• Do we try to pull the speck from our brothers’ eye?    
• Are we truly the righteousness of God through Jesus?    
• Or are too busy basking in our own righteousness.    
• Self-righteousness is No righteousness. 

     Jesus was at no time self-righteous.  He knew and taught that His righteousness was from the Father.  Our righteousness is to come from Jesus.    

     We are the righteousness of God THROUGH Christ Jesus.    

      Our own righteousness is as filthy rags worthy only of the garbage pile at Gehenna.  Love God first and others the same as we love ourselves.  No greater love has any man than this, that he lay down his life for another.  Love covers a multitude of sins.  If you are busy loving others, just as they are for that is how we are loved by God, then you will be too busy to be sinning.

     Just food for thought today.

     We have all heard the story of how Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt into the “promised land”.  He has become one of the Bibles many “larger than life” characters to us.  I, for one, have said many times that, “I could never be like…” or, “I wish I was more like…” The truth is that most of the men and women in the Bible started out as common everyday people just like you and me.      

      When God called Moses from the burning bush to speak to Pharaoh and the Israelites, Moses told God that he could not do it because he was not able to speak properly.  Exodus 4:10-16   

  ¹⁰And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.    ¹¹And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?   ¹²Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.   ¹³And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.   ¹⁴And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.   ¹⁵And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.   ¹⁶And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.    

     Moses was not alone in his feelings of inferiority.  The great prophet Jeremiah thought that he was too young.  Jeremiah 1:6.  Isaiah thought that he was unable to carry out the will of God because his lips were “unclean”.  Isaiah 6:5-7. 

     Let us take a look at David who was to be Israel’s greatest king and the earthly forefather of Jesus.  David is described as a ruddy youth and his own father did not think enough of him to bring him before the prophet Samuel as a possibility.  Even Samuel questioned the Lord God because he thought that God would choose Eliab, the oldest.  1 Samuel 16:1-16     In verse 7 of this chapter we find the truth of God and what He looks for in those He calls.

  ⁷But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.    

     Do you feel that God is calling you to do something but you feel inadequate or that the world thinks too little of you to be used by God?  You are not alone in your feelings.  You have some pretty grand company.  If God can use men like Moses, Jeremiah, and David as well as many others, He can surely use you.

     Hello to everyone.  I have been gone for quite sometime and I want to apologize to you for that.  It would seem that the Lord has had other things for me to do and is now allowing me to share these things with you.I have returned to New Orleans and am again working on Bourbon St. as a performer. 

     For those who are not familiar, please read My Testimony at the top of this blog.  This summer I went on a faith trip to the west coast, which included Denver, L.A., and San Francisco, as well as many other places along the way.  God blessed this time that I devoted to Him by increasing my faith and dependence on Him.  Oh what joy to allow Him to be the center of your attention.

     I do have some wonderful praise reports for you.  God has used my life to speak to several people whom have remained in the world.  They are now seeking God because they have seen what He can do with a life that is submitted to Him and they want that for themselves.  There are also several that are attending church services as well as one who has checked into a Christian rehab.  Please pray for this one as many have given up all hope for him through the years.

     I will post more on what I have learned and what is going on here as well as pictures of my trip.  Please realize that I am not able to post it all in just a few days.  Life on Bourbon St. and in New Orleans is difficult for those who are Christians and trying to live as the Lord commands so please pray for us.  Thank You. 

Bible Illuminated: The Book, New Testament

This new format for our beloved Bible is arousing quite a stir among Christians and non-Christians alike.  That is exactly what the creators of this “magazine formatted” Bible intended.  Most of the controversy centers around the graphic illustrations scattered throughout the pages.  The rest of the controversy is in the formatting style of the publishers.  The staff at Bible Illuminated were extremely helpful when I inquired about their “Book”.  They graciously sent me a copy to review and I must say that I was impressed.

The first thing I noticed was the absence of chapter and verse numbers.  I found this quite refreshing especially in view of the fact that the original books of the Bible never contained chapters and verses.  This enables one to read the books of the New Testament in the manner in which the original author intended and makes it much more difficult to take verses out of context.  This format makes for very easy reading.  allow me to reassure you that this is not a new translation of the Bible.  This is in fact “The Good News Translation” of the Bible which is published by the American Bible Association and has been around for some time now.  The publishers have simply removed the chapter and verse numbers.  The text is entirely the same.

The real controversy arises from the graphic photos which have been placed strategically throughout this “magazine”.  these photos are designed to create controversy and get people to talking about the m and the verses they represent.  I have read other reviews of this “magazine” and must respectfully disagree with some of my esteemed colleagues whom I deeply respect.  You see I found that after searching through the “Bible Illustrated” and carefully considering the accompanying verses that each photograph was appropriate for the passage in which it was placed.  The only exception I would really make is the one of Andy Warhol in make up.  I’m not real sure of the intention that one.

I would say that my personal favorite  would have to be the photo of the skater on fire at the beginning of the book of Revelation.  I found this one to be quite appropriate on so many levels.

This book/magazine is available for purchase in the US as of October of ‘08.  I feel that they have accomplished their goals and I look forward to seeing the Old Testament which will be released this spring.  If you are looking for a conversation starter for your friends (saved and unsaved) this is a great book to have around.

As for me, I will keep mine for personal reading just to be able to take a break from the numbers and read without concentrating on where I’m at.  I also think it would be great to take out in public to read while waiting for appointments.  I would hope that those around me would see some of the photos and ask questions.  We are out to reach the lost and God could very easily use this as a means to do so.  I would say to those of you who question that you should consider the words of Paul when he says in Philippians 1:18 (NKJV)  “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

Yes I would buy a copy of “Bible Illuminated: The Book, New Testament” for others to enjoy and talk about.

I have been gone for several days and I have much to tell you.  First  and most important is that I must rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and His great love and forgiveness.  I saw this Bible on another website and wanted one sooooo bad.  as most of you know, I am  poor in money but rich in love for others.  God rewarded me with one of these wonderful Bibles and He did it in such a unique way that I just had to share with you.  I am following this wonderful site that is written by Dr. Bruce.  The name of the site is Faith and Facts.   Dr. Bruce was running a contest to win one of these Bibles.  He announced the winner but it was not me.  Oh well, I’ll get one someday.  Dr. Bruce sent me an e-mail that he was trying to make sure all of the e-mail address he had were in fact real.  i replied to this e-mail which I do not usually do.  I wanted him to know that indeed I had a real e-mail account and that I enjoyed his work.  The very next day I recieved another e-mail from him explaing that I had won the Bible.  Turns out that the winner never claimed his prize.  he needed my real address andphone number to send me thisBible.  Again, against my norm, I replied with the information.  He linked me on his site and i received my gift in the mail.  i later priced the new bible at the store and was shocke dto learn the Hastings was asking a mere $50.00 for one of these great Bibles.  That may not seem like much to you but to me that is a fortune.

I thank you Dr. Bruce for this gift that you sent me but most of all I thank you for responding to the Holy Spirit by giving such a precious gift.

Much Love,

Cathy

Psalm 30:11 (CEV)
You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth.

Funny Yet True

Christian Glitter

Soooo Funny

ONE JOKE

OK OK One joke that I truly like, but only one because there just are not too many that will not offend anyone and are still funny.

Here goes and bare with me cause I ain’t told a joke in long time.

There was a new pastor at the church.  He thought it was a good idea for him to go visit everyone on the church list and introduce himself.  Everything was going great and all the people seemed to like him so far.

The last house he went to he knocked on the door.  He could hear someone inside but no one would answer the door.  He knocked a couple more times and still no answer.

He took out his business card and flipped it over.  On the back he wrote: “Rev. 3:20″ which says

“Behold, I stand at the
door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will
come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

On Sunday he preached and then took up the offering.  In the offering plate he noticed his business card.  Undeneath Rev. 3:20 they had written Genesis 3:10

The pastor quickly got his Bible and looked up the passage and could not stop laughing.  It read:

…“I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

MEMORY VERSE 12/14 - 12/20

Matthew 7:21 (NKJV)

I Never Knew You 
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

I NEED YOUR TESTIMONIES PLEASE!

I need your testimonies for Tuesday.  remember that it is YOUR testimony I publish.

e-mail me

cathyisgodschild@live.com

In the Old Testament we learn about sin, how it got here, what it is, punishment, atonement.  One of the most amazing things the Old Testament teaches us is about the coming Messiah.  Basically the whole Old Testament is a look forward to the coming Savior of the world.  The Jews believed that a savior was coming to take over the world much like the Romans had and the Babylonians before them.  Napoleon comes to mind as well.  Hitler tried in modern times.  (more…)

In the Old Testament God 
Free Comments and Graphics

Yesterday we began studying the New and Old Testaments.  Our verse today is from both.  The word testament means covenant.  We need to understand what the covenants were.  Before I explain the individual covenants I will give you a brief overview of the whole thing. (more…)

Free Glitter Text Maker

Seems IFriday’s post has created quite a stir among those who call Jesus Lord of their lives. I have learned that their are Christians who do not believe the Old Testament applies to them. I have also learned that their are “Christians” who believe that the theory of evolution is correct. It amazes me that they believe this way but the I look at this weeks memory verse and realize the truth.

I have to believe what is stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

By the way, that is in the NEW TESTAMENT.

This week we will take a look at what the New Testament says about the Old Testament so that we will know the Fathers will in this matter and be able to enter the kingdom of heaven and not sent away with those harsh words from our Lord on the day of judgment.

The Old Testament is quoted 695 different times in the New Testament.

Jesus, Himself quoted from the Old Testament throughout His life and ministry.

While being tested in the wilderness by Satan

Matthew 4

Satan Tempts Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”^[a]
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,

‘ In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”^[b]

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”^[c]
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,^[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”^[e]

1. Matthew 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3
2. Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11, 12
3. Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16
4. Matthew 4:10 M-Text reads Get behind Me.
5. Matthew 4:10 Deuteronomy 6:13

As you can see from verse 6 that even Satan quoted the Old Testament.

During His Sermons

Matthew 5:17 (NKJV) “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

After His resurrection he continued to teach the Old Testament

Luke 24 describes events following His resurrection. On that same day, Jesus met
two of His followers, neither of whom recognized Him, and walked with them. They
related the astounding events of the last few days, including Christ’s execution
and the disappearance of His body from the tomb (verses 13-24).

Notice Christ’s reaction: “Then He said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of
heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ [the
Messiah] to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?’ And beginning
at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures
the things concerning Himself” (verses 25-27).

As you can see Jesus approved of the Old Testament since He quoted it some 70 times. If He approves how can we disapprove and still cal ourselves Christians? Further if the Old Testament be accurate then how can evolution be correct?

For more information …

This has been an amazing and exciting week.  God has been overly good to me this week.  I simply could not tell you everything that God has done for just me this week.  the internet itself is not large enough to hold all of God’s blessings.  I will attempt to limit to the highlights of God’s blessings in my life and then we will review our lesson.

Where to begin, that is the question.  (more…)