Why We Believe What We Believe

2 Peter 1:12-21 (New International Version)
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2 Peter 1:12-21

New International Version (NIV)

Prophecy of Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

EXPERIENCE

Thank you Lord for today. Thank you for waking me up today. Thank you for allowing me to have men in my life who are teachers of your word and your book. Thank you for allowing me to love him. The goodness of you is all that I seek. Nothing is easy and if it was would it be really worth it? We always feel we have to earn everything, there must be a struggle for us to appreciate something. Well Lord I am struggling so I look forward to my days of blessing and reward. Thank you Lord for your patience with me. I believe you have a blessing for me with my name on it and it is mine. I deserve it and its promised. No one and nothing can stop that. Be extremely blessed today and be a true blessing to someone. I love you.

Acts 10:34-36
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Experiencing the Goodness of God

Dear Lord when I think about your goodness all of my troubles seem to melt away. I know that you are with me. I don't walk this road alone and my path is lit by your wisdom and guidance. Let my choices be your choices. When I grow weary, lift me and carry me on my way. Let today be a good day, reinforced with your will and your way. Let positive and encouraging thoughts and words come out of my mouth to my students and colleagues. Hear my plea Oh Lord. I look for new beginnings, new methods, new understanding to encourage me. God I know you are always seeking growth within us. You challenge me to do better, to have more faith and to believe in the impossible. Help me through this day Lord. Help me to get better at this schedule and to maneuver through the obstacles around me. Your word shall forever be in my heart, my mind and my soul. Allow me to be encouraged in my day so that I am successful at the end of it. Thank you Lord. You are worthy to be praised and I give you all of my praise and glory. I thank you for your blessings. Have a blessed day today and be a blessing to someone in need. I love you.

New Beginnings

Today starts our NEW, new, school year. Early morning start, late afternoon ending. Lord, I will do what I have to do. I will bring joy to my situation. I would like to encourage myself and staff. We need each other and need to continue to remember that we are important in each others life. Speak positive words of encouragement to my students. Allow them to be involved in their education. Whether I am a student or a teacher, I want to impact my students life. They don't have to remember me, just remember what I tried to teach them.
Daniel 6
Daniel is on the Menu at the Lion's Club. How appropriate for today. I feel like I am asked to do may things that I don't agree with. I struggle with this all the time. Well let's get ready and go to school.
When does the waiting stop? Be blessed today and be a blessing to someone. I love you and hope that you are more settled and relaxed today. You have the information that you need and the people that you need to talk to today are all receptive and willing to do things your way today.

New Perspective

In the face of change Lord, how do we handle a new perspective? This is the last day for our regular school day. Next week we are on the extended schedule. We agreed to this. We spoke to the parents at open house last night. We assured the children this would be a positive opportunity so lets we will all work together to ensure that the change is as effortless and uncomplicated as possible. I ask God to be in the middle of this change. I give it over to God to allow us to transition effectively. Any resentment and uncertainty is removed. Any apprehension is calmed. I am excited about a new beginning. It is happening so I will embrace it. I will do God's will and ask God to help me be more flexible and open to change.Thank You Lord for all that you do for me. Allowing me to still wake up and be a functioning human being. Thank You God that I have a job to go to this morning. Thank You Lord that it was payday today so I can meet my bills. Thank You Lord for giving me transportation, family and friends, and a safe and secure environment. We have our problems but we are not on the street and living in war ravaged countries, we are not drought and poverty stricken. Thank You Lord for your blessings. I pray for those that are in these situations and pray for relief for them. Do not call anything unclean that God has called clean. Keep God's word.
Acts 11

Skilled Incompetence

Am I teachable? I ask God to search me and help me to stop being so adept at protecting myself from the truth that is possibly painful. Allow me to listen and learn the hard truth. Help me to prepare myself my day in order to teach to stubborn students. I want to be able to change my ways if that is not working. Reach them somehow how to allow them to learn. Every child is teachable, if they take down their guard and begin to explore whats available for them. Help me to be prepared for them today. Help my attitude to be welcoming and warm. Keep me observant of the activities. Help me to say the right words to my student who is having issues with the other girls. Help her to find a place where she can fit in. Give them a clear mind today when they take their test. Let the answers flow freely and make sure they are correct. Let them remember them clearly and not freeze up with stupidity. Keep us safe Lord. Have a blessed day today. Encourage us to do your will. Stay in love with us and walk with us. I love you.

Micah 2:1-4 (New International Version)

Micah 2:1-4

New International Version (NIV)

Micah 2
Human Plans and God’s Plans
1 Woe to those who plan iniquity,
to those who plot evil on their beds!
At morning’s light they carry it out
because it is in their power to do it.
2 They covet fields and seize them,
and houses, and take them.
They defraud people of their homes,
they rob them of their inheritance.

3 Therefore, the LORD says:

“I am planning disaster against this people,
from which you cannot save yourselves.
You will no longer walk proudly,
for it will be a time of calamity.
4 In that day people will ridicule you;
they will taunt you with this mournful song:
‘We are utterly ruined;
my people’s possession is divided up.
He takes it from me!
He assigns our fields to traitors.’”

Restored Hope

Thank You God for keeping me here another day. Sometimes situations seem hopeless but with faith, just a little bit of faith, all things are possible. I know that God wants me to have hope. God wants me to be renewed and restored. I believe that God wants me to have good things in my life. I can't believe that God wants me to struggle forever. When we face insurmountable obstacles we think there is no reason to hope but God wants us to believe in hope. Faith Hope and Love. Keep the Faith, Continue to Hope and Walk in Love.

Romans 4:16-22
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[b] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Favoritism

God does not show favoritism. Lord thank you for not showing favoritism. Thank you for accepting all of us no matter male or female, black or white, Jew or Gentile. Keep us under your Word. I pray that we can keep your word in our hearts and know that we are following your steps. I did not want another minute to go by without me writing.

Our Needs

Dear God, usually we have to admit that we need help before we receive that help. Why is it so difficult for us to admit that we need help. We want to do it on our own but we can't. When it continues to break down, we call on you Lord. Help me to see you as the first responder in all of my cares. I have parent conferences today and I need to reach the parent and the child. I pray that I can reach someone today with the gospel. I pray that God is revealed to someone through me, someone who is rejecting God's eternal power and divine nature. I give thanks to God for he is worthy to be praised. I pray that your day is blessed and that your are fruitful in your endeavors. My love goes with you today and everyday.

Romans 1:21-23
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Making Wise Decisions

Lord I have to wonder why sometimes. I know that certain things are necessary but I do wonder why. How can this be? When we have to chose to keep going one more day doing something we are challenged with is it wrong to expect it will get easier? I want to be inspired and ignited about the task. I want it to be my pride and joy. My time is worth it. I want to feel I am doing a good job. I don't want to feel cheated or overused or undervalued. I have to challenge myself to stay fresh while doing the job. Learn something new. Try a new method. Reinvent myself. Step up my game. can I do it without losing myself. Probably not so I have to lose myself to gain a better understanding of what needs to be done. A new me for a newly defined task. Forgive me Lord for not listening to your words, pushes and nudges to do the right thing. I have made mistakes and I am willing to work on fixing them. I was wrong and I'm asking for forgiving and healing. I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me know God better and to help me walk in God's way.

Hosea 14:4-6
4 “I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

Rejoice

Yes Lord I will rejoice and give you thanks. I am happy to know that I am here for a special reason.

I know that we are not here by chance and that we have to make the most of what God has given us. Speaking to others about Jesus Christ is important and necessary. How I will do that will draw me closer to God.

I seek his face. I yearn for time with God. My hearts desire is to be pleasing to God. I pray that I will be able to learn how to speak about God's loving kindness and goodness in my life.

I know that is an area that I need to improve upon. Talking about God with others. Speaking to others about the goodness of God. Inviting others to come to the Lord. God is a good God and he will give me what I need. I am renewed to know that is what I will work on for this new year. My tumbling blocks might be someone Else's stumbling block.

I don't want to say useless words or cliche sayings that are heard throughout, but I want to encourage people that God is the answer for your problems and he has done great things in my life, when I have released my control and turned it over to him. I pray for your prayers to be answered.

Whatever it is that you want, that's what I hope for.You are anointed and appointed so please know that I want nothing but the best for you. You have a skill, a blessing and talent to do what it is that you are doing. Keep the blessings coming. Be blessed and be a blessing to someone.

I am staying strong with this family and will continue to be with it for a long, long, long time. Whatever road we travel, we travel together.

Good Night

Ephesians 3:16-19
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Be blessed tonight and know that you are loved and that prayers are going out to God to bless you and keep you safe. You are loved. Good Night.

Accepting of Myself

Everything is all good. We have to learn to love our selves and remember that we have good positive things in our lives that we have done to encourage others. You have done a wonderful job uniting the folks in that neighborhood and around the city. It hasn't been an easy job but you have diligently continued to show that we can come together without harming one another. I admire you for your dedication. You are a strong man with good intentions. I continue to encourage and stand by you to find peaceful ways to come together and still be a part of a productive, involved and entertaining community. While all is well, it is different. It is by faith that I keep my belief going. I just want to encourage you. Feel good about the future and know that through it all we are still moving forward, not backwards.

Accepting of Others

Lord I pray that I will be more accepting of others. I pray that I will not come across being a stuck up person. I don't want to be arrogant or haughty. My job is to have discernment about myself and others. I trust you Lord to help me make the right decisions. If I ever feel unacceptable remove that from my mind. I know I am a child of God and I do not earn his favor or reassurance. God loves me unconditionally.
Galatians 3:1-14
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[c]

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3:1-14
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

We are Here

Lord we are where we dreaded we would be. Adding the 90 minutes was a given. We expected it and knew it was coming, but now they are rolling down the hammer trying to close us. Everywhere you look Lord its all about the jobs. Take jobs away or claim to make these superficial never seen jobs. Lord, keep us under your watchful eye. We stay focused on you Lord.

Prayer

Lord we pray for our Leaders today. I believe the decisions made by them are directly from you. Let them be leaders of discernment, understanding and knowledge. Thank you for your laborers, I continue to work for your glory Lord. Thank you for your blessings. Let our leaders work for justice and righteousness.

New Life, New Lifestyle

Set your heart on thing above. Shed any and everything that is unnecessary./anything that slows me down from completing the race and getting to the finish line.I want to keep God's perspective on immorality and greed. Examine my motives and actions Lord. Keep me honest and on your path. Like a marathon runner I have to shed pounds, clothes, habits and anything else that is a distraction and diversion. Keep my focus on you and completing my task. Let me not get off course.

Colossians 3:1-11
Colossians 3
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

I Don't Mind Waiting

When God calls us to complete a task, we know we should be faithful and diligent until it is accomplished but sometimes we grow weary and discouraged. Obstacles block our path, opponents mock us, and over time we just think the only thing to do is give up. So during this time we are encouraged by a fresh word from God. God gently rebukes us then offers us strong encouragement and genuine hope. God gives us renewed vision of how our task fits into his broader plan and purpose in the world. The Lord encourages us to complete whatever task he has given us and to see it from his eternal perspective. Not what we want but what God wants us to do. When we return to the Lord we understand that waiting is part of our task so we wait patiently and with love and peace in our heart. Sometimes we have to remember that its not our will but God's will and purpose. I don't mind waiting is my new mantra.
God has blessed me with the ability to bounce back, regroup, and to return to the task at hand. I'm still here, I'm not in a hospital,jail, mental institution, or drug house. God has plans for me. How to reinvent myself and continue God's task without growing weary and discouraged is my new task. Receiving a fresh word, a new outlook, a treasure from within. I thank God for his forgiveness and love. I am blessed to be forgiven and loved by God. I know that I have been blessed and I don't take that blessing lightly. Thank You Lord for your blessings. I don't mind waiting on the Lord.

Renewal

Father God in the name of Jesus I am renewed in my faith. I want to be a doer of the word not just someone who hears the word. It is you Lord who revives and stimulates us according to your word. Thank you for keeping your eyes on me and restoring me. Thank you for watching over my health and happiness. Your ways are the way I want to go. You give me comfort and consolation during my time of need. I put off the old and I look to be renewed with a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. Glory to God. Hallelujah! Glory to God

1 Corinthians 12
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Intercession Prayers

Lord I pray for those in authority. I pray for them to have requests and thanksgiving of peaceful and quiet lives that are ministering to the people they serve. Lord I pray for our country and ask God to execute justice for the fatherless and the widows and the poor. Protect, preserve and uphold their rights. Give them common sense when dealing with the concerns of the poor. Father God help us to understand you better and to know what it is you need us to do. Help us to make the right decisions. Help us to be loving and caring towards each other. Teach us how to love one another and live together in harmony.

Ezekiel 28:1-5
“‘In the pride of your heart
you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne of a god
in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god,
though you think you are as wise as a god.
3 Are you wiser than Daniel[a]?
Is no secret hidden from you?
4 By your wisdom and understanding
you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
in your treasuries.
5 By your great skill in trading
you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
your heart has grown proud.