Only God Gives Financial Security
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV)
God is the one who provides for us when we have a need. This means he supplies for our financial needs.
In other words, I don’t look to an employer for my security. I don’t look to my savings for security. I don’t look to anyone or anything other than God to supply my needs.
Let me illustrate it this way: When I turn on the water, I don't think the water actually comes straight from the faucet. I know the water really comes from a reservoir. It just comes to me through the faucet.
In the same way, the income that God wants to give you may come through a job or through something else. But the source is always God.
This means you don’t need to worry about which faucet he uses to supply your needs. In a sense, he says, “If I turn off one faucet, I can just as easily turn on another. If you lose one job, I can give you another. I am your source, not your job. I am your source, not your bank account.”
Saddleback Resources offers a small group Bible study related to these devotionals: The Invisible War-Winning the Battle of Temptation.
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times Best Seller The Purpose Driven Life. His book, The Purpose Driven Church, was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors. © Copyright 2011 Rick Warren.
Superfoods and Biblical Diet
Top Superfoods Offering Super Health Protection (source: WebMD)
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Oats
- Oranges
- Pumpkin
- Salmon
- Soy
- Spinach
- Tea (green or black)
- Tomatoes
- Turkey
- Walnuts
- Yogurt
Biblical Foods (source: about.com)
Seasonings, Spices and Herbs
- Anise (Matthew 23:23 KJV)
- Coriander (Exodus 16:31; Numbers 11:7)
- Cinnamon (Exodus 30:23; Revelation 18:13)
- Cumin (Isaiah 28:25; Matthew 23:23)
- Dill (Matthew 23:23)
- Garlic (Numbers 11:5)
- Mint (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42)
- Mustard (Matthew 13:31)
- Rue (Luke 11:42)
- Salt (Ezra 6:9; Job 6:6)
Fruits and Nuts
- Apples (Song of Solomon 2:5)
- Almonds (Genesis 43:11; Numbers 17:8)
- Dates (2 Samuel 6:19; 1 Chronicles 16:3)
- Figs (Nehemiah 13:15; Jeremiah 24:1-3)
- Grapes (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 23:24)
- Melons (Numbers 11:5; Isaiah 1:8)
- Olives (Isaiah 17:6; Micah 6:15)
- Pistachio Nuts (Genesis 43:11)
- Pomegranates (Numbers 20:5; Deuteronomy 8:8)
- Raisins (Numbers 6:3; 2 Samuel 6:19)
- Sycamore Fruit (Psalm 78:47; Amos 7:14)
Vegetables and Legumes
- Beans (2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9)
- Cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)
- Gourds (2 Kings 4:39)
- Leeks (Numbers 11:5)
- Lentils (Genesis 25:34; 2 Samuel 17:28; Ezekiel 4:9)
- Onions (Numbers 11:5)
Grains
- Barley (Deuteronomy 8:8; Ezekiel 4:9)
- Bread (Genesis 25:34; 2 Samuel 6:19; 16:1; Mark 8:14)
- Corn (Matthew 12:1; KJV - refers to "grain" such as wheat or barley)
- Flour (2 Samuel 17:28; 1 Kings 17:12)
- Millet (Ezekiel 4:9)
- Spelt (Ezekiel 4:9)
- Unleavened Bread (Genesis 19:3; Exodus 12:20)
- Wheat (Ezra 6:9; Deuteronomy 8:8)
Fish
- Matthew 15:36
- John 21:11-13
Fowl
- Partridge (1 Samuel 26:20; Jeremiah 17:11)
- Pigeon (Genesis 15:9; Leviticus 12:8)
- Quail (Psalm 105:40)
- Dove (Leviticus 12:8)
Animal Meats
- Calf (Proverbs 15:17; Luke 15:23)
- Goat (Genesis 27:9)
- Lamb (2 Samuel 12:4)
- Oxen (1 Kings 19:21)
- Sheep (Deuteronomy 14:4)
- Venison (Genesis 27:7 KJV)
Dairy
- Butter (Proverbs 30:33)
- Cheese (2 Samuel 17:29; Job 10:10)
- Curds (Isaiah 7:15)
- Milk (Exodus 33:3; Job 10:10; Judges 5:25)
Miscellaneous
- Eggs (Job 6:6; Luke 11:12)
- Grape Juice (Numbers 6:3)
- Honey (Exodus 33:3; Deuteronomy 8:8; Judges 14:8-9)
- Locust (Mark 1:6)
- Olive Oil (Ezra 6:9; Deuteronomy 8:8)
- Vinegar (Ruth 2:14; John 19:29)
- Wine (Ezra 6:9; John 2:1-10)
Clean and Unclean Meats of the Bible: (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14)
*UNCLEAN MEATS OF THE BIBLE
"...YOU SHALL NOT EAT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:" LEVITICUS 11:4
LAND CREATURES
SWINE - Boar, Peccary, Pig (Hog), Bacon, Ham, Lard, Pork
CANINE - Coyote, Dog, Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wolf
FELINE - Cat, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Panther, Tiger
EQUINE - Donkey, Horse, Mule, Onager, Quagga, Zebra
MISCINE MUNIMUS - Badger, Coney, Hare, Monkey, Opossum, Porcupine, Raccoon, Skunk, Squirrel
MISCINE MAXIMUS - Bear, Camel, Elephant, Gorilla, Hippo, Kangaroo, Lama, Rhino, Wallaby
WATER CREATURES, lacking fins and scales
FISH - Catfish, Eel, Marlin, Shark, Sturgeon
HARD BODY - Abalone, Clam, Crab, Crayfish, Lobster, Mussel, Prawn, Oyster, Scallop, Shrimp
SOFT BODY - Cuttlefish, Jellyfish, Limpet, Octopus, Squid
SEA MAMMALS - Dolphin, Otter, Seal, Walrus, Whale
OTHERS - Crocodile, Turtle, Frog, Newt, Salamander, Toad, Lizard
"YOU MAY EAT ALL CLEAN BIRDS, BUT YOU SHALL NOT EAT THE FOLLOWING;" DEUTERONOMY 14:11
AIR CREATURES
Albatross, Bat, Bittern, Condor, Cormorant, Crane, Crow, Cuckoo, Eagle, Flamingo, Grosbeak, Gull, Hawk, Heron, Kite, Lapwing, Loon, Osprey, Ostrich, Owl, Pelican, Penguin, Plover, Raven, Stork, Swallow, Swan, Swift, Vulture, Water Hen, Woodpecker
*CLEAN MEATS OF THE BIBLE
"OF ALL THE LAND ANIMALS THESE ARE THE ONES YOU MAY EAT:" LEVITICUS 11:2
LAND CREATURES
CATTLE - Beef, Hamburger, Veal
SHEEP - Lamb, Mutton
OTHERS - Antelope, Buffalo (Bison), Caribou, Deer (Venison), Elk, Gazell, Giraffe, Goat, Hart, Ibex, Moose, Reindeer, Locust
"OF ALL THE VARIOUS CREATURES THAT LIVE IN THE WATER, YOU MAY EAT THE FOLLOWING:" LEVITICUS 11:9
WATER CREATURES
Anchovy, Bass, Bluefish, Carp, Cod, Croppie, Flounder, Grouper, Grunt, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, Mackerel, Minnow, Perch, Pickerel, Pike, Rockfish, Salmon, Shad, Smelt, Snapper, Sole, Steelhead, Sunfish, Tarpon, Tuna (Albacore, Bonita, Yellowtail)
AIR CREATURES
Chickens, Dove, Duck, Goose, Grouse, Partridge, Peacock, Pheasant, Pigeon, Songbird, Sparrow, Quail, Turkey
-My opinion is that you will be much healthier eating His way and science will eventually prove that God has always been right. Your thoughts???
Thanksgiving prayers and poems
Though our mouths were full of song as the sea,
and our tongues of exultation as the multitude of its waves,
and our lips of praise as the wide-extended firmament;
though our eyes shone with light like the sun and the moon,
and our hands were spread forth like the eagles of heaven,
and our feet were swift as hinds,
we should still be unable to thank thee and bless thy name,
O Lord our God and God of our fathers,
for one thousandth or one ten thousandth part of the bounties which thou has bestowed upon our fathers and upon us.
--from the Hebrew Prayer Book
"Thanksgiving"
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
"Moravian Blessing"
Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be
And bless these gifts
Bestowed by Thee.
And bless our loved ones everywhere,
And keep them in Your loving care.
"We Give Thanks"
Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.
--Harry Jewell
***Feel free to share yours or whatever you are thankful for. It doesn't matter the day since His mercies are brand new each morning...
Bible authenticity
"Over a period of 1,600 years, 40 different authors wrote the 66 booksof the Bible. There were 400 silent years between the 39 books of theOld Testament and the 27 of the New Testament. Yet, Genesis toRevelation tell one unified story." (Our Daily Bread, 10/29) It would beclose to impossible to make the scriptures as unified over that span.
It's only an approximation because no one knows the exact number. Adding up the number of years from before the time of Moses, to just after the apostle John finished the book of Revelation. Many people believe that Job lived before God's people left Egypt. That happened around 1450 B.C. The book of Revelation was finished around A.D. 100. So, from 1500 B.C. (just before the time of Moses) to A.D. 100 is 1,600 years.
It is also believed that scripture was being written only when God guided someone through inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16). This means there were long stretches of time when no one was writing. For instance, there was a silence of about 400 years between the death of the last Old Testament prophet and the coming of John the Baptist.
Your thoughts?
"Inquiry into Healthy Living" by Mack
My name is Mack. I am a 28 year old and for the past 5 years, I have had a heightened interest in the physical and mental health and wellness of myself and others. I have family members and friends who have sought my advice on becoming healthier, but people have so many different health issues, that it is hard to give advice that works for the masses. Some people are overweight while others are underweight. Many people have eating disorders that are not necessarily reflected by their weight. I want to be able to help my family and friends achieve their long term health goals, but I would like a better understanding of how people with various health issues think. I want to know…
For individuals who are overweight:
What is it physically like to be overweight? (Please explain if being overweight makes you feel tired, weak, etc. Also, in your response, please write your age, height, and weight.)
Does your being physically overweight affect you mentally? If yes, how? (Do you have a higher/lower self-esteem? Are you depressed? Etc.)
If your weight affects you mentally in a negative way, have you sought professional advice on controlling your weight? If yes, has the advice helped?
If the professional advice has not helped, do you believe there is a specific reason why it was unbeneficial? Please explain.
For individuals who are underweight:
What is it physically like to be underweight? (Please explain if being underweight makes you feel tired, weak, etc. Also, in your response, please write your age, height, and weight.)
Does your being physically underweight affect you mentally? If yes, how? (Do you have a higher/lower self-esteem? Are you depressed? Etc.)
If your weight affects you mentally in a negative way, have you sought professional advice on controlling your weight? If yes, has the advice helped?
If the professional advice has not helped, do you believe there is a specific reason why it was unbeneficial? Please explain.
For individuals with an eating disorder:
What is your eating disorder? Please give a definition or brief description of the disorder.
What is it physically like to have an eating disorder? (Please explain whether the disorder makes you tired, weak, etc.)
Does your eating disorder affect you mentally? If yes, how? (Do you have a higher/lower self-esteem? Are you depressed? Etc.)
If your eating disorder affects you mentally in a negative way, have you sought professional advice on controlling your disorder? If yes, has the advice helped?
If the professional advice has not helped, do you believe there is a specific reason why it was unbeneficial? Please explain.
Success stories:
Were you overweight, have an eating disorder, or a different health related issue? (Please be specific.)
What made you decide you needed to change? (Life or death circumstances, left a stressful job, etc.)
How long has it been since you have changed?
How were you able to continue your successful ways? (Prayer, family support, personal determination, etc.)
If there are any other health issues that someone feels open and honest enough to share, please feel free to post them. Let us know the health issue, how you are coping with it, and if you have been successful in the fight for your health.
*The information shared is of a sensitive and personal nature. Please be respectful of others and their lives. Also, refrain from posting insensitive or hateful messages. They may be deleted and blocked!
Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus is one of the most important books in the world. Handwritten well over 1600 years ago, the manuscript contains the Christian Bible in Greek...
http://www.codex-sinaiticu
Metanoeo
Sabbath
*Shabbat is observed from sundown Friday until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. Shabbat shalom (שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם) is a common greeting used on Shabbat.
God and the Government
"Our laws and our institutions
must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer
of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense
and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically
Christian." - United States Supreme Court, 1892.
While making certain not to endorse any denomination of religion over another, the founders of this nation made it emphatically clear that the principles upon which this Nation was built are based squarely upon the Bible.
Virtually every one of the 55 writers and signers of the United States Constitution were members of various Christian denominations: 29 were Anglicans, 16 to 18 were Calvinists, 2 were Methodists, 2 were Lutherans, 2 were Roman Catholic, 1 lapsed Quaker and sometimes Anglican, and 1 open deist--Dr. Franklin who attended every kind of Christian worship, called for public prayer, and contributed to all denominations.
George Mason is called the father of the Bill of Rights, for he insisted that the first ten amendments be added to the Constitution. The purpose for such an addition? "The laws of nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superseded by no power on earth," Mason said.
James McHenry was a member of the Continental Congress, a state legislator, a soldier, and a signer of the Constitution...as well as the president of the first Bible Society in Baltimore. McHenry stated:
Neither...let it be overlooked, that public utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures.
The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability, and usefulness.
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney also signed the Constitution, and served as a delegate to the national Constitutional Convention and an author of the Constitution of South Caroline. Pinckney was a statesman, soldier, planter, a brigadier general and a candidate for President and Vice-President. Like the rest of the signers of the Constitution, he too recognized the Sovereignty of God:
-adopted from an article online called "THE BIBLE AND THE CONSTITUTION""Blasphemy against the Almighty is denying his being or providence, or uttering contumelious reproaches on our Saviour Christ. It is punished, at common law by fine and imprisonment, for Christianity is part of the laws of the land."
**would the country be much better off putting God and his Christian values back into the government as some intended it to be or should the separation of church and state prevail? would it be fair or unfair towards those who are non believers?? let's keep it clear...
Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. is the former pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) in Chicago. He retired earlier this year and is being scrutinized for segments of his sermon that were in connection with presidential candidate Barck Obama. Some say these statements where Anti-American while others believe he was just voicing his opinion and emotional frustration. Is he wrong for making these statements?
*listen to some of the controversial comments
