NCarolinian

Do you sense "the joy of the LORD" in your life?  Is it "your strength"? In Nehemiah 8:1-3 it says, "They [the Israelites] told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.  So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.  He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women, and others who could understand.  And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law." Continuing on in verses 9-11 it states, "Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, 'This day is sacred to the LORD your God.  Do not mourn or weep.  For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjo...

"In the third year of his [Jehoshaphat] reign he sent his officials ...to teach in the towns of Judah.  They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.  The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.  Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks;" The officials who went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people had their part of THE WORD to share - the Book of the Law of the LORD.  Notice what happened as a result of them spreading the news of this Book .  "The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat."   And on top of that Jehoshaphat gets tribute in the form of costly gifts, silver, and animals.  All of this because the Word of th...

I guess there could be several analogies drawn to the situation that surrounded Jesus at the time of His betrayal, trial, scourging, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.  Analogies like "the chess game" analogy or "master puppeteer" analogy or "the great play" analogy.  In each scenario there are many participants with roles that are manipulated by one or more to acquire a desired outcome.  Satan tried to "pull his own strings" by influencing those close to Jesus to try to thwart Jesus' plan.  Like whispering into Peter's ear for Jesus not to go through with His plan.  And Judas being possessed by the Fallen One himself to betray the only begotten Son of God.  BUT God the Father knew the schemes of Lucifer and whatever Satan threw at Jesus for bad God turned for good. Everybody around Jesus was "moved" (chess perhaps) into position before, during, and after Jesus' ministry here on earth.  The fact that the Son of God was...

I knew the Islamic faith had many times during the day when they called upon their members to face Mecca, bow, and pray, but I did not know there was any such similarity within Judaism. Evidently, the history of the Jews "praying toward..." was important enough to have documented twice.  1 Kings 8:22-53 and 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 are the same account - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication (Temple).  When Solomon prays he asks the Lord, God of Israel, to hear the prayers prayed when the people pray a certain way - toward the location of their focus.  Their attention is where the Ark of the Covenant resides - in the temple on top of Mt. Moriah where Solomon is giving this Prayer of Dedication.  There is no mention of bowing, just facing the direction of who should be their passion.  There is also no mention that this is a command, but what I get from Ezra's (2 Chronicles 6) recording of Solomon's words is a cultural practice of respect. Solomon prayed to God...

Ever heard the expression "just tie a knot and hang on" or heard it explained that life can get so challenging that you feel like you have "hit the bottom of the barrel and now there is no way but up"?  These may be great don't give up sayings or messages but I want to go a different direction.  To those who have experienced this end of the rope or bottom of the barrel phase of life, you know the emotions attached.  Feelings like helplessness, confusion, and resourcelessness may abound.  A lot of "lessness" words can be applied here.  But when life gets to this point we are likely on our knees consulting someone who should have been consulted before getting to this point - God.  Surprisingly enough, a lot of times this is right where God wants us and can use us, minus the negativity of life's circumstances. I am speaking about humbling thyself.  Bringing yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually to be totally dependent on God.  Intenti...

To be sure everything is not an accident.  To be sure everything is not by chance.  What is the purpose in living?  What is the meaning of life itself if an accident or chance is the governing force?  What is the truth?  Who knows the truth?  So many voices claim their way as the truth or the way.  The cry, "It's all relative" is a cop-out and rejection of the correct way or path.  By definition, truth has no relativity.  Truth is true for all. The fact that these questions are being asked alludes to the answer.  There has to be something or even someone greater than humanity.  From all the walks of faith which one is the truth?  Just by behavior of the members of each faith we know not all paths lead to the same God.  The differences within the teachings found in the many holy texts also show how the same God is not reached by all faiths.  There can be only one. Who made the claim they knew the truth?...