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All Because of a Janitor and “One Another” Verses

ALL BECAUSE OF A JANITOR

I attend a weekly Bible study. This week my group met for a casual lunch to love on “one another” and fellowship since we are off for the summer.

May I mention that I am the youngest person in the group (and I’m not telling how old I am.) The age range of the women is probably between 75-95 with me being the exception. You might wonder how I ended up in a group with women so much older than me.

It was all because of a janitor!!! 

On my first day to attend this class, I did not know where the meeting room was located so I asked the janitor—my big mistake or so I thought. He had no idea where I should go or what I was talking about. He just wanted to chat and speculate with me.

Finally, three lovely women walked by and asked if they could help. Long story short, I ended up in their class even though there were about seven or eight different classes in which one or two probably included women close to my own age group.

When I walked in the class that first day, I saw canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. Within a few minutes, I learned there were women there possessing hearing aids, cancer ports, and living with dementia.

I tell you all this to say that God always knows what He is doing. During my  1 1/2 year involvement with this class, I wrote a book titled Christian Caregiving: Practical Advice for a Happy Ending. Not that the book was a direct result of this class, but it did give me a little more understanding and compassion for the elderly!

The janitor doesn’t know it, but his elongated speculation and chatter on room location provided for God’s timing so these women could “arrive on the scene.”

I love the ladies in this group and the Bible study. And, I think the group has accepted me (the strangler who invaded their already established group)—at least they acted like it yesterday!

Because of this class, I am a big fan of the books of the Bible we have studied together—1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and 1 Corinthians!

Now I am eagerly awaiting our next study on the book of John this fall. Awesome!

Moving on . . . 

This week I was listening to a Christian radio program and the speaker discussed the phrase “one another” from the Bible. So, being a curious person, I looked up the phrase and saw that the phrase is mentioned 153 times in the Old Testament and 146 times in the New Testament.

Faced with reading all 299 verses, I opted to read the 146 verses in the New Testament. Many of the verses had to do with speaking to one another, reasoning with one another, calling others for discussion, arguing with one another, and more.

But, for this blog, I decided to pull out some Christian advice and admonitions that are personal attributes for us to remember. I hope you enjoy them and notice how often we are encouraged to love one another!

“One Another” NT Verses

Mark 9:50
Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
been wasted?

Luke 23:12
Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

John 5:44
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 15:12
[ Disciples’ Relation to Each Other ] “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

In John 15:12, “[Jesus says] I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you.” Oswald Chambers
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John 15:17
This I command you, that you love one another.

Acts 4:15
But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,

Acts 21:5
When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another.

Acts 26:31
and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.”

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 13:8
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Romans 14:19
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Romans 15:5
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:7
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14
And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

Romans 16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

1 Corinthians 11:33
So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:25
so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:15
But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:26
Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:21
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:13
and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:25
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

James 4:11
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.

James 5:9
Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

1 Peter 4:9
Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 5:5
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

1 John 3:1
[ Children of God Love One Another ] See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

1 John 3:11
For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;

1 John 3:23
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

1 John 4:7
[ God Is Love ] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12
No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

2 John 1:5
Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Verses:

See above.

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, Please help me to put one or two of the verses above into action this week. Show me how I can serve others. Give me wisdom so I can know you better and be a person who uplifts Your holy name. I love you, Lord. Now let me fervently love others in the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Bless,

Works Cited:

BibleGateway.com [NASB version]

Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest. https://utmost.org/love-one-another. 11 July 2018.

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What Is A Hoarding Disorder?

One of my relatives is a hoarder, and a friend has two middle-aged sons also affected by this condition known as hoarding. Being someone who loves to research social issues, the topic piqued my interest enough for me to investigate hoarding disorders for myself.

Famous brothers Homer and Langley Collyer, well-known wealthy Manhattan residents, are recognized as hoarders. After the death of their parents in the 1920’s, the two men withdrew from the public. They split their time between the family’s Manhattan residence and their Harlem brownstones.

In 1947, a neighbor notified the police about an overpowering odor coming from their home. When the police arrived, they found Homer, who was blind and crippled, dead and surrounded by trash. David K. Israel, author of “7 Famous Hoarders” said, “His corpse was amid tons of junk, including an early X-ray machine, the jawbone of a horse and bundles upon bundles of old newspapers.”

After a full and lengthy search, Langley’s dead body was found in one of their brownstones, buried by newspapers. His death had occurred weeks before. Israel noted that Langley “had been dead for weeks and rats had eaten most of his body. It was ultimately determined that Homer died of starvation when Langley, who fed his crippled, blind brother, was crushed to death under . . . a bunch of junk.” ¹

History of Hoarding

The study of hoarding is a relatively new study. In the 1990s, many psychologists and neurologists assigned hoarding into the category of an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for lack of a better classification. However, owning many possessions makes a person with OCD feel anxious and unnerved while a hoarder finds extreme delight in finding bargains and purchasing a good deal. In 1993, psychology professor Randy Frost at Smith College attempted the first methodical study on hoarding. Now 24 years later, there has been an obsession with TV shows such as TLC’s Hoarding: Buried Alive and A&E’s Hoarders.

Hoarding is a brand-new disorder. In The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5 published in 2013, hoarding is now listed among other psychiatric diagnoses.

In the article “Why Do You Hoard?” by Bonnie Tsui states that most scientists believe hoarding has three defining characteristics:

  • the excessive acquisition of things that appear to be of little or no value
  • the inability to discard possessions; and
  • the disorganization of those possessions, which clutter up living spaces and make them impossible to use for their intended purposes.” ²

Hoarders

Hoarders often live alone and other people are frequently unaware of their hoarding. Other times hoarders are just considered “pack rats” by those who know them.

Hoarders may save newspapers, papers, plastic bags, pill bottles, shoes, food, mail, photographs, magazines, household supplies, flyers, bottle caps, beer bottles, clothing, or more. Some people even hoard animals.

Jill, a recovering hoarder whose last name was withheld, says about her hoarding:

“I just have too much stuff. I’m a “packrat.” There is stuff everywhere in plastic containers and in drawers. I have enough clothing to dress all the neighbor women for a couple of weeks each. This stuff is mine and I see a use for all of it. I just can’t bring myself to throw away any of it. I like it all! I really wish every space in my house wasn’t a collect-all.

We don’t even get to sit at the table as a family. My husband complains we hate to have unexpected family, we eat out because there is no space on the counter to cook, important papers get lost and we buy more stuff because so many things get misplaced. Everyone passes the blame on someone else. To top it all off, we live in a small ranch home with little closets. How will I ever overcome all of this hoard? I want to live like the normal tidy person—Stuff is ruining MY LIFE.” ³

Types of Hoarding

Many types of hoarding occur because of one’s background, education level, different personality, DNA, and other factors.

The “Address Our Mess” website discusses five main types of hoarding. ⁴

Shopper or Shopping Hoarder

This individual might shop daily. Many of the items purchased find themselves years later in the hallway or closet with the original price tags still on – unused. They might purchase clothing, collectibles, technology. They may feel incapable and experience severe anxiety if they pass up this “basement bargain.”

Food Hoarding

Some shoppers make runs to the grocery stores even when their refrigerators, freezers, and pantries are at full capacity. Throwing away outdated food seems wasteful and rarely occurs. Dealing with spoiled food, diseases, and unsanitary conditions may lead to severe illnesses and possibly death.

Garbage and Trash Hoarding

This type of hoarder is unable to discard their waste and trash. Some hoarders are known to go through other people’s garbage to see if they find valuable items. One might find trash hoarders storing garbage in their homes, garages, yards, or storage facilities.

Animal Hoarding

Many animal hoarders believe that they are helping animals by keeping them safe and loved in their living quarters or on their land. However, they fail to take into account that the lack of grooming, accumulation of waste, and non-existent exercise creates an unsatisfactory environment. Due to deplorable situations, animals are being starved and/or disease-ridden.

Paper Hoarding

Paper hoarders cannot throw away, shed, or discard anything on paper, i.e. bills, flyers, magazines, newspapers, forms, books. Stories abound of people who have been missing and later found injured or dead from being hidden under an extraordinary amount of paper products.

An excellent article written by the National Study Group on Compulsive Disorganization was reprinted in the Dec. 1, 2010, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper issue. The article was titled, “Levels of Hoarding: Some Guidelines for Recognizing the Problem.” The organization created a scale for professional organizers making their initial contact with their clients. Although the study took place in the early 1990s, it is still relevant and informative today. Click here to read the article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2010/12/02/Levels-of-hoarding-some-guidelines-for-recognizing-the-problem/stories/201012020349

Causes of Hoarding

Genetics, anxiety disorders, lack of organization skills, loss, being raised in poverty, fear, psychotic tendencies, and even dementia are reasons why someone might hoard.

For many hoarders, it is incomprehensible to pass by a bargain. They love to shop or purchase items online which they don’t need. They feel they might need the item one day in the future. Hoarders pile things up around their home, office, or yard in an unorganized fashion. Afterwards, they become emotionally attached to these things to the point of being unable to part with them. A vicious cycle occurs with purchasing and saving items. Year after year, the hoarding becomes more harmful and unhealthy.

However, hoarders rarely realize the extent of their hoarding. While it may be obvious to an outsider, the hoarder’s mind may not see the devastation and destruction occurring due to their accumulating and stockpiling.

Carol Mathews of the University of California, San Francisco, and others have studied the cognitive patterns of hoarders. Mathews’ MRI studies try to simulate emotions relating to hoarding, i.e. how a hoarder sorts, categorizes and thinks about discarding items. ⁴

Signs and Symptoms of Hoarding

Hoarders may not recognize how much of a burden their possessions create on their physical, social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual life. Many signs and symptoms indicate potential or established hoarders struggle to pay bills because they keep repurchasing items or devices they have “misplaced.” A few hoarders even lose custody of their children when their environment creates a needless safety or health hazards for their family.

Hoarders may not recognize how much of a burden their possessions create in their life. www.GreenePastures.org
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Other indications of a hoarder may include having . . .

  • Limited or no livable space in their home.
  • An isolated and depressed life.
  • A regulated or non-existent social life.
  • Things replace human relationships.
  • Marital problems. (Many divorces occur due to the spouse’s inability to deal with the appalling living conditions.)
  • Children who will not invite their friends over to their home.
  • Financial problems.
  • An inability to organize their possessions.
  • An unfounded fear of running out of items, i.e. shampoo, boxes, food.
  • An inability to sell, give away, or part with their possessions. (This often creates an intolerable anxiety in hoarders.)
  • No power to keep their home functioning due to their clutter, i.e. not being able to reach a light fixture to replace a light bulb.
  • To live with broken household items in their home for fear of inviting repairmen into their extremely cluttered home.
  • An inability to bathe or reach their toilet.
  • An inability to cook due to broken equipment or being able to reach their stove, oven, or microwave.

Hoarding vs. Collecting

Hoarding and collecting are different entities. Both are characterized by acquiring possessions, but their purposes and intentions are different. Having a collection involves a sense of pride about what a person amasses in their acquisitions. Collectors usually display their items in an orderly fashion—on a shelf, in a curio cabinet, over the fireplace. A collector loves to talk to others about their collections.

On the other hand, a hoarder may be embarrassed by their “prized” possessions and they may be uncomfortable with others seeing their accumulation of “stuff.”

Recovery for Hoarders

Ample reasons abound regarding why hoarding should be addressed and why hoarders should be treated. However, the most important reason is that all the accumulation affects the health and safety of the individual and those around them. Hoarding can lead to hospitalizations, children being taken away from parents, fire, evictions, homelessness, and even death.

Help is available for hoarders. A clutter specialist, accountability partner, a 12-step program, and/or a physician is often needed to help with the remediation of this disorder. Understanding that recovery is a continual process is imperative. If someone came into a hoarder’s home and cleared out everything so the home was relatively clean and orderly, the home would quickly become ‘unlivable’ to the average person unless the emotional aspects of hoarding had been dealt with. To overcome a hoarding lifestyle, group involvement must occur. A hoarder needs to find a friend, family member, or support group to help with the initial stages of cleanup.

Many great articles are available on the Internet where support groups and help can be found. Talking to one’s family physician about the problem is an excellent starting point.

Christian Perspective on Hoarding

Just like any other difficulty we face in life, we need hope to overcome it. Making wise choices give us hope while addressing the problem and reaching an actual solution. Hoarding is difficult to treat. God is willing and waiting to help. Nevertheless, there must be a desire in the individual to want to do something about their hoarding problem. God and others will help hoarders free their attitudes regarding possessions and He will help in maintaining a clutter-free lifestyle. This is accomplished through God, therapy, friends, and PRAYER!

GotQuestions.org speaks to hope on its website. “No matter where a hoarder falls of the spectrum, there is hope. A hoarder needs to learn how to make healthy decisions that will lead to resisting the urge for more buying/acquiring, disposing of unneeded items, and putting things in a regular place . . . The underlying cause of hoarding is our human tendency to want things and our inability to discern what is truly valuable. For those with severe compulsive hoarding, anxiety or loss or genetics may prompt the behavior and limit a person’s ability to discern value and worth. But for all of us, Jesus is the most precious treasure we can possess, and His followers should value what He values. Trusting in Him means we no longer should rely on ourselves in a hopeless effort to meet our needs or satisfy our souls. Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)” ⁶

Conclusion:

Informational blogs like this one sometimes lack the compassion which should accompany them. My desire for believers is to have compassion for those unable to free themselves from anything they find themselves in bondage to—including hoarding. When held in bondage, we are unable to be a useful witness for the Lord to others. But, when we are released from that bondage, we open ourselves up to living a full and meaningful life. Let’s be compassionate and caring. At times in our lives, we might find ourselves in difficult situations. We don’t need judgment during those times. We need love, compassion, and help.

If you like this article, let me know, because the flip side to hoarding is when people possess an extreme and excessive need to PURGE themselves of their possessions. It’s a tough concept to comprehend, but it will make for an interesting blog topic someday! And just remember, we are all on the spectrum between the two extremes!

Where do you find yourself?

——–

Bible Verses:

Thought: We live in a word filled with idolatry. Our cars, our homes, our stock portfolios, and our vacations have become idols to us. It’s not rocket science to see how a person can become a hoarder. But believers should be set apart from idolatry no matter what form it takes. The Bible tells us not to love our money or possessions but to serve the Lord with our entire heart. The verses below will help us to see God’s perspective on storing possessions, greed, compassion, and how to overcome any problem we might be facing.

You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)

There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt. (Ecclesiastes 5:13

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God.” (Isaiah 40:27)

Ah Lord God, Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You. (Jeremiah 32:17)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (Matthew 6:24)

Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:33-34)

You, in Your great compassion,
Did not forsake them in the wilderness;
The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day,
To guide them on their way,
Nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go. (Nehemiah 9:19)

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17)

Prayer:

My heavenly Father. Thank you for teaching me daily more about Your people. Help me in the areas I struggle with and give me compassion for those who are different from me. Give me Your wisdom and grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Bless,

GreenePastures.org

Member Inspirational Writers Alive; Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member

Edited by E. Johnson; Bible verses are taken from the NASB if not noted otherwise.

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Works Cited

¹ Israel, David. “7 Famous Hoarders.” Mental Floss, 22 Oct 2009. http://mentalfloss.com.

Accessed 11 Aug 2017.

² Tsui, Bonnie. “Why Do You Hoard?” Pacific Standard, 29 Apr 2013. https://psmag.com.

Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

³ “How to Recover from Hoarding—Getting Organized.” Living on a Dime. Livingonadime.com.

Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

⁴ Types of Hoarders. Address Our Mess. https://www.clutterhoardingcleanup.com/types-of-hoarding/

Accessed 17 Oct 2017.

⁵ Got Questions. “What Does the Bible Say about Compulsive Hoarding?” Accessed 10 Aug 2017.

⁶ “Types of Hoarding.” Address Our Mess. Clutterhoardingcleanup.com, 18 Sept 2013. Accessed

August 9, 2017.

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Do Actions Speak Louder Than Words?

Do Actions Speak Louder Than Words?

by Patti Greene, Greene Pastures by Patti

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Have you ever tried to share your Christian beliefs with someone, and feel you couldn’t get through to them—no matter what you say? They adamantly refuse to hear anything about God or religion. Their callousness might be foreign to you, and even scare you to the point of being fearful of ever talking to them again.

It happens all the time. We may be genuinely interested in a person’s spiritual well-being, and it breaks our heart when we are ignored, criticized, or made fun of for our beliefs just because we try to talk to them about God.

Many reasons abound as to why some people do not have an interest in hearing about God. Maybe it is because they don’t see us living out the Christian life. Maybe it is because they have encountered negative experiences within the church or with Christians. Or, maybe, it is because they have made a conscious decision to avoid all conversations about God or the Bible.

Many times, our mere words cannot express our feelings, thoughts, and beliefs as well as our actions can. If you find your talking gets you nowhere, God may be leading you to switch over to using actions instead of words to show your love to others.

God Uses Our Actions

God used Ezekiel in a “different way” to fulfill his calling in the beginning of his ministry.

In the first half of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, we see Ezekiel using actions solely (instead of words) to convey God’s message to the people. The Israelite exiles in Babylon became so desensitized and hard-hearted they would not listen to the word of God being proclaimed by the true prophets. So God commanded Ezekiel to take a different approach—an action approach.

God was so serious about using Ezekiel’s actions to communicate His words that He shut Ezekiel’s mouth for a period of seven years, allowing Ezekiel to speak only when and what he was commanded.

Instead of talking, Ezekiel was called to use what author Warren Wiersbe calls “action sermons”. The people had been warned verbally about their sinful behavior over and over to no avail. But now it was time for actions to take over. Many times, our actions can be what causes people to listen to us.

In Ezekiel 4, God commanded Ezekiel to: write on brick, put up an iron wall, prepare food, and to lay on both his left and right side to show what He wanted to get across to the exiles who had become isolated and distant from God.

Ezekiel sketched a map of Jerusalem on a brick and began playing soldier with the brick to show the House of Israel that the city of Jerusalem would be seized by the Babylonian army. He was then commanded by God to lie on the ground on his left side facing his brick for 390 days and then 40 days on his right side. Many commentaries use these mathematical calculations to show the years of Israel’s past sins and the years that Israel spent in the wilderness with Moses.

This kind of symbolism continues as Ezekiel continues acting out the horror and devastation of what was to come to Jerusalem. Later, the Lord asked Ezekiel to mix 3 different grains and 2 vegetables together to make bread. Scarcity of food was upcoming and Ezekiel was called to caution the people what was to come upon Jerusalem. The people had been warned of their heresy and separation from God with words before, but now God has chosen Ezekiel to use symbols and actions to show His disgust with their disobedience.

Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem. Then lay siege against it, build a siege wall, raise up a ramp, pitch camps and place battering rams against it all around. Then get yourself an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between you and the city, and set your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This is a sign to the house of Israel. “As for you, lie down on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it. For I have assigned you a number of days corresponding to the years of their iniquity, three hundred and ninety days; thus you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. When you have completed these, you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah; I have assigned it to you for forty days, a day for each year. Then you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem with your arm bared and prophesy against it. Now behold, I will put ropes on you so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have completed the days of your siege. “But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself; you shall eat it according to the number of the days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days (Ezekiel 4:1-9).

Have you ever thought maybe we have talked too much—sometimes until we are blue in our collective face—trying to get God’s message into the hearts of our friends, family or acquaintances?

Maybe it is time to try “action sermons!”

Through our actions sermons, people may see something different in us that will lead to a discussion on our faith. We may even be privileged to share in the joy of their salvation.

While God uses our actions, He is also quite capable and willing to use our speech and words to convey His intended will and plans.

Let us not forget that God can use us in many ways—both verbally and through our actions.
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God Uses Our Words

But, God also uses words. Later on in the Book of Ezekiel, God opened Ezekiel’s mouth so he could be a verbal witness in declaring the future prophecies of Jerusalem.

While God may not call us to do weird and strange “action” things like he called Ezekiel to do when he prophesized the unfortunate events awaiting Jerusalem, He may call us to show God’s love to others through a kind word, a meal, a note, or a smile. So I am not saying we should never use words to minister.

Writer Will Maule says it best in his recent article titled “22 Things Christians Need to Stop Doing…Now!”

He states, “It’s just as important to represent Jesus by how we live, but someone can’t respond to the Good News without hearing it . . . and they can’t hear it if no one opens their mouths (Matt 10:27, Romans 10:14-15).” ¹

In my life, I have come to believe that unless what we say agrees with what we do, what we say is meaningless to most people.

God Uses Our Actions and Words

In an ongoing survey, people were asked if people were known by their actions or their words. The result was that 57% believe people are known by their actions and 43% believe that actions do not speak louder than words. ²

This discrepancy leans more to the belief that actions speak louder than words. The Bible is full of verses that discuss the importance of our actions. For example:

But these verses do not overpower the fact that God also uses our speech to minister, guide, encourage, and love others. Without the powerful words of Old Testament prophets, the people would not know God’s laws and His plans. Without the convicting words from the New Testament apostles, people would not know the plan of salvation and sanctification.

Be Obedient

Be open this week to His will in all you DO and SAY. Don’t be afraid to step out and do something “different” if you feel God impressing you to do so. If your motives are right, and it ends up not what God had in mind, He will fix it and make it right. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone to grow, mature, and be obedient, whether in our words or actions. Being obedient to whatever God impresses upon us to do is the key. Both words and actions are important!

Being obedient to whatever God impresses you to do is the key. Both words and actions are important!
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God Bless,

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive

Bible Verses:

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. John 10:25

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunities You give me to share my life with others. Give me wisdom and understanding regarding the best way to approach people with Your truths. You are a God I can trust to lead me in the paths of righteousness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

¹ Maule, Will. “22 Things Christians Need to Stop Doing…Now!” Hello Christian. http://hellochristian.com. Accessed 17 Feb 2017.

² “Do actions speak louder than words?” The Premier Online Debate Website. Debate.org. N.p., 21 Feb. 2017. Web. 21 Feb. 2017 <http://www.debate.org/>.

Edited by E. Johnson; Image Permission from J. Morisho 2-18-2017. Bible Verses from NASB.

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.

Books by Patti Greene

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 90-day devotional prayer journal for all ages; This informative and how-to book on prayer is for seekers, new believers, and mature believers. It encourages a commitment and devotion to the art of prayer. Learn how God reveals himself through Bible study and prayer. ISBN: 978-1512760453 (Paperback) $11.95 on Amazon.

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

A 365-day devotional prayer journal for in-depth Bible study; Fun words or phrases from the Old and New Testaments! Perfect for mature believers. ISBN: 978-1490893181 (Paperback) $27.95 on Amazon.

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

A 181-day devotional prayer journal for growing individuals; The Bible and social issues. Perfect for new believers. Comes with a group study guide. ISBN: 978-1490893174 (Paperback) $19.95 on Amazon.

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#bgbg2, Christian Living, Friendship, Parenting and Family, Testimonies

The Linchpin of Loyalty: With God or the Super Bowl, Hanging Together Wins the Game

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The Linchpin of Loyalty: With God or the Super Bowl, Hanging Together Wins the Game

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Christian Living, Friendship

Christian Gifts

Christian Gifts

By Patti Greene / Greene Pastures by Patti

Originally Posted 12/06/2016

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Christmas is around the corner! And, have you finished your shopping? I decided to ask some friends and family about where they have found some interesting, unique, and even routine Christian gifts. Below you will find the results. I’m hoping that this list will help you in your last-minute Christmas shopping and even into the new year. Links come and go, so if they are here today and gone tomorrow, that is technology on the move. Even though Greene Pastures is not recommending every item you may find on this list, many items will bring long-lasting joy to those you know.

So, grab some coffee and surf through these sites. Get some ideas for gifts even if you don’t buy from those sites per se. In addition, keep your eyes open for those items you love. There are always those folks who do ask you for what you want and now you can be ready for your response.

Wrapping up my shopping now will be easy. But, I better get moving. Online purchasing is easy! But order quickly as mail takes time and we don’t want gifts arriving after Jesus’ birthday or any birthday.

Christian Gifts

CLICK LINKS BELOW TO SEE CHRISTIAN GIFT ITEMS! HAVE FUN SHOPPING!

Best Selling Religious Gifts from Personalization Mall

Bible Scripture Bags and Handbags

Bible Trivia Games [Adults and Children] from Kohl’s

Bible Verse Posters by All Posters.com

Bibles from Mardel

Bible Toys Noah’s Ark 18 Piece Playset with Noah, 14 Animals and Floating Ark – Christian Based Faith Children Toys

Boxed Christian Cards from Daysprings

Christian Coloring Books for Adults and Children

Christian Cross Adult Bib

Christian Home Décor

Christian Jewelry that Inspires Faith in Jesus Christ

Christian Mugs

Christian Prayer Cube Bedtime Prayers

Christian Toys, Puzzles, and Games [By Age]

Christian T-Shirts from Christian Apparel Shop

Christian Videos for Children from Mardel

Christmas Specials and Giveaways by Elle Bee

Cute Clothes for Infants and Toddlers

Dear Mushka Products

Devotional Prayer Journals by Patti Greene

Gift Shop at Dayspring

I Can Read Book Series

Journals and Notebooks from Daysprings

Lauren Nicole Handwritten Gifts [Put a signature on Jewelry]

Miscellaneous Christian Gifts from Zazzle

Mother, Woman Of God Pen and Bookmark Gift Set

Practical Gifts for Him from Christian Books

Religious Christmas Gifts from Bradford Exchange

Roses and Teacups Gifts and Favors

The Jerusalem Gift Shop – Variety of Gifts

Unique Christian Gifts on Zazzle

Willow Tree Collection by Demdaco

And a good friend said, “Be sure to check out your local artists!”

God Bless. And let me know what treasures you find!

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive

Bible Verses:

  • Am I not allowed to do what I choose what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? Matthew 20:15
  • Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
  • Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3

Prayer:

Lord, as I choose gifts this season, please guide me in choosing items that will be honorable in your eyes. Let me discern when I should purchase Christian gifts for others. Let me find the perfect gift that will help them be a servant for you. Thank you, Jesus, for all you do for me and let me pass on Christian generosity to others. 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 bookstore. You may order an autographed copy by clicking on ‘Shop-Books by Patti Greene’ on this site.

NEW RELEASE – Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer

Just in time for Christmas! Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer has just been released by WestBow Press. I am so excited about this new book. If you or anyone you know is interested in developing a life of prayer, this 90-day prayer journal is perfect.

Answer Me includes:

  • An Undated Dateline
  • Topic of Prayer
  • Scripture Verse
  • Suggested Reading
  • Daily Thought
  • Prayer Request Section
  • Personal Reflection Section
  • Prayer

To Order from Amazon:

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 90-day devotional prayer journal for all ages; This informative and how-to book on prayer is for seekers, new believers, and mature believers. It encourages a commitment and devotion to the art of prayer. Learn how God reveals himself through Bible study and prayer. ISBN: 978-1512760453 (Paperback) $11.95 on Amazon.

Other Books by Patti Greene:

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

A 365-day devotional prayer journal for in-depth Bible study; Fun words or phrases from the Old and New Testaments! Perfect for mature believers. ISBN: 978-1490893181 (Paperback) $27.95 on Amazon.

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

A 181-day devotional prayer journal for growing individuals; The Bible and social issues. Perfect for new believers. Comes with a group study guide. ISBN: 978-1490893174 (Paperback) $19.95 on Amazon.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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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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.

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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 [email protected] for confidentiality.

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Friendship, Guest Bloggers, Life Issues, Medical, Parenting and Family

Good Seed, Good Ground

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Good Seed, Good Ground

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By Ellsworth Johnson, Guest Blogger for Greene Pastures

I remember my first airplane flight. I was seven years old and we were flying from New York City to Tampa, Florida to visit my grandparents. It was raining at departure time and overcast horizon-to-horizon, so I expected the drizzle to continue for the entire ride.

Imagine my surprise, though, as we penetrated the cloud layer after takeoff, and the sun was shining in a clear bright blue sky! The clouds were actually below us now, which is not how I was used to thinking of them — can you get out and walk on them?

Other, deeper questions came to my inquisitive young mind: Is God up here somewhere? Where is Jesus, all the angels, and everyone else? Is this part of heaven?

Doubts about God and religion had already set in by then. If heaven is directly above our house, which I believed emphatically that it was, is it also above my next-door neighbor’s house, too? What about across the house street, in the next town, in California, or a hut in Timbuktu? I knew the Earth was a ball… heaven couldn’t really be above everywhere at the same time . . . could it?

Somewhat less whimsical is the case of Steve Jobs, the prodigious, brilliant and ultra-rich Apple co-founder who died in 2011. The story goes that young Steve asked his local priest one day why God allowed such widespread suffering in the world if He is truly a God of Love. Alas, the priest miserably failed this fairly basic pop quiz by not having a solid ready answer of any kind to the question, and Steve’s faith was busted irretrievably to the point where he went off and eventually became a Buddhist.

I, on the other hand, was still being raised Catholic. Why? Because my mother, the driving force for such matters in our home, attended St. Therese, a Catholic church near our house. I learned, many years later, that this critical choice of faith owed to the sound theological reason that the services, without exception, were always exactly 45 minutes in length.

Every Sunday morning Mom would announce that it was time for her, my brother Dwayne and me to leave for Mass. On the infrequent occasions I objected, my father, invariably planted in front of the television set in his burnt-orange upholstered chair would jump up, point his finger at the door and start shouting words of reprimand for what seemed like an eternity. Oddly, I can never remember anything he said, less so any of it ever making sense. When he was done, he returned to his football or basketball game (depending on the season) as if nothing had happened.

For some reason, he never had to go with us. This, too, struck me as odd. If God wanted the three of us to go to church on Sunday, didn’t He want my father to go, too?

Maybe the TV was his own special form of worship.

Time and years went by, and this Sunday ritual was joined when I was 12 by Christian Children’s Doctrine (CCD) classes. These classes met at St. Therese on Tuesday nights. They were taught by one of the nuns, and went from 7:30 to 9:00, consisting entirely of a lecture on some obscure religious point. Few children in the class took it seriously: I sat in the back each week and passed the time with these two cut-ups who joked and fantasized about how I was really a bullfighter, and other such nonsense.

Ultimately, CCD was for me, a waste of time. I felt bad for the nun who led it: she was so sincere in what she was doing and yet, like my father’s Sunday diatribes (and unlike the bullfighter goofing), absolutely none of the substance of her words survived.

I endured it for grades 7 and 8; for ninth graders, however, CCD was no longer held at the church, but now instead at a local parishioner’s house. Apparently that change was too inconvenient for my mother, so, miraculously, I no longer had to go.

Many decades later, the real reason for the class’ ineffectiveness was unearthed: their messages were never reinforced at home.

Upon returning to my house after class each week I was never, not once in two years, asked about what we did or what I learned, let alone discuss it in any depth. Did they, my parents, even *know* this stuff already? Did they care? Was it important? Certainly nothing about the Catholic way of life was identified or practiced in the way we lived. Its doctrine was not reflected outside the church walls.

Another failure. More doubt.

Ritual Sunday Mass continued, though, all the way to the end of high school. Four days after graduation I was on a plane to Boston to begin a summer program at MIT. I was in college now, presumably in charge of my own affairs, and the first thing to go: no more church! It was forced on me throughout my childhood, never explained, its precepts ignored at home, and now I was finally free to drop it.

It would take fifteen years, a brain aneurysm and one man’s persistent faith to bring me back to Christ. And he did it simply by doing what no one had done up to that point.

He put the pieces together so that they made sense.

Plus, it was OK not to know, and to ask questions.

I was in my hospital bed at Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego on that day in November 1992 and my friend Bob had come to visit me there. Four weeks earlier a blood vessel in my head popped and I was suddenly inches from death’s door. I had recovered to a pretty good extent, but I still needed surgery to finally repair the rupture. That surgery was scheduled for the following morning.

In the month I had been there, my mother had come to see me four times; on the other hand, this was Bob’s fifth visit. And this time, he brought his Bible.

Of course, I already knew the broad strokes, like who God and Jesus are, and about sin, heaven and hell. I also had the standard Catholic outlook on the after-life, which included Purgatory, and the mystical notion of needing to be somehow “good enough” in order to get into heaven.

What was missing were the details of how they were all related.

And, of course, everything else.

We talked for half an hour. My lifetime of lingering questions had all been answered, the wrong information had been righted, and for the first time I had a correct Biblical view of things. “Great,” I declared. “What do I do now?”

Bob said that I needed to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose on the third day and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

I looked at him and declared triumphantly: “I can do that!”

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:23

From there, the rest is history. As a result of the surgery the next day, I made a complete 100% recovery from my aneurysm utterly baffling my doctors. After leaving Scripps I quickly joined a Baptist church in San Diego and became a voracious student of the Bible and the Christian life. A month after getting out of the hospital, I was baptized correctly through full immersion in water — though I’m sure the sprinkling I received as a baby was cute.

Eight years later, with the arrival of the new millennium, I met the woman God had picked out for me and took her to wife. We were blessed in March 2005 by the arrival of our son Joshua. At Joshua’s baby dedication, where we gave him back to the Lord, a surprise guest showed up at the last minute:  my friend Bob, who had confronted me with the Word a decade and a half earlier in my hospital bed (evidently, I was “sick” spiritually too, as well as physically). He appeared on the scene with his wife just as the ceremony got underway.

And . . . I started going to church again every Sunday, the difference this time being that it was something I chose to do, because I wanted the knowledge that it brought… plus, it was the right thing to do. It made sense, and the spiritual reasons for doing so are far more real and compelling than the “because I said so” dictates of yore.

When the Man from Apple left this Earth, what I took to be that still small voice announced matter-of-factly one day out of the blue: “Steve Jobs is in hell, and will be there forever.” Pretty rough, to be sure, but if he remained a Buddhist and never accepted Christ while he was alive, is that not the expected outcome? His billions, his tech-savvy and his reputation (all God’s gifts, by the way!) ultimately could not save him from a Christ-less eternity.

I thank God for bringing Bob into my hospital room that day to share the Word. The time and place were right for me to receive it, take it in, and for it to blossom. If he had not stepped out on faith and done that, if something had gone wrong on the operating table the next day and I died in an unsaved state, I am positive I would have ended up joining Apple’s co-founder in his grim post-mortal experience.

As Christians, our lives continue to be on roller coasters, but with God along for the ride they stay on track, no matter how fast or slow we go, no matter how high the peaks or low the valleys.

The cloud-piercing experience was not the only important revelation to my young mind on that first flight day.

I learned also that the states in America, in fact, do not have their names written on them in giant letters which you can read from the sky.

-Ellsworth Johnson, a retired software engineer and math teacher. He lives in Katy, Texas with his wife Sonja and son Joshua. He is waiting expectantly to see what God, in His sovereignty and grace, has in store for the next phase of his life.

The policy of Greene Pastures is to respect the views of Christian denominations in its writing. However, essay references to denominations have been kept in Good Seed, Good Ground for author credibility and honesty in sharing an autobiographical story.

Bible Verses:

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” Matthew 13:24-30

Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:8

Prayer:

Dear Lord, as I come to you this day, I ask you to let me hear and understand your Holy Word. Allow me to heed your holy words and apply them to my life. Give me wisdom in using the gifts and fruits you bestow upon me. Make me an instrument of your love. Allow my faith to share Jesus with those I encounter as your Holy Spirit is preparing them to accept you as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Friendship, Life Issues, Parenting and Family

Negative Peer Pressure

Negative Peer Pressure

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In The Difference between Negative and Positive Peer Pressure, writer Denise Witner states,

Peer pressure is not a bad thing. We all are influenced by our peers, both negatively and positively. It helps define who we are and how we feel about subjects in our lives. It is how we chose to react to peer pressure that defines who we are as an individual. Are we a leader or a follower? Both types of people are needed to make the world go around . . .The difference between negative and positive peer pressure is the outcome.²

Everybody feels peer pressure at one time or another. We might choose to belong to a particular group or organization,  i.e. political parties, gangs, or church denominations. Our peer groups encourage us to conform to that group’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. This can be seen as either a positive or negative change of one’s attitude or compliance to a group’s belief system. Someone might be influenced to wear only gothic punk clothing while someone else might be positively influenced to join a spirit-filled church group. We all desire to be accepted and secure in our own little conclaves.

We tend to think of peer pressure as a feature that only teenagers experience, but that is not true. Today, peer pressure follows us no matter what age we are. But, as a believer, when negative peer pressure tempts us, we must decide to follow the crowd or follow Jesus.

Peer pressure tempts all age groups. In the teenage years, young people are sometimes attracted to the wrong crowd or friends. They can be drawn into risky behaviors that can be detrimental to their health and safety while others are drawn into a peer group that stresses high achievement and more positive activities. In the young adult years, one might be drawn to compete with their friends for the bigger house, the most kids, the best jobs, or even the best mani-pedi. In middle age, one could compete for a position in the Women’s Club or on the tennis team. And, for those who work, one may be striving for that vice-president job that everyone in your department is striving for. When children are ready for college, parents might feel pressure to get their children into the best college or university, buy a second home, or even try to outdo others for the most prestigious church ministry. One would think that following the crowd would die down when reaching the golden years, but there are seniors competing for the best home update, car, portfolio, assisted-living home, and even the best medical alert system.

There is no age or culture immune to peer pressure. Just because “everyone is doing it” does not make it right. In Uganda, Africa, many women are peer pressured to apply harsh chemicals and carcinogens to their skin to lighten it. This process is very harmful, but there is so much pressure for the women to be beautiful. They are led to assume that their beauty comes from being lighter and fairer than others.¹ The pressure to fit in is even prevalent in poor countries even though grave harm may come upon people. In the case of the Uganda women, the chemicals could burn their eyes or cause cancer in their bodies. Young people are joining gangs and the potential dangers often costs them their lives. In addition, joining a gang may cause drug addiction, violent behavior and possible prison time. Following the wrong crowd and trying to fit in can cause lifetime consequences. We must stress this upon our children.

Negative Peer Pressure may lead to . . .

  • Risky Behaviors: People will be influenced to participate in risky behavior that may lead to  jail time, prison incarceration, a ruined career, and more.
  • Misguided Friendships: People will be continually attracted to the wrong crowd and friends.
  • Single-minded Dependence: People will depend upon “their group” for help and guidance; thus there might be a non-dependence upon family and/or God.
  • Inconsideration: People will hurt those that love them by their actions and words.
  • Short-sightedness: People will be impractical or imprudent by not recognizing their reputation may be damaged and/or opportunities may be lost by the groups they associate with.

Just as there is a cost in following the wrong crowd, there is a cost in following the Lord. Luke 14:27-30 says,

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Throughout the Bible, we see people choosing to follow God and not the world.

In Genesis 7, Noah obeyed God and built the ark while “the crowd” sinned and the Lord saw the wickedness of man. The evil continued and eventually the people were destroyed by the flood — all that is except Noah and his family who separated themselves from the wicked people and obeyed the Lord.

In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar as the crowds were doing. But, the king threw them into the furnace and heated it seven times more than it was usually heated, but they survived. They decided not to follow the crowd, and God delivered his servants who trusted in him.

When we decide to follow Christ, we can stop worrying about what other people think of us. We know that God is the one directing our steps. We can trust in what the Holy Bible tells us to do. We believe that the Holy Spirit is directing our lives and are able to avoid the tangles brought by the popular culture of the world. When obeying the Father and striving to be like Jesus, every decision we make will be made through the eyes of God.

While costs are involved in following both the crowd and Jesus, the benefits of following Jesus are so much more.

BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING JESUS

  • Assurance of salvation and life after death in heaven;
  • Comfort in knowing there is a purpose in their life;
  • Forgiveness for our past, present, and future sins;
  • Love from Almighty God;
  • God’s peace in life.
  • Ability to trust that God knows the big picture of our lives; and
  • Joy as we use our spiritual gifts and develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

While there are many who try to live in both the secular world and the spiritual world, the Bible warns against those who become complacent in their Christian walk. Many times those are believers who have accepted Christ, but have never grown deep roots into the things of God.

Old Testament Joshua says,

Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 23:14-15

If you are hanging with the wrong people, it is time to decide whom  you will serve. God will give you the courage to choose Him. Choosing to follow Christ means a change – a change of attitude – a change of friends in some cases – and an understanding that following Jesus Christ will create a positive shift in your life. These changes will become more and more positive as they grow roots through Bible reading and prayer.

God Bless.

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Bible Verses

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. Proverbs 1:8-19

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Matthew 11:18

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Mark 15:15

Prayer

Heavenly Father, let me see areas where I am following the crowd and giving into unnecessary peer-pressure. I am asking you to change my life so I can follow you fully in everything I attempt to do. I want you to change my heart and may I always bring glory to you. Let me believe and trust that you will respond to all my needs as I give take up my cross to follow you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

¹Strickland, Ashley. Light and shadows: Skin bleaching in Uganda. CNN. 22 Jan 2016. Online.

²Whitner, Denise. The Difference between Negative and Positive Peer Pressure. About Parenting. 4 Dec 2014. Online.

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