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Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

General Thoughts

The content includes diverse topics related to faith and community, such as biblical lessons, the role of children in prayer, societal issues like violence in schools, and personal stories on faith and survival. It emphasizes respect in religious settings, the significance of gratitude, and the importance of guiding young people.

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Redeeming the Time: Walk Wisely in Every Season


Eph 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Col. 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.


Time: Strong’s G2540 kairos: of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:—X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare G5550.

Outline of Biblical Usage 

  1. due measure
  2. a measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time, hence:
    1. a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for
    2. opportune or seasonable time
    3. the right time
    4. a limited period of time
    5. to what time brings, the state of the times, the things and events of time

Redeeming: Strong’s G1805 – exagorazō: ex-ag-or-ad’-zo; from G1537 and G59; to buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity):—redeem.

Outline of Biblical Usage 

  • to redeem
    • by payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, buy off
    • metaphor of Christ freeing the elect from the dominion of the Mosaic Law at the price of his vicarious death
  • to buy up, to buy up for one’s self, for one’s use
    • to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own

We need to walk in wisdom not foolishness.
Redeeming the time means to do things in their proper time or season. There is a season or time for everything. A time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to cry and rejoice. A time to be with your
children and a time to let them go because they are now adults. There is a time for learning and a time for testing.

So, what are you doing with your time. Are you spending it wisely or foolishly? Are you redeeming the time?

  • If you have children, have children, are you remembering to train them and enjoying spending time with them? Remember children are only children for a short time.
  • If you are a single adult, are remembering to enjoy this season of your life?
  • Everyone that knows Jesus, are you remembering to share your faith with others before time runs out?
  • If you don’t know Jesus, what you waiting for? Now is the time!

Remember no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus’ return. None of us know exactly how long our life will be. Redeem the time that you have. Use your time wisely.

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Understanding Salvation Bracelets: A Craft for Sharing the Gospel

Salvation Bracelets were very popular when I was growing up in Mississippi. They were a frequent craft project at Vacation Bible School (VBS). They were seen as a simple way to teach children how to share the gospel with others. Below I will explain the bracelets.

Salvation Bracelets were made from a string and several beads. The there was 1 bead of each of the following colors: black, red, blue, white, green, and yellow. Each color represented a different truth.

  • black = sin
  • red = blood of Christ
  • blue = baptism in water
  • white = cleansing from sin
  • green = spiritual growth.
  • yellow = heaven

    This bracelet is useful as tool for telling us about Jesus in the United States. In some places it is not useful because the colors are not perceived the same by everyone. Beads are not just decorations in some cultures and some colors already have major meanings in some cultures. When sharing the gospel, it is not possible to just a one size fits all mentality. The culture of the people you are witnessing to must be taken into consideration.
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God Hears Every Prayer: A Lesson from Childhood

There was a summer when the snake population was just too much. We were finding rattle snakes and water moccasins even by the house. I was only about 6 years old. My mom went to church and requested prayer for the snakes to stay away. At that time and place the pastor would take prayer requests from the pulpit. My mom waited her turn and explained the problem while asking for prayer. The congregation erupted into laughter. No one thought that God would answer such a prayer.

After church my mom explained to me that God hears our prayers and that it was our faith that mattered. It didn’t matter what the other people said or did. From that day we did not find any more snakes in our yard or on our land as long as we lived there.

To this day I still remember that God cared about even the seemingly simple cares that we had. No prayer is too small, too, silly, or too insignificant. The Bible says, ” Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. This means that if it bothers you, causes you worry or concern, or affects you God is not too busy to hear about it from you. Remember all means all (everything).

Inspiring Family Stories That Uplift Your Spirit

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The Power of Hearing: Shaping Faith and Life Choices

There is an old song that many of you will remember. 

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
There’s a Father up above, looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes, what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear
Oh, be careful little ears, what you hear.
There’s a Father up above, looking down in Love,
So be careful little ears, what you hear.

Be careful little mouth what you say
Oh, be careful little mouth, what you say.
There’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little mouth, what you say.

Be careful little hands, what you touch
Oh, be careful little hands, what you touch.
There’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little hands, what you touch.

Be careful little feet, where you go
Oh, be careful little feet, what you go.
There’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little feet, what you go.

This song talks about your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet. I have seen a picture going around lately that made me think of this song. Here is the picture.

An artistic illustration showing an ear with a fetus inside, accompanied by text that emphasizes the idea that what we listen to influences our outcomes, urging careful selection of audio input.

This post is explaining how what we listen to gives birth to what we will have in the future. Look at Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Note that the faith needed to please God originates from hearing the Word of God. Faith is conceived when we use our ears to hear the Word of God.
Similarly, doubt is conceived when we use our ears to listen to negative things.
So be careful little ears and big ears what you hear. Don’t listen to the wrong people speaking negativity into your life. Instead listen to the Word of God. The Word of God is life to those who hold fast to it. 

Philippians 2:10-18

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

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Finding Faith Through Playing Cards

A Deck of Cards

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn’t been heard.

The young soldier knew it was Sunday. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then an army sergeant came in and said, “Why aren’t you with the rest of the platoon?”The soldier replied, “I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.”

The sergeant said, “Looks to me like you’re going to play cards.” The soldier said, “No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I’ve decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.”

The sergeant asked in disbelief, “How will you do that?” “You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God. 

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives – the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God’s first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week – 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards – there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

Therefore, when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.”

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, “Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?”

Inspiring Family Stories That Uplift Your Spirit

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Spiritual Warfare: Obeying God for Victory

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Biblical Verses for Thankfulness This Thanksgiving

Tis the season for strife. It is amazing how a day called Thanksgiving causes so many problems.  It was originally meant to be a day of prayer and thanks giving.  

Now it has turned into a time of strife and stress for many.

Thanksgiving is not a holiday mentioned in the Bible, but the idea of giving thanks is a theme all through the Bible.

Here are some scriptures to help you give thanks.

Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

Nehemiah 12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

Psalm 147:7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Isaiah 51:3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Jeremiah 30:19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

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Stand for Your Beliefs: Lessons from the 90’s Song

You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything is a line from a song from the early 90’s. This song makes a very good point. You will either stand up for your beliefs or you will fall for every thought that passes by.  The Bible says in Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”. 

Basically, the scripture is saying grow up, know what you believe, and stick with it. Similarly, the song says, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything”. As Christians, we need to stand for Christ, or you will fall into the trap of the devil. We need to stop being tossed about like a ship without a rudder and stand firm on the Word of God. 

For those that your like to know the rest of the song, here it is. Aaron Tippin – You’ve Got to Stand for Something Lyrics | Lyrics.com

Now Daddy didn't like trouble, but if it came along 
Everyone that knew him knew which side that he'd be on 
He never was a hero, or this county's shinin' light 
But you could always find him standing up 
For what he thought was right 
He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything 
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string 
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name 
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything 

Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house 
If Daddy had done more givin' in or a little more backing down 
But we always had plenty just living his advice 
Whatever you do today you'll have to sleep with tonight 

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything 
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string 
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name 
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything 

Now I know that things are different than they were in Daddy's days 
But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed 

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything 
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string 
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name 
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything 

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
 

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The Erasure of Women: A Global Crisis

 In Afghanistan women are being erased from public life, The Taliban are creating 1 law after another that is causing the disappearance of women from public areas. Everyone can plainly see that this is wrong. 

In many other places women are being erased in a different more progressive way. Women are being replaced by men who say that they are women. We no longer have women’s sports. It is amazing to me that in the name of equality we are taking away from women the very thing that women fought so hard to achieve. Even the understanding of the meaning of the word woman causes many problems. It was not so very long ago that women were proud to be women. They were proud of their achievements. They knew who they were. The erasing of women can happen in many ways. Some are obviously cruel and inhuman like in Afghanistan. Others are disguised and the damaging effects will take longer to come to light. The questions to ask are why doesn’t the world like women and what can be done about it. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. However, without women none of us would be here today. Women are important. Women everywhere need love, understanding, respect, and appreciation. Women need safe spaces that are only for women. Women need the right to choose the life that they want. Whatever the choose may be, that choose should be respect and honored. Women need to be heard. The opinions and thoughts of women are worthy of consideration.

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