Wash Your Hands

 

Is hand washing important according to the Bible? There are around 100 scriptures on washing. Many of those scriptures mention washing hands. Here are some scriptures that deal with hand washing: 

•  James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

• Exodus 30:17-21 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

• Psalms 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Washing of hands and feet is symbolic of making yourself clean for God. 

Today we know many reasons for washing hands. When God made the rule is said we were to wash hands so we would not die. 

Washing hands prevents illnesses and spread of infections to others

Hand washing with soap removes germs from hands. This helps prevent infections because:

• People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it. Germs can get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and make us sick.
• Germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or consume them. Germs can multiply in some types of foods or drinks, under certain conditions, and make people sick.
• Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, tabletops, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands.
• Removing germs through hand washing therefore helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections and may even help prevent skin and eye infections.

Teaching people about hand washing helps them and their communities stay healthy. Hand washing education in the community:

• Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23-40% 
• Reduces diarrhea illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58% 
• Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21%
• Reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in schoolchildren by 29-57%

Not washing hands harms children around the world

About 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrhea diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the
world.

• Hand washing with soap could protect about 1 out of every 3 young children who get sick with diarrhea and almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia.
• Although people around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their hands. Washing hands with soap removes germs much more effectively.
• Hand washing education and access to soap in schools can help improve attendance.
• Good hand washing early in life may help improve child development in some settings.
• Estimated global rates of hand washing after using the toilet are only 19% .

Hand washing helps battle the rise in antibiotic resistance

Preventing sickness reduces the amount of antibiotics people use and the likelihood that antibiotic resistance will develop. Hand washing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections (e.g., colds). Antibiotics often are prescribed unnecessarily for these health issues. Reducing the number of these infections by washing hands frequently helps prevent the overuse of antibiotics—the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world. Hand washing can also prevent people from getting sick with germs that are already resistant to antibiotics and that can be difficult to treat.

God knew about germs before we did. He created a law that involved hand washing to save His people from deadly disease. 

People are People

 

My daddy was a long-haul truck driver. He traveled all over the continental states, a little into Mexico, and a little into Canada. This was mostly during the 1990's and early 2000's. He was born in the 1940's. 

As a child, I asked him what the people in other places were like. I lived in a small town. 

I still remember his answer. People are people. Some are good. Some are bad. It doesn't matter where you go, you will find people that are nice and people that are mean. Skin color doesn't matter either. People are people. 

The Boat Ride

 

Many years ago, it rained for about 1 month. My grandfather (Marcus) was just a boy. He was the youngest of his siblings. He lived in a 2-room house with his parents (Berry and Pearlie Mae) and his 3 sisters. Yes, I said 2-room house. There was a kitchen and a living room. They cooked and ate in the kitchen. They lived and slept in the living room. The bathroom was in the outhouse behind the house. 

During this month of rain, they all went stir crazy. The only excitement was counting the chickens through the floorboards. They didn't own a television. 

On the day that the sun finally came out, Berry suggested that they go on a boat ride. Pearlie Mae agreed. She fixed a picnic Lunch. They all quickly got ready. Now they didn't own a vehicle, so they got the small boat and the picnic basket and started to the flooded Pearl River. 

They put the boat into the river. They put the basket into the boat. Pearlie Mae gets into the boat. The 4 children get into the boat. Lastly Berry gets into the boat. The boat is barely above the water. They row around on the river for about 2 hrs. While on the river, they eat lunch. Water keeps splashing into the boat. 

Finally, the come back to shore. A man runs up to them. He is so relieved. He had been there since they had gotten into the boat. He explained that he had not taken his eyes off of them so he could tell rescuers where the boat went down. He had been so afraid that the boat, which was barely above water, would sink from the weight of the 6 people and 1 large picnic basket. 

My grandfather, Marcus, told this story many times. He said that God takes care of children and crazy people. 

It still amazes me that 6 people could even fit into a boat that size. The boat was only about 5 or 6 foot long and about 2 foot wide. 

Friday Night Church Service

 

My great-grandmother was a youth leader and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She finally had to stop teaching because of age related health problems. A few years before she passed away, the church was talking about not having church services on Friday night anymore. They thought that having church services on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night would be enough. 

My great-grandmother did not agree. She said that if you quit having church on Friday nights you might as well close down the church because the youth needed something to do on Friday nights other than get into trouble. If the youth didn't come to church on Friday night, they would eventually stop coming to church. She was very vocal about this. Everyone knew her position and thoughts on the matter. 

The church still voted to stop having Friday night youth services. This was in the early 2000's. Has anyone noticed the current state of the churches here in the United States? Here is a link to an article about youth and church attendance. Church Attendance Dropped Among Young People, Singles, Liberals - Christianity Today The youth has now mostly left many of the churches. 

Maybe my great-grandmother was right. 

Locked Church

 

My great-grandparents helped to clear the land for the brush arbor that then grew into a church. As the church grew, they helped to build the church building. They were very active in the church. My great-grandmother was a youth leader and a Sunday school teacher. My great-grandfather was an ordained minister and a deacon of the church. They put many things in the church such as a fellowship hall with kitchen, a nursey, the pews, and classrooms. The one thing that no one had ever installed was a lock. The people of this church believed that the church should always be open. This was for several reasons. 

• What if someone was caught in a rainstorm? They could use an unlocked church for shelter.
• What if someone needed to pray? According to Jesus, the church is a house of prayer. 
• What if someone was passing through and needed a place to rest? 
• What if the women wanted a place to meet?
• What if the men wanted a place to meet?

They had the church unlocked for all of these reasons and possibly a few more. This went on for many years. This church was founded in 1940. That is until about the late 1980's or early 1990's. A new preacher came in. The preacher asked for the keys to the church. The deacons explained that there were no keys because there were no locks on the doors. 

The new preacher was from the city where locks were everywhere. He insisted on locking the church because of the valuable equipment (speakers, microphones, etc.) The preacher insisted so much that he, without anyone else knowing, installed the locks. 

The next Sunday the preacher was surprised to see an angry crowed waiting for him. They complained that they had been waiting for the last hour. They complained that the church had never in all their days been locked. Some complained that breakfast was now very late, and the children were hungry. This preacher had thought he was arriving 1 hr. early. He did not realize that this group of people normally came 2hrs earlier than the service for fellowship that including breakfast and prayer. 

The dispute was settled by giving a key to every member household. 

3rd grade math topics and resources

 The 3rd grade math student:

•  Adds 3-digit to 3-digit numbers, subtracts 3-digit from 3-digit numbers, and solves word problems with carrying and borrowing.
• Learns multiplication facts 1–9 with timed drills and oral drills.
• Reviews numbers in place values of 1s, 10s, and 100s; writes numbers to count on a number line. reviews and writes on charts; and learns to use picture tables to determine height.
• Reviews telling time and learns half-hour, quarter-hour, and 5-minute increments.
• Learns Roman numerals.
• Reviews measurements of weight, liquid, and length; converts inches to feet, feet to yards; reads scales in pounds; and learns the abbreviations in., ft., and yd. 
• Writes ordinals first through tenth.
• Learns to divide objects or sets into halves

Resources:

• EP Math 3 – Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
• Grade 3 Curriculum
• Math 3 Free Download - The Good and the Beautiful
• Under the Home Online Homeschool Curriculum - Math Textbook
• Math Facts Practice – Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
• Multiplication Facts Lapbook - Homeschool Share
• Musical Multiplication

For More Homeschool Resources click here.

Short Prayer

 

I had just turned 16 years old. My mom and I were on 16th avenue in Laurel, MS. We were in a 1977 Ford Maverick that we had recently bought for $100. It barely worked. You had to use both feet to drive even though it was an automatic. The car would die at the red lights if you didn't keep gas going to it. So, you held the brake while tapping to gas at red lights. This was the best car we could afford at this time. 

We were stopped at a red light when an 18-wheeler was making a right turn. We could see that it was turning too sharp. There was a car beside us and a car behind us. There was nowhere for us to go. We screamed, "God help us" Our car turned sideways and the car beside us slide over. We heard the screeching of car wheels.  It took two light changes with us figuring out how to turn the car back straight. Not one car honked at us. Everyone waited patiently for us to move. Later we heard people talking about this event. It turns out that they were in too much shock to honk or yell at us. The people 1 month later were still trying to figure out how the car turned sideways and how we did not get hit by the 18-wheeler.

God does hear Prayers. Prays don't have to be long or eloquent. Prayers only have to be sincere and from the heart. Having a relationship with God before you need help is important.    

Peanut Butter Cookies

 When I was a little girl, we didn't have much money. We certainly didn't have money for extras like cookies, but children like cookies. I was no exception. Thankfully, we go WIC. WIC, for those that may not know, stands for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC gives food to poor women who have infants and young children. One of the food items every month was a very large can of peanut butter. My mom came up with a recipe for peanut butter cookies. It was so easy. It only needed 3 ingredients. I loved those cookies. I still use the recipe with my children today. My daughter really likes them because of how simple it is. 

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Roll into small balls and place onto an ungreased cookie sheet
3. Press down with a fork
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
5. Bake for about 7 minutes
6. Let cool before removing from cookie sheet 

Recipe Index

Site Map

2nd grade math topics and resource websites

The 2nd grade math student:

•  Continues learning to add and subtract, to carry and borrow 2- and 3-digit numbers, solves word problems, and works addition and subtraction facts vertically and horizontally.
• Completes timed drills and oral drills.
• Learns to relate multiplication to addition.
• Counts and writes by twos, fives, and tens; counts and writes from 1–500; writes numbers in place values of 1s, 10s, and 100s; and writes numbers on a calendar.
• Recognizes and writes number words.
• Learns to identify odd and even numbers.
• Reviews telling time.
• Reviews numbers that are greater than and less than.
• Learns to relate cent signs to pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.
• Learns to measure objects in inches and centimeters, and compares equivalents for cups to pint, pints to quart, and quarts to gallon.
• Recognizes and constructs geometric shapes.

Resources:

• EP Math 2 – Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
• Grade 2 Math Skills
• Grade 2 Curriculum
• Math – Miniature Masterminds
• Math 2 Free Download - The Good and the Beautiful
• Under the Home Online Homeschool Curriculum - Home
• Math World | Grade 1 | e-learning for kids
• Free Online Math Practice - Freedom Homeschooling
• Common Core Sheets

For More Homeschool Resources click here.

1st Grade math Learning topics

 

The 1st Grade math Student:

•         reviews and learns numbers in symbol, name, and number words from zero to ten
•         Counts and writes from zero to one hundred
•       Solves simple addition, subtraction, and word problems
•       Learns to tell time
•       Learns the concept of money and counting coins with pennies, nickels, and dimes
•       Reviews length comparison: longer and shorter
•       Learns liquid measurements: cups, pints, and quarts
•      Reviews recognition of basic shapes
•       Reviews order of numbers: before, between, after; and contrasting numbers—same, not the same, more than, and less than  

 Resources: 

•  EP Math 1 – Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
•  Grade 1 Curriculum
•  Full Year Math Curriculum First Grade Free Printable Book – Miniature Masterminds
•  Under the Home Online Homeschool Curriculum - Home
•  Sort By Grade - lots of math activities by grade level 

• Get play coins and money - use them to count, play games with, and as demonstration piece. 

 For More Homeschool Resources click here.

Comprehensive 1st Grade Lesson Plans for Parents

      

    

   

 

Stand for Something

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.

Site Map

The House Built on a Rock

 

Jesus told a parable about a house that was built on a rock. He explained that when the water came, and wind blew that the house stood. 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:45-49

The foundation of our house (lives) should be Jesus. He is the rock that all should be built upon. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 

However, for a house of have walls it also needs studs. The studs are what holds up the walls. The foundation helps to hold the studs in place. The walls are then nailed to the studs. Jesus gives us the studs (commandments). John 14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21: 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.

In order to correctly build on the rock, we must listen to, obey, and follow Jesus. Notice that Jesus said, "whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." 

He said come, hear, and do. Just hearing is not enough. Just coming is not enough. You must also do the sayings (commandments) of Jesus. 

In the book of James it says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:17-20. 

True faith in Jesus causes action. However, be careful works without faith in Jesus will get you nowhere. Jesus wants us to have true faith in Him. He wants us to build our lives on him so that when problems come (wind and waves), we will be able to stand firm in our faith in Him. 

Preschool Learning Ideas

 Preschool Learning Topics

Preschool learning Topics

Pick 3-5 areas per day. Try to combine any areas when possible.

 Here is an example of a plan covering 1 week: 

 Learn about the bee:

• Bees are yellow and black (math and art)
• The word “bee” starts with the letter B (language)
• Practice writing the letter b (fine motor)
• With chalk, paint, colors, pencil, or in playdoh
• Look at pictures of bees in a book (Language)
• Get book from library
• Count the bees you see in the book (math)
• Read about where bees live and what they make (language and science)
• Draw a bee (art and fine motor)
• Pretend to buzz around like a bee (imaginative play and P.E.)
• Eat honey (science)
• Notice that the honey is sweet

 Topics By Subject:

Math

• Numbers
• Recognize numbers 1-20
• Count to 20
• Shapes
• Recognize the shapes
• Draw simple shapes
• Colors
• Addition within 10
• adding various things such as toys, pinecones, pieces of snack foods
• Subtraction within 10
• subtracting various things such as toys, pinecones, pieces of snack foods
• Calendar math
• Days of the week
• Months of the year
• Yesterday
• Today
• Tomorrow
• Numbers 1-31
• How many days until ____?
• Holidays and other special days
• Seasons
• Pattens
• Be able to continue a simple ab pattern.
• Be able to continue a simple abc pattern.

Language

• Alphabet
• Recognize the letters
• Say the alphabet
• Write the alphabet
• Lower case letters
• Upper case letters
• Know several fairy tales or simple stories
• Listen to stories
• Put stories in order
• Put simple events in order
• Fact vs fiction
• Direction words (up, down, left, right)
• Print awareness
• How to hold a book
• Front of the book
• Back of the book
• Right side up
• Looking a pictures
• Noticing the words
• Turning the pages without tearing 
• Noticing words anywhere (signs, advertisements)
• word play
• rhyming words (cat, sat, mat) hear that the end sounds similar.

Social Studies

• Transportation
• Farm animals
• Wild animals
• Pets
• Jobs
• construction workers
• librarians
• storekeeper
• etc.
• Community helpers
• police
• nurses
• doctors
• firefighters
• teachers
• Simple history
• connect history with holidays such as 4th of July goes with birth of the USA, Columbus Day goes with Columbus sailing to the Americas, Thanksgiving goes with the pilgrims coming over on the Mayflower.
• Place around the neighborhood
• library
• grocery store
• parks
• churches
• other places

Science

• weather
• seasons
• summer- hot
• fall -cooling off
• winter -cold
• spring – warming up
• Float vs sink
• living vs non-living
• fish
• Birds
• hot vs cold
• Learn about your body (able to name parts of the body)
• Learn about the 5 senses
• taste
• touch
• smell
• hearing
• sight
• plants
• Anything that your children has expressed and interest in.

Life skills

• Get dressed
• Brush teeth
• Washing
• learn the body parts by washing them
• face
• neck
• chest
• hands
• feet
• knees
• toes
• Put on shoes
• Velcro
• shoelace tying
• Manners at the table
• sweep the floor
• Sort laundry (helps teach colors)
• Fold clothes (wash clothes, match socks, put shirts on hangers)
• Simple cooking (snack making)
• Set the table (spoons, forks, napkins)
• Clean up toys
• following directions

Physical Education

• Fine motor skills (helps with learning to write)
• cutting paper
• straight line
• zigzag line
• puzzles
• playdoh
• stringing beads
• coloring
• painting
• drawing with chalk
• mazes
• dot to dots
• building with blocks
• Gross motor skills
• jumping
• jump over a rope laid on the ground
• forwards
• backwards
• sideways
• running
• skipping
• balance beam walking (forwards, sideways, and backwards)
• draw a line on the ground then have the children walk the line
• lay a jump rope on the ground have the children walk it
• swinging
• bike riding

Bible (get a children’s story book bible)

• Creation
• Adam and Eve
• Noah’s ark
• Tower of Babel
• Daniel and the lion’s den
• Birth of Jesus
• Miricle's of Jesus
• any other simple Bible Stories

Music

• Sing nursey rhymes (helps develop literacy skills)
• Play with instruments (they sell these at the dollar store)
• Rhythm
• Listen to various instruments (YouTube has lots of videos)

 Art

•  Color (teaches the colors)
• Cut and pasta projects (teaches how to use scissors)

Free play

• Creativity
• Imaginative play
• Sharing
• Turning taking

More Homeschooling Resouces

Model Prayer

 

Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. The bold parts are the prayer. The other parts are just some explanations.

Our Father (God has promised that he will never leave us or forsake us)

Which Art in Heaven (God watches over us from heaven, but at the same time He is with us wherever we go.)

Hallowed be Thy Name (His name is Holy, and we must keep His Name Holy)

Thy Kingdom Come (Our God is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Just as a king rules over his subjects, God rules over the whole world. He wants to be the Lord of our lives. We must give ourselves to God so that His kingdom can live in our hearts.)

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven (God made the earth and all its many people. He knows what is best for this world. We need to let go of our selfishness and let God do His will in everything.)

Give us this day our daily bread (This is the part where we bring our specific needs to God and believe His promises that He will hear and answer.)

Forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debtors (We must grant forgiveness to others so that we can receive forgiveness from God)

Lead us not into temptation (If we yield to temptation, it will lead us into sin. The Bible tells us the wages of sin is death. We need to pray everyday that God will put his armor of protection around us to fight against temptation.)

But deliver us from Evil (If we have yielded to sin, there is deliverance from Sin through Jesus. Jesus shed His blood when He died on the cross.)

For thine is the Kingdom, and the power (God has never-ending power to do all we ask of Him in prayer, if we trust him and obey him.)

And the glory for ever (God's glory will last forever and ever)

10 Commandments

 

Exodus 20:1-17 

• And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 
• Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 
• Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 
• Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 
• Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 
• Thou shalt not steal. 
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 

The Ten Commandments in the New Testament

• Have no other gods before me                                        Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

• Do not make idols or images                                             First John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.  Amen.

• Do not take the name of the Lord in vain             First Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

• Remember the Sabbath Day                                                 Acts 13:42-44  And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

• Honor your father and mother                                             Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

• Do not Kill                                                                              Romans 13:9  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

• Do not Commit Adultery                                                       Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Do not Steal                                                                              Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

• Do not bear false witness                                                     Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

• Do not Covet                                                                         Colossians 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

It is clear that the commandments are still valid today. The key to obeying them is to love God. When you truly love God, you will have a desire to obey His commandments. 

Erasing of Women

 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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House of Prayer

  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isaiah 56:7

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bough in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:13-13. 

The house of God is supposed to be a place of prayer. However, a quick look at the current state of affairs makes it clear that most churches are anything but a house of prayer. There are so many churches that seem to put on a show. Other churches seem to emphasize programs. Programs are not bad or good. It depends on the program. However, anything that replaces prayer as the main event is a problem. 

The apostles prayed about everything. 

 

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Philippians 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Philippians 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Notice that prayer was essential to the development of the early church. Prayer should be essential to our lives as well. 

Preacher Qualifications

 

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

These scriptures explain the qualifications of someone who wants to be a pastor. Unfortunately, not all preachers understand the implications of these scriptures.

• Blameless 
• husband of 1 wife
• vigilant
• sober
• good Behavior
• given to hospitality
• a teacher
• not a drunker
• not greedy
• patient
• not a fighter
• not covetous
• if he has children, they are well behaved 
• not a new Christian

Many years ago, my dad was beginning to attend church regularly. That is until one fatefully Sunday. This Sunday my parents arrived to see the pastor and another man having a fist fight in the parking lot. My dad saw, exclaimed how bad that was, and left. He stopped going to church. He did not regularly attend church after that for many years. Thankfully, he did come back before passing. 

Please, if you see a man, who claims to be a pastor, behaving badly don’t give up on God. God gave the rules on how to select a pastor. It is people who choose not to listen and obey. God gave these rules for a reason. The preacher, in my dad’s case, had chosen to settle a disagreement by brawling. He completely ignored the part about not being a brawler. In addition, his behavior on that day was bad, not good.

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Thinking Problems

 

Do you have troubling thoughts? Do you think about bad things? 

If you answer yes, then it is time to learn how to drive away bad thoughts. The devil likes to trouble you by sending thoughts to your mind. However, even he can be defeated by throwing scripture at him. 

Here is the best scripture I have found for defeating bad, depressing thoughts. 

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

You may not be able to control the thought that passes by, but you can decided whether or not to dwell on it. A wise person once said, "You can't keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your head." That means you can choice not to entertain bad thoughts. What I like to do is quote the above scripture until I have defeated the bad thought.  

What is the reason?

  My grandpa used to tell a story about one of his most memorable sermons that he preached. This sermon was inspired by an event that happened the night before he preached the sermon. In his story, he said that he got up to preach and said, "I beat the fire out of my wife last night, and I did right." The congregation gasped according to him. He then asked the congregation how many believed that he did wrong. Everyone raised their hand. He went on to explain that he did right, and it is not what you do as much as it is why you do it. He then explained that it was cold last night when his wife took a shower. After she got out, she put on her gown and backed up to the space heater. Her gown then caught fire. In her fear, she ran. He had run after her, caught her, and put her on the ground to beat the fire out of her. If he would not have beat the fire out of her, she could have died. He then asked then again if he had done right. Everyone agreed that he had done right. 

In the Bible Jesus implied that you could do things outwardly correctly but still not be right with him. Let's look at a few scriptures.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:27-28

According to this they appear righteous unto men, but they are full of sin. They are so busy trying to follow all the rules that they forget the most important. 

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:7-9

It looks like it is a heart issue. Just doing things is not good enough. 

 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22-23

From this we get that you must have a relationship with Jesus. Just keeping commandments and doing good will not get you to heaven. You cannot work your way to heaven. 

That is not to say that obeying the Bible is wrong. Jesus also said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. 

Now let's look at the teaching of Paul. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. I Corinthians 13:1-4

Charity is translated love in many Bible translations. Jesus pointed out that they were doing things, but their hearts were far from him. Paul teaches that we need love. 

Jesus likewise teaches love.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. I John 4:6-8

If what you are doing for God is not based on love of God, please examine your motives and heart. You don't want to hear at the end of time, depart from me, I never knew you. 

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God's timeline

 

God has a plan. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” Acts 2:23. 

He has spoken the plan. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” Hebrews 1:1-2. 

Now he is completing the plan. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:3-7.  

He gave his overarching plan to the Israelites in the form of his 7 Appointed times (feasts). “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” Leviticus 23:2. Those 7 times point to things that have happened and things that (at the time of the appointed times being given) were still to happen.

Please see the chart below.