Have you questioned whether the Bible was true or not? Or has anyone ever asked you about the validity of the Bible? As Christians, of course we believe in the Bible and we believe that it is true, but how do we go about showing that to others? What else can we say except that the Bible is true simply because it is?
Here at White Rose Valley we princesses use the Bible a lot to back up our posts and we want you to be confident about the verses that we write. And hey--it wouldn't hurt to know this for any future reference when we might need it. :)
My dad recently taught a lesson on this very topic and I'd like to share with you what he had to say.
There are many reasons that the Bible(specifically the New Testament in this post, since that it where we learn about Jesus and His gift of salvation to us) is true other than the fact that we Christians believe that God inspired it (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Let's look at a couple.
1) The amount of years from the original manuscript to the earliest copy we have.
What I mean is if we look at an ancient work, such as Homer's Iliad, we see that the closest copy we have to the original was written 500 years after the first.
Now, wouldn't you agree that it would seem as though the closer the copy of a manuscript to the original, the more accurate and believable it would be? That's makes sense to me!
If we study Pliny's History we find that the closest copy we have to the first was written 750 years afterward. For the Gallic Wars by Ceasar it's 1000 years from the original to the earliest copy.
So what about the New Testament?
The earliest copy we have found was written about 25 years after the original! Isn't that awesome? I think it is so cool that God has given us evidence that far surpasses other historical writings!
2) The number of ancient hand-written copies we have(as in before the printing press).
Before we do some comparisons, let me ask another question: Do you think that a manuscript would more likely or less likely to be copied wrong and have errors if there are lots of different copies? Right; the more copies, the more reliable the document is.
So, for the Iliad we have 643 copies, for Pliny's History we have 7 copies, for the Gallic Wars 10 copies, and for the Bible? More that 24,000 copies! Unbelievable! Even if someone wanted to change something in the copy they had, once it was compared with other copies and those all said the same thing, it would show that the right thing was written in the many copies instead of the changed one. And this is all before the printing press!
I want to point out real quick that these are actual ways that historians look at ancient documents. I didn't just make this stuff up; no, people really use these methods!
Also, I have only mentioned two different ways of how we can know that the Bible is true. There are many other ways to look at as well, such as all the different authors who wrote it and how it all still makes sense.
So, we do, in fact, have evidence for the validity of the Bible. It is a true document, and that's something you can be sure of!
~Princess Gloria
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
What Faith can Do
I love singing. I mean seriously. It probably annoys my family because I just walk around humming all the time. A few months ago, I heard this song called "What Faith can Do". It is really encouraging, and I have had to remember the words many times since! Here it is; do you like it to?
Blessings in Christ,
~*~Princess Melody
I've seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn't ever end,
Even when the sky is falling,
I've seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered,
Broken hearts become brand new,
That's what faith can do.
Hope that doesn't ever end,
Even when the sky is falling,
I've seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered,
Broken hearts become brand new,
That's what faith can do.
Blessings in Christ,
~*~Princess Melody
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Why a Pleasant Attitude?
Colleen hated math. It drove her crazy every time, and she could never grasp the concept no matter how hard she tried. It was hopeless.
"Colleen, honey," said her mom one bright day. "I've noticed that you've started to get behind on your math. Today I'd like you to do an extra page so that you can have the summer off of all of your schoolwork."
The bright day instantly turned dark and gloomy in Colleen's eyes. Had she heard her mom correctly? Not one, but TWO pages of math to complete, along with all her other schoolwork!
Angrily, Colleen yanked her math book off of her shelves and slammed it down on the table. Mom is so mean! she inwardly wailed. Doesn't she know how much I hate math?! I'm going to be doing schoolwork until dinner!
Colleen's brother, Jason, who was sitting on the couch peacefully conjugating Latin verbs, looked up in surprise as entered the room. "What's wrong, Coll?" he asked.
"Oh, be quiet," Colleen fumed. "Can't you see I'm trying to do my schoolwork?"
"Well, I'm trying to do my schoolwork, too! And I was here first!"
"That's too bad." Colleen plunked herself on the couch and furrowed her brow as she tried to work out the hypotenuse of a triangle. "Seven squared plus fifteen squared equals...um..."
"Colleen! Can you just BE QUIET!"
That was the last straw. Her pencil stabbed the math book as Colleen scribbled furiously over the math problem.
"Can YOU just be quiet! I'M trying to do MY math!"
"Colleen! Jason!"
The two kids froze as mom's voice floated from the kitchen. "Cut it out! Colleen, go into another room, please!"
Colleen flounced out of the room with her math, followed by Jason's triumphant smirk.
In the kitchen, mom sighed. Why did the kids had to squabble so much? She turned back to making the bread, and then gasped. Was I on the second cup of flour, or the third?
Oh, no, mom realized. I can't believe I lost track of this! Now the bread would probably be ruined.
Mom was in a black mood as she finished mixing up the bread. This batch had better turn out all right...
--- --- ---
Have you ever had a day like this? One thing happens, and the whole rest of the day spirals downward.
I know that, for at least me, the downward spiral begins when I get a bad attitude. It could be over math, like Colleen, or something else. As you can see from our story, this attitude is contagious.
I can well remember a time when my family went hiking at a nearby battlefield. And I really didn't want to go. Really didn't, as in REALLY didn't. It was summer, I had been playing with my friends, and I just didn't feel like taking a five mile hike in July.
Therefore, I pouted. I put on a really big frown and sulked while we were driving there. When we got out, I grumbled. When we started the hike, I lagged behind and wished I was anywhere else but here. All throughout the hike, my parents and my siblings were pestered by my complaints. "Are we almost done?" "Can we turn around?" "It's so hot! Who's idea was this?" "Why couldn't we go to the pool?"
As you can imagine, the hike was miserable for everyone. Miserable for me because I made it that way. My negative mindset made me miss out on the little white flowers in that patch of sun, or the doe and her fawn that gazed at us from across the field. My family had to listen to my whining, and I'm sure everyone that saw us thought, "Wow, what a spoiled little brat that girl is. I bet her family isn't a Christian."
Having a bad attitude isn't only inconsiderate of others.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16
God commands it.
Having a pleasant attitude can draw other people to Christ. Maintaining a smile even as you have to wait in a HUGE check-out like in the grocery store, or keeping your cool when someone is rude or mean to you makes people think, "She's different from others--in a good way. I wonder what makes her like that."
On the other hand, acting like a brat is NOT going to impress anyone.
"But what if it's not my fault?" That could have been, and probably was, Colleen's excuse. After all, who had given her this preposterous load of schoolwork? You guessed it, her mom.
I have used that excuse for acting horribly myself. A ton of times. I know how easy it is to blame your parents for your grumpiness.
Usually on the weekends, my mom comes to me and tells me to do something for someone else. Maybe knit something, or sew something. And I didn't like it a bit. I remember thinking, 'The weekends are the only times I have free time--no schoolwork, no chores...and you want me to waste it all doing WHAT? Something for someone else? No way!'
I thought that it was MOM who was being inconsiderate and selfish, not ME.
Then, very recently, mom told me the reason why she always wants me to do something for someone else. When she was a teenager, she was not a Christian. She told me that she basically wasted her entire teen years! Instead of doing something helpful, she played around and snapped at anyone who tried to get her to do otherwise.
She was making me do those things because she didn't want me to waste my teenage years.
We can see basically the same thing in the story of Colleen. Her mom wanted her to do extra math...because she wouldn't have to spend her summer catching up! But Colleen didn't notice that, and instead made things miserable.
One last thing (this post is kind of getting long!): when you have a good attitude, you'll find that things are a lot easier. When I'm doing my schoolwork with grumpy, unhappy thoughts, I usually tend to do worse then when I'm cheerful.
Don't make things harder than they actually are!
In Christ,
Princess Izori
"Colleen, honey," said her mom one bright day. "I've noticed that you've started to get behind on your math. Today I'd like you to do an extra page so that you can have the summer off of all of your schoolwork."
The bright day instantly turned dark and gloomy in Colleen's eyes. Had she heard her mom correctly? Not one, but TWO pages of math to complete, along with all her other schoolwork!
Angrily, Colleen yanked her math book off of her shelves and slammed it down on the table. Mom is so mean! she inwardly wailed. Doesn't she know how much I hate math?! I'm going to be doing schoolwork until dinner!
Colleen's brother, Jason, who was sitting on the couch peacefully conjugating Latin verbs, looked up in surprise as entered the room. "What's wrong, Coll?" he asked.
"Oh, be quiet," Colleen fumed. "Can't you see I'm trying to do my schoolwork?"
"Well, I'm trying to do my schoolwork, too! And I was here first!"
"That's too bad." Colleen plunked herself on the couch and furrowed her brow as she tried to work out the hypotenuse of a triangle. "Seven squared plus fifteen squared equals...um..."
"Colleen! Can you just BE QUIET!"
That was the last straw. Her pencil stabbed the math book as Colleen scribbled furiously over the math problem.
"Can YOU just be quiet! I'M trying to do MY math!"
"Colleen! Jason!"
The two kids froze as mom's voice floated from the kitchen. "Cut it out! Colleen, go into another room, please!"
Colleen flounced out of the room with her math, followed by Jason's triumphant smirk.
In the kitchen, mom sighed. Why did the kids had to squabble so much? She turned back to making the bread, and then gasped. Was I on the second cup of flour, or the third?
Oh, no, mom realized. I can't believe I lost track of this! Now the bread would probably be ruined.
Mom was in a black mood as she finished mixing up the bread. This batch had better turn out all right...
--- --- ---
Have you ever had a day like this? One thing happens, and the whole rest of the day spirals downward.
I know that, for at least me, the downward spiral begins when I get a bad attitude. It could be over math, like Colleen, or something else. As you can see from our story, this attitude is contagious.
I can well remember a time when my family went hiking at a nearby battlefield. And I really didn't want to go. Really didn't, as in REALLY didn't. It was summer, I had been playing with my friends, and I just didn't feel like taking a five mile hike in July.
Therefore, I pouted. I put on a really big frown and sulked while we were driving there. When we got out, I grumbled. When we started the hike, I lagged behind and wished I was anywhere else but here. All throughout the hike, my parents and my siblings were pestered by my complaints. "Are we almost done?" "Can we turn around?" "It's so hot! Who's idea was this?" "Why couldn't we go to the pool?"
As you can imagine, the hike was miserable for everyone. Miserable for me because I made it that way. My negative mindset made me miss out on the little white flowers in that patch of sun, or the doe and her fawn that gazed at us from across the field. My family had to listen to my whining, and I'm sure everyone that saw us thought, "Wow, what a spoiled little brat that girl is. I bet her family isn't a Christian."
Having a bad attitude isn't only inconsiderate of others.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16
God commands it.
Having a pleasant attitude can draw other people to Christ. Maintaining a smile even as you have to wait in a HUGE check-out like in the grocery store, or keeping your cool when someone is rude or mean to you makes people think, "She's different from others--in a good way. I wonder what makes her like that."
On the other hand, acting like a brat is NOT going to impress anyone.
"But what if it's not my fault?" That could have been, and probably was, Colleen's excuse. After all, who had given her this preposterous load of schoolwork? You guessed it, her mom.
I have used that excuse for acting horribly myself. A ton of times. I know how easy it is to blame your parents for your grumpiness.
Usually on the weekends, my mom comes to me and tells me to do something for someone else. Maybe knit something, or sew something. And I didn't like it a bit. I remember thinking, 'The weekends are the only times I have free time--no schoolwork, no chores...and you want me to waste it all doing WHAT? Something for someone else? No way!'
I thought that it was MOM who was being inconsiderate and selfish, not ME.
Then, very recently, mom told me the reason why she always wants me to do something for someone else. When she was a teenager, she was not a Christian. She told me that she basically wasted her entire teen years! Instead of doing something helpful, she played around and snapped at anyone who tried to get her to do otherwise.
She was making me do those things because she didn't want me to waste my teenage years.
We can see basically the same thing in the story of Colleen. Her mom wanted her to do extra math...because she wouldn't have to spend her summer catching up! But Colleen didn't notice that, and instead made things miserable.
One last thing (this post is kind of getting long!): when you have a good attitude, you'll find that things are a lot easier. When I'm doing my schoolwork with grumpy, unhappy thoughts, I usually tend to do worse then when I'm cheerful.
Don't make things harder than they actually are!
In Christ,
Princess Izori
Monday, January 18, 2010
Knowledge and Perception
All right. As y'all know, the last post on this chapter (Psalm 139) was on the first verse, showing us how God knows us. Now it's time to look at the next part.
"You(the LORD) know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:2, NIV)
Similarly to the last verse, this piece also talks about the Lord's knowledge of us. Let's take a look at some word meanings!
The word "know" is the exact same word as was in the first verse: "recognize, understand, observe, cares for".
Actually, every time the the word "know" is used in this particular chapter it is this same word. You'll want to keep this in mind because I probably won't put the definition for this word in the following posts. :)
Though the word "sit" does mean "sit" (I know-that was profound!), it also means "live" or "dwell".
From this we see that the LORD observes when we live, or where we dwell. Not only that, but if you think about it, recognizing when someone is sitting is rather detailed, wouldn't you say? Yet this is what the LORD cares about! He is so aware of what's going on in our lives that He knows when we sit. And in addition to that, He knows when we rise.
'Rise': "to get up, arise, stand, establish, restore".
Again, this shows how detailed God is about us and how involved He is in our lives! He is aware of when we sit and when we rise! Imagine that!
Now we come to an interesting part: 'perceive': "to understand, discern, realize, to care for, consider with full attention".
I thought that the last definition was neat. The Lord considers our thoughts, or intentions(word meaning), with His full attention! The God of the entire universe is not a distant God. No! He is a Being that penetrates us and knows us completely! How amazing!
Our last word for now is 'afar': "far, distant, future, beyond".
Another awesome thought! He knows our thoughts from the future, before we ourselves think them. Incredible!
I hope that you will remember and constantly be reminded of God's love and knowledge of you. Don't let the fact that He knows everything about you be scary! No, this fact shows just how personal God really is!
~Princess Gloria
NOTE: The word meanings from this post were taken from "The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance" by Edward W. Goodrick and John R. Kohlenberger III
"You(the LORD) know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:2, NIV)
Similarly to the last verse, this piece also talks about the Lord's knowledge of us. Let's take a look at some word meanings!
The word "know" is the exact same word as was in the first verse: "recognize, understand, observe, cares for".
Actually, every time the the word "know" is used in this particular chapter it is this same word. You'll want to keep this in mind because I probably won't put the definition for this word in the following posts. :)
Though the word "sit" does mean "sit" (I know-that was profound!), it also means "live" or "dwell".
From this we see that the LORD observes when we live, or where we dwell. Not only that, but if you think about it, recognizing when someone is sitting is rather detailed, wouldn't you say? Yet this is what the LORD cares about! He is so aware of what's going on in our lives that He knows when we sit. And in addition to that, He knows when we rise.
'Rise': "to get up, arise, stand, establish, restore".
Again, this shows how detailed God is about us and how involved He is in our lives! He is aware of when we sit and when we rise! Imagine that!
Now we come to an interesting part: 'perceive': "to understand, discern, realize, to care for, consider with full attention".
I thought that the last definition was neat. The Lord considers our thoughts, or intentions(word meaning), with His full attention! The God of the entire universe is not a distant God. No! He is a Being that penetrates us and knows us completely! How amazing!
Our last word for now is 'afar': "far, distant, future, beyond".
Another awesome thought! He knows our thoughts from the future, before we ourselves think them. Incredible!
I hope that you will remember and constantly be reminded of God's love and knowledge of you. Don't let the fact that He knows everything about you be scary! No, this fact shows just how personal God really is!
~Princess Gloria
NOTE: The word meanings from this post were taken from "The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance" by Edward W. Goodrick and John R. Kohlenberger III
Friday, January 15, 2010
What Fear Can Do
by Princess Izori
Hello! I'm terribly sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time!
For my home schooling, I'm reading 'The Princess and the Goblin' by George MacDonald (pretty good book, by the way). I'm sure that most of you princesses are familiar with it, but I'll just tell you what it's about anyway, as a way of introduction. It's about a princess, Irene, who makes a wonderful discovery in her castle. At the same time, a young miner named Curdie uncovers the frightening plot of the evil goblins.
One part of the book in particular struck me. When Irene is threatened by a creature while she's in her room, she is very frightened. So frightened, in fact, that she actually goes in the opposite direction of the one who can help her. Believe it or not, she runs to a place where she is even more vulnerable than before!
'Why?' we wonder as we look on Irene's panicked foolishness. 'What on earth got into her head? Who would be so brainless as to do that?!"
Have you ever been in a scary situation? Have you, instead of praying to the Lord for help, spiritually 'ran away' and tried to help yourself? Then you were reacting the same way as Irene was. I can think of at least six situations where I 'ran away', and it was only by God's grace that everything turned out alright.
Fear is a big problem, and it is one of the devil's weapons. I'm not talking about the thrilling, healthy fear we're supposed to have of God. I mean the dangerous fear.
'I'm all alone. God's not going to help me!'
'How can I know where I'm going after I die? Am I sure that Jesus' blood really paid it all?'
'What if ___ happens, or I get hurt, or...'
Those are all examples of what could run through our heads when we start to be afraid. And unless we cast all our cares on God, we'll start to panic. And then the panicking leads to foolish decisions that leads to serious injuries, both physical and spiritual.
See why it's so important that we trust, and not fear?
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43: 1b
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
I John 4:18a
Isaiah 43: 1b
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
I John 4:18a
Princess Izori
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A Thought about Thankfulness
"Why isn't she talking to me?"
"Does she like me?"
"Do they like my new shirt?"
"What does everyone think of me?
All these thoughts and more rushed through Vienna's head as she walked down the hallway to her locker. This was her first day of 8th grade, and she knew she was expected to be a lot more mature now that she was in the school's oldest grade. When she noticed groups of girls giggling and laughing together in the hallway, Vienna felt lonely. She had a few friends, but she wished she had some REALLY good friends.
"I wonder if anyone would want to be my friend." She thought sadly.
These are things I used to find myself thinking most of the day. I would spend most of my time worrying about what other people thought of me, and wishing I was "popular". I had low self esteem, and almost no friends. Night after night I prayed, but it just seemed as though God was paying no attention. Suddenly, everything changed. I wasn't alone any more! I found myself surrounded by the kind of friends I had always wanted. My confidence soared, I had never been happier, and all seemed right with the world. After about two years of this, I felt God speaking to my heart. I realized that HE was reminding me to be thankful. I had prayed, and HE had answered. I had asked for friends, and HE gave them to me. HE reminded me that I needed to be thankful every day for all that HE has given me. Thank God today and every day for the friends and everything else HE has given you. Don't do what I did and take what HE has given you for granted. Thank HIM every day!
Now, near the end of her 8th grade year, Vienna was feeling much better. She had made more new friends than she could ever count, and she was looking forward to a great summer.
"Thank you God!" She prayed silently as she walked to class, "Thank you so much!"
Never forget how much God has blessed all of us!
Blessings in Christ,
~*~Princess Melody
"Does she like me?"
"Do they like my new shirt?"
"What does everyone think of me?
All these thoughts and more rushed through Vienna's head as she walked down the hallway to her locker. This was her first day of 8th grade, and she knew she was expected to be a lot more mature now that she was in the school's oldest grade. When she noticed groups of girls giggling and laughing together in the hallway, Vienna felt lonely. She had a few friends, but she wished she had some REALLY good friends.
"I wonder if anyone would want to be my friend." She thought sadly.
These are things I used to find myself thinking most of the day. I would spend most of my time worrying about what other people thought of me, and wishing I was "popular". I had low self esteem, and almost no friends. Night after night I prayed, but it just seemed as though God was paying no attention. Suddenly, everything changed. I wasn't alone any more! I found myself surrounded by the kind of friends I had always wanted. My confidence soared, I had never been happier, and all seemed right with the world. After about two years of this, I felt God speaking to my heart. I realized that HE was reminding me to be thankful. I had prayed, and HE had answered. I had asked for friends, and HE gave them to me. HE reminded me that I needed to be thankful every day for all that HE has given me. Thank God today and every day for the friends and everything else HE has given you. Don't do what I did and take what HE has given you for granted. Thank HIM every day!
Now, near the end of her 8th grade year, Vienna was feeling much better. She had made more new friends than she could ever count, and she was looking forward to a great summer.
"Thank you God!" She prayed silently as she walked to class, "Thank you so much!"
Never forget how much God has blessed all of us!
Blessings in Christ,
~*~Princess Melody
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Encouraging Words from Princess Jade
I heard these lyrics in a song and I thought that they were great encouraging words.
Be strong in the Lord
Never give up hope
You're going to do great things
I already know
God's got his hand on you so
Don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
Thank God for each day
His love will find a way
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Welcome Princess Jade!!!!!
Please welcome our newest member of this castle; Princess Jade!
Please show her the respect you would a fellow sister in Christ and welcome her as such! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
Please show her the respect you would a fellow sister in Christ and welcome her as such! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Know That He Knows
"Does the Lord know you?"
"It would seem that since He's God, maybe He would, but...He must be so busy with keeping the world moving and helping other people that He must not give much thought to young people like us. He's probably more concerned with the adults. Some say that He is a personal God Who knows us and Who wants us to know Him, but I'm not so sure."
Do these sentences mirror your thoughts? Do you want a new look at God's love for you? Maybe you're not really struggling with doubts, but could use some encouragement. Let's look at a Scripture verse and hopefully that will be a help to you.
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me." (Psalm 139:1, NIV)
Well, there's a confirmation right there. The very first verse in this chapter dispels the doubt that the Lord doesn't know who you are. In fact, not only does He know you, but He has searched you! That word "searched" means "to explore, search out, probe, test, sound out, sees through, to be determined, examined"*
Think about it: Don't you think that if God has probed you, explored you, examined you, and sees through you that He would know you? It certainly seems that way, but more than that, it is that way. How do I know? The Bible says so, and the Bible is absolutely true.
The word "know" in this verse means this: "recognize, understand, observe, cares for, found out, take notice"*
Isn't that so neat? From looking at this verse there can be no doubt that the Lord does, indeed, know and care for us. What an awesome God we serve!
Please remember today, tomorrow, and in the days to come that the Lord most definitely cares for you, whether you are a teenager or an adult. Age makes no difference. He has searched you and He knows you. Never forget that!
~Princess Gloria
P.S. I am hoping that there will be many posts following this one that talk through the verses in this chapter. Keep a look out!
*Meanings taken from "The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance" by Edward W. Goodrick and John R. Kohlenberger III
"It would seem that since He's God, maybe He would, but...He must be so busy with keeping the world moving and helping other people that He must not give much thought to young people like us. He's probably more concerned with the adults. Some say that He is a personal God Who knows us and Who wants us to know Him, but I'm not so sure."
Do these sentences mirror your thoughts? Do you want a new look at God's love for you? Maybe you're not really struggling with doubts, but could use some encouragement. Let's look at a Scripture verse and hopefully that will be a help to you.
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me." (Psalm 139:1, NIV)
Well, there's a confirmation right there. The very first verse in this chapter dispels the doubt that the Lord doesn't know who you are. In fact, not only does He know you, but He has searched you! That word "searched" means "to explore, search out, probe, test, sound out, sees through, to be determined, examined"*
Think about it: Don't you think that if God has probed you, explored you, examined you, and sees through you that He would know you? It certainly seems that way, but more than that, it is that way. How do I know? The Bible says so, and the Bible is absolutely true.
The word "know" in this verse means this: "recognize, understand, observe, cares for, found out, take notice"*
Isn't that so neat? From looking at this verse there can be no doubt that the Lord does, indeed, know and care for us. What an awesome God we serve!
Please remember today, tomorrow, and in the days to come that the Lord most definitely cares for you, whether you are a teenager or an adult. Age makes no difference. He has searched you and He knows you. Never forget that!
~Princess Gloria
P.S. I am hoping that there will be many posts following this one that talk through the verses in this chapter. Keep a look out!
*Meanings taken from "The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance" by Edward W. Goodrick and John R. Kohlenberger III
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!!!!
Since this is the first post this year, I (Catherine) wanted to start off with one of my favorite, if not my favorite, Scripture passages:
Jeremiah 29:11, 13
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)
For a New Year tradition, I always read one of my favorite Scripture verses or passages as we count down till the new year. Then, I can start off the new year by reading the Bible, and what better way is there to start it off? (It's also fun to say "I've been reading this passage since last year! :) This year, I read Jeremiah 29:11, 13, and I wanted to do a quick "looking" at it.
The first phrase "For I know the plans I have for you", really speaks for itself, but slow down and think about it. This is God talking, and HE- all powerful, creator of the universe- pays attention to what you are doing and the wonderful things HE has in store for you! That's amazing when we stop and think about it, isn't it?! :)
But, we get blessed more than that! Not only does HE know our plans, and the plans HE has for you, HE also has made the plans that will prosper you and not harm you! Prosper means "to be successful or fortunate, esp. in financial respects; thrive; flourish" (from Dictionary.com). Basically, you want to prosper! I wish people who where worried about the economy would read this verse. Now, I don't believe that God will make us all rich, powerful, and famous (then none of us would be if all of us were!), but the plans HE has for us are the best ones that we could ever have, and so, since they are the best plans, they will make us the most content with our life, our family and friends, the money, and the earthly things we have. We will also have the blessing of knowing HIM more! How many other people can promise (and carry out that promise) that much?
Hope is something that I couldn't imagine living without! We see this on movies a lot. The hero (or heroine) always "hopes against hope", and their hope is almost always rewarded! And why do we see our favorite characters on the TV shows and movies hope against any hope? Because the movie directors- although they can stumble in other areas- know that we as humans need hope; it gives us a will to live on, and that's how HE made us! We all know what future means, and HE is giving us that! It may not be the future we humans think of- a long and peaceful life on earth- but I believe it means that we will have a future to look forward to in eternity! Heaven; an eternity with the LORD! Now, for some of us it does mean a long a peaceful life, but only HE knows what our lives will be like (remember the first phrase).
Now, moving on to verse 13. People often quote verse 11, but don't read far enough down the page to verse 13. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." This verse is a great one to bring up when someone questions you about whether or not God is a personal God. This seeking and finding is a personal seeking and finding, and then HE says we will find HIM when we seek with all our heart. God is someone we can know. Did you know that? :)
Okay, this might not have been as quick as you were expecting, but still! :)
May the LORD give you a blessed New Year!!!
Princess Catherine ~*~
Jeremiah 29:11, 13
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)
For a New Year tradition, I always read one of my favorite Scripture verses or passages as we count down till the new year. Then, I can start off the new year by reading the Bible, and what better way is there to start it off? (It's also fun to say "I've been reading this passage since last year! :) This year, I read Jeremiah 29:11, 13, and I wanted to do a quick "looking" at it.
The first phrase "For I know the plans I have for you", really speaks for itself, but slow down and think about it. This is God talking, and HE- all powerful, creator of the universe- pays attention to what you are doing and the wonderful things HE has in store for you! That's amazing when we stop and think about it, isn't it?! :)
But, we get blessed more than that! Not only does HE know our plans, and the plans HE has for you, HE also has made the plans that will prosper you and not harm you! Prosper means "to be successful or fortunate, esp. in financial respects; thrive; flourish" (from Dictionary.com). Basically, you want to prosper! I wish people who where worried about the economy would read this verse. Now, I don't believe that God will make us all rich, powerful, and famous (then none of us would be if all of us were!), but the plans HE has for us are the best ones that we could ever have, and so, since they are the best plans, they will make us the most content with our life, our family and friends, the money, and the earthly things we have. We will also have the blessing of knowing HIM more! How many other people can promise (and carry out that promise) that much?
Hope is something that I couldn't imagine living without! We see this on movies a lot. The hero (or heroine) always "hopes against hope", and their hope is almost always rewarded! And why do we see our favorite characters on the TV shows and movies hope against any hope? Because the movie directors- although they can stumble in other areas- know that we as humans need hope; it gives us a will to live on, and that's how HE made us! We all know what future means, and HE is giving us that! It may not be the future we humans think of- a long and peaceful life on earth- but I believe it means that we will have a future to look forward to in eternity! Heaven; an eternity with the LORD! Now, for some of us it does mean a long a peaceful life, but only HE knows what our lives will be like (remember the first phrase).
Now, moving on to verse 13. People often quote verse 11, but don't read far enough down the page to verse 13. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." This verse is a great one to bring up when someone questions you about whether or not God is a personal God. This seeking and finding is a personal seeking and finding, and then HE says we will find HIM when we seek with all our heart. God is someone we can know. Did you know that? :)
Okay, this might not have been as quick as you were expecting, but still! :)
May the LORD give you a blessed New Year!!!
Princess Catherine ~*~
Beginnings
Do you ever feel sad after Christmas is over? I know I always do. However, the thought just came to me this year that Christmas really isn't and ending. People say that the holiday season is over and the year is ending, but that's not the point. When God sent us His Son, He meant it to be the beginning of a story. A story that would last 33 years. But, then again, I'm implying another wrong conclusion. The end of the story isn't Easter, either. In fact, the story never ends! You might have heard people say that Easter is a holiday that celebrates new birth. I have always heard and said that, and in a way it's true. But Easter really isn't the beginning at all. Christmas is truly the beginning of the story that goes from the birth, to the ministry, to the death, resurrection, and finally the ascension of our LORD, Jesus. The story isn't finished yet. Jesus is coming back! He left His throne to redeem us, but someday He will return in glory to take us back to where we all belong. Our heavenly home! People have waited for thousands of years, but then again, they waited a really long time for the Messiah to come the first time, to. I'm still waiting, but I know He will be here soon. Someday when that happens, the story will finally have a happy ending. Wait...that's just the beginning for us! Maybe it won't end...
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because He has not believed in the Name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:16-21
Blessings in Christ,
Princess Melody
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because He has not believed in the Name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:16-21
Blessings in Christ,
Princess Melody
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