Tuesday Writings.....6/14/16

Good morning...

       I want to apologize about yesterday's writings. I put in the devotional which had the topic of hate with regard to the massacre in Orlando. Then I posted a prayer. The third item was a humor piece. That had no business to be in writings on such a sad and serious day. Even tonight there will be no humor. A very good friend emailed me with her thoughts about humor on such a day and I totally agree with the point she made. We all need friends who are willing to tell us the truth in love. Thank you Lynda Kinnard.

God bless from
Corinne


The Devotional component in the Tuesday Writings of Women's Focus Ministries is titled, "Be in Peace" and was written by Diane Sutton. Diane's devotional is also about the slaughter on Sunday in Orlando. She looked at the promises in the Bible that say we can expect peace, Diane wrote, "Believers, we must trust God in every situation; daily read God’s Word and encourage each other. By walking in obedience, our life will reflect the strength and peace of God. And we will live and sleep in peace."

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  Today's Devotional   

"Be in Peace"

written by

Diane Sutton

The current headline news is unsettling and troubling as reports of another mass killing by a lone gunman in our country is reported. People are afraid. People are uncertain about the future of our country and their families.  Evil is escalating and places once thought safe like schools and workplaces have become targets for evil doers. As believers, we can trust our God to be with us and enable us to not live in fear but in peace.

God knew we would live in unsettling times and witness evil doings. Let us not forget from whom our peace comes and that we indeed can have peace in a troubled world.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

John 14:27

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! 

I have overcome the world. 

John 16:33

Let us be reminded of the promises of peace that believers receive by following Jesus. His promises are true and relevant today.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 15:13

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:7

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, 

or seen in me—put it into practice. 

And the God of peace will be with you. 

Philippians 4:9

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body 

you were called to peace. And be thankful. Grace and peace to you 

from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Colossians 3:15

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” 

says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Believers, we must trust God in every situation; daily read God’s Word and encourage each other. By walking in obedience, our life will reflect the strength and peace of God. And we will live and sleep in peace.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, 

Lord, make me dwell in safety. 

Psalm 4:8

The Lord gives strength to his people; 

the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Lord, help us to not live in fear but live in the confidence of your abundant peace. Protect our families and keep our communities safe. Help us keep our eyes on you and not on the turmoil in the world. Thank you for being our shepherd who leads us to quiet pastures.

"Pray for Peace"

sung by

Reba McEntire

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   Prayers for Peace and Comfort   

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen. (Saint Francis of Assisi)

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

"May the Lord bless you and take good care of you.

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace."

(Numbers 6:24-26)
New International Reader's Version)

Prayer for Comfort

We pray for all whose lives 

have been touched by tragedy,

whether by accident

or a deliberate act.

For those who mourn,

immerse them in your love

and lead them through this darkness

into your arms, and light.

For those who comfort,

be in both the words they use

and all that's left unspoken;

fill each heart with love.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,

whose own suffering brought us life,

here and for eternity. Amen

©John Birch

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   Prophetic  Statements and Texts
   From the Bible or  Current Prophets   

Ten Bible prophecies fulfilled recently

1. Israel will prevail over its enemies.

Bible passage: Isaiah 41:12-14

Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC

Fulfilled: late 1900s

In Isaiah 41:12-14, the prophet said God would help Israel during times of conflict with enemies (if the people have faith in God). Isaiah said this during a time when the northern kingdom of Israel had already been conquered by the Assyrian Empire. And the southern kingdom, Judah, was about to be conquered by Babylon. (The Bible explains that Israel and Judah lost their independence because so many of the residents had turned to false religions). But, since 1948 when Israel was re-established, Israel has been attacked by much-larger countries. And Israel has prevailed in each of those attacks. This prophecy has found partial fulfillment; Christian scholars believe that a time will come when all of Israel's enemies are destroyed.

Here is Isaiah 41:12-14

Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

2. The ruins of Israel would be rebuilt

Bible passage: Amos 9:11, 13

Written: about 750 BC

Fulfilled: late 1900s

In Amos 9:11, 13, the prophet said that God would restore the land of David. (King David ruled Israel from about 1010 BC to about 970 BC). The land of David - Israel - was conquered and destroyed by the Babylonians, Assyrians and Romans. The land has been in ruins for much of the past 2000 years. The Jews, who had been scattered throughout the world, began to return in large numbers during the past 100 years. Since then, they have been rebuilding many of Israel's ancient cities. Amos also said there would be continuous planting and harvesting. During the past 100 years, the Jews have been using advanced farming and irrigation techniques to turn barren land into productive farmland. Today, Israel is a source of food for many countries. 

Here is Amos 9:11, 13

"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,'' … "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills."

3. Ezekiel prophesied prosperity for modern-day Israel

Bible passage: Ezekiel 36:11

Written: between 593-571 BC

Fulfilled: late 1900s

In Ezekiel 36:11, the prophet said that there would come a time when Israel would be more prosperous than it was in the past. The Bible describes Israel as being a prosperous nation during the time of King David and King Solomon about 3000 years ago. But, Ezekiel knew a very different Israel. In Ezekiel's day (he lived about 2600 years ago), the northern kingdom of Israel already had been decimated by the Assyrians, and the southern kingdom (called Judah) was being destroyed by the Babylonians. In the centuries that followed these destructions, Jews rebuilt the city of Jerusalem, but their homeland was destroyed again, by the Romans, about 1900 years ago. Since then, a majority of Jews have lived in exile. But during the past 100 years, millions of Jews from around the world moved to Israel and they have been rebuilding the country once again. Today, Israel again is an independent nation, as it was in the days of King David, and it is one of the world's most prosperous countries. In 1999, Israel had the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product of any nearby country, even though the surrounding countries have many oil resources.

Here is Ezekiel 36:11

I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord

4. Trees again would grow in Israel

Bible passage: Isaiah 41:18-20

Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC

Fulfilled: late 1900s

In Isaiah 41:18-20, the prophet's talk of a future restoration of Israel coincides with an occurrence in modern Israel - the construction of a vast irrigation system to improve farming. The lack of available water, including rain, is one reason why Israel had been a desolate, unproductive land during much of the past 2000 years. But, during the 1900s, when many Jews returned to their ancient homeland, they built a network of irrigation systems. And during the past century, more than 200 million trees have been planted in Israel.

Here is Isaiah 41:18-20

I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

5. Isaiah said Israel's fruit would fill the world

Bible passage: Isaiah 27:6

Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC

Fulfilled: late 1900s

Written: perhaps between 701-681 BCIn Isaiah 27:6, the prophet said Israel would one day blossom and fill the world with fruit. This prophecy has been at least partially fulfilled, literally and symbolically. Today, the land of Israel, which had been barren for centuries, is a leading producer of agricultural products, exporting food to many countries. This prophecy also has been fulfilled symbolically with the worldwide spread of Christianity. Christianity, which began with Jesus in Israel, now has about 2 billion followers worldwide.

Here is Isaiah 27:6

In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.

Five more fulfilled prophecies will be posted in Wednesday Writings.

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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