(January 31, 2004 8:12 AM CST)
"With a sigh from the depths of his spirit Jesus said,
Is that you?
'Why does this age seek a sign?
I assure you,
no such sign will be given it!'"
Mark 8:12
Are you looking for a sign?
All you need is already there.
You have the Bible.
You have the promises of Jesus.
You have abundant faith for the asking.
Look to Jesus.
Look to the cross.
There is great meaning there.
(January 30, 2004 6:18 AM CST)
"Thank God I speak in tongues
Do you ever pray in tongues?
more than any of you,
but in a church
I would rather say
five intelligible words to instruct others
than ten thousand words in a tongue."
1 Corinthians 14:18-19
It is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
It has a place in worship and praise.
Also, teaching and instruction are very important.
All are gifts from God.
Use them for the glory of God at the proper times.
(January 29, 2004 6:18 AM CST)
"My purpose in leaving you in Crete
You are right where God wants you.
was that you might accomplish
what had been left undone..."
Titus 1:5
God wants you to accomplish many things.
He is giving you purpose.
Complete your assignment.
Do the will of God right there.
(January 28, 2004 6:09 AM CST)
Peter said,
As great as David was he died.
"Brothers, I can speak confidently to you
about our father David.
He died and was buried
and his grave is in our midst
to this day."
Acts 2:29
He had a grave.
People honored him.
They visited his grave.
They thought he was great.
He is gone.
We all must face our death one day.
Great and small it happens to us all.
Are you ready to meet the Lord?
(January 27, 2004 6:14 AM CST)
They said on the radio a few minutes ago
Jesus said,
We are surrounded by evil.
that we received a foot of snow.
My back is hurting this morning
from all the shoveling.
It is time to invest in a snow blower.
"Because of the increase of evil,
the love of most will grow cold."
Matthew 24:12
Our culture is sinking lower and lower.
We are buried.
Where is the love?
Has it gone cold?
Turn to Jesus.
He is love in this cold world.
He is warmth for your soul.
(January 26, 2004 6:05 AM CST)
We are getting snow this morning.
"May the Lord give strength to his people;
Where does peace come from?
So far we have about 8 inches
with a few more on the way.
I was just out shoveling.
It is deep.
There is a lot of snow out there.
All the schools are closed.
Thank the Lord for the moisture.
may the Lord bless his people with peace!"
Psalms 29:11
What is the source of your strength?
It is the Lord.
He created the whole universe.
He can take care of you.
He made you.
He loves you very much.
Go to him for strength.
(January 25, 2004 7:13 AM CST)
"My brothers, count it pure joy
We all have trials and difficulties.
when you are involved
in every sort of trial.
Realize that when your faith is tested
this makes for endurance.
Let endurance come to its perfection
so that you may be fully mature
and lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4
It will be tough.
Will we let them break us or make us?
The Lord says they can help our faith.
They can even bring us to perfection.
We will grow and be stronger.
There will be joy.
Count on it.
(January 24, 2004 8:02 AM CST)
"Beyond our hopes
Offer your life to God.
they first gave themselves to God
and then to us
by the will of God."
2 Corinthians 8:5
Be of service to him.
Serve him with an open heart.
This is the will of God for you.
It will bless you and give you peace.
Work for the Lord.
(January 23, 2004 6:20 AM CST)
"Everything written before our time
They are there for you.
was written for our instruction,
that we might derive hope
from the lessons of patience and
the words of encouragement in the Scriptures."
Romans 15:4
Do you read them?
Do you read the words in the Bible?
They are letters to you from the Lord.
Will you take the time to study them?
The Bible is your instruction book.
Be encouraged.
Have hope.
(January 22, 2004 6:16 AM CST)
Jesus said,
Jesus is like that.
"Everyone who exalts himself
shall be humbled
while he who humbles himself
shall be exalted."
Luke 18:14
He flips things that we take for granted.
We seek to make a name for ourselves.
We brag about how great we are.
Jesus says to be humble.
Don't blow a trumpet to get attention.
Do what the Lord calls you to do quietly.
God will bless your efforts.
(January 21, 2004 6:17 AM CST)
"I tell you, brothers,
Use your time well.
the time is short.
...the world as we know it
is passing away."
1 Corinthians 7:29,31
You will only be on this earth
for about 70 years.
It goes by quickly.
You need the leading of the Holy Spirit.
This will keep you on course
and not waste precious time.
Jesus, send your Holy Spirit to us.
We need your help.
Give our lives direction and purpose.
Help us use our time to build your kingdom.
(January 20, 2004 6:17 AM CST)
"Therefore, since we for our part
You need to travel light.
are surrounded by this cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin
which clings to us and persevere
in running the race which lies ahead;
let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,
who inspires and perfects our faith."
Hebrews 12:1-2
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
Get rid of that burden.
You have enough to be concerned about.
Be inspired by Jesus.
Keep your eyes on him.
He will lead you on to greatness.
(January 19, 2004 6:17 AM CST)
Jesus said,
Be with Jesus.
"He who is not with me is against me,
and he who does not gather with me scatters."
Luke 11:23
Follow him closely.
Stay near him.
Don't be scattered to the winds.
Stay on course.
Keep focused on Jesus.
(January 18, 2004 7:15 AM CST)
Zermatt, Switzerland
is getting snow
It was 40 years ago that the Beatles invaded the USA,
"As it grew dark Jesus arrived with the Twelve.
Bizarre.
almost every day lately.
It looks like a little Christmas village.
so I've been studying their music.
Here is the music theory on
"I Want To Hold Your Hand" in G Major
.
It was released on December 26th, 1963 in the USA.
When you see "IV" in the key of G Major
that means 5-9-0 (C,E,G) where
G=0,A=2,B=4,C=5,D=7,E=9,F#=11.
The numbers are semitones in that key.
There are 12 semitones equally spaced in music.
A Major scale always follows the pattern:
0,2,4,5,7,9,11.
I have made up this system of numbering the semitones
to help me with music theory.
I like numbers.
When you see the Roman numerals
these are chords (3 notes played at the same time)
in that key.
The "I" chord is the G chord.
This is the root chord for the key of G Major.
The "I" is 0-4-7 (G,B,D).
The "ii" is 2-5-9 (A,C,E).
The "iii" is 4-7-11 (B,D,F#).
The "IV" is 5-9-0 (C,E,G).
The "V" is 7-11-2 (D,F#,A).
The "vi" is 9-0-4 (E,G,B).
The "vii°" is 11-2-5 (F#,A,C).
The "V-of-vi" I have not figured out yet.
It says "B" which is 4-8-11 (B,D#,F#) maybe.
I'm not sure.
Hopefully this will help you
with reading the link above.
This concludes your music theory lesson for today.
They reclined at table and in the course
of the meal Jesus said,
'I give you my word,
one of you is about to betray me,
yes, one who is eating with me.'"
Mark 14:17-18
The person was right there in the room.
Judas would betray him.
He was eating with him.
Scary.
Jesus could look across the table at him.
Jesus knew the future.
And yet he continued on the journey.
He did not change course.
He did the will of his Father in heaven.
Yes, Judas betrayed him
leading to Jesus being put to death.
Jesus wanted to save us from our sins.
It was part of the plan.
He rose from the dead.
He continued on the course.
He overcame death.
He saved us.
He is the "I" root chord of the song.
(January 17, 2004 8:28 AM CST)
"Ground which drinks in the rain
Soak up the word of the Lord.
falling on it again and again,
and brings forth vegetation
useful to those for whom it is cultivated,
receives the blessing of God."
Hebrews 6:7
Drink in his richness.
Cultivate a deep faith.
Grow in holiness.
Receive the many blessings from God.
Let it rain.
(January 16, 2004 6:18 AM CST)
"May the God of peace
Is there peace in your life?
be with you all.
Amen."
Romans 15:33
Do you have hope for the future?
This only comes from knowing Jesus.
He is your peace and your hope.
It is true.
Amen.
(January 15, 2004 6:12 AM CST)
"Two of them that same day
It is the road to Emmaus.
were making their way to a village named Emmaus
seven miles distant from Jerusalem,
discussing as they went all that had happened.
In the course of their lively exchange,
Jesus approached and began to walk along with them.
However, they were restrained from recognizing him."
Luke 24:13-16
Maybe it is time for you to take a walk.
Walk along with Jesus.
Have a lively exchange with him.
Discuss all the events of the day.
He wants to hear what you have to say.
Listen for his comments.
Enjoy your walk.
(January 14, 2004 6:20 AM CST)
"Yes, Lord God Almighty,
Seek the Lord.
your judgments are true and just!"
Revelation 16:7
Let him do the judging.
He sees everything.
He knows what is true.
Listen to the voice of the Lord.
(January 13, 2004 6:11 AM CST)
Jesus said,
We all need light.
"No one lights a lamp and
puts it under a bushel basket
or under a bed;
he puts it on a lampstand
so that whoever comes in can see it."
Luke 8:16
We could not see a thing without it.
Jesus is that light.
He gives light to life.
You don't know what life is
until you let the light of Jesus shine.
Welcome Jesus in.
(January 12, 2004 6:19 AM CST)
"The seeds sown among thorns are another class.
Are you growing?
They have listened to the word,
but anxieties over life's demands,
and the desire for wealth,
and cravings of other sorts
come to choke it off;
it bears no yield."
Mark 4:18-19
Are you farther along than a year ago?
Check yourself.
Check your cravings.
Get things in line with the Lord.
How do you look at gaining wealth?
These are indicators.
They can kill your spiritual life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to point out these things.
Come, Holy Spirit, show us the truth.
Teach us what is truly important.
(January 11, 2004 7:21 AM CST)
I continue to study
Music Theory
.
Jesus said,
"I tell you,
It is important to pray with others.
This is a good web site, if you are interested.
I've learned my things here
and the site is well done.
if two of you join your voices on earth
to pray for anything whatever,
it shall be granted you
by my Father in heaven.
Where two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I in their midst."
Matthew 18:19-20
Ask Jesus for what you need.
Pray in small groups.
Pray in church each week.
Jesus is right there in your gathering.
He blesses your community of prayer.
He is with you.
When you pray together
it makes a beautiful chord progression.
(January 10, 2004 8:11 AM CST)
"We your people and the sheep of your pasture
Give thanks to God.
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise."
Psalms 79:13
Give praise to Jesus.
All people in all generations
shall praise the Lord.
He is the Good Shepherd.
He will lead us to green pasture.
(January 9, 2004 6:22 AM CST)
"Praise be the God and Father
You have a new birth in Jesus.
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
he who in his great mercy
gave us new birth;
a birth unto hope
which draws its life
from the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
1 Peter 1:3
He is the giver of life.
He is the source.
Draw your life source from him.
He gives life meaning and hope.
Jesus, save us from death
and bring us to life.
(January 8, 2004 6:16 AM CST)
"Beware of unbelieving dogs.
The Lord tells us to be watchful.
Watch out for workers of evil."
Philippians 3:2
Beware of the evil around you.
Protect yourself.
Call on the name of Jesus.
He is most powerful to defend you.
Jesus, protect us from harm.
Keep us all safe.
(January 7, 2004 6:14 AM CST)
"The general rule is that
You have been called.
each one should lead the life
the Lord has assigned him,
continuing as he was
when the Lord called him."
1 Corinthians 7:17
The Lord has work for you to do.
Will you stand up and be counted?
Call on the Holy Spirit to give you direction.
Do your assignment well.
The Lord is counting on you.
One day hopefully the Lord will say:
well done good and faithful servant.
(January 6, 2004 6:18 AM CST)
Jesus said,
You need light.
"I am the light of the world.
No follower of mine
shall ever walk in darkness;
no, he shall possess the light of life."
John 8:12
You need light to see.
Go to Jesus.
He will show you the truth.
He will open your mind.
He will teach you what is truly important.
(January 5, 2004 6:15 AM CST)
This morning we are seeing
"When the woman got home,
Pray for your children.
pictures from Mars
.
It is another world to explore.
It seems like we have not even begun.
she found the child in bed
and the demon gone."
Mark 7:30
Intercede for them.
The world is a dangerous place.
There are many demons out there.
Your prayers are very important.
Jesus will hear them and respond.
Jesus, protect all the children.
Protect all of us from evil.
(January 4, 2004 7:35 AM CST)
We got our first snow for 2004
"You, O Lord, abide forever,
The Lord has been around for a long time.
of two inches overnight.
It's still snowing now.
I've already been outside shoveling.
and your name through all generations."
Psalms 102:13
He was here in the beginning
and he will be here at the end of time.
He is eternal.
He is beyond time.
We can join him for all eternity.
Abide with him.
Be with him forever.
(January 3, 2004 8:09 AM CST)
Jesus said,
Be part of the family.
"Whoever does the will of God
is brother and sister and mother to me."
Mark 3:35
Do the will of God.
Be a close follower of Jesus.
Stay near him all your life.
Maybe you are far away now.
Come back.
Come back home.
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
Start over again.
Be a brother or sister of the Lord.
(January 2, 2004 6:17 AM CST)
Jesus said,
Jesus has much to tell you.
"I have much more to tell you,
but you cannot bear it now."
John 16:12
He will teach you day by day
in this new year.
Be open to what he has to say.
He is the great teacher.
Listen and learn.
(January 1, 2004 6:27 AM CST)
Happy New Year!
"This is what we proclaim to you:
It is a beginning.
what was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we have looked upon
and our hands have touched ---
we speak of the word of life."
1 John 1:1
It is a new year.
See the wonders of God.
Hear the words of Jesus.
Tell others about him.
Make it a joyful new year.
