God's Way

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 18:30-34

Some people think that belief in God is a crutch for weak people who cannot make it on their own. God is indeed a shield to protect us when we are too weak to face certain trials by ourselves, but he does not want us to remain weak. He strengthens, protects, and guides us in order to send us back into an evil world to fight for him. And then he continues to work with us, because the strongest person on earth is infinitely weaker than God and needs his help. David was not a coward; he was a mighty warrior who, even with all his armies and weapons, knew that only God could ultimately protect and save him. God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but he does not promise to eliminate them. If he gave us no rough roads to walk, no mountains to climb, and no battles to fight, we would not grow. He does not leave us alone with our challenges, however. Instead, he stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.

God Bless you,

JH

The Eyes of the Lord

The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:18-22

This is not an ironclad guarantee that all believers will be delivered from death and starvation. Thousands of Christian saints have been beaten to death, whipped, fed to the lions, or executed. God can (and often miraculously does) delivers his followers from pain and death, though sometimes, for purposes known only to him, he chooses not to. When faced with these harsh realities, we must focus on the wise judgments of God. The writer was pleading for God's watchful care and protection. In times of crisis, we can place our hope in God.

God bless you,

JH

Eatmore Flax snacks (chewy Omega 3 bars)

I've never concerned myself with the benefits of Omega 3. I don't think I have a cholesterol problem, my skin is good.... omega 3 diets are for sick people and I'm NOT sick. I started eating yellow flax because it looks good, and when I put it in my FLAX SNAPS or in these chewy bars it is so GOOD I can't stop eating it.

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup corn syrup
1 tbsp margarine
3 cups roasted yellow flax
1 cup raisins

Heat the corn syrup,sugar, and margarine together over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the peanut butter. Remove from heat and mix in the flax and raisins. Roll out on a greased cookie sheet, cut with a pizza cutter. Refrigerate.

The Truth

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

By "they" Paul was referring to the young Christians of Colosse and Laodicea. Paul knew that as young Christians, many of them would be steered away from the faith by false teachings and heresy. It was Paul's intention through this letter to remind the church what it's purpose was: to encourage fellow Christians to remain true to the faith, to hold on to their very strength in Christ and to carry on His work by sharing the Good News with others. That reminder is as important today as it was when Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians. We must encourage one another through all types of trials, to stand firm, to stand in the gap for one another in love, and to continue to profess the Good News of Jesus Christ, even when, especially when, it is unpopular to do so. People need to hear the Truth.

God bless you,

JH

God Is With You

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my the victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

God chose Israel through Abraham because he wanted to, not because the people deserved it. Although God chose the Israelites to represent him to the world, they failed to do this; as a result God sent them into captivity. Now all believers are God's chosen people through Jesus Christ, and all share the responsibility of representing him to the world. One day, God will bring all his faithful people together. We need not fear, because God is with us, God has established a relationship with us, and God gives us assurance of his strength, help, and the victory over sin and death. He is there when we don't see him. He is there when we don't recognize his presence in the circumstances of our lives. We have been granted victory. We have been granted strength. It is up to us to receive it.

God Bless you,

JH

Blessed part 3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the councel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

There is simple wisdom in these verses-the more we delight in God's presence, the more fruitful we are. When Scripture says, "whatever he does prospers," it does not mean immunity from failure or difficulties. Nor is the guarantee of health, wealth, and happiness. What the Bible means by prosperity is this: when we apply God's wisdom, the fruit (the results) we bear will be good and receive God's approval. Just as a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we also are also to soak up God's Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God. To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God's Word in our hearts.

God bless you,

JH

Blessed part 2

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the councel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

This "law of the Lord" means all of Scripture: the first five books of Moses, the Prophets, and all other writings. The more we know the whole scope of God's Word, the more resources we will have to guide us in our daily decisions. You can learn how to follow God by meditating on his Word. Meditating means spending time reading and thinking about what you have read. It means asking yourself how you could change so you're living as God wants. Knowing and meditating on God's Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what He says.

God Bless you,

JH

Blessed part 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the councel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

The writer begins his psalm extolling the joys of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule him. Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways. If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will. This attitude is the same as mocking. Do your friends build up your faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help, not hinder, you to draw closer to God.

God Bless you,

J.H.

God's Grace

The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous, and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.

Isaiah 60:19-21

This wonderful picture of God's promise of eternal life, depicts two things that we see every day but oftentimes take for granted: the sun and moon. If either of those things were truly absent, the lives of everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike, would be thrown into complete and utter chaos. All we would know is darkness. The night we now know would be darker still if the moon were no longer there to lead us on our journey. God is reminding us that there are people all around us today who are in darkness right now; those who have not yet accepted the saving knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is patiently giving us this opportunity to share His love with others. His Spirit is going before us, making us righteous, and giving us the chance to share with others what we know to be the Truth. The day is coming, and will soon come, when our "sorrow will end." And I guarantee you, what is yet to come, is better than anything you can imagine.

God bless you,

JH

God's Protection

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God.

Psalm 34:1-3

In this chapter, God says that despite the people's spiritual failure, he will show them mercy, bring them back from captivity, and restore them. He would give them an outpouring of love, not wrath. Then the world would know that God alone had done this. God created Israel and made it special to him. God redeemed Israel and summoned them by name to be those who belong to him. God protected Israel in times of trouble. We are important to God as well, and he also summons us by name and gives us his name. When we bear God's wonderful name, we must be careful never do anything that would bring shame to it. Going through rivers of difficulty will either cause you to drown or force you to grow stronger. If you go in your own strength, you are more likely to drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you, he will protect you throughout your journey, day by day.

God Bless you,

JH

The Lord's Favor

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the garment of praise, instead of the spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Jesus quoted these words in Luke chapter 4. As he read to the people in the synagogue, he stopped in the middle of 61:2 after the words, "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Rolling up the scroll, he said, "Today this scriptures is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21). The next phrase in 61:2, "and the day of vengeance of our God," will come true when Jesus returns to earth again. We are now under God's favor. His wrath is yet to come. A sobering message indeed. Are you ready?

God bless you,

JH

Taste and See

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:7-8

"Taste and see" does not mean, "Check out God's credentials." Instead, it is a warm invitation: "Try this; I know you'll like it." When we take that first step of obedience in following God, we cannot help discovering that He is good and kind. When we begin walking in the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust Him daily, we experience how good He truly is.

God Bless you,

JH

The Fullness of God's Love

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God's love is total. It reaches every corner of our experience. It is wide - it covers the breadth of our experience, and it reaches out to the whole world. God's love is long - it continues the length of our lives. It is high - it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. His love is deep - it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God's love. "The fullness of God" is fully expressed only in Christ. In union with Christ, and through his empowering Spirit, we are complete. We have all the fullness of God available to us. But we must appropriate that fullness through faith and through prayer, as we daily live for him. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is also for you. You can ask the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of your life to the fullest.

God bless you,

JH

Wisdom and Knowledge and Praise

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings, and he deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Daniel 2:20-22

After Daniel asked God to reveal Nebuchadnezzar's dream to him, he saw a vision of the dream. Daniel's prayer was answered. Before rushing to Arioch with the news, Daniel took time to give God credit for all wisdom and power, thanking God for answering his request. How do you feel when your prayers are answered? Excited, surprised, relieved? There are times when we seek God in prayer, and after having been answered, dash off in our excitement, forgetting to give God credit for the answer. Match your persistence in prayer with gratitude when your requests are answered. If you ever think that you have much to learn in life, and if you ever wish that you knew more about how to handle people, then look to God for wisdom. While educational institutions provide diplomas at great expense, God gives wisdom freely to all who ask.

God Bless you,

JH

The Great Protector

I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber.

Psalm 121:1-3

This song expresses assurance and hope in God's protection day and night. God not only made the hills, but heaven and earth as well. We should never trust a lesser power than God himself. But not only is he all-powerful, he also watches over us. Nothing diverts or deters him. We are safe. We never outgrow our need for God's untiring watch over our lives.

God bless you,

JH