Wednesday, November 6, 2013

What does the bible say about Strife..

http://wifiministries.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-strife/

"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth... 2 Timothy 2:23-25 (ESV) Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 ESV

"Learning To Lean" Willie Norwood -

Greetings to all of our WIFI Subscribers, family and friend's! I pray you all will reap a harvest in this great month of November... Please know that we are praying for you!

Let's get down to business because I have a lot on my mind, and the subject we will discuss on today is discord... Please feel free to comment and weigh in... It's bad when a parent sow discord between children causing animosity and friction because people tend to have favorites this, and favorites that which is o.k, but when it comes to your children that God gave to you, they all should be your favorites because they are ALL gifts from God. It saddens me that a parent would choose to raise one child, and leave the other child to survive on it's own... Let me tell you that it's happening because it happened to me, and I was that child that did not meet my father until I was 10-years-old, and I met him by divine appointment that was set up by God! Nevertheless, we finally met! Since that time, our relationship started out a little rocky being that I was 10-years-old and I possessed my own identity. I knew what felt right to my heart, and I knew what felt wrong. When I was younger, I was always uncomfortable around him, his wife at the time and his daughter... Nevertheless, they all grew on me over the years, and I developed a relationship with her mom which had to be developed if she was going to consider my little sister coming to spend the summer with me when she was younger. We developed a beautiful relationship over these past 37 years... Nevertheless, I pray one day she realizes that family is way more important than money and being someone's favorite! With that being said, let's examine in God's word what he says about sowing discord. I have shared over 150 scriptures and studied them to see if I can shed some light on my life to make it better that I can continue to LOVE and move forward in Christ!

Sowing discord can mean a lot of things, such as:

-Spreading gossip -Starting rumours -Talking behind other people`s back -Lying Although a ``self-centered and clingy personality`` could be the cause of discord, just being such a person wouldn`t automatically mean they are a ``sower of discord!`` Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas D&T: 11/5/2013

189 Bible Verses about Strife:

James 3:14-16 ESV / 107 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 94 helpful votes

Proverbs 29:22 ESV / 85 helpful votes

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 79 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 79 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 20:3 ESV / 69 helpful votes

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

Titus 3:1-3 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Proverbs 17:14 ESV / 56 helpful votes

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Mark 3:24 ESV / 55 helpful votes

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 54 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 28:25 ESV / 52 helpful votes

A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

James 4:1 ESV / 45 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Proverbs 15:18 ESV / 43 helpful votes

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Romans 2:8 ESV / 36 helpful votes

But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Proverbs 22:10 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

1 Timothy 1:5-7 ESV / 31 helpful votes

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 30 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Galatians 5:15 ESV / 29 helpful votes

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Proverbs 21:19 ESV / 29 helpful votes

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

Learn To Lean

Proverbs 17:19 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

Romans 14:19 ESV / 27 helpful votes

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Galatians 5:10 ESV / 26 helpful votes

I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Proverbs 26:21 ESV / 26 helpful votes

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 18:6 ESV / 25 helpful votes

A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

Deuteronomy 1:12 ESV / 25 helpful votes

How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife?

Romans 14:1 ESV / 24 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Proverbs 25:24 ESV / 24 helpful votes

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:2-3 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Mark 3:25 ESV / 23 helpful votes

And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

Proverbs 30:33 ESV / 23 helpful votes

For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

Proverbs 26:17 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

Isaiah 41:11 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

1 Corinthians 3:3 ESV / 21 helpful votes

For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Romans 12:18 ESV / 21 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Matthew 10:34-36 ESV / 20 helpful votes

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

1 Corinthians 11:16-19 ESV / 19 helpful votes

If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

1 Corinthians 6:1-7 ESV / 19 helpful votes

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ...

Matthew 5:39-41 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Isaiah 58:4 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 19 helpful votes

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Philippians 2:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or questioning,

Psalm 31:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes

In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 17 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV / 17 helpful votes

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Matthew 5:25 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Proverbs 17:1 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

Romans 16:18 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Romans 13:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Mark 9:34 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

Matthew 12:25 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

Isaiah 41:12 ESV / 16 helpful votes

You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

2 Timothy 2:14 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Luke 12:58 ESV / 15 helpful votes

As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.

Philippians 1:15 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

Habakkuk 1:3 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.

Proverbs 25:8 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

James 5:12 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

James 4:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV / 13 helpful votes

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

Luke 11:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.

Proverbs 27:15 ESV / 13 helpful votes

A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

Proverbs 15:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Psalm 55:9 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.

Titus 2:11-12 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

1 Timothy 6:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

Romans 14:21 ESV / 12 helpful votes

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Luke 22:24 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Proverbs 13:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Proverbs 6:12-14 ESV / 10 helpful votes

A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;

1 Peter 2:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Corinthians 11:16 ESV / 9 helpful votes

If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Acts 15:39 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Psalm 37:37 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Psalm 37:10-11 ESV / 9 helpful votes

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

James 3:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Titus 3:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Acts 15:38 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

Isaiah 53:7 ESV / 8 helpful votes

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Proverbs 19:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

Exodus 20:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”

Genesis 45:24 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way.”

1 John 4:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

James 4:1-10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ...

James 4:1-2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

James 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Titus 2:1-15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ...

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 7 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Romans 1:29 ESV / 7 helpful votes

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

Acts 15:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Acts 8:22 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

Proverbs 23:29 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

Proverbs 19:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Psalm 80:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Psalm 37:30-31 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

Genesis 13:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

James 1:14-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:4-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ...

Hebrews 13:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Philippians 2:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Philippians 2:14-16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Galatians 5:19-23 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Romans 1:29-32 ESV / 6 helpful votes

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Proverbs 3:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

By his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...

Psalm 34:12-14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:11-14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

Genesis 31:36 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?

Genesis 26:20-22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah. And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

Genesis 13:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

So that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,

Titus 2:9-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

1 Timothy 6:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

1 Timothy 6:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Colossians 3:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Philippians 1:15-16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Galatians 5:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

Galatians 5:1-26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ...

1 Corinthians 11:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 6:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

1 Corinthians 4:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

1 Corinthians 3:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

1 Corinthians 1:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

Romans 12:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 6:1-23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ...

Acts 23:7-10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

John 10:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.

John 10:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Luke 12:59 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Luke 12:51-53 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.

Proverbs 23:30 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.

Proverbs 21:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Proverbs 14:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

Proverbs 11:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Proverbs 10:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 3:33-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 3:33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Proverbs 3:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

Proverbs 3:30-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. ...

Proverbs 3:30-32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 3:30 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

Psalm 141:3-4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

Psalm 140:1-13 ESV / 5 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah ...

Psalm 133:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Job 22:23-26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

If you return to the Almighty you will be built up; if you remove injustice far from your tents, if you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed, then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.

Job 11:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

2 Samuel 19:41-43 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?” All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's expense? Or has he given us any gift?” And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Judges 12:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand.

Judges 12:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?” Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, “You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim and Manasseh.” And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,” ...

Judges 11:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Gilead's wife also bore him sons. And when his wife's sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, “You shall not have an inheritance in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman.”

Genesis 21:25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized,

Genesis 13:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

Hebrews 6:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

Philippians 1:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

1 Corinthians 6:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

1 Corinthians 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

Proverbs 20:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2 Chronicles 33:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.

Nahum 3:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms.

Posted by: Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas Cited: Scriptures are from Open Bible: http://www.openbible.info/topics/strife

Friday, March 29, 2013

Personal vs. Robotic: How to turn automated email into personal experiences that drive new and repeat sales | MarketingSherpa

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Minister Evelyn Diane - Yahoo! Profile

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

“Throw off every care, and prepare for a breakthrough” Bishop T.D. Jakes quote…

Greetings to all of our WIFI Subscribers, family and friends... This has been a powerful week already.. Bishop Jakes set that stage on Sunday, leaving us with the correct model to live by...Change is happening everyday, and things are falling in place and every aspect of life and ministry...We have been totally blessed by Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Potter House Ministry... I have enclosed this prayer that I found that blessed me and I wanted to share it with you... We are half way through the week, and want to encourage someone to hold on to God with everything that you have!!!

PRAYER:

Scripture of the day....

Jeremiah 31:3

King James Version (KJV)

³The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Minister Ev's Favorite Famous Quote of the day:

"Throw off every care, and prepare for a breakthrough. Remember who you are, and run to you rightful place." Bishop T.D. Jakes

Song selection of the day:

Bishop T.D Jakes Sings "Lord Prepare Me"

Friday, August 10, 2012

My Daily Prayer: Increase you in me...

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."~ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Greeting to all of our WIFI subscribers, visitors, family and friend's... Blessings to each of you... All I can say is "I'm so glad I made it" and I'm glad you made it too... . Let's keep pressing no matter what it looks like... I wish there was something fancy and complex I could say on today, but I'm just thankful that I made it through and I did not loose... I may have some scars but I'm still alive... In spite of calamity he still has a plan for me and it's working for my good... Those are the words of Marvin Sapp, and the words that are flowing from my heart on today... It's a powerful testimony that's helping tons of people!

"Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."~ Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)

Marvin Sapp - So Glad I Made It

If you ever felt like throwing in the towel.... Well, there is hope in prayer and prayers of the righteous that availeth much... I will share this wonderful study guide to help us through the storms of life...

"A Study of A Study of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:4-16

9 Year Old Boy Cries During Audition - Then Amazes Everyone

Try watching this one without getting a big lump in your throat and tears streaming down your face. Malaki is such an inspiration...the way he gets up after breaking down and blows everyone away. Beautifully done!

I found this wonderful study guide cited at: http://www.hurtingchristian.org/PastorsSite/otherscripture/1kings19-4-16.htm I wanted to share with you all... I take no credit for it but found it to be very inspiring as I studied the life of Elijah....


A Study of A Study of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:4-16	A Study of A Study of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:4-16

IntroductionDo you sometimes feel like giving up? Does it seem like the journey is too difficult and that everyone is out to get you? Do you just want to lie down somewhere and hide from your troubles? This is the way Elijah felt. He had done a mighty work for God, but it seemed like he was the only one in the nation of Israel being true to God. Now he was being pursued and hunted, and he just felt like the fight wasn’t worth all the effort. If you’ve ever felt that way, you can learn from the example of Elijah. These verses give us important instruction as to what God would have us do when we feel like quitting.Verse 4But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers."Elijah was so frustrated that he asked God to let him die. Have you ever felt that way? You feel like you’ve come to the end of your rope and you simply have no strength left. That is the way Elijah felt.Snaith comments, "Elijah stops and shelters, exhausted and disillusioned, under a broom tree. ... It provides no great amount of shade against the desert sun, but it is the best shade there is. Elijah is utterly at the end of his own courage and his own strength, and dejectedly confesses that in spite of all he has done at Carmel he is no better than his fathers."Verses 5-6And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.Elijah was so despondent that all he felt like doing was sleeping. Many people when faced with difficult situations feel more tired and drained than usual. They just want to sleep, hoping that when they wake up all their troubles will somehow have disappeared. God cared for Elijah and sent an angel to minister to him. He cooked bread and provided water and woke him up so that he could be strengthened and nourished. But Elijah didn’t want to face another day and so retreated again into sleep.Into what are you retreating? It may not be sleep. You could be running from your problems by retreating into drugs or alcohol or immorality or some obsession to distract your mind. Elijah didn’t want to face tomorrow.Verses 7-8And the angel of the Lord came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you."And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.Here we have three things the angel tells Elijah to help him get over his desire to give up. I believe God is telling us the same three things today. First, he says, to arise. We will never overcome our feelings of frustration and despondency unless we are willing to get up and do something about it. The angel told Elijah to arise. God may be telling you to arise – you’ve been hiding for too long. It’s time to get up and face the real world once again. Second, the angel tells Elijah to eat. Elijah needed physical nourishment. We may not need food, but we may need other forms of nourishment – emotional, mental, spiritual. Whatever we need, God has provided it for us just the same way he provided for Elijah. He told Elijah to be strengthened by the food. God is telling us to be strengthened by spiritual nourishment. This might come from the living message of the Bible, or the love and encouragement of our church family. It could come from our time in prayer and meditation or it could come from being renewed by the Holy Spirit. Whatever your need, God will provide it and is offering it to you by saying, "arise and eat." And third, the angel tells Elijah that he must begin the journey. He could not simply stay where he was and do nothing. He must begin the journey which would end in a new calling and a new spiritual encounter with God. God is telling us we cannot stay where we are in the shade of discouragement and hopelessness. We must begin the journey out of our depression. We must allow God to strengthen us for the journey, and then by faith step out. Remember, trying times are no time to quit trying. Verse 9 And there he came to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" So Elijah made the journey to Mount Horeb. This was most likely the Sinai mountain where God had given Moses the ten commandments. God had sent Elijah here for a purpose. But when he arrived, instead of climbing up the mountain, he decided to hide in a cave. As Sockman remarks, "Elijah was in the cave mood. He came to a cave and lodged there. Both his mind and heart had gone into hiding. He was still free from Ahab and Jezebel, but he was a prisoner of himself. He had shut the sunlight out of his mind. He had drawn the shutters of his heart. When doors are slammed against us, we are prone to draw into ourselves and lock our hearts against others." So God came to Elijah and asked the question, "What are you doing here?" Is God asking you that same question? Are you hiding in a cave trying to escape the turmoil and confusion out there? God does not want us to live unto ourselves. He wants us to get out of the cave and start helping others and being a blessing to them. Perhaps it’s been a long time since you’ve thought of ways you could strengthen and be a help to others. Perhaps it’s been a long time since you got out of your cave. God may be asking you, "What are you doing here?" Verse 10 He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah expresses his frustration. He felt that he was all alone in this battle. Jezebel had killed all the other prophets of God and now she was seeking Elijah’s life. He was really saying, "What’s the use? They won’t listen to me anyway." But God was not finished with Elijah yet. He had some important things for Elijah to do. Later on in this chapter he lets Elijah know that 7000 in Israel have not bowed down to Baal. But for now, he wants Elijah to have a spiritual encounter. God is not finished with you yet. He has things to teach you just as he had things to teach Elijah. Let us learn from these verses how we should respond to God’s prompting in our lives. Verse 11a And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord." God called Elijah to the mountain. God had brought him to this mountain for a purpose. Now it was time to go forth and stand on the mountain of God. God has a plan for you also. He may be calling you to come out of your cave and go forth and stand on the mountain before God. Whatever you may be facing might seem like an insurmountable peak, but God has called you to climb it. Elijah was obedient and climbed God’s mountain. What will you do? Will you go forth and stand, or will you go back and retreat into your cave? Here’s a poem with a wonderful message.

Don’t Quit

When things get wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you are trudging seems all up hill;

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh;

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you can never tell how close you are

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Verses 11b-12a And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. As God passed by, the splendor and majesty of all the great forces of nature were crashing all around Elijah. First a mighty wind tore rocks from the face of the mountain, and then an earthquake shook the mountain, and then a fire raged up the mountainside. But in each of these awesome displays of power it says God was not in the wind, and God was not in the earthquake, and God was not in the fire. Sometimes when we are searching for answers, we look toward the spectacular for God’s presence. We seek him in an awesome display of majesty and power. But sometimes God does not send us a magnificent display of might. Sometimes we must wait for the storms to pass by before we can find God. Verse 12b And after the fire a still small voice. Here is where Elijah found God – in a still small voice. Where are you looking for God? Are you waiting to hear a thundering voice from heaven? Are you waiting for God to send down fire on your enemies? Are you waiting for God to send the wind to split the rocks of your problems? For Elijah, God was not in any of those displays of power. It was only after the crash and terror of these events had subsided that Elijah could make out the still, small voice of God. Are you listening for that still, small voice? Or are you searching for God’s power in a supernatural display? We need to learn how to listen for that quiet voice speaking to our hearts. Sockman tells us, "When despair engulfs, it does not suffice merely to feed the body and flog the will. The mind must be fed. And that is what the Lord did for Elijah on the mount. By watching the storm, the prophet’s eyes were opened to his own weakness and to the divine source of strength. The wind, the lightning, the earthquake were reminiscent of his own methods against Ahab and the Baal priests. But the Lord was not in the noisy phenomena. It was after the still small voice that the divine presence became real. The blustering physical forces were superseded by the quiet spiritual resources. The stormy Elijah was learning the gentleness of true gianthood." Verse 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Amazingly, even after this awesome display and the reassuring sound of God’s voice, Elijah still felt compelled to go back to his cave. It seems he was more willing to endure the din of the crashing rocks and the terror of the earthquake and the light and heat of the fire than to listen to God’s voice. Are you afraid of hearing what God has to say to you? It is a frightening thought to be in God’s presence. But he would not speak to us if he did not care for us and have our best interests at heart. Verse 14 He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah repeats his lament. He can’t seem to let go of his frustration. He has no doubt experienced the power and presence of God, but he is clinging to his own self-pity. He has become accustomed to feeling sorry for himself, and he’s not sure he’s ready to get rid of that. In a strange sort of way self-pity can be a familiar comfort. But it is not God’s plan for us to live our lives in weakness and to be crippled by doubts or discouragement. Verse 15 And the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria." God now calls Elijah to a new ministry. He is to anoint a new king over Syria who will bring judgement onto Israel for their disobedience. Elijah was ready to give up, but God was not through with him yet. We may feel like giving up, but God has other plans for us. We have to be willing to hear that still, small voice speaking to us. And not only listen, but to obey which is exactly what Elijah did. Verse 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. God has Elijah anoint two more men. The first will be the new king over Israel who will defeat Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah’s enemies. God did care for Elijah’s plight after all and was going to use the prophet as an instrument for his own deliverance. Elijah was ready to give up because everyone was against him and the Lord’s work. But God had a plan for Elijah to anoint the one who would rid Israel of those who were against Elijah and be the king that would do the Lord’s work. Finally, God called on Elijah to anoint a helper, Elisha. This man would be enlisted to help Elijah and would eventually take his place. When we feel overwhelmed with troubles, it is then that God sends us someone to help us. Elisha would assist Elijah in the Lord’s ministry. Together they would take on the enemies of God and together they would encourage and strengthen each other. No matter what difficulties you may be facing, remember that God does not want you to give up. He has a plan for you and he will strengthen you. Be ready to listen for that still, small voice, and you too will see the mighty work of God in your life. Footnotes: This Study from the Book of Ruth © 1997 by David Humpal. All Rights Reserved All scriptures unless otherwise noted are from the Revised Standard Version © 1971, A. J. Holman Company Snaith: The Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 3, pg. 161 © 1954, Abingdon Press Sockman: The Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 3, pg. 161 © 1954, Abingdon Press Don’t Quit from The Complete Speaker’s Sourcebook pg. 207 © 1996, Zondervan Publishing House Sockman: The Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 3, pg. 165 © 1954, Abingdon Press

Cited that the "When you feel like giving up study guide" was from Hurting Christians and used for inspirational purposes only http://www.hurtingchristian.org/PastorsSite/otherscripture/1kings19-4-16.htm

Posted by: Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas for inspirational purposes only and to inspire and touch someone's heart in this dyeing world we are living in... I'm so glad I made it, and I did NOT throw in the towel...

D&T: //edt/ 8/6/2012

"My God is awesome...."

Psalm 68:35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

Greetings to all of our World in Focus International (WIFI) Subscribers, members, visitors and friend's.. My God is truly awesome!!..

"Our Great and Awesome God is so good! He's Mighty, He's Holy, He's Awesome!!"

God does so much for us all that I can't began to tell it all... I have enclosed a great song that tells it all and some.. I pray you enjoy this post on today to the fullest... Please know that today you are forgiven and Grace is why you are living... In the words of Pastor Charles Jenkins, "Aweseome!" He heals me when I'm broken, strength when I am weak... Psalm 68:35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Psalm 66:3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

Pastor Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago - Awesome

What does the BIBLE say about our God being "Awesome?"

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 16 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ...

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 9 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 8 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

1 John 1:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 45:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.

Deuteronomy 10:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.

2 Peter 1:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”

James 3:1-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ...

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ...

John 14:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Psalm 92:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

2 Chronicles 19:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ...

Numbers 23:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Genesis 1:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Psalm 22:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. ...

Psalm 5:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

Job 36:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding.

1 Chronicles 2:1-55 ESV / 3 helpful votes

These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death. His daughter-in-law Tamar also bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. ...

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” ...

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” ...

James 1:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Titus 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Galatians 3:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 13:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

Romans 8:38-39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes