Ms Amanda's Blog

[msamandablogs]

As an older woman, these are my instructions.

Titus 2:3-7 ESV

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

[msamandablogs]

[msamandablogs]

Isn't it amazing that the Lord is listening to us, as we speak to one another about Him? And He counts it as important enough to have it recorded in a book of remembrance.

[thewordfortheday]

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight" (Luke 12:6).

The Almighty God who keeps the planets in their orbits is aware of a lowly sparrow that falls to the ground.

Are you anxious? Fretful? Fearful? If the Lord takes such tender care of every bird He ever created, would He not care much more for His children.

As for your value, Jesus died on the Cross to save you from your sin and from eternal separation from God. He died to make you His very own. That's how much He loves you.

You can rest assured knowing God’s caring eye is watching over you. You don't have to worry for a moment about your future or anything for that matter.

[heartsings77]

[ellelovesjesus-deactivated20240]

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

[msamandablogs]

The delight and essence of my prayers and desires of my life: "To go after Jesus, and take others with me."

Great post! Thank you!

[warriorsofgodchannel]

[dailyeffectiveprayer]

Keep praying to God every single day, no matter how hopeless and impossible your situation appears. God can change your entire life in a single moment. 🙏

[dailyeffectiveprayer]

The only safe place in these last days is in Jesus.

[jesuschristisgod]

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John.16.24

[free-my-mindd]

1 Peter 5:6 ❤️

[msamandablogs]

Putting on humility, like a garment.

Choosing how we interact with both God, and the world. Learning and being "teachable."

1 Peter 5:5 KJV —

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

[heart-for-god]

Psalms 107:13-14

[99-and-1poplin]

[ae-cha08]

This is a humbling verse. My life is the work of God’s hand. Your life is the work of God’s hand. Just like clay in the hand of a potter, He molds and makes, even breaks when necessary, refines, and shapes.And we can trust Him because He’s a good Father.

This Verse Reminds Us That Everything is in Accordance With God’s Plan.

[msamandablogs]

Learning from the Horse:

The Law of Progression in Reproofs

"Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you." Psalm 32:9 ESV

I am reminded this morning that God's top preference for our behavior is that we be "meek" and easily obedient.

But, if we are distracted and inattentive, He will then deal with us as horse that NEED a whip nudge them along, to get moving in His direction.

And, if we are still too dull and reluctant, then He will use a bridle that will restrict and turn our head, like the donkey needs.

And, then, if we are still too rebellious and dull of hearing, He brings a rod to get our attention, and cause us to pay attention and "get the memo."

This is the "Law of Progression" that is throughout Scripture as it relates to "Reproofs" and "Instruction in Righteousness."

"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools." Proverbs 26:3 ESV

In dressage (a type of horse training) the horse has become very sensitive to the "invisible" commands of the rider. Simply shifting weight in the saddle, or leaning, is sufficient for the horse to sense the command and obey. In horse training, "meekness" is the desired temperament. The word "meek" comes from the Greek word "praus" which translates to "strength under control." In ancient Greece, war horses were trained to be "praus", or MEEK: under control and WILLING to submit.

God has called us to be meek, like a horse that is fully submitted to the rider.

Understanding that this definition of "meek" is the one that best fits the Biblical term in Matthew 5:5, Numbers 12:3, Psalm 37:11, helps us to understand that He wants us to be attentive and observant of His "invisible" commands. Essentially, the "pressure shift" that the Lord exerts as guidance and teaching. It is the gentle pressure, the "alert" to pay attention. It might be that there is a conflict brewing, or an "alert" that we need to focus on a particular learning area.

So, His desire is that we will be like "dear children" and like toddlers following their parents and copying them during their daily life.

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints." Ephesians 5:1-3 ESV

[msamandablogs]

"Caution Ahead: Fork in the Road"

What is God's will upon my life? What is my "purpose" in life?

In 1974, as a teenager, these questions troubled me immensely.

Like people around the world, I was facing decisions about "the road of life" and I felt the immense burden of seeing choices and choosing correctly.

In high-school, I prayed much and wept profusely over these decisions.

I sought counsel from parents, pastors, counselors, older siblings, and trusted friends.

Yet, I was dissatisfied with their answers, because I didn't perceive in their counsel inclusion of my core priority.

They were answering a spiritual question with a natural answer.

"To the degree that I could understand and choose, my chief goal was "to be obedient and pleasing to the Lord."

Now, I am an old retired lady, looking back over "the road of life" and have a much clearer perspective that might help others as they also wrestle with those same decisions.

"Ready or Not, We MUST Choose:"

Over the years, I have wrestled with the inevitable decisions as I have faced "forks in the road" with life altering consequences that were set before me.

These "Forks in the Road" certainly were not of my choosing.

They sprang up with changes I had NOT chosen, such as:

Community or national economic tsunami failure like Flint, Michigan in 1980 era

Global recession of 2008 with endemic bank failures and foreclosures

Personal health diagnoses with long-term recovery, permanent deficits, terminal diagnosis.

Family health diagnoses like strokes, sudden chronic disability,

Job losses, and even the loss of entire economic sectors

Business losses

et. al.

"Ahead: Fork in the Road"

Now I am a much older retiree, and can help point out how He might lead you.

Do you have any dreams that you remember being repetitive during your childhood? Dreams that made no sense then; dreams that you didn't think meant much? (Like Joseph with the sun moon and stars, he had no idea what the surrounding story would be). Often those were prophetic, but were not very clear to our dull ears and darkened minds. It might bring you comfort and confidence to understand what they meant.

Law of Progression:

"For the earth brings forth fruit of herself;first the blade, then the ear,after that the full corn in the ear." Mark 4:28

Scripturally, there are ways that will help you. You will see the "law of progression" operating that has been operating in your life over the years.It is this principle:

Your aptitudes and inclinations are something God gave you as equipment for use over your life journey on earth.

Seeing or perceiving "a door of opportunity" is frequently because God has opened your eyes to SEE it.Pray that He open every door you should go through, and close every door you shouldn't.Then, when we see a "door of opportunity" you can "rattle the door handle" to see if it is open or closed. If it is closed, be at peace, as God has closed it. If it is open, then confidently go through and begin as God has opened the door.