Always "but" with God

In Class we learned that, There is always a "but" with God. God let Samson's mother be able to have a baby. A lot of times in Scripture God makes barren women have children. we see it in the story of Samson, Samuel (Hannah was barren), and many other stories in the Bible. God also did a miracle for my mother too! She couldn't bare children for a while. Her desire was to have a baby and God did a miracle and opened her womb and let her become pregnant. She had me! Then God blessed her with three more children. I like to see and hear about amazing things that God can do.

We Need to Listen to What God Says to Do

The story of Jephthah is a great story filled with an important lesson. In the story, Jephthah made a vow to God which wasn't very good. He told God that the next person that walks by, he would be kill them. The next person was his daughter. I think God already knew what was going to happen, so He didn't agree with it. Jephthah should have listened to God to see what God would deem as okay. Murdering is a sin and I don't think God would want anyone making a vow if it is only going to have the person sin. God also doesn't factor in family history (learned in Bible). Another thing I liked from class was the verse, "Do not swear at all...simply let your "yes" be "yes" and your "No", "No"; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." This is a great verse that is saying that we need to be sure and truthful and do things that God wants us to.

Loving God More

In Bible class one thing we learned about Gideon was that he detroyed his father's property. A statement from one of the powerpoints was, Do we really love God more than our parents. There are many verses in the Bible that state that we need to love God more than our parents. It is important because Jesus wants us to only love Him with all our heart and give up everything to follow Him. Including giving up our parents. I like the examples where someone who grows up in a certain religion, but then finds the truth and then the person has to choose between God or parents. Last year in chapel we saw a video about a boy like that and he chose God. it is important to love and respect our parents because that's what God says. We need to be ready if our parents make us do something could hinder our relationship with God.

Our God Who Holds the Future

In Bible clas we have been learning about many judges including, Gideon. Gideon was a guy that God wanted to use for an important job. Gideon was afraid (thats why he was hiding in the wine press threshing wheat. He didn't seem like he was the right person to do a job that God asked him to. God saw the potential in him. In the same way God calls people to do something. He likes to pick people that at first might not be able to do the job, but He does equip them with the strength and skills to do it. He also likes to pick humble people rather than proud people, and forgotten and outcast people than super stars. Before I came a SWAT Officer, I had a different view. Back in 2006 when I was in 9th grade, it was time to put in applications for new SWAT officers. I didn't want to put in an application because I thought it was going to be a big responsiblity, so I didn't want to do it. A few days later after the due date fore the application came and went, Sister Dawn found me and said, "We noticed that you didn't put an application in." Then she said, "We were praying for who to be a SWAT Officer, and God brought you to mind." She also said that they really liked the good leadership quality in me that she saw in Germany. Right after she said that my whole outlook changed and I got the application, went home and decided to hand in the application. I realized that God will be with me and help me do it. That was the story of how God led me to be a SWAT Officer and how God orchestrated the whole thing. I really like how God can lift up anyone to be in a certain positon even if by themselves they don't think they can do it.

God, Our Kinsman Redeemer

In Bible class we learned about the Kinsman Redeemer. hey were responsible for family members by avenging murdured family members, ransom family, have a kid for childless relative. The neat thing is that Boaz helped Ruth out of love not just responsibility. In a way, God is like our Kinsman Redeemer. He sent His son to save us and did it out of love. God also avenges us when we have problems. He will take care of revenge which is better than doing it ourselves. I just love resting in that God protects us and calls us His own.
-Hannah

Our God Who Restores

In Bible class we learned that God restored Naomi and helped her realize that He was with her. God turned her deserts into gardens. God can to ours too. He picks us up when we fall and will restore us through many aspects, other people, and many circumstances. When we are plans have gone wrong or just went bad because of our own doing God can turn it out for good. He also can speak to us to let us know it will be all right. I am thankful for God's providence and help all the time. All we have to do is call out to Him, but He can also heal others on His own.
-Hannah

A Loving God 11/27

Another important discussion that we talked about in Bible class was that someone brought up the idea that God predestined people to be saved. I don't belive that. I know God knows everything, but I have faith that He does have great plans instore. in the Bible it says that God loves everyone because He created them all. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." God also wants everybody to come to him and be saved so I don't think there is predestination. God gives everybody a choice so sure there could be some people who would not come to Him. Yet God knows everything. I just rest and know that God's knowledge and thinking is way beyond ours. I just believe who He says He is in the Bible. A thing that was said in Bible today I really liked was, To love without a choice isn't love. that is a very important thing. We can choose to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
-Hannah K.

Our All Powerful God 11/26

In Bible class the statement was brought up that life can be tough and is tough. and the answer discussed in class went back to Genesis 3. That is telling us that God made the world good and us very good. We had perfect connection with God before the fall of man. Adam got to be in harmony with Him. Since sin entered and Satan fell he was the one tempting Eve and questioning what God directly said, not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but Eve disobeyed God (so did Adam) and from that the relationship was scarred. That is why sin and death come into the world. God didn't do it. It is since man fell that God gave us a taste of living in a fallen world. I am thankful that Jesus came to set the world free and save us. Now the relationship is prepared. We need to have faith that God is everywhere though we may not understand His ways because they are higher than ours. It is also important to not blame God for things going on, but realize that He is in control and can turn bad things in our lives and make them great if we love God.
-Hannah K.

God, The Great Judge -11/15

In Bible class we are learning about Judges and some of the judges that consist the book. A comment was made in class on one of the power points stating that "God is the true Judge" That means that God rules over it all. He created everything, sustains life, and takes it away, can do everything because He is all powerful, and He even came down in human form to set the whole world free. I'm glad that God is our Judge. He protects us all the time when we are His children and gives us peace. I' glad I live for a just God.
-Hannah

Some Themes in Judges- 11/14

In Bible class we learned about why God had to send judges for Israel. The reasons were, that Israel had no king and did what they thought was right, Spiritual deterioration because they were disobedient and had a lack of faith. Those are two of the themes of the book of Judges. God sent these judges to save Israel from the bad things going by fighting their enemies. In a way these themes can apply to us today. God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins and saved us from death and suffering and defeated Satan and death and we have can have peace. Just like in all these stories about the different judges. They are sent to help the Israelites and then kills off their enemy and the land has peace for so many years. It is going to be exciting to learn about the book of Judges in our study in Bible class.
-Hannah

Our Miraculous God- 11/13

Today in Bible class we were learning about the differences in the Battle of Jericho and Ai and how God fought for the Israelites in each battle. In Jericho God used many miracles to win the battle. He had them walk around the city for 7 days and then had them blow the trumpets and yell and the walls came down. Throughout that battle God really demonstrated His power in a great way. The second Battle at Ai God worked through planning and helped them and gave Joshua wisdom on what God wanted them to do. From this we can learn that God works in many ways and is not just accustomed to one way. We need to believe that He will do what He says even if we're not sure of how He is going to do it. In my life I've seen God do things in a variety of ways which makes me conclude that God does love a variety. I see that in His creation and the world around us. It is comforting to know that God works and His doing miracles everyday in all sorts of ways. Through people, songs, books, His Word, and God Himself just doing it.
-Hannah K.

Achan's Sin -11/12

In Bible class we have been learning about Joshua and how God used him to lead the Israelites. We learned about Achan's sin and how it affected him and his family and the Israelites. All he did was take some things after Jericho fell. From being found out he and his family ended up getting killed and Israel lost a battle at Ai. Sin is never a good thing to do. We can learn a lesson from Achan which is that God doesn't like sin and even the littlest sin won't please Him. It is always important to obey God and try to not sin. Thanks to Jesus dying on the cross for our sins God looks past our sins when we repent and believe in Him. Once we are His children, we now have God's Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin. -Hannah K.

Trusting God Even When it seems Impossible

Today in Bible class, we learned in more detail about how Israel dealt with the Holy War and to show that God was the only one being glorified in battle. For example, some of the things were that they had no pay, no guaranteed spoils, only at God's call, and Yahweh does the fighting. What was said in class was realy great. It was that God may tell us to do someting that we might not understand or make sense, but it is important to trust in Jesus because He knows what is going on and will make the outcome great. Again when we obey God we are blessed. -Hannah

The Amazing Way God Destroyed Jericho 10/31

A really cool part of the story of Joshua is when God told him to march around the city for six days. For the first six days they marched around once and then on the seventh they marched seven times. Then blew their horns. Then the whole city came tumbling down. That is just so amazing to think about how God had the whole way of defeating the nations that were making hard to get to the promised land. God protected His people by not having them fight Jericho with the five methods of ancient warfare. Those methods could have been dangerous so God really helped them get to the promised land just like He said. It is also wonderful that God will always know what to do and keep His promises. When we have faith in God that He can do what He promised, we can be happy in knowing that God holds the future.
-Hannah K.

Journal on Covenant Renewal 10/30

In Joshua chapter 5 we learned that God wanted the men to be circumcised before they were going to get ready to take the promised land. God did that because He wanted them to not re lie on their own strength, but on God's strength. In life as Christians it can be very hard to totally re lie on God's strength the most. It seems whenever we try to do things on our own or with our own strength the tasks may seem to overwhelming and even scary, but when we run to Jesus He can carry us and help us through the trials and tribulations. For me it can be hard to re lie on God's strength. Another lesson from class was, we need to be totally submitted to God and listen and do what He says. Because His way is the best way. He might tell us to do something we might not agree with or like but it is important to submit to God no matter what. The same thing goes for when God answers prayer in His own way.
Just to let you know from you mentioning Jason Upton, I was curious about who he was so I went on You Tube and found a lot of videos of him and singing his songs. He is a great singer that really is filled the Holy Spirit and really has a passion for worshiping God. I already found songs I like. Some are I Will Wait, Teach Me How To Pray, and Learning to Love. Thanks for telling about Jason Upton.
-Hannah K.

Three Things Israel Had to Do and we do too! 10/29

Lately in class we have been learning about Joshua and how he took over for Moses to lead the Israelites to the promised land. One thing we learned was about what God wanted Joshua and the Israelites to do since they weren't given a military strategy yet they were to obey God's law, Speak God's law, and meditate on God's law. These that God wanted them to do are very important even for today. As Christians we need to always obey God's Word and follow and do what He says so we can learn what God has for us. Today it is important to speak God's word for preaching the good news to the lost, saying scripture to have Satan flee, and to declare God's promises and favor over us. Meditating on God's law is good to let us be changed and really think about what God says. Doing these three things are very crucial to having a deep relationship with Christ.
-Hannah

Faith

Today in Bible we learned about what faith. Faith is believing in Jesus without seeing Him but we know He is there. It is also having faith that God will do what He says He is going to do and having faith that He will protect us. Our faith can be strengthened when we spend time with God. When we talk to Him, spend time worshiping, and reading is word we can feel really at peace and full of joy when we are in God's presence. I've had times when His Spirit was so evident that I felt so full of joy and peace and new again in Christ.

Another thing that stood out in class today was we watched this clip about this man who was thrown in jail and in the beginning he had faith that God was going to free him from jail and give him justice. He then ended up giving up on his faith. Right now I am going through something where I have to trust God and have faith that He knows what to do. I have a crooked jaw and my bite does not line up. I found out about two years ago that it cannot be fixed with braces or other Orthodontics work. So I found out that I would need surgery. At first I was really sad and a little angry because I didn't want surgery. And many times I've been worrying about it and it was taking up alot of my thoughts. But I've been trying to keep trusting in God that He will do what is in His will. I am still praying for a miracle though (for God to heal my jaw and bite completely). This whole expieriance has been and still is a test of my faith that He knows what to do. I need to keep having faith that He will heal my jaw becuase He is the healer, protector, savior, creator, etc... I just wanted to share that with you becuase it went along with the lesson about having faith and having it tested. If you want you could pray for my jaw situation for a healing and for whatever God's will is. I would really appreciate it.

-Hannah K.

Journal

Today in Bible we learned about the Ark of The Covenant. That was a place where God's spirit was in the Holy of Holies. The really great thing is that when God sent His Son Jesus To die for our sins, we can now have Jesus come into our hearts to dwell. Our bodies are now temples for God. We can now worship God anywhere! Also in Spirit and in truth throughout our lives. I am so happy to have Jesus in my heart and I can come to Him at any time and worship Him.
My prayer is that others will come to know Jesus as their personal savior and to be able to worship and live with God all the time. A song that I remember that goes along with entering The Holy of Holies is this (the Chorus) "Take me in to the Holy of Holies. Take me in by the blood of the lamb. Take me in to the Holy of Holies, Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am." That song says that we can now get in to the Holy of Holies and be deaper with God because of Jesus dieing on the cross for our sins. It is a great song and all the lyrics are like a prayer to want to hunger for righteousness and to get a closer relationship with God.

-Hannah

First Journal using Blogger

Today in Bible we continued learning about the furniture in the Tabernacle. We talked about the Laver. Which symbolized how we need to be pure before God and have no filthy stuff in our lives. It is very important to always be pure before God. The cool and wonderful thing is that God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Becuase "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." So we can come to God and He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That's why unsaved people have an easy way to get to God. God even cleanses His already saved children if we come humbly to him and realize who He is. -Hannah