Merry Christmas!

Dodger:  Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas to you!

Lilly:  We hope yours is a very merry one, and that you are reminded the whole day about God's love for you, and how He demonstrated it through sending His Son Jesus as a baby boy on the very first Christmas.

Dodger:  It can be easy to get caught up in busyness on Christmas day, but if you haven't already, take a moment to reflect on how valuable and precious God says you are.  He gave His best so you could be saved from sin.

Lilly:  It's wonderful that Jesus came for us.  If you'd like to read about it, you can do so in the Bible, or read the Bible's stories here or here.  The first one is Matthew's version, the second, Luke's.  I'd recommend both.

Dodger:  Thank you for coming by on Christmas day.  See you in the new year!

Lilly:  Merry Christmas to all, for our Savior is born!

Nativity Scene obtained at http://www.vijugi.com/img/2013/11/nativity-scene-background.jpg, a webpage neither owned nor operated by I-BulldogStudios.

Actions Speak Louder than Words...Especially When They're Powered by God!

Dodger:  Hi!  So glad you could make it.  Time has flown by!  I can't believe how fast or long it's been.  First we were just starting school, and now it's almost time for winter break!  Christmas is just around the corner, and so is 2014! 

Lilly:  I think what I missed the most was not seeing our friend here.  My school went okay but I really looked forward to being able to come back and hang out with you guys together.

Dodger:  Yeah.  On the plus side, it looks like things have settled down quite a bit so now we can get back to the regular routine, I think.

Lilly:  I'm so excited! Christmas is almost here.  My family's put the tree up and we have decorations all around and on the outside of the house and we've begun the shopping and even been able to help out at some charities and food banks.  Christmas just makes me full of joy.  I love thinking about Jesus' birthday.

Dodger:  Me too.  I've been doing a lot of the same things you mentioned earlier.  You know though, I've also been reading a lot on the Internet lately and yesterday I stumbled upon a little article that I found kind of intriguing.   Here it is, and if it's too small to read you can click it to see it larger:

Lilly:  The author doesn't specify much about the commands- what they are or where they are, does he?*

Dodger:  No, but I went and looked up the Last Supper and although it's in all the Gospels I think that the commands Timothy may be talking about are in the Gospel of John, chapters 14-16.  Although I didn't try to get all the commands I could find, I did read chapter 15 and there are a number of commands Jesus gives.

Lilly:  So Timothy was right?

Dodger:  Yes.  For example, I found in 15:4 that we need to live in Him.  I read in 15:9-10 that we also need to live in His love by keeping His commandments.  I also saw in 15:12 that we're supposed to love one another.

Lilly:  Love one another.  That sounds easy, I guess.

Dodger:  Lilly, it's okay to admit that what Jesus commands isn't easy.  I know I'm not good at it sometimes.  After all, we see in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful or proud, not rude or selfish or easily angered, that it doesn't keep track of other's wrongs, it isn't delighted in evil but rejoices with the truth, and it always protects, trusts, hopes, never giving up and never failing.  I've messed up pretty much all of those so believe me when I tell you that Jesus is making a tall order of us.

Lilly:  Okay...so what do we do?  Why would He tell us to do something when He knows we don't even have a distant shot at actually succeeding?

Dodger:  That's the part Timothy left out.  I want to point two verses out to you in chapter 15, verse 4, and verse 26.  In the first one we read: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (ESV, boldface added)

Lilly:  So He tells us to live in Him, but also inserts the fact that without Him we can't do anything?  Where does that leave us?

Dodger:  Completely dependent on Him everyday to do what He said.  That's the amazing love and power of God.  Even though we can't do anything aside from Him in the first place, He loves us and enables us to do those things and the things He tells us to do!  Look at verse 26:  "But when the Helper comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, Who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about me.  And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning." (ESV)  The Helper is the Holy Spirit, Who lives in every Christian.  In other words, we bear witness to Who Jesus is, by doing what He says, as the Holy Spirit witnesses to Who Jesus is, by working through us, and enabling us to do what Jesus said, including loving one another!

Lilly: Oooh... Wow!  So once again God covers all the bases, huh?

Dodger:  Yes He does.  You know, Christians aren't the only ones God empowered to do things.  Just look in the Bible.  Take David for example, a king of Israel.  While he was alive he was anointed King of Israel, chased all over the country by a different King before him, nearly overthrown by his own son, nearly killed by his own men, almost killed in a couple of wars, and torn with grief over the loss of multiple family members.  In reality, I would never have wanted David's life.  He was a great songwriter though, and in many of his songs he called to God for help.  Sure enough, God always brought him through and he died peacefully, with one of the best relationships with God ever recorded in the Bible.

Lilly:  I just thought of one.  What about Ruth?  She has an entire book named after her because she left her home, her people, and her country to be in a foreign land just so she could be with her widowed mother-in-law and serve the one true God.  I can't see anyone being able to do that without God's help.

Dodger:  And of course we mustn't forget Abraham, who had faith in God's promise that he would have a son even though he and his wife Sarah were both really old and she couldn't have children, not to mention leaving his own home and land because he believed God had something better for him.

Lilly:  Daniel!  There's someone who had to rely on God.  He lived in a pagan country but still loved God, and even when he was threatened with death for doing it he continued to pray and talk to God everyday, and when he was thrown into a den of lions as punishment he trusted God to save him.  That had to be God helping him.

Dodger:  You see?  If God can do all that for those people, can't He do the same and more through us?

Lilly:  That's amazing.  It's also nice knowing that I'm not relying on me to do what Jesus said.  Even though I still have to make the choice to do it, God will help me to if I only make the right choice.

Dodger:  Absolutely.  Well, it looks like I have to get going.  I've got some homework to tackle.  At least I can do it on God's power, though!  Thanks for coming, especially after such a long time!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Ciao for Now!






(ESV Means English Standard Version)
*The author is not criticizing another author,  The same author wrote the other blog as well (look closely at its URL and you'll see) :)

God is Always At His Best.

Lilly:  Hello again.  It's been a really long time.  I'm sorry I haven't been able to make it for a while.  Dodger said he'd be here...he must be running la-

Dodger:  Hi!  I'm here!  Sorry I'm late!  I was getting some homework done when I realized the time.  I feel really bad since it's been so long since we've been together...

Lilly:  Well, don't feel too bad.  We all make mistakes at times.  I've been late at least once in my life.

Dodger:  Uh-huh.  I guess so.

Lilly:  Say, are you okay?  You look kind of, well, beat up.  Not like someone beat you up, but just like you're kinda beat.

Dodger:  Try exhausted and discouraged...

Lilly:  Wait, discouraged?  Why?

Dodger:  It's a long story.

Lilly:  I don't mind hearing it.

Dodger:  Well then I'll at least shorten it.  I've been buried under homework; I have a zillion errands to run this week; I had a friend at school go gossiping about me and spreading rumors that aren't true; and my dog died.  I've done such a poor job handling all of it that I even hurt members of my family with the lousy things I said in my frustration.  Worst of all, I can't focus when I pray or read the Bible or even a little devotional book.  I've fallen behind on my journaling, and I lost my prayer list.  I'm exhausted, and I simply don't know what to do.  It's happened, too much, too fast, and I feel like I've let everyone, God included, down.

Lilly:  Wow.  Sounds like a really rough week.

Dodger:  It's even rougher when I feel like the pattern may just continue.  Why is it that when I need God most I have the hardest time connecting with Him?

Lilly:  Whoa, now hold on a moment.  You've let your eyes wander away from Jesus, and you've fixed them on yourself.

Dodger:  I know.  I'm just so tired I don't think I can lift them up again.

Lilly:  That statement is nothing more than bogus that the devil's telling you, or that you're telling yourself.  God's character is way too holy and consistent and loving to let go of you because you've had a hard week.  Your circumstances do not dictate how close or far away you are from God, Dodger.  He is always right alongside you, even when you feel it least.  He doesn't stand at a distance, but daily empowers you with His Holy Spirit, including when you don't realize it.

Dodger:  But I'm still tired!  I'm still worn out!  I need God to empower me a little more than He is right now.

Lilly:  But Dodger, the Holy Spirit isn't a source of "life caffeine", just something that keeps you going when you can't do it on you own.  God is empowering you all the time, and He's waiting for you to call on Him.  Life is hard sometimes, but that never, ever means that God isn't close by!  The action that lies with you is to ask Him to help you in your weakness.  You decide that you'll follow Him through thick and thin, no matter what, because He can bring you through the worst.

Dodger:  Yeah...I see.  I'm not sure I'd make very pleasant company for God just now, though.

Lilly:  Dodger, I need to tell you a story.  It's in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23:39-43.  Jesus is in the middle of hanging on the cross, undergoing the punishment for the sins of every single person: you, me, our friend here, the neighbor's, and the friend who betrayed you at school.  He's taking the blame, punishment, and trouble for all of it.  Plus, He's being hung next to two criminals, who have both committed crimes deserving the suffering they are undergoing.  Look at Luke:

 "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”  Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, NKJV, boldface added)

Dodger, do you think Jesus felt good?  He was enduring horrible physical pain, and enduring the punishment for every sin, ever, while being mocked.  His two companions were criminals, and who knows what they did?  Yet when one asked Jesus to "remember me", Jesus promised Him salvation.

Dodger:  Wow.

Lilly:  Life is never going to be perfect, and we will all hit rock bottom.  This criminal had ruined his life, and was going to die.  He was hours away from the end, yet he looked at Jesus.  He put His gaze on the One Person Who he knew could give him hope, and was rewarded with paradise.  He did nothing to deserve it.  He was nobody super-special.  He was a man on a cross, a condemned criminal, daring to ask the Holy Son of God undergoing the worst torment that any man can undergo to remember him!  Jesus didn't have to say anything to him.  Yet even this example of sinners, this person who didn't deserve God, was precious enough to Jesus to be saved.

Dodger:  That's actually really amazing.

Lilly: It is, and the reason is because each of us has been, in a way, just like that criminal.  We've messed up terribly, and we can't claim any rights from God.  Nonetheless, He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins!  No matter what condition of life we're in, still the promise of salvation to all who believe remains.  It doesn't matter if you're a criminal, a poor person, a rich person, an unpopular person, a celebrity, king, emperor...or just someone having a rough week.  God is so much bigger than us, and it is He that we can derive our strength from as Christians.  The Bible makes it clear that God works everything out for the good of those who love Him, and God is passionate about us, and our well-being.  He's interested in all that happens to us, He forgives our every mistake, and He gives us the strength to move on.  There's no situation bigger than God, and you can forget about being able to do anything that will make Him stop loving you.

Dodger:  You're right...You're right.  Nothing can overcome God's love for me.  In fact, I should have remembered Romans 8:38-39, where Paul writes "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ESV)

Lilly:  Everyone needs a little reminder at times, Dodger.  It's just important that we remember how amazing God is, and fix our eyes on Him.  Life's not likely to be a bowl of cherries, but God will be with us through the pits.

Dodger:  Thanks Lilly.

Lilly:  Thank God, Dodger.  You know, maybe our friend here has had a week like yours.  What do you say?  Are you feeling downcast, beat-up, or discouraged?  God can, and wants, to help.  Maybe you already know Him personally, and if so, that's great.  You already have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.  Ask God to help you, and believe that He will.  It may not always feel easy, but if you trust in God, if you rely on Him to pull you through whatever it is that's hurting you, I promise, He'll never give up on or forget you.

Dodger:  Maybe you don't know God.  That means you have a great opportunity right now.  Whether life is hard right now or not, trust me when I tell you that you need Jesus.  He can save you from all the wrong things you've done, get you through hard situations without you having to do it all on your own strength, and grant you the gift of a life forever with Him.  It's not too good to be true, and it's a free gift to anyone who asks.  Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". (NKJV)  Now's the time to know God.  If you want His gift to you, and a relationship with Him who gave it all so He could personally save you, you could say a prayer like this:

   Dear God, I know I've sinned.  I've done what's wrong, and the truth is that I don't deserve You.  But I believe that You sent your Son, Jesus Christ, as fully man and fully God, and that He died on the cross to take my punishment so that I could live forever with You and for You.  I also believe that You raised Him on the third day from the dead, and that He sits now at Your right hand in heaven.  I confess You, Jesus, as my Savior and the Ruler now on of my life.  I am Yours, and You are mine.  Please come into my heart, in Jesus Name, Amen.

Lilly:  Wow.  A lot can happen in a short time, huh, Dodger?

Dodger:  Yes it can.  But you know what?  God is good, all the time.

Lilly:  Yes, He is.

Dodger:  Well, we had better get ready for school tomorrow.  Thank you for coming by today!  Always remember, Jesus loves you, and that's never, ever, ever going to change!

Lilly:  Farewell!







(NKJV Means New King James Version)
(ESV Means English Standard Version)

Promises, Promises.

Dodger:  I can't decide whether I like the glue sticks or the glue bottles more... they both seem alright but... oh hi!  We didn't expect to run into you here, but I'm glad we did.  Lilly and I we're just trying to decide on school supplies.  Maybe you can help.  I can't decide whether I should get the glue bottle or the glue stick, and Lilly's not sure whether she should get the fancy scissors:
or the duct tape with bacon on it. 

Lilly:  Well, at any rate, as you can see we're getting ready for school and doing some last minute shopping.  I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about the school year.  Most of my friends from the last year have moved so it will almost be like visiting a new school for me.

Dodger:  Oh, don't worry about it Lilly.  You'll make plenty of new friends, and besides our friend here and I will be there too!  Most importantly, God will.  You know His promise where He says He'll never leave us, right?

Lilly:  Well, yeah, but I have to admit that sometimes even though I know God's promises are true, it can be hard to believe them, like when I'm at school and I still feel alone.  I don't think He's forgotten them, but it's still hard to see them in action.

Dodger: Perhaps...but just because we don't see God's promises doesn't mean they aren't going to happen.

Lilly:  I know, but sometimes they're hard to hold onto.

Dodger:  That can be true.  Thankfully, I was reading a story earlier today which kind of reminded me of God's promises, and His Word in general, actually.

Lilly:  Really?  Why don't you tell us?

Dodger:  Um, okay, but first, do you like quail?

Lilly:  Quail?  Um, no.  They don't taster that great to me.

Dodger:  You're probably not the only one.  The Israelites probably didn't even want to think about the stuff after a certain day.

Lilly:  I'm a little lost.

Dodger:  Well, let's start here.  We're looking at Numbers 11.  Here the Israelites are wandering through the desert.  Every day God gives them something to eat, a kind of bread called manna.  However, the Israelites have been eating it for a while, and now some are getting tired of it.  Instead of recognizing that God is feeding them miraculously in the desert every day, they start complaining about His blessing.  Here's where we pick up:  "Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat?  We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”  Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.  Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased.  So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers?  Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’  I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.  If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!” (Numbers 11:4-15 NKJV)

Lilly:  Yeesh.  Sounds like everyone was having a bad day.  What was Moses so upset about?  Even if the people were being whiny, that was no reason for Him to get so upset that He wanted God to kill him!

Dodger:  He may have been tired.  The important thing, though, is that He forgot for a brief moment how big God is.  Instead of asking God for help, he panicked, and forgot what God could do, so to speak.  He let his problem overshadow his view of God.

Lilly: So what did God do?  Obviously He wasn't happy either. 

Dodger:  Well, let's see.  "So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.  Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.  (Numbers 11:16-18 NKJV)

Lilly:  So God decided to ease up the burden on Moses?

Dodger:  Yep.  Just when Moses thought he couldn't take it any longer God stepped in and helped Him.  When we get to the end of ourselves it's good to look towards God.  One of the great things about God is His compassion for us, even when we're angry.  He never wants to harm us.  He's got our best interests in mind all the time.

Lilly:  But what about the Israelites and the meat?

Dodger:  Right.  I'll continue from where God was speaking to Moses.  "Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat.  You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the Lord who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?”’”" (Numbers 11:18-20 NKJV)

Lilly: That doesn't sound very pleasant.  God was going to bombard them with meat?

Dodger:  Yep.  But when He told the Israelites they would have meat coming out of their nose He wasn't trying to be funny or mean.  He was simply disciplining them for failing to trust Him and be grateful to Him once again.  If the Israelites didn't learn to trust God and follow Him in the desert, God wouldn't be able to bless them like He wanted to.

Lilly:  Okay.  So after that what happened?

Dodger:  Here we are.  Moses is talking to God after He just finished speaking.  "And Moses said, “The people whom I am among are six hundred thousand men on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.’  Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough for them?”  And the Lord said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”" (Numbers 11:21-23 NKJV)

     Moses may have doubted that God could even do what He said.  He certainly doubted that He would.  God responded by asking rhetorically whether His arms had been shortened, saying that He could do what He said He would.  And sure enough, it happened.

     "Now a wind went out from the Lord, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and about a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the ground.  And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.  But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague. So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had yielded to craving. (Numbers 11:31-34 NKJV)

Incidentally, just to give you an idea of how much quail there was-

Lilly:  There was that much?!?

Dodger:  It's not an exact measurement or anything, but trust me, there was a lot of quail.

Lilly:  That story's kind of sad...people died, and there was more poultry involved than anyone could ever wan.

Dodger:  It is sad.  However, one really neat takeaway from all this is that when God says something, He means that it will happen.  There's nothing which God cannot accomplish, nothing which shortens His arm.  This is a sad story to be sure, but it reminds us of the fact that God brings all His words to pass.  It also reminds us that even in the midst of our fears and panic attacks He is still in control, and He's looking out for us.

Lilly:  In other words, if He can put two cubits of quail in the middle of the desert, He'll keep His promises to me.

Dodger:  Right.  And among His promises are:
Salvation for those who believe in Jesus- John 3:16-18
Peace to guard our hearts and minds-  Phillipians 4:6-7
The fact that He won't be angry with us long, and will give us joy- Psalm 30:5 
 There are plenty more, but these are just a few.

    You see, too often we forget God's promises or don't know them at all.  I know I could stand to know them better.  I think we all could, actually.  And when we know them, and that He will never drop or go back on any of them, we can have gladness, and be happy that God is faithful to do everything He says.  That's why I know you'll be okay this year Lilly.

Lilly:  Wow.  Thanks, Dodger.

Dodger:  Oh don't thank me, thank God!

Lilly:  Good idea.  Thank you God, for fulfilling all your promises, for loving me and for not forgetting me, ever.  You never cease to amaze us with your greatness, God.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Dodger:  Now I really have to decide whether to get the glue stick or the bottle.  Oh, you have to head home?  Well it was nice seeing you here.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  See you in class!




(NKJV Means New King James Version)
The Pictures of the scissors, duct tape, and the background for Dodger and Lilly's supplies store came from the following URL's respectively.  Please note none of these pages are owned or operated by I-BulldogStudios.
http://www.global-manufacturer.com/upload/product/00265/1065.jpg
http://duckbrand.com/images/product_itemse259d3827d795eb1a8efb38fd74cfc42_resized.jpg
http://www.survivingateacherssalary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2012-07-16-15.06.58.jpg
  

Circumstantial Evidence.

Dodger:  Hello again.  It sure is great to see you again.  Thanks for coming by.  I'm excited about a birthday party I'm going to later this week with Lilly.  It should be a blast.  Anyway,  Lilly and I figured we would talk about a piece of the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119.

Lilly:  The verses we're looking at are verses 65-72.  Here they are.  By the way, the word "Teth" is in the Bible.  It's not just a fun word I'm saying for no reason, but I don't know what it means.

"Teth

You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word. 

 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments. 

 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word. 

 You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes. 

 The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 

 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law. 

 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces." (ESV)

Dodger:  There's a few verses in there which we'll focus on today.  

Lilly:  Let's look at verse 65 first.

"You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word."

The author sounds like He is talking to God after God has already done something to or for the author.  What follows in verse 67 catches my eye:

"Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word." (boldface added)

Dodger:  The way we look at this, it's as if the author was once not doing what God said, and then was afflicted, and then repented and chose to follow God's Word.  There are some other verses, but let's look at verse 71 next.

"It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes."

Lilly:  Let's look closer.  It says that he was not doing God's Word, then he was afflicted, then he repented and grew closer to God and His Word.

Dodger:  Are the affliction and the repentance related?

Lilly:  So it seems.

Dodger:  In other words, we get the idea that this Scripture is telling us that God can use miserable circumstances to bring us back to Him?

Lilly:  Yep.  That doesn't mean that everyone who has trouble has disobeyed God, though.  It simply means that God can use trouble, to bring people to Him, including those who have walked away from Him.  God may discipline us even in order to prevent us from seriously hurting ourselves.  He is our Father after all.

Dodger:  So just as our parents might punish us to prevent us from doing something wrong, God can punish us too?  Isn't that kind of rough?

Lilly:  Not according to Proverbs 3:11-12.  It says:

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights." (ESV)

There are even times in the Bible where God specifically disciplines people in order to get them to repent, and it works at times too.  When it doesn't work it's because of the person's hard heart, not God's.

Dodger:  In other words, when God disciplines us it's proof that He loves us?

Lilly:  Exactly.  Now like I said before, not everything that goes wrong in our lives is discipline from God.  That's not true at all.  Sometimes God will use circumstances to strengthen our faith and our character, however.  We must remember most of all that whatever God does, He does for our benefit.  As Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (NKJV)

Dodger:  Even when things are hard, we can trust that God is looking out for us.  Plus, there's nothing wrong with asking Him why things are the way they are, as long as we don't get bitter and start sinning against Him simply because of a bad reaction to the way our lives are going.  If God disciplines us, it's because He loves us.  If not, it's because He loves us.  That's not easy for everyone to accept, but it is true, nonetheless.

Lilly:  God is good, all the time.

Dodger:  Amen to that.  Well, looks like we have to get going again.  Thanks for visiting.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Pamit!

Timothy- an Example for the Rest of Us.

Dodger:  Hello again!  Thanks for coming.  How are you doing?  Pretty well?  I've been enjoying this month supremely.  I went on a hike with my family yesterday and we saw the top of a mountain.  It was pretty cool.

Lilly:  I've been chilling out at home.  I'm planning on going to a park next week with my friends, though.

Dodger:  That should be fun.  Oh, by the way, I got an email from someone with a question.  Care to take a look?

Lilly:  Sure!  Let's see it!

Dodger:  Here it is.  I printed it off and tore the paper a little bit, but the message stayed the same.~  If you click on it it will show up bigger.

Lilly:  You know, that's not a bad question, and thankfully it has a very straight answer: the Bible is the standard by which people must live.  God uses it to show us what's right and wrong and gives us instructions on how we should live our lives everyday.  These standards aren't just for adults either.  They're for everyone.

Dodger:  I agree.  Let's look at 1 Timothy 4:12.  I like this verse because it reminds us that young people can serve God well, and in fact are expected to.  Just because we're young doesn't mean we need to live in mediocrity.

Lilly:  Um... mediocrity?

Dodger:  Oh, right.  It means "ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding"*.

Lilly:  So it means just acting non-special and forgettable, or even of lower quality.

Dodger:  Yeah, basically.  I think I forgot to look up the verse though.  Do you have it?

Lilly:  Yep. "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (NKJV)

Dodger:  I like that.  It's kind of helpful to remember that God works through people of all ages.  I think sometimes we figure that God does His work through adults, and not younger people.  That's not what the Bible says, though.  It calls each of us to a high standard and tells each of us, old or young, to be an example to others.  The way we act is very important to God no matter how old we are.

Lilly:  So we can see that we need to be an example to believers, and although the verse doesn't explicitly say so, we need to be an example to non-believers too!

Dodger:  There were six ways we were told to be an example in that verse.  I'll try to explain each one as best as I can:

• In word-  What we say should reflect what Jesus would say.  Our words should glorify God and build others up.  By the way, if you want a wallpaper about that just click on the arrow looking thing. ---->
• In conduct-  The things we do should be to obey and glorify God.  If others see us acting in an exceptional and Christ-like way they will want to know why.  Who knows?  Maybe your example will lead someone on their first step to Jesus!
• In love-  We should love others as Jesus loves us, which is unconditionally.  This includes treating others as you would want to be treated even if they don't treat you that way.
• In spirit- Your attitude reflects where your heart is.  If you have a good attitude people will know your heart is the right spot and they will be more inclined to listen to you!
• In faith-  How we exercise our faith is important.  If we believe God, and others can see us doing it, they will often be inspired to do the same!
• In purity-  Have a clean conscience.  Confess when you mess up, and live your life at all times as if you want to please God!  Do the right thing, and others will definitely notice.

Lilly:  The way we live is important to God.  You're never too young for Him to do things in and through you.  After all, He's God!  He made you and knows you inside and out. Ephesians 5:1 and verses 8-11 say it well. "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children...For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (NJKV)  You're a child of God, so now you can live like it, and show off your Father to the world!

Dodger:  The Bible sure is good at explanations.

Lilly:  I'm glad too, because otherwise I'd have a hard time figuring a lot of really important things out.

Dodger:  You said it.  Well, it's time to go again.  Thanks for stopping by!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Oops, I mean, Good-bye!

*Dictionary definition from WordNet 3.1

(NKJV Means New King James Version)

"That's All Folks" image acquired from http://www.syncharder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/12-04-03-thats-all-folks.jpg, a page not owned or operated by

 I-BulldogStudios

~Please note, the e-mail was written by the author and is not an actual email.

Interactive Bible Quiz!

Dodger:  Hello everyone!  Lilly and I have a surprise for you!

Lilly:  It's an interactive Bible Quiz, which you can get by clicking here.

Dodger:  When it pops up, all you have to do is click on "Start Slide Show", click again inside the game, and follow the instructions.  Have fun, and keep studying God's Word!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  See you later!

Preaching the Word Regardless of the World.

Dodger:  Hi!  Great to see you again!  How is everything going for you?  I'm super excited about the summer vacation.

Lilly:  Me too.  In fact, I've already signed up for summer church camp.

Dodger:  Really?  Who's your counselor?

Lilly:  Pepper Potters.  This is her fifth year as counselor, and she's really great.  Are you signed up for camp, Dodger?

Dodger:  I wouldn't miss it for the world.  My counselor's name is Ezekiel Prof.  He's new to this, but I think he'll do okay.  He's got a passion for God, and plenty of enthusiasm.

Lilly:  Ezekiel, huh?  I actually read about Him the other day in the Bible.

Dodger:  My camp counselor?

Lilly:  No, Dodger, the prophet Ezekiel.  I was reading chapter 2, where God is speaking to Him before sending him to preach to the disobedient and rebellious Israelites.  Like so many other prophets before and after, Ezekiel's getting ready to preach something that his audience most likely won't want to hear.  God has some great things to say to Him.  Dodger, would you read Ezekiel 2 please?

Dodger: "And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.  And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.  For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’  As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.  “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.  You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.  But you, son of man, hear what I say to you.  Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.  Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe." (Ezekiel 2:1-10 NKJV)

Lilly:  I think we have a few things in common with Ezekiel.

Dodger:  What do you mean?  After all, God isn't sending us out to preach to a rebellious group of people, and we aren't declaring lamentations and mourning and woe.

Lilly:  Well, you're right that we aren't sharing all of the same messages as Ezekiel did.  However, we are supposed to do what He did; we are supposed to share God's Word with those who don't know God.  Plus, the people we speak to who don't know Jesus are by definition rebelling against God, since Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." (Luke 11:23 NKJV, boldface added)  While we may not all be prophets, we are supposed to spread the gospel to people rebelling against God.

Dodger:  People don't always listen though, and it's not very popular to do it.  Some people treat you badly just for talking about the Bible.

Lilly:  That's true, and it brings me to something else Christians share with Ezekiel.  I'm pretty sure there were a lot of people who didn't want to hear what he had to say.  As Christians we face the same problem at times.  People don't always want to listen to us, in fact,  they may even mistreat us for sharing the gospel and other parts of God's Word.  Regardless of whether people listen (or seem to listen) or not, however, we do need to keep declaring God's Word and telling people Who Jesus is.  When God was sending Ezekiel He told Him not to be afraid of hostile people.  This is important because Ezekiel wasn't the only prophet who faced less-than-enthusiastic listeners.  Jesus did that, and anyone Who speaks God's Word will, too.  Jesus tells us in advance.  It's in Mark 13, I think, along with some other places.

Dodger:  "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.  And the gospel must first be preached to all the  nations.  But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved."  (Mark 13:9-13 NKJV)

Lilly:  It's not popular or easy to be a Christian when the world hates you, but Jesus promises us that we'll be given the words to say, just as God gave Ezekiel the words to say.

Dodger:  That's pretty cool when I think about it.  Say, did you notice how God warned Ezekiel not to be rebellious like those around Him?

Lilly:  Yes.  You see, Ezekiel was given a mission from God, but he couldn't complete it if he was rebelling against God and following the same lifestyle as everyone around Him.  Just like Ezekiel, Christians have to be different from the world around them.  We aren't the same, so we shouldn't act like it.  Our citizenship is in heaven, not the world, and we can and should be proud of representing Jesus here on earth.  It's that simple.

Dodger:  The Bible was never meant to be put in a nice little box.  We don't need to make it look nice by watering it down or denying parts of it or not mentioning it to make others feel good.  That doesn't bring God glory, that just leads people down the wrong road.  We need not be ashamed of the gospel.  Paul wasn't.  He writes: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." (Romans 1:17 NKJV)

Lilly:  God always supports us, too.  Sometimes we will face big-looking obstacles to declaring God's Word to others, but we can overcome each of them in the power of Jesus Christ.  Though people may not like us and we may face threats, violence, and unkindness, we can stand strong on God's Word and in His power.  He never fails, and will always be there for us.  He loves us too much to do otherwise.

Dodger:  I feel a lot more confident about sharing the Bible knowing God is there to help me

Lilly:  Me too.

Dodger:  Well, it's time we wrapped up.  I have to get packed for camp.

Lilly:  So early?  Camp isn't for a full month!

Dodger:  Yes, but I always forget things.  This will give me the chance to make sure I have everything ready without rushing.

Lilly: Oh.

Dodger:  Thanks for coming by today!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Adeus!




(NKJV Means New King James Version)

Happy Dad's Day!

Dodger:  Hello there!  Thanks for coming in.  Lilly and I would like to wish you a slightly belated Happy Dad's day and say thank you to all the dads out there.  We appreciate you and we're glad God gave you to us.  Thanks for being there.  You know, Lilly, it's pretty neat that we have a holiday to celebrate our dads.  After all, dads are pretty cool people.

Lilly: I know they are. My dad is really great.  He looks out for me, protects me, provides for me, encourages me, and loves me.  I guess that's his job, but he does it so well that he goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Dodger:  You know what?

Lilly: What?

Dodger:  I just thought about how yours and my dad are much like Someone else we know.

Lilly:  Oh no.  There's no one who does everything my dad does.

Dodger: Actually there is.  Our Father, God, does all the things our dads do for us, only more so.  He looks out for us, protects us, provides for us, and loves us more than anyone else ever can.  He went, and continues to go, way above the call of duty.  After all, He made our dads, and their dads, and their dads, and their dads, and so on.  He saved our lives and gave us the gift of eternal life, adopting us so we could call Him Father.  Romans 8:14-15 says: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (KJV, boldface added)

Lilly: We're adopted into God's family when we become Christians.  We were once His enemies, but now we are His children  It's amazing that we can call God our Father because He went out of His way to be our Father.

Dodger:  God is so awesome. It's great to realize that even though our dads sometimes make mistakes or fail us (no matter how cool they are) God our Father never will.  Psalm 27:10 says "When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me." (NJKV)  Knowing God is our Father makes dad's day even more special.

Dodger:  Yeah it does.  Well, it's time that you and I got ready for the BBQ we're going to have tomorrow.  I bought my dad a new grill, so I'm excited about the incoming hamburgers.  Thanks again for stopping by.  Have a great week, and celebrate both your dad and your Father!  See you later!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's never going to change!

Lilly: Later gator!

(NKJV means New King James Version, KJV means King James Version)

The Necessity of Discernment.

Dodger:  Hi there!  Thanks for coming to talk with us.  Have you been well?  I certainly hope so.  Lilly had a great topic for us to discuss today.  We're going to look at discernment.

Lilly:  The Bible tells us to have and practice discernment.  After all, just because the world says something is good doesn't mean it is.  In fact, a lot of the things that the world loves are downright awful and don't bring God any glory at all.  Since we don't want to get sucked in to a sinful lifestyle or follow the crowd (which is wrong a good deal of the time) we need to practice discernment.  Using discernment helps us to make better choices in line with God's will.  But I'd like to clarify what exactly discernment is.  Dodger, how do you define discernment?

Dodger:  Let me see...ah, here we go.  Discernment is "the trait of judging wisely and objectively"*.  So in other words, discernment is the ability to determine what's good and what's bad, and choose the good.  The Bible has plenty to say about choosing right over wrong.  But what sort of verses are specifically about discernment?

Lilly:  Well, there's Proverbs 14:8.
"The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving." (ESV)

     There's also Romans 12:2.  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (NKJV, boldface added)  Although this verse doesn't specifically say "discernment", proving (or finding out) God's will is something that we certainly need discernment for.

Dodger:  God doesn't want us to accept everything that the world throws at us, because many things that seek for our attention and focus aren't what God wants for us.  If we want to avoid choices that will hurt us, we need to practice discernment.  That's not the only benefit of discernment, however.  For an example, let's look at the book of the prophet and priest named Ezekiel.  The nation of Judah was in a sorry state, for the people's sin had led to a lot of trouble.  One problem was that most of the Levites, who were supposed to help the priests and the people by working in the temple, had instead worked for the idols that the people chose to worship instead of serving God.  Since they were supposed to be helping the people worship God, they were disobeying God.  So here's what God said:

    "And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.  Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.  Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them,” says the Lord God, “that they shall bear their iniquity.  And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed. Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it. (Ezekiel 44:10-14 NKJV)

Lilly:  There were consequences for the sin that the Levites had committed.  They had to bear their shame, and would not get to serve as priests before God.  They had chosen the wrong thing, and the results were simply not worth it.  But look at what God had to say about men who practiced discernment and chose to do the right when others wouldn't.

     "But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,” says the Lord God.  “They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge."
(v. 15-16 NKJV)

     These particular Levites had chosen to serve God in spite of everyone else choosing sin, and so God promised that they would be able to continue to lead the people spiritually and offer sacrifices to God.  They were promised a reward for doing the right thing and practicing discernment.  Look at something else God said in Ezekiel 44:23:

     "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." (NKJV, boldface added)

Dodger:  Did you see that?  By practicing discernment and serving God when others wouldn't the sons of Zadok were given the task by God to teach discernment to others as well.  It's important to have discernment that can be spread around.

Lilly:  The Bible says that as Christians we need to practice discernment because we're not like the rest of the world anymore.  Ephesians 5 says: "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:6-10 ESV)  We can't live like the rest of the world, because we're God's lights in a dark place.  We need to discern God's will and follow it.

Dodger:  So how do we practice discernment?  How do we develop it?

Lilly:  The answer is threefold.  1.  Read God's Word.  The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom, and wisdom gives us discernment.  If you're studying the Bible often it is much harder to not practice discernment.  2. Listen to God, and people He uses to talk to you.  God may speak to you directly, or through a parent, or through someone else.  Now of course, you need to use discernment to make sure that it's actually God speaking to you either by Himself or through a person.  One good way to do that is measure what you hear by God's Word.  If the words and actions you hear are Biblically right, good.  If not, throw them away.  Words that contradict the Bible are never from God. 3. Pray for discernment.  If you ask God for discernment, He'll give it to you.  It might not look like it's happening all at once, but that's okay, because He's still giving it to you, even if you can't always tell.

Dodger:  Discernment is something we each have to practice, but the more we do, the better we get at it, and the better we become at avoiding the wrong, doing the right and living for God.  Well, looks like we have to go again.  Thanks for visiting.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly: Vaarwel!





(NKJV Means New King James Version)
(ESV Means English Standard Version)
*The definition of discernment came from Princeton University's Wordnet 3.1, at http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=discernment

Happy Mother's Day!

Dodger:  Hi there!  We just wanted to say hello.  Lilly and I are going out with our mothers to eat out, but we decided it would be a good idea to stop and just say a quick word on Mother's Day.

Lilly:  It's pretty wonderful that God puts people in our lives who invest time and money and effort into us daily.  So whether your own mother has done that, or another woman who acts a lot like a mother to you, take time to say thank you to them today.  Now, Dodger and I are off to Red Robin.  See you later! 

Our Formidable Ally.

Lilly: Um...Dodger?  Our friend is here, and you're the one who usually says "Hello".  Aren't you going to do so now?

Dodger: Huh? Oh, yeah.  Hi there.  We're glad you're here.  Thanks for coming.

Lilly: You don't quite seem yourself today.  Is everything okay?

Dodger: To be honest, no.  I'm exhausted.  Last night I was struggling pretty hard with the devil.  He's keeping it up this morning, too.

Lilly: What do you mean?

Dodger: I mean he won't get off my case.  If he's not throwing some evil temptation in my way or trying to make me doubt my salvation, it's because he's trying to put bad thoughts in my head or have me show unkindness to someone who hasn't done anything to me.  I'm officially worn out, and I'm not sure how long I can fight him without collapsing.

Lilly: Mmmm.  Well Dodger, I can see where you're coming from.  You aren't the only one who has trouble with this though.

Dodger:  Yeah, I know.  But it would be nice if I didn't feel like I was doing this alone.

Lilly: But you aren't!  Dodger, I need you to flip open the Bible to Deuteronomy chapter 7.

Dodger: Deuteronomy?  What does Deuteronomy have to do with my problem?

Lilly:  You'd be surprised.  Never try to classify a book of the Bible as good for only certain things.  I've been surprised by the number of good words and encouragement and advice and revelation that I've received from books I didn't expect to see them in.  So, have you found the chapter?

Dodger: Yes.  What verses do you want me to read?

Lilly: Verses 16-23.  But before you do that, I want to explain what's going on here.  The text is from Moses, the leader of Israel, talking to them before they go in to take over the Promised Land, land which God promised to them years and years ago.  They've left a life of slavery in Egypt, and now they finally get to go in and see the land for themselves.  However, the land currently belongs to a lot of sinful and hostile nations, so receiving their inheritance is a slightly frightening prospect, since they will have to fight stronger countries to get God's promise.  Since Moses is not going to live to go in there with them, these are sort of like last words to the people, which include battle advice.

Dodger: Okay. So here are the verses: “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’— you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.  Moreover the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed.  You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.  And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.  But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed." (NKJV)

Lilly: Perfect job.  Thank you for that.  So, did you see the similarities?

Dodger: I'm afraid not.  The battle advice looked good, but I don't see why that helps me.

Lilly: Because you're in a battle, Dodger.  The enemy is called the enemy for a reason.  Your enemy the devil wants to take you out, to steal, kill and destroy you and all you do.  There's no way he'll just sit back and let you do great things for God without fighting you.  But just like Israel, you aren't relying on your own forces to make this work.  Just as God has gotten you through through hard things in the past, so He will continue to fight for you for the rest of your life.  You aren't facing the enemy alone.  And furthermore, just because the enemy seems mighty doesn't mean he's more powerful than you. The Bible makes it pretty clear that our God is way more powerful than the devil. "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4 NKJV)  And just as God did not get rid of all of Israel's enemies at once, so He won't let you defeat the enemy all at once.  It will be a growing process that will take a lifetime, but you can trust that God knows what He's doing, and will be with you all the way.  So don't be afraid.  It's not always easy to struggle against the devil, but God will not leave us in a spot He knows we'll lose.  Besides, the enemy tries to make himself look bigger than he is because what he doesn't want you to know is that he's actually scared of you.

Dodger: What?  The devil is afraid of me?

Lilly: No, he's terrified.  He knows you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you and that you are therefore more powerful by far than he is.  Since he doesn't want you to know that, he fights you and tries to make you feel weak, or like you are a poor Christian for struggling at all.  But since God is our strength, there's no need to be afraid of the devil or listen to his lies.  One day we'll receive our inheritance from God, a life in heaven with countless blessings.  In the meantime, let's rely on God to give us our strength, and remember His promise that He would never leave us.

Dodger:  Wow.  Thanks Lilly.

Lilly: Don't thank me, thank God!

Dodger:  All right.  Thank you God, for being my strength and help, and giving me power to win against the devil.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Lilly: Amen.  Well, I know it's unusual that I would notice this first, but it's time we went home.  Thanks for coming today.

Dodger:  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly: குட்பை!

(NKJV Means New King James Version)

God is Greater than Our Feelings.

Dodger:  Hi there!  Lilly and I were on a long vacation, helping out with a new YouTube channel.  But we're excited to be back.

Lilly:  Absolutely.  I got back home just yesterday.  The first thing I did was open my e-mail and I found out that while we were gone someone sent us a question .  Do you want to see it?

Dodger:  Yes please.

Lilly:  Here it is.

Dodger:  Oh.  Well to answer your question, Feiling, yes, I have had days of seemingly random
discouragement.  It's surprising to a lot of people how often we don't feel happy.


Lilly:  You should never let how you feel determine how your life is doing, or whether you're doing a good job living your life, though, because you're feelings are sort of like a roller coaster car.

Dodger:  They have a tendency to bounce all over the place, and they aren't a very accurate way of measuring life.

Lilly:  Thankfully, we can rely on God's Word and the Holy Spirit to tell us how we actually are doing! Remember, it's more important that we focus on Who God is than what we've done.  That's why Dodger and I are always saying-

Dodger: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 NIV 1984)  It's important that we don't just squash our feelings, but God and our lives with Him are so much more than how we feel at the moment.

Lilly:   As for the challenges, we all face those.  But it's our responses to those challenges that are important.  Take Nehemiah for example.

Dodger:  Oh, I love this story.  Okay, so take a second to imagine this:  you come from a land that has been trashed.  The walls of your best city have been smashed, the city is covered in rubble, and you want to fix it. But you aren't a construction worker, you're cupbearer to the king of the nation that currently has taken over the land you come from.  So what do you do?  Well, Nehemiah was in the same spot, and he prayed.  He prayed for a miracle.

Lilly:  He asked God to give Him favor from the king.  This is what followed.  "And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. "Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”  So I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”  Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”  So I prayed to the God of heaven.  And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”  Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.  Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.  Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.  When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel." (Nehemiah 2:2-10 NKJV)

Dodger:  Did you notice those two men, Sanballat and Tobiah?  They're going to try to cause a lot of trouble more Nehemiah, including trying to kill him.  Here's the challenge Nehemiah faced: not only was the wall of Jerusalem a wreck, but many of the people were being mistreated, the temple of God was not being well-handled, and Sanballat and Tobiah kept trying to sabotage his work.  On top of that, he didn't get to work with professional wall-builders, just everyday citizens.  Plus, he had to deal with the massive challenge of leading the people (who became tired) in doing the right thing as well as building the wall.  He could have given up.  But instead, because he trusted God and did what was right, the wall was finished without Sanballat and Tobiah being able to do anything about it, and just as important, the people established a covenant to walk with God.

Lilly:  Not only was Jerusalem being physically rebuilt, but it was being spiritually rebuilt as well.  God worked through Nehemiah to help people of Israel in ways that would have been thought to have been impossible.

Dodger:  God is going to do great things through you as well, if you let Him.  Don't ever think that God is as changeable as your emotions.  He loves you too much for that.  As Nehemiah 8:10 says, "Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (NKJV, boldface added.)

Lilly:  God is sure good.

Dodger:  Amen.  Wow, looks like we're out of time.  Thanks for stopping by.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Farewell!