MORE INTERESTING FACTS ON OBADIAH

Edom was the rocky range of mountains east of the Arabah, it stretched about 100 miles north and south, about 20 miles east and west. It had abundant pasturage and was quite well watered. Sela (Petra), carved high in a perpendicular cliff, underneath the cliff was a valley of marvelous beauty. The capital was set way back in the canyons of the mountain. The Edomites would go out on their raiding expeditions, and then retreat back into the impregnable strongholds high up in the rocky gorges.

These people were descendants of Esau, always were such bitter enemies of the Jews thus caused the enmity to last indefinitely of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:23; 27:41). Moses was refused passage by the Edomites (Numbers 20:14-21). The Edomites were always ready to go out on any raiding parties.

Within four years after the burning of Jerusalem, Edom was raided and destroyed (582 B.C.) by the Babylonians, the very same ones they had helped with the raids on Jerusalem. Obadiah, verse 20 says,"And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanite's, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south." The Nabathaeans took over Edom.***

The few Edomites left were confined to a region in south Judea, there they continued to exist as active enemies of Jews for four more centuries. John Hyrcanus, one of the Maccabean rulers finally defeated them and they were absorbed into the Jewish state. 63 B.C. the Romans conquered Palestine, the Herod's, an Edomite family was placed in control of Judah. With the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), they disappeared from history.

***Semitic (Arabian rather than Syrian) tribe whose home in early Hellenistic times was Southeast of Palestine, where they had either supplanted or mingled with the Edomites (Malachi 1:1-5).

They were so numerous that the territory between the Red Sea and the Euphrates was called Nabatene; they extended themselves along the East of the Jordan with Petra as their capital. Their earlier history is shrouded in obscurity. Genesis 25:13 gives the names of Ishmael's sons. One of which is named, Nebajoth.

Nabateans, a wild nomadic folk, with no agriculture, but with flocks and herds and engaged in considerable trading. Later, however, they seem to have imbibed considerable Aramean culture, and Aramaic became at least the language of their commerce and diplomacy. They were also known as pirates on the Red Sea; they secured the harbor of Elah and the Gulf of `Akaba. They traded between Egypt and Mesopotamia and carried on a lucrative commerce in myrrh, frankincense and costly wares (http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Nabataeans).

PETRA,––the capital of that portion of Arabia which is thence called Petræa,––occupies a mountain-hollow in the rocky region known to the readers of Scripture by the name of SEIR; a territory which extends from the north-eastern extremity of Arabia to the south of the Dead Sea, and which the Almighty assigned to the Edomites, or the descendants of Esau. It is twice mentioned in the Bible by the equivalent Hebrew name SELAH, or the rock; and thenceforward (namely, from the seventh or eighth century before our æra), it obtains no further notice for four hundred years. During this interval, the Nabathæans, or descendants of Nebaioth, the eldest son of Ishmael, had expelled the Edomites from their ancient stronghold, and driven them northward, where their territory was recognized for a few centuries under the Hellenised name of Idumæa. Then it was that one portion of the prophecy concerning the descendants of Esau obtained its fulfillment : they faded from the world’s eye, and ceased to be a nation.

Petræa, henceforth part of the Nabathæan territory, became a Roman province; and PETRA, as some ancient historians relate, and as its astonishing ruins abundantly testify, continued to be its wealthy and flourishing capital. It obtains some slight Ecclesiastical notice so late as the sixth century, but from that time it suddenly disappears from the page of history; and the doom pronounced on the land of the Edomites was entirely accomplished. PETRA had continued wholly unknown for twelve hundred years, when the adventurous Burckhardt discovered its ruins in 1812. (http://www.emule.com/2poetry/phorum/read.php?4,187196,187320)

Smith’s Bible Dictionary
“Nebaioth, Nebajoth” means heights,p>

Nebaioth, Nebajoth: the "first-born of Ishmael," (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29) (B.C. about 1850), and father of a pastoral tribe named after him, the "rams Of Nebaioth" being mentioned by the prophet Isaiah, (Isaiah 60:7) with the; flocks of Kedar. From the days of Jerome: this people had been identified with the Nabathaeans of Greek and Roman history Petra was their capital. They first settled in the country southeast of Palestine, and wandered gradually in search of pasturage till they came to Kedar, of which Isaiah speaks. Probably the Nebaioth of Arabia Petrea were, as M. Quatremere argues the same people as the Nebat of Chaldea. --McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia.(http://www.christnotes.org/dictionary.php?dict=sbd&id=3143)

Sorry, if you think I got carried away with the history, but it is all so interesting I just had to include it all. Thank you for reading.

God's blessing to each of you,
LJG

SOURCES:
KING JAMES BIBLE
H H Halley Bible Handbook
other's are already shown

OBADIAH, the shortest Book in the Old Testament

This Book doesn't relate to us who "Obadiah" is nor does it gives dates. It doesn't say anything about his parents, social standing, or occupation. There were about a dozen Obadiah's mentioned in the Old Testament. This Obadiah stands along because none of the others can be associated with him. His name means, "Servant of the Lord" or Worshiper of the Lord." If we go back to Jeremiah 49, we find that the first nine verses of Obadiah relates to each other. This is clearly and oracle of the Lord's.

Verse 4 is very interesting: "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord." Doesn't this mean that no matter how high and mighty we get, or think we get, that we can be brought down?

Verses 10-14
Reference is made indirectly to the historical happenings where the Edomites had joined with the enemies of Israel, helped in the take over of Jerusalem. About the middle of the ninth century, we know that the Philistines and Arabians, during the reign of Jehoram, had plundered Jerusalem. Also, at this time, Edom had joined with Babylonia at the fall of Jerusalem in 587 or 586 B. C. Could this be the date for Obadiah?

Obadiah's message is stong but is it really one of hate? Isn't it really one of justice? I think verse 10 says it very plainly: "For thy violence against they brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off." They had committed crimes and by doing so did have to be punished. Edom wasn't punished by Israel, they left it up to God as the judge of all nations. Nothing can escape the all seeing eye of God, He is everywhere.

Verses 17- 21We find that God has said that "the house of Jacob" shall have all the possessions. "the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devor them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau." God is minded of the oppressed and in the end will life them up, giving them back what has been taken from them. The Lord have spoken it.

God's blessings on each of you,

LJG

SOURCE:

KING JAMES BIBLE

HABAKKUK, The Finishing Touches

The lesson of this book..Man shall live by faith. Our faith gives us the abibily, no matter how dark the day or night, not only to feel so sure of God, but also we have no doubt what the outcome will be. Our glorious future may be a long way off,but by our faith we are absolutely sure that it is ours. Even in the midst and gloom of his dispair, Habakkuk was still an optimist of the first magnitude.

Habakkuk is unique in that he says the immortal words: THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. The first two chapters is him crying out to God as to how God could look on all the sin and tolerate such inquities. He even challenges the Lord about. The Lord gives him a vision of God exerting His power and manifesting His glory in the earth. The vision is mingled fear and confidence on the part of the prophet.

Sin is a broken realtionship, an act of rebellion and estrangement from God. Faith is the restoration of that broken fellowship by repentance and humble trust in God. Faith, to Habakkuk, is even more than humble trust---it is faithfulness, the steadfast obedience to God which marks the life of faith. This spirital truth separates all true and false religions.

This deep understaning of faith gives this ook an indelible placein the spiritual life of the believer. Faith is not just some doctrine which is believed---it is a whole way of life. It is a daily dependence upon God, walking with Him moment by moment. habakkuk saysthat when everything has gone wrong, and all his possessions have been lost, and there is not even anything to eat, he will still rejoice in the God of his salvation. Faith says that God alone is enough---and when life comes to the end every man will find out!!!

God's blessings to each of you,

LJG

SOURCES:
KING JAMES BIBLE
H H Halley Bible Handbook

HABAKKUK

Let's do a study on some of the little known or talked about Books of the Old Testment. As we go along we will find that even today so many of us have the same complaints as did some of the phrophets of old. I hope you enjoy this study as much as I have.

The time for Habakkuk was during the reign of Jehoiakim. Between 625-606 B.C. Sweeping westward (1:6), were the Babylonians (Chaldeans), but hadn't reach Judah yet (3:16).

Chronology of the peroid:
639-608 B.C. Josiah. Great Reformation. Zephaniah
626 B.C. Assyria greatly weakened by Seythian Invasion
625 B.C. Babylon declared its Independence of Assyria608 B.C. Jehoahaz reigned 3 months. Taken to Egypt
608-597 B.C. Jehoiakim. A very wicked reign.
607 B.C. Babylonians destroyed Nineveh
606 B.C. Babylonians invaded Judah. Took captives
605 B.C. Babylonians defeated Egypt at Carchemish
597 B.C. Jehoiachin reigned 3 months. Taken to Babylon
597-586 B.C. Zedekiah. A weak, wicked king. Take to Babylon
586 B.C. Jerusalem burned. Land desolated

Chapter 1:1-4
Oh Lord, how long shall I cry....of the violence....and you not hear? Why do you show me ingiquity...behold violence...these rise up strife and contention...the law is slack...judgement doth never go forth;...wicked compass about the rightous...wrong judgement proceedeth.

This is Habakkuk's complaint to God about why his own nation had to be destroyed by another nation that is more wicked. He cries out to God for enlightment.

Chapter 1:5-12
ye among the heathren...and wonder marvelously;...work a work in your days, which ye will not believe...I raise up the Chaldeans..bitter and nasty nation...march against the land taking dwellings that aren't theirs...they are terrible and dreadful...their horses swifter than the leopards...they fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat...they shall come all for violence...they shall gather the captivity as the sand...they shall deride every stonghold...then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend,imputing this his power unto his god.

What was God's answer? He Himself had a reason for the terrorizing Chaldean's armies to make all these conquests.

Chapter 2:1-20
Here again Habakkuk voices his second complaint. He is going to keep his watch in the high tower...God told him to write the vison...but the JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH...5-20 goes on to state what NOT to do and why this terrible time is befalling the land and will over take the Chaldean's as well.

Habakkuk is acknowledging that Judah should be punished for her sins and seeks after further enlightenment.

What was God's answer? Because of they desired power,was drunk with the blood of nations, the Chaldean's will in her turn, be destroyed. Then as planned in the beginning of time, God's people shall fill the earth.

Chapter 3
In no way will I do this chapter the injustice of breaking it up. It is just to wonderful for that. Please, take the time out of your busy schudule and read this song by Habakkuk. It is so beautiful.

This is the jest of the chapter. Crying out to God to perform his wonders, as he did in the old days; yet fully has the resignation, and confidence that God's people have the security of eternal life.

God's blessings on each of you,

LJG

SOURCES:
KING JAMES BIBLE
H H Halley Bible Handbook

IS THIS ALL THERE IS?

Is this all there is to our life's? Get up, go to work, come home, eat, sleep and repeat tomorrow. Well, it is if you let it be.

If you saw our life's and the way we live, well you probably couldn't begin to know the exciting life's we live. To look at us we are two older ladies who live in older trailers. Neither of us really has a job, though we do watch our grandson's while their parents work. Most people think we are quite stay at home people; and the most exciting thing we do is grocery shop.

And you probably think we are poor.

Oh, bit if the truth be known! We have traveled around the world to Europe, Spain, Ireland, Italy and more third world countries than we can count. On 9-11 we were at Ground Zero. We have been to coal mine disasters and yes the big tsunami that wiped out so much. We have stood beside President Bush. We worked on site during Katrina and Rita in Louisiana, and the year before we were in Florida when it was hit back to back by hurricanes.

And then there are the people and places that don't hit the news. We have been and are there for people, some whose names we don't know.

Our lives are anything but boring. And on top of all that, one of us late at night and the other early in the morning hours do this site. Almost 2,000 miles apart. We pray, we write, we edit and it goes on line. This is one of our children, carried and birthed by both of us.

all of this we have done never leaving our homes. LJG's prayer room is her bathroom, rECj's room is smaller but not a jail cell. In these two rooms we travel to wherever God leads us to go.

The point is there is more to life than just existing day to day. god can and will use you wherever your are. All you have to do is open yourself to Him.

Oh go ahead, step out into the world. Ask God what you can do for Him. Believe us, you never know just what He has in mind for you.

Life will never be boring again.

God's blessings to each of you,

rECj/LJG

BABYLON, more history

Babylon and Egypt oldest civilizations.

South part of the Euphrates Valley occupied by Babylon
606-536 B.C. Babylon was the world power. This is when Israel was destroyed.

A British Army Officer, Sir Henry Rawlinson, in 1835, saw the Behistran Mountain, a great isolated rock, 200 miles Northwest of Babylon. Rising 1700 feet out of the plain, on it was a smooth surface, there were cravings on it. It could be seen 400 feet above the road. There he found an inscription, dated 516 B.C., an order given by Perisa's king, Darius (521-485 B.C.) in the year 516 B.C. As Ezra told it was the year Darius had the Temple in Jerusalem rebuilt and the same year it was finished.

The writings were an extensive account in Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian of the conquests of Darius. These accounts were all written in each of the three languages. Sir Henry had a little knowledge of these languages, so over a 4 year period pain staking he managed to get impressions of them. All he had to use back then were ladders from below and swings from above.

After 14 years he had the transcriptions completed. Opened up to the world, by finding the key to the ancient Babylon language, vast treasures of literature from ancient Babylon.

It has been said, and believed by some, that Babylon was the cradle of the human race, where the Garden of Eden was located, center of the flood area, home to Adam, Noah and Abraham. Located at the mouth of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the city of Babylon was formed from the deposits left by these two rivers. Babylon was 250 miles long and 50 miles wide.

The story of Babylon starts in Genesis and ends in Revelations. Had a long history and intertwined with Egypt and many others as we have seen. We will learn more as we study and research other areas of the Bible.

God's blessing to each of you,
LJG

BABYLON, Part Four

Year 581 B C Nebuchadnezzar came again, this is five years after the burning of Jerusalem, took another 745 captive (Jeremiah 52:30), this was after Jeremiah and a large group had already fled to Egypt (Jeremiah 43). This is when the ministry of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, three great prophets began.

100 years before it was predicated by Isaiah and Micah (Isaiah 39:6; Micah 4:10) that Judah would be in captivity by the Babylonians. Jeremiah said (Jeremiah 25:11-12) it would last for 70 years.

After 400 years, David’s earthly kingdom was ended. A spiritual revival was brought thru the arrival of Christ.

The destruction of Jerusalem could have been accomplished in 20 years by Nebuchadnezzar if he had wanted anything but tribute. Also, Daniel had been with him from the beginning and was friend and adviser to the king. Daniel may have had a lot to do with Nebuchadnezzar taking so long. But, because Judah made the alliance with Egypt caused Nebuchadnezzar to wipe Jerusalem off the map.

Chapter 4 of Daniel, we find Nebuchadnezzar having his dream of the tree. Daniel tells him the meaning, Nebuchadnezzar goes insane. Lives with and eats grass like the animals. Daniel also tells him he is going to lose his kingdom. He regains his sanity after admitting that God is the only Ruler. Nebuchadnezzar dies 561 B.C. In Chapter 5, the kingdom is taken over by King Belshazzar.



*KING JAMES AND THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION** H H HALLEY’S HANDBOOK OF THE BIBLE. Can be used by copyright law, if not taken word for word.

BABYLON, Part Three

Chapter 24:8-20, YEAR: 597 B.C., Jehoiachin was eighteen when his reign begin. Son of Jehoiakim, followed in his father’s evil doings and reigned only three months. Nebuchadnezzar stuck again. This time he took the rest of the temple treasures, treasures from the royal palace, all gold articles Solomon had made for the Temple. He took all of Jerusalem: all fighting men and artisans–for a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest of the land were left. Also taken to Babylon, was the entire force of fighting men strong and fit for war. Nebuchadnezaar made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle king, changed his name to Zedekiah.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king. Reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years. He did evil in the site of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end He cast them from His site.

Chapter 25, II kings, year 586 B. C. The year of the fall of Jerusalem.
Zedekiah rebelled against the King of Babylon. So, in the ninth year, tenth day, tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar and his whole army came against Jerusalem. Camped outside the walls til the eleventh year of Zedekiah’s reign. Finally, by the ninth day of the month four, the famine was so severe there was no food for the people of the city. Wall was broken in, the army came in during the night, near the king’s garden. Zedekiah had fled, was separated from his soldiers, and captured. He was taken before Nebuchadnezzar, saw his son’s killed before him, had his own eyes put out and was put in bronze shackles and taken back to Babylon.

II kings 25:8-30 Nebuaradan commander of the imperial guard was sent back to finish up Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. He burnt down the Temple, the royal palace, all the walls were broke down. All the people left were taken captive, even the ones that had pledge alliance to Nebuchadnezzar. Again the poorest of the people were left to tend the vineyards and fields. They took all the bronze pillars and all that were made of pure silver or gold. He even took the pots, shovels, wick trimmers and dishes made of bronze from the temple. He took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank and the three doorkeepers, officers in charge of the fighting men, five royal advisers, secretary of conscripting and sixty of his men captive. Nebuzaradan took them all back to Riblah where Nebuchadnezzar was. There the King had them all put to death.

Gedaliah was put in charge by Nebuchadnezzar over those left in the land. When Ishmael heard that Gedaliah was in charge he went there. Gedaliah took an oath to assure them they had nothing to fear if they would serve the king. Ishmael, who was of royal blood, assassinated Gedaliah, and the men of Judah and the Babylonians. At this point, all the people for the greatest to the lowest including the army officer fled to Egypt out of fear of the Babylonians.

In the thirty-seventh year of Jehoiachin’s exile, Nebuchadnezzar released him, set him up higher than the other kings there with Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiachin was given a daily allowance by the king, put on his new clothes and set at the king's table for the rest of his life.

*KING JAMES AND THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION** H H HALLEY’S HANDBOOK OF THE BIBLE. Can be used by copyright law, if not taken word for word.

BABYLON, Part two

Would you believe at one time the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was One of the Seven Wonders of the World? Built by Nebuchadnezzar for his Median wife. She was the daughter of Cyaxeres, who had helped his father capture Nineveh. The gardens were built on tiers of arches, one over the other. There were flowers, trees and shrubs which were on solid platforms, 400 feet square. They used hydraulic pumps to draw water from the river to water the Gardens and roof top plants. Underneath this were apartments used for pleasure. They were built while Daniel was chief governor of the wise men of Babylon.

Processional Street, the great royal and scared road, you came in at the North, gradually went up and came to the palace grounds the Northwest corner, went through Ishtar’s gate, high over the city’s center, slowly went down to the Southwest corner of the Tower of Babylon wall, turned West to the river bridge. Both sides had high defensive walls 20 feet thick. On these walls were highly glazed, brilliant multi-colored relief's of lions. The streets were paved with stone slabs, 3 feet square. Near the entrance to the palace the blocks are still in their place, just as they were when Daniel walked over them. (Koldeway uncovered the Gardens and this area).

The destruction of the City of Babylon prophesied, Isaiah 13:17:22 and Jeremiah 51:37-43, (only Isaiah quoted here), Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. There bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it e dwelt in from generation to generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful (weird) creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (he-goats, hairy one) shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons (jackals) in their pleasant palaces and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

Remained an important city all through the Persian Period. Had not death stopped Alexander the Great, he would have restored its glory. Declined after him. By the time of Christ it no longer had its supremacy of political and commercial importance. In the first century A.D. the greater part of the city was in ruins. Its bricks have been used in building Baghdad and repairing canals. It is not inhabited as was prophesied. There is one small village at the Southwest corner.

God's blessings on each of you,

LJG

SAME SOURCES USED

BABYLON, NEBUCHANEZZAR AND DANIEL'S CITY

Nebuchanezzar is the King that threw Daniel in the fiery furnace. Because Daniel wouldn't stop worshiping God and worship the king of Babylon . We know that he depended on Daniel. We know that Daniel was taken captive in his early youth. Carried to Babylon where he lived thru the whole period of captivity. Occupied high office in both the Babylonian and Persian Empires. Daniel told him what his dreams meant. But what else do we know? Let’s just take a few days and look at the history of Babylon, Nebuchanezzar and his coming and goings.

So let’s go to ancient Babylon.
The ancient’s world wonder city and home of Daniel’s ministry. Built around the Towel of Babel, the Garden of Eden was in the same region. The area was considered the cradle of the human race. The city was the favorite place to live for the Babylonian, Assyrian and Persian kings. Would you believe, even for Alexander the Great? Babylon was brought to glory and power during Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar life's. It was a commanding city throughout the pre-Christian era. Nebuchadnezzar reigned for 45 years and never did get tired of building and making the temples and palaces places of great beauty.

The walls of Babylon was 60 miles around, the sides were 15 miles, height 300 feet, thickness, 80 feet. The walls were buried 35 feet below the ground, so enemies weren't able to dig tunnels beneath. The bricks used were 1 foot square somewhere between 2 to 4 inches thick. The city itself was about 1/4 mile of clear space from the walls. For further protection there were water filled moats. The moats were deep and wide. Two hundred fifty towers were atop the wall. There rooms for the soldiers, there were 100 brass gates. On the banks of the Euphrates, which divided the city in half, had brick walls all the way around them. There were 25 gates for access to the streets, boat ramps, the bridge, built up on stone pillars, was ½ mile long, the width was 30 feet. There were drawbridges that were removed at night. There was a bridge underneath the bridge, height 12 feet, width 15 feet. The Excavations have just about proven what the historians of ancient times have told. (The Palace ruins were uncovered by Koldewey. He states that the Throne room walls were 20 feet thick. Three walls protected the North side of the Palace, fifty feet thick walls were just north from them. There were more massive walls and then you have the Inner Wall of the City. There were parallel walls, again made of brick, 20 feet thick and 40 feet apart, rubble filled these space(for a total thickness of 80 feet), within ½ mile from the other walls. In a war, this place was one place you simply couldn’t get into).

From all appearances Babylon was very religious due to the 53 temples and Ishtar altars, 180 of them. Isaiah 14:4 refers to the city as the “golden city. The Euphrates valley was also home to the Great Marduk Temple, it was beside the Tower of Babylon. This tower was the most marvelous place to worship. Inside were the following items: a golden table on which a golden image of Bel sat, weighing in at about 50,000 lbs. On top images made out of gold of Ishtar and Bel. Two golden lions, also made of gold. There was a figure of a human, height 18 feet, a table, 15 feet in width by 40 feet high both made of gold.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon (Daniel 3:1). Could this been between the Tower of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar?

Daniel went to King Nebuchadnezzar’s place a lot, which was one of the most magnificent buildings ever built by man.

SOURCES:
King James, the New International Version Bibles
H H Halley's Bible Handbook

PRAYER

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.

However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?" "My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."

"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"
"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you!

If you are one of the 7% who will stand up for him forward this with the title "I am one of the 7%." 93% of people won't forward this.

Sent to me by my best friend and sister,Donna, on September 15, 2006. I just had to share this with everyone. Something that I haven't ever thought of. God is good.

God's blessing on each of you,

LJG

NEVER MOCK GOD!

Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the end...

It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Here are some men and women who mocked God:

JOHN LENNON:
Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:
"Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, Today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil):
During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.

CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet):
During a show in Canecão ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you."
He died at the age of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.

THE MAN WHO BUILT TITANIC:
After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said:
"Not even God can sink it"
The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.

MARILYN MONROE:
She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:
"I don't need your Jesus".
A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.

BON SCOTT:
The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:
"Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell".
On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.

CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005
In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pic k up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter - holding her hand, who was already seated in the car:
"MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU."
She responded:
"ONLY IF HE (GOD) TRAVELS IN THE BOOT, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL"
Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the boot was intact. The police said there was no way the boot could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the boot was a crate of eggs, none were broken.....
Boot means trunk.

Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.

JESUS!!!

P.S: If it was a joke, you could have sent it to everyone. So are you going to have courage to send this?. I have done my part, Jesus said
"If you are embarrassed about me, I will also be embarrassed about you before my father."

What benefit does it have, if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul? What can man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).

Sent by my son and daughter in marriage today, September 19, 2006. Sorry, don't know who the original author is. But towhoever it is a "big thank you" for writing and sharing.

LJG

YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED

rECj will be away for a while. I know ya'll will miss her as much as I do. Let's join together in prayer to assure she will be back soon.

I am going to try to hold the fort down til her return. Please bear with me. I cannot hold a candle to her talents and abilities. Her writings were posted all last week in tribute. As you can see, her every fibre is concentrated on the Lord, trusting, walking, talking and living the faith only God can give.

She is a blessing to all of us whose life's she has touched and will continue to touch in her work and walk for the Lord.

I love you.

LJG

The Moon

So big and bright
shining in the night
Sometimes alone
sometimes with stars
Sometimes big
sometimes small
but is always right
Showing a light
for all to see
causing the darkness
to flee
Gaze on the moon
tonight so that your
heart will know
my love is being
sent to thee

for you, my sweet
niece 9-18-06 LJG

TELL GOD HOW BIG YOUR PROBLEM IS!

Friend, I know God has heard my prayer but the problem is still here. Have you done that. I am sure guilty of it. In fact I don't know anyone who isn't. Let's take a step further and see how many "ME TOO's" I can get. Lord I know Your Word says I am healed, and Lord I believe You and Lord I know its done, I believe it Lord, but Lord help me with the unbelief, and I plead the blood over it, but Lord I still hurt, the pain is here and here and it hurts so bad. Lord please stop it Lord. You know I love You Lord why can't I see the healing Lord? Okay I over did it a little, or maybe I didn't.

Guilty as charged! The first time you go to God and tell Him your problem and ask Him to fix it according to His Word, you open the door for Him to go to work on that problem. He knew about the problem before you came to Him. For God to operate you have to bring it to Him, and bring it with His Word. If it is healing then bring a healing scripture. If it is finances bring a prosperity verse. Boldly go before the Lord and ask for what you need with His Word before you. Then leave the problem alone. If it hurts tell it God said I am healed and I am. If it's money and the lights get cut off, tell it I shall prosper. Do not go to God and tell Him how big your problem is, tell your problem how big God is. And then watch what happens. God is made strong in our weakness. When we have done all we can do tell God and STAND and watch what He can do.

As a young Christian one of my hardest lessons to learn was to wait on the hand of the Lord. Then a time came and the lights were off, it was the heat of summer. But this time I stood and I stood , and I stood. The entire time I stood that house was so cool at night we had to sleep with quilts. Nobody knew the lights were off. We had water and we had gas to cook. At night we used lanterns so even a neighbor who thought the lights were off said no their power is on I see lights every night. I got blessed with a job that didn't keep a week in the hole. I took that money and went to the light company and said here this is all I have right now, what is the balance I will pay the rest next week. That lady looked at me and said honey I will not take all your money and I will split the balance up into monthly installments. She told me it is Friday and close to closing time, I will have your lights on first thing Monday morning. Do you think I cried because I would have to wait a few more days, no I walked out of there with my daughter and all the way home we told God how good He was and the lights were on when we got there.

The Word of God says He will not make me shamed, even though I was learning I was not shamed. If you listen to most any Pastor talk about the beginning of their ministry you will hear many stories like that. We did not talk about the problem we talked about the answer.

Whatever your problem is today I ask you to take it before the Lord and leave it with Him and then when it comes to mind say thank you Jesus I know that is taken care of. One thing I love to do when I get a pain is claim my healing and then I sing praises to God. It works every time because God and the devil cannot be in the same place. The devil has to flee at the sound of God's Name.

As always we are yours in Christ,

rECj/LJG

IN TIME OF NEED

IN MY TIME OF NEED I CALL TO YOU
AND YOU HEAR ME
I SING TO YOU
BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO HEAR MY PRAISE
AND I WALK AND I TALK WITH YOU
AND JOY SURROUNDS ME
MY LOAD IS LIFTED
THE WEIGHT IS REMOVED
I LOOK TO THE SKY AND KNOW YOU MADE ME
YOU FORMED ME BEFORE THE EARTH
YOU WHO DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES
YOU FORMED ME OUT OF CLAY
BREATHED LIFE INTO MY SOUL
I AM YOUR CHILD, YOUR BELOVED
YOU ARE WORTHY OF MY LOVE AND
I AM WORTHY OF YOUR LOVE
TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS AND HOLD ME
AS A CHILD WHO RUNS TO HER DADDY
I RUN TO YOU WITH ARMS OPEN
AND YOU PICK ME UP AND YOU LOVE ME
AS LOVE HAS NEVER BEEN LOVED BEFORE
NOR WILL EVER BE LOVED MORE.

rECj 2006

A PRAYER FOR YOU

MAY THE LORD ABOVE WHO CREATED YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE BLESS YOU ON THIS DAY AND ENLARGE YOUR TERRITORY WITH A NEW PERSON TO WITNESS TO, MAY THE SUNSHINE ON YOUR FACE AND THE BIRDS SING FOR YOUR PLEASURE.

MAY GOD IN HIS WISDOM GIVE YOU A SPECIAL DAY FILLED WITH HIS LOVE SURROUNDING YOU AND PROTECTING YOU FROM ALL HARM. MAY THE HEALING PRESENCE OF HIS HAND TOUCH YOUR BODY AND GIVE YOU A JOY YOU DESIRE. A JOY TO DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO.

LORD I THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE HEARD MY PRAYER AND THAT IT IS BEING ANSWERED EVEN AS I CLOSE THIS PRAYER TO YOU. I LOVE YOU LORD AND GIVE YOU ALL THE GLORY.

rECj/LJG

JUST FOR YOU

I wasn't aware of what it was
Time does that to us
We live our life's
Going forward on paths
Never crossing
Never talking
Living life's full
Of all kinds of things
Then out of the sky
A dove passes by
We turn and see
God knew there was a need
The bird you saw today
Is the bird I see tomorrow!

rECj written for Aunt Linda at 2:30 this morning

FAITHFUL

Our preacher, John Sweat, Jr, preached from I Samuel 17:13-23. He started with this: "David was a nobody, who came from a family of nobody's." Which is true. They tended sheep. When it was time for Saul to anoint a new king, God rejected all but one and that was David. After David was anointed he went straight back to tending the sheep.

When God backed off and let an evil spirit come upon Saul, his advisor's told him of one that could play the harp and sooth him during these spells with the spirit. He sent for David. Where was David? Tending the sheep.

Preacher said: "David was FAITHFUL. Unlike most of us today would say, David didn't run home to daddy and tell him he could no longer tend the sheep cause he had been in the court of kings. David wrestled a bear and lion in order to protect their sheep. When it came time for the 9 foot 9 giant to be killed once again David was called. Again, he was found tending sheep.

Some people will ask the preacher for a mission to do for God and when told that mission is only to be a janitor, handy man, or some other lowly job, they refuse. They want to be in the limelight not in the background." Isn't that like so many of us today? We don't want to be like David, FAITHFUL in tending the lowly sheep. We want to be in the front of everything so we can be seen. God needs people behind the scene as well. People we never hear about or see.

Some people talk, others do, then others sweep up behind everyone. No matter what the mission God has chosen for us to do, we are to be FAITHFUL to that mission. To always thank God for the mission He has chosen for us. To always be ready to kill a giant if called upon by God to do so.

God's blessings on each of you,
LJG/rECj

MARY MAGDALENE

She was loved by Jesus above the other women in His circle of friends. She was mentioned first (Matthew 27:56 & 61, 28:1; Mark 15:40 & 47, 16:1 & 9; Luke 8:2, 24:10; John 19:25, 20:1, & 18) and is the most prominent and outstanding leader among the women. Mary Magdalene was the first one Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. She was one of those who ministered of their substance to Him. Which means she was more than likey a wealthy woman. She was cleansed of seven demons, which some scholars say means she was a harlot. Demons consist of illness and disease of kinds, the question is are demons causing us to have immorality?

There is another Mary in the previous chapter who was a prostitute (Luke 7 36-50) and should not be confused with Mary Magdalene, who had an unblemished character. Surely Jesus would not have a common prostitute as the major woman leading of His group of women. Or would He?

In John 20:1-2 we find her and the other women at the tomb, joined there by Peter and John (Luke 24:12), who may have been staying at the home of John. Mary the mother of Jesus was staying at his home as well. Then the other women leave. Mary Magdalene was sitting alone, she thought, crying her heart out. She couldn't and didn't understand what Jesus had said about He would ARISE on the 3rd day. Her heart was breaking. She loved Him and His body was gone. Then Jesus appeared standing right beside her. He called her name and in that moment all the grief was gone. It was His voice. She knew that voice. Her beloved Jesus was alive. He had AROSE.

Now I ask you, was Mary Magdalene a harlot? I don't know and don't care. All I know is that Jesus has forgiven my sins, which in His eyes and the worlds eye, are just as bad as being a harlot. Is that the worst that happen's in a woman's life? I don't think so. If she was Jesus did forgive her and remembered no more what she was BEFORE she came to him. He loved her.

Why do we, as God's children, only want to go after the ones that have no sins? Or so they think. What is the purpose of trying to save only the good people? Shouldn't we be willing to go out after the ones walking around in all kinds of sin? To bring them to God's bosom, to give them love and understanding? Do we ever fall, fail or plain just don't do as we should to help others? Then why should we not realize that in others as well and be there for them?

Shouldn't this be foremost on what our minds, He forgave us, remembers no more and He loves us. How can we not give back to the ones needing it?

God's blessings on each of you,
LJG/rECj

GROWING PAINS

As I learn more about You
it hurts
Because I have to look at the
inside of me
Searching myself and
seeing
How short I fall
from You
I need to grow and
that hurts
But it makes me stronger
in You.

rECj

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

Lord hear me today and deliver me. I want so to do Your will in my life. I feel I have failed You. The burden that is on me is too much. I am weary from the battle, my soul cries out for You to give me peace.

Everyday I wake to the same problem and it seems to get worst with each day. I have tried everything I know to do, and still the glimmers of change I see, which give me joy for a moment, do not last.

I am being attacked on all sides, and I know You are the only true release. I have tried other ways in the past, they did not work.

I wait on You, do not let me fall. I love You so much; and never enough compared to the love You have for me.

You tell me the past is over, forgotten, and You gave me promises that I know You shall keep. Let me feel Your loving touch. Let me know You are here. I feel so alone right now. Empty.

I reach out my hand to You, and it doesn't matter what I feel or don't feel. I know You are there and You love me and for this moment that is enough.

It’s enough for the moment because I know in my heart that Your promises are going to take place. I believe I receive.

The battle is Yours. I will see victory. Praise the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Does that sound like you some days? I have found that when I talk to Jesus in bad times His Word comes to my mind and the peace I seek comes with the Word. I hold on to that and because I know who I am. I know I have the victory in Jesus.

As we grow in the Lord the bad times do not lessen. If we look to the great men of the Old and New Testament we see where in their weaknesses they called upon the Lord. Many of the Psalms are calling out to the Lord in times of distress.

Psalm 6:2, 3 & 8, 9 AMP

2 Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak [faint and withered away]; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3 My [inner] self [as well as my body] is also exceedingly disturbed and troubled, But You, O Lord, how long until You return, and speak peace to me.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord receives my prayer.

By reading God’s word we can see many cases of men crying out to God, and God receiving their supplications [prayers]. Do not back away at these times. Instead run, run as fast as you can into the arms of the Father. He was standing there all the time waiting for you.

rECj/LJG

MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS

From the very beginning of time God has put into place a set of boundaries to bring us out of our messes. He has a way out of any and every situation we can think of to get into. There is a
place to run to in times of trouble for safety and refuge. When we do what God tells us to do we are rescued. But again we have problems and the cycle is repeated.

As Christians we have the right to go to the altar again and again. There is no limit on how many times we can ask for forgiveness. This does not mean we try to stay in sin, or be comfortable in sin. We are to ask for deliverance for those problems that we repeat. We are to strive to be like Him, but when we do fail we can run to Him for forgiveness.

God's Word say's "He that dwell in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Him will I trust." What mighty words from our Father to us. Trust Him, no matter what happens trust Him. Even when we fail trust Him. He will be there waiting for us.

rECj

GOOD NEWS

GOD NEWS
OUR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IS UP AND RUNNING
Please visit the site and feel free to your comments and suggestions.
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&ext=1&groupid=328096&ck=
Thank you,

rECj/LJG


DO NOT JUDGE

Today I want to travel down a off beat path with you.. I am going to describe a person and I want you to take a guess at what they do for a living.

Willing to take a risk
Willing to go against the norm,
Willing to lose friends and family
Willing to serve time
Willing to put in overtime, nights and weekends
Willing to be bold
Willing to deal with the outcast of society
Willing to know people look at you as an outcast
Willing to be woke up at all hours
Willing to be approached anywhere, even when you have plans
Willing to give up your life for your work
Willing to have /carry protection

Okay do you think you have the answer? What abilities does it take to be a Christian? Before I give you the answer I want you to think back to who Jesus had around Him. Oh He did have some rich people who came to Him, and even invited Jesus to their homes. But on the whole, the people who traveled in Jesus close circle of friends were not the cream of society. We don’t wonder why this was, Jesus Himself told us the healthy do not need a doctor. The people who needed Him were those considered to be the sinful.
We are never to judge a person by their looks, you never know who you are talking to. The abilities above might belong to any of the ones that followed Jesus.

Have you got an answer yet? Well, they are the abilities of a drug dealer.
Hope you enjoyed this one. Take a minute to think about abilities you have that can be used for Jesus, and use them for that purpose.

rECj/LJG

THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

Charles Darwin suggested
An idea that’s been accepted
A hypothesis without testing
There are dots that need connecting
Our youth are taught to regard it
As the fact of how it started
For some time we’ve been ignoring
Come on Christians let’s go exploring
It’s time to sing a new song
I didn’t come here from any monkey
But My Father is bigger than King Kong
‘Cells arrive only from existing cells’
Is the principal of biology?
But where did the 1st cell come from?
Your glossary holds no such terminology
Scientists know theories
Explanations from know facts
Is the ‘scientific conclusion’
What an opinion lacks?
So you find bones in dust
Write down and photograph what you see
And from that you teach me history-
Or is it biology- or just your story?
Evidence from your observations
Give you no clue of my origin
With your naked eye you can’t view me
Macro or micro with your scope
In your laboratory
‘Scientists will NEVER know exactly how life began’
This statement came from your textbook
And you still attempt to explain
Just admit you don’t understand-
That you cannot claim
To know the power of the creation of man
For it is out of your reach
Beyond your thinking span
There’s only so much the brain can do
Your heart holds the master plan
The yellow brick road to the Spirit realm
Where Christians reach above sinking sands
We now join hands for which we stand
‘One Nation Under God’
Our 1st Amendment Rights We Demand!
We can’t rewind Columbine
But now has come a time
Leaving fear and shame behind
We allow our SUN to shine
‘Let there be light’
God named the expanse sky
Gathered the waters and made the ground dry
You-sea-You–land, vegetation and trees
Then came living things
Birds with wings and human beings
Man was formed from dust and
God’s breathe of life
Then from Adams’s rib-came his wife
*This was the Beginning of Life
Why should it not be taught in school?
Public, from Pre-K to College
Parents, check your knowledge
Stop allowing your children to be used
Their minds are being brainwashed
With crafty-man tools
Let’s not just sit back and allow
Robots to be produced
Water our youth’s roots with the truth
Plant seeds that sprout juicy fruit
Although some branches get intwined with weeds
Abide in the True Vine
Believe what you can’t see
With Faith that strong
We can turn that rule around Bring God back into school
TOWN by TOWN
The big bad wolf can’t blow your house down
If you’ve laid your foundation on solid ground
For God is your shield, your very great reward
Keep your mind stayed on Jesus and continue to
Press On!

TASHA

GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR

Nobody can tell me that God does not have a sense of humor. You have to have a sense of humor to tell a 90+ year old man his 90+ year old wife is going to have a baby. We would know it was the hand of God if she would have gotten pregnant at 60, but 90, I can understand why the woman laughed. In my own life there have been too many times to count that God has caused me to laugh.

One of my favorites is the time He knocked on the door, I am in the shower grabbed a towel and ran to look out the window. There was no one there. Again a knock on the door and as I ran to look again I hear His voice telling me naked I came into the world and naked I stand before Him. . I stopped and said ‘what’ Naked you came into the world and naked you stand before Me I hear again. Well I just stood there and thought yes I did and with joy I laughed.

Today was a laughing day. I am in the mist of standing and believing what I do not see, about a certain thing in my life. My wonderful daughter sits down and starts telling me about looking for a church. Now about a week ago this child of mine read some scriptures to me, when I was morning the lost of my beloved uncle. Then a few days later I walked into her room and found laying on the night stand scriptures wrote out in her handwriting about Call on the Lord thy God and thy shall be saved. Now here she is telling me she is looking for a church to attend. It hit me later when I had some quite time. This is not what I am standing about right now. I have claimed the scriptures that my children will be saved and believe it. But this well I sat down and said Lord here I am focusing my attention on this important need right now and here You go and start the work in my daughter.

I am glad God works in the way He does; it showed me that in His time He will answer my prayers. It was a reminder that He is in control, and as for the need I am standing on, well I know that He has His hand on it, and I will see the answer when He knows the time is right. And when I stop and look at it, I can see things that are a result of not seeing my answer right away. It has opened the door for other things to happen for other people. Yes God has a sense of humor and I will laugh with joy and be glad in Him.

Lord today I thank You for all you are doing in our life’s. The doors that You are opening and the talents and abilities that You are bringing to life in us. You are teaching us so much and we rejoice in that. It would be so much easier to see our prayer answered immediately, but we see so much more that is happening because it has not been answered. Thank You for revealing this to us.

We love You and Praise You,

rECj/LJG

MY UMBRELLA

In describing my walk with Jesus to people, many times I have used the following story. It is easy to understand and relate to. I hope you enjoy it

Having asked Jesus into my life I started down the new path that He had laid out for me. Jesus is walking along on the path holding a big open umbrella, I walk beside Him under His covering. Because I am with Him, He leads me I am prepared for stumbles on my path. If by chance I do fall, His hand reaches out to pick me up.

Occasionally on my walk ‘the grass looks greener on the other paths’ and without asking I step off my path to go look. Many times I looked and said ‘hold it’ and backed myself up. There have been times the pure splendor of wild flowers have caught my eyes and I picked a few; only to find the thorns cut into my skin and a virus crawled into my flesh. Each time though when I lifted my head with shame, Jesus was standing right where I left Him, holding the umbrella waiting for my return. As years go by I have found that as I walk and see paths going this way and that, if I turn and ask, Jesus will always tell me no not this way.

One day as we came to a path I turned and looked at Jesus to see what He would say. This time He said take the path. As I rounded the corner I saw beauty beyond belief. I had to ask, “Jesus it is so beautiful, why did it take so long to get here?’ He replied, “My child, I waited each time you stepped off the path and toke a wrong turn without me. You my child would have seen it sooner if you would have asked before you took the wrong turns. But all that time it was here waiting for you.”

Jesus is always there. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. The path is narrow but under His covering we can reach where He wants us to go.

rECj/LJG