About Us
My name is Joe. I began writing romance scrolls over 20 years ago. At that time I had a booth at a Renaissance Festival. A short time later I met my wife and she changed my life. I began attending church with her and on a weekend retreat I was inspired to write my first real Scroll from the Soul.
This Website is my first venture into a whole new world. I pray that God will lead me through it…
All Bible verses are taken from the King James version.
All Photos seen on this website were taken by my wife.
Statement of Faith
In The Beginning
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
This is where the Bible begins,
This is where Life begins,
This must also be... Where Our Faith Begins.
The New Beginning
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18 KJV)
This is where the New Testament begins…
Just like Genesis 1:1 this verse must be taken on faith…
The Old Testament starts with faith in God…
The New Testament starts with faith in Jesus…
And part three as well… faith in the Holy Ghost…
The Trinity of God is the very foundation of our faith. Without it we are left with nothing.
As for me I believe without doubt or reservation.
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I also believe that technology changes… People do not.
We have been and always will be controlled by our emotions.
Love – Hate
Hope – Fear
Joy – Anger
These are the basic elements of mankind.
That is why the Entire Bible is just as relevant today as it always has been and always will be.
This verse should be considered a mirror not a window…
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(II Timothy 3:16 & 17)
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Please feel free to Contact us at scrolls2014@gmail.com
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************
My name is Joe. I began writing romance scrolls over 20 years ago. At that time I had a booth at a Renaissance Festival. A short time later I met my wife and she changed my life. I began attending church with her and on a weekend retreat I was inspired to write my first real Scroll from the Soul.
This Website is my first venture into a whole new world. I pray that God will lead me through it…
All Bible verses are taken from the King James version.
All Photos seen on this website were taken by my wife.
Statement of Faith
In The Beginning
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
This is where the Bible begins,
This is where Life begins,
This must also be... Where Our Faith Begins.
The New Beginning
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18 KJV)
This is where the New Testament begins…
Just like Genesis 1:1 this verse must be taken on faith…
The Old Testament starts with faith in God…
The New Testament starts with faith in Jesus…
And part three as well… faith in the Holy Ghost…
The Trinity of God is the very foundation of our faith. Without it we are left with nothing.
As for me I believe without doubt or reservation.
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************
I also believe that technology changes… People do not.
We have been and always will be controlled by our emotions.
Love – Hate
Hope – Fear
Joy – Anger
These are the basic elements of mankind.
That is why the Entire Bible is just as relevant today as it always has been and always will be.
This verse should be considered a mirror not a window…
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(II Timothy 3:16 & 17)
*****************************************************************************************
Please feel free to Contact us at scrolls2014@gmail.com
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************
As many of you know a year ago we created an audio version of 36 of the scrolls.I do all the reading personally. (Please remember I am not perfect)
Up until now the only way anyone could get a copy was to purchase one from me at one of the book signing events.
This album is now available through Itunes
In His Service
Joseph W Lee
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Up until now the only way anyone could get a copy was to purchase one from me at one of the book signing events.
This album is now available through Itunes
In His Service
Joseph W Lee
***************************************************************
To Be Added to Our "Today's Scroll" List please send your name and Email address to: scrolls2014@gmail.com.
Now Available at Amazon.com And BarnesandNoble.com
Ebook Available at iTunes and Kobo
Ebook Available at iTunes and Kobo
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In March of 2019 an audio of Scrolls from the Soul was recorded...
This is the Transcript for Scrolls from the Soul Disk 1 "In the Beginning"
Track 1
Hello my name is Joseph W Lee.
I am the author of Scrolls from the Soul
I wish to dedicate this CD to my wife Belinda. Without her none of this would have been possible...
We now present an audio version of Scrolls from the Soul...
Disc 1 – In the Beginning...
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Track 2
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…
This is where the bible begins…
This is where life begins…
This must also be… Where our faith begins…
If we doubt this verse then we might as well close up the book and put it back on the shelf…
If we doubt a single word of this verse then we are free to doubt every word that follows...
We need to remember two very important things.
Technology changes... We know that… We live with it every day…
We also need to remember that people do not change…
We have the same emotions that Adam and Eve had…
We have the same emotions that Abraham had…
We even have the same emotions that Peter had...
Joy – Anger
Hope – Fear
Love – Hate
These are the building blocks of mankind…
And they always have been…
The Bible is God’s handbook to help us deal with these emotions…
I did not say control…
Emotions are reactionary…
They react to our environment…
They react to situations…
They even react to each other….
If we harm someone in a moment of anger either, physically or emotionally, the Bible tells us that we need to go and ask for forgiveness…
Not just from that person, but also from God…
If we wrap our arms around someone in a moment of great joy, we need to thank God that we are able to do that…
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…
We have heard that verse…
We have read that verse…
We have memorized that verse all our lives…
So much so, that we tend to drain all of the emotions out of that verse…
In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth and the Earth was Without Form, and Void; and Darkness was upon the face of the Deep! And the Spirit of God Moved upon the Face of the Waters.
The Power of creation…
The Emotions of God…
We need to put these things back where they belong…
Let’s take an emotional journey through the powerful words of God again…
This is what the Scrolls are all about, putting the emotions back into our relationship with God...
The Scrolls are my way of doing Bible Study. I take what I read and match it up with some part of my life.
It is like learning a new word and finding a way to use it in a sentence.
We now present an audio version of Scrolls from the Soul.
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Track 3
The Unborn Child
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.... (Genesis 1:1)
A man once said to me that describing life in heaven to someone is like describing life on earth to an unborn child...
And I thought about that...
Is it possible to describe...
The waves crashing upon the sandy shore to someone floating in a seemingly endless sea...
Is it possible to describe...
The glory of the sun setting among the clouds to someone locked in a world of darkness...
Is it possible to describe...
The sound of birds singing to the rising sun to someone who only hears a softly beating heart...
Is it possible to describe...
The peace this child will find in a mother’s loving arms...
Then how:
Is it possible to describe...
Everlasting life to someone who finds a new gray hair with every look into the mirror...
Is it possible to describe...
A shining city of gold to someone locked in a smoke filled world of bricks and steel...
Is it possible to describe...
The singing voices of angels to someone who only hears the grumbling words of men...
Is it possible to describe...
The joy we will find in the loving arms of God....
**************************************************************
Track 4
Definition of a Christian
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:4-6)
As strange as it might seem there are still people that believe that once a person becomes a Christian they should never sin again…
The truth is that we sin just as much as anyone else…
The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is very simple…
We are willing to admit we are sinners…
And… Only God can forgive our sins
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 106:1)
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Track 5
Credit He Deserves
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day (Genesis 1:31 KJV)
For years scientist have been trying to convince us that our planet took a very long time to evolve.
It took millions of years…
For all these rocks in space to crash into each other…
It took millions of years more…
For all of these rocks to cool off enough for life to begin…
And even more millions of years…
For us to become smart enough to figure this out…
Scientists have never been able to explain where all these rocks came from in the first place.
So now we have the “Big Bang” theory which says there was nothing and then suddenly there was everything...
Well… they are getting closer…
They just need to give God the credit He deserves.
************************************************************
Track 6
Can Satan Do That?
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1)
Jesus was tempted three times...
The first two were testing God’s power...
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Matthew 4:3)
Secondly...
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone
(Matthew 4:6)
The third was very different…
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
(Matthew 4:8-9)
A bribe…?
Can Satan even deliver on this offer…?
Satan is not widely known as being honest…
Either way it really does not matter…
Jesus is showing us that Satan can not force us to sin…
It may feel like He can, but the choice is up to us…
**************************************************************
Track 7
East of Eden
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:8-9)
Today was a perfect day to be outside…
I spent several hours working in the flowerbeds around the house…
Blooming all around me there were Daffodils, Tulips and Dandelions …
Suddenly it dawned on me…
Here was one of God’s greatest creations everywhere I looked…
It was an endless array… of Colors…
*************************************************************
Track 8
Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
A Pure Heart is a trait normally associate with a very young child…
This child can be innocent because they do not know anything else…
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way every child is exposed to the forbidden fruit…
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:4)
In Jewish law there are many things that if touched can make one “unclean”…
By following a set of rules this person’s hands can become clean again…
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)
Lust is such a gut reaction that it often feels like it comes from out of nowhere…
So is it even possible to have a pure heart…?
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)
Each time we ask for forgiveness our heart is made pure once again…
(And again, and again and again...)
************************************************************
Credit He Deserves
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day (Genesis 1:31 KJV)
For years scientist have been trying to convince us that our planet took a very long time to evolve.
It took millions of years…
For all these rocks in space to crash into each other…
It took millions of years more…
For all of these rocks to cool off enough for life to begin…
And even more millions of years…
For us to become smart enough to figure this out…
Scientists have never been able to explain where all these rocks came from in the first place.
So now we have the “Big Bang” theory which says there was nothing and then suddenly there was everything...
Well… they are getting closer…
They just need to give God the credit He deserves.
************************************************************
Track 6
Can Satan Do That?
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1)
Jesus was tempted three times...
The first two were testing God’s power...
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Matthew 4:3)
Secondly...
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone
(Matthew 4:6)
The third was very different…
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
(Matthew 4:8-9)
A bribe…?
Can Satan even deliver on this offer…?
Satan is not widely known as being honest…
Either way it really does not matter…
Jesus is showing us that Satan can not force us to sin…
It may feel like He can, but the choice is up to us…
**************************************************************
Track 7
East of Eden
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:8-9)
Today was a perfect day to be outside…
I spent several hours working in the flowerbeds around the house…
Blooming all around me there were Daffodils, Tulips and Dandelions …
Suddenly it dawned on me…
Here was one of God’s greatest creations everywhere I looked…
It was an endless array… of Colors…
*************************************************************
Track 8
Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
A Pure Heart is a trait normally associate with a very young child…
This child can be innocent because they do not know anything else…
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way every child is exposed to the forbidden fruit…
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:4)
In Jewish law there are many things that if touched can make one “unclean”…
By following a set of rules this person’s hands can become clean again…
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)
Lust is such a gut reaction that it often feels like it comes from out of nowhere…
So is it even possible to have a pure heart…?
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)
Each time we ask for forgiveness our heart is made pure once again…
(And again, and again and again...)
************************************************************
Track 9
A Mother's Love
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living... (Genesis 3:28)
A child's tiny hands may someday pitch a record fastball...
first they will reach out to feel the gentleness of a mother's touch...
A child's wondering eyes may one day unlock the mysteries of the universe...
first they will search for the joy in a mother's smile…
A child's tiny lips may someday speak of world peace...
first they will whisper the words "I love you, Mommy"...
A child may become anything in this world but to be truly happy they must first have a mother's love...
**************************************************************
Track 10
Those Who Do Not Ask
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:42)
The Bible tells us to give to people who ask…
This can be anywhere from a major thrift store to someone standing on the street corner…
What about the people who never ask…
A neighbor who has always kept a nice yard…
One day we notice the yard looking very shabby…
A woman is standing in front of us at the checkout lane…
She is digging out change and coming up short…
Do we have the heart to offer a helping hand…?
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
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Track 11
A Living Soul
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)
There has been a lot of talk over the years about something called the singularity…
This is the point where our brain becomes merged with the computer…
Many people believe this is the point where we become immortal…
Just what happens to our soul…?
Are we really nothing more than a collection of 1’s and 0’s…?
Are emotions just simple calculations…?
We know the body dies…
We know the brain dies…
We also know that computers die…
So how can this singularity be a grantee of immortality…?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)
God created the living soul…
He is the only one that can give it immortality…
********************************************************************
Track 12
Hunger and Thirst
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
When our need for God is to get direction in life,
Then we shall know what it means to seek after righteousness...
When our need for God is to bring us through the hard times in life,
Then we shall know what it means to hope after righteousness...
When our need for God is to bring us joy in life,
Then we shall know what it means to pursue righteousness...
When our need for God becomes a daily necessity of life,
Then we shall know what it means to hunger and thirst after righteousness...
***************************************************************
A Mother's Love
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living... (Genesis 3:28)
A child's tiny hands may someday pitch a record fastball...
first they will reach out to feel the gentleness of a mother's touch...
A child's wondering eyes may one day unlock the mysteries of the universe...
first they will search for the joy in a mother's smile…
A child's tiny lips may someday speak of world peace...
first they will whisper the words "I love you, Mommy"...
A child may become anything in this world but to be truly happy they must first have a mother's love...
**************************************************************
Track 10
Those Who Do Not Ask
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:42)
The Bible tells us to give to people who ask…
This can be anywhere from a major thrift store to someone standing on the street corner…
What about the people who never ask…
A neighbor who has always kept a nice yard…
One day we notice the yard looking very shabby…
A woman is standing in front of us at the checkout lane…
She is digging out change and coming up short…
Do we have the heart to offer a helping hand…?
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
*******************************************************************
Track 11
A Living Soul
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)
There has been a lot of talk over the years about something called the singularity…
This is the point where our brain becomes merged with the computer…
Many people believe this is the point where we become immortal…
Just what happens to our soul…?
Are we really nothing more than a collection of 1’s and 0’s…?
Are emotions just simple calculations…?
We know the body dies…
We know the brain dies…
We also know that computers die…
So how can this singularity be a grantee of immortality…?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)
God created the living soul…
He is the only one that can give it immortality…
********************************************************************
Track 12
Hunger and Thirst
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
When our need for God is to get direction in life,
Then we shall know what it means to seek after righteousness...
When our need for God is to bring us through the hard times in life,
Then we shall know what it means to hope after righteousness...
When our need for God is to bring us joy in life,
Then we shall know what it means to pursue righteousness...
When our need for God becomes a daily necessity of life,
Then we shall know what it means to hunger and thirst after righteousness...
***************************************************************
Track 13
The Mark of Faith
And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason: and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. (Exodus 12:22 KVJ)
There was no mark upon the fields of the children of Israel when God sent the locust to destroy the crops in Egypt...
Yet, they were spared.
There was no mark upon the cattle of the children of Israel when God sent the fire and hail to rain down upon the beasts of Egypt...
Yet, they were spared.
There was no mark upon the bodies of the children of Israel when God sent the dust to bring pain unto the people of Egypt...
Yet, they were spared.
Why now must there be a mark upon the houses of the children of Israel?
The blood upon the door was not a mark for God to know His people...
It was a mark for all of Egypt to know that God's people knew Him...
**************************************************************
Track 14
The Peacemaker
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matt 5:24)
How often we have dreamed of bringing peace to a war torn world and yet we cannot be at peace with our own brothers...
Wars are not between one nation and another. They are between one man and another...
Each man must choose if he will lift his sword against his brother...
Peace is not a matter of who is right and who is wrong. It is a matter of forgiveness...
The true peacemaker is the man who is humble enough to ask for forgiveness from his brother and merciful enough to grant it unto him...
***************************************************************
Track 15
Stand Still and Know
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. (Exodus 14:13)
For a moment Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea as the thunder of horses and chariots closed in around him...
Suddenly, the air was filled with the roar of the fiery pillar, the rush of the mighty wind and the crash of waves as the sea parted before him...
As the sea caved in behind the children of God the sound of the splintering wood mixed with the horrified screams of horses and men...
Finally, all was calm. The only sound that could be heard was the beating of each man's heart.
It was then... in that moment of deafening silence... that the children of Israel truly knew they stood in the presence of God...
When was the last time any of us stood still and knew that we also live in the powerful presence of God...?
***************************************************************
Track 16
Unconditional Forgiveness
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
These verses tell us we need to forgive anyone who has wronged us in some way…
What they do not say is that we must only forgive them if they ask us too…
Unconditional Love must include Unconditional Forgiveness...
God will not ask us to do the impossible…
However, He does ask us to do difficult things…
If someone harms us in some way it can leave us angry and bitter…
If we forgive them unconditionally this burden will be lifted from us…
Unconditionally means they are not required to do anything…
That way we are not dependent on them for God forgiving us…
**************************************************************
The Mark of Faith
And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason: and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. (Exodus 12:22 KVJ)
There was no mark upon the fields of the children of Israel when God sent the locust to destroy the crops in Egypt...
Yet, they were spared.
There was no mark upon the cattle of the children of Israel when God sent the fire and hail to rain down upon the beasts of Egypt...
Yet, they were spared.
There was no mark upon the bodies of the children of Israel when God sent the dust to bring pain unto the people of Egypt...
Yet, they were spared.
Why now must there be a mark upon the houses of the children of Israel?
The blood upon the door was not a mark for God to know His people...
It was a mark for all of Egypt to know that God's people knew Him...
**************************************************************
Track 14
The Peacemaker
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matt 5:24)
How often we have dreamed of bringing peace to a war torn world and yet we cannot be at peace with our own brothers...
Wars are not between one nation and another. They are between one man and another...
Each man must choose if he will lift his sword against his brother...
Peace is not a matter of who is right and who is wrong. It is a matter of forgiveness...
The true peacemaker is the man who is humble enough to ask for forgiveness from his brother and merciful enough to grant it unto him...
***************************************************************
Track 15
Stand Still and Know
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. (Exodus 14:13)
For a moment Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea as the thunder of horses and chariots closed in around him...
Suddenly, the air was filled with the roar of the fiery pillar, the rush of the mighty wind and the crash of waves as the sea parted before him...
As the sea caved in behind the children of God the sound of the splintering wood mixed with the horrified screams of horses and men...
Finally, all was calm. The only sound that could be heard was the beating of each man's heart.
It was then... in that moment of deafening silence... that the children of Israel truly knew they stood in the presence of God...
When was the last time any of us stood still and knew that we also live in the powerful presence of God...?
***************************************************************
Track 16
Unconditional Forgiveness
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
These verses tell us we need to forgive anyone who has wronged us in some way…
What they do not say is that we must only forgive them if they ask us too…
Unconditional Love must include Unconditional Forgiveness...
God will not ask us to do the impossible…
However, He does ask us to do difficult things…
If someone harms us in some way it can leave us angry and bitter…
If we forgive them unconditionally this burden will be lifted from us…
Unconditionally means they are not required to do anything…
That way we are not dependent on them for God forgiving us…
**************************************************************
Track 17
Embrace It
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. (Exodus 19:16-17)
Where we live thunder storms are common…
That does not mean they are boring…
Thunder and lightning are frightening and at the same time they are exhilarating…
We want to run and hide but we are also captivated by the power and the energy…
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? (Job 40:9)
When the Bible talks about us fearing God it should be like fearing a thunder storm…
There should be fear and at the same time a tremendous excitement…!
There are times when God calms the soul…
Just as important there are times when He lights it up…!
There is a strength, a power, an energy that can only come from God…
We need to fear it and at the same time we must embrace it…!
Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
(1 Chronicles 29:11)
*********************************************************************
Track 18
Are We Willing
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart also (Matthew 6: 21-22)
This world offers many treasures to those who are willing to take the risk. The question is:
"How far are we willing to go?"...
You could take a ship out upon a stormy sea and dive deep into the darkness of the unforgiving waters to explore for sunken treasure.
Are we willing?
You could venture deep into the darkest jungle fighting off deadly diseases and savage beasts to search for a lost city of gold.
Are we willing?
To receive all the treasures of Heaven you must travel the toughest 24" on earth ... from your feet to your knees.
Are we willing?
**************************************************************
Track 19
Strong and Courageous
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Fear is the ultimate weapon of every terrorist…
And...
Satan is the absolute master of fear…
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)
Be strong AND of good courage…?
At this point Satan is working hard in the back of our head to keep us looking over our shoulder…
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
Satan has created a double edge sword…
Attacks by a few have left us in fear of millions…
We are afraid that we are among the innocent people that will be attacked…
And...
There are millions of innocent people who are now afraid of us…
They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. (Isaiah 41:6)
We are told to love our neighbour…
Not fear them…
We need to have the courage and the strength to see past the fear…
**************************************************************
Track 20
Worry Wart
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34)
Worry is another form of fear…
It is the nagging little things that get under our skin…
Most of the time we worry about things that have not happened yet…
Worst yet we worry about things that will probably never happen…
These fears can dominate huge chunks of our time…
They can be as simple as worrying if we will run out of toilet paper before payday…
Sounds silly right…?
Match it up against some of the things we worry about every day…
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Satan loves a worry wart…
***************************************************************
Embrace It
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. (Exodus 19:16-17)
Where we live thunder storms are common…
That does not mean they are boring…
Thunder and lightning are frightening and at the same time they are exhilarating…
We want to run and hide but we are also captivated by the power and the energy…
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? (Job 40:9)
When the Bible talks about us fearing God it should be like fearing a thunder storm…
There should be fear and at the same time a tremendous excitement…!
There are times when God calms the soul…
Just as important there are times when He lights it up…!
There is a strength, a power, an energy that can only come from God…
We need to fear it and at the same time we must embrace it…!
Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
(1 Chronicles 29:11)
*********************************************************************
Track 18
Are We Willing
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart also (Matthew 6: 21-22)
This world offers many treasures to those who are willing to take the risk. The question is:
"How far are we willing to go?"...
You could take a ship out upon a stormy sea and dive deep into the darkness of the unforgiving waters to explore for sunken treasure.
Are we willing?
You could venture deep into the darkest jungle fighting off deadly diseases and savage beasts to search for a lost city of gold.
Are we willing?
To receive all the treasures of Heaven you must travel the toughest 24" on earth ... from your feet to your knees.
Are we willing?
**************************************************************
Track 19
Strong and Courageous
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Fear is the ultimate weapon of every terrorist…
And...
Satan is the absolute master of fear…
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)
Be strong AND of good courage…?
At this point Satan is working hard in the back of our head to keep us looking over our shoulder…
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
Satan has created a double edge sword…
Attacks by a few have left us in fear of millions…
We are afraid that we are among the innocent people that will be attacked…
And...
There are millions of innocent people who are now afraid of us…
They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. (Isaiah 41:6)
We are told to love our neighbour…
Not fear them…
We need to have the courage and the strength to see past the fear…
**************************************************************
Track 20
Worry Wart
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34)
Worry is another form of fear…
It is the nagging little things that get under our skin…
Most of the time we worry about things that have not happened yet…
Worst yet we worry about things that will probably never happen…
These fears can dominate huge chunks of our time…
They can be as simple as worrying if we will run out of toilet paper before payday…
Sounds silly right…?
Match it up against some of the things we worry about every day…
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Satan loves a worry wart…
***************************************************************
Track 21
One Prayer at a Time
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: (I Kings 8:28KJV)
A single wheat field may stretch out for hundreds of acres in every direction. With each breeze it swirls like the sand...
How often we forget that these waves of grain were planted...
one seed at a time...
A mighty glacier may fill half of a mountain side. With the force of a thousand ton diamond it carves its mark upon the face of the rock...
How hard it is to believe this crystal giant was formed...
one snowflake at a time...
Oceans often create storms that can walk across the face of the earth with such power that mighty trees bow down before them...
How odd it is to stop and think that these oceans are created...
one raindrop at a time...
Elijah prayed and the rain did not fall...
Moses prayed and the waters parted...
Joshua prayed and the sun stood still...
How often we forget that great men of faith are built…
One Prayer at a Time…
***************************************************************
Track 22
Refusing to be Forgiven
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. (Matthew 9:2)
We are all familiar with this verse…
Jesus has just told this man his sins are forgiven and the scribes are not happy about it.
The words we want to take a closer look at are “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee”…
Jesus wants us to be happy that our sins are forgiven…
All too often our reaction is just the opposite…
No, no! I must suffer for what I have done…
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Romans 4:6-7)
God is saying it’s OK, I really do have this one covered, your sins are forgiven…
Of course we are not going down without a fight…
In the Dark Ages monks would walk around hitting themselves with boards…
Martin Luther climbed up the stone stairs to the chapel on his knees…
Forgiveness of sins is a gift from God and was willingly paid for by His Son…
If we refuse the gift we will continue to carry around the guilt…
Accepting forgiveness is an act of faith…
Nothing more, nothing less…
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
“Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee…”
***************************************************************
Track 23
Satan’s Attack on Prayer
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: (I Kings 8:28)
Have you ever been in a setting where people are praying out loud…?
This is the time when we stand toe to toe with Satan as he throws one punch after another…
First a blow to the head… Doubt…
Your prayer seem so small compared to the others. Why should you bother God with such a little thing…?
Next a body blow… Pride…
You do not want to look foolish in front of all these people do you…?
Finally a blow below the belt… Guilt…
You did not pray…
What will happen to the person you did not pray for...?
Did you let them down…?
God knows we have all fallen prey to Satan’s attacks…
That does not mean the fight is over…
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (Luke 22:34)
Peter went on to fight many more battles…
And so can we…
***************************************************************
Track 24
Faith of a Child
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18: 3-4)
When I was a child I would watch the snow fall and my mother would tell me "God created the snow for us"...
With the faith of a child I believed...
When I was a child I would climb a tree and my mother would tell me "God created that tree for us"...
With the faith of a child I believed...
When I was a child I would wish upon the first star of the night and my mother would tell me "God created the stars in the sky for us"...
With the faith of a child I believed...
Then my teacher told me that snow comes from the clouds and I began to question my faith...
Because I had some doubts...
Then my teacher told me that trees come from seeds and my faith became weak...
Because I had even more doubts...
Then my teacher told me that stars are balls of burning gas far away and I lost my faith...
Because I was filled with doubts...
Then one crystal clear night I stood on the side of a mountain, above snow covered trees, under the shimmering glow of the Milky Way...
A voice deep inside me said "God created the heavens and the earth" and with the faith of a child I believed...
***************************************************************
One Prayer at a Time
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: (I Kings 8:28KJV)
A single wheat field may stretch out for hundreds of acres in every direction. With each breeze it swirls like the sand...
How often we forget that these waves of grain were planted...
one seed at a time...
A mighty glacier may fill half of a mountain side. With the force of a thousand ton diamond it carves its mark upon the face of the rock...
How hard it is to believe this crystal giant was formed...
one snowflake at a time...
Oceans often create storms that can walk across the face of the earth with such power that mighty trees bow down before them...
How odd it is to stop and think that these oceans are created...
one raindrop at a time...
Elijah prayed and the rain did not fall...
Moses prayed and the waters parted...
Joshua prayed and the sun stood still...
How often we forget that great men of faith are built…
One Prayer at a Time…
***************************************************************
Track 22
Refusing to be Forgiven
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. (Matthew 9:2)
We are all familiar with this verse…
Jesus has just told this man his sins are forgiven and the scribes are not happy about it.
The words we want to take a closer look at are “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee”…
Jesus wants us to be happy that our sins are forgiven…
All too often our reaction is just the opposite…
No, no! I must suffer for what I have done…
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Romans 4:6-7)
God is saying it’s OK, I really do have this one covered, your sins are forgiven…
Of course we are not going down without a fight…
In the Dark Ages monks would walk around hitting themselves with boards…
Martin Luther climbed up the stone stairs to the chapel on his knees…
Forgiveness of sins is a gift from God and was willingly paid for by His Son…
If we refuse the gift we will continue to carry around the guilt…
Accepting forgiveness is an act of faith…
Nothing more, nothing less…
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
“Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee…”
***************************************************************
Track 23
Satan’s Attack on Prayer
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: (I Kings 8:28)
Have you ever been in a setting where people are praying out loud…?
This is the time when we stand toe to toe with Satan as he throws one punch after another…
First a blow to the head… Doubt…
Your prayer seem so small compared to the others. Why should you bother God with such a little thing…?
Next a body blow… Pride…
You do not want to look foolish in front of all these people do you…?
Finally a blow below the belt… Guilt…
You did not pray…
What will happen to the person you did not pray for...?
Did you let them down…?
God knows we have all fallen prey to Satan’s attacks…
That does not mean the fight is over…
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (Luke 22:34)
Peter went on to fight many more battles…
And so can we…
***************************************************************
Track 24
Faith of a Child
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18: 3-4)
When I was a child I would watch the snow fall and my mother would tell me "God created the snow for us"...
With the faith of a child I believed...
When I was a child I would climb a tree and my mother would tell me "God created that tree for us"...
With the faith of a child I believed...
When I was a child I would wish upon the first star of the night and my mother would tell me "God created the stars in the sky for us"...
With the faith of a child I believed...
Then my teacher told me that snow comes from the clouds and I began to question my faith...
Because I had some doubts...
Then my teacher told me that trees come from seeds and my faith became weak...
Because I had even more doubts...
Then my teacher told me that stars are balls of burning gas far away and I lost my faith...
Because I was filled with doubts...
Then one crystal clear night I stood on the side of a mountain, above snow covered trees, under the shimmering glow of the Milky Way...
A voice deep inside me said "God created the heavens and the earth" and with the faith of a child I believed...
***************************************************************
Track 25
At My Age
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.( 1 Chronicles 16:10-11)
I do not always get down on my knees to pray…
In fact most of the time I just look up and say what is on my mind…
This happens when I am driving, or working, or just mowing the lawn…
It is not that I lack respect for God…
At my age…
If I wait until later it is a good bet I will not remember what it was I wanted to talk to Him about…
***************************************************************
Track 26
Two Brothers
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (Matthew 18:13)
I have two brothers…
My older brother is mentally handicapped ...
My younger brother had Cystic Fibrosis…
As you might have guessed things around our home were a bit different…
However, to us, this all seemed very natural…
It was not until I was older that I start to notice how “normal people” acted around my brothers…
People would keep their distance…
Even adults were afraid that my brothers might just touch them…
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:14)
We should not fear these children…
Cystic Fibrosis is not contagious…
Mental issues are not contagious…
Cancer is not contagious…
And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (Matthew 18:15)
These children need more than just medical attention…
They also need a loving hand to hold…
***************************************************************
Track 27
Retroactive Prayer
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
(Job 1:4-5)
When reading these verses we tend to jump a premature conclusion…
Job is not doing these burnt offerings for sins he knows his children have committed…
They are for the sins they May have committed…
Is it possible that we may have committed sins and not known about them…?
The more time I spend reading and praying the more I learn of sins from my past…
Sometimes I did not realize they were sins…
Other times I just ignored the fact…
There is no statute of limitation on sins…
By definition asking for forgiveness is a retroactive prayer…
It can reach back a single moment or a lifetime…
**************************************************************
Track 28
Little Ones
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:13-14)
When I was in the basement today there was a scratching noise coming from the furnace vent…
A tiny bird had entered the vent on the roof during a storm…
It had fallen all the way down and was now trapped…
I reached into the vent and pulled it out…
It was completely covered in black sot and could not see…
We cleaned it up and gave it some food and water…
After letting it rest in a warm dark place for several hours I carried it outside and set it on the ground…
For a few seconds it just stood there…
Then suddenly it shot thirty feet straight up and landed in a huge tree…
Thousands of birds fly over our house every year…
This one tiny bird means more to us than any of them…
This must be how God feels about every one of us that has ever been rescued by His son…
At My Age
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.( 1 Chronicles 16:10-11)
I do not always get down on my knees to pray…
In fact most of the time I just look up and say what is on my mind…
This happens when I am driving, or working, or just mowing the lawn…
It is not that I lack respect for God…
At my age…
If I wait until later it is a good bet I will not remember what it was I wanted to talk to Him about…
***************************************************************
Track 26
Two Brothers
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (Matthew 18:13)
I have two brothers…
My older brother is mentally handicapped ...
My younger brother had Cystic Fibrosis…
As you might have guessed things around our home were a bit different…
However, to us, this all seemed very natural…
It was not until I was older that I start to notice how “normal people” acted around my brothers…
People would keep their distance…
Even adults were afraid that my brothers might just touch them…
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:14)
We should not fear these children…
Cystic Fibrosis is not contagious…
Mental issues are not contagious…
Cancer is not contagious…
And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (Matthew 18:15)
These children need more than just medical attention…
They also need a loving hand to hold…
***************************************************************
Track 27
Retroactive Prayer
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
(Job 1:4-5)
When reading these verses we tend to jump a premature conclusion…
Job is not doing these burnt offerings for sins he knows his children have committed…
They are for the sins they May have committed…
Is it possible that we may have committed sins and not known about them…?
The more time I spend reading and praying the more I learn of sins from my past…
Sometimes I did not realize they were sins…
Other times I just ignored the fact…
There is no statute of limitation on sins…
By definition asking for forgiveness is a retroactive prayer…
It can reach back a single moment or a lifetime…
**************************************************************
Track 28
Little Ones
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:13-14)
When I was in the basement today there was a scratching noise coming from the furnace vent…
A tiny bird had entered the vent on the roof during a storm…
It had fallen all the way down and was now trapped…
I reached into the vent and pulled it out…
It was completely covered in black sot and could not see…
We cleaned it up and gave it some food and water…
After letting it rest in a warm dark place for several hours I carried it outside and set it on the ground…
For a few seconds it just stood there…
Then suddenly it shot thirty feet straight up and landed in a huge tree…
Thousands of birds fly over our house every year…
This one tiny bird means more to us than any of them…
This must be how God feels about every one of us that has ever been rescued by His son…
Track 29
Confusion
If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction; For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me. (Job 10:15-16)
Job is hip deep in confusion…
Everyone around him is asking what did you do to make God so angry…?
The problem is that Job has no idea…
We all know that we sin...
However we usually know what we have done wrong…
We need to remember what is going on here…
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:11-12)
Satan’s goal is to get Job to curse God to His face…
How does this apply to us…?
Our friends are going off to do something we know is wrong…
There are two types of temptation at work here…
One that tries to entice us to sin…
Our friends say come on it is going to be fun…
The other tries to force us to sin…
Satan is working hard to try and force Job to give in…
Our friends call us a coward and a wimp for not going along…
Tread softly here; it is easy to cross the line and attempt to justify our sins…
We want to say "The Devil Made Me Do It"...
Remember it will always be up to us to decide...
To sin or not…
***************************************************************
Track 30
How Deep
...and Jesus said "You must forgive them seventy times seven" (Matthew 18: 21)
If a child hits a baseball through our bedroom window...
We can find forgiveness on the surface of our heart...
If a friend brings us to tears with a harsh word carelessly spoken...
We can find forgiveness by scraping the surface of our heart...
If a sister or brother turns their back on us in time of need...
We can find forgiveness by cutting away the surface of our heart...
It can be painful to forgive others for what they have done...
The most painful part of forgiveness is deciding...
How deep the cut must be to forgive ourselves…
For what we have done to others...
***************************************************************
Track 31
Just Look Around
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:7-10)
This is a tremendous statement of faith on Job’s part…
The same holds true for us today…
Nothing can stir up our emotions more deeply than the world around us…
We can stand upon the mountain top...
Or on the bow of a boat crashing through ocean waves...
Walk alongside a forest stream...
Or watch an eagle float across and endless sky...
Even hold a tiny flower or a single raindrop...
But we can never say we have never known the hand of God...
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? (Job 12:8)
********************************************************************
Track 32
Just a Little Bit More
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
This one is personal…
Day in and day out I find myself asking God for more money…
I give Him many reasons why I need it…
I tell Him all the great things the money will be used for…
I already have a nice home, good food and clean water…
I always say with just a little more things would be so much better…
No matter how much I have it is never enough, I need just a little bit more…
Is this how it feels to have an addiction…?
***************************************************************
Confusion
If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction; For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me. (Job 10:15-16)
Job is hip deep in confusion…
Everyone around him is asking what did you do to make God so angry…?
The problem is that Job has no idea…
We all know that we sin...
However we usually know what we have done wrong…
We need to remember what is going on here…
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:11-12)
Satan’s goal is to get Job to curse God to His face…
How does this apply to us…?
Our friends are going off to do something we know is wrong…
There are two types of temptation at work here…
One that tries to entice us to sin…
Our friends say come on it is going to be fun…
The other tries to force us to sin…
Satan is working hard to try and force Job to give in…
Our friends call us a coward and a wimp for not going along…
Tread softly here; it is easy to cross the line and attempt to justify our sins…
We want to say "The Devil Made Me Do It"...
Remember it will always be up to us to decide...
To sin or not…
***************************************************************
Track 30
How Deep
...and Jesus said "You must forgive them seventy times seven" (Matthew 18: 21)
If a child hits a baseball through our bedroom window...
We can find forgiveness on the surface of our heart...
If a friend brings us to tears with a harsh word carelessly spoken...
We can find forgiveness by scraping the surface of our heart...
If a sister or brother turns their back on us in time of need...
We can find forgiveness by cutting away the surface of our heart...
It can be painful to forgive others for what they have done...
The most painful part of forgiveness is deciding...
How deep the cut must be to forgive ourselves…
For what we have done to others...
***************************************************************
Track 31
Just Look Around
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:7-10)
This is a tremendous statement of faith on Job’s part…
The same holds true for us today…
Nothing can stir up our emotions more deeply than the world around us…
We can stand upon the mountain top...
Or on the bow of a boat crashing through ocean waves...
Walk alongside a forest stream...
Or watch an eagle float across and endless sky...
Even hold a tiny flower or a single raindrop...
But we can never say we have never known the hand of God...
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? (Job 12:8)
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Track 32
Just a Little Bit More
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
This one is personal…
Day in and day out I find myself asking God for more money…
I give Him many reasons why I need it…
I tell Him all the great things the money will be used for…
I already have a nice home, good food and clean water…
I always say with just a little more things would be so much better…
No matter how much I have it is never enough, I need just a little bit more…
Is this how it feels to have an addiction…?
***************************************************************
Track 33
Just as Often
The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4)
Over the years we have often talked about how the Bible deals with the one thing that never changes… Our emotions…
We may have a strong emotional connection to God but that is not enough…
It needs to be a passionate one…
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5)
This kind of love should not only fill us to over flowing, it should spill out onto the people around us…
Since the beginning our emotions have dominated our lives…
I am all too quick to share my anger with others…
Shouldn't I at least share my love with them just as often…
**************************************************************
Track 34
Help My Unbelief
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. (Mark 9:21-22)
This very caring father is desperately looking for someone to help his son…
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:23-24)
This is one of the most powerful statements of faith in the entire Bible…
All too often it is simply over looked…
Jesus says to this man you must believe…
This father knows that no matter how hard he tries to believe there will always be that lingering doubt…
He understands he can not get there on his own so he calls on Jesus for help…
This level of faith is nothing short of amazing…
He is not only asking Jesus to heal his child…
He is also asking Jesus to grant him the faith to believe…
***************************************************************
Track 35
Scoundrel
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. (Job 34:35-37)
Elihu has just called Job a dirty, low down, lying, Good for nothing scoundrel …
For the past ten chapters Job and his friends have been arguing about what sin(s) he has committed…
No one has been able to come up with one shred of evidence against him…
Most of these people have known Job all of their lives…
Yet not one of them believes he is innocent…
I can honestly say I have never been in Job’s situation…
Unfortunately, I have been, on the other side…
***************************************************************
Track 36
Mental Detours…
And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. (Mark 8:17-19)
I do not have senior moments…
I have senior hours…senior days…
We have all experienced this situation…
We walk into a room and have no idea why we are there…
Is this caused by forgetfulness or Mental Detours…?
I get up to the go to the kitchen…
On the way I stop and pick up the mail off the table…
When I get to the desk I notice the checkbook has not been put away…
After that I pick up the dish left on the desk after lunch…
Once the dishes have placed in the dishwasher I look around the kitchen…
I have absolutely no idea what I started off to get in the first place…
One place where mental detours are very common is in our prayers…
We start off with a full agenda…
As we are rolling along stray thoughts start popping up…
Did I feed the cat today…?
Where did I leave the car keys…?
That argument I had with the boss today was really stupid…
After a while we can not remember what we have prayed about…
And what we have not…
Don’t think for a moment that Satan hasn’t been putting up a few detour signs along the way…
**************************************************************
Track 37
Through the Eyes of the Lost Sheep
Have we ever considered the 23rd Psalm through the eyes of the lost sheep…?
I am lost and alone…
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The ground is so cold and so hard…
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
There is no peace to be found…
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
The night is so empty and dark…
He restoreth my soul:
I can not find my way and I am afraid…
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even the sound of the air frightens me…
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
There is no warm hand to guide me…
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
I fear the sight of every tree and bush…
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
I hunger and thirst without end…
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
There is no one to love and care for me…
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
If only someone would come and show me the way home…
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
I have been that lost sheep…
By the grace of God I have been shown…the way home…
***************************************************************
Thank You for listening...
Come visit us at www.biblescrolling.com
Just as Often
The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4)
Over the years we have often talked about how the Bible deals with the one thing that never changes… Our emotions…
We may have a strong emotional connection to God but that is not enough…
It needs to be a passionate one…
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5)
This kind of love should not only fill us to over flowing, it should spill out onto the people around us…
Since the beginning our emotions have dominated our lives…
I am all too quick to share my anger with others…
Shouldn't I at least share my love with them just as often…
**************************************************************
Track 34
Help My Unbelief
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. (Mark 9:21-22)
This very caring father is desperately looking for someone to help his son…
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:23-24)
This is one of the most powerful statements of faith in the entire Bible…
All too often it is simply over looked…
Jesus says to this man you must believe…
This father knows that no matter how hard he tries to believe there will always be that lingering doubt…
He understands he can not get there on his own so he calls on Jesus for help…
This level of faith is nothing short of amazing…
He is not only asking Jesus to heal his child…
He is also asking Jesus to grant him the faith to believe…
***************************************************************
Track 35
Scoundrel
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. (Job 34:35-37)
Elihu has just called Job a dirty, low down, lying, Good for nothing scoundrel …
For the past ten chapters Job and his friends have been arguing about what sin(s) he has committed…
No one has been able to come up with one shred of evidence against him…
Most of these people have known Job all of their lives…
Yet not one of them believes he is innocent…
I can honestly say I have never been in Job’s situation…
Unfortunately, I have been, on the other side…
***************************************************************
Track 36
Mental Detours…
And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. (Mark 8:17-19)
I do not have senior moments…
I have senior hours…senior days…
We have all experienced this situation…
We walk into a room and have no idea why we are there…
Is this caused by forgetfulness or Mental Detours…?
I get up to the go to the kitchen…
On the way I stop and pick up the mail off the table…
When I get to the desk I notice the checkbook has not been put away…
After that I pick up the dish left on the desk after lunch…
Once the dishes have placed in the dishwasher I look around the kitchen…
I have absolutely no idea what I started off to get in the first place…
One place where mental detours are very common is in our prayers…
We start off with a full agenda…
As we are rolling along stray thoughts start popping up…
Did I feed the cat today…?
Where did I leave the car keys…?
That argument I had with the boss today was really stupid…
After a while we can not remember what we have prayed about…
And what we have not…
Don’t think for a moment that Satan hasn’t been putting up a few detour signs along the way…
**************************************************************
Track 37
Through the Eyes of the Lost Sheep
Have we ever considered the 23rd Psalm through the eyes of the lost sheep…?
I am lost and alone…
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The ground is so cold and so hard…
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
There is no peace to be found…
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
The night is so empty and dark…
He restoreth my soul:
I can not find my way and I am afraid…
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even the sound of the air frightens me…
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
There is no warm hand to guide me…
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
I fear the sight of every tree and bush…
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
I hunger and thirst without end…
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
There is no one to love and care for me…
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
If only someone would come and show me the way home…
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
I have been that lost sheep…
By the grace of God I have been shown…the way home…
***************************************************************
Thank You for listening...
Come visit us at www.biblescrolling.com