My Reflections

Are You Blinded By Sin?

Take UP Your Cross

Prompt:
Why do some people find it so hard to trust God’s plan with their lives?

Answer:
I believe the Bible even answers this question. They are blinded by sin.

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

John 3:19-20
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

John 12:39-40
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Ephesians 4:17-19
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

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PROMPT July 9th

We've all had a mentor or two in our lives. Tonight, write about the first person that ever believed in you

My mom had a younger friend who also had children. Her friend’s name was Faye. I was an only child so my mom would bring me over to Faye’s house quite often to play with her daughters who were just a little younger than I was. They would have their adult visits while us kids played.

Faye noticed a few things my mom wasn't teaching me. She thought it might be because my mom didn't have an understanding of those things. So Faye took me under her wing like another daughter.

She taught me how to match my clothes and a few other things so that I would not get made fun of at much at school. She also made me a sun dress and fixed my hair for special occasions.

Then during the summer after I was in 5th grade, she moved with her family out of state. A few years later she was killed tragically by an accident involving a combine.
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Feasting On The Word of God   (E) This is for a Bible study group. #2245217 by Marvelous Friend

Current study: "Friuts of the Spirit - Love" 
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Are you in the need for prayer? Let us know here and we will pray for you.

SURVEY

Open Door To Grace Prayer Hot Line  (E) Do you want prayer? Ask for it here! All requests are confidential. #1372909 by Marvelous Friend

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Poetry Topic of the Month Contest  (13+) Win Exclusive MBs. It ends at midnight at the end of each month. Suggest the topic. #2216416 by Sharmelle's Expressions

Write a poem about Independence Day, grilling, or wildlife this month.
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This is the link to the group I do these Scripture writings with on Facebook if anyone else is interested in doing so also.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailyscripturewritingplan/?ref=share

Scripture writing - Hebrews 2:14-18; 12:1-3

Scripture:
Hebrews 2:14-18
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Observations:
Verse 2:14- Jesus became flesh to defeat the devil.
Verse 2:15- Jesus also came to deliver us out of the bondage of sin.
Verse 2:16- He could have taken the nature of angels but instead chose to take on the nature of man.
Verse 2:17- He chose man’s nature to be a faithful high priest for us and be merciful.
Verse 2:18- He is able to help us in our flesh because he endured temptation also.

Verse 12:1- Let us lay aside sin and patiently do the will of God.
Verse 12:2- Christ endured the cross for the greater joy that was set before him.
Verse 12:3- We can draw strength from the fact that Christ suffered just like we do.

Application:
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us because he has already done it before us.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me endure my race to the end and to finish it completely. Let me be willing to give everything for you. Let me be willing and able to endure suffering for you if and when that time ever comes. I love you, and I never want to be separated from you.
In Jesus’s name,
Amen

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Gratitude List

1. Doctors
2. Nurses
3. Medical Assistants
4. Good customer service
5. Friendship
6. Trust
7. Empathy
8. Prayers
9. Communication
10. Effort

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“Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die:
Autumn frosts have slain July.

Still she haunts me, phantom wise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.”
― Lewis Carroll



What comes to mind when you Lewis Carroll's poem about July?

How does autumn frost slay July? This is the first thing coming to my mind. July is long gone by the time Autumn arrives unless I have missed something somewhere.

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Prompt: I was cruising the galaxy with the Ewoks and found this planet: Queen NormaJean Luvs 2 Hike MT (237)
Read this item:

STATIC

You Didn't Learn That in School!  (E) A Brief Essay #2251297 by QueenNormaJean maybesnow?!

Write about this in your Blog entry today.

Love it! I had a mattress one day come with a note that said to be careful when you unpacked it because it knew king fu. Lol It was from then on referred to as the king fu mattress in our household.
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“It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace.” ― Chuck Palahniuk, What do you think?

I think maybe we need to stop focusing so much on the negative and just maybe then we can remember more of the positive. If we can learn from peace then maybe we wouldn't have to have so much war. If we pay close enough attention, then yes we can lead a lot from peace. I have to disagree with the quote.

Remembering sweetness just takes a bit more effort than remembering pain, but you have to put forth the effort. Maybe the marks (scars) aren’t visible because instead of doing damage, they heal. Even small random acts of kindness to strangers still leave an impact somewhere even if you don't personally see them.

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Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt Forum  (E) This is the forum where blog prompts will be posted for the Blogging Circle of Friends. #1901904 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman