Category Archives: Bible Study

JOY!

 JOY

Joy is a recurring theme and response to Jesus and what he has done for us. Look at the joy in these verses from the Bible. Take a moment to read through them.

Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the LORD.
Zechariah 2:9-11
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:9-11
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:13-15
For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:43-45
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:9-11
Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
Luke 6:22-24
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
Luke 10:20-22
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:9-11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
John 15:10-12
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
John 17:12-14
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:51-52
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:11-13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:12-14
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-3
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:7-9

Remember this Christmas season when you see a star, man made or God made, pause to rejoice.
When you see a babe think of our Savior and rejoice.
When you see gifts beautifully wrapped think of the very best gift of all we have been given from God through Jesus and rejoice.
REJOICE with the angels.
REJOICE with the shepherds.
REJOICE with Mary and Joseph.
REJOICE and again I say REJOICE!
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This post is replacing Truth for Today this week. Truth for Today will resume next week. Praying you all will have reason to Rejoice this Christmas.

Truth for Today #81

Thursday December 14th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Luke 2:1-20

 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

From Vera:

”To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.“
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭25‬-‭26‬

From Dianna:

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we held His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

From Lauren:

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased!

Our Christmas Letter 2023

Friends and family, we send you our 2023 Christmas message with love.

We could recount all the cool experiences we had in 2023, or talk about how Greg completely remodeled our Master shower even with a left hand that is 30% functional, but if you are at all interested, Ellen’s blog covered it with photos. http//happywonderer.com

Now that we are both in our seventies we feel an urgency to share our greatest treasure with you. Some of you have the same treasure but our desire is for all our friends and family to know this treasure. We’ll start with the words from our favorite song since September of this year, My Worth Is Not In What I Own. (Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Graham Kendrick)

My worth is not in what I own,

not in the strength of flesh and bone,

but in the costly wounds of love, at the cross.

My worth is not in skill or name,

in win or lose, in pride or shame,

but in the blood of Christ that flowed, at the cross.

I rejoice in my redeemer,

greatest treasure,

wellspring of my soul.

I will trust in him, no other,

my soul is satisfied in him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die,

fame, youth and beauty hurry by,

but life eternal calls to us,

at the cross.

I will not boast in wealth or might,

or human wisdom’s fleeting light,

but I will boast in knowing Christ, at the cross.

Two wonders here that I confess,

my worth and my unworthiness,

my value fixed, my ransom paid,

at the cross.

I rejoice in my redeemer, greatest treasure,

wellspring of my soul.

And I will trust in him, no other,

my soul is satisfied in him alone.

My soul is satisfied in him alone,

my soul is satisfied in him alone.

We are all sinners and we all need redeeming. Jesus is the one and only redeemer who can save us from our sins and their consequences, giving us peace with God. Jesus paid our ransom at the cross. He is the only one who could be the perfect sacrifice for sin. We need to recognize that our sin separates us from God and we need what Jesus accomplished on the cross to reconcile us to God. Acknowledging our sin and putting our faith in what Christ did on the cross gives us new life, spiritual life, with God.

When Greg and I came to that place in our lives, recognizing our sin and trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins we began a new life with eyes and hearts open to learning more about God from the Bible. All he wants us to know and become is written in His Word. From Genesis to Revelation we learn about Jesus and how he is the answer for life with God. Satan is real and dominates our world with lies. His sphere lies in darkness and that is where we are until we accept the light of the world, Jesus. With Jesus you inherit light, without Jesus you will remain in darkness.

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14

Don’t let Satan fool you into believing you are just fine the way you are, that you aren’t a huge sinner, that you are a ‘good’ person because you haven’t murdered anyone…yet! No! That belief will land you in hell instead of heaven. We are all sinners and we need Jesus to save us from the eternal consequences of our sins. We urge you to choose light and life today! Start the new year with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior who loves you and cares for you!

For those of you who have put your faith in Jesus we encourage you to keep growing, don’t drift, obey God’s Word, learn more about our God in Three this year. We hope to love Jesus more in 2024!

Love in Christ,

Greg and Ellen

Truth for Today #80

Thursday December 7th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Revelation 1:4-6:

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

From Vera:

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭24

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

From Nikkipolani:

Habakkuk 2:20
“But the Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

From Diana:

Psalm 95:1-3
Oh come, let us sing for joy to Yahweh,
Let us make a loud shout to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before His presence with [a]thanksgiving,
Let us make a loud shout to Him with songs of praise.
3 For Yahweh is a great God

From Karen:

I John 3:23
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

From Maristella:

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8.
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Truth for Today #79

Thursday November 30th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Note: We are traveling today so I might be slow in adding your verses here. I will add them as soon as I can. Thank You!

Colossians 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

From Lauren:

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

From Vera:

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭7‬

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

From Maristella:

Psalm 43:3

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.

From Nikkipolani:

Mark 16:6-7

And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”

From Karen:

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
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Truth for Today #78

Thursday November 16th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Psalm 96:2-6

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

From Lauren:

Psalm 94:19

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

From Diana:

Psalm 30:11-12

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
That my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent.
O Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

From Vera:

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭26‬

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

From Maristella:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12: 17-18.

From Karen:

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Truth for Today #77

Thursday November 9th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

John 3:31-36

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets a seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

From Dianna:

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

From Vera:

Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭28‬-‭31‬

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

From Kathy:

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.

From Karen:

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

From Maristella:

Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
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Truth for Today #76

Thursday November 2nd

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Colossians 1:9-12:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

From Dianna:

John 1:12-13

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

From Vera:

Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭28‬-‭31

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

From Maristella:

Psalm 34:17-18

When the righteous cry for help, The Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

From Cindy:

Psalm 62:5, 6 – Find rest O my soul in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

From Karen:

I John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

From Aritha:

Psalm 55: 22
Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved

Truth for Today #75

Thursday October 26th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Colossians 1:3-7 (ESV)

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, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing–as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you heard it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.

From Vera:

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭10‬

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭98‬:‭1‬ ‭

From Dianna:

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Truth for Today #74

Thursday October 19th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Ephesians 5:15-21

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

From Vera:

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Jan:

Isaiah 43:1-3
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”

From Karen:

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

From Dianna:

Lamentations 3:22-23

“The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end,
For His compassions do not fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”

From Susanne:

My friend and I were taking a deep dive into Romans 12:1 this week.
“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship” AMP version