can expect to be persecuted for my faith. God's Word tells me this in 2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution".

I am also reminded that the Lord is the avenger of wrong doing - not me. I find it very difficult not to speak my mind, when I hear those that are unsaved using the Lord's name in vain, and doing those things that are so ungodly, but God's Word says that He will take care of these things. Romans 12:19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord".

Another area to remember is that if I am doing all that I should be doing to keep the things in my own life on track and right before the Lord, I will have no time left to see the wrong in others. Chapter 4 :11,12 , "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing".

It is a blessing to have such a great promise and hope in Verses 16 - 17; "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord". Wow: "What a Day That Will Be" No more sin to contend with!

I am told in this book to always be ready for the Lord's return. This is something to continue to strive for. I pray that I will not take the opportunities to witness for granted. I am very blessed to live in a country where I can carry my Bible openly, go freely to my church and suffer very little, if any persecution for witnessing to the lost, even when they are not interested. I thank the Lord for His blessings to me.

This was a book full of hope and promises, many more comments could be made, but I fear this will turn into a book, not a review.

Looking for the next book to be challenged with! Until next time, may God bless you richly.

Best Decision of My Life

I never can look at the pure white snow without remembering my salvation. Isaiah1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool". I have been thinking about posting this for awhile and yesterday as I looked out the window while at church and the snow was so bright and clean, I decided that today would be the day.

These verses describe me 27 years ago, Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

27 years ago this month in a third floor bedroom on Aberdeen Street in Kentville, NS at about 3:00AM, my Lord heard the cries of this wicked sin filled person and saved my soul. John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out". After a life of rejecting Him, He still loved me and promised to never leave me or forsake me. Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee".

I wish that I could say that I have always obeyed His Word since He saved me, I am still striving to be "More Like The Master". He has made me a different person and all the glory belongs to Him. Psalm 40:3 "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD".

My prayer and desire this next year is to grow closer to my Lord, obey His Word, share His Word with the lost. My goal is to read through the Bible this year, be faithful in my devotions, continue to read a Proverb every day, and read the portion that Shannon chooses each week.

I have many unsaved family members that I would like to see come to the Lord and not say as Agrippa said to Paul, Acts 26:28, 29 "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds". I want to be a good testimony before them. I hope that I would never be a stumbling block.

Thank you ladies for your encouragement. Your book reviews give me much to think about. I hope and pray that we will all be better servants for our Lord in the coming year. Truly focused on Him!