Articles:

Building Up the Body

Seedtime and Harvest

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People 

God Has Told Us to Go

Book – Bible Quotes and Sayings and Proverbs and Psalms too

Short Story – The Bridge Fisherman of Matlacha

Bible Study – Desires of Your Heart

Warmup Question: Have you ever felt that you are all alone?

Holy Scripture

Psalm 37:4 NLT  “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Context of the Passage

   If we take delight in the Lord, we can have what we want.

Consensus Meaning of the Passage

  God wants and needs to touch and change our hearts. To have the creator of the universe, have such desire is the greatest honor that a human being can ever receive. He wants us to have the same heart and the same desires and interests and priorities that He has. Can you imagine having that type of relationship forever?

   We will begin to see God for who He is really is. We will begin to understand what God wants to accomplish through us in the people’s lives around us. We will begin to see what else God is doing in the world. We will begin to see God’s perfect plan and purpose for us in His kingdom.

   But, as always, the desire of God’s heart is for us to repent of our sin, place all of our faith in Jesus Christ, and receive Him as our Lord and Savior, plus commit to follow Him.

Scripture Questions: What does it mean to “take delight” in the Bible? What are “desires of your heart” in the Bible?

Question from the Heart: What “desire of your heart” will you tell God about today? Will will you tell someone else about this verse tomorrow?

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Bible Study – The Law of Seedtime and Harvest 

Warmup Question: Have you ever planted a seed, had it sprout and grow to maturity?

Scriptural Verses

Genesis 1:11-12 NLT  ‘Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.” 

Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV  “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

‘Genesis 8:20-22 NIV  ‘Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, (the only thing done by man) cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”’

1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT  ‘It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. (God has life creating and changing power) The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.”

Context of the Passage

   Explanations of plants from seeds in the Bible.

   Consensus Meaning of the Passage

   Throughout the Bible, sowing is used as a metaphor for one’s actions and reaping for the results of those actions. God planted you and I at our appointed time and place for His purpose.  Grow in God. Prayer is a supernatural seed planted that can never die; it will inevitably yield fruit.

Scripture Questions: Seedtime and Harvest was conceived before creation. Did the concept go beyond food and nourishment?, In what other circumstances would Seedtime and Harvest be applicable?

Who is the caretaker of the planted seed?, Who causes the seed to grow?, What is the promise made to Noah after the flood?, How do people figure into Seedtime and Harvest?

Question from the Heart: Who would be a recipient of one of your seeds?

God’s Seedtime and Harvest Plan for: Unsaved Relatives

The directions are simple:

1. Take the seeds you need for your own heart. (confess your sin and repent)(trust God),
2. Sow the remainder of seeds into the lives of those around you.,
3. Pray and continue to pray, and continue to pray for the seeds you have planted (from the original planting) to take root and grow in the recipients heart.,
4. Your faith will nurture the seeds., and
5. Let God make the seeds grow to maturity and harvest. (He has life creating and changing power)

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Lesson – Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

   No one is exempt from the harsh realities of life and death on earth. We live in a world of pain and suffering. Sometimes we must ask ourselves, “why do bad things happen to good people?” The answer is found with much difficulty, if at all.

   First and foremost, God is sovereign. He either allows everything to happen or causes everything to happen. God is good, unfortunately people are not. We don’t start out as good or eternal because of being born into a fallen world.

   In fact, the fallen world is why bad things happen at all. Satan is always at work against mankind.

   An example is the story of Job. God allowed Satan to do everything to Job he wanted, except kill him. So he took away Job’s health, family, livestock, and other possessions to leave him nothing. After a long, tragic story, Job endured and God restored him with twice as much as he had.

Job 1:1 “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.”

Job 20-22 “Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”

More Insight Provided by Gotquestions.org

When wondering why God would allow bad things to happen to good people, it’s also good to consider these four things about the bad things that happen:

1) Bad things may happen to good people in this world,  but this world is not the end. Christians have an eternal perspective.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  “We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”  We will have a reward some day, and it will be glorious.

2) Bad things happen to good people,  but God uses those bad things for an ultimate, lasting good.  

Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.  When Joseph, innocent of wrongdoing, finally came through his horrific sufferings, he was able to see God’s good plan in it all.  

Genesis 50:19-21. “But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children. So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.”

3) Bad things happen to good people,  but those bad things equip believers for deeper ministry. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5  “Praise be to . . . the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ”.  Those with battle scars can better help those going through battles.

4) Bad things happen to good people, and the worst things happened to the best Person.  Jesus was the only truly Righteous One, yet He suffered more than we can imagine. 

1 Peter 2:20-23  “If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly”.  Jesus is no stranger to our pain.

Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

   Despite the sinful nature of the people of this world, God still loves us. Jesus loved us enough to die to take the penalty for our sins. If we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we will be forgiven and promised an eternal home in heaven.

   God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often, bad things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. Instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. 

Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”.  We walk by faith, not by sight.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Warmup Question: Do you need to be reminded to do your chores or a household project?

Bible Study – God Has Told Us to Go
“10 Bible Verses On Direction And Purpose” by ChadFisherOnline.com.

   Do you need God’s direction for your life? Do you look for purpose and guidance? Look no further than the pages of the Bible. Scripture is packed with verses that offer inspiration, wisdom, and assurance of God’s purpose and direction. In this blog post, we will explore 10 inspiring Bible verses on direction and purpose to help you discover God’s plan for your life. From the familiar verses of Proverbs and Psalms to the powerful words of Jeremiah and Romans, these scriptures will illuminate your path and provide the hope and clarity you seek.

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 – ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’

2. Psalm 32:8 –  ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.’

3. Isaiah 30:21 – ‘And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.’

4. Jeremiah 29:11 – ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’

5. Psalm 119:105 – ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’

Scripture Questions: (1) What does God have planned for us and Jeremiah 29:11? , (2) Can God’s Word light up our paths?

6. Proverbs 16:9 – ‘The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.’

7. Psalm 37:4 – ‘“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

8. Ephesians 2:10 – ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.’

9. Proverbs 19:21 – ‘Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.’

10. Romans 12:2 – ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Scripture Questions: What are your heart’s desires from Psalm 37:4?,  Who is supposed to choose the good works that need to be done by a believer?

Questions from the Heart: Do you believe that God wants to be with you every step you make?,  In what three ways?

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Book – Bible Quotes and Sayings, with Proverbs and Psalms too
by Tommie Shackelford
Christian Life Coach * Author *  Web blogger * Disciple / Discipler

Link text

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

 The Bridge Fisherman of Matlacha
By: Sir Alden Pines

“Well then, Mr. Brother Patrick, what did you think of Cabbage Key? Getting there, only by boat, is really a different experience and the private way to get there, right?”, I quizzed my old pal, then summed up the day by reminiscing about our trip, “There is nothing like porpoises jumping in the wake, sea spray in your face and the feeling of being on a boat. And now, you can say that you have enjoyed a “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.”

My long, long time friend, Mr. Brother Pat, replied and then asked, “100%”, “Do a lot of people come the end of the island to watch the sunset or something?”, It’s nearly twilight, we had better hustle back to that Jack’s place you mentioned before it gets packed.” We were to drive toward the island center and then toward Jack’s for the best fresh potato chips in the universe and some refreshments.

“What is with all this traffic?”, asked he, sounding like a frustrated commuter. “I haven’t seen so many cars coming up to a stop sign in quite some time”, he continued.

Acting much like a tour guide, I said, “Well, Phillips Park is just to the right over there, and it’s time for the annual “Mullet Toss”. “That is the reason for the traffic.”

“Really, what in the world is that?”, Pat asked as he was trying to understand what was going on.

I replied, “The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce puts on a seafood festival and mullet toss each year. Island people and others enter to literally toss a mullet as far as they can. Winners have bragging rights for a year. Losers go away and practice for the next year. It’s a big deal for the locals.”

Finally reaching the Island center stop sign, I turn my car left toward Matlacha. After leaving the center area as we started through the state reserve.

Here goes the tour guide in me again, “You know, this reserve is right at sea level. During the highest of tides, the water comes all the way up to the roadside. That creates an environment where small animals and sea creatures can thrive, while being protected, at least for a while.”

We continued the mile and a half or so toward the bustling metropolis of Matlacha. It is a tourist destination made up of only small shops, all painted with various tropical colors. It is very festive. The small shops line the road and a seawater canal is behind each of them. It takes a while to go through because of the large number of shoppers. I pointed out the ice cream shop to die for and some great seafood restaurants.

Passing through even farther, it appears as though the Matlacha draw bridge was going up. A boat could not be seen yet. Now, there is another line to wait in. Shortly, a very large sail boat began to go through the channel. My car was several cars back, but we could still see and hear the loud party on board. They had not a single care for the goings-on around them.

The traffic started clearing, and we began to cross the fabled bridge at Matlacha. It is the most fished bridge in the world. There are fishermen fishing twenty-four hours a day off a bridge. While crossing, we simultaneously saw the silhouette of a magnetic looking figure before the background of a Serenity Bay sunset. He seemed to be overseeing the entire group of fishermen and their activity. Suddenly, thoughts of chips and refreshment vanished. We were curious and drawn to the scene.

As busy as the area was, we immediately found parking.

Pat and I found ourselves standing in the middle of the bridge, by the light of a full moon, in the company of this mysterious man, this bridge fisherman of Matalcha. We turned to see what must have been a hundred or more fisherman from all works of life and all nations. Some were casting nets and some were fishing with poles.

The fisherman said nothing, but His was mission was clear. We understood and knew there was no time to waste. The bait must be cast. The fish must be caught.

In spite of the ominous terrain, which was the tidal channel that curved ninety degrees with rocks above and below the water line. There were also bushes with branches above and below the water line. If there was a good place to cast, it was not visible. The tide was going out into the Gulf of Mexico and moving swiftly.

The fishermen fished all night, and we believed it was the goal to reach and pitched in to help too.

Some fishermen cast their bait across the channel only to get hung up on the rocks where only the seagulls could reach it.

Some fishermen cast their bait short and into the stagnant water near shore, where only small fish could get at it and not be a part of a sustainable catch.

Some fishermen cast their bait at the mouth of the channel and into the water strewn with bushes and branches, where fish could be caught but with great difficulty.

Yet, some fishermen cast their bait into the middle of the tidal stream, where there was a sandy bottom and plenty of food flowing through it. The fish were as many as a multitude and were ready to be caught. The catch was plentiful.

Just like that it was over and we were all gone, the Fisherman, the fishermen, and the catch.

A feeling of accomplishment and earned reward fell over the bridge. The party boat was not to be seen or heard from again.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Saint Patrick’s Prayer

The power of God to guide me,

The might of God to uphold me,

The wisdom of God to teach me,

The eye of God to watch over me,

The ear of God to hear me, The word of God to speak for me, The

hand of God to protect me, The way of God to lie before me, The

shield of God to shelter me, The host of God to defend me, Christ

with me,   Christ before me,   Christ behind me,   Christ within me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ at my right, Christ at my left,

Christ in breadth,     Christ in length,

Christ in height,   Christ in the heart

of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man

who speaks to me, Christ in the eye

of every man who sees me, Christ

in the ear of every man who hears me.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

 Bible Study – James’ Prayer of Faith

Warmup Question: What is the sickest you have ever been?

James 5:13-18 NLT  “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.

And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Scripture Questions : Who is someone you admire as a person of prayer.,  According to this passage, what should you do when you are in trouble?, Happy?, Sick?, How are you to do any of these?,  How is our confession and prayer a part of the healing process?

 Questions of the Heart: Have you ever prayed over someone who was sick, or had someone pray over you? What was the experience like?, Have you ever confessed your sins to other trusted believers and received prayer ?, And what way can that experience bring forgiveness, healing, and new life?

   SendUsLord implores every reader to “dive deeper” into God’s Word as a life-long goal. Spiritual maturity is the reward.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Warmup Question: Who would you say is righteous in his or her own right?

Bible Study – Pursue Righteousness and a Godly Life

   Who lived a more righteous life than Jesus? No one. Righteousness is becoming more and more like God’s Son, Jesus Christ, every day. Because when God looks at us, He should see his son.

   Jesus Christ commands his followers to pursue righteousness. The Apostle Paul encourages his “Son in the Faith”, Timothy, to pursue righteousness and a godly life.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”  Matthew 6:33 NLT

“But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”    1 Timothy 6:11-12

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 NLT

”But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
John 1:12-13 NLT

Scripture Questions: Who does God see when he looks upon us?, Who was Timothy’s father in the Faith?, Which believers will be satisfied?, What does it take to become the children of God?

Question of the Heart: What benefits do you see by living a righteous and Godly life?

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!