I Hate to Think of How Spiteful I had Been...

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.  Galatians, Chapter 5, verses 25-26.

In high school, I remember running for Sophomore Secretary.  (I always remember how to spell secretary, because I spelled it incorrectly on every banner I displayed throughout the school.)  My opponent was also a member of the Drill Team.  I had tried out for the Drill Team but wasn't selected.
My envy of my opponent led me to tell others that she really didn't deserve the Sophomore Secretary position that I coveted.  I told them that her other obligations were too time consuming for her to do a good job for the Sophomore Class.
It was a very humbling experience for me when she won the election for Sophomore Secretary.  I hate to think of how spiteful I had been, because I let that position become too important in my life.  I definitely wasn't being a very good example to 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.


Not Wanting to Watch Shows with Witchcraft, Demonic, or Satanic Themes...

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;  Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no Law.  Galatians, Chapter 5, verses 19-23.

When others react to my not wanting to watch shows with witchcraft, demonic or satanic themes, I feel vindicated when I read this passage.  When it says people who demonstrate those negative choices won’t inherit the kingdom of God, it doesn't sound like God is just mildly annoyed if people do the things listed in this passage.  My desire is to stay committed to what I know God wants rather than to buckle under when I know they disapprove.

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.

Isn't it Neat That God Makes All of These Decisions on a Personal Basis?

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.  Galatians Chapter 2, verse 16.

There are people who think that if they are good people they will have Salvation, but they don’t actively believe in Jesus Christ.  This doesn’t necessarily mean they have to attend church regularly.  There are some people who attend church regularly that may or may not receive Salvation because of their lifestyle choices.  Attending church isn’t a sole indicator of a person’s belief in Christ.  That is a personal matter between God and them.  Isn’t it neat that God makes all of these decisions on an individual basis?
Anyway, the requirement for Salvation is to believe that Jesus Christ is Savior of all.  Now, this isn’t an isolated thing.  That belief needs to be an active part of our life.  It’s not just something we should think about every six years when a relative dies and you think about them going to heaven to be with God.  It’s supposed to be a daily part of our lives.  That’s what I mean.  This passage is saying that we don’t get Salvation by just following the Law; it’s our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us, but we are still supposed to try to be examples of how Jesus works in our lives.

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.

The Things Which Are Not Seen Are Eternal...

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians, Chapter 4, verses 17-18.

Sometimes I get caught up in feeling sorry for myself.  When I think of this, my troubles are very insignificant compared to the suffering Jesus went through to save us from our sins.  After I think of all He went through on my behalf, I feel guilty for the petty things I worry about.

Here is a related passage:
*For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.  Isaiah, Chapter 41, verse 13.


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

God...If You Need Someone to do a Low-Risk Thing...I'm Your Person

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians, Chapter 12, verses 8-10.

This is really from Paul speaking about a vision he had from God.  Even though he asked Jesus to take away his burden, God's reply was, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
It reminds me of when God asked Moses to talk to the Pharaoh to let God’s people go and for Moses to lead these people to the Promised Land.  Moses told God that he wouldn’t make a very good leader because he wasn’t a good speaker.  God told him not to worry about it because he was the person that God wanted to lead His people. (Paraphrased)
I’m ashamed to say that there have been times when God has led me to be a witness to someone else and I told God through my actions, “That’s not my thing, God.  I’m not the type who is good at confronting people and telling them about You.  Why don’t You save it for someone else from those other religions that don’t mind being embarrassed by going door to door and confronting people?  Now, if You need someone to do a low-risk thing like saying a prayer for someone or giving a little money to the needy, then I’m Your person.”
I need to remember that God will take care of my weaknesses if I let Him, and will provide the strength necessary to do whatever He wants, just like He did for Moses.

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

Misled by Others Who Profess to Be Followers of God...

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  2 Corinthians, Chapter 11, verses 12-15.

This passage reminds us to be careful to not be deceived.  There will be people who say they are Christians, proposing beliefs that sound good but will lead many astray.  It goes on to say that Satan transforms himself into a minister of righteousness to mislead people.
I always remember Jim Jones who was a minister years ago.  He took a group of “believers” to Jonestown, Guyana.  These people must have been very devoted to their “beliefs.”  I’m not sure that if push came to shove that I would leave my home and family to go to another country just because someone told me this is what God wanted me to do.  Anyway, they must have been very dedicated to leave everything and everyone behind.
Jim Jones either convinced or tricked these “believers” into committing suicide when the authorities got too involved.  Well, although these were very committed “believers” who gave up all for their faith in God, it was for nothing.  They gave up all their things, friends, family and lives for a very disturbed minister who led these people to believe he was doing the will of God.  (If you want more details; look up the Jonestown Massacre in Guyana during 1978.)  Did these people find Salvation?  I can’t speak to that, but it’s highly questionable.
We don’t want to find ourselves misled by others who profess to be followers of God.  I think it’s very important for all Christians to check things out in the Bible.  Don’t take things for granted just because someone else says them, whether it’s a minister, a devoted Christian, me, someone on a Christian Channel or Radio Station.  It’s very easy to take a verse or two out of the Bible and make it support just about anything.  That’s considered using the Bible passages out of context.
Reading a chapter before the passage and after the passage is beneficial.  Each chapter is about a page or two.  This gives you a better idea of what the quoted Bible verses really mean.  That’s why I always tell you where I get the Bible passages.  I want you to be able to look them up and verify them.  It’s a very important thing to do.
You need to look at the people who have an influence on your religious life.  What type of lifestyle do they lead?  Are they running in the fast lane?  Are they preaching something that has become very popular or a fad type of belief?  Are they taking too much credit for things rather than keeping the focus on God?  Are they putting an undue emphasis on giving money?  Be cautious about who you give ultimate control of your religious life.  Check things out.  Passages like this one remind me that very dedicated believers can still be misled by others as in the Jonestown Massacre.  It pays to check things out.  It may have a direct impact on your Salvation.

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.

South Korea and Reunification...What Does God Want?

1 John 4: 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

(This is not a part of the book: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life.)

We recently were blessed with the opportunity to visit South Korea. In fact, we just got back on Friday night. That's why I'm up at 3:00 a.m. typing this blog post instead of sleeping. It looks like I'm not back on U.S. time, yet.

While we were in South Korea, my husband and I met many wonderful and very helpful people. We had the opportunity to talk with someone who filled us in on some of the political concerns of South Korea. I was told that there are some young adults in South Korea who are strongly pushing for the reunification with North Korea. Not to mention the financial burden on South Koreans, there is the ethical and moral decisions that they have to debate.

I was told, hopefully I explain it accurately, that their concern is with the well-being of the North Koreans, their brothers, because they are all Korean. Some feel that if they are reunified, then their North Korean brothers would have the same freedoms that they have. They look to the reunification of families when the Berlin Wall was taken down and feel that to not reunify, leaves the North Koreans living in extreme poverty, while the economy in South Korea flourishes.

As an American, I am concerned about the Communist Party of North Korea. It would be nice if all of Korea could reunify and all live together and have democracy and freedom. I get concerned about recent TV reports in the states, of those in South Korea who have subtle connections to North Korea, plotting to overthrow the the South Korean government. What if, instead of all living with freedom, they all lived together in a reunified country with little rights and extreme poverty like the North Koreans? Are the Koreans being too idealistic to think that reunification would provide freedom for everyone? 

What does God want in this situation? I wish I knew, but thought that it might be good to open up Christian dialogue on this topic, so we can all be prayerful for what's best for all Koreans-North and South. Since this is a Christian Blog, I would like to only have comments with a Biblical focus and no hateful comments. Debbie Seiling

Since I have used this passage as it relates to this topic, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie



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

Christians Don't Let Things Get the Best of Them...

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.  2 Corinthians, Chapter 4, verses 8-9.

Part of this passage is in a song my church sings.  I like the message that Christians don’t let things get the best of them, because we know God is there on our side.

(I realize this is a short portion of the book, but it's still pretty powerful when you think of it.)

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. 

Concepts and Beliefs Out of Alignment With the Bible May Lead People Astray

For God, who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4, verses 6-7.

This is another one of the Bible passages that confirms my focus on God rather than us: “willing” things, using the “power of positive thinking”, “using the god power within me” or “visualizing” things the way you want them to be.  It’s not just someone’s opinion or someone’s philosophy.  God tells us in this passage and throughout the Bible that He wants us to focus on Him.
I think it’s important for you to know that I’m not just giving my opinion, because there is a religious basis for my belief related to passages in the Bible.  It’s very important as a Christian, to check things out.  A lot of different religious beliefs sound really good or plausible.  Some have isolated passages from the Bible to support them.  That’s using the Bible out of context.  I doubt if all who do this mean to be deceitful, but concepts and beliefs out of alignment with the Bible may possibly be leading people astray, no matter how plausible the belief sounds.  Remember to check these things out for yourself.  It’s YOUR Salvation that’s in question!

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.