All posts by Patti Greene

Patti Greene is the author of three outstanding devotional prayer journals, Answer Me, Anchor Me, and Awaken Me. She has also published Christian Caregiving: Practical Advice for a Happy Ending, and a Bible Word Search Puzzles series. Patti earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and pursued graduate studies in religious education and library science. Patti spent 18 more years as a school librarian. She currently facilitates a Joy of Living Bible Study. Patti and her husband have three adult children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren.
Bible Study, Test Your Knowledge, The Bible

Test Your Knowledge [Men in the Bible]

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Test Your Knowledge [Men in the Bible]

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Here I am again – Making up a test for Father’s Day! As I have mentioned before, ever since I was a 2nd-grade teacher, one of my favorite ‘educator activities’ was designing tests, quizzes, and worksheets! Since Father’s Day is around the corner, I wanted to make up a short TRUE and FALSE test about Men in the Bible. Try it just for fun. Not a test taker? That’s okay.  Just forward it to a friend who is!

Have a blessed Father’s Day whether it is celebrating your dad, your grandfather, a friend, or just celebrating yourself.

I would love for you to honor a special man in your life by putting a 1 or 2-word description of them in the comment section of this blog, i.e. Dad-Helpful; Grandpa-Loves God; Late Grandfather-So kind; Step-father-Provider.

True or False Trivia Quiz – 5 points / question.   TOTAL SCORE: __________%

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Men in the Bible

  1. _____ Solomon was David’s second son by Bathsheba.
  2. _____ Methuselah was the last of the minor prophets and the writer of the last book of the Old Testament.
  3. _____ Joshua accompanied Moses part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the two tablets.
  4. _____ Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob and Leah.
  5. _____ Simeon’s mother was Eunice and his grandmother was Lois.
  6. _____ Barabbas was a robber whom Pilate proposed to condemn to death instead of Jesus.
  7. _____ Naaman was cured of blindness when he dipped himself 7 times in the Jordan River.
  8. _____ Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands in prayer when fighting the Amalekites.
  9. _____ Maoch was a wise man and legal expert consulted by King Xerxex.
  10. _____ Josiah became king over Judah when he was 7 years old.
  11. _____ Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
  12. _____ Ben-Hur was the first of a list of twelve district governors appointed by Solomon to oversee his kingdom.
  13. _____ Belshazzar was the new name given to Daniel.
  14. _____ Gauis was one of Jesus’ travelling companions.
  15. _____ King Hezekiah was a godly king.
  16. _____ Jahziel was a synagogue ruler in the area of Lake Galilee and was an example of a man of faith to Mark and Luke.
  17. _____ Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law.
  18. _____ Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were friends who sought to comfort Job when he encountered calamity.
  19. _____ Joseph’s brothers stripped Joseph of the multi-colored tunic his father gave him.
  20. _____ Pudens was one of Joab’s friends.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWERS

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. Proverbs 20:29
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Brookwood Community
Glorious Wall at Brookwood Café, Brookshire, Texas

Quick Answers:

  1. True
  2. False
  3. True
  4. True
  5. False
  6. True
  7. False
  8. True
  9. False
  10. False
  11. True
  12. True
  13. False
  14. False
  15. True
  16. False
  17. True
  18. True
  19. True
  20. False

Detailed Answers:

  1. True; However, Solomon was the first son after their legal marriage, but their first child died. 2 Samuel 12:16-25
  2. False; Malachi was the last of the minor prophets and the writer of the last book of the Old Testament.
  3. True; Exodus 32
  4. True;  Genesis 29:32
  5. False; Timothy was a young disciple; His mother was Eunice and his grandmother was Lois. 2 Timothy 1:5
  6. True; John 18:40
  7. False; He was cured of leprosy not blindness. His cure is alluded to in Luke 4:27.
  8. True; Exodus 17:10-12
  9. False; Marsena was a wise and legal expert. Esther 1:14. Maoch was the father of Achish. 1 Samuel 27:2
  10. False; Josiah became king over Judah at 8 years old. 2 Kings 22:1
  11. True; Matthew 11:28
  12. True; 1 Kings 4:7-9
  13. False; Belteshazzar, not Belshazzar, was the new name given to Daniel. Daniel 1:7
  14. False; Gaius was one of Paul’s travelling companions. Acts 19:29
  15. True; 2 Kings 18-20
  16. False; Jairus was the ruler presented as an example of faith to Luke and Mark. Mark 5:22-23
  17. True; Exodus 3:1
  18. True; Book of Job
  19. True; Genesis 37:23
  20. False; Pudens was one of Paul’s friends. 2 Timothy 4:21

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Bible Verses:

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Proverbs 23:24

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. Jeremiah 17:22

Prayer: 

My heavenly Father, Thank you for my father, my grandfathers, and all the men influences I have had in my life. Teach me to respect them and care for them. If there are ways I have hurt them or they have hurt me, give me the courage to repent and/or to forgive them. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It is an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! Moreover, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

My Books – Available on Amazon or can be ordered at any retail book store.

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment on this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Church and Ministry, Friendship, How to Guides, Life Issues, Medical

Emotional Stress

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Emotional Stress

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Emotional Stress – Let’s face it. Everybody experiences stress from time to time. Life brings both the good and the bad. However, some individuals experience the “ups and downs” that come with living life more than others do. In Recognizing an Emotional Breakdown, author Tara Warta says, “When pressure begins to overwhelm an individual to the point where her [his] professional or personal well-being is compromised, symptoms of a nervous breakdown may become apparent. Such an event can take place for a variety of reasons, and common culprits include a traumatic family event, [an] unreasonable amount of stress in the workplace or a dramatic change in a relationship.” ¹

When we are deeply overwhelmed or troubled, our emotions, our decision-making ability, and our relationships are unable to continue in the normal fashion. Emotional stress usually causes physical symptoms like tremors, heart palpitations, intense headaches, breakouts, physical pain in the chest, and more.

Emotional breakdowns occur when the stress becomes so unbearable that we do not know how to handle it. We have reached our limit. Different individuals experience diverse symptoms. Stressors may cause emotional instability, changes in health, and a disrupted spiritual balance. When we have reached our capacity to function, we may be on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

Stressors may cause emotional instability, changes in health, and a disrupted spiritual balance. Greene Pastures by Patti
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Merriam Webster’s Thesaurus uses the following words to explain how someone who is stressed-out feels.²

Burned-out [Burnt out]; Exhausted; Knackered [British]; Tired; Worn-out; Undone; Unmanned; Unnerved, Unstrung; Troubled; Upset; Edgy; Nervous; Tense; Uneasy; Agitated; Disturbed; Perturbed, Aggravated; Angry; Annoyed; Exasperated; Irritated; and Shell-shocked.

I performed an Internet search to find out what types of situations lead people to emotional stress. Listed below are some catalysts one might find leading to extreme stress or possibly a complete nervous breakdown.

  1. You are pregnant and you don’t want to be;
  2. You fear you might have dementia;
  3. You are extremely troubled by your family’s choices;
  4. You hate your job or you cannot find a job;
  5. You are deeply depressed over your boyfriend or girlfriend breaking up with you;
  6. You are extremely concerned about your church;
  7. You fear you might not go to heaven;
  8. You are stressed beyond measure being a caregiver;
  9. You made a huge mistake at work;
  10. You are fearful of being sued, fired, or foreclosed on;
  11. You are experiencing a messy divorce;
  12. You can’t handle or care for your children;
  13. Moreover, the list goes on.

Thankfully, removing a few stressors allow some individuals to rebound from the emotional stress they are dealing with. Unfortunately, others may not be able to snap back even when their load lightens. In the case of a sinking state-of-mind, medical intervention is often necessary. Timely medical help may even necessitate an urgent visit to the doctor or emergency room. Never ignore your emotional well-being. It could be the difference between life and death.

Being a believer does not shield us from all the rises and falls we encounter in life. Life happens. Our source is always God, our Father. He provides His Word, His people, and his Holy Spirit to help us. When times are hard or troubles engulf us, allow Him to be our guide. We may have trouble praying ourselves in these emotional times, but God always provides. Many times, He works through other people or professionals. If you need to talk or receive counseling, choose someone you trust, and share your difficulties with him or her.

When Jesus came face to face with the most difficult time of His life, He wanted His friends nearby. Even Jesus did not try to face his most difficult moment alone and neither should we.

In Matthew 26:36-39,

Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

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HOW TO HELP SOMEONE EXPERIENCING AN “EMOTIONALLY STRESSFUL” SITUATION

  1. Listen

  • Listening does not mean giving them advice. The advice might stress them more and lead them deeper into more turmoil.
  • “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” James 1:19 ESV

  1. Reduce the load and stressors if possible

  • Find people who are willing and able to take the load and pressure off them.
  • “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 ESV

  1. Give reassurance that God cares

  • Be an encourager and let them know they are not alone in their present situation.
  • “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

  1. Give confidence that feeling better is within reach

  • Provide hope there are better days ahead.
  • “For I know the plans I have for you, declares theLord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

  1. Intervene, if needed, with family, medical, and/or spiritual help

  • Use discernment when deciding whom can best help in the situation. In addition, be prepared to act when an emergency arises.
  • “Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed.” Psalm 106:30 ESV

  1. Be a confidant

  • Do not gossip about his/her condition or situation with others unless the person has given you permission. Even then, be discerning.
  • “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28 ESV

Bible Verses:

See above.

Prayer:

Oh LORD, as I reach for You, untangle my nerves and give me hope. Make things better. I am distraught; the pressures are too much. My lists grow longer every day. I cannot meet deadlines. I am about to break. Please help me Lord Jesus. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

¹ http://www.lifescript.com/well-being/articles/r/recognizing_an_emotional_breakdown.aspx?p=1

² http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stressed

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It is an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! Moreover, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

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On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Bible Study, Church and Ministry, Friendship, How to Guides, People in the Bible

Purah: A Servant of Gideon

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Purah: A Servant of Gideon

Do you have a “PURAH” in your life? For the sake of this article, a “PURAH” is the one person who is always loyal to you, who shows up just when you need him, and always wants the best for you.

As I was reading Judges 7:10, I ran across a man named Purah. He is mentioned only one time in the entire Bible, so most people would think of him as an insignificant person.

I decided to read more about this man. I have three reference books that are packed with entries about fascinating people in the Bible. I looked through all three books and there were NO ENTRIES for Purah. It looked like I was correct in my conclusion that he was indeed an insignificant figure in the Scriptures.  But when I re-read about Purah, he was significant — significant to Gideon, and significant to obtaining God’s desired outcome.

The Midianites were oppressing Israel while Israel was doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD. An angel of the LORD came to Gideon and told him that the LORD was with him. Then, after Gideon asked why all these bad things have happened to the Israelites, the LORD said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

God called Gideon into the ministry of saving Israel. Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal, then he asked for signs from God to be sure of his calling. When God reduced Gideon’s army of 22,000 men to only 300, the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped the water, I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” That same night the LORD said to him, ‘Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.” Gideon went down with Purah , and defeated the Midianites. [Judges 7]

Do you have one person who is always loyal to you, who shows up just when you need them, and always wants the best for you?
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Have you ever been in a tough situation? Have you ever been fearful? Has God ever put that one special person in your path just to help you? This is what happened with Gideon.

Not only was Gideon called to do a work for the LORD, Purah was also called to be instrumental in getting God’s work done by being an encourager to Gideon. Both men were essential to the task at hand.

God knew Gideon was encountering fear. How would you feel if you had only 300 men to defeat an entire army? However, God loved Gideon and provided him with a strong wonderful man called Purah to offer encouragement, comfort, and protection. Purah was there for Gideon.

Many times those ministering for the LORD become discouraged, fearful, depressed, weak, and needy; when these times occur,  they need a PURAH. Are you available and in the right spiritual mindset to be used in that capacity? Maybe you are the PURAH someone else needs. Maybe you are the one called to work alongside someone going through a difficult or challenging situation.

Or maybe you need a PURAH today. God has called you to do an insurmountable task — one that seems too overwhelming to tackle on your own. Keep your eyes open for God to provide the encouragement to pursue it. God may provide help through a person who will comfort and encourage you to be all God wants you to be.

I have a friend for whom it seems I find myself there only during major crossroads in her life. We keep in touch occasionally, but I always seem to be around when she needs major help. Her beloved dog was being “put to sleep” one day – I felt so impressed to go with her and be with her through the ordeal. Another time, this same friend had surgery, and I was there to bring food and comfort her. I was her PURAH in those circumstances.  A PURAH bears one another’s burdens.

The LORD knew Gideon needed strength to fulfill God’s calling in his life. And God provided it through Purah.

But, why Purah?

In The Wisdom of Purah: Gideon’s Mentor ,¹ Writersfield states . . .

  1. Purah was more experienced, older in age and more mature than Gideon;
  2. Purah was loyal to Gideon; and
  3. Purah took pleasure in seeing Gideon get credit for what Purah had done.

When we find a friend like that, we have found a treasure!

How to be a PURAH

  • Keep yourself in God’s Word;
  • Pray for opportunities to be used by your Heavenly Father;
  • Ask God to let you recognize the signs to fulfill His will;
  • Be a loyal friend, family member, church member, and employee;
  • Be a confidant;
  • Be humble;
  • Don’t harbor jealousy;
  • Be available;
  • Be grateful;
  • Think of others before yourself.

God Bless,

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Edited by E. Johnson

Bible Verses:

Read Judges 7: 1-18 ESV

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

That same night the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp. And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance. When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”

As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the LORD has given the host of Midian into your hand.” And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon.’”

Prayer:

Oh Lord, make me an instrument to be used by You. Prepare me to be someone’s PURAH. The depths to which You can use me are enormous. I am scared. I feel unable. I feel unworthy. You can make my heart secure in what You want me to be and do, so I lay my trust upon You to make me everything You desire. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

¹ ¹ https://writersfield.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/the-wisdom-of-purah/

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It’s an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! And, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Life Issues, Testimonies, The Bible

Searching for the Word of God – Literally!

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Searching for the Word of God – Literally!

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My wonderful father passed away recently. His life was defined by the vast book collection he possessed – probably why I became a librarian as an adult! When the monumental task came to clear out his books, the “religion” section, which included the Word of God, was NOT supposed to be touched.

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Dad owned an old, dusty Bible with a bumpy leather black cover. It sat on a shelf in the three homes my parents owned throughout their lives. I remember as a child, living in Pennsylvania, sneaking into their bedroom to open this Bible. I would do the old “open the book and point” to see what God might want to tell me.

Feeling safe that the books in the “religion” section would not be touched, I let the other books be boxed up and taken away. I really did think about pulling the Bible out for safe keeping, but I did not.

If you could only imagine my grave chagrin when I looked at the bookshelves and I saw an empty space where this Bible was located. This book was the ONLY book I wanted to keep out of the entire collection. I asked my brothers if they took it; I asked my nephew if he took it; I asked everyone, but no one knew what had happened to the Bible.

Weeks later, I was still thinking about that Bible. All the loads of books that were packed up were taken to three different Goodwill stores. Therefore, taking a chance it might still be at one of the stores, I journeyed to each Goodwill store this week in search of “The Word of God.”

At the first Goodwill store, I told my husband that the chances were one in a million the Bible would be there. It was not. At the second Goodwill store, I deeply hoped for the book’s presence. Nope, it was not there either, but I left feeling maybe God will give me GOOD WILL at the last store. As I spotted the third Goodwill store, excitement filled my soul because the store was called “Select Store and Donation Center,” so I went in more hopeful than ever I would find the Bible. Sadly, it was not there. However, I felt better knowing I at least searched for my father’s Bible. And come to find out, after the fact, all three stores I searched were called “Select Store and Donation Centers.”

Why did one book out of all the books my father owned create such strong feelings that resulted in this search? Maybe it was because that book was the beginning of God starting to touch my soul, maybe it was because the Holy Spirit was starting to fill my heart to prepare me for my future trust in Him, or maybe it was just the holiness and power I sensed attached to that book. I would like to think it was all of the above.

Why the Bible is Special

[This list is not exhaustive.]
  • Divinely inspired [from God];
  • The world’s bestselling book;
  • God’s Word to us;
  • Relevant to us today;
  • Teaches us about Jesus Christ;
  • Changes lives; and
  • Influenced the world for centuries.

Personal Benefits of Searching the Word of God

[This list is not exhaustive.]
  • Leads us to Christ and eternal life;
  • Strengthens our faith;
  • Gives us hope;
  • Teaches us God’s ways;
  • Keeps us from temptation;
  • Gives us peace;
  • Makes us more usable for his service;
  • Guides us in our decisions; and
  • Gives us wisdom.

Yes, I was disappointed the Bible was not in any of the three stores. As I drove away, I pondered my deep disappointment, but then I remembered something. Dad’s next-door neighbor was in the house perusing the shelves taking books before the unwanted books were hauled off. Maybe, just maybe, he has the book. I will be sure to ask!

At least I have HOPE now – but isn’t that just like God to give us hope when we are searching his Word.

Isn’t it just like God to give us hope when we are searching his Word?
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God Bless,

PATTIGREENE.eps-2000x655

Bible Verses:

But he answered, “It is written,“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,  knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Prayer:

Gracious Heavenly Father. Let me search your Word. Sustain me by the wisdom you provide in your Holy Bible. Let me obey and follow your instructions at all times. Give me peace, security, and love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It’s an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! And, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Bible Study, Prayer

10 Quotes on Prayer

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10 Quotes on Prayer

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It has been a very busy week for me. I am care-taking my mom in my home. I am the primary person in charge of remodeling my parent’s home. I am trying to make some headway in writing my next devotional prayer journal. I attended a retirement party for a wonderful librarian friend. I spent much needed time getting my hair dyed, and I met and had my picture taken with actress Renee Zellweger! [Yes, she is charming!] So, instead of pressuring myself to write a “real” blog this week, I decided to share 10 quotes on prayer that I ran across as I was researching PRAYER for my upcoming book. I hope you enjoy them!

  1. How can we know whether or not our requests are in line with God’s will? Ultimately, the only sure guide in this, as in every aspect of the Christian faith, is the divine revelations disclosed in Scripture. Stanley J. Grenz in Prayer: The Cry for the Kingdom
  2. Prayer is a time when we should balance our resignation to God’s will with humble expectations resting on His goodness. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. in Pray with Your Eyes Open
  3. Pray that your adult child will have the wisdom to always seek the counsel of godly and wise people. Stormie Omartian in The Power of Praying for your Adult Children
  4. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will. That puts the center of prayer where it belongs — not on the things we ask for, but rather upon God and His will. Charles L. Allen in All Things are Possible Through Prayer
  5. I wholeheartedly believe that if you genuinely desire to follow Him, He will move heaven and earth to show you His will. How can I say this for certain? Because in order for you to accomplish the good goals God has designed for you to achieve, you must know what He has called you to be and do. (Ephesians 2:10). Charles Stanley in Waiting on God: Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow
  6. That which is gained speedily by a single prayer is sometimes only a second-rate blessing; but that which is gained after many a desperate tug, and many an awful struggle, is a full-weighted and precious blessing. Charles H. Spurgeon in The Power in Prayer
  7. At its base, prayer is talking with God. We can pray alone or in a group: silently or aloud; using a written prayer or a spontaneous one. But to be in prayer is more than just speaking words. Scripture portrays a life of continual prayer, meaning a kind of openness toward God in all we do (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Our entire lives should be prayers to God, exhibiting the praise and love of our Creator and Savior. Rose Publishing in What the Bible Says about Prayer
  8. Prayerlessness . . . could be defined as that state in which one prays less than he ought, less than the Father desires, and less than that one himself knows he should. Jack R. Taylor in Prayer: Life’s Limitless Reach
  9. When the answer to our prayer does not come at once, we should combine quiet patience and joyful confidence in our persevering prayer. Andrew Murray by With Christ in the School of Prayer
  10. When you wait on the Lord, you can know for certain that the best is yet to come . . .  always. Charles Stanley in Waiting on God: Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Bible Verses:

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Matthew 6:9-13

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It’s an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! And, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Christian Living, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, Prayer, Testimonies

Divine Encounters

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Divine Encounters

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Divine encounters come and go. Sometimes we act on them; other times we allow them to pass us by without even giving them a second thought. God places people in our lives with His purposes in mind. It is through people we encounter the opportunities to see God orchestrating our circumstances. A divine encounter might be a majestic incredible moment or it might just be a simple everyday activity like opening the door for someone or giving them your seat on the bus. No matter what, each time we are obedient to his appointments we are opening ourselves up to more appointments. In Mark 4:24 Jesus states, “For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” The more we take advantage of small opportunities to be used by God, the more He will entrust to us. It works similar to credit cards. The more you pay your bills on time, the more credit you might be able to get. If you don’t pay your bills on time, there is less chance for a larger credit limit.

A divine encounter might be a majestic incredible moment or it might just be a simple everyday activity like opening the door for someone or giving them your seat on the bus.
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Using a Biblical example, let’s look at an incident in David’s life where one ‘unnamed man’ was placed in David’s life for a specific purpose. In 1 Samuel 30, the Philistines rejected David. David’s wives were captured by the Amalekites. Great distress filled David because the people spoke of stoning him, but God miraculously strengthened his soul. David asked God if he should pursue the Amalekites, and God answered, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” While the Amalekites were dancing and drinking because of the great spoil they just received from the Philistines, David took 400 men to defeat the Amalekites.  In a “divine encounter,” David’s men found “an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David.” David asked him where he was from and he replied, “I am a young man of Egypt, a servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago.” In God’s orchestration, this one man led David to the “rejoicing men” and David’s band of men struck them down! David rescued his wives and his men regained all their losses. God took this one sick man whose master let him stay behind to be the instrument for David’s men to defeat the Amalekites. Some may say this happened by chance, but I believe it was a divine encounter.

Yesterday, I was in a FedEx store for the sole purpose for FedEx to cut the spines off two books and hole-punch the rough draft of a new book I am writing. When the clerk brought out my completed work order, a woman who was standing at the counter next to me, saw the covers on my books and commented on how pretty they were. She noticed that they were Christian books, so she probably felt comfortable asking me if I had a smartphone figuring I might be a nice person. This lady had just stopped by the Fed-Ex store to ask for directions to the Attorney General’s Child Support Building. She had been driving around for 2 hours trying to locate it without success. I assumed she wanted me to find out the location of the office was with my phone. So, after I paid for my order, we moved over to an unoccupied counter and I looked up the directions for her. We introduced ourselves and I proceeded to call the Child Support Office. While being on hold listening to the Child Support Office’s recording requesting me to push Number 1 for this; Number 2 for this; Number 3 for this, and more, Terri was sharing about all her family problems — moving to Texas, her son, and other miscellaneous concerns. I really couldn’t concentrate on all she was saying between being on the telephone and trying to listen to her. But here was a perfect stranger sharing her life with another perfect stranger in a FedEx store. As I was helping her find directions, I knew this was a divine encounter. I gave Terri detailed instructions on how to get to her destinations, which she really needed as the major street she needed to go down was closed, due to Houston’s torrential floods in April 2016. I gave her my Greene Pastures business card and asked her to call me to let me know she arrived at the Child Support office. I haven’t heard from her, but she does have my number.

The point is that God orchestrates even little encounters (some call them divine appointments) in our lives.  We may or may not even know why these encounters occur, but God does.

  • What are the chances I’d be ministering to a lady who happened to be in a FedEx store just looking for directions?
  • What are the chances I knew that the exact route she needed to take had been flooded and was closed? [Remember, this is Houston, Texas with a population of 4.5 million people.]
  • What are the chances that I had been to the building she was looking for a few years ago with a friend?

I will not look upon this simple chance meeting as a random meeting. It was a God-orchestrated event to fulfill His purpose.

  • I could have ignored her at the counter.
  • I could have cut the conversation short and gone on my way!
  • I could not have cared.
  • I could have missed the opportunity to pray for this lady.

Only God knows the purpose. Maybe she just needed to know someone cares, maybe she just needed directions, maybe she just needed to know there are some good people in life, or maybe it was just that we were supposed to exchange pleasantries. I would love to know what her thoughts were about our encounter, but I probably won’t ever know. But, that’s okay. I know God was guiding me to be nice to this woman. God can use one person or a multitude of people to create divine appointments. To use an everyday cliché, we may be the only Jesus someone sees. And visa versa, they might be the Jesus we need to see.

I decided to look over my prayer requests over the past week. They included:

  • Show me what is missing in my ministry;
  • Lord, let me stop and smell the roses; and
  • Give me creativity in my next blog.

Through this encounter at FedEx, all of these requests were answered — In His time and in His way.

Have you had a divine encounter you would like to share? If not, I trust you will keep your eyes open for your upcoming “FedEx” experience!

Bible Verses:

Be prepared for divine encounters.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am about to come to you in a thick cloud in order that the people will hear me talking with you so that they will always trust you.” Moses told the Lord what the people said, and the Lord said to Moses: “Go to the people and take today and tomorrow to make them holy. Have them wash their clothes. Be ready for the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai for all the people to see.” Exodus 19:9-11

Divine encounters can change your life.

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:1-5 ESV

Prayer:

Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for being in my life. Thank you ahead of time for the divine appointments you have already planned for me to encounter. I pray that my eyes will recognize how you desire to work in my life. Use me Lord. I love you so much. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It’s an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! And, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Bible Study, Friendship, Most Recent Post, People in the Bible

Glorious Friendship

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Glorious Friendship

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Have you ever received a GLORIOUS email or letter from a friend? I love it when I get either a beautiful letter (snail mail type letter) or a touching email from a friend.

One Saturday morning, I received an early morning email from a friend saying she had the day free if we wanted to get together. I had told her there was something the Lord wanted me to talk to her about. Understandably, she perceived it as something she did not want to hear. In fact, she said, “Let’s get it over with!”

Even so, plans were made. My husband was going to be gone. She came over and as I usually do when I am with this friend, I make a list of everything we need to cover to be sure we don’t miss any vitally important conversational topics. Yes, I am a list maker — mainly because I don’t want to forget anything I want to talk about.

My friend came. Sitting on my two couches was not intimate enough, so we ended up on the floor leaning against a couch, chatting, sharing family pictures on my computer, and going through the list. She was pleasantly surprised that what I wanted to share with her was not what she was expecting to hear, but she was willing to come expecting a Word from God through me. She did get a Word from God, but not the one she was dreading me to share with her.

We laughed; we were serious; we ate chocolate cake and drank hot “British” tea. We hugged. We parted.

After an entire afternoon of chatting, laughing, and catching up with my friend, the next day I received the following email from her.

Thanks a million for yesterday, ’twas an awesome mother-daughter roll up-your-sleeves and sit on the floor fun day catching up & chowing down a great chocolate cake. We should have one more before you hop home for Christmas. Enjoy a lovely week.

That is what friends are for. To share, to encourage, to love, to give, to receive, to laugh, to be serious with, and to have fun with.

Make time for your friends. Enjoy those times with your friends and be grateful for them. And, if you don’t have friends like that, I pray that you will be able to have the courage to invite someone to share life with you.

In God’s goodness, I turned to my Bible reading plan today. And, guess what? My reading was about the deep friendship David and Jonathan embraced in the Old Testament. As I read 1 Samuel 18-20, I gleaned some dynamic traits found in true friendship.

Characteristics of a Good Friend

  1. The souls of friends are knit together; 1 Samuel 18:1
  2. Friends love each other like themselves. 1 Samuel 18:3
  3. Friends are generous towards each other. 1 Samuel 18:4
  4. Friends delight in each other. 1 Samuel 19: 1-4
  5. Friends protect each other from harm. 1 Samuel 20:9
  6. Friends help each other discern what is best [for each other] and then share it with them. 1 Samuel 20:12-31a
  7. Friends desire to spend time together. 1 Samuel 20:13b
  8. Anticipate through the course of a close friendship, others may be jealous of the friendship. 1 Samuel 18:6-16
Friends help each other discern what is best [for each other] and then share it with them. 1 Samuel 20:12-31a
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Bible Verses:

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. Colossians 3:12-14

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Prayer:

O Gracious Heavenly Father, I need a real friend — someone I can share my feelings, my past, and my future desires with. I am asking you to give me that kind of friend. I need someone who I can email, call, and visit with without judging me. Let me be the kind of friend I need to be to the friends you bestow upon me. God, you are all-powerful. I know you can move friends around the world just for me if you want to. I love you and I am waiting for the blessings of friendship. In Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It’s an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! And, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Bible Study, People in the Bible, Test Your Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge [Women in the Bible]

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Test Your Knowledge [Women in the Bible]

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I just LOVE making up tests. Ever since I was a 2nd-grade teacher, one of my favorite ‘educator activities’ was designing tests, quizzes, and worksheets!

Since Mother’s Day is around the corner, I wanted to make up a little fun activity about Women in the Bible. Try it just for fun. Not a test taker? That’s okay.  Just forward it to a friend who is!

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day whether it is celebrating your mom, your grandmother, a friend, or just celebrating YOU.

I’d love for you to honor a special woman in your life by putting a 1 or 2-word description of them in the comment section of this blog, i.e. Mom-So kind; Grammy-Fabulous cook.

True or False Trivia Quiz – 5 points / question.   TOTAL SCORE: __________%

Women in the Bible

  1. _____ Hannah prayed specifically for a son.
  2. _____ Eve was created from a rib.
  3. _____ Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, was the reason Jesus performed his 1st recorded miracle.
  4. _____ Deborah was one of Israel’s most charismatic judges.
  5. _____ Anna, the prophetess, was childless.
  6. _____ Abishag was a beautiful Shunammite woman who tended King David in his old age.
  7. _____ Salone, Herodias’ daughter, was responsible for John the Baptist losing his head.
  8. _____ Ruth was a Jewish convert who passed her faith on to her grandson Timothy.
  9. _____ Abishag had a son named Obed.
  10. _____ A well-known woman in the Bible said, “Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.”
  11. _____ Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas) was a seamstress and made tunics and other garments.
  12. _____ Rachel was the woman Jacob was tricked into marrying by a deal connived by her father Laban.
  13. _____ Mary complained to her sister Martha because Martha was just sitting around talking to Jesus.
  14. _____ Naomi was the great-great-grandmother of Israel’s most revered king – King David.
  15. _____ The servant Rhoda saw Jesus when she answered a door, so she ran to tell others.
  16. _____ Deborah, daughter of Jacob and Leah, was raped and her brothers wanted revenge.
  17. _____ Gomer was the prostitute that God told Hosea to marry.
  18. _____ The Queen of Sheba traveled to see King Solomon to test his wisdom.
  19. _____ Mary, Jesus’ mother, said “How will this be since I am a virgin?”
  20. _____ Lydia was the mother of Mark.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWERS

Flower on bamboo. Isolated on white

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
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Quick Answers:

  1. T
  2. T
  3. F
  4. T
  5. T
  6. T
  7. T
  8. F
  9. F
  10. F
  11. T
  12. F
  13. F
  14. T
  15. F
  16. F
  17. T
  18. T
  19. T
  20. F

Detailed Answers:

  1. True; 1 Samuel 1:11
  2. True; Genesis 2:22
  3. False; Mary, Jesus’ mother, was the reason Jesus performed his 1st recorded miracle John 2:1-10
  4. True; Judges 4
  5. True; Luke 2:36-37
  6. True; 1 Kings 1:4
  7. True; Matthew 14:8
  8. False; Lois was Timothy’s grandmother. 2 Timothy 1:5
  9. False; Obed’s parents were Ruth and Boaz. Ruth 4:22
  10. False; This quote is attributed to Corrie Ten Boom – a Dutch Christian who, along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II.
  11. True; Acts 9:36-39
  12. False; Leah was the woman Jacob was tricked into marrying by her father Laban. Genesis 29:14 – 29:30
  13. False; Martha complained to Mary because she was just sitting around talking to Jesus. Luke 10:38-42
  14. True; Ruth 4:17
  15. False; Rhoda saw Peter when she answered the door. She was so excited she left Peter standing outside while she ran to tell others. Acts 12:12-16
  16. False; Jacob and Leah’s daughter’s name was Dinah. She was raped and her brothers did take revenge. Genesis 34:1
  17. True; Hosea 1:2
  18. True; 1 Kings 10:3-4
  19. True; Luke 1:34
  20. False; Lydia was a Christian Thyatiran woman and a seller of purple goods. Rhoda was the mother of Mark. Acts 12:13

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Bible Verses:

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22
Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Proverbs 31:29
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Prayer: 

My heavenly Father, I am so grateful to you for giving me everything I need to get along in this life. Thank you for my mother, my grandmother, and all the women influences I have had in my life. You truly are my LORD and Savior. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It’s an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! And, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

Order now for Mother’s Day!

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment in this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Church and Ministry, Devotionals, God's Will

Why I Self-Published My Books

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[Why I Self-Published My Books – From Email notifications, click the title for best web viewing]

Have you ever been all psyched up to do something and then for some reason, you just get that feeling that you need to do something else? Yesterday I spent a lot of time working on my blog about Purah. Yes, Purah! He’s the Old Testament guy who no one knows about unless you are quite familiar with Gideon’s story in the Book of Judges! However, I wasn’t “feeling it” as I tried to write the article. I began to feel a nudge to blog about how I chose to self-publish my books. If any of you reading this blog know why I was nudged to change the topic, please let me know. I am curious beyond measure!

Over the past three years, many people have asked me why I chose self-publishing my books over traditional publishing. There are spiritual and not-so-spiritual reasons that went into my decision. However, it was a pretty easy decision for me to make — especially since my generous husband was willing to give me the money to fulfill my “publishing dream.”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
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WHY I SELF-PUBLISHED MY BOOKS

I. First things first – God gave me a message to write about – devotional prayer journaling. By the time I wrote my first book, I had been prayer journaling for 40+ years. All that means is that each year, I made a new notebook where I wrote down my prayer requests, thoughts, dreams, Bible study notes, and various other topics. One day a few months after retiring from my school librarian job, I had been asking God what He wanted me to do. He impressed upon me to walk into my closet. Yes, bizarre as it sounds, God impressed me to walk into my bedroom closet. I did. I looked up to the top shelf of my closet. There were all my journals and prayer requests from 40+ years ago all lined up. In a quiet whisper, God spoke. He said, “I have been preparing you to write prayer journals all these years. Now is the time to do it.”

II. God led me in that direction by finding my initial self-publishing company himself. As a high school librarian, I would receive calls and emails from publishing companies frequently. The spring before I retired, I received an email from CrossBooks, the self-publishing division of Lifeway, at the time. I filled out the form that I would like information about self-publishing. I started receiving a few phone calls and information about the company and I stored that in the back of my mind.

III. I also didn’t want to spend a lot of time messing with publishing companies and receiving rejection letters for years. I told myself I was 58 years old and if I am going to do something, I better do it now. Basically, I was getting old and I wanted to get something in print before I died. That was my thinking at the time.

IV. I wanted to have total creative control in the publishing process which I could do if I self-published.

I loved . . .

  • Deciding what font and size I wanted to use;
  • Picking out my own photos to put in the book [I learned a lot about stock photos, Photoshop, and pixels];
  • Choosing the graphics for my own book;
    Graphics
    Graphics
  • Working at my own pace which for me was FAST compared to others I have talked to. I recently took one of those questionnaires on Facebook and it said my best quality was that I am an over-achiever. So, you can only imagine the hard and concentrated effort I put in my books.
  • Designing my own cover — with the help of a graphic artist.

I’m not here to tell you self-publishing books is for you. It may not always be true for me, but for my first 3 books, it has been the route God has chosen. [I’m working on my 3rd book now.]

I did run across some pros and cons with self-publishing. You may not think they are pros or cons, but for me they were.

PROS OF SELF-PUBLISHING

  • God taught me patience;
  • God taught me to be wise with money;
  • God taught me how to follow his leadings step-by-step even if I didn’t understand them;
  • God impressed upon me that he knows the big picture of my life, and it is always best to follow his leads – in this case, it was to self-publish!

CONS OF SELF-PUBLISHING

  • Having to learn all the Microsoft features needed to type the books before pushing the final copies to Crossbooks, i.e. mark entry, insert index, captions, insert citations, headers, footers, margins, breaks, hyphenations, watermarks, indenting, spacing, wrapping text, and reviewing;
  • Paying for a self-publishing package;
  • Paying for book editing;
  • Having to write my own introduction and preface;
  • Being solely responsible for any omissions or errors in the book;
  • Not selling as many books as I would like to since I do not have the support of a well-known publishing company;
  • Marketing myself. [Honestly, I don’t have enough time to market well with other responsibilities I have right now.]

After both of my books were published, I received a letter from CrossBooks stating Lifeway was eliminating their self-publishing arm and I needed to find a new publishing company or use Westbow Press, the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan. At first, I wasn’t thrilled about having to change publishing companies, but now that I have gone through the transfer process with Westbow Press, I am thrilled with the results. God made provisions in this change where I have been able to fix every known error in the books, change the size of Book 2, and change Book 2’s cover which I wasn’t satisfied with the first time around.

God knows what he is doing all the time. When we step out in faith and are obedient to his promptings, we see God working in our lives and the lives of others. There are days I talk to God and say, “LORD, why have I spent so much time and money on these books and they aren’t getting into the hands of those that need them?” But, when I get into my pity-party mood, I have to continue to trust God because knows what he is doing. Someday when a traditional publisher shows their face, I will seriously consider the option, but I will never regret what I have learned with my first publishing feats by self-publishing. No, not ever!

If you have any comments or questions on this topic, please let me know. I would love to hear them. And, if you were the one I was writing to, let me know. Maybe God will lead me to write on Purah in the future, but today just wasn’t the day!

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Bible Verses:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer: 

Oh mighty God, I love you. I want to follow you in every area of my life. Show me step by step what YOU want me to do. Let me follow the path you have for me – not someone else. Please let me find your will as I search the Scriptures, pray, and follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment from this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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Life Issues, Prayer

God Answers Our Prayers

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Have you ever read Christian articles about how you should pray, why you should pray, and to whom you should pray? I have. I’ve even written articles on some of those topics myself. But today I want to share a beautiful testimony that doesn’t just share the how, why, and who of praying. The following testimony is a reminder that prayer really works in our everyday lives and with our everyday problems IF WE LET HIM.

My niece recently shared about how God was recently at work in her life, how it came about, and how she eventually experienced the Lord’s presence and blessing.

“This is my ONE year anniversary with Company B!

I’d like to share a little about my Christian journey over the past few years. I am sharing because my relationship with the Lord has always been very private and personal, and I am working on sharing more about how God has been working in my life. Here it goes!!!

On January 2, 2015, after an excellent Christmas break filled with great food [cooked by my stepmother] and precious time with my sister, I was preparing to leave my parents central Texas home for Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since I had been living and working in New Mexico for the past 3 years, I was accustomed to the long drive. It has always been an extremely boring drive through the long stretch of highway through west Texas.

Weather reports indicated there was a massive snow storm headed for where I was headed! But, my stubborn personality reared its ugly head and I decided to push through and head back home to Albuquerque. My driving route included taking 1-10 to El Paso; then 1-25 straight up to Albuquerque. Little did I know that this trip would change my life forever! Once I passed El Paso and was heading home on I-25, it started snowing really BAD. I found myself skidding, swerving, and hanging on to my steering wheel for dear life. Many vehicles had already veered off the road and I was fearful I might soon be one of them. Then in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico*, I beheld a scene I never thought I would see. I witnessed an 18-wheeler flip over about 200 yards in front of me. Luckily, I was safe and pulled over to the side of the freeway. However I pulled out my phone and called 911 immediately. I gave the emergency dispatcher the mile marker of our location. When the ambulance and fire department showed up, I was free to go. I stayed around long enough to see that the driver of that 18-wheeler was safe and unharmed. I was shaking and sobbing though this entire ordeal.

I felt the devil’s presence on that West Texas road. I was crying and screaming for the Lord to get me home safely. I uttered everything a Christian says when they are scared and fearful.

“I will never defy you again.”

“I will never sin again.”

“I will do anything if YOU get me out of this dreadful weather and home again.”

Well, sixteen hours later I made it back to my small comfy apartment — a little shaken — but all in one piece. And all I could hear was God saying,

“Your time is over here in New Mexico!”

I immediately put in my request for a transfer with Company A. And guess what? I was denied a transfer not once, but twice!

After that in my quiet time, the Lord spoke again.

“This is not the company for you, and I want you to start a job search and pray about this for 60 days.”

The Lord came to speak to me through hints, Bible verses, glimpses, and a quiet revelation of His will.

Whenever I have something going on, I usually have a strict 60 day prayer time. During this time, ALL I do is pray on that one topic. Well about 30 days into the 60 days I had 3 job interviews lined up in my hometown! I interviewed with each company. And about 60 days after I started praying, I accepted an offer with Company B!

I packed up all my belongings and moved within a week.

You see, before my Christmas break, I had been crying every day in New Mexico. I was miserable and I needed relief. The desire of my heart was to stop being miserable. I wanted to move closer to my family and leave New Mexico. But, it took a snow storm and an 18-wheeler to get my attention. I started right then to seriously call out to God in a big way.

I truly believe it was the power of prayer that got me to where I am today. And, I am so grateful for all those who had been praying and supportive in my journey.”

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

How God Answers Our Prayers

  • Recognize God may create a situation where we are “forced” to call upon Him;
  • Get right with God;
  • Make your requests known to God in prayer;
  • Commit to follow His path;
  • Meditate on His Word;
  • Act upon His leadings and prompts;
  • Get counseling if needed;
  • Keep listening;
  • Make a decision;
  • If you still don’t know what to do, start over with this list until the answer comes.
Recognize God may create situations where we are “forced” to call upon Him – Patti Greene
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What steps do you take when praying over a particular situation? Please comment!

Bible Verses:

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:2

Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. Psalm 5:2

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:12

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:33

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Prayer:

Mighty God, I thank you for giving me the privilege of calling upon your name. You know my many thoughts, desires, and problems. I bring them to you right now in faith. I trust that you know what is best for me in all situations. Give me you insight and confirmation that I am in your will. I love you and I am depending on you for my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

*Truth or Consequences” is a spa city and the county seat of Sierra County,New Mexico, United States. In 2012, the population was 6,411. It is commonly known within New Mexico as T or C. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names. Wikipedia

If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org.

Web Page: www.PattiGreene.com

To order Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

To order Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here.

Awaken-Me-and-Anchor-Me-sla

Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment from this blog or email me at pattilondagreene@gmail.com for confidentiality.

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