First Baptist of New Baden

 January 2, 2012

We, I went through last year with many problems. We felt the lost of members glossing love ones, some of use went through the year with health problems. But did we allow God to be present? Maybe! But was He called on from the start? I can't speak for others but I would have to say No! I'm human and well wouldn't that be a sign of weakness to always call on our heavenly Father before I really need Him. How often do we do the one thing that would help keep us on track. This is a challenge I made a commitment to read the whole Bible this year, and once a week I'll give my thoughts of what I've learned.

January 8, 2012 Genesis 1- 19 & Matthew 1 - 5:16

In the beginning God created everything, but why? God did not create everything to worship Him, No God needs something to care for and to share time with. But then he also gave free chose. From the beginning to Lot's two daughters getting pregnant things went from a garden of Eden this world where man went from being made  in God's image to corruption and sexual immorality.

The New Testament reading gives us the genealogy tree of Jesus to let your light shine to give glory to your Father in heaven. Jesus was going to come from the line of Jesse which we will meet later while reading the Old Testament this year. But back to our reading this week. We meet Mary who is engaged never been alone with a man and now is pregnant. How? The Holy Spirit came over her, and who would believe that story? We find a righteous man that had an angel talk to him and told him not to be afraid. The birth of the child was named Jesus, Immanuel which translate God is with us, He came in human form. About two years later we meet  the Wiseman and a jealous king named Herod. There was murder of young males 2 years of age and under and a father who takes his family to Egypt for safety. We meet a man dressed in camel skin eating honey and calling for repentance, and that there would be that would follow who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. The sky opens up and a voices tells us this my Son whom I am pleased with. Satan tried to temp Jesus and even though he know the Old Testament, he still try to promise thing that only God has control over. But we should feel blessed no matter where we are in our Christian walk.

January 17, 2012 Genesis 20 - 38

Boy what a start with the first book of the Bible. I've always been to tell the truth and not lie, we have found Abraham not telling the whole truth just a small infraction, which was that Sarah not only was his sister but also his wife. Then we get into chapter 27 and we find a brother stealing his brothers birth right. Chapter 37 bothers selling their brother into bondage. And chapter 38 someone being deceitful  and leading a person into dong something that he would not have done or would he? We read but as thing go along God always as a plan, question why not just start with the people that He wanted in the first place? Is it test for them at that time or was it to show us now that even if we go astray that He (God) still has a plan for our lives and blessing, it's just we may have missed some of those big blessing.

January 22, 2012 Genesis 39 - 50

Hark the dreamer cometh! what a story We have a father who loves one son more than the others but he's not the oldest or the youngest. And we have 10 brother, nine of them very very jealous of him and what he is telling them. Wouldn't you get tired of hearing one of these days you will bow to to me. Well that day came and the jealous brother were first going to throw him in a well but then they seen a caravan  and sold there brother into slavery.Now here is a question would I sell a brother or any relative into slavery? Thank not!! But in this case God had a plan that no one could see not even the brother who was in bondage.   

November 26, 2011

I'm reading a fiction paperback that is titled " The Shack" and here the main character is one on one with the Trinity. What would I do if I had the chance to spend a weekend having a one on one with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Would we change the way we think or act? I think we would continue to be ourselves with no immediate changes, some of those who met Jesus when he was on earth didn't make a single change in their life and why would we 2000 years later be any different.

January 1, 2012

I read just finished a true story that is titled " Angel in the rubble" about a young lady who was trapped under all the concrete, wires, pipes and twisted steel. She opened her heart to God and in this mess came a person (angel) named Paul who held her hand and talked to her until she was found.

January 7, 2012

Two years ago for Christmas my daughter-n-law gave me book titled "Left to Tell" It tell how a person who is experience horrifying. In all of pain she is able to find God and He talks to her, and she as well talked to Mary mother of Jesus. She has been changed for life and now I'm reading her second book "Led by Faith". Do we get caught up in the world and forget that God is with us always and appears in many different forms. 

January 28, 2012

think about Jesus's birth angels told the shepherds of the special occasion   . But the star that appeared to the wise men could it have been an angel that made an appearance has an angel.  

November 21, 2011

Does God still speak to people today. And If so why don't they listen? With all the different religions and all the prayers that are in His name how does he know the true Christian from those who practice being religious.

January 6, 2012

 How would we be able to tell when someone says God told them to do something that it is true? Or is that a person gets in a position and enjoys beating their own drum. Do we have to good and check to see if what they really say is biblical? I believe some do it in church to justify why do they do thing and just use God by name.