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WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Learn more about Jesus! Let the Bible show you how to fix your life! Enjoy Christian words of encouragement from the Bible, inspirational Bible stories, Bible verses to live by, and sound Bible teaching. Learn how to homeschool and prepare healthy easy recipes. Scroll down for our menu...
by Linda Hull
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"I meditate on all thy works." Be Transformed! ...by the renewing of your mind
Copyright © 2011 Linda G. Hull All rights reserved. Photos are copyright © 2011 Linda G. Hull Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. |
In This IssueFebruary , 2011, Volume 17.2"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." Ephesians 5:1-2 Letter From The EditorDo you love Jesus? What sacrifice will you make for Him? |
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"As we live out our daily lives, each must choose whom they will serve. I seek to maintain a close fellowship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to serve Him as He directs. My desire is to be in the center of His will at all times. It is my prayer that Words of Encouragement will encourage and exhort all of us towards a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ through increased knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. May it provide the help and hope you seek. May it strengthen the Church of believers."
- Linda Hull
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"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Galatians 4:16
Letter from the Editor...
Hello!Sacrifice is not something we enjoy. It's fine to give away what we no longer want, or even to give something that we can afford. When we talk about loving Jesus, or someone else for that matter, the question must be asked, do we love ourselves more? Oftentimes, the answer is yes. We want what we want! Many years ago our Sunday School class was asked to give to a needy church family. It was an opportunity to offer a sacrifice to our Lord through our giving, but it ultimately revealed our selfishness. If you love someone, especially Jesus, you will be willing to sacrifice. Let us be cleansed by the Word, so that we might have thankful hearts willing to sacrifice for love of Christ. Begin reading Words of Encouragement by clicking to continue for the first article... or just scroll down to In This Issue. Enjoy! Linda
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"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." Proverbs 21:3
IN THIS ISSUECLICK ON THE LINKS TO TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO AN ARTICLE
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Copyright © 2011 by Linda G. Hull
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"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:1-10 (KJV)
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WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE TO PLEASE JESUS?
After a recent Sunday School lesson about Ananias and his wife Saphira (Acts 5), I began to think about sacrifice. Giving is such a difficult subject for many. Do you love your money? A good barometer of your willingness to give is to ask yourself the question, "What would you sacrifice to please Jesus?"
We have control of our resources. Let's learn a lesson from the Bible about a couple who wanted glory without sacrifice...
Many in the early church were suffering. They had been kicked out of their families, even lost their jobs because they renounced Judaism to follow Jesus. Consequently those with wealth sold all they had and gave the proceeds to be distributed to the Believers in need. This they did voluntarily.
Ananias and Saphira too sold their property. However, they decided to keep some of the proceeds for themselves. Too embarrassed to admit they weren't willing to give all of the money, they decided to lie about how much they received.
Under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Peter questioned them about why they lied to the Holy Spirit. You see they wanted the glory for giving all they had received. Peter's words are food for thought:
"Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." Acts 5:4
Peter spoke truthfully. No one asked Ananias and Saphira to sell their property. No one told them they had to give it all. The choice to give as they wished was theirs alone.
Their folly cost them their very lives.
What sacrifice are you willing to make for Jesus? What will you be willing to forsake for Him?
A little boy admitted he had songs that contained cursing on his iPod. James 3:10 says, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." Knowing that the Bible forbids cursing, he was unwilling to delete them. The money he had paid for these songs was dear to him.
Another little boy was faced with a choice. The story of his sacrifice is told in John 6:9-13. He had a lunch of five barley loaves and two small fish. He gave his lunch to Jesus. Many were fed as a result, for Jesus takes our little sacrifice and multiplies it for His use and for His glory.
Sacrifice requires trust in God. Many will find sacrifice to be a burdensome thing if God cannot be trusted to make up the shortfall. Is there something you are holding back? You can trust Jesus with it.
Is there something Jesus has called you to do that you haven't done? Why not? Is there a sin you will give up for Jesus? Think about it...
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"The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?" Proverbs 21:25-27
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the things whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:6-11
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people." Isaiah55:1-4
"But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isaiah 43:22-25
"Behold the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity." Isaiah 59:1-4
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"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2
For the love of Christ, a man or a woman or even a child will lay down their life. Choosing a life of service to Him and for Him, they will squash their own will for His. They will even die for Him.
Love is a strong motivator. Who can withstand this amazing thing called love?
Twelve men dropped everything to follow Him, not knowing where their journey would take them. Intrigued by the miracles they witnessed Him performing, they watched and followed. Then one day the truth was revealed; He was God's Son, the long awaited Messiah.
With such power, kingdoms could be overthrown, oppression stopped and peace with prosperity would come. He said He came to divide (Matthew 10:35), and that His time was not yet (John 7:6). Then He was gone. He suffered a brutal, inhumane death at the hands of His accusers, jealous of His following and influence.
His rising from the grave brought fresh hope and courage. These twelve took the message of repentance and salvation from the punishment of sin to the world. They paid the price-their very lives.
What would you do for the love of Christ? What would it take for you to follow Him?
How shallow is our love, if given when it is convenient and when He is popular? Would you have followed Him to the cross? Only one of His disciples did-John. The rest fled.
When criticism comes, will you stand for Jesus? Yes, it is hard to face the shaking heads, dark looks, and the turning away of friends and family. Can you endure to the end? The Bible says those who endure to the end will be saved. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another..." Matthew 10:22-23a
Be steadfast and certain of your Lord, for when we are weak, He is strong. "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a
Can you forgive those who have hurt you? Jesus did. He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34a He bore the shame and guilt for their sin too, but still they would not receive Him.
He has called your name. Will you follow Jesus? Will you love Him enough?
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"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations;" Isaiah 1:11-13a
-Author unknown
Just where you stand in the conflict,
There is your place.
Just where you think you are useless,
Hide not your face.
God placed you there for a purpose,
Whate'er it be.
Think He has chosen you for it;
Work loyally.
Gird on your armor! Be faithful
At toil or rest,
Whiche'er it be, never doubting
God's way is best.
Out in the fight or on picket,
Stand firm and true;
This is the work which your Master
Gives you to do.
Haskell, H. Bible Training School, Volume XIII, July 14, 1914, Number 2. South Lancaster, MA.
Retrieved 1/27/2011 at: http://adventistarchives.org/docs/BTS/BTS19140701-V13-02__C.pdf
Photo of Lois Rebecca Brice (1880-1918)
"Inspired by great-grandmother's scrapbook, compiled before 1918."
If We Had But a Day
by Mrs. M. L. Dickinson
We should waste no moments in weak regret,
If the day were but one;
If what we remember and what we forget
Went out with the sun,
We should be free from our clamorous selves set
free,
To work or to play,
To be what the Father would have us be,
If we had but a day.
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Haskell, H. Bible Training School, Volume XIII, July 14, 1914, Number 2, pg. 6. South Lancaster, MA.
Retrieved 1/27/2011 at: http://adventistarchives.org/docs/BTS/BTS19140701-V13-02__C.pdf
*Public Domain
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"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife." Proverbs 17:1
HOME SCHOOL TIPS
Let's Honor the Heroes of our Nation!
The month of February is when we take a holiday in honor of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. However instead of revering these men who helped build our great nation, we ignore their contribution. Hey, a holiday is a holiday, for whatever reason, but if we don't remember our history and teach it to our children, it will be forgotten. Celebrate their birthdays by reading about their accomplishments, their humble beginnings, and their legacy for us today. Children need heroes that are worthy of that honor to emulate and inspire them.
Enjoy these interesting facts...
**About George Washington from the book, "George Washington: an Historical Biography" by Horace E. Scudder, Copyright 1886, available at Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=iJ5BAAAAYAAJ&dq=george%20washington%20biography&pg=PA103#v=onepage&q&f=false
George Washington's great-grandfather immigrated from England to Virginia in 1657. He settled along the Potomac in what became Washington Parish. President Washington was born February 22, 1732, to Augustine and Mary Washington. Mary was his father's second wife, his first wife having died, leaving two children behind. George was the oldest of his parents' children consisting of three brothers and two sisters. After the family home in Washington Parish burned down, the family relocated to a place on the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg. His father, Augustine, died when he was 11 years old. His mother Mary took over the running of the family estate. After his father's death, George went to live with his older half-brother, Augustine, and to attend school.
It is said by the author that George learned "a governing spirit and a spirit of order and method" from his mother. These of course are important lessons for a future leader to learn. Other lessons George learned came from a copybook in which he wrote from the "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." These lessons of behavior and respect stood him in good stead throughout his life. In his teens he began to study surveying. In this endeavor, he showed himself to be of courage, endurance, and perseverance. Later he earned the position of Public Surveyor. When things heated up between the French and English, George was appointed an adjunct-general in Virginia, overseeing the militia for his area. George was 19 years old. When his older brother Lawrence became ill, George accompanied him to the West Indies. George contracted smallpox but survived. When his brother died, George inherited his brother's estate, Mount Vernon, and took upon himself the care of Lawrence's wife and daughter. Later, when his brother's wife remarried and the little daughter died, Mount Vernon became his own, as there were no heirs. George later married the young widow, Mrs. Martha Custis, mother of two small children, in 1759. George and Martha never had children of their own.
The exploits of George Washington from commissioner to soldier commanding a force of able-bodied men, then his years in public service are legendary. We know from his biographer that George was a man of character and determination. He carried out his duties with wisdom, bravery, and diligence.
**About Abraham Lincoln from the book, "The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln" by Francis F. Browne, copyright 1887, available at Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Bi8DAAAAYAAJ&dq=abraham%20lincoln%20biography&pg=PR5#v=onepage&q&f=false
A brief autobiography was included in these writings. From this we learn that Abraham Lincoln's family immigrated from Norfolk County, England about 1638 to Massachusetts, later relocating to Pennsylvania, then Virginia. Abraham was born February 12, 1809, in Kentucky. Abraham grew to be 6'4", 180 lbs., with black hair, and gray eyes. He was apparently named after his grandfather, Abraham Lincoln, who moved from Virginia to Kentucky about 1781, where he was killed by Indians, leaving a six year old son, Abraham's father Thomas, and his wife and other children. The family were Baptists, despite a Quaker background on the Lincoln side. When Abraham was 8 years old, the family moved to Indiana.
Abraham came from very humble beginnings, for the family was poor and lived in a wild frontier land where education was scarce. Abraham learned to read and write from his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, who died in 1818, when he was 9 years old. From her, Abraham learned the tenets of the Christian faith that formed his character. That same year, his father remarried Mrs. Sarah Johnson, the mother of a son and two daughters. He found great favor with Sarah, who praised him for his devotion.
Abraham married Mary Todd in 1842. To them was born 4 children, but all died in their childhood except for the oldest, Robert. Abraham was a self-educated man, with the habit of preaching from the Bible to the family. He was a man of honor, sensitivity, and strength, both inner and outwardly. He was a passionate reader, a man who loved to tell stories, and a man of his word, known as "Honest Abe."
He stayed on the family farm until he was 21 years old, when he relocated to Illinois, becoming a store clerk. At the start of the Black Hawk war, he was appointed Captain of the Volunteers. After the war, he ran for the legislature and lost, but was successful the next three elections. He began a study of Law and served as a lawyer until he was elected to the Lower House of Congress. Later he served in the United States House of Representatives, and was elected to be the 16th President of the United States.
We must wonder what else might he have accomplished had his life not been cut short by an assassin's bullet.
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HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:
When we began our homeschooling journey, there were few resources to help us get started. We too struggled to find information, resources, and support for our journey. Homeschooling is more mainstream today, and for that I am truly thankful.
Still, there are times where reading about another's journey and gathering from the experience of others can inspire and be a help in time of need. To ask questions about homeschooling please contact me!
My new booklet is available to help you on your journey:
Homeschooling:
The Modern Day One Room Schoolhouse.
>>>Just click on the book cover or the link above to go directly to the secure store site to order.
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VISION FORUM provides wonderful homeschool resources!
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This is a free downloadable program for all your record keeping needs! I have used it successfully for years! Record keeping couldn't be easier or quicker!
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"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil." Ecclesiastes 5:1
THOUGHT PROVOKERSExcerpt from "Keys to a Successful Marriage"
by Dr. Homer G. Lindsay, Jr.
"You want to have a successful marriage-a marriage where your mate just loves you to death, you put her first all the time. You want to have a marriage where your husband just loves you to pieces, you put him first."
"Selfishness will keep you from doing that; self-centeredness, egotism will keep you from doing that. But if you have submitted yourself, if you have surrendered your will to the Holy Spirit, then you can do that. That's the key...each day surrendering your will to God in order that the Holy Spirit is in control of your life."
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"O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of
thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the
sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will
pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts
of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the
Lord." Psalm 116:16-19
"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." I Timothy 6:6
Click on the links below to go to a recipe or the tip of the month or scroll down.
"Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:10-11
* More recipes can be found at Free Recipes or Free Cooking Recipes.
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5 cups organic chicken stock, 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup celery, sliced 1/3 cup carrots, sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/8 teaspoon pepper 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2 inch pieces 1 tablespoon parsley 3 oz. ribbon egg noodles, no yolk In a large saucepot, add enough water to boil noodles. Bring water to a boil. Add noodles. Cook noodles until soft, but still firm. Drain. In a four quart saucepan, add stock, vegetables, and seasonings except parsley. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook for three minutes. Add chicken. Cook for 8-10 minutes until chicken is tender. Stir in parsley. Serve by placing noodles in soup bowl. Add chicken soup over noodles. Top with a bit of grated cheese. Serve with warmed and buttered Peasant Bread.
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1 graham cracker crust ¼ c. confectioners sugar 2 tubs cool whip 1 package cream cheese 3 cups milk 2 small pkgs. chocolate pudding mix Mix together the confectioner's sugar, 1/2 cup Cool
Whip, and cream cheese. Pour mixture into the crust.
Then mix the milk with the instant chocolate pudding. Layer pudding
on top of the cream cheese layer. Top with Cool Whip. Add
chocolate bar shavings for decoration. Or sprinkle with chocolate chips.
1 can peach pie filling 2 large cans of chunk pineapple 4 bananas, cut into
large chunks 1 10 oz. pkg. sweetened frozen strawberries 2 cans mandarin
oranges, drained Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Soak the bananas in
the pineapple juice for 2-4 hours. Drain bananas discarding pineapple
juice. In a mixing bowl, add peach pie filling, pineapple, strawberries,
and oranges. Mix together. Fold in banana chunks. Chill.
After a heavy snow, be sure to uncover shrubs that might break under the weight of piled up snow. Be careful to avoid breaking branches. Use a broom to remove snow or lightly scrape with a snow shovel.
Clear all decks to avoid ice buildup and damage from the weight of the snow.
Clear driveways so the sun can melt ice buildup. Use ashes from a woodstove on icy areas.
Be sure to put out bird seed continuously through the snowy months to provide a food source for winter bird species.
The
Believer's
Mission...
