Fictional Letters based on people in the Bible / Dear Serpent

Letters from God (fictional letters based on people in the Bible) Dear Serpent

Dear Serpent in the garden,

     You hid in the garden waiting for your chance to strike. You found Eve walking in the garden alone and you spoke to her. You asked her a question that you knew the answer to.

 You did this not to see if she knew the answer, but to cause her to question and doubt what I had spoken to Adam. She had been told that she could eat of every fruit of the garden but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That if she ate of its’ fruit she would die. This had been the only command that I had given to them.

    When you told her that she would not die but be filled with knowledge you caused her to doubt Me. You knew that she would not die immediately in her physical body but that the death was spiritual. It is that sin causes death, and being disobedient to My instruction is sin which would separate them from Me and without Me they would have no life.

     I had breathed My spirit into Adam giving him life. Separating us causes death. She listened to you and disobeyed me believing your lie. Not only did she eat the fruit she brought it to Adam who then also ate of the fruit. By causing one to sin you caused the other to sin.

   You are devious in your plans. You think that you have won and destroyed what I have created. You introduced sin to man when you knew what sin does.

     Just as when you rebelled against Me and I had to cast you out of heaven. Now because of the sin of Adam and Eve they have been cast out of Eden. Yet what you did not realize was that I already had a plan to redeem men of their sins. You serpent are cursed and shall crawl on your belly. Then it will be through the woman which you did deceive shall come the One who shall crush you and redeem that which you have cursed. I will send My Son to this world to pay the price for the sins of men so that they will be saved from death. You have lost already. These are My children and you cannot have them.

     You have sealed your fate. I Am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end. What you have done is temporary but My love is eternal. My children shall return to Me for I Am the Good Shepherd and I will go after the lost and bring them home again.

I Am the One True God

Read
Genesis 3, 2:16, 2:7
Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13
John 10:1-18
fictional letter

Fictional letters based on People in the Bible/ Dinah

Dear Dinah

My Dear Dinah,

     You are My beautiful and loving girl. You have been the victim twice. First Hamor raped you and stole your innocence. They tried to make things right and submitted themselves to your father’s decision. Thankfully he chose to forgive, and the man became your husband. His father the King and all the people of the land gave up their old ways and rid themselves of all their idols and other gods. They were circumcised to show their commitment to Me. I was now their God as I am yours.

     It was not My plan for you to be hurt, yet I was able to use what was meant to destroy you and use what was done to you to bring a nation to Me, so that something good had come out of what terrible thing that had been done to you. It was a chance for you to heal from what had been done to you. To remove the shame you felt. Yes there are those who would have blamed you, and I am sorry for the way they think about such a terrible crime. More than your body had been harmed, because he took from you what you did not give. You refused and he did what he wanted to satisfy his own desire not caring about what he was doing to you. He took your free will. I want to heal your heart and mind as well as your body from the damage he has done to you.

     Now your brothers have gone against your father’s decision and slaughtered not only your husband but many of the other men after they had been circumcised and were healing in their beds. This hurt you more because you feel that you were only an excuse for them to behave in this violent way. You did not feel the comfort of a brother’s love. They did not console you. Instead they stole from you from your husband by taking his life. Your pain did not end here. You have also lost your brother Joseph. Your other brothers told you that a wild animal had killed him. So he was dead because they said so. You have suffered such loss, your innocence, your husband, and your brother.

     I am sorry for the pain that you feel. I know that you may want to blame Me, for I am your God. I want to keep you from all harm and suffering. Yet I have given to all men free will. I could not control their actions without taking their free will away from them. As you chose to serve and love Me from your heart, is how I want them to choose for themselves. I love you and care deeply for you. I will heal you, and love you for all eternity. You will live with me one day and never suffer again. I promise you this.

Love,

Your Heavenly Father

Read

Genesis 34 & 37

1 Corinthians 13 / Love is… Love is not… Bible Study Lessons 1- 10

Love Suffers Long Lesson #1 / 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

1 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV)  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

 

long–suffering

adjective  long–suf·fer·ing \-ˌsə-f(ə-)riŋ, –ˈsə-\

Simple Definition of long–suffering

  • : suffering for a long time without complaining : very patient during difficult times

Full Definition of long–suffering

  1. : patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship

patient

adjective  pa·tient \ˈpā-shənt\

Simple Definition of patient

  • : able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people
  • : done in a careful way over a long period of time without hurrying

 

Full Definition of patient

  1. 1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
  2. 2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
  3. 3: not hasty or impetuous
  4. 4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
  5. 5a : able or willing to bear —used with ofb :  susceptible, admitting <patient of one interpretation>

patiently

adverb

forbearance

noun  for·bear·ance \fȯr-ˈber-ən(t)s, fər-\

Simple Definition of forbearance

  • : the quality of someone who is patient and able to deal with a difficult person or situation without becoming angry

Can you suffer without complaining?

Are you able to remain calm when you are being assaulted, verbally or physically?

How do you deal with difficult people or situations?

Are you patient?

To be honest I have failed miserably at all of these. I complain, get defensive when under attack, difficult people irritate me and my thoughts are not pleasant or loving towards them, and no I am not a patient person by nature. I used to have a joke saying, ‘It is a good thing I am not a doctor because I have no patience’. Am I working on these things? Yes, and through God’s grace changes have been made in me.

 

 

 

 

 

Love Is Kind Lesson#2 / Bible Study 1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV   Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

 

What does it mean to be kind?

Kind  (kaɪnd) adj kind·er, kind·est

  1. Having or showing a friendly, generous, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature.
  2. Agreeable or beneficial: a dry climate kind to asthmatics.

[Middle English kinde, natural, kind, from Old English gecynde, natural; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: kind1, kindly, kindhearted, benign, benevolent

These adjectives mean having or showing a tender, considerate, and helping nature. Kind and kindly are the leastspecific: thanked her for her kind letter; a kindly gentleman. Kindhearted especially suggests an innately kinddisposition: a kindhearted teacher. Benign implies gentleness and mildness: benign intentions; a benign sovereign.Benevolent suggests charitableness and a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others: a benevolent

  1. having a friendly or generous nature or attitude
  2. helpful to others or to another: a kind deed.
  3. considerate or humane
  4. cordial; courteous (esp in the phrase kind regards)
  5. pleasant; agreeable; mild: a kind climate.
  6. informal beneficial or not harmful: a detergent that is kind to the hands.
  7. archaic loving

[Old English gecynde natural, native; see kind2]

What does it mean to be friendly?

 

 

In what ways are you generous?

 

 

Are you sympathetic?

 

 

Are you agreeable?

 

 

Are you beneficial?

 

 

 

Love Does Not Envy / Lesson#3

1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

 

What does it mean to envy?  envy noun  en·vy \ˈen-vē\

Simple Definition of envy

:the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has

:someone or something that causes envy

Source: Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

 

Full Definition of envy plural  envies

1: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage

2obsolete:  malice

3: an object of envious notice or feeling <his new car made him the envy of his friends>

Definition of envy for Students plural envies

1: a feeling of unhappiness over another’s good fortune together with a desire to have the same good fortune <He was filled with envy on seeing her success.>

2: a person or a thing that is envied

Thesaurus Synonyms of envy

a painful awareness of another’s possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too <her envy of her neighbor’s fancy clothes wrecked their friendship>Synonyms covetousness, enviousness, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment

Related Words animosity, enmity, hatred, ill will; malice, maliciousness, spitefulness

Envy, jealousy, and coveting are one in the same, and they all lead to wrong thinking and emotions.  Envy or jealousy can make you feel less about yourself. You can be bitter and resentful. You can even be jealous of how another gets away with a wrong, while you suffer an injustice. This list can go on and on.

 

In what ways have you been envious or jealous?

 

 

 

What have you coveted?

 

 

 

Have you ever been resentful when someone has wrongfully prospered?

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love does not…#4

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV) 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 (GNT) 4 Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud;

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NASB) 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

 

Parade (noun) 5. An ostentatious show; an exhibition: make a parade of one’s talents.

(verb) 4. To behave so as to attract attention; show off.

(tr)to exhibit or flaunt: he was parading his medals.

Ostentatious (ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs) adj

Characterized by pretentious, showy, or vulgar display

Characterized by pretentious show in an attempt to impress others.

Intended to attract notice: ostentatious charity.

Conceited (kənˈsiːtɪd) adj1. Having a high or exaggerated opinion of oneself or one’s accomplishments

 

conceited – characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance; “a conceited fool”; “an attitude of self-conceited arrogance”; “an egotistical disregard of others”;”so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty”; “growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary”; “vain about her clothes”

self-conceited, swollen, swollen-headed, vain, egotistic, egotistical

proud – feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride; “proud parents”; “proud of his accomplishments”; “a proud moment”; “proud to serve his country”; “a proud name”; “proud princes”

Conceited  adjective self-important, vain, arrogant, stuck up (informal), cocky, narcissistic, puffed up, egotistical, overweening, immodest, vainglorious, swollen-headed, bigheaded (informal), full of yourself, too big for your boots or breeches I thought him conceited and arrogant.

modest, humble, unassuming, self-effacing

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

 

Conceited adjective

Thinking too highly of oneself:   egoistic, egoistical, egotistic, egotistical, narcissistic, vain, vain glorious.

Informal: bigheaded, stuck-up, swell headed.

Unduly preoccupied with one’s own appearance:

narcissistic, vain.

Boast  (bəʊst) vb

(intr;sometimes foll by of or about) to speak in exaggerated or excessively proud terms of one’s possessions, skills, or superior qualities; brag

(tr)to possess (something to be proud of): the city boasts a fine cathedral.

n3. a bragging statement 4. a possession, attribute, attainment, etc, that is or may be bragged about

Synonyms: boast1, brag, crow2, vaunt

These verbs all mean to speak with pride, often excessive pride, about oneself or something related to oneself. Boast is the most general: “We confide [that is, have confidence] in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it” (Thomas Jefferson).

Brag implies exaggerated claims and often an air of insolent superiority: He bragged about his grades. Crow stresses exultation and often loud rejoicing: No candidate should crow until the votes have been counted. Vaunt suggests ostentatiousness and lofty extravagance of expression: “He did not vaunt of his new dignity, but I understood he washighly pleased with it” (James Boswell).

Brag  (bræɡ) vb, brags, bragging or bragged

to speak of (one’s own achievements, possessions, etc) arrogantly and boastfully

n 1. boastful talk or behavior, or an instance of this 2. something boasted of: his brag was his new car.

A braggart; boaster

ar·ro·gant   (ăr′ə-gənt) adj.

Havingor displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance. 2. Marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one’s superiority toward others: an arrogant contempt for theweak.

[Middle English arrogaunt, from Old French, from Latin arrogāns, arrogant-, present participle of arrogāre, toarrogate; see arrogate.]

ar′ro·gant·ly adv. Synonyms: arrogant, haughty, disdainful, supercilious

These adjectives mean characterized by an inflated ego and disdain for what one considers inferior. One who is arrogant is overbearingly proud and demands excessive power or consideration: an arrogant and pompous professor, unpopular with students and colleagues alike. Haughty suggests superiority, as by reason of high status: “Her laugh was satirical, and so was the habitual expression of her arched and haughty lip” (Charlotte Brontë).

Disdainful emphasizes scorn or contempt: “Nor [let] grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, / The short and simple annals of the poor” (Thomas Gray).

Supercilious implies haughty disdain and aloofness: “Failure would confirm the critics who called him supercilious for following his own methods and not theirs” (Neal Bascomb).

 

Proud  (praʊd) adj

(follby: of, an infinitive, or a clause) pleased or satisfied, as with oneself, one’s possessions, achievements, etc, or with another person, his or her achievements, qualities, etc

Feeling honoured or gratified by or as if by some distinction

having an inordinately high opinion of oneself; arrogant or haughty

Definitions from  http://www.thefreedictionary.com

 

Why are so many definitions included with this lesson? They are listed for clarity. So you can see and understand what these words mean in their context. Taking a shovel and digging in deep. Getting to the core and getting past the surface. The word Love has been used so carelessly and without meaning, I want to get to the truth about love. People say they love chocolate, hamburgers, cake, etc… in the same manner as they say I love you. They have become empty and meaningless words. We confuse love with lust and passion. Why do we use the word lovers for the people we have had sex with? This makes me think of Tina Turner’s song, ‘What’s love got to do with it’. What does love have to do with sex, or any materialistic, physical thing? Nothing. To be honest most of us don’t even love ourselves and do not even realize this. Yet the love God has for us, and gave to us through His Son Jesus is true and filled with life, joy, hope, and truth. Yet how do we learn to understand this kind of love? We dive into His Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh. In this lesson I used parallel versions and definitions(more definitions can be found at http://www.thefreedictionary.com)  to learn what was really being said in this verse and the two last words of this verse(more actually if you look at the different versions) parade itself/ puffed up: conceited or proud; boast/proud: brag/arrogant. These are things that love is not. It is not about itself or what it can get. It is a real, living, and growing life that gives more than it seeks for itself. I have learned one thing about myself, and that is that I have so much to learn about love and I do not think I am alone. I hope you want to learn too.

Is love about what you want or can get?

 

Have you ever behaved in a rude or arrogant matter?

 

Have you sought attention because of a need to feel loved?

 

Do you have moments where you behave like you are better than those around you?

 

Do you ever think your sin is not as bad as another?

 

1 Corinthians 13 has been a lifeline for me for the last five years. It has helped me learn how to deal with tragedies and loss without turning headlong into a self destructive lifestyle. Understanding, that because terrible things have happened, that this does not mean that He does not love me. He knows and feels my pain. I have also learned that if someone hurts me, I do not have to hurt them back, and this does not make me a doormat. I continue to desire to learn and understand what His love is so that I can share this love with others. This is lesson 4 and more will come. I hope and pray that you will share what you know about love and any insights you can give to helps us all grow in His love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is not rude #5

 

NKJV does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

 

NIV It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs

 

ESV or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

 

YOUNG’s doth not act unseemly, doth not seek its own things, is not provoked, doth not impute evil,

 

Rude   (ro͞od) adj. rud·er, rud·est

 

Ill-mannered ,discourteous, or insulting: was offended by his rude behavior.

a.Undevelopedor uncivilized; primitive: a rude and savage land.

Crude, unfinished, or made with limited skill: a rude thatched hut.

Ina natural, raw state: bales of rude cotton.

Unpleasantly forceful or harsh: faced rude winds; received a rude shock.

Chiefly British Vigorous or robust: in rude health.

Archaic Lacking education or refinement: “They were so rude and ignorant … that very little could be learned from them” (Samuel Johnson).

Dishonor ( dis·hon·or )  (dĭs-ŏn′ər)n.

 

Loss of honor, respect, or reputation.

The condition of having lost honor or good repute.

A cause of loss of honor: was a dishonor to the club.

Failure to pay or refusal to accept a note, a bill, or another commercial obligation.

tr.v. dis·hon·ored, dis·hon·or·ing, dis·hon·ors

 

To bring shame or disgrace upon.

To treat in a disrespectful or demeaning manner.

To fail or refuse to accept or pay (a note, bill, or check, for example).

syn: See disgrace.

unseemly   (ŭn-sēm′lē) adj. un·seem·li·er, un·seem·li·est  1. Not in accord with accepted standards of decency or morality. 2. Not suited to the circumstances; inappropriate: took an unseemly amount of time to complete the project.

Unattractive; unsightly: “The point at which the walls of suburban houses meet the lawns is apparently unseemly and must be covered up with these stunted trees” (Amy Benson).

adv.

In an improper or inappropriate manner.

Synonyms: unseemly, improper, unbecoming, indelicate, indecent, indecorous

These adjectives mean not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper. What is unseemly reflects badly on one’s manners or morals: an unseemly outburst; married in unseemly haste. Improper often refers to unethical conduct, a breach of etiquette, or morally offensive behavior: improper business practices; improper behavior at the dinner table. Unbecoming suggests what is beneath the standard implied by one’s character or position: language unbecoming to an officer. Indelicate suggests immodesty, coarseness, or tactlessness: indelicate barnyard humor; an indelicate reference to the senator’s family troubles. Indecent refers to what is considered crude or vulgar, especially with regard to sexual impropriety or sexually explicit material: an indecent proposal; indecent programming. Indecorous implies violation of propriety or decorum: an exposé of the author’s indecorous past.

 

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

 

Our actions and behavior say more about us than just the words we speak. I know I do not behave as I should and that I may act in a rude manner at times without realizing that I am doing so.  Pain and not feeling well has its effect on my attitude, but this does not excuse rude disrespectful or unseemly behavior. Just because I have had a bad day does not mean that I can take it out on others. This is not the only way one can be rude, disrespectful, or unseemly. I hate it when I snap at a person for any reason, but I do this at times, and the reason does not matter because I know it is not how God would like to see me behave towards anyone. My actions and reactions without love can cause harm and this is something that I do not want to do. I have been hurt enough in my life and I know I have hurt others. I cannot change what has been done, and I cannot change how others behave, but I can take accountability for my own actions, and make the changes that need to be made in myself. Of course I need God’s help and guidance to do this. So I submit to His will and follow Jesus, who is The Word, and my Savior.

 

Have you ever been sprayed by a skunk? If you have you know how difficult it is and how much time it takes to get rid of the stink. The same can be said about the sin in our lives. It leaves a stink on us and some of us become nose blind to the stench it leaves on us. Yet with submission to God’s will and receiving His love through His Son Jesus we become a pleasing aroma.

 

Ephesians 5:2 ESV And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 ESV But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

 

1 Peter 4:8 ESV Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

 

Questions for thought and comments.

 

Think about a time when someone was rude or disrespectful to you. How did that make you feel?

 

Can you remember how you reacted?

 

How can you apply this part of this scripture to your own life?

 

 

Love does not seek its own 1 Corinthians 13:5 Lesson 6

1 Corinthians 13: 5(NKJV) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

 

Seeking, insisting, or demanding your own way is not love. Even God who created us does not demand. He has given us commands, instructions, and laws, but gives us free will to choose what we will and will not do. The results of our choices and how they impact our lives and the lives we touch are our own. When Adam and Eve did the one thing they were asked not to do. God did not stop them but the result of their action was that they had to leave Eden. God did not make them eat the fruit but told them not to. Then God told them that a Savior would be born through a woman to redeem man and defeat the enemy. Even when His command was broken He still makes a way to forgive and to love us who do not deserve His love or mercy.

 

He knew we would continue to sin yet He loves us so completely He paid the price for our actions in sending His Son Jesus to pay the debt of our sins to redeem us. Yet if someone were to wrongs you, do you demand they make payment or make repairs? I cannot answer for you but I know I have.

 

If I am only out to do things that are for my gain alone and do not care if I hurt anyone or cause any damage as long as I get what I want I am being selfish and self seeking.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to you to be self seeking?

 

 

What do you think it means to insist on your own way and are there times when it is okay to do so?

 

 

Are you demanding about anything?

 

 

When we think of love we think about feelings and what we get if we want to be honest it is about our wants, desires, and needs. Man is selfish by nature. Yet this is not an excuse. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not ours. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus we receive His love and forgiveness. His love transforms us from what we were to His image, but this transformation does not take place overnight. If you are an artist, who paints, sculpts, or carves, you know the image does not appear like magic. You form; you chisel, and cut away. You stroke paint onto a canvas. It may take you days, weeks, or months. You took one thing and transformed a blank canvas, a block of, stone, or a lump of clay and created a piece of art for you and others to enjoy, and appreciate. Now if you force any of your process what usually happens? It doesn’t turn out the way you wanted and may even be broken beyond repair. Demanding or insisting with force can do great damage.

So I pray to become less demanding and more pleasing to our Lord. Seeking to serve the needs of others, knowing He provides for all of my needs.

 

Definitions

self-seek·ing  (sĕlf′sē′kĭng)  adj.1. Pursuing only one’s own ends or interests.

Exhibiting concern only with promoting one’s own ends orinterests: self-seeking maneuvers.

n.Determined pursuit of one’s own ends or interests.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the act oraninstance of seeking one’s own profit or interest, esp exclusively

adj. having or showing an exclusive preoccupation with one’s own profit or interest: a self-seeking attitude.

ˌself-seeking  adjective selfish, self-interested, mercenary, calculating, opportunistic, self-serving, acquisitive, on the make(slang), careerist, gold-digging, fortune-hunting, looking out for number one (informal), out for what you can getPoliticians are untrustworthy self-seeking creatures.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

self-seeking  adjective Concerned only with oneself:

egocentric, egoistic, egoistical, egomaniacal, egotistic, egotistical, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-involved, selfish, self-serving.

Idiom: wrapped up in oneself.

in·sist   (ĭn-sĭst′) v. in·sist·ed, in·sist·ing, in·sists

v.intr. To be resolute or firm in a demand or course: I insist on paying my share of the expenses.

v.tr.To assert or demand (something) firmly or persistently: We insist that you stay for dinner.

 

Vb  1. to make a determined demand (for): he insisted that his rights be respected; he insisted on his rights.  2. to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of): he insisted that she was mad; he insisted on her madness.

Verb  1. persist, press (someone), be firm, stand firm, stand your ground, lay down the law, put your foot down(informal), not take no for an  answer, brook no refusal, take or make a stand I didn’t want to join in, but heinsisted.

demand, order, urge, require, command, dictate, entreatI insisted that the fault be repaired.

assert, state, maintain, hold, claim, declare, repeat, vow, swear, contend, affirm, reiterate, profess, avow,aver, asseverateHe insisted that he was acting out of compassion.

Demand 1. To ask for urgently or peremptorily: demand an investigation into the murder; demanding that he leave immediately; demanded to speak to the manager.

To claim as just or due: demand repayment of a loan.

To ask to be informed of: demanded an explanation for the interruption.

To require as useful, just, proper, or necessary; call for: a gem that demands a fine setting.

Law

To lay legal claim to; claim formally.

To ask that (something) be done in accordance with a legal requirement. verb 1. request, ask (for), order, expect, claim, seek, call for, insist on, exact, appeal for, solicit She demanded an immediate apology.

challenge, ask, question, inquire ‘What do you expect me to do about it?’ she demanded. 3. require, take, want, need, involve, call for, entail, necessitate, cry out for The task demands much patience and hard work. require give, provide, produce, supply, grant, contribute, yield, come up with, furnish

noun

request, order, charge, bidding He grew ever more fierce in his demands.

need, want, call, market, claim, requirement, necessity The demand for coal is down.

in demand sought after, needed, popular, favoured, requested, in favour, fashionable, well-liked, in vogue, like gold dust He was much in demand as a lecturer.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:5 / Love is not easily angered / Lesson 7

 

1 Corinthians 13:5(NKJV) 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)  5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 13:5(NIV) 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

 

Definition of provoke / provoked / provoking – transitive verb

1a archaic :  to arouse to a feeling or action b :  to incite to anger

provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. provoke directs attention to the response called forth <my stories usually provoke laughter>. excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly <news that excited anger and frustration>. stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference <stimulating conversation>. pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge <that remark piqued my interest>. quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively <the high salary quickened her desire to have the job>.

Synonyms – irritate / to rouse to strong feeling or action <his teasing finally provoked her to anger> <bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked>

Synonyms arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir

Related Words fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex

Definition of irritable :  capable of being irritated: asa :  easily exasperated or excited <gets irritable when he tires>b :  responsive to stimuli

Synonyms of irritable / easily irritated or annoyed <that irritable old man always yells at people to stay off of his lawn>Synonyms choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish Related Words bearish, bilious, cantankerous, cross-grained, curmudgeonly, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ill-tempered, off-color (or off-colored), ornery, querulous, snarly, surly; argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, fractious, fretful, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent; huffy, pouty, sensitive, short, sulky, sullen, tetchy, thin-skinned, touchy; hot-blooded, passionate

 

Definition of anger / angered / angering :  to make strongly displeased :  make angry

anger noun an·ger : a strong feeling of being upset or annoyed because of something wrong or bad : the feeling that makes someone want to hurt other people, to shout, etc. : the feeling of being angry

Synonyms of anger / an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something <managed to stifle his anger when the receptionist put him on hold for the third time>Synonyms angriness, [chiefly Scottish], choler, furor, fury, indignation, irateness, ire, lividity, lividness, mad, madness, mood [archaic], outrage, rage, spleen, wrath, wrathfulness Related Words aggravation, annoyance, exasperation, irritation, vexation; acrimoniousness, acrimony, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bile, biliousness, bitterness, contempt ,embitterment, enmity, grudge, hostility, rancor; envy, jaundice, jealousy, pique ,resentment; malevolence, malice, spite, vengefulness, venom, vindictiveness, virulence, vitriol; belligerence, contentiousness, contrariness, crankiness, disputatiousness, hot-headedness, irascibility, irascibleness, irritability, orneriness, pugnacity, quarrelsomeness, blowup, flare, flare-up, outburst; chafe, dander, dudgeon, huff, pet, rise, ruffle, temper; air rage, road rage; delirium, heat, passion, warmth

 

Are you easily provoked, irritable, or angered?

 

 

 

What is something that easily angers you?

 

 

 

The more the love of Christ grows in us the less we can become angered provoke or irritable. For His love is opposite of these things and His love is True love. Being angered or irritable alone is not a sin but what we do when we are these things can be if we are not acting according to His love. We may not show our anger or irritation but if we let it take root in our mind it still can cause damage. Remember just because a person is smiling at you does not mean their thoughts towards you are good.

 

We can be provoked by various things and what is provoked can also vary. When provoked to anger we often react in a negative manner. Anger colors our judgment and we react in haste. The enemy uses this against us to use us to do harm. Jabez when he prayed to the Lord asked to be kept from doing harm. When we see wrongs being committed it is okay to be angry but being easily angered we are not thinking clearly but emotionally. Emotions cloud our judgment and we often seek revenge not justice. When angry or irritated we are not thinking about love.  Living in a world with so much violence and injustice it is easy to be provoked and feel anger. This world and all that is wrong will one day come to an end. So how do we live in this world and not be easily provoked, irritated, or angered? It takes love, His love which is merciful and forgiving. Think about all that He suffered for our sakes while on this earth and why He did it. It helps you look at any situation with new eyes. His love covers a multitude of sins. Live in His love, and love your enemies and you will not be as easily angered as you were before you received His love. As his love grows in us and we begin to see through His eyes we begin to see those who have harmed us for who they are. People who themselves are hurting and lost. Who have been wounded by abuse, neglect, rejection and hatred to name a few things. Then compassion takes place of resentment and anger. Forgiveness and mercy takes place of bitterness and resentment. Love takes place of hate. Love always wins because Jesus is love. We should not ignore the things that anger or upset us, because pretending will not make the problem go away. Deal with the problem using God’s love and His Word to guide you.

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:5 Love Thinks No Evil Lesson 8

 

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; NKJV

5  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ESV

5  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. NIV

5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, NASB

5 Thinks no evil; is not resentful; keeps no records of wrongs; does not take into account a wrong suffered.  The last two versions you can also use the word grudge.

 

evil /ˈēvəl/noun: evil, plural noun: evils

profound immorality, wickedness, and depravity, especially when regarded as a supernatural force: “the world is stalked by relentless evil”

synonyms: wickedness, bad, badness, wrongdoing, sin, ill, immorality, vice, iniquity, degeneracy, corruption, depravity, villainy, nefariousness, malevolence, devil, turpitude

▪ a manifestation of this, especially in people’s actions:

“the evil that took place last Thursday”

Synonyms: abomination, atrocity, obscenity, outrage, enormity, crime, monstrosity, barbarity

▪ something that is harmful or undesirable:

“sexism, racism, and all other unpleasant social evils”

synonyms: harm, pain, misery, sorrow, suffering, trouble, disaster, misfortune, catastrophe, affliction, woe, hardship

 

adjective

profoundly immoral and malevolent: “his evil deeds“

synonyms: wicked, bad, wrong, immoral, sinful, foul, vile, dishonorable, corrupt, iniquitous, depraved, reprobate, villainous, nefarious, vicious, malicious, malevolent, sinister, demonic, devilish, diabolical, fiendish, dark, monstrous, shocking, despicable, atrocious, heinous, odious, contemptible, horrible, execrable, lowdown, dirty

▪ (of a force or spirit) embodying or associated with the forces of the devil:

“we have been driven out of the house by this evil spirit”

▪ harmful or tending to harm:

“the evil effects of high taxes”

synonyms: cruel, mischievous, pernicious, malignant, malign, baleful, vicious, destructive, harmful, hurtful, injurious, detrimental, deleterious, inimical, bad, ruinous

▪ (of something seen or smelled) extremely unpleasant:

“a bathroom with an evil smell”

synonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, horrible, foul, disgusting, filthy, vile, noxious

Word Origin Old English yfel, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch euvel and German Übel.

 

resentful /rəˈzentfəl/ adjective

feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly:

“he was angry and resentful of their intrusion”

synonyms: aggrieved, indignant, irritated, piqued, put out, in high dudgeon, dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, offended, bitter, jaundiced, envious, jealous, brooding, miffed, peeved, sore

Derivatives

1.resentfully adverb 2.resentfulness n.

Synonyms; acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, bitter, sore

Related Words

disaffected, discontented, disgruntled, malcontent; contemptuous, cynical, disdainful, misanthropic, scornful; angry, cruel, harsh, irritated, mad, rough, savage, vehement, vicious, virulent, vitriolic; acid, caustic, cutting, mordant, sarcastic, trenchant; knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out)

In the NKJV it says thinks no evil. It is not just what we do but what we think that we have to consider. Jesus said, ‘To even look at a woman with lust in your eyes is to have committed adultery. Wrong thinking happens before one takes action. Sometimes it is a quick thought and other times the thought lingers and takes root. It can hide itself behind reasons, logics and what one holds to be their right. (Something we saw in the woman’s march that recently took place in protest to our new President Trump) to name a few ways it can hide in our minds. Scripture tells us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV)  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, )and there is a reason for this. If we allow wrong thinking to continue those thoughts turn into actions and wrong attitudes. Even smells are listed in above definitions in the synonyms.

Most of us do not think we do anything that is evil but the definitions above reveal that there are things we do that we do not realize they are doing something evil. Most of us do not intend to do any harm.

Being resentful or holding a grudge harms both the one holding the grudge and the one the grudge is held against. Not keeping records of a wrong done to you does not mean you forget what had been done. What was done cannot be changed because it was done in the past. It frees your mind letting go of the thoughts and not keeping yourself in the same prison you are holding the wrong doer. Instead of focusing your thoughts on the pain you suffered or the wrong done to you, thinking on the goodness of Jesus and the love you have can change not only how you think but how you live.

 

Think about your thoughts.

Do you remember the saying think before you speak?

 

Do you take your thoughts captive and take them to God?

 

Do you justify you’re a thoughts?

 

Do you want to change how you think?

 

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 Rejoicing In Truth Lesson 9

1 Corinthians 13:6- (NKJV)  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (NIV) 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (ESV)  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

Rejoicing in truth. What does this mean to you?

 

Truth is not opinion or your perspective and point of view. The real Truth is Jesus.

 

Definition of truth  plural   truths\ˈtrüthz, ˈtrüths\

 

1aarchaic :  fidelity, constancyb :  sincerity in action, character, and utterance

2a(1) :  the state of being the case :  fact (2) :  the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3) often capitalized :  a transcendent fundamental or spiritual realityb :  a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true <truths of thermodynamics>c :  the body of true statements and propositions

3a:  the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or realityb chiefly British :  true 2c :  fidelity to an original or to a standard

4capitalized,Christian Science :  god

in truth

: in accordance with fact :  actually

Origin and Etymology of truth  Middle English trewthe, from Old Englishtrēowth fidelity; akin to Old English trēowefaithful — more at true

Definition of truth for English Language Learners

the truth: the real facts about something : the things that are true

:the quality or state of being true

:a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true

Synonyms facticity, factuality, sooth, trueness, verity

 

Definition of rejoice

rejoiced

rejoicing

  1. transitive verb

: to give joy to :  gladden

  1. intransitive verb

: to feel joy or great delight

rejoicer   noun

rejoicingly -ˈjȯi-siŋ-lē\ adverb

rejoice in

: have, possess

Definition of rejoice for English Language Learners

:to feel or show that you are very happy about something

Synonyms crow, delight, exuberate, glory, jubilate,joy, kvell, exult, triumph

 

Verse 7 – bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

What does it mean to bear something?

 

What do you believe in?

 

What does it mean to endure?

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love is…Lesson#10 Conclusion

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NKJV) Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (ESV) Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

What does it mean to fail?

  1. Fail intransitive verb

1a:  to lose strength :  weaken <her health was failing>b :  to fade or die away <until our family line fails>c :  to stop functioning normally <the patient’s heart failed>

2a:  to fall short <failed in his duty>b :  to be or become absent or inadequate <the water supply failed>c :  to be unsuccessful <the marriage failed>; specifically :  to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade <took the exam and failed>d :  to become bankrupt or insolvent <banks were failing>

  1. transitive verb

1a:  to disappoint the expectations or trust of <her friends failed her>b :  to miss performing an expected service or function for <his wit failed him>

2: to be deficient in :  lack <never failed an invincible courage — Douglas MacArthur>

3: to leave undone :  neglect <fail to lock the door>

Love does not fail means that it will not lose its’ strength, not stop functioning, will not fall short. It is never absent, inadequate, or unsuccessful. Love will not disappoint you and lacks nothing. Love will not neglect you.

 

Prophecies will pass away not because they are not true but because the true prophecy of Jesus will be fulfilled and once fulfilled it is then done but love is never done it has no end. You can have all the knowledge in this world and still have nothing if you do not know love. Love is not something you can comprehend truly by mans way of thinking. The love God has given to us makes no rational sense in the way man thinks. A man would rather kill an enemy verses sacrificing his own life to save another. Many of us can be a know it all. ‘Oh I knew that and let me tell you the right way to do that etc…’ They say a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing and I believe who ever first said that had quite a revelation. This is even true of Christians. We have some knowledge but none of us have complete understanding of God’s Word. There is division amongst His body because one part holds on to one piece of the truth while another part holds on to their little piece. Yet instead of working together and learning from each other they stay divided. If a body is divided how can it function? It cannot even stand.

 

When we were children we spoke as a child speaks but when we grow we mature and how we speak changes. As we mature the childish behavior stops and we come adults. Yet today how many of us only grow old and never mature?

Our vision is impaired right now. We see shapes and colors. We may even put on a pair of glasses to try and see better, yet even then we do not see all that God is doing and sometimes we do not even see what He has already done.

 

We are still growing and maturing. We know in part and see in part. One day we will see Jesus return and He will take us home. Until that day we are to abide in faith, hope and love and the Word says out of these three the greatest is love.

Faith – we believe.

Hope – we trust.

Love is everything.

In this study we have looked at what love is and what it is not. In your own words would you make two lists? If you ever made a list of pros and cons it should look something like that. On one side at the top of the list write Love is not, and on the top of the second list write, Love is. Personalize this list. Do not worry you are not changing God’s word, but do make it personal to you. Even take events from your own life and place them in your lists. When we are done with our lists we will share them.

Questions for discussion;

In this ten part lesson from 1 Corinthians 13 which verse speaks the most to you today?

 

From the scripture discussing what love is not which one is at the top of your list to work on in yourself?

 

 

What is the most important part of these lessons to you?

21. Dear Noah (Letters from God Volume II)

  1. Dear Noah,

     The world has become a wicked place, and the hearts of man has become evil. The people have angered Me. Yet you Noah have found favor in my eyes. So I am writing to you to warn you what I am about to do so that you may be saved. I will flood the land and destroy all that they have made. They are a sinful people who care only for their own wants and pleasures. They make idols and worship them. They are violent and destructive. There is no love found in them. They have chosen a life that ends in death. You however are chosen to live on. I will save you and your family.

I want you to build an ark. The people will ridicule you, and laugh at you. Yet you will not let this stop you. You will finish the ark. I the Lord, your God, favor you above all the men of the land. So do not listen to them as they ridicule you and judge you. Listen to Me alone and I will instruct you in all your ways.

Once you have built the ark you will then gather the animals and the birds as I have instructed you. Then place them within the ark. You will also gather food and supplies and place them within the ark. I ask you to do this because I am going to send a great flood. It will cleanse the land of the sins of the people, and they will no longer exist.

     Gather your family with you and, close the door to the ark. You will be safe. The flood will come and destroy everything but you and your family. Inside you will have what you need. For forty days and nights it will rain upon the earth, and it will be flooded.

The waters will subside after months have passed. As the waters lower you will send out first a raven then you will send out a dove to find dry land. Many days will pass when the dove shall return with a twig from an olive tree and then you will come out of the ark with your family and all the animals. Then you will be fruitful and multiply. I have saved you from the destruction of man, and blessed you with a new life. Do what I have told you and all will be well. As a sign to you for this covenant I will now make, that I will never again destroy the earth with flood waters, I set my rainbow in the cloud that when you see it you will remember My promise.

 

Love,

Your Lord God Almighty

 

Read

Genesis chapters 6, 7, &8

Regarding ‘Letters from God Volume II’

This is just a little note for those who have been enjoying my series titled Letters from God. I am not done writing for this second volume and I have not forgotten about them. I am currently focused on my Bible studies on Spiritual Health/Physical Health and this is taking my full attention. I will return to continue writing for the Letters from God soon. I had a couple of wonderful requests which have challenged me and I appreciate that. If there are any Biblical characters you are interested in reading a letter to please leave a request in the comments. I will be also writing letters to people who are more current to today’s times. Here is a sample title, ‘ Dear Addicted’. If you have any suggestion for this series please drop me a line. I would like to know what touches your heart and peaks your interest.Have a wonderful and blessed day!

20. Dear Abel (Letters from God Volume II)

Dear Abel,

     You are the second child of Adam and Eve. You are also my child. I love you my son. You are obedient and faithful to Me. You made a proper offering to me. You worked tending to the flock and you offered the best that you have raised.

     Your brother was jealous of your offering and became angry with you because I did not accept his offering. You showed him concern when you saw that he was not happy. He then asked you to go to the field with him where he killed you. His action came as a great surprise to you because you were his brother and you loved him.

     I love you and you are now with me.  I know you miss your mother and father. I will care for them and they will be blessed with a son. They will name him Seth. He is not you, but he will be their child and I will comfort them.

    Do not be afraid for Cain. I will place a mark on him to warn others not to take his life. He will not have an easy life, but he will live with the consequences of his actions. Live in peace with Me my child and know My love.

Love,

 Your Heavenly Father

   

Read

Genesis Chpt. 4

19. Dear Uriah

Dear Uriah,

   You are a faithful and devoted soldier and a man of great character. While you were serving your king in battle your king betrayed you and took your wife into his bed, and there she conceived a child. Out of fear of his sin being exposed, he called you home. You did not go home but slept at the entrance of his palace where his other servants slept.

   David asked you to come to him and he asked you ‘Why did you not go home as you were instructed?’ Your response showed what great character you have. You answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” You acknowledged the condition of the lives of those you served with, and would not take personal comfort when you knew where they were and what they were doing.

   David became more afraid of his affair with your wife becoming exposed, so he had you eat with him and he proceeded to get you drunk. His plan did not work though; you still did not go home, but slept again with the servants on your mat.

     In David’s final attempt to cover his sin, he sent you into the most dangerous battle. He hoped that you would die in battle. Here you were faithful to a man and a king who took your wife as his own, and then he used a war to have you killed. I am sorry for what was done to you, but I am happy that you are now with Me. I am proud of you my child. I love you and I admire you.

Love,

your God

Read

2 Samuel Chpt. 11

18. Dear Son (Letters from God Volume II)

My Dear Son,

    The journey you are about to leave for will be one that I wish You did not had to make. I do not wish to be separated from you for even the shortest period of time. For We are One and the same, but it is You that will leave Our home. This is so that You can do what must be done so that Our creation can be redeemed. This love of Yours for these lost ones I share with You. Yet it does not change what it does to my heart to know what You will endure while living there. It pains me to know that there will be many who will not believe in You, and worse than that, they will reject and mock You. You will not be understood. You will suffer abuse like no other ever has. The weight of sin and suffering of the entire existence of man will be carried alone by You. I am so proud of You, for doing this when You do not have to. Yet while You do know what will happen to You, this knowledge has not stopped You from making the choice to take the sins of man upon yourself. So that man can be saved from death and himself.

   We know that there will be many who will not believe that You are my Son for many reasons. Your entrance into their lives will be a humble one. You will be born to a woman that I have chosen. She is young and has not been with any man. The man who will be her husband is a carpenter and a good man. At first the news of her being with child will cause him to want to send her away. Yet I will send a messenger to him and he will marry her and be a father to You on earth as men know fathers to be. They are still a far way off from completely understanding me to be their Father even though they do sometimes call me Father. The time will come when You will leave their home and do that which You have been sent to do. When You speak, it will be with authority. You will walk to most places, and travel by fishing boats to other. You will not carry earthly possessions. When You do ride an animal it will not be a beautiful horse on but on a donkey. You will live a simple life among these men and women. You are Love and forgiveness made into flesh.

   Though there will be those who will deny You, there will be a day when all will know who You are and what You have done for them, and why You chose to do this most painful, yet most precious act for them. Now you know that there is the group of men we have chosen, who will come to know You better than their own brother. They will leave their homes, families and jobs to follow You.

     Your presence in their life will bring about a great change, and give them hope and purpose to their lives. You already know that they will stumble and be afraid when their doubts surface. But the Spirit will be released to them through you. They will call You teacher, and Savior. You will be the friend and brother that they never knew they could have. You will feed thousands with little, and heal them from blindness, not only of what they cannot see physically but what their hearts and minds cannot. When You open their eyes, they will weep tears of joy and humility. For You will heal both their bodies and their broken spirits. You will deliver them from their sin. They will learn everything that they need to live from You.

   You will restore to Us that which was stolen by the one who We had to cast out. He will be coming against You from the moment You are made flesh. He will do everything to destroy You, for he hates You. His hate is almost as great as Our Love. Yet I know that there is nothing to fear concerning this for We both know what the outcome will be.      

     However My Son there is no parent who would ever want to allow what You will suffer to happen to their child. They would rather suffer themselves to keep it from their child from hurting. Yet I cannot do that. For this act only You can perform. I Love You, and I will send to You the Helper, and the one who will announce Your coming is already there waiting for You. Now it is my turn to wait for You to return to Me. You will do this when Your task is done. How glorious is Your love and mercy. You are My Lamb, and You are My Lion. I will be with You in Spirit. You are My Son.

 

Love,

Your Father

Read

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts Chapter 1

17.Dear Thief (Letters from God Volume II)

Dear Thief on the cross,

    Did anyone in the crowd know your name? Did they even care that you were there, hanging by my Son? Does it matter to you?  I want you to know that as you were there beside my Son, admitting your own guilt I cried for you. You looked at my Son and you knew Him for who He really was. You did not meet until that painful moment. Yet you defended Him.

   What did it feel like when He looked and spoke to you? Were the tears you cried from the pain of the cross or were they tears of joy. As He has received you, I also have received you. You were forgiven as soon as He spoke to you. Everything in your past is now gone. I loved you then and I love you more now. You are my precious child. Your sins were washed from you with His blood.

   Yet unlike some who do not know the physical pain of the cross you know that pain just as My Son does. You dear child are now an example to those who now live amongst men that no matter what you have done it is never too late as long as there is breath in you, and that you confess My Son to be your Savior, you are saved. Your sins are forgotten and My Love then takes its’ place.  Thank you, My child for believing in me.

 

Love, 

    Your Heavenly Father

 

 

Read

Luke 23:32-43

16. Dear Thomas (Letters from God Volume II)

 Dear Thomas,

     Do you know how much I love you? My dear friend your doubts do nothing for you. You love me, but you trust very little. You are faithful in spite of your fears. You knew that travelling to Judea would be dangerous that there were those who wanted me dead there. You were still willing to go, but your attitude was that we would die. Your fears have kept you in bondage.

     When I appeared to the other disciples, you did not believe them when they had told you about my visit. You said unless you touched the scars in my hands, you would not believe that I was alive. How can you believe in me and still doubt when you were with me as I walked among the people.

     You were with Peter and the other disciples fishing in the Sea of Galilee and I appeared to you again and you did not recognize me. You heard firsthand the words I spoke to the multitudes. You witnessed people being healed. Souls were saved yet still you still doubted that I am alive. I am thankful that there are people, who have never walked with me, and saw Me with their own eyes or heard me speak, yet they will believe in Me, and they will share their belief.

     They believe without seeing or touching, you believed because you saw me and touched me. You wanted physical proof and I gave it to you. I love you and I always will. I want you to learn to trust in Me completely without fear or doubt, and let your faith grow. I am with you always even when you do not see me and I have returned to My Father, My Spirit will dwell in you. Believe, trust and have faith. I am coming back for you. Do not doubt that!

Love,

Your Savior Jesus

 

Read

Matt 10:3 / Mark3:18 / Luke 6:15

John 11:11-16 / John 20:19-29

John 21:1-14