Hill Country of Judea

And fear came on all that dwelled round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Juda. Luke 1:39

Over to the South side of Jerusalem Elizabeth receives a visit from Mary. On Mary’s arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer.
At the time of the visit she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy.They were honoured and dear to the Most High God.
Can you only imagine the excitement!

It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another.
Those who see their need of Christ, and  desire  righteousness and life in him, can be  filled with good things.

Friends around us can be abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives.

He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings.

Joshua 20:7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
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Joshua 21:11 Thus they gave them Kiriath-arba, Arba being the father of Anak (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its surrounding pasture lands.
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WHAT IS LIFE

For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us- 1 John 1:2

Life as we know it:

The time for which something exists or functions:

The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.

Life in God:
For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us- 1 John 1:2

Eternal life-Greek, “the life which is eternal.”
The life was seen and shown. Jesus the Son Of God manifested life in the flesh.
This is thesame eternal life, which we shall always enjoy.
 
 
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
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John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
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John 15:27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
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John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Discouraged Little Ones

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.-Colossians 3:21

We must be very careful not to irritate or tease our children, lest they become discouraged. They need no exta and unnecessary pain and sorrow added to their life. We should take special care and not break their spirits. Ephesians 6:4 says: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

-Proverbs 13:24 -15:1,18

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A Blessed Marriage

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.  -John 2: 1,2

There was a marriage, and Jesus was called. It is very desirable, when there is a marriage, to have Jesus Christ present at it. Our marriage is blessed when we have his spiritual gracious presence.To have the marriage owned and blessed by him: the marriage is then honourable indeed; and they that marry in the Lord (1Co. 7:39) do not marry without him.

We can invite Christ into our marriage by prayer; that is the messenger that must be sent to heaven for him; and he will come: Thou shalt call, and I will answer. And he will turn the water into wine.
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Jesus and Little Children

Then were there brought unto him little children that he should put his hands on them and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them and departed thence.
-Matthew 19: 13-15

When Jesus lived on earth, He always had time for the children. He loved  and cared for them. The children were blessed  knowing that the Heavenly Father loved them so.  The Bible says: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
(Psalm 8:2)

CHILDREN QUOTES:

      “Children are the bridge to heaven”
 Persian Proverb quotes
 
      “The smallest children are nearest to God, as the smallest planets are nearest the sun”
 Jean Paul Richter quotes 1763-1825
 

Can This Be Christmas?

As Christmas time approaches this year, we find it is a very busy time. People are always in a hurry it seems to get all the trimmings and festivities in order. Christmas time is also a good time to show love, especially to thel ittle ones. John talks about love in his letter.

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Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No-one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. -1 John 4, 7-14

 

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Can This Be Christmas?

What’s all this hectic rush and worry’
Where go these crowds who run and curry’
Why all the lights—the Christmas trees’
The jolly “fat man,” tell me please!

Why, don’t you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why this is Christmas!

So this is Christmas, do you say’
But where is Christ this Christmas day’
Has He been lost among the throng’
His voice drowned out by empty song’

No. He’s not here—you’ll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.

But see the many aimless thousands
Who gather on this Christmas Day,
Whose hearts have never yet been opened,
Or said to Him, “Come in to stay.”

In countless homes the candles burning,
In countless hearts expectant yearning
For gifts and presents, food and fun,
And laughter till the day is done.

But not a tear of grief or sorrow
For Him so poor He had to borrow
A crib, a colt, a boat, a bed
Where He could lay His weary head.

I’m tired of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;
I’ll go instead to Calvary.

And there I’ll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the Christ—this Christmas.

I leap by faith across the years
To that great day when He appears
The second time, to rule and reign,
To end all sorrow, death, and pain.

In endless bliss we then shall dwell
With Him who saved our souls from hell,
And worship Christ—not Christmas!

-M.R. DeHaan

A MARRIAGE BLESSING PRAYER

We thank you, O God, for the Love You have implanted in our hearts. May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feeling, and concerned for each other’s needs and wishes. Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings. Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your Prudence guide our life and love. Bless our Marriage O God, with Peace and Happiness, and make our love fruitful for Your glory and our Joy both here and in eternity. 

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There was a wedding in the Bible. John tells us about Jesus being a visitor
1. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
2. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4. “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
5. His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6. Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so
9. The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
10. and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11. This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. -John – 2:1-11

Celebrating Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING IS A TIME TO BE THANKFUL

As Christians we look forward to the time of the year when we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families. These holidays have special meaning for the Christians as we reflect upon our blessings.  At Thanksgiving, American Christians find plenty to be thankful  for. God has blessed us abundantly .

 We are truly a blessed people.  No one has to go to bed hungry.  God is good to His children, and wants the best for them, but at the same time,  He deserves our highest praise and thanks!

David said it this way: 

 Thanksgiving to God

1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. 

-Psalms 95

Quality Family Time

It is good when a family comes together in the same spirit. The children thrive in a good atmosphere where love abounds. Dealing with family matters can sometimes be a touchy subject. Words can do much damage, when we do not let God’s love rule in our homes. When God’s spirit of love reign in our talks are much smoother. Words of encouragement and love come forth. The conversations tend to be respectful, and each can share openly in mutual agreement.Bringing the family together for prayer and devotion goes a long way.

 

The Bible says:

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness. -Proverbs 15:2

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business, and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words. -Eccles. 10:12 -5:3

 

Yes life is much easier when everyone watches their words. When God is in our midst, everyone can be happy, which makes for a happy home.

 

Prayer: Dear God, we invite you to reign in our home always, now and forever. Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be accepted in thy sight.

 

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Things go better with Prayer

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A GOOD NAME

 

Everyone desires to be proud of their name.  To be well spoken of surely goes along ways. A mark or memorial of individuality toward one’s name is excellant honor. It gives one great joy and honor to have a good name. We can let our future generations proclaim a proud name  In Proverbs we read…….

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” ( Proverbs 22:1)

Great riches bring great cares with them. By great riches we may relieve the needs of others, but by a good name we may recommend God to them. We should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name, than to raise or add unto a great estate. Wealth and riches do not mean much, when compared to a good name.

A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth -Ecclesiastes 7:1
The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

 Job 30:8, Hebrew); “good” is supplied here from Ec 7:1. -Proverbs 10:7

Guard Your Name

You got it from your father,
it was all he had to give
So it’s yours to use and cherish,
for as long as you may live.

If you lose the watch he gave you,
it can always be replaced.
But a black mark on your name, son,
can never be erased.

It was clean the day you took it,
and a worthy name to bear.
When he got it from his father,
there was no dishonor there.

So make sure you guard it wisely,
after all is said and done.
You’ll be glad the name is spotless,
when you give it to your son.

-Author Unknown