Does My Life Reflect My Belief in God?

And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?  He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.  Mark, Chapter 12, verses 26-27.

This passage causes me to refocus my thinking.  Rather than focus on what it’s going to be like in heaven, I need to focus on how my life reflects my belief in God, right now, here on Earth.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

As the Angels which are in Heaven

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.  Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.  And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.  And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.  In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them?  for the seven had her to wife.  And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God?  For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.  Mark, Chapter 12, verses 19-25.
This was really interesting to me, especially because I have remarried and my first husband was not a very nice person.  This is a relief, because now I know we won’t be in heaven joined with our past or present spouses.
Here is a related passage:
*Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked Him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.  There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.  And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.  And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.  Last of all the woman died also.  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.  And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.  Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.  Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, Thou hast well said.  Luke, Chapter 20, verses 27-39.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

I've been a "Hold Grudges Against Others Christian"

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.  Mark, Chapter 11, verses 25-26.

This passage makes me think I’m a “Hold Grudges Against Others Christian,” because I remember insensitive or hurtful things people have done to me.  God doesn’t want me to hold onto these feelings.  I’m sure I have done my share of insensitive and hurtful things to others in my life.  I sure don’t want to be judged by God with the same harsh standards that I impose on others.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

I Shouldn't Have a 'Plan B' Ready

And Jesus, answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  Mark, Chapter 11, verses 22-24.

This reminds me of how I ask God to take care of me, but I’m really establishing a plan in my mind of how to handle the situation or I’m continuing to worry about it.  It’s like I’m saying, “God, I want You to handle this situation but just in case You don’t take care of me, I will have a ‘Plan B’ ready or worry until it’s resolved.”  It’s just like telling God I don’t really trust Him to take care of me.  I need to be much more aware of displaying total trust in God to take care of my needs, concerns and my family. 
Here are some related passages:
*If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  James, Chapter 1, verses 5-6.
*Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; It shall be done.  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 21-22.
*And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? Luke, Chapter 11, verses 9-13.
*Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Or what man is there of you whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?  Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 7-11.
*And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.  And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.  Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are My people, saith the Lord GOD.  And ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.  Ezekiel, Chapter 34, verses 28-31.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Enough is Enough!

And they came to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.  And He taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.  Mark, Chapter 11, verses 15-17.

I think this passage shows a time where even Jesus says through His actions, “Enough Is Enough!”  It really got me thinking.  Generally, I hide behind my Christian faith to justify my passive interactions.  In this instance, Jesus didn’t handle the situation in a passive manner.  It leads me to believe there are times that stronger actions are needed to get the point across!  Anything less, would be condoning the inappropriate behavior or situation.
This reminds me of a Cultural Diversity training my husband arranged for co-workers.  They were talking about being in a situation where someone is putting down others whether for racial, gender, sexual reasons or otherwise.  They said to just stand there and not say anything is the same as participating in the put-downs, because our lack of action condones that behavior.  They said people should actually take a stand and tell the ones making the rude comments that we find them objectionable and would prefer that they discontinue them immediately.
Now, the passive side of me that doesn’t want to stand out in a crowd has to come to terms with this one.  Not only am I drawing attention to myself, I am also risking the possibility that someone may get angry with me or disapprove of my opinion.  Jesus took an active stand on an important issue and I think that I need to work on being able to confront people who are belittling others, despite my insecurities.  Jesus didn’t stop and think, “Now, if I tell them to quit selling all their wares in the church, they may be angry with Me.  Maybe I shouldn’t risk this because they might not like Me anymore.”  He took action because He knew it was wrong!  I need to take action because I know belittling others is wrong!
Here are some related passages:
*And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shalt be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.  Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 12-13.
*And He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.  Luke, Chapter 19, verses 45-46.
*And the Jew’s passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise.  And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up.  John, Chapter 2, verses 13-17.


Too Quick to Fret and Worry

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.  And they say unto Him, Shall we go and buy two hundred penny worth of bread, and give them to eat?  He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.  And He commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.  And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them: and the two fishes divided He among them all.  And they did all eat, and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.  And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.  Mark, Chapter 6, verses 37-44.
I had always enjoyed reading about this miracle that Jesus did, but I was really surprised when I was reading the Bible and found there was another time Jesus fed the multitudes.  At first, I thought it was a different disciple telling about the loaves and fishes and was just off on some of the basic facts a little.  Then after reading the Bible many times, I realized it was Mark who told about the first feeding of the five thousand and he was the same one who told about the feeding of four thousand.  These were two different, but similar miracles that Jesus did.
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.  And His disciples answered Him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And He asked them, How many loaves have ye?  And they said, Seven.  And He commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and He took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to His disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.  And they had a few small fishes and He blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.  So they did eat, and were filled, and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.  And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and He sent them away.  Mark, Chapter 8, verses 1-9.
This amazed me, but I still figured I must be mistaken.  This next passage, also written by Mark, puts the whole thing together.
And He left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.  And He charged them saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.  And when Jesus knew it. He saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread?  Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart yet hardened?  Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember?  When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?  They say unto Him, Twelve.  And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?  And they say Seven.  And He said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?  Mark, Chapter 8, verses 13-21.
I know, I know! This may not be the most profound religious experience you have ever had.  I just thought it was interesting to know that there were two totally different times that Jesus provided food for the multitudes and Mark told about both of them.  It influenced me to start reading more in-depth to not miss the details.  Then, Jesus refers to both miracles when He asks His Disciples why they were so worried about having enough food; didn’t they remember the two recent miracles He had done in their midst?
I guess the lesson I would get out of all of this is to remember that God does so much for me.  He provides for my every need.  He gets me through all types of situations.  Now, do I remember these things when I’m faced with uncertainty?  Nope!  Just like the disciples, I’m too quick to fret and worry about things, forgetting God will provide for all my needs and take care of me, if I let Him.
Here are some related passages:
*When Jesus then lifted up His Eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Phillip, whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?  And this He said to prove Him: for He Himself knew what He would do.  Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.  Now there was much grass in the place, So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.  And Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.  When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.  Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.  Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a Truth that Prophet that should come unto the world.  John, Chapter 6, verses 5-14.
*Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.  Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves because ye have brought no bread?  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?  Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.  Matthew, Chapter 16, verses 6-12.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Starting Out Well-Intentioned

Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His doctrine: Hearken: Behold, there went out a sower to sow.  And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.  And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:  But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.  And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.  And He said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  Mark Chapter 4, verses 2- 9. 
And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?  The sower soweth the Word.  And these are they by the way side, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the Word that was sown in their hearts.  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word’s sake immediately they are offended.  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful.  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.  And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?  For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.  Mark, Chapter 4, verses 13-23.

Since many who hear the message of Salvation, start out well-intentioned but are led astray, it’s important for me to not take my faith for granted.  It’s something that needs to be an integral part of my everyday life.  I should live my faith outwardly and develop it further so I don’t become vulnerable to the influences of others and the world.
Here are some related passages:
*And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.  Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 3-9. 
*Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in this heart.  This is he which received seed by the way side.  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended.  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful.  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 18-23.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Wonderful News!!!

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.  Come see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you.  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word.  Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 5-8.

A little bit ago, I was reading the part of the Bible that makes me the saddest, where they spit on Jesus and mock Him when He’s preparing to give His life for our sins…even for those that treated Him so terribly.  Now, I’m reading this part which makes me exceedingly happy.  I get goose bumps thinking of how amazing it must have been to be there when Jesus had arisen just as He had told them, such wonderful news that defies all explanation!

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.



This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.