You Are Set Apart

I confess I am reading Leviticus in the Old Testament and finding it difficult wondering; how did they keep all the instructions and laws?

I also wondered were they afraid all the time of messing up and not being able to keep them? They did.
That is why the Book of Leviticus deals with their “right Living”, sacrificing for their sins, abiding by the laws and carrying them out, to be a holy nation set apart. Testing was their everyday challenge. Were they going to listen to God or do what they wanted?

Let’s fast forward to Jesus….
In his patience and love tells the Jewish people “I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.” (Matthew 5:17) Jesus said He was the Messiah, many received Him with their whole heart- all were accepted Jews and Gentiles. Many devout Jewish leaders didn’t believe Him and their hard hearts turned away, the message fell on deaf ears. They were praying for a Messiah to save them from Roman rule, but in truth Jesus came to lead them to Himself for eternal life. Through Jesus the laws that kept them shackled could now be broken, but they could not hear or believe it, and they scrambled in stress to keep their laws in tact.

Isaiah 11:1-3. The Branch From Jesse           (Matthew 1:6 for lineage)
 
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;

I understand Leviticus it to be God’s instructions of holiness, sacrifices, worship & health, those instructions were instrumental to leading and guiding the Israelites as a holy people, setting them apart to follow God and abide by all his laws.

Why Are you set apart?

You were chosen by God to be a separate people when you came to Christ, there was a new life coming towards you, before Christ you were part of the world and now because of your faith in knowing that Jesus is Lord has saved you and takes you not physically out of the world but spiritually gives you a new life one that isn’t shackled to the earth, but is free to love and know that you have been set free by the power of His mighty blood.

Brethren don’t give up hope, it is for this time you have come into the world , maybe you don’t understand why but God has this great plan to show you how His mighty power works, JUST WATCH!

Shalom
Nancy
The Christian Writer

#setapart #Jesus #holynation # sacrifice #cross #God

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There Is No Fear Of God

This is the direction of the world, but for those who seek God there is hope,

hope in Jesus!

I will post this Psalm to encourage you to not look at what the world is doing but to look to God. David witnessed many ungodly acts during times of distress, so he prayed seeking answers and this is God’s message through David as he writes;

Psalm 36

I have a message from God in my heart

    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: 

There is no fear of God

    before their eyes. 

In their own eyes they flatter themselves

    too much to detect or hate their sin.

The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;

    they fail to act wisely or do good.

Even on their beds they plot evil;

    they commit themselves to a sinful course

    and do not reject what is wrong.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

    your justice like the great deep.

    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;

    you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light we see light. 

Continue your love to those who know you,

    your righteousness to the upright in heart. 

May the foot of the proud not come against me,

    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

See how the evildoers lie fallen—

    thrown down, not able to rise!

May you find comfort in what God has spoken,

Don’t lose heart, God knows everything and is in control.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

#thereisnofearofGod

#sinfulcourse

#yourunfailinglove,OGod

#Roman3:18

#Luke12:1-12

God Is Coming For You

If you are reading this, God is coming after you. Maybe you can’t imagine that God even cares but He does, He cares so much for you that He sent His Son for you, so that you may have a way to Him.

Luke 15:3-7

 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

We can’t go through life wandering around just imaging that something great is going to happen,  or something tragic will fall upon you. We are given the ability to know Jesus and our lives ahead are bringing us closer to eternity with Him.

God doesn’t want your money, possessions or thinking you must work your way into Heaven. He wants you. Jesus says to come, He is the source of life abundant So if you are experiencing loneliness, depression, or questioning your faith-then pray and ask Him to come into your life.

Let’s pray right now.

Heavenly Father, you know all things, you know me when I come and go, where I am and what I am going through, help me to see things through the lens of your throne where you reside. Help me to know you, help me to see you in all things that you have given to me, life, gifts and a way to worship you. Help me Lord to see you in all of this, I have been lost and you have come for me, thank you Lord for opening my heart to you.

Amen

May you find peace in knowing that you are counted and joyfully loved in every way possible.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Prayer Changes Everything

For many years I was just a pray when you need it, prayer, but often enough, I didn’t see a lot of prayers answered, don’t get me wrong, there were answered prayers but sometimes God would give me things I really should not have asked for, I took my shallow prayers and the sometimes awful outcome lessons to the pit. But you know what, I learned God’s grace lifted me up and taught me so much about my walk with Him.

You see prayer isn’t something to take lightly, there are many books out there that can help you to pray, but for all the books I have read and all the time I put into reading about it, as comforting as it was many times, I realized, my prayer life could only change if I asked God to change me and make my life reflect His life, only then, did things begin to make sense and become clear, the more I trusted Him the more I prayed!

As maturity set in and studying the Bible, my prayer life reshaped into instead asking for constant desires to asking to be more like Jesus and reflect Him in all I do and say. This took many years of asking and praying to develop in me and help me understand what to pray for.
You may want to pray for someone that is hurting or someone that is lost, the Holy Spirit can help guide your prayer life and direct you to a situation that is planted in your thoughts.
Just ask!

Each person has at times many needs and in the midst of storms, prayer is essential to ask for help, guidance, God’s will, plan and purpose in every situation. If you don’t go to Him in prayer we don’t get to have that personal relationship with Him that He desires for us to have. We must really concentrate on what is most important in the day, is it getting everything done and ignoring the one who helps get it or praying for help and strength to know what to do at every turn.

Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

I really want to try to help you understand that you are a child of the Most High God and He loves you, your prayers, petitions and wants you to seek Him in everything you do. So I’m encouraging you today, where ever you are to ask God to help you get through whatever your situation might be, you will see God’s hand as you turn your life and prayers over to Him. Sometimes even the simple prayers are the best, as all prayers are heard and nothing is ignored.

Praising His Holy Name Forever and Ever, Amen

Nancy
The Christian Writer

#prayerchangeseverything

The Falsehood Of Reincarnation

When I was growing up I believed that you could come back into this earth and become someone or something else. Just imagine coming back as something exciting, that’s an interesting thought. But as I grew and matured I began to take this seriously, so seriously that it was consuming to my soul on a loop of coming back, never resting.

The falsehood of reincarnation is that when you follow this thought your life is never going to be satisfied, it will always long for more chances to make things the way you think they should be. That can destroy any kind of hope for rest or joy. The joy that only can be experienced with Jesus Christ. 

The revelation of Jesus Christ has always been the way to eternal life, from the moment you were born the decision to follow Him was always up to you. Jesus came to give you abundant life on earth and life eternal with Him. But following such non-sense as coming back is only something that the devil wants you to follow so that you will turn from the true way into heaven.

Through Christ blood shed on the cross, he defeated death and the strongholds of this world were broken, as he rose from death and is the eternal one, that is the truth. So when you see the sign on someone’s lawn that says: John 3:16, that is the reminder what God did for us through His Son.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Enough said,

Shalom 

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Is God Real?

Is God Real?

Many years ago while I was searching for truth I asked the question, “Is God Real?”I grew up in a church that really didn’t teach much except to be afraid of God, lots of rules and ways to behave, I still struggled to know if God was real and how is He relevant in my life?

After searching, studying and speaking with other Christians I know  He’s real, operating in every way through your life. Do you wonder does God even know who I am?

This is what the Bible tells us:

• He knew you in the womb: Psalm 139:13
• He set you apart: Psalm 4:3
• He counts the hairs on your head: Matthew 10:30
• He knows what you need before you ask: Matthew 6:8
• He hears your prayers: 1 John 5:14 
• He blesses you: Psalm 67:6
• He protects you: Proverbs 2:8
• Jesus prays for you: John 17:6
• The Holy Spirit guides you: John 16:12-13
• He has a plan for you: Jeremiah 29:11
• His love for you endures forever: Psalm 100:5
• His kingdom never ends: Luke 1:33
• He makes a place for you there: John 14:3

The Bible points us to Scripture many times of God knowing you, intimately, even before you were born. You see the Holy Spirit that is given to us the moment we believe and surrender our lives to Christ will show us the way and the truth that can set you free. Maybe you feel the weight of life upon you and you just want to break free of those chains, you can, if you believe in the One and Only True God, Jesus Christ.

The Bible is not a fable, it’s truth speaks to us and works as a guidebook, it’s rich history and lessons stand every generation. Reading through God’s word you can see the Holy Spirit guiding men and women who have listened and took action to what God had for them. If you feel that somehow this doesn’t make sense to you, then pray and ask. You will get your answer, seeking God for answers will help you get to know the great God that is over us and you will know God is real when you do.

God had a greater plan when He sent His Son to this world, living 33 years and the last three in ministry and instruction, what Jesus accomplished has changed the world. He fulfilled what the prophets spoke about, a Savior that would come and be a sacrifice for us, for forgiveness of sins. 

Jesus says:

Matthew 20:28

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Apostle Paul says:

Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

If you still don’t understand who God is and if He is real,  the first place to start to know Jesus in the Gospel Matthew, that will show you the genealogy of Jesus and miracle virgin birth God did through Mary. God is real and is around us everywhere, leading you to Himself, so that you will have an eternal home, but you must trust God for this and have faith!

Shalom,

Nancy

Christian Writer

Eye Witnesses Of The Living Jesus

If there is doubt in the world whether or not Jesus was real and some made up story, there are many historical facts that are documented history on this. The most trust worthy written word is in the New Testament of the Bible, there we find eyewitness accounts of Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdolin at the tomb then to the disciples, then to many others. Pressing out further, we find documented letters from His Apostles that have been written and shared about Him and shared with followers regarding His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection from death. In the Gospel of John, we read how the obedient disciples wait in hiding until Jesus appears to them as He promised.

John 20:19 

 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

In the Book of Acts, Paul (was Saul) himself experienced the Living Jesus on the road to Damascus as he was headed to persecute and kill Christians.

Acts 9:3-6

³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Then later after Paul’s conversion we read in his letters of the resurrected and living Christ and as he wrote to the Corinthians and said:

1 Corinthians 15:6-8

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter) and then to the Twelve. ⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

 There were many witnesses to the appearance of Christ that are documented in the Bible. There are other historical books that document Christ, Christians and the Romans persecution of Christians.

The following link is explores other documented evidence of Jesus’ existence.

(Bible History Daily)

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/did-jesus-exist/

At this time of High Holy Days, it’s a time to be reflective of our lives and what Christ has done for us on the Cross-, He died so that you could have eternal life; He defeated death and was a perfect sacrifice for your sins.

His faithful disciples knew first hand and stood their ground for Him as their one and only God. They were eyewitnesses to Jesus alive, talking and eating with them.

We may not be able to see Jesus, but when we whole-heartedly come to Him, he is in our presence through the Holy Spirit, which has guided you all along your life.

Jesus is as much alive NOW as He was then. We can’t see Him but he tells us in John

John 20:29

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 Be Blessed My Brothers and Sisters,

Nancy

 

 

#Christ #LivingJesus #LivingGod #ChristCrucified #God #One&OnlyGod #EyeWitnessesToTheLivingJesus

Put It Through The Strain Test

Have you ever read something that was very enticing and then later realized it was not true?

~Have you ever watched a speaker and thought, yea that’s the way I feel and later realize that the purpose of the speaker was to lure you into their book buying, agenda and following?

~Have you ever read a fact that was true then someone put their own “take on it” and make it seem true?

This is all called misleading. When someone or something takes your full attention away from God or the Bible and then that becomes your truth, which is not God’s, and you are mislead and taken away from truly knowing God.

Yes, some will even go to the Bible, point you to scriptures making them palatable, then twist it to their own teaching to entice you to want even more.

1 Peter 2:1 

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Many people are being mislead by a speaker, teacher, self called-prophet or pastor that has a program and somehow throws Jesus into their teaching and doesn’t always point to Jesus being the way, this is also misleading.

 It is always wonderful to have devotions, hear about someone who has healed through the healing power of Christ but the truth is the Bible is the source and whoever trusts in something that isn’t fallible as the Bible is, but is misguided to their own truths then that is a sin in itself.

Put everything you ingest in your mind through a strain test.

 Does this person profit from and promote their agenda?

Do they point you to the Bible over their own work?

 Do they point to Jesus in every aspect of teaching?

 Do they call themselves prophets moving people towards a certain “word” for them or healing and enticing you to want more (similar to luring of a psychic’s deception). You will know if the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart by the way it has been presented to you from a humble perspective.

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Do some say “The End is coming soon” and give you a time or date?

Mark 13:32

The Day and Hour Unknown

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

And…..

Revelation 3:10

 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Do they say “victory” over circumstances?

Jesus said we will have trials but to be an overcomer;

 John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 Take the time to think through things you are taking in, and allowing that to be your truth, follow Jesus, not people, things or objects.

Exodus 34:17

“Do not make any idols.

And…..

1 John 5:21

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

Shalom

Nancy

#Jesus #idols #prophets #falseteaching #selfseeking #misleading

 

 

Born Again

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”

What does it mean to be Born Again?

When Jesus comes into your behavior begins to change. You no longer seek out things of the world. Jesus transforms you with a desire to seek Him , want an intimate relationship with Him and as you do, He begins to reshape you by taking away a hateful mind and opening your heart up to love, just as though you were a reborn child, not corrupted by the world yet.

Jesus transforms your worldly thinking into godly thinking,

You don’t depend on the world for your happiness,

                               Jesus fulfills all your needs.

You no longer seek the things that used to make you happy,

                              you seek the desires that only Jesus fulfills.

He gives you a heart for Him, instead of pushing Him away you begin to

                               need Jesus more and depend on Him.

He gives you a love for others, where you despised and hated someone or some thing

             you begin to look at it like He did, with compassion and understanding.

Money no longer drives you like it used to, you need it to live but it’s not everything to you because ……Jesus is.

Jesus takes away pride and replaces it with humbleness.

Your relationships change because you are changing, instead of pointing the finger, you see situations in a different light, you no longer have a desire to be doing what you used to do and the situations that used to upset you Jesus changes you to begin to forgive and understand.

                                 Only Jesus can do this transforming work.

Sin is a wall between you and God, your heart can’t get transformed unless you totally let go, ask God for forgiveness. Humbling yourself is the first step in letting Jesus take the wheel of your life.

• Lay it down at the feet of Jesus. He will give you rest.
• Seek His love
• See your life transformed
• Be His light to others
• Leave it all at the foot of the cross

 

 

تسعى يسوع

taseaa yasue

Seek Jesus

 

 

Shalom

Nancy

 

John 3:4-8

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

#bornagain #Jesus #God #HolySpirit #transforming #seekJesus

#godssimplekindness.com

 

Never Thirst Again

An ordinary day in an extraordinary way, Jesus and his disciples walk through a town in Samaria called Sychar, walking along the road He tells them to go ahead into town and get food for them. Jesus sat down at Jacob’s well for a drink

But it was more than a drink; there was a divine appointment at the well.

There He sat and a Samaritan woman came along to fetch water, Jesus asked her for a drink, she replied “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman, how can you ask me for a drink? John4: 9 (because Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans)

Jesus answered “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10

 How often is it that Jesus invites us to drink of His living water, to sit in His presence and know Him?

• Do you seek this?

The woman was seeking for the Messiah to come and save them, but suddenly there He was asking her for a drink, offering her eternal life.

Would you recognize Jesus if He spoke to your heart?

She went for water, Jesus had something better for her, Jesus offers eternal life. Everything that is on earth is put here for you, for your pleasure as God gives it to us but life here is not lasting. Jesus offers us eternal life.

Jesus meets us in times of our lives that are unexpected, but just like the woman at the well in need of the living water, are you running after things that will satisfy you only temporarily or are you seeking Jesus?

Only Jesus can satisfy our thirst through the living water He provides.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

John 4:13-14  

 

 ^{Shalom, Nancy}

 ^{#Jesus #livingwater #well #eternal} life