Tag: Feelings

Lighten the Load

tarynbarnes1 Comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“It’s difficult to walk with Christ with tons of baggage so leave behind the unnecessary items to lighten the load.”~TB

Weighed Down

Unforgiveness and internalized trauma can cloud your mind, allowing the opposition to use these painful experiences to cloud your judgment and relationship with Christ. Friends, life is tough, and no one walks away unscathed. So when bad things happen, as they will, remember that God is in control and will use any situation for good. While going through trials and tribulations, take a step back, calm yourself and remember His goodness.

Carry-on Items

When you’re traveling with God, carry on with a spirit of gratitude, mercy, and joy, so that in whatever you endure, you can see God’s hand in your situation. The devil will try and get you to turn your back on the Truth— God’s Victory is already sealed. The worst he can only do is ruffle your feathers, and friends only you can allow the evil one to get under your skin. So in times of struggle, frustration, and discouragement, chuck your bags and leave only with the carry-on items that bring you closer to God.

Today’s Question

What baggage are you holding onto that’s slowing down your walk with Christ?

Proverbs 26

1 Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!
4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.
5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
6 Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
8 Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.
9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.
10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
12 There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.
13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”
14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed.
15 Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.
16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.
17 Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
18 Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”
20 Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
22 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.
26While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
27 If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead.
28A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin

 

 

 

Decide

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Make a decision and stick with it, because a double-mind cannot properly follow the Lord.”~TB

Reconcile Your Path

Saying you’ve accepted Christ is one thing. Walking the path is another. If you decide to accept the gift of salvation, be bold and follow through on that decision. People fall into traps because they say one thing but do the opposite. This happens because you are looking around at everything else when really you should focus your attention on God. Your relationship with God influences every aspect of your life, develop it first and the rest will follow.

Quicksand

Being disengaged in your relationship with God is like trying to pull yourself out of quicksand to no avail. When you are double-minded– practicing opposing behaviors– your mind becomes trapped, unable to free itself from a loop of negative/evil thinking. Friends, nothing good comes from a corrupt mind, as your actions and behaviors will soon mirror your destructive thoughts. Making evil choices is like a poisoned well, where your misdeeds leak onto all who encounter you. To be free of this trap, ask God for help.

Follow the Leader

Like Red Riding Hood, everyone strays from the path, getting into tricky situations. Fortunately, God is the wisest of them all, and no amount of quicksand is too difficult for Him to free you. Experiencing this freedom requires you to follow God, the leader. Though this path is narrow, it is clear, and simple to follow. Understand that simple and easy are not the same thing, as you must decide in everything you do to follow Christ. Be sober in your judgment and decisions and you will find peace in God’s path.

Today’s Question

Are you upholding your decision to follow the path or is quicksand a better option?

Enjoy the reading

Proverbs 4

1 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, 
2 for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. 
3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. 
4 My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. 
5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. 
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 
7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 
8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. 
9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” 
10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 
11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 
12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. 
13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. 
14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. 
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. 
17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence! 
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. 
20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 
21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 
22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 
24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 
25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 
27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

No Offense

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“When you hold on to offenses and refuse to forgive others, you are establishing yourself as your own god because you cast your judgment on others.”~TB

A Moment

Who are you to judge someone in their worst moment(s)? When you take offense or fail to forgive someone, in your eyes you are immortalizing that person in their misdeed. How blatantly arrogant! Have you not offended? Are you perfect? Of course not, so if the One who Is can freely forgive, what’s your excuse? Friends, take care to resolve your feelings and overinflated egos because when you play god by participating in unforgiveness, you risk poisoning the well, creating a nasty cycle of broken people. People can change, or have you forgotten what our Father in Heaven has done in your life?

A Lifetime

Does a handful of moments override a lifetime? No! How else do you think salvation works? Thank God that He does not make snap decisions or assumptions against us as we do to one another. No one would survive! Fortunately, when we humbly repent, He forgives and forgets, allowing us to grow closer to Him. Forgiveness allows both parties to move past the hurt and become who God intended them to be. Forgiveness is not only for your sake but for all involved! When we humble ourselves and take care to quash offenses, that’s when God can truly do works in us. Don’t play God, He’s infinitely more qualified.

Today’s Question

Are you playing god through your unforgiveness or do you know better?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 144

1 Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. 
2 He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me. 
3 O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them? 
4 For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow. 
5 Open the heavens, LORD, and come down. Touch the mountains so they billow smoke. 
6 Hurl your lightning bolts and scatter your enemies! Shoot your arrows and confuse them! 
7 Reach down from heaven and rescue me; rescue me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies. 
8 Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. 
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp. 
10 For you grant victory to kings! You rescued your servant David from the fatal sword. 
11 Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. 
12 May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. 
13May our barns be filled with crops of every kind. May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands, 
14 and may our oxen be loaded down with produce. May there be no enemy breaking through our walls, no going into captivity, no cries of alarm in our town squares. 
15Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD .

Mindless

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Take control of your thoughts and feelings as nothing corrupts the heart and mind like mindlessness.”~TB

Cycle

Life has a way of getting people off track and onto autopilot mode. When your mind is on autopilot, whatever default cycle that is playing in your mind takes over. The opposition uses this time to insert negative and fear-mongering ideas into your brain. If you’re not paying attention, you may think these ideas are your own. Reject them. In a disciplined mind, the teachings of Christ have equipped you to see the trap and avoid it. In an undisciplined mind, the lack of Biblical understanding makes it impossible to discern truth from fiction leaving you in a vicious cycle of fear, anguish, and doubt.  In order to break the cycle in your mind, you must firmly plant yourself in the truth.

Driver’s Seat

Purposefully walking with Christ requires intentional action. Get back in the driver’s seat of your mind. Arm your thoughts by reading the Truth and planting it firmly in your brain and heart. Take hold of righteous thoughts and reject the corrupt ones. No one’s thought life will be perfect, but if you allow the fake thoughts to pass you by without much thought, they will not be able to root and rot your brain. Fill your mind with the word of God so that you are awake and able to see when evil is trying to trick you. When you discipline yourself, you will see clearly, making the decision to lead your mind as God intended.

Today’s Question

Did you do the reading to get out of the mindless mindset?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 117

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. 
2 For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the LORD ’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD !

Messages

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“When you have an authentic relationship with God, you begin to understand which messages are from Him and which messages are not”~TB

Conviction

When you regularly engage in walking with the Lord, you begin to see the world differently. Consequentially, you begin to discern the thoughts that are your’s, His, and the evil ones. And with this relationship with Christ, you know that your previous deeds are no longer acceptable. This conviction allows you to put aside foolish behaviors as you seek to mirror the life of Christ. No one’s walk will be perfect, but the messages from God will help you get back on track if you choose to listen.

Condemnation

Walking in sin is much more difficult for the born again because you know the price that was paid for you by Jesus. Of course, there will be times when messages of extreme guilt and worthlessness begin to creep into your head. They may cause you to question your standing with God. Friends, these messages are not from God, but rather the evil one. Condemnation is lamenting over deeds that He has already forgiven you for. If God isn’t repeatedly pointing at your past, why are you? Delete those messages as they deter your path with the Lord.

Discernment

As you grow in Christ, you will level up in discernment, filtering which messages are important and which ones are unnecessary. This is why it is so important to read the Bible, to talk with God, and to pick up the Cross daily to cast away your former evil selves. Knowing and practicing the difference helps you avert pitfalls and temptations because you know who you are in Christ. The messages will never go away, but when you truly know the Lord, you can filter through the noise.

Today’s Question

Which messages are you reading, the good or the evil?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 104

1 Let all that I am praise the LORD . O LORD my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty. 
2 You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; 
3 you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind. 
4 The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants. 
5 You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved. 
6 You clothed the earth with floods of water, water that covered even the mountains. 
7 At your command, the water fled; at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away. 
8 Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed. 
9 Then you set a firm boundary for the seas, so they would never again cover the earth. 
10 You make springs pour water into the ravines, so streams gush down from the mountains. 
11They provide water for all the animals, and the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 
12 The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees. 
13 You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home, and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor. 
14 You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth— 
15 wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength. 
16 The trees of the LORD are well cared for— the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 
17There the birds make their nests, and the storks make their homes in the cypresses. 
18 High in the mountains live the wild goats, and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes. 
19 You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. 
20 You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about. 
21 Then the young lions roar for their prey, stalking the food provided by God. 
22 At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest. 
23 Then people go off to their work, where they labor until evening. 
24 O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. 
25 Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. 
26 See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea. 
27 They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. 
28 When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied. 
29 But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. 
30 When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth. 
31 May the glory of the LORD continue forever! The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made! 
32 The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch. 
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! 
34 May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD . 
35 Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth; let the wicked disappear forever. Let all that I am praise the LORD . Praise the LORD !

 

Trust

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Trusting in God means taking responsibility for your thoughts, actions, and feelings. Most people would rather lie to themselves than do the work”~TB

Truth of the Matter

The truth of the matter is that through Christ you are set free. This means that you are unchained from the failings and snares of your previous existence. The sad thing is that many of you want to keep your handcuffs because it absolves you of being responsible for your deeds or lack thereof. You’d rather blame your minds and your feelings instead of admitting that you simply did not do the work. This is a hard pill to swallow for most, but if you make the resolve to take responsibility for your actions, freedom ensues. If you truly want to heal, you must start by owning your part of the equation. God will not run your race for you. He already did the hard part, now it’s time to do yours.

Embrace Discipline and Work 

Any type of success– be it reading the Bible or talking with God– takes hard work and discipline. That’s it. There’s no seance, no magic potion; just plain work ethic, and discipline. Why is it that so few people put in the effort? More to the point, why are you so quick to complain about God when you do not put in the effort to personally know Him? Humans are foolish in that you want all the benefits of Christ, but dread putting in the work to cultivate an honest relationship with Him. Stop embracing the ‘something for nothing’ mentality. Do you not realize the joys of walking closely with the Lord? Of course, you don’t, you didn’t do the work! Friends, there’s nothing more joyous and wonderful than being in the presence of God. Embrace the work and discipline to enjoy the best relationship you could ever know.

Today’s Question

Are you trusting His process, or are you trusting your fake excuses?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 101

1 I will sing of your love and justice, LORD . I will praise you with songs.
2 I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. 
3 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. 
4 I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. 
6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. 
7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. 
8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

Feeling

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
hands-2667461_1920Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“I’m learning to rely on what God has to say about life and not what my feelings or thoughts would suggest since I’m not perfect.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Candy

We all need a little motivational candy to mentally feed our heart and will to do the right things in life and God gives us plenty of examples of what that motivational candy is.  The more you eat, digest, learn and use this biblical motivational candy, you will live with the biggest smile on your face, with amazing love in your heart. Even when people say hurtful things about you, smile and think warm loving thoughts.

Eye

You will become spiritual eye candy for others to follow God and this will help to improve and promote good feelings in others.  Negative feelings and thoughts are a distraction and usually prevents you from focusing on the truth in justice, love, and wisdom.  People who focus on God’s truth will find the candy they need for inspiration and motivation, which will drive true feelings of joy, peace, love, and happiness, in all circumstances.

Times

There will be times when you need to draw upon your personal stash of eye candy from God to lift your own spirits from daily challenges and situations.  Keep smiling, because negative stuff is only for a moment.  The more you relax and laughs at the devil, the quicker he will flee.  Your smile in God should be permanent, genuine, and atomic.
Today’s Question
Does your laughter with God blow up all the negative stuff that surrounds you?
Enjoy The reading
 

2 Chronicles 27 

Jotham Rules in Judah

27 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
2 Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. But the people continued in their corrupt ways.
3 Jotham rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple of the Lord. He also did extensive rebuilding on the wall at the hill of Ophel. 4 He built towns in the hill country of Judah and constructed fortresses and towers in the wooded areas. 5 Jotham went to war against the Ammonites and conquered them. Over the next three years he received from them an annual tribute of 7,500 pounds[a] of silver, 50,000 bushels of wheat, and 50,000 bushels of barley.[b]
6 King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.
7 The rest of the events of Jotham’s reign, including all his wars and other activities, are recorded in The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. 9 When Jotham died, he was buried in the City of David. And his son Ahaz became the next king.
Love,
Jonathan

Wholeheartedly

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“People who don’t commit their whole heart to God, will not love Him at all, since their wickedness will overtake their personal thoughts and actions, which contradicts God’s lifestyle, Works, Ethics, and Word.” ~ Jon Barnes

Wait

People spend a lot of mindless energy and time that is wasted on not doing the work and waiting for God to do the reading, studying, fasting, and praying in life, which include selecting, buying, and moving into their dwelling places. Buy your own house, stop waiting, wasting money, and complaining about your circumstances. Change your lazy behavior and do what is required each day and you will have enough to do what God has promised you.

Applied

Apply yourself and you will see the wonderful results that hard working people can achieve. If you are a flake on the job or at home, your work ethics will draw an accurate self-portrait of you.  I hope you like what you see. You can tell when people do not do their homework and they are unprepared for the next level to move forward.  By willfully giving up your choice to finish your chores, assignments, reading, studying, cleaning, maintenance, and instructions, your application for moving forward with God will be denied.

Apprentice 

We all learn from the Father God, who teaches parents how to live, love, and instruct their children. But, it is up to you to listen to the apprenticeship and respect the chain of command God has set in place.  When you disrespect the chain of command and your parents, you disrespect God! Keep your mind humble in the mode of learning, quick to listen, hear, and obey the commandments of God, so that you are able to discern the truth in all situations.
Today’s Question
Did you move your feelings out of the way so that you can see, hear, and do the truth in the lessons from God or is your room at home a mess?
Enjoy The Reading

Joshua 22 

Eastern Tribes Return Home

22 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
6 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes.7 (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan along with their fellow Israelites.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them, 8 saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing—and divide the plunder from your enemies with your fellow Israelites.”
9 So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the Lord through Moses.
10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altarthere by the Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, 12 the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
13 So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 14 With him they sent ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans.
15 When they went to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—they said to them: 16 “The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now? 17 Was not the sin of Peorenough for us? Up to this very day we have not cleansed ourselves from that sin, even though a plague fell on the community of the Lord! 18 And are you now turning away from the Lord?
“‘If you rebel against the Lord today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel. 19 If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the Lord’s land, where the Lord’s tabernacle stands, and share the land with us. But do not rebel against the Lord or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the Lord our God. 20 When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things,[a] did not wrath come on the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.’”
21 Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel: 22 “The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord!He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the Lord, do not spare us this day. 23 If we have built our own altar to turn away from the Lord and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the Lord himself call us to account.
24 “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel? 25 The Lord has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the Lord.’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the Lord.
26 “That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ 27 On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the Lord.’
28 “And we said, ‘If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the Lord’s altar, which our ancestors built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’
29 “Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle.”
30 When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of the Israelites—heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased. 31 And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the Lord in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the Lord’s hand.”
32 Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites. 33 They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.
34 And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A WitnessBetween Us—that the Lord is God.
Love,
Jonathan

Cover Up

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
Cover Up your heart, mind, body, spirit, and soul with God’s Spirit, so that His Love will operate your life and His Light will Cover Up your wickedness!” ~ Jon Barnes

Feelings

We were born with the capacity to become evil with our feelings and choices in our daily lifestyles. God felt it best to give us a chance to understand what is feels like to have such a great responsibility to control your own life and produce the proper course of action for your destiny of eternity. We are now practicing whether or not we will listen and love God. Let us see if you are following the directions of How to Bake God’s Cake!

 

Ingredients

God gave us the means to procreate life, be fruitful, like a tree of life, and multiply onto the earth. Our instructions were to take care of the earth, love, mate, and teach our next generations about God’s ways, love, wisdom, and power, without covering up God’s Words with our evil, pride, thoughts, lust, and deeds. I feel there is no time to grumble, as we are all quickly approaching the end of our allotted time, so don’t stumble or drop your cake.

Grumble

The injustice, deceit, and grumbling that we tend to participate in does not tell, teach, or expose the next generation to the truth about God’s Love.  Evil tries to Cover Up, Make Up, and Avoid the tough question; Do you love God and your neighbor as yourself? For many of us the answer is No and we simply cannot cover this up any longer. We must follow God’s example and ways of love so that we do not waste the Truth of God with loveless lies, greed, and lavish lust, in the short life span we have.
Today’s Question
Can you handle The Truth and the Tough Questions about your own life, lies, lust, greed, waste, disobedience, and pride to net you a blessing or a curse; Or would you like your death sentence or blessing right NOW from GOD?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

Genesis 32

32 [a]As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him.2 When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” So he named the place Mahanaim.[b]

Jacob Sends Gifts to Esau

3 Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. 4 He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, 5 and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’”
6 After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” 7 Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. 8 He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.”
9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ 10 I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! 11 O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12 But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’”
13 Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 14 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 15 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. 16 He divided these animals into herds and assigned each to different servants. Then he told his servants, “Go ahead of me with the animals, but keep some distance between the herds.”
17 He gave these instructions to the men leading the first group: “When my brother, Esau, meets you, he will ask, ‘Whose servants are you? Where are you going? Who owns these animals?’ 18 You must reply, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.’”
19 Jacob gave the same instructions to the second and third herdsmen and to all who followed behind the herds: “You must say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. 20 And be sure to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’”
Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.” 21 So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp.

Jacob Wrestles with God

22 During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. 23 After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions.
24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 “What is your name?” the man asked.
He replied, “Jacob.”
28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel,[c] because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”
29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.
“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.
30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel,[d] and he was limping because of the injury to his hip. 32 (Even today the people of Israel don’t eat the tendon near the hip socket because of what happened that night when the man strained the tendon of Jacob’s hip.)
Love,
Jonathan

The Good Hurt

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Hi Peeps,

 

Today’s Quote

“Change is a daily activity that hurts, as it is not easy to do such good work.” ~ Jon Barnes


Comfort


We get comfortable doing the easy exercises in life, while ignoring the real work we need to do for good growth and healthy maintenance. Setting up good new goals will mean we need to learn something new from God’s wisdom. The bible is old yet the information is still new to our daily behaviors and habits.

Habit


Dropping old habits and learning good new habits can be a challenge for us, as God blesses. Recognizing a turn of page in your family, career, and mindset is the beginning of improved focus, direction, and purpose. The improved new habits become more helpful, full of life, and action when we allow God to develop our new talents of service for people.

Hurts


It hurts to see people stuck in the past, living life as if it will last forever in that rut. Forgive and move on so that God’s new blessings and good work shines as a new dawn.  In your life, make the new things right, by dumping out the old stuff, cleaning old wounds, and healing your heart. The sight of success begins with happiness, working with God in our faithfulness. Hurt converts into conviction and heavenly progress.

Today’s Question

Did you welcome family flight plight of politely piloting your way through negative feelings to communicate God’s new plans with better life experiences to this new generation?

Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Peter 5

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas,[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
 
Love,
Jonathan