Witness- We Are

Witness- We Are

by Heather Collver

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wish you had another witness? Maybe it was a time that your baby said their first word, or when someone ran a red light and almost caused a collision. What about when you were a child, wouldn't it have been nice to have a witness when your sibling hit you, pushed you, or some other terrible thing? These are just a few of the things that come to mind for me.

It is smart to be around other people. Being in a crowd of people will help you to have testimony in things that happen. My husband is a youth pastor. He tends to draw in teens from all walks of life. Because of this, he has a rule that all youth workers must never be alone with a teen. This protects both the youth worker and the youth. It's hard at times, as even opposite sex youth workers are urged not to be alone together. What a great idea when it comes to bearing witness of things that happen. Because of this, I believe the youth group has many parents support and trust in the program, because there is accountability.

I think God designed His plan in a similar way. He knows all of history. He knows each of us by name. He selected those he knew would be obedient and that would be accountable to being a witness for God. I know I have had some amazing healings and experiences that make me a witness for God as well. What we do with our testimony should end in the result of God being Glorified.

The Bible tells us that God has not left himself without witness. He used others to bear witness for him: Prophets, John the Baptist, The Father, The works of Christ, and Christ himself.

Notice he also used the works of Christ. Do you believe He will use the works of (insert your name here)?

Acts 14:17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name

John 1:7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe

John 5:37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form

John 8:18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me

John 5:36 I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.

John 10:37-38 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."


Dear Lord, thank you for sending others to teach us about you and to reveal you to the world. I am in awe. I am so thankful for all you have given to us and all that we have to stand firm on your promises. Thank you.

Please pray for those who have heard the truth, yet do not believe. Pray for those that have turned from the promises of God.

Please send praises and prayers for Friday, it gets us all through the weekend. Gives us something to pray about other than ourselves.

Witnes: The Spirit

Witness: The Spirit

by Heather Collver

Oh, how I love weddings! They are so romantic. I am a true romantic at heart. Nothing pulls on my heart strings better than seeing the groom react as he sees his bride for the first time. All dressed to the T. What thoughts are going through his head. Ahhh, how beautiful the union to come. What gets me even more is when he tenderly embraces her and treats her as a queen. As a newly married couple, most brides and grooms offer each other a ring, or a symbol of their love for each other, to keep with them and to carry as a reminder of their commitment to one another.

Just imagine my romantic thoughts as I realized how this connects with our Lord. His love for us is so tender. He pours out gifts and blessings for us and tenderly embraces us with comfort and joy. His expression in his heart must be that of overwhelming joy when he hears our commitment to love and serve him the rest of our days. Just as a newly married couple, he is quick to offer to us a symbol of his love and a reminder of our commitment. It is the Holy Spirit. It's a true love story at it's finest. One who will keep us through sickness and health. Provide for us and comfort us. No wonder he wants to be the third witness in a wedding ceremony, to become one with his creation, as he intended. I believe my Lord is a hopeless romantic like me, for I am wonderfully and fearfully made in his image!

I know, I know, come back to reality, Heather. Truly though, it is reality, he is our Lord, he wants to treat us as his bride. What would our world be like if every Man could reflect that perfect image as a groom? In order for that, I am assuming every Woman would have to reflect the perfect image as a bride. That probably won't happen in our lifetime, but the truth I can hold onto is that there is a perfect relationship, it is that of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In that perfect relationship, we have been invited to partake.

God witnesses to those who believe in Him. He assures us salvation. In that assurance, he provides for us a gift, or symbol of which we are able to carry with us as a reminder of our new union with our Lord and savior, he give us the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God".

I will never forget the moment that I knew that my spirit had received it's perfect union in my life. When the Father had welcomed me into his relationship with the Son and spirit. I could feel it in my soul. I wasn't perfect, I had so much that needed to be done in my life. I still do for God's sake, really, He needs much more from me than I think I am able to give. Oh, but I have a gift that is just mine, a piece of the big picture, and it dwells in me. Praise God.

Dear Lord, thank you for making me a romantic. I like to think you are very much the same. Thank you for painting this picture so clearly for me. How perfect your timing too. I pray for those who are separated from their spouse this week, I know I will be one of them. Care for our spouses and God help us to really care for them as you created us to do. Lord, I thank you for your Spirit that dwells in me. I pray that we are a people who are willing to listen to your Spirit and to be sensitive enough to hear it's guidance in our lives.

Please pray for those who are newly married, soon to be married, or are married and struggling. Don't forget to praise for those pillar marriages that give us something to strive for, that encourage us. Don't forget your own marriage, new truths that God has in store for you and your mate.

Balaam, Take it to God

Balaam

Balaam was a son of Beor, native of Pethor. Known to be able to speak blessings and cursings.

Numbers 22:1-20
1 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho. [a]
2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.
4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, [b] in his native land. Balak said: "A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."
7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.
8 "Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will bring you back the answer the LORD gives me." So the Moabite princes stayed with him.
9 God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"
10 Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.' "
12 But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."
13 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak's princes, "Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."
14 So the Moabite princes returned to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."
15 Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. 16 They came to Balaam and said: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, 17 because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me."
18 But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 19 Now stay here tonight as the others did, and I will find out what else the LORD will tell me."
20 That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."

How many times do we take it to God to see what it is that he wants in our lives? Is it true that we sometimes jump to an answer before consulting our God.

I love verse 18- But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.

Isn't it true? We really cannot go beyond the command of our Lord. Is there something in your life that you might be wresting with right now? Take some time today to go before your Lord and find out what he wants to say about it. It doesn't hurt to tell others you need a moment to think about it.

Nine years ago, when my mother-in-law lived with us, I remember that she would always say "give it 24 hours" or "sleep on it". This is something she always practiced when making a big decision. Sometimes she did it when making small decisions that she wasn't quite clear on. Today, I use that same method when making decisions. I give it a day. It drives my husband crazy, but he knows that it will be a yes or a no. May her example of waiting it out help us to see that there is always time to wait when it comes to God. If there is an urgency, he usually lets us know.

Verse 8 and 19
8: "Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will bring you back the answer the LORD gives me." So the Moabite princes stayed with him.

19:Now stay here tonight as the others did, and I will find out what else the LORD will tell me."

Please pray with me this week for
Lauren - fighting for her life. born at 26 weeks.
JoAnne Adams - fighting cancer

Wonders, Day 1

I hope you are having a wonderful day. Due to all of the fan fair this week with Martin Luther King, JR Day and the Inauguration of Barack Obama tomorrow....I think we should take a look at the greatness of our God....for He above all is Holy......

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much
trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith
would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

WONDER (definition from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wonder)
1 a: a cause of astonishment or admiration : marvel b: miracle
2: the quality of exciting amazed admiration
3 a: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience

Third Day: God of Wonders




Heavenly Father ~ I pray with all of the excitement and grandeur of this weeks honoring of men that we take time to honor You....Our God....

Pray for Bonita E this week.

Also, I have updated our Forum...if you are interested in sharing something or asking questions or just wanna leave a note, scroll down until you see the button on the right that says "Forum". We love to hear from you. We are really looking forward to some good book or movie reviews. Maybe a testimony you would like to share would be great too.

Thanksgiving, Day 1

Thanksgiving, Day 1

A thankful heart

Thanksgiving week around my house this year will be different from any other. This is our first Thanksgiving at our house. In the past we have traveled to my husbands grandparents house for a short visit. Grandma Ada will be remembered but not present this year and Grandpa Dale moved to be closer to his family. We then go to my grandmothers house for the rest of the day, sometimes overnight. This year, she is in Tennessee, visiting Angela and her family. The same trip we took a year ago. This year we will open up our home to Dale's parents, my mom and sister and to a friend of mine, Donna and her daughter, Hannah. The dynamics have changed.

One thing stays the same, the age old question, "What are you thankful for this year". We used to write down what we were thankful for and put it in a shoebox and read all the responses from the previous years. That question usually doesn't cause any need for reflection, it's not hard to find things to be thankful for. This year things have changed. You don't have to look very hard to find people who are struggling. Even in our immediate family we are facing the unknown. Turn on the TV or the radio and you hear about the economy, politics and death. Friends and family members are being laid off or loosing their jobs, businesses are closing, loosing revenue. Vehicles are breaking down, marriages are breaking up, and there is still poverty among us. So what do we do, how do we find joy in the midst of all this? Is there really anything to be thankful for? I believe that we must seek God and be thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives. The fact that we had the money to invest in the first place, a home, a car, clothes, marriages, relationships, jobs. A few weeks ago our pastor said that if everything were how we wanted it to be then we would not be able to bear fruit. We would have never been given the opportunity to learn patience, gentleness, self control, generosity, peace, joy, the list goes on. All of the things that come from living through a storm. So, looking at our responses to the poll we took on what we are thankful for, it makes sense that we would vote Salvation, Grace, and family as the most important. Though our families may change in numbers, those who are in our family hold a place in our hearts and memories, either good or bad. But beyond that, we are all a family, those who believe in God. Because of who we are in Christ, there will be an overflow in our lives, there will always be something to be thankful for. I am sure we all have our own lists, but it is not surprising that we would find these three words among the lists. Grace alone brings us into thanksgiving. I encourage you to bring the overflow with you as you go this week, wherever it is that you will visit. It is with this spirit of thanksgiving that we will find this week more bearable, where we can see beyond our current situations and circumstances. What a blessing that is.

Don't forget to add one more person to your list of guests. God will be with you in the midst of all the chaos and differences you may find at your thanksgiving table this year. He will give you the grace you need to get through it all, who knows, maybe you will bear more fruit where you weren't before.

2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

I call the above verse my 911 emergency plan. On every occasion, even those that are not my favorite, I can be generous, I can share the overflow of thanksgiving.

1 Timothy 4:4
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Dear Lord, I invite you into my thoughts and my home this week. Through the activities and the gatherings, the relationships and the family time, I ask that you be here in the midst of our plans, of our gathering. That I will glorify you in all that I do and that you will feel welcome. Lord, I ask that you be with each of those who read this, that they will feel your presence. Lord, we give you praise in thanksgiving for all the blessings in our lives. You are amazing, Amen.

The O's of God, Day 1

The O's of God

Day 1

Omnipotence- a theological term that refers to the all-encompassing power of God.

Omnipresence- a theological term that refers to the unlimited nature of God or His ability to be everywhere at all times.

Omniscience- a theological term that refers to God's superior knowledge and wisdom. His power to know all things.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Job 12:13 "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Dear Lord, I pray today that you will be praised. That eyes will be open to your amazing ways. That hearts will be softened to receive you. Please forgive us for not always remembering all your qualities. Thank you that these qualities are real and that even when we forget it doesn't make them less real. I pray that this week, we will understand you more and be closer to you in all we do, say, think. Thank you.

Please pray for Kathy L. as you go through your week.

Mind, Day 4

Mind, Day 4

Don't stop when you know the answer

Our minds play a huge role in our lives. How we relate to others, how we choose to spend our time and whether or not sin will control our lives. We are asked to be like minded with other believers and not to have divisions. In this day and age, there are so many religions it is hard to keep up. I have always separated religion from relationship. What this means to me is that our relationship with Jesus Christ is what makes us Christians and our belief in God unites us with so many other religions in this world. Are we to judge what is right and wrong amongst them, no, but we are to caution what is in their teachings. The Holy spirit will guard our hearts and minds. We can only live by the Spirit if we believe in Christ Jesus. So for me, I know that I must stay like minded with those who also live by the Spirit, because they too, will have the Spirit guarding their hearts and minds. So be cautious in this world, not to fall into the evil schemes of the devil. I know this sounds so religious to so many people, but we cannot live in peace without being guarded by the Spirit. Today, be open to being like minded with others that may not carry the same denomination as you. Seek those that are like minded and live at peace with them. Continue to pray for those that may be blinded. Just like the example of Hayley and the Quiz meet. Some may have part of the answer, but not the whole thing, they may have closed their minds to the Whole answer. I praise our God, Jesus Christ and the Spirit for this revelation.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this week. For the devotional and for loving us so much. Please help those who read today's devotional to know that I love them and that their salvation is so important. Lord, go ahead of this devotional and prepare those who will read it, open their minds to receive it. I love you Lord.

Luke 10:27 He answered: "`love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, `Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Please pray for Debi

Please pray for Kathy L., an MRI returned results that are troubling. Please pray for neurosurgen for this matter.

Please pray for Jamison D. His surgery is Friday morning. He is 2 years old and was born with 1 chamber in his heart. He has already had sugery before, this one is to take care of some of the things they did not do before and is very serious. He is also sick this week, but must have the surgery because of his oxygen levels. Please pray for all those involved in his care and for him to be well. Please pray for his parents, Mindy and Darren as well. Thanks.

Please send in any comments, praise or prayer for this week. Thanks.

Only Begotten (one and only)

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Day 1

As Christians, one of the first verses we memorize is John 3:16. Even if you haven't, I'm sure you have seen a sign at a sporting event or at many of a multitude of places that people find it necessary to say God gave His only begotten (one and only) Son to die for your sins. In all of the grand gestures by us as Christians, I think the power and truth in John 3:16 gets watered down. As I mature in my faith, sometimes, it is the simple verses that make me say, "what does that mean". So, hopefully you won't mind indulging me this week and finding out what in the world "only begotten" means and why it is so important to our faith.

If you use NIV you will find "one and only" in place of "only begotten" in this weeks verses. After a little study, this would be a good place to note in your bibles that begotten is a better translation of the original. Begotten refers to being the biological son of a father. Saying "one and only son" isn't entirely correct because it leaves out those of us who are made sons through adoption.

John 1:14-18
The Word Made Flesh
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'"
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Day 2

Only Begotten Son. God's only biological child.

From personal experience I can say that being someones daughter and biological child are two different parts of who a person is. My DNA, genetic code or whatever modern day term you would like to place on it has a portion that says I am Bob's child. There are important details in that code that will tell you the color of my eyes and skin come from him, that I have an increased risk of certain illnesses and I am sure a multitude of other physical characteristics are because I am a part of him.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to have a relationship with my dad until I was over 15 years old. I have to tell you though, don't discredit what other attributes come with being a biological child. My dad and I have eerily similar likes and dislikes. Even the way I stand can be a mirror image of my father. If I had spent any of my time as a child in his environment learning from him you would know quite a bit about my dad just because you know me.

During this study I have found a new favorite passage. John 1:18 says that the only begotten God (Jesus), explains God. Wow! If I want to know God I need to know his son. Jesus is not just the only begotten son of God but verse 18 also says he was in his bosom since the beginning of time. Who else could explain God better then someone who has his DNA and knows everything he has done since the beginning of time?

If I go back a few verses to 14, I see that the son is the Word in flesh. My friends, when you have a stack of questions about who your God is, take a look at Jesus. Take a look at the Word. Take a look at verses 14-18. In a few sentences we learn that Jesus shows us God's Glory, God's truth and God's grace. Imagine what else the Word might teach you about what God wants for you and your life.

Day 3

1John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

What is God?

Why did God send his Son?

What is our response to God's love?

Day 4

John 3:16-19
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

I thought we would take a day to talk about how much you are loved. You see, God loved you so much that he sacrificed his son for you. Our God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, is perfect. He wants a relationship with you. He wants to free you from the bondage of judgement. Do you recognize the truth when you hear it? Are you choosing to know your God, be in relationship with God and believing in the blood of Christ so that you may be freed from the bondage of this world? God wants to spend eternity with YOU!

Day 5

"....God is Love"

The ultimate sacrifice has been made on our behalves. The Word was made flesh to be sacrificed for our sins so that we may have eternal life. You are freed from death by simply believing that God loves you that much.

The next time you are questioning who God is and what he wants from you remember that you can know who he is if you take the time to know His Son. Jesus, the living Word, explains Him!

Praise God for the Ultimate Gift, the undeserving sacrifice, because HE loves YOU!

Heavenly Father~Praise your name, Lord. For all that you are, all that you do, have done and will do in my life I praise your name. Thank you for the Living Word, that I hold the key to who you are in my hands. Forgive me for not always focusing on you. Make my life a response to knowing you. May your love flow through me and show your love to those around me. May the blood that has purified my life flow out of my home and be an example to my friends and my community. You are my All, You are my Life. ~In Jesus' precious name.

Hand or Hands

Hand

Day 1

Hand or Hands

The end of a person's arm that serves as a grasping and handling tool. The hand enables humans to use tools and to act in ways that are impossible for animals.

This is the common definition of the word hand. But when you look further into God's word, you will find that there are several other ways to define the word hand.

The Bible speaks of hands in the physical sense to explain the person's attitude.

Uplifted hands showed praise and petition to God. They also showed violence against another person.
Exodus 3:8 And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand and power of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]--to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
1 Samuel 23:17 He said to him, Fear not; the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father knows that too.
Psalm 31:15 My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me. Drooping hands showed weariness.
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. Laying hands on heads showed:

The transferal of power (Genesis 48:17 17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim's head, it displeased him; and he held up his father's hand to move it to Manasseh's head.)

Hands were also used in symbolism. The "hand of someone or a group was used in scripture several times. Hands do the will of the entire person or the "whole being".
Psalms 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully
Acts 2:23 This Jesus, when delivered up according to the definite and fixed purpose and settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put out of the way [killing Him] by the hands of lawless and wicked men

So why did I choose Hand? I don't know. It was the word that seemed to jump off the page, make my heart beat a little faster, it was the word that God had set a part for this devotional and so I only pray that I will be able to teach you what I learned and what God had in mind for you this week.

Dear Lord, I pray that each of the recipients of this devotional and those who come across it on the Internet, will be touched by this devotional. How funny is it that I used the word touch in a prayer about the word Hand? Anyway, Lord, I am praying for each of us to hear your word, to be able to walk closer with you and to have the knowledge that only comes from you. Lord, I praise you for using me and ask for your Divine touch on all the details of this devotional.

Day 2

Hands

Hand of God defined the great power of God.

Deuteronomy 2:15 15 Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them to exterminate them from the midst of the camp, until they were all gone.

Leviticus 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the Israelites and all their transgressions, all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat [the sin-bearer], and send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man [a]who is timely (ready, fit).

God's power in creation

Psalms 8:6 You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet:

Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand

God's power in judgement- "his hand is outstretched".

Ruth 1:13 Would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; it is far more bitter for me than for you that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.

Isaiah 9:12 The Syrians [compelled to fight with their enemies, going] before [on the east] and the Philistines behind [on the west]; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, [God's] anger is not [then] turned away, but His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].

17 17Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will He have compassion on their fatherless and widows, for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this, [God's] anger is not turned away, but His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].

To extend God's mercy and forgiveness.

Psalm 37:24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.

In the New Testament Jesus placed his hands on children and the sick when he healed them. Matthew 19:13 Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 15 And He put His hands upon them, and then went on His way.

Matthew 9:18 While He was talking this way to them, behold, a ruler entered and, kneeling down, worshiped Him, saying, My daughter has just [a]now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will come to life.

In the early church, hands were used to heal and for the reception of the holy spirit.

Acts 9:17

So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Whenever there was a ceremony where hands were placed on heads, it was accompanied by prayer.

Day 3

The laying on of hands was not a magical or superstitious rite that gave a person special power. It expressed the idea of being set apart by God's people for a special task. Placing hands upon a person by a body of believers in ceremonial fashion symbolized that person's authority or his appointment to a special task.

Do you believe you were set aside for a special task?

Do you believe you have the power to heal others through your hands? Why or why not?

Have you ever been part of a group who has laid hands on someone in prayer for healing in their lives? To receive the holy spirit?

Do you believe we are the extension of God's Hand here on earth?

As Christians, we have the authority to call God's power into a situation, have you ever used that authority?

I had so much information on Hands, that I wanted to offer some more if you want it.

Other references to hands in the Bible

The ordination of church officials.

1 Timothy 5:22 22 Do not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands [giving the sanction of the church too hastily in reinstating expelled offenders or in ordination in questionable cases], nor share or participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure.

Laying hands on someone would also symbolize blessing and the setting apart of someone. This would take place by laying the right hand on the head. Just as Jesus sits at the right hand of God to symbolize power.

Deuteronomy 34:9 And Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; so the Israelites listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

In the ancient world hands were decorated with bracelets and rings.
Genesis 24:22 And when the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold earring or nose ring of half a shekel in weight, and for her hands two bracelets of ten shekels in weight in gold,
Ezekial 23:42 And the sound of a careless crowd was with her, and with men of the common sort were brought drunkards from the wilderness, who put bracelets upon the hands of both sisters and beautiful crowns upon their heads.

In the Old Testament, hands would be laid on the head of an animal intended for sacrifice. This would symbolize the transferal of sins and guilt to the goat then it would be taken away in to the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the Israelites and all their transgressions, all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat [the sin-bearer], and send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man [a]who is timely (ready, fit).

Day 4

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 5 year Baptism anniversary. It is like a second birthday to me. The day I was willing to declare publicly that I was going to serve God and that I was getting rid of my old self to become a new person in Christ. I had been a Christian 7 months and knew that God had a lot of work in molding me into what he created me to be. I have made several mistakes along the way, but looking at where I was and where I am now, it is apparent in my life that God's "hand" has been there since my birth. Even before I became a Christian, he was orchestrating the moment I would come into a relationship with him. The people in my life along the way stretched out their hands and extended the power God had given them. I remember one grand moment in my life, where God became real to me. I used to care about me, my self and I and sometime others. I was one of those people that believed I was the only one in control of my life. The only time I used the word God, was to use it wrongly or to pray to get myself out of trouble. Even though I did not believe in God, I prayed because it was like a band aid, it covered all my bases. When God started making himself real in my life, I was not willing to admit that He was real. I did not want my mind to believe what my heart was starting to say. One day I shared with my mother in law that I didn't think I would be able to believe in God unless he showed himself to me. Well, he did and I am sure that it had something to do with my mother in law and her faithfulness in prayer. Although she was not the one whose hands led me to believe, God knew that I would share that with her and she would be faithful enough to call on the power of God. My neighbor placed her hands on me and my daughter and asked for healing for her ears. A few days later, God revealed to me that he was real and that my heart was telling the truth. God healed my baby and it was because he trusted those who were willing to be an extension of his Hand.

Will you be trusted with the special task of being an extension of God's hand? Pray with me.

Lord, I thank you for "setting us apart" for a special task. Lord, help me to see when there is an opportunity to reveal the power and authority that only you can give to me. Lord, help me to be a witness, not just by the healing I have received, but by the power you have given me to pray for others and place my hands upon them for healing. Will you give us all a boldness of stretching out of our little comfort bubbles and becoming the "hand of God" to those who need your healing. I want to be able to reveal your love and amazing power to the lost and hurting people that I know in my life. I trust lord, just as you can trust me, that you will work in those details and that as long as I am willing to use my hands, you will do the rest. I praise you Lord that I am your child and my heart breaks for those who do not know you. May my actions reflect those of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Day 5

Praise Fridays, we want to post your praises for the weekend to give everyone hope. Please forward on a praise for us by Thursday evening.

Ask God to reveal to you moments where you can stretch out your hands and transfer his power to those who need it.

Confess moments where you have ignored God's calling in your life to be an extension of Him.

Praise God for the knowledge you now have for for giving you chances to reveal his power to others.

Pray for God to constantly remind you of his power. Pray for moments that only God can orchestrate. Pray for those who come to mind that you know need healing in their lives. Pray for God to bring others into their lives to reveal his power to them if you are not the one he will use for that special task.