Word of the Day - Palace

PA'LACE. n.s.  ...A royal house; an house eminently splendid.

- Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

1 Kings 16:18-19 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died, For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin. [Somehow, it is interesting to me that the first mention of a palace in the Bible, as far as I could tell, is in the context of defeat and suicide. Palaces in history are not known for their pristine and lovely histories. They tend to have ugly stories attached to them. This is curious.]

1 Chronicles 29:1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

Esther 1:5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

Psalm 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,

And myrrh their texture fills;

Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine

With joy my being thrills.

Out of the ivory palaces,

Into a world of woe,

Only His great eternal love

Made my Savior go.

In garments glorious He will come,

To open wide the door;

And I shall enter my heav’nly home,

To dwell forevermore.

Henry Barraclough

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Evening Song - I Will Never Leave Thee

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

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Letters to My Friend - Thoughts On Reading Fiction

Dear Friend,

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I have read a lot of old books. Primarily ones that were written before, oh, let's say about 1930. That's a guess because I don't pay that much attention, but the books that have cars in them usually have old style cars, so I figure that's a somewhat accurate date. I'm not overly interested in the World Wars, so the '40s are mostly not there for me, and also during that time frame and forward even the more gentle fiction tended to become jaded or grubby. This is not to say that the older books are all wholesome and fine. Far from it. One still has to be quite cautious. But, there is, I think, more to choose from in fiction written prior to 1930. There are also still a lot of options after that date as well.

I am not writing this to tell you what to read, though. That is a choice each one makes for themselves, hopefully with reference to a good conscience before God.

Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

And speaking of that, perhaps I should touch on the issue of whether fiction is a good choice of reading for Christians. I know there are some people who say it is not...

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The Thousand Word Project - Winter Rains

Isaiah 55:10-11 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 thing whereto I sent it. 

Guest Post - When We Are Sick and Fearful

Original artwork by Carl Larson

When We Are Sick and Fearful

by Stephen Van Nattan

You have been having a hard time getting your breath for some time. Finally, you go to a specialist who does tests. The verdict is that you have a malignant growth in your lungs, and you have three to four weeks to prepare to die.

This is the experience of a good friend from a Bible study I teach. What will I tell her from God's Word to try to help her deal with fear of dying? 

And, let me hear no pious rubbish talk about the Christian not fearing death. God gave us fear to help us stay alive and avoid danger. We certainly have hope regarding eternity, but the physical, mental, and emotional experience of walking out the back door of this life is fearful. The way to deal with this fear is to seek comfort in our Bible and our Lord who showed us how to die.

Thus:

Here are some Bible verses to bring comfort and encouragement to those who are sick and fearful:

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.

Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.

James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

May these Scriptures provide comfort and remind those who are sick and fearful of God's love, power, and presence.

Do you know someone who needs to read these Bible texts?

Evening Song - The Blessed Book

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 

Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. 

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Sometimes You Get What You Want

 

Psalm 27:13-14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Sometimes we want things that are not good for us. One of the sad, strange things of this life is to see someone who is so desperate for something that they cannot take "no" for an answer, and so God allows them to have the thing they think they must have. But, it turns out to be something troubling or disappointing. 

A lot of us have learned this general fact of life the hard way, perhaps even when we were children. One of my earliest memories of this happening to me is from when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I went to TG&Y dime store with my grandparents to get ice cream. As I recall, I told them that I could eat an ice cream cone with two scoops of ice cream on it (I think they were generous scoops), and they ordered me one against their better judgment. I know something went wrong. I don't remember if I dropped it or made myself sick or had to give it to my grandpa to finish, but my grandparents gave me my coveted ice cream "double dip" cone and it didn't turn out the way I expected. I guarantee you that they pointed this fact of life out to me, because they were good that way.

The world is full of voices telling us we need this or that to be happy, content, fulfilled, etc. It is easy to fall into this way of thinking about things that we especially desire. But, it becomes more dangerous when we convince ourselves, for whatever reason, that something is "God's will" for us.

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The First Temptation

 

A new article at The Home Maker's Corner:

There was a video I saw recently on Facebook about fitness and food. The woman who posted it was obviously obsessed with fitness and was mixing up physical and spiritual things. She used a couple of audio clips, which I had heard somewhere before and it really struck me this time. The man talking (who is not identified) says that Satan's greatest weapon of mass destruction is food. He continues that, "The very first temptation in the history of the world was a food temptation. The very first temptation of Christ was a food temptation." He goes on to state that the children of Israel went down into Egypt and were slaves there for 400 years because they were looking for food. He then quotes 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (Which doesn't really prove a lot in relation to these claims. Also, he was quoting a modern translation of the Bible.)

So, let's just see what the King James Bible actually says. We'll start in Genesis even though that wasn't the first temptation in all of history.

The Garden of Eden

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Word of the Day - Trouble

Word of the Day - 

Trouble

Job 34:29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?...

Job 38:22-23 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

Psalm 9:9-10 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Though troubles assail us

And dangers affright,

Though close friends should fail us

And foes all unite,

Yet one thing secures us,

Whatever betide,

The promise assures us,

"The Lord will provide."

John Newton

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Engaged! - A Word Study

Guest post
by Stephen Van Nattan

March 9, 2024

2 Corinthians 1:19-22 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Verse 19 tells us that God never says "No" when talking to us about our salvation. Once we believe in Jesus Christ, and confess him before men, God never again says NO to us.

Verse 20 tells us that "YES" and Amen, which is a word of total agreement, is what God says to you about your confession of faith in Christ.

Verse 21 Tells us that it is God who decided, before the foundation of the world, that he would accept and keep you once you confessed faith in Christ.

Verse 22 Here is the word we want to see to find good hope. First God sealed us. A seal in Bible times was red wax melted onto a document and the stamp of some official pressed into the hot was before it hardened. No one but the recipient had the legal authority to open the document sealed this way. No one can break the seal of God on you. It is official.

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Does It Matter Which Bible Translation You Prefer?

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 

John 6:67-68 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

Brandon Staggs, the man speaking in this video, was a friend of my brothers' years ago. He also went to high school with my husband, although they didn't know each other very well, being in different grades. It is very curious how the Lord makes connections sometimes.

I used an NASB briefly before I came to understand the issues surrounding the textual controversy - thanks to my dad's teaching. I was about 15, I think, when I made the switch permanently. I have never regretted it, and as Brandon shows a few of the significant changes that have been made in modern versions of the Bible, know that what he says is true - there are many, many more. I hope to start addressing some of these soon on The Home Makers Corner, Lord willing.

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Brother Brandon is the creator of the Bible program Sword Searcher. I have used it for my writing needs for years now, and I use it for Facetime Bible study when I can. I recommend it if you are looking for a Bible program to have on your own computer, rather than using online Bible programs.

Evening Song - Standing On the Promises

2 Corinthians 1:19-20 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 

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Evening Song - Safe Thus Far

1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. 

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. 

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 

Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

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Word of the Day - Pleasure Part 1

There are two kinds of pleasure.

Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

Which do you choose?

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Word of the Day - Delight - Part 2

 

Delight

Part 2

 

Psalm 68:30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

Psalm 109:16-17 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

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Word of the Day - Delight (Part 1)

 

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 16:2-3 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 37:4-5 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Thou lovely source of true delight,

Whom I unseen adore;

Unveil Thy beauties to my sight,

That I may love Thee more.

Thy glory o’er creation shines;

But in Thy sacred Word,

I read in fairer, brighter lines,

My bleeding, dying Lord.

’Tis here, whene’er my comforts droop,

And sins and sorrows rise,

Thy love with cheerful beams of hope,

My fainting heart supplies.

Anne Steele

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Word of the Day - Affection

Affection

 

Affection - 2. Passion of any kind. 3. Love; kindness; good-will to some person; often with to, or towrads, before the person. 4. Good-will to any object; zeal; passionate regard.  - Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

Romans 1:25-32 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Colossians 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

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A Beautifully Set Table

 
A comparison of God's word and a well set table.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

We like to see a well provided table - plenty to go around, food that will be filling and flavorful.

Many of us appreciate an attractively set table - dishes, food, flowers, tablecloth, etc. all in a pleasant arrangement.

...

The Lord has set beautiful table for us in His word.

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Evening Song - Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him...

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Colossians 2:9-10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

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Word of the Day - Success

To be able to carry money without spending it;
To be able to bear an injustice without retaliating;
To be able to do one's duty when critical eyes watch;
To be able to keep at the job until it is finished when some would brush you aside;
To be able to do the work and let others receive the recognition;
To be able to accept criticism without letting it whip you;
To lift those who push you down;
To love when hate is all about you;
To follow God when others put detour signs in your path;
To have the peace of heart and mind because you have given God your best -- this is the true measure of success.

- Author unknown

(This came from my Mom's Collection.)

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

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