11/15-11/21 Homework Assignment

11/15-11/21 Affirmations
11/15 I am amazing just the way I am.
11/16 I accept my body shape and acknowledge the beauty it holds.
11/17 My future is an ideal projection of what I envision now.
11/18 My healing is already in process.
11/19 Others can trust me because I am trustworthy and reliable.
11/20 I am gracious and grateful.
11/21 I love and approve of myself.

11/15-11/21 Musings
11/15 I have found myself justifying these thoughts and trying to convince myself.  I am not confused about these thoughts.  They have not been as soothing or kind to me as I thought.  They have been nothing but a burden.  They have distracted me, bothered me, burdened me, and woken me up.  It has been quite confusing.  I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame.  I have learned to be thankful and to re-direct my thoughts.  I have learned to let the thoughts pass.  I have to do what is hard, and re-directing and letting the thoughts pass is rather hard.

Do they honor God?  No, they do not honor God.  Do they honor me?  That is obviously not true either.  I have asked myself a series of questions not only about the thoughts, but about how I live my life.  I needed to take an inventory of my life and myself.  I have become more aware today than I have on other days.  The feedback of others have become too valuable and mine have not been valuable enough.  I care about others, of course, but I have to care about myself too.
11/16 My motives haven't always been pure.  I realize that I have had selfish motives for wanting to watch tv or movies.  I realize that I have avoided situations because of fear and not because the movie or tv show or song does not honor God.  I admit that I have done dishonorable things and for that, I am no saint.  One who is holy has pure motives.  Mercy and faith go hand in hand with holiness.  Those are things that matter much more to me in the grand scheme of things.
11/17 Being a Christian isn't a walk in the park.  Let me explain.  A true Christian goes through problems like everyone else.  We know that there is also a spiritual fight that we have to face.  We don't wrestle against flesh and blood but we have to fight the very works of the enemy.  The Christian walk isn't just an easy ride, but also a race where sometimes the roads are unpaved.  Many Christians have also been persecuted for their faith.  It has been going on for millenia.  That will not change until the time of the end.  However, we are to be overcomers.  Satan is a deceiver seeking whom he may devourer.  Jesus is the Lord and Savior who conqured hell and the grave.  Jesus Christ has all of the winning tools at His disposal.  Amen.
11/18 I have to admit that nothing has happened.  I have a cold and that is about as exciting as my day went. When the person is you, you have a new perspective on things.  I feel so shallow today because I have relatives who are much sicker than I.  I am not so sure about them, but they seem to be okay.  I wish I was there for my sick relative but I am sick myself. One has to be sick in order to see one perspective, to have that mile walked in their shoes.
11/19 Life is way too short to allow these thoughts to take over my life.  That includes my thought life.  It is important to realize that I have to allow these thoughts to pass.  This morning it took nasty thoughts about being yelled at and being physically ill to realize all of this.  It took a new perspective that I had to learn about myself.  I wish that advice would have set me free, but all of those things didn't  help me because I wasn't bored enough.  I am bored with all of it.  I am not sick of these thoughts.  I wish to move on.  That is what I desire.
11/20 May Whitney Houston rest in peace.
11/21 Today was just another day in a year full of days.  It will always be another day in a year filled with days, weeks, and months.

11/15-11/21 Food and Diet Blog entries
11/16 I do tend to eat over the 1400 calorie limit like I did yesterday.  I did eat in moderation...I did at least eat my snacks in moderation.  However, I should have eaten 200 calories or less in eating my snacks.  One of my problem areas is eating big snacks and sometimes too small meals.  I need to work on that.
11/17 I tried the best I could with staying under the 1400 calorie limit.  I ate too much chicken today.  I am not feeling too well because I have a slight cold right now.  Hopefully I will feel better.
11/18 I binged some today.  Right now, I am struggling to eat 1400 calories per day.  I need to learn "addictive" food such as crackers and potaotes in moderation or not at all.  I have learned a lot not only about diet but about my eating habits.  I also need to exercise more as well.  I am going to stick to the 1400 calories in the next few days or so.  I also plan to even lower consumption of calories.  I have changed my calories low enough.  I eat way too many calories and have gained weight because of it.
11/19 I have made the 1400 calorie mark the first time.  When I say that, I mean that I have barely gone over the 1400 calorie mark.  I did eat a rather huge lunch.  I have to learn that I am to eat like a queen at breakfast, eat like a princess at lunch, and eat like a pauper at dinner.  I finally realize how elitist it is, but I guess it is a way that I will lose weight.
11/20 I finally found out why I eat so much.  I guess it is more emotional than anything.  I have denied it not because I was in denial, but because I didn't know any better.  Despite my issues, my emotions have not gotten in the way of my eating habits.  In other words, I usually don't eat emotionally to solve any issues.  I am concerned that I am not losing any weight and I wanted to binge tonight, but I came pretty close.  I ate 500 calories plus over the limit.  I don't feel bad about it, but I know that I can do much, much better.
11/21 I was just hungry and tired today.  That is the only reason or rather, reasons why I am eating over the 1400 calorie limit.  It is a budget that I go over constantly.  It doesn't bother me that I eat over that limit.  However, it would be nice to eat at that limit.  I don't feel guilty about what I ate or drank today however.

Two productive things to do each month...myself and my family

January- Holidays, learning about gardening

February- Shopping, learning about history

March- Food Preparation, gardening

April- Food preparation, writing

May- Shopping, Spring Cleaning

June- learning about animals, shopping

July- Food preparation, shopping

August - shopping and  budgeting, making a meal plan

September - health and fitness, Shopping

October- Halloween, writing

November - Preparation for Thanksgiving, Helping the Family

December- Giving of Gifts, Cooking and baking

11/8-11/14 Homework Assignment

Affirmations
11/8     I know that God is always with me. – Isaiah 41:10
11/9     With my heart open to God's renewing love, I accept my healing now.
11/10   Today, I abandon my old habits and take up new, more positive ones.
11/11   I am preparing myself for Jesus' return.
11/12   I can stand on my own two feet and move forward with my life.
11/13   I eat slowly and stop eating the moment I feel full.
11/14   I am a gift from God, not only for one season, but for the entire year.

Musings
11/8    
It is about frustration becoming an obsession almost.  It could have easily destroyed what I have worked for when it came to my weight.  Frustration is something that one should not have to deal with.  It is serious and I am serious.  Being too frustrated has not been kind to me and I doubt it will be kind to anyone else.
11/9     Turning things over to God can very well be difficult.  I am so used to want to fix things for myself because oftentimes I feel so powerless.  How ironic is that?  It is true, though.  Powerless is a feeling or is it purely based on reality?  I have learned that power is like a road.  Either you can have power or choose to take your power back or actually be and/or remain powerless.  Life is like a road sometimes because life is a journey of choices.

I have failed to see that sometimes and tend to do things first then think of the consequences later.  That is not a good way to live.  In my case, it is because of a lack of exhibiting self-control.  Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit and there is no law.  I believe that there is no law because it about living for God.  How can a person truly live for God without at least a modicum of self-control?  One who lacks self-control cannot be a good witness for God.

11/10  What I didn't realize was that I needed God. It was around 1:00 or so that afternoon and I went up to a friend's room. I knew that she was a born-again Christian and I started talking to her about all of my problems. I met two other girls, one of them was a freshmen at that time. I literally cried a river and poured out my heart. I was a lonely young woman. I knew it. Then she asked me if I believe that Jesus died for me and that if I believed that Jesus rose on the third day. I told her that I did. Then she mentioned the word "friends". It clicked. That was all I remember from that question. However, I have told her that I will get saved later on that I wanted to go somewhere. Her warning was to me that tomorrow was promised to no one. These were not her exact words, but that is what she meant. I am so glad that I did not hesitate. I prayed with her to receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I saw a mental picture of cherub-like angels on a blue background. It was a mental painting almost. Everything seemed different. Things were brighter. One of the girls remarked that I even looked different. God took my pain away. He had started me on a new journey. And for that I praise God. Life is better. I still have my share of problems, but all Christians have their share of problems. Christians will be persecuted for their faith. I went from barely reading the Bible from reading and studying the Bible daily. I prayed mostly in need, but I pray daily. I have changed. Within a year from that day, I transferred to a new school and graduated two years later. I have learned how to handle my problems better. Over time, I have grown to depend on God daily. I have become interested in different things. I have become a different person. I have become wiser, and I thank God for that.
11/11  I would today like to wish a Happy Veterans' Day to all of those who have served our country.  So many of them gave of their lives and they should be greatly appreciated.  However, despite the fact that they should be thanked and that they should have a day set aside for them, everyday should be a day when we thank our veterans.  They have fought valiantly and I, for one, will not forget their service to this country.
11/12  I love giving gifts.  Christmas is a great time of the year, but I think that I, like many in the United States, underrate Thanksgiving.  We as Americans have much to thankful for.  Granted, we have a lot of problems, but most of us don't go to bed hungry.  Many people in other countries do.  I am reminded of them quite often and I am not just thankful, but I am grateful that there are people who show love to those who are in need.  I am not always good at expressing myself, but we as believers are to love and serve those in need, not just because it is the right thing to do and that we are supposed to serve.  We are to love those we serve, and that is the reason we do the right thing.  We love our fellow man, woman, and child.
11/13  RIP, Noah Gerald...I miss you, dad.
11/14  I know that I was supposed to write about Christmas, but I am glad that it turned to something else.  Sure I am talking about Christmas and I even wrote a video about it.  So ironically all of this does tie together.  For that, I am thankful that God has given me so much insight into life that I didn't know that I had.

My Food and Diet Blog Entries
11/8    I have given total and complete control over to the Lord.  I was so frustrated that it left me eating more.  I have binged for the past few days and I am proud of it.  I needed to take inventory of my life.  And I also needed to take inventory over my health.  I admit that I am not in the best health.  I gained weight which is causing me worry.  That is not a good thing.  I just couldn't take it anymore.  So I prayed about it.  I needed wisdom and I believe that my prayer will be answered.
11/9    I did pretty well today.  I do realize, however, that eating smaller portions would be beneficial for me.  Application of certain diet principles or rules would be a great help to me.  Planning in advance would also be of great help to me as well.  Lacking in self-control is an issue for me.  How do I learn to exhibit self-control when it comes to my eating habits so that it doesn't become a vicious cycle?
11/10  I have to admit that I ate a lot of unhealthy foods.  I do tend to eat a lot of fried foods.  I believe that eating unhealthy foods do no good for my health.  I am glad that I am under the calorie limit.  I don't however feel guilty about what I ate.
11/11  I ate some food today that was pretty healthy.  I admit that I  do need to eat more fruits and vegetables.  I also need to read up my blog entries so that I could learn about myself and eat healthier and lose weight.  I am stressed out, which is not good for me.
11/12  I have had enough of binging and overeating!  I need help.  I need, and want to lose weight.  It is one of my greatest desires.  The reasons are for health and for overall well-being.  I am doing this for myself.  Right now, I plan to consume just 1400 calories starting tomorrow.  I need to be consistent with this.  I just want to lose weight.  I am trying too hard and failing miserably.  I want to start all over, but I rather just start anew.
11/13  I am now consuming 1400 calories per day, for now.  I realize that it is normal for people to change the calorie amounts per day.  I don't eat as well as I should.  I need, want, and desire to lose weight.  I have gained some weight from binging.  I have also gotten sick.  I am learning to eat in smaller portions.  Eating that many calories is actually a lot less stressful than I thought, even though I admit that it is a challenge.  It will require a lot of doing what is hard.  I feel pretty good, but I realize that this is a daily thing, not a wedding day thing.
11/14  I have noticed that the less I eat, the more stressful I am.  I do have an urge to eat much or rather more than I desire to eat.  For the time being, I am comfortable with eating a 1400 calorie diet.  It hasn't been much of a struggle so far.  In fact, food doesn't consume my every thought.  I guess it is because of my food intake.  I have been wiser in my food choices as a result.  I don't have any headaches or anything like that.  In fact I feel great.  I can breathe a little easier.

Debbie's Letter from Hell- A Fictional Account about a real subject

Dear family and friends, and the world at large,
 
I am tormented in this flame. I ask God to save me over and over again. I thought I was a Christian. I should have lived for God, but I lived for myself, and everyone else. I brought my problems on myself. I have no one else to blame.

I was a selfish young woman. I had the whole world ahead of me. How could I be so stupid? It is a scary dark place where people are being tormented day and night, night and day. It is a place I don't wish on my worst enemy.

There is no love, no forgiveness, no peace, and no joy. This is what Hell is like. Hell is a real place, but I didn't believe. Hell is not a false doctrine. I should not have listened to the doctrine of other. Instead, I should have read God's word for myself. This is not a place of rest nor is it a party. The smell is wretched down here. You could hear the gnashing of teeth, the screams, and the cries of regret.

It is my fault. I brought myself to this place because I made one bad choice. God did not send me here, I sent myself here. I should have known that I deserve this fate, but I did not take the time to read or study the Bible, or even thank God. I took God for granted, nor was I thankful.

I was also among the unholy. I lived my life as I pleased. I lived life my way. I did my own thing, and now I regret it. Independence is not always a good thing. Dependence is a most precious thing. Depend on Jesus for salvation, for He is the only way. Why didn't I listen? I had friends who are Christian. I thought I was saved because I said a prayer, but I left it at that. I did not live for the Lord nor did I serve Him.

I cried out to God for help, but is of no use. I will never see my loved ones . I will never wake up in the morning. I will never prepare breakfast for my kids. I will never read them a story and kiss them good night. I wish I could tell them that I loved them, but I cannot. I cannot even contact my loved ones and ask how they are doing. I was a good person, but being good is not enough. I could have been among the saved, but it is too late for me. Don't let it too late for you.

Sincerely,

Debbie Colmes
 
Debbie Colmes

There are no contradictions in the Bible

Wine







What does the Bible really say about wine?

According to the Book of Proverbs, "wine is a mocker, a strong drink". The Bible says outright that drunkeness is wrong, not just for health reasons, but because of its overall destruction.


While it is true that Jesus turned water into wine, most people drink wine in moderation. Also, there were benefits to drinking small to moderate quantities of wine such as for the stomach and anti-oxidation. So as with most everything, be careful with what you put into your body. Also know of the consequences of your actions and how they will affect others as well as yourself.


The Bible has answers for all of these questions.

No, the Bible does not contradict itself. To say that the Bible contradicts itself is to say that the Author has contradictory views. That in itself is not true. God cannot lie. He does not compromise. His word says that there is a right and wrong. That is why He wanted Moses to show the newly freed slaves the Ten Commandments. And the reason why Jesus was born of a virgin, preached the gospel, was crucified for the sins of the world, and rose on the third day. That is why Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He teaches us, guides us, and convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgements.


On this page, I have written questions that people often use to prove that the Bible contradicts itself. The Bible is a book that gives reproof, corrects us, and gives us instruction. It is inspired of by God.(from 1 Timothy 3:16)
We live in a time where people scoff at the Lord's return. People abandoned God and choose to do all manner of evil things. So don't be surprised that people will say unkind things about God, the Bible, and Christians. We have to answer those who are lost and lack understanding. The Truth is our weapon.
Here are answers to common questions people may have:

1. If God is a God of peace, then why did Jesus talk about division? In Matthew 10:34, Jesus said that He came not to bring peace, but a sword. There will be divisions amongst family, for many will sacrifice everything for Jesus. There are some who will love their families, money, or anything other than Jesus. Verses 38-39 state the consequences of this love.

2. I thought people aren't supposed to kill anyone. Why are wars and the death penalty justified? In Numbers 32, God commissioned a war against the Midianites and various people because of their sins. God hates sin and punished those who allowed sin into their camps and into their nations. From Romans, "The wages of sin is death." People tend to forget that God is a God of Justice and yes, He does get angry. As for the death penalty, the death penalty was and still not an act of murder. It was for deterring crimes. It was used against those who murdered someone with malice. There were laws in the Old Testament for things from accidental murder, self defense, to outright lying.


3. If God is love, then why are homosexuality and interracial marriages wrong? Leviticus 18:22 states, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." This is not about hating gays and lesbians. It is about committing an act that is wrong in God's sight. No where in the Bible did it say that interracial relationships or marriages wrong. The Isrealites were not allowed to enter into relationship with neighboring peoples because they were pagans. Race had nothing to do with it.

4. I thought that God is the only one who can judge us; what does the Bible mean when he is supposed to talk about men judging angels? 1 Corinthians 6:3 asks,"Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?" Paul was writing about how the believers shall appear, namely in judicial matters before the world. He did not mean in any other way that we have the right to judge others, because we don't.

5. Does the Bible justify slavery? Remember that the Bible was written in ancient times, and various people enslaved other peoples. But in no way does the Bible justify enslaving other people as was the case in the Americas. People who enslaved others were to treat them humanely and then to set them free. But I haven't read any passages where slavery was outright justified. In fact, Paul wrote that as believers, we should be a slave or servant to no one.

6. Why does one belief have to be better than others?The answers are in Revelation 9 and Revelation 21:8. Revelation 9:20-21 20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 21:8 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

7. Why does God love some and love others? I was taught to love everybody. You are supposed to love everybody. God was referring to those who obey His commandments and those who don't. He hates sin and punishes sin.

8. Peter denies Jesus and Jesus forgives him. I thought if we deny Him, then He will deny us? True, 2 Timothy 2:12 does say, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:" Jesus forgave Peter. Peter was remorceful at what He has done for Jesus' prediction came true. Jesus was God in the Flesh. He died for our sins, including Peter's.

9. Some men in the Old Testament had more than one wife. Isn't that wrong? A man was supposed to have one wife, and for that it is wrong. In many Eastern societies, many wealthy men had more than one wife and many other women.

10. Didn't someone say something about a "perfect hatred"? It was David. In Psalm 139:22 he says, "I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies." David hated them because of their wickedness, not because of who they are. He didn't hate them as in bad blood hatred, but in righteous indignation.

11. Doesn't the curse of Ham and the blessing of Japheth prove that Christianity is a White Man's religion? Was Ham black? Genesis 10 is a genealogy of the human racial family. There is no such thing as a white race, a black race, or any other race except for the human race. We are all descended from one family: the family of Adam and Eve. Christianity is first of all, not a white man's religion. Japheth was not "white" and Ham was not "black". Japheth was the ancestor of the Indo-European peoples which include the English, Irish, Italians, Germans, Armenians, and Cypriots. Ham was the ancestor of the Libyans, Afro-Americans, and the Egyptians. Their brother Shem was the ancestor of the Arabs, and Hebrews. The curse was about Ham uncovering Noah's nakedness, not about race.

12. The Bible said that money is the root of all evil. Does that mean that it is wrong for people to have money? According to 1 Timothy 6:10, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil not money itself. It is not wrong for people to have money. Job, Esther, and King David were righteous people who were extremely wealthy.

13.Do Christians not have to follow the rules that everybody else have to follow? Seems like that most Christians are a bunch of hypocrites. Christians are not supposed to be hypocrites. We all have to give account for how we live our lives on this planet. All of us are supposed to follow God's rules, but most people don't.

14. Why does God love some more than He loves others? He doesn't. Jesus died for the sins of the world so that all might come to repentance.

15. If it is wrong to have money, then what is having life abundant (from John 10)? The abundant life doesn't have to be just financial abundance. It could be spiritual or physical abundance. In other words, Jesus was talking about a person being made whole.

16. I thought believers are supposed to have the Sabbath on the seventh day. Why do Christians celebrate it on the first day? Not all do. Seventh Day Adventists celebrate a Saturday Sabbath. In the Book of Acts, a group of believers began to fellowship the first day of the week. From that, most Christians follow the Sunday Sabbath.

17. Does the Bible condone sexism? No, it does not.

18. Paul said be a servant to no one, but slavery is mentioned to no one and Jesus was talking about servitude. What is that about? It refers to humility and service. There is a difference between servitude and slavery.

19. I thought there were certain things Christians aren't supposed to do. Why did Paul say not to judge them on those things? (from Romans 14) Paul was writing in Romans 14:3 about manmade laws and stumbling blocks that could hurt the unity of the church. Romans 14:3 says, "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him."

20. I thought all sins are forgiven, no matter how bad. Why not the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the outright rejection of the Holy Spirit in word. In other words, you will not be forgiven for saying anything evil,or negative against the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; He convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgement. To outright reject the Truth is to reject God, for the Holy Spirit is of the Trinity or Godhead.

21. Is all divorce wrong? No. The only way divorce is acceptable in the Bible is in cases of adultery and fornication.

22. I thought that Jesus was baptized in water. What does Holy Spirit baptism mean? He was. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit came upon a diverse group of believers in Acts 2. The congregation received power from on high. When someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit, they receive one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, prophecy, faith, working of miracles, and wisdom.


23.Are some of the Ten Commandments of no effect now that we live in the New Testament? No. The Ten Commandments are still effective, no matter what Testament we live in. We live in the Age of Grace, which means that we don't have to offer sacrifices to be forgiven.

24. What is predestination? Romans 8:30 says, "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." God already knew plans for our lives before we did, but God gave us the freedom of choice.

25.Is it wrong to be angry? When we hold on to our anger or when we don't control it, then it is wrong. When anger is righteous indignation, as in the case of Jesus at the temple throwing the moneychangers' tables, then no, it is not wrong. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:26, "Be ye angry, and sin not."

26. Why does God allow suffering to happen? It is best answered with a summary of the Book of Job. God allowed the Devil to inflict him with illness and other problems. He lost his wife, his children, his servants, his home, and his livestock. He was also inflicted with boils. But unlike many, Job did not blaspheme or abandon God. God also gave us freedom of choice and our choices have consequences, some more catastrophic than others.

27. Why did God change His mind about punishing Nineveh? Jonah 3:10 says, "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not." The Ninevites repented of their sins.

28. If God is such a loving God, then why is there a Hell?There is a Hell because people chose not to accept the free gift of salvation. They would not repent of their sins. They did not put God first in their lives.

29. Why is God considered a Jealous God if jealousy is wrong?Jealousy and envy are wrong, though they are pretty much the same thing. God is a Jealous God because He wants for us to worship and serve Him. He wants us to love Him and obey Him. He is the only True Living God.

I hope I have answered your questions
I hope I have proven that the Bible doesn't contradict itself. While we as humans have so many questions to ask God, never assume that God makes mistakes. Never let your questions cause you to doubt the Bible's validity or God Himself. If your beliefs cloud your judgement about God and the Bible, then you need to open your eyes. If you have never received Jesus, backslidden, or are not sure you are saved, I ask that you pray this prayer, or something similar:

"Lord Jesus, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I confess all of my sins to You. I am not proud of the fact that I have not put You first in my life. I had doubts about You and didn't trust You at all. I repent of my sins. Forgive me. Come into my heart. I accept You as Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me, in Your name, Jesus, Amen."

Who is the Holy Trinity?

Holy Spirit John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Who is the Holy Trinity?

The Holy TrinityGod the Father, Jesus the Son, and our Comforter, The Holy Spirit

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Romans 8:26-27 26 In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak that we are.  For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit Himself pleads with God for us, in groans that words cannot express. 27 And God, who sees into the hearts of men, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; for the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of His people, and in accordance with His will.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation

Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called

The Holy Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To best explain the Trinity, they are three members in one Godhead. Most people, including Christians, have little to no understanding who God is, much less each Person in the Godhead. So who is God? Is He a loving God? Is He a Strict Disciplinarian who is waiting to punish us whenever we sin? There are many who either believe in God, but have no relationship with God or those who do and have doubts about Him. The answers to these questions and concerns are in the Bible.

God the Father is known by many names: Yahweh, Jehovah, Yehovah, Heavenly Father, Father God, Lord God, Yah, Creator, etc. He............... He has the power to forgive sins. He is a limitless, boundless God. He is omniscient and omnipotent. He is Almighty and all-powerful. He is also a Jealous God because He is the only true God. He is not only a loving Father, but a fearless Judge. He is non-compromising God who hates sin. He will punish the wicked, as written in His Word. His word is True because He cannot lie, nor does He expect us to lie without penalty. God is written with human emotions such as anger and laughter.

God the Son is also known by many names: Jesus, Lord, Yeshua, Emmanuel, Redeemer, Savior, Lord of Lords, etc. Isaiah 54:9 calls Him, "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.". He too has the power to forgive sins. He was the Babe born in a manger to a virgin. Then by about 30 years old, He began a three year ministry where He healed the sick and preached the gospel of repentance. Jesus However, was not just any Teacher. He was God in the flesh. He paid the price for our sins by being crucified. We were according to 1 Corinthians 7:23 "bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." Within three days, He rose from the dead. He is the only way to the Father; there is no other way. He is the only One who can save us. Through faith in Him we became "more than conquerers" (Romans 8:37) and "dead to sin". (Romans 6:2). He is the One who set us free from the curse of sin, Hell, and thus eternal death.

God the Son is also a joint-heirs along with Him. He and the Father are one. If we call out to Him in the Name of the Son, it will be done. He gave the disciples, and us, parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, Hell, and abiding in Him. Jesus called Himself, the "True Vine" and the Father, "the Husbandman." (John 15:1).

Jesus also gave us an account of who the Holy Spirit is and an even better understanding of the Trinity in John 14:
John 14
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

The Holy Spirit is also called the Holy Ghost. He is the least understood Person in the Godhead. He intercedes for us in prayer. He is our Comforter, Guide, and is the Spirit of Truth. However, He does not speak of Himself. He is always spoken of in the Third Person. He, like the Father and the Son, were part of the Creation in Genesis. The Holy Spirit, like the rest of the Godhead, is to be reverenced in fear. However, blaspheming Him will not be forgiven.

Hopefully, this page has helped you understand about the Trinity, or Godhead. If you have never been born-again or truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, I ask that you pray this prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. The Holy Spirit is the One who has convicted me of my sins and I repent of my sins. I accept You now as Lord and Savior. I ask that my name be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. I thank You for saving me. In Your name, Jesus, Amen."

What Can We Learn from Esther?

Being a virtuous woman is being a woman of great value. It is a sad fact that there are many women who are lacking in character and virtue. An even bigger shame is that many characteristics of a woman who lacks virtue seem to be lauded by many in society. Characteristics of virtuous women, ironically, are seen as outdated and perpetuating stereotypes of women who would like to be set back decades, for a lack of better terms.

However, in the Bible, there are many examples of a virtuous woman, whether she is a wife, mother, or career woman. Proverbs writes of the virtuous wife of noble character as a woman who is industrious, faithful, trustworthy, loving, unselfishness, and most of all rare. This is in stark contrast to the woman who is adulterous and lacking in respect for herself and others. Few or no things are sacred to her, including family, marrige, God, and country. She is the simple woman who lacks wisdom and understanding and that her ways are towards death and destruction and that is sad. (Proverbs 7, Proverbs 31:10-31)

The Bible illustrates contrasts between the virtuous wife and the one who is simple, lacking in grace and character, and integrity. Proverbs 7 was such a case with the adulteress who is the total opposite of the virtuous wife for she is unfaithful, loud, stubborn, and deceitful. Her way and the way she takes others are the road to hell. She is a negative influence to others and she is not respected, even though she may be beautiful or wealthy or educated. The Book of Esther issues a contrast with the types of women I have just described in the book. Women can either be a great influence, as Esther was, or a negative influence, as Jeresh, the wife of Haman was. Queen Vashti could have been a negative influence on the other women of the kingdom and her husband knew it. Like public figures today, those of times past were held to a high standard and King Xerxes knew this. Queen Vashti was beautiful, but she embarassed her husband by refusing to be presented in front of his subjects. She was not like the submissive wife, who was the loyal wife who does not disrespect her husband nor tries to usurp his authority. (Esther 1-2:4, 5:14, 6:12-14, Proverbs 7, Ephesians 5:22-33)

Many other lessons could be learned from the Book of Esther and that is the role of women. They could be an influence, both negative and positive. It is said that men build the house while women keep the house. This is true. Men are called to be the heads of the household, not emasculated. The man is the head while the woman is the neck. Nothing could be further from the truth with Jeresh who was part of Haman's decision to have Mordecai hanged. Her influence like the influence of any woman could bring about peace and prosperity or ruin and destruction. Women such as Esther used her power wisely, for what she has done has saved the Jewish people. She obeyed Mordecai's instructions not to tell the King that she was Jewish. The rewards of wisdom is just as great as the price paid for being foolish, if not greater. (Esther 8-10, Proverbs 8-9) Another lesson to be learned is that if a person digs a pit for one, they will fall in it themselves. One who sows corruption reaps corruption. In short, what goes around comes around. Haman plotted wickedness against Mordecai and in the end he and his sons were hanged. What was meant for evil, God could mean or use for good. And the Book of Esther is proof of this. (Esther 8-10) The most beautiful woman is a woman who has strength of character, dignity, unselfish and unfailing love. She is a woman who treats people with respect and dignity. She follows the "Golden Rule". She cares for the less fortunate, her family, herself, and most of all God in word, deed, and action. Her way is that of even greater rewards than the world offers, for her rewards are incorruptible. (Esther 8-10, Psalm 57:6, Amos 7:17, Matthew 7:12, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Cor 9:24-27, 2 Cor 5:10, Philippians 1:21-30, 1 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Thess 2:19-20, James 1:12, 1 Peter 3:7, 5:1-4, Revelation 2, 21, 22)