Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samual 3

The House of David and the House of Saul continued to war. The House of David continued to get stronger, while the House of Saul got weaker.

David had six sons while they lived in Hebron - all by six different wives.

Abner, in the meanwhile, won the hearts of much of Saul's House.

While Saul was alive, Saul had a live-in girlfriend named Rizpah. After Saul's death, Abner began seeing her. King Ishbosheth, Saul's son, didn't like that and told Abner so. Abner was offended and basically told Ishbosheth that he was ungrateful toward him, and because of that he was going to ally himself with David and give David everything God had already promised David.

Abner sent messengers to David, promising to work for David as his diplomat and talk them into a peaceful union of Israel under David as King. David said he would be happy to ally himself with Abner, providing Abner would bring him Saul's daughter (his first wife). David sent a messenger to Ishbosheth to send him Michal, his wife.

Michal had been given to another man to wife when David ran from Saul. So, when Ishbosheth sent for her, he followed her, weeping and begging to keep her. Abner finally sent him away.

In the meanwhile, Abner approached the Tribe of Benjamin and diplomatically talked them into allying with David as their king. David and his men made a great feast for Abner and his men when they arrived in Hebron to talk with David. After the feast, Abner took his leave to finish the job he had promised he would do for David.

At this time, Joab was battling other troops for David. When he brought home the spoils, someone told him of Abner's visit and how Abner had left peacefully. This angered Joab. He told David, "Are you nuts? Don't you realize he is up to no good and is spying on you to do you harm?" Then, he went behind David's back and sent for Abner.

Abner returned to meet Joab outside the gates of Hebron, where Joab killed him.

When David heard about it, he was angry. He told the people that they should mourn Abner and then he mourned in front of them. He then called a fast until sundown in honor of Abner, so all the people would understand that his death was not called for by David.

When David thought about what to do about Joab, he decided to leave it alone and let God take care of it.

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The lesson I got out of all this is that it is not good to handle things for someone else, no matter how good your intentions are.

However, I would be more apt to think the way Joab thought in this situation. Abner was shady and very apt to be underhanded. But, David was a man after God's own heart, and part of the reason is that David always saw the best in people. He always gave people the benefit of the doubt. If this was a trait God loved in David, then it's easy to understand how God feels about us.

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Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samual 2

David prayed for guidance, and God told him to go to Hebron. So, David did, with his wives and all his men. Then, the men of Judah came and anointed him as King, and told him that the men of JabeshGilead had buried Saul. David then sent messengers with warm thanks and promise of recompense for their service to Saul.

Saul had one son alive, Ishbosheth, which the captain of Saul's armies, Abner, made king over Israel. He reined for two years. David was made King in Judah and reined there for seven years.

Abner and Ishbosheth were in Mahanaim. They left there and went to Gibeon. When they got to the pool of Gideon, Joab and some of David's men were on one side of the pool, and Abner and Ishbosheth's men were on the other. Abner challenged Joab with, "Hey, Joab. You wanna play?" So they all got up and met.

Joab and Abner fought that day and David's men defeated Abner's men. One of David's men, Asahel chased Abner until Abner begged him to chase someone else or he'd have to kill him. When Asahel, refused to quit the chase, Abner turned on him and killed him.

Joab and Abishai continued to chase Abner until the tribe of Benjamin joined forces with Abner, and Abner begged the men of David to cease-fire to fight another day. They all agreed and returned to their hometowns, David's men having defeated Abner that day.

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The lesson I got out of this is that sometimes when you are in a battle, it is good to call a time-out, to think about your tactics and to rest until a much better strategy can be initiated. Both sides need this time-out to prevent any unnecessary losses.

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Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samual 1

David went back to Ziklag after defeating the Amelekites. He was there for two days when an Amelekite showed up dressed in distress. He asked what was going on and the Amelekite told him that he was a servant of the Philistines and that the Philistines came up on Saul's camp and that everyone was dead. He told David that Saul had fallen on his own sword, but wasn't yet dead, and begged the Amelekite to kill him, so he did.

David became angry and said, "How dare you kill the anointed of the Lord! You don't ever raise your hand to harm the anointed for any reason!" and he killed the Amelekite. Then he mourned because his best friend, Jonathon, who was Saul's son, was also dead. He mourned for the whole family.

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The lesson I got out of this is that when God puts someone in position of authority, no matter how much you dislike the person or what they have done to hurt you, you wait it out. It is not your place to end their life in order to make things better.

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Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samual 31

The Philistines went to war against Israel until Israel ran. The Philistines chased after them, with the intent of slaying Saul and his sons. They killed his sons, then Saul was hit with arrows and badly wounded. Saul begged his armourbearer to kill him, but the armourbearer refused. So, Saul fell on his sword, committing suicide.
The armourbearer then committed suicide as well.

When Israel that was on the other side of the valley saw that Saul and his sons and his men were dead, they fled from their cities, and the Philistines took over the cities. When the Philistines went to gather the spoils from the dead, they found Saul and cut off his head.

They put his armour in the house of Ashteroth, their god that is a demon of the first hierarchy that seduces by means of vanity, reason, and laziness. Then, they pinned his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
Gilead heard about it, they snuck in and took Saul and his sons and burned the bodies, buried the bones under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.

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The lesson I got out of this is that what God says is going to happen, happens.

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Memories of a Lived Life

Legos

When my boys were little, it was easy to buy Christmas and birthdays for them because they had limited interests: For my oldest, it was baseball cards, Nintendo games, clothes (he always needed new clothes), and science fiction and vampire books. For my youngest, it was Lego blocks, Tonka Toys, matchbox cars, Nintendo games and clothes (he always needed new clothes, too).

Every Christmas and every birthday, my youngest son, Justin, got a new set of Lego blocks. We bought him a plastic tub to store them all in. He had quite a collection.

One day, when we lived in an apartment in Houston, Texas, I went to work. It was a long day. I worked about 12 hours that day. When I came home, I opened the living room door to an immaculate city that spanned the length and width of the living room. There were stores, shopping malls, cars on the roads, gas stations, schools, homes...I was utterly amazed. It had to have taken that seven-year-old all day to do that. I was afraid to walk through the living room, and I wished I had a camera.

After a long sigh, I regretfully had to tell him, "Justin, I REALLY hate to tell you this son... (and I REALLY did), but you have to pick your toys up".

"Okay, mom," he said. He was such a good kid. He never argued and he always minded. Just this once, I had hoped he would. But, he dutifully put away his legos.


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Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samual 30

David left Achish on the battlefield and returned to Ziklag, where he had been staying with his two wives. Ziklag was listed as one of the 29 towns in Negev and was assigned to the tribe of Simeon (Josh 15:31; 19:5). It was apparently controlled by the Philistines during King Saul's rule, and was given by King Achish of Gath to David when he was running from Saul. David used it for a home base for raids against various groups who threatened the southern borders of Judah (1 Sam 27).

When he got there, he found that the city had been destroyed by the Amelekites, and all the people had been taken captive, including his two wives.

The people that were with David were upset that they had left their families there and followed David, and threatened to stone David, which made David even more upset. But David comforted himself by seeking out God's purpose in this. So David used the Ephod to communicate with God as to whether or not he should go after the Amelekites.

When they got to the brook "Besor, 200 of Davids men were too tired to go any further, so they decided to stay there while he and the other 400 continued their pursuit.

A servant of the Amelekites fell sick and the Amelekites left him behind. David's men found him in a field and brought him to David, who nursed him back to health. He asked the servant to take him to where the Amelekites were going, and the servant agreed, providing David would not kill him.

David killed all but 400 of them, who fled on horseback away from David, in about a day and a half of fighting. Then he returned to Besor with their spoils, where the 200 men greeted them.

Some of the men that travelled with David thought the 200 men that didn't go shouldn't get any of the spoils for pay. David said, "No. They stayed and watched over our stuff while we went to battle. They kept watch at home, therefore they deserve their portion." So, it became a law from that day forward that when there were spoils, everyone would get a piece of the pie.

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The lesson I got out of all this was that when you are being persecuted for things that are beyond your control, you should seek out God's purpose, enlist the persecuters to help you, and fix the problems together, giving credit to everyone involved when you are victorious.

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Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samual 29

The Philistines were quartered in Aphek, which, according to Wikipedia was a city of the tribe of Issachar, near to Jezreel, in the north of the plain of Sharon. The Israelites were encamped near a fountain in Jezreel,which, according to Wikipedia, was an ancient Israelite city and fortress originally within the boundaries of the Tribe of Issachar, and later within the northern Kingdom of Israel.

David was with Achish when the elders of the Philistines came to him and advised him against letting David go to battle with them. After all, they said, we are going to fight his own people. Achish trusted David, but did not want any discontent in his troops or any danger to their morale. So, he respectfully dismissed David.

So David returned to the Land of the Philistines.

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This very well could have been David's chance to rid himself of Saul and his constant persecution. However, God obviously had other plans for David. With respectful objection, David did as he was told by the Philistine King. This kept David in the clear for anything that was about to happen. God did not want Saul's blood on David's hands.

This also got David out of being called a traitor to his own countrymen, even though he had worked diligently as a double agent, to secure his kingdom from the Philistines for when the time came.

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The lesson in this, then, is that God knows the past, the present and the future. He allows us to be in places that will secure our future for His purpose. David was in a unique position for a reason. We will have to read further to see what God had intended by sending David back.

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The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David No Synopsis Available

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samual 28

While David was in the land of the Philistines, the Philistines got ready to go to war. King Achish asked David to go out with him to do battle. David said, "You know how good I am at that kind of stuff." To which Achish replied, "I want you to be my main bodyguard."

In the meanwhile, Saul also got his army ready for warfare; but, he wanted to know if it was worth it to fight, and God's Spirit had left Saul -- so there was no communication. Since God wouldn't speak to Saul, Saul sought out a medium who could talk to dead people. Previously, he had all those who had similiar talents put to death, so he had to promise her no harm would come to her if she helped him. He asked her to call up Samual, who was already dead and buried in Ramah.

Samual told him that because he was disobedient, he would lose the kingdom and die in battle.

The woman finished, then had to coerce Saul to eat to gain his strength, then he and his men left her company. Saul was greatly distressed.

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The lesson in this is that not knowing is better than disobedience. It seems like Saul was trying everything he could to be the great king he was supposed to be, but all the wrong choices he made in pursuit of that goal prevented him from obtaining success. He failed to learn that obedience was all God wanted and required.

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The sad thing is, I actually know people today who are just like Saul. It seems like the more they fight to dig themselves out of their holes in life, the deeper their holes get. The simple solution for people like that is to stop doing anything and let God work it out. However, their pride keeps telling them that their own works will be rewarded. After all, if they are good people then won't God reward them for doing it their own way? Unfortunately for them, God doesn't think like that.

To do anything your way means that you don't trust God, and if you don't trust God, then you are undermining His efforts in your life -- and there can no good end come of that.

I guess this is why some people have to reach rock bottom in order to climb up. God loves taking nothing and turning it into something. Until you learn to let go and let God, you will never see progress.

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Message : Parallel Study Bible - Two Bibles Side by Side with Study Notes No Synopsis Available

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samual Chapter 27

David went to the Philistine's territory which was ruled by a King called Achish in order to get out of Saul's reach. So Saul gave up on pursuing David. While he was there, he worked steadily to rid the Israelites from the Philistines but lied to Achish and said he was working to build up the Philistine kingdom. Achish believed him. He had Achish fooled.

I guess the lesson I get from this one is that David was remaining patriotic, even though he was a fugitive, and God was blessing him for it.

Thought for the day: Always stay patriotic to your home country. God gave this to you as a gift, and He put you there for a reason. The best thanks you can give Him is to protect it and to love it.

I'm Back

Well. I am not the same person I was when I left the internet a few years ago. But, I think I am a better person, in spite of my absence. I am going to try to post more, but it's going to take some time to get the hang of this new, paid for, all mine, computer.

Wish me luck as I get my thoughts back in order.

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 20: Genesis 1:20

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 20: Genesis 1:20
February 22, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible


Genesis 1:20 -- And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

The fish and the birds were created in the same day. The fish can't breathe in the open air, and the birds can't breathe in the water; but, both are equally important to God, or He wouldn't have created them.

When God created the birds, He foresaw a time when the birds would feed the Israelites as they wondered for 40 years in the wilderness. When He created the fish, He knew one day He would have to use a great fish to swallow Jonah, so that Jonah would be convinced to do as God willed. Know this: everything God creates is at God's disposal. What you are going through right now will one day be solved by God's great creation, if you seek to honor Him.

Does this mean you won't make mistakes? No. Jonah made a big mistake when he ran from God's will in his life. The same creation that God uses to help you can envelope and chastise you as you look upon it. What God does, however, is out of pure love for you and the rest of His creation.

There is as much a purpose for you today as there was yesterday, and the day before. There is a place for you in God's creation, just as the birds have the air and the fish have the water. No one else can fulfill the purpose for which you were made.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began... (2nd Timothy 1:8,9)

God can will that you go through some pretty uncomfortable times in order for His plan to work. Jonah wasn't happy with the task that God commanded of him, but it didn't stop him from getting the message that God wasn't going to let up until he did it. When you choose to follow God, you choose to let Him use you as He wills. You will never be comfortable outside of the will of God.

Just remember, Jesus taught that He had come to give us life, and to give it more abundantly:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

He also taught that:

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Luke 9:24)

You may not see the logic in God's will for your life, but if you learn to let go and let God, you will enjoy life so much better in the end, because the will of God will strengthen you, and you will be called blessed.

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Introducing: The Stuff Gazette

I've started a new blog on blogspot to log some interesting information on the internet. It's called "The Stuff Gazette". This site is merely for the sole purpose of helping people find products and services they can use on the internet for all sorts of purposes.

I hope you will visit my new blog. You can get there by clicking here: The Stuff Gazette
Shonda Ponder

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Devotionals of Recovery: Day 19: Genesis 1:19

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 19: Genesis 1:19
February 13, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:19: And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

There is always another day. When you mess up, repent and move forward. Each day is a first day. Keep that in your mind as you go about your daily tasks. God will lead you where you need to be when you need to be there.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

There is always something new to learn each day about the world, and about ourselves. When we think we know all, we are failures of the worst kind because we don't allow ourselves the opportunity to learn from our mistakes.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)

You will never have a day where there isn't a potential to make mistakes. But, if you follow God's lead, you may have a day that glorifies God in the end.

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Devotionals of Recovery: 31 Days to Transformation

Are you recovering from a big blow in your life that has left you depressed, in doubt about your own sense of judgment, or on the road to destruction? Are you addicted to something that you are trying to break free from? Do you need a word from the Lord to help you along?

I have written Devotionals of Recovery to help you, as I have sought to help myself. I used the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, because in seeking to rebuild your own life, you must allow God to create a new creature through you. If you are a Bible believing Christian, then you know that when you come to know Christ as Saviour and Lord, you are a new creature in Christ. The old man has passed away. Each time you backslide and end up in a place you don't want to be, God uses that to teach you how to be the creature He created you to be.

I hope that these devotionals will help to guide you back onto the road that God wishes for you to take in your life.

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28, Day 29, Day 30, Day 31

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Devotionals of Recovery: Day 18: Genesis 1:18

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 18: Genesis 1:18
January 18, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:18 -- And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

The light rules. There are two great lights. One is lesser, one is greater. Which one will you live in? Which one will you let rule your life? God gave us a choice when He created two. He created the greater and the lesser. His plan includes both. What God creates, God can destroy.

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. (1 Samuel 2:7)

He did this so He could give man free will. Man has no free will if he cannot choose his own path.

God didn't just give man free will, though. He told man which path he should follow, not which path he could follow. He laid out basic instructions to man in the Bible that would lead to long life and contentment.

Which path will you follow?

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Devotionals of Recovery: Day 17: Genesis 1:17

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 17: Genesis 1:17
January 18, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:17 -- And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light on the earth,

God doesn't take a light and hide it where no one can see it. He sets it high so it can light the way for all who are around. We are called to be children of the light.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. (John 12:36)

When you focus on anything but God, you are not living in the light. Your everyday problems stay problems that you can't get out of. Jesus is the light that we need to see by.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:19)

You may think that no one understands you, at times. This is true when you live among children of the night. You must remember that it is not them that you need to look for your answers to.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:5)

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. (Proverbs 13:9)

Stay the course. Keep walking in the light, and even your dark days will seem to be like a firefly in the night: small, quick, and easily swatted.

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Devotionals of Recovery: Day 16: Genesis 1:16

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 16: Genesis 1:16
January 14, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:16 -- And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
The light of day will always outshine the light of night. When good things happen in your life, it has more influence than the bad things that happen in your life. The good things that happen in your life will direct the paths that you take from there on out, unless you choose to stay in the dark.

Many times, we tend to spitefully sit where we are at under a dark sky. The negative emotions we experience envelope us and cause us to angrily fight going anywhere else. Jonah experienced this after he was sent to Ninevah to do God's work there. There is no record of him after that in the Bible. Job also experienced this, when he lay on his bed in depression, and his concerned friends came to stay with him. Job finally got off his bed, and the life God blessed him with was much better than the life Satan took away from him.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)

Sometimes when we are in the darkness of our lives, it is better to wait for the Lord to lead us. We must always look forward to the light, even when we are angry about the dark.

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. (Micah 7: 7-9)

Micah says that he has sinned against God. When we are in darkness, it is usually because the choices we have made in life has led us there. We have sinned. And, because we sin, we have to bear the punishment. (I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him).

When you show God that you are willing to accept the punishment, you are showing Him that you are willing to change. Being willing to change means that you go through the doors that He will eventually open to you. But, you must wait for those doors to open, and when they do, you must accept that He wants to bless you, and not punish you any longer. It may be that He uses the experience to bless you further, if you are sincere.

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Devotionals of Recovery: Day 15: Genesis 1:15

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 15: Genesis 1:15
January 10, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:15 -- And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

God wants you to live in the light. He doesn't like darkness of any kind. When you are confused, or unsure, you may say that you are "in the dark" about something. When you find yourself in the dark, it is always good to ask the Father for light. He will give you what you ask for, if it is done with a sincere heart.

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (Psalm 112:4)

God allows the darkness because He wants you to choose the light. He wants you to ask Him to lead you into the light. If you choose to remain in the darkness, the problems you are facing cannot be solved.

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Devotionals of Recovery: Day 14: Genesis 1:14

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 14: Genesis 1:14
January 8, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:14 -- And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

God created the day and the night. God doesn't abandon what He creates. He has a purpose for all that He creates. If it is not useful, it is not there. The sun, moon and stars all have a purpose: to divide the day from the night and to be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.

Some days seem pointless to you as a mere human being. But, we must remember that those days were not created for you; but, rather, were created for God. If you are walking with God, those days would have purpose. If you are centering your thoughts and desires on yourself, those days seem pointless, because you are not in concert with the purpose in which those days were created.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

When you experience one of these days that seem to have no purpose, try a little soul-searching. Ask yourself what you can do to please God by being there for someone else. No matter how insignificant an activity might be, the person you are there for may see it as a great blessing. In the end, God works His purpose through you.

Every small thing you do can be used to God's glory. God does not discount the little things you do. God doesn't take them for granted.

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Reconsidering the Posse Comitatus

"Re-thinking the Posse Comitatus Act October 5, 2001 (re-edited and updated July 25, 2002)
Written by Shonda M. Ponder


The Posse Comitatus Act is in trouble. It is the only thing that stands in the way of stripping us of our freedom right now, and there are some in the defense department who are calling for a review of it. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz is one of them. Senator John Warner, R-Va, is another.

"We saw from within the cities and towns and villages of this great nation came the enemy.When that type of thing happens, we have to bring together every asset in the United States of America, irrespective of where it comes from - military, civilian and the like," Warner has stated, according to an Associated Press Report

Much of the threat of terrorism has been linked to the illegal drug trafficking, which is financing the weapons and training of the terrorists. For this reason, Bush has been adamant that this "War" is a "different kind of war", but is treating it with the same force as the "War on Drugs." The War on Drugs is the only other effort that has had to carefully examine the Posse Comitatus Act.

On September 24, 1999, Brigadier General Dorian T. Anderson sought to provide Title 10 military units in support of drug law enforcement agencies to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the continental United States. At a hearing held by the Committee on Government Reform about the drug threat along the Southwest Border, he stated:

"I would like to emphasize the words 'in support of.' With domestic law enforcement agencies in the lead, military units support their efforts with capabilities that are requested by law enforcement officials. We accomplish this support by deploying elements such as aviation reconnaissance units into operational areas. All supporting personnel are briefed on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Standing Rules of Engagement, trained in the legal constraints of the Posse Comitatus Act, intelligence oversight regulations and the environmental laws and statutes in the area in which they operate. Units deployed by Joint Task Force Six provide positive, 24 hour command and control of all assigned personnel through appropriate measures to ensure force protection, prevent accidents and ensure successful mission performance."

Previous reports on domestic terrorism have always sought to incorporate the Posse Comitatus Act into any plans of deterrency without such calls for considering to change it. In a report called "Domestic Preparedness against Terrorism: How ready are we?" on March 24, 2000, before a House Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs And International Relations, Brigadier General Bruce
M. Lawlor stated:

"A key point to make here is our relationship to the Lead Federal Agency (LFA). Under no circumstance will U.S. Joint Forces Command or JTF - CS (Joint Task Force - Civil Support) be in charge of the consequence management site. We will always act in support of an LFA, and will participate as a follow-on consequence management force behind first responders and state assets that normally arrive at the incident site first. The Commander of JTF-CS and his permanent staff, through constant exposure to the issues inherent in operations in the United States, will be able to apply the strengths resident in a military organization. They will do this in complete compliance with the Constitution, the Posse Comitatus Act, and other applicable laws."

The point to be made here is that every act of civil defense done in accordance with the suggestions made at the hearings reveal that there is no need whatsoever to do away with the Posse Comitatus act. The problem that seems to have arisen is not whether or not the Posse Comitatus act is a valid subject of reconsideration. The problem stems from the public's "right to know" about certain military operations within civilian territory.

In a recent press release sent by Norm Olson of the Michigan Militia Corps, Wolverines, he resounded his frustration that the Government was not keeping the citizen militia informed of its actions within the United States, and that it could cause endangerment--both of civilian lives and military personel. Olson maintains that the government's failure to incorporate the citizen militia for matters of home defense security has done much to encourage the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. After all, the Posse Comitatus act does not apply to civilian law enforcement, and the citizen militia is answerable to the county sheriffs, which are civilian law enforcement in their areas.

See Also:
Bush Touts Homeland Security Dept.
Mon Jul 22,10:27 AM ET

U.S. Mulls Military's Domestic Role
Sun Jul 21,11:31 PM ET "

==============

Why The Major News Network's Ratings are Low

This was originally written in 2002.
By Shonda Ponder

If there is one thing I have learned these last few months, it's that...well, frankly, news sucks. I used to be able to turn on the internet and be barraged with all kinds of interesting activist organizations. Now, in the wake of September 11th -- and all the subsequent legislation and political cataclysms -- it seems as if journalists have become afraid to speak their minds.

Fear. It's a new thing to us Americans. We touted and protected and defended 1st Amendment rights, then we realized how close the 1st Amendment is to what we call "action". Next, we decided that anyone who doesn't speak like, think like, or act like what we consider to be the norm should be investigated, and possibly denied their freedom. We were told that we should not live in fear; to go about our daily lives as we have before, because to live in fear would mean that the terrorists won.

No wonder journalists are afraid. If they really printed their opinions, or even reported what is actually happening, they could lose their jobs -- or worse: they could lose what little freedom they actually have.

I read stories in the newspaper today that tell me how great the government is, and how they are doing everything to protect me from terrorists. When I pick up the telephone, I think, "Am I being tapped?" When I use my credit card, I wonder, "Is someone watching what I buy?" I read an article the other day how grocery stores are losing money because Americans aren't shopping as much. Could it be that I am not the only one who thinks this way?...

Oh, I understand. I understand that very few people out there who are struggling to come to terms with this new lifestyle of fear will actually ask these questions out loud. After all, no one wants to be investigated just because they can think for themselves.

It would be refreshing, however, to see more journalists who are not afraid to tell us what is really happening, rather than try to get a Democrat or Republican elected. I'd like to know the facts, not who's to blame. I'd like the opportunity to place the blame for myself, as an average, everyday American.

I took journalism in high school. And, I dare say that what these journalists and reporters report today would have probably got me an F, if they turned it in to my teachers. All the opinions and political biases should be done away with. They have no business being in a newspaper. The newspaper and TV news stations are not there to tell us how to think. Their jobs are to report the facts so we can make our own decisions. And, most importantly, their job is to report the other side of the story as well.

One of the most important things I learned in journalism was that there are three sides to every story: the person's who caused it, the person's who was the victim, and the person's who witnessed the event. How often do we hear the other two sides of the story?

The truth is, I think that, after September 11, 2001, Americans actually wanted to be told what to think, because they honestly didn't know what to think. It's always safer to let someone else make the decisions. But, is it best?

I don't know why I am writing this, except to say that I can understand why newspapers are losing their audience, and why television news stations are losing their ratings. Wake up, people. It's the same reason people have stopped showing up at the polls: lack of variety, lack of excitement, lack of real news, and lack of control. We have no control over anything anymore. We don't even control how we are supposed to think anymore.

I think people have finally come to realize what they still refuse to admit, and God help us all if they ever admit it:

Freedom isn't free.

=============================

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 13: Genesis 1:13

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 13: Genesis 1:13
January 6, 2009
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:13 -- And the evening and the morning were the third day.

There is always a new day. It may seem, at times, like the world as you know it has ended. When this happens, you must see this as a new beginning. The world itself has not ended, only the world as you knew it to be.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22)

If you are depressed, the worst thing you can do is lay down. If you lay down and give up, you are committing a slow, arduous suicide. If you are committing suicide, then your faith is to be questioned. Therefore, no matter how hard life seems to be, the best thing you can do is keep going. Get up, do the things you have to do on a daily basis. Soon, the dark tunnel you are in will end. You will see glimmers of light, you will slowly rebuild your hope.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)

To "wait on the Lord" does not mean to stop living. It simply means that if you walk the path of righteousness, your hope is in Him, that He will take care of the things that cause you pain.

==============

Be Thankful

Written by Shonda Ponder
All verses are taken from the KJV Bible

1 Thessalonians 5:18 -- In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

God has given you many things over the years. If you look at your life just one year ago, how drastic have the changes been? Sometimes when we look back, we imagine a time when we never thought we'd be where we are today, doing what we are doing at that moment.

The question becomes, then, why? What does God have planned in your life that got you where you are right now?

So, today, I challenge you to be thankful for where you are right now. Ask God to use your circumstances to help you do the Kingdom Work He wants you to do. Pray that where you are is profitable to the Will of God in your future.

====================

Dear Friend: An Invitation

I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I serve with my whole heart because He paid a debt I owed that I could never repay no matter how I try. I serve with joy and gladness, for the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:5)

I wish I had the time to tell you how God has given me so much to be thankful for in my Lord Jesus Christ. I have tried, but hearing, ye have not heard. (Matthew 13:13) Maybe it's because you have not experienced my God the way I have, and you find it hard to relate. Or maybe you feel as if you are not good enough to approach the light of His Glory. I can only speculate as to what your reasons are, for I have invited you to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord, and to join me in His Kingdom work as He has instructed me to do , when He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: And Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20). Yet you linger, and refuse to quickly honor the invitation.

Friend, you don't have to be on good terms with yourself or God to approach the throne. For God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

As a servant of God, I am not perfect or sinless. I am, however, forgiven. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) And because I am saved, I am a new creature. My old life is passed away, and I have a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

You see, I can never do enough to repay God for sacrificing His only son for me. I can only believe He did it because He loves me, just as I am. Even so, faith, if it has not works, is dead. (James 2:17) Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, after the price my Lord paid for me, continue in my sins. I could not change who I am. But my God can. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I gave Him permission to mold and shape me as He would have me be. This is because once I realized the total price of my sins, I was convicted to serve with all my spirit, constantly striving to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:1) Even striving to perfect myself, I am constantly reminded that no matter what I do, I will never be righteous enough, For there is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)

I have said all this to teach you, friend, that if you are waiting until you are "perfect enough", it will not happen. You need not linger or have excuses not to accept my invitation any longer. God is calling you to join Him in His kingdom work. Do you really want to disappoint Him after what He's already done for you?

Jesus never condemned the sinner, though he begged them to repent. Therefore, neither do I condemn you. (John 8:11) To do so would be blasphemy, for I am not perfect either, and am unworthy to cast stones at your character. (John 8:7) What I say to you, I say out of love, as Christ has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us. (John 3:35) Having said that, It is my duty to inform you that the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 10:7) It is because of that that I would be derelict in my duty if I failed to write this letter to you.

You see, once again, I am pleading with you to come and worship the Lord with me. I don't understand why it is so hard for you to accept my invitation. Can't you hear Jesus saying through me, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) What relief you will have when you realize that you have eternal life, rather than condemnation! For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Friend, I beg you to linger no more! You have been invited to eat the bread of life at my Lord's supper table! when I think of you, I remember a parable Jesus told once of a man who fixed a great supper. He invited certain people. These people who were invited all had some excuse for not wanting to show up. It doesn't matter what their excuse was. So, he told his servant to go out onto the streets and gather the lower classes of people to eat in their place. (Luke 14:16-24) I believe he did this because He knew they would appreciate his efforts more. (Luke 14:14) How is it that you cannot appreciate what my Lord has to offer you? If you won't come, God will invite someone else in your stead.

I have prayed for you, my friend. I have pleaded with you; and, now, I am writing this letter as a last attempt before I go on my way to invite others, as the servant of the Lord has been instructed to do. Please do not make excuses, for God will not accept any excuses on the day of judgment. Jesus has instructed that we should always be prepared, because you may not be alive tomorrow to repent, and if you are, what if He returns for His servants? Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day, nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13) And, if He does, do you really want to take the chance of hearing Him say "I know you not"? (Matthew 25:12)

But if you still refuse the invitation, it is my duty to leave you alone and to shake the dust of my feet on the way. (Matthew 10:14)

My Lord is a gracious God. He has patience with you for now, but I beg you, my friend, not to test my Lord's patience for long. he has been known to curse those who continue in their sins. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Maybe you are already experiencing some of them. I hope not; but, if you are, repent, and God will turn those curses into blessings.

Jesus taught a parable about a prodigal son, who defied his father, spent his inheritance, and wound up slopping pigs for a living. Finally, he determined to be his father's servant, if only his father would take him back into his home after what he'd done. When his father saw him coming, he welcomed his son home, rejoicing with a great feast and restoring his place in the home. God will do that for you if you let Him. (Luke 15:11-32)

Please accept my final invitation to join me in the praise and worship of my Lord at 1st Biker's Church in Texarkana, Texas. We are located at 12th and Walnut. If you don't want to go to that church, then find one you are comfortable with, but we will accept you with open arms if you do.

With Agape Love for You,

Your Servant in Christ,

Shonda M. Ponder
903-794-7241

=========================

Things I've Learned This Year

1. Just because someone helps you doesn't mean he cares about you as a person.
2. Letting go and letting God doesn't happen until you let go.
3. People who are emotionally unavailable are emotionally unavailable.
4. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
5. Negative emotions are by-products of bad decisions.
6. Sometimes the best vengence is just moving on.
7. As long as there is God, there is always hope.
8. Emotional wounds heal over time just like physical ones.

Re-dedication

Today I re-dedicated my life to God. I have strayed off the path and out of His will until I became someone that I couldn't stand. All I've wanted was to find the way back.

It's funny how sin has a way of enticing you. It makes you think you can compromise who you are supposed to be for a time and still get the desired results. Sometimes, however, it's better to just step back and say, "God's got this. I think I'll just stay out of His way."

Letting go and letting God is so much easier before you take that first step in sin. Giving up control of your life is hard, granted; but it is necessary in order to gain what God has planned for you to have. If you do not let God do the driving, you will end up lost on the road of life, not knowing how you got where you are.

The truth is, I do know how I got where I am. I know that my decisions weren't the ones that God wanted me to make. I know that I chose the route I took because I didn't trust God to give me what I wanted. And, it's true. He wasn't going to give me what I wanted; but, what He wanted me to have is so much better than what I could do for myself.

I feel refreshed now, in my spirit. I feel at peace. I know that the day will soon come, however, that I will fight the things that led me into this wilderness again. What I have to do now is decide what I'm going to do when that battle takes place again.

==============================

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 12: Genesis 1:12

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 12: Genesis 1:12
December 28, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:12 -- And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

When God makes a command, it happens. When He opens His mouth and speaks, action occurs. Nothing happens unless it is the will of God.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we accept the task He has set before us. Sometimes, that task is not clearly defined, accept that we are to follow the rules laid out to us by our Basic Instruction-book Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE). It is our job to make sure that we stay on the path directed by our Father in heaven. If we fail to do so, we will walk into thorns and thistles, not to mention an ambush of evil.

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Bad things don't happen to good people. Bad things that happen are simply a test of your faith. God doesn't want sissies in His army, anymore than He wants self-centered leaders. God can't do His job effectively if you continue to keep trying to tell Him how to do it. He wants you to follow Him, to act on His command, to not question His decisions, and finally, to trust Him.

And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. (2 Chronicles 13:12)

Sun Tzu's strategic book on warfare is nothing compared to God's. God has won every battle He has ever fought. God is your protector and your vengence against would-be oppressors. All you have to do is stay in the will of the Father, and let Him do the rest.

Don't worry: if you make a mistake, God will make sure that you recognize that mistake, and He will be on the path waiting for you to return as He gives you the strength to fight your way back.

===========================

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 11: Genesis 1:11

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 11: Genesis 1:11
December 24, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:11 -- And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth: and it was so.

Everything God creates has a purpose. God did not create you to sit idle. He doesn't intend for you to sit by and watch as events unfold. God created you as a part of His plan. If you were not in God's plan, He would have not created you.

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (Romans 9:11)

God gave you talents. He made you unique. He gave you certain intelligence and ability, just as He did the grass of the field and the fruit trees. All of this is so that you may seek Him with your free will, which He allows you to have. God doesn't want robots to do His bidding as He pleases. He wants true companionship, true love, true belief. God wants you to choose to be on His side. He won't force you to do anything, but He will make it inconvenient for you to do anything else, in the long run.

If there were no free will, there would not be a need for God to forgive us of our sins. Our free will was the reason for the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. We can choose God as our leader, or we can choose to follow our pride. Until we humble ourselves, and realize that our pride is not greater than God's will, our lives will have no fulfillment.

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. (Isaiah 48:17)

Understand that God created you for a reason. God gave you everything you need, and what He has not given you, He can as need arises. Until you are focused on living for Him, your life will not be comfortable, or convenient, or peaceful.

=====================

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 10: Genesis 1:10

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 10: Genesis 1:10
December 23, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:10 -- And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

God names everything that He creates; then, He labels it. You were made by God, then He named you. Your name became who you are. If you will look at all the names in the Bible, they had meaning. Your parents named you what they would, but it was God who inspired them to call you what they do, whether they know it or not. Your name has meaning.

This does not mean that you will forever be the person your name says you should be at birth. Abram was given a new name in his old age: he was called Abraham. Jacob, the con-artist, was given a new name as a young man: he was called Israel. God has the power to re-name you according to His own will.

God divided the dry earth from the waters. Then He called that "good". He sets aside His children in order to accomplish His goals. What God sets aside according to His purpose, He calls "good".

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

So be assured that you are special in God's eyes. He created you with a special purpose in mind. Believe in yourself as a child of the Most High God, and embrace the tasks before you with determination and willpower. God will be there to see you through.

=======================

Need to Know

Today I found out something I didn't want to know, but desperately needed to know. For me it was a sense of release upon finding out. Truth sometimes hurts.

I am struggling now with what action (or non-action) I should take in the wake of this information. Should I give up? Should I walk away and not look back? But, given the circumstances, how do I do either of those?

Is it worth it for me to continue as I have? Or, should I just shelve everything for a look-see at a later date?

I don't know. I hate those words, being who I am. I despise the not knowing. I can't grasp the concept of never finding out. But, in this case, what would bring me the most knowledge?

Sometimes letting go and letting God seems so hard. Sometimes, it's the only thing you can do. This time, however, I think that God took over, and gave me no choice.

I guess I should be thankful. I'll have to wait and see whether this is the case.

========================

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 9: Genesis 1:9

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 9: Genesis 1:9
December 13, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:9 -- And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Water is the most powerful natural resource on earth. Water has destroyed, and water has restored. The Bible has in many ways shown respect to the power that water on earth is capable of, from the flood of Noah to the Living Waters that flow from the Holy city of Revelation. But, the creator is always mightier than the creation.

The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. (Psalm 93:4)

God gathered the waters in one place so that dry land could appear. It was on the dry land that the first man was created. God protects us from the raging storms of our life in much the same way. With a word, He can quiet the fears of all of His children.

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

Much like the apostles, we can be assured of our safety from life's raging storms by only asking "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38)

Numb

I am numb all over. I feel as if life itself has let me down. I gave all I could give, loved all I could love, prayed all I could pray, said all I could say, and nothing happened.

I feel as if I were addicted to a bad drug that isn't there anymore and I am suffering withdrawels. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?

I'm not dead yet.

I'm losing weight rapidly, at about an inch every two weeks. I've lost two pant sizes in the last month and a half. When people ask how, I shrug and say, "I don't know."

Emotional Stress.

I'm not feeling sorry for myself anymore. Now I'm just trying to survive, and make sure that I don't get behind on anything else, and catch up on what I need to catch up on.

Surviving is not living.

Surviving is work.

I'm alone because I choose to be. God forbid I should let someone else cause me more pain and heart-ache.

God forbid I should cause any to anyone else.

But, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I don't know that I'll ever let anyone else in, but I might reach out soon enough.

===================

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 8: Genesis 1:8

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 8: Genesis 1:8
December 13, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:8 -- And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day

Heaven is the place between the above and the below. You don't want to be above anyone. You don't want to be anyone's foot stool. You want to stand firm and move around freely. God created you as a unique and free individual, with free will and unlimited potential. God sets the only boundaries we should follow. God makes the rules. What God says will come to pass.

Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter. (Psalm 74:17)

Have faith that who you are is not determined by your circumstances. God has the power to open doors that you didn't even know were there.

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 7: Genesis 1:7

Devotionals of Recovery:
Day 7: Genesis 1:7
December 12, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:7 -- And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

When God says something, it comes to pass. When God commands something, He uses whatever means necessary to make it happen.

And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekial 21:7)

God doesn't create something and then leave it alone. He creates, and then He watches what will happen with His creation. If the creation starts to stray from its intended purpose, God guides it back to the right path using whatever means necessary.

And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. (Job 37:12)

So, when your life seems out of control, take comfort in knowing that the Lord your God is guiding you, and if you follow His lead, things will start to make sense in time.

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 6: Genesis 1:6

Devotionals of Recovery
Day 6: Genesis 1:6
December 8, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:6 -- And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

God divided the earth from the sky, the light from the dark, the evil from the good. Until he did this, there was confusion. God set the whole world in order so you could be assured of the difference between right and wrong.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

God doesn't like it when you are confused about which way to turn, because this proves that other influences in your life have stepped in to become who He wants to be to you. Others will always provide obstacles in your path to righteousness. Rest assured that those who lead you astray will have their day of judgment.

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (Galations 5:10)

Your confidence should be in the Lord, that no matter how badly you mess up, He has the power to give you peace. He has the power to make all things new. He has the power to fix the broken hearted.

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 5: Genesis 1:5

Devotionals of Recovery
Day 5: Genesis 1:5
December 8, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible


Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

There is always a first; the first day of your life, the first time you took a step, the first time you spoke, the first day of school, etc. Each first helps you gain confidence in your abilities. Each first helps you in your decision making for the future. Each first is a new beginning for a certain part of your life. Take comfort in knowing that before the first of anything in your life happened, God was there; and, when the last thing happens in your life, God will be there.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13


The first days are always the hardest. These are the days of the creation of the rest of your life. These days will shape you and mold you into the man or woman God created you to be. The first days can be as painful and scary as taking your first step as a toddler once was. Isn't it ironic that, as a toddler, your fear was replaced by sheer determination? Why do you suffer fear the way you do today, when your past firsts have already proven that determination can overcome your weaknesses?

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 4: Genesis 1:4

Devotionals of Recovery
Day 4: Genesis 1:4
December 7, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

God divided the light from the darkness. He keeps the darkness in your life from overpowering your light days. The bad things that happen to you can never keep the good things away from you.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:5)

When you come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it doesn't mean you are perfect. It just means that you are forgiven. It doesn't mean you won't make mistakes, it just means that you will be able to repent and know that those mistakes won't keep you from the Father's love. Any time you walk away from God, you can rest assured that God will be there waiting with arms open wide to receive you when you run back.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)


Sometimes the darkness in your life seems to be a tunnel with no end; but, there is an end. There is a light at the end of every tunnel, especially if you have excepted Christ into your life. .

He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

So, when you are in your dark times, all you have to do is keep going. Keep walking through the tunnel. There is nothing inside the tunnel that will keep the Lord your God from pulling you out. Sooner or later, you will see the light, and as you approach the end of the tunnel, that light will grow brighter.

You will feel joy again. You will feel love. You will feel happiness again. All that the light gives you is yours, if you just continue to walk toward it.

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 3: Genesis 1:3

Devotionals of Recovery
Day 3: Genesis 1:3
December 6, 2008
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

God made light. There was light even before there was a sun, and that is miraculous. There can be light in your heart, even when there is no reason in your life to obtain it.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

When there is light in your heart that God creates, there is no darkness that can put it out. We become clean, and whole. The healing power of Jesus takes away all our suffering from the sin and unrighteousness in our life.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

When you mistrust yourself due to your past mistakes, this fear puts undue strain on other relationships and events in your life. When you trust God, and walk in the light of His love, you have protection and confidence.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Trust in God. Only in Him can you be made whole. He can create in you a light that can never be put out. He can erase your fears, and give you the confidence you need to move forward as His child.

Devotionals of Recovery: Day 2: Genesis 1:2

Friday, December 6, 2008
Devotionals of Recovery: Genesis 1:2
Written by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses taken from the KJV of the Open Bible

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

God has the power to make something out of nothing. When you are at the worst times of your life, and all the doors around you seem locked shut, God has the keys to all of them. You look into the mirror and you tell yourself that you are worthless, that you are nothing, and that you have nothing to offer. But God is the God of creation, and God can form you and mold you into something that is worthwhile and beautiful.

Where the Spirit of God is, there is life. As long as there is life, there is the pursuit of happiness. Only by being free, or without burden, can we ever truly obtain happiness.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

You must lay down your burdens at His feet. You must give Him your heart, your pains, your sufferings, your hurts, and your failures. Until you can do this, you will never see God in all His Glory, as He transforms your burdens into something beautiful.

To simply say that you believe in the Spirit is not enough. You must accept the direction that the Spirit is willing to take you. In order to do that, you must be willing to communicate with the Spirit, and heed the advise and direction that the Spirit is taking you.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galations 5:25)

When you are at your weakest, it seems hard to talk to anyone. It is hard to pray, because you do not trust your own judgment. You have made mistakes, committed wrongs, and the only person you have to really blame for the problems in your life is yourself. How can you ask God for what you need, when you have misjudged your needs so badly thus far?

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

God hears the groanings of the Spirit, just as He heard the cries of the Israelites when they were in Egyptian bondage. It pains God to see His people suffer. As any good parent, He seeks ways to protect His children. You haven't received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again.

Instead, you have received the spirit of God's adopted children by which we call out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15)

Until you can trust and follow the lead of the Spirit, you will never know true peace, happiness, joy or freedom.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

The Spirit will not let you die.

Devotionals of Recovery

by Shonda Ponder
All Bible verses are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible

Day 1:

Genesis 1:1 -- In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth

There are many theories on the origin of Heaven and earth. Our schools teach us that a "Big Bang" created our solar system. But the Bible teaches us that God did it. God, alone. Many schools refuse to let God into the classroom today, because if they did, they'd have to admit that they don't have all the answers.

With a word, God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:1,2 says that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. The Bible tells us that God's creation, itself, was an act of grace. John 1:14 says And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

God made everything, without question (Hebrews 1:10). When God spoke the world into existence, the promise of Christ was already made, in that God used the word to create the world, and the word was Christ who was made flesh. This is evidenced by the prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17:5: And now, oh Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

We must, therefore, acknowledge, before we can even profess to believe that Christ came to save us from our sins, that He created the world in which we live. David acknoweled this belief when he said "of old has thou laid the foundation of the earth. And the heavens are the work of thy hands." Because, if we can believe God created it, we must also believe he will take care of us. Nehemiah 9:6 says Thou, even thou art God alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts, the earth and all the things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all. And the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Jesus Christ is Lord. Before the mountains were rought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. (Psalm 90:2)

When we concede that God alone created the heaven and earth, we are exercising faith in God as our creator. The world was not made spontaneously out of nothing, unless there was a God to design such an event. By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.(Psalm 33:6) Jesus was the Word made flesh, to save us from ourselves, who would chose to believe that the world's existence can be explained through science. Jesus came to teach us that we don't have all the answers, until we trust God completely. When we put our faith in God, God is our answer, andthe only right answer, at that!

It takes what God requires, our faith, to believe that God is the reason for our existence. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3) Only by faith can you be saved from your sins, and by believing Jesus is Lord can you obtain eternal life.

When we admit that God created the world, and we confess our faith in Jesus as Lord of our lives, we admit that God, who commanded the light to shine our of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

What God makes belongs to God. Psalms 74:16 says, The day is thine, the night also is thine; Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. And, God gives a purpose to everything He creates. (Psalm 104:19). If God gave purpose to the Sun and Moon, then surely God gave purpose to you and I. We may not always follow God's purpose for our lives, but God is merciful and just, and He forgave us from the beginning, and Jesus Christ is proof of that! (Psalms 136:5-9) ...his mercy endureth forever. Jesus Christ was that mercy made flesh. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of mercy for the salvation of mankind.

When God created purpose for everything He created, He gave everything in creation rules to live by. Rules are boundaries that, if crossed, exacted punishment from God. When parents set boundaries for their children, they are giving their children rules to live by. When the rules are broken, the parents -- who love their children and want what's best for them -- then have the responsibility to punish them. He hath compasseth the waters with bounds, until day and night come to an end. Job 26:10. when God makes rules, the rules are permanent. There is no discussion. God is God. God is wisdom.

Man has no wisdom unless God allows him to have it. Solomon knew this when he wrote that wisdom was in the beginning of the world "When he gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment, when He appointed the foundation of the earth." (Proverbs 8:29)

Because God is the creator, we owe Him reverence. We should honour His boundaries, and we should also remember that what God creates, He can also destroy. It is only by His grace that we are allowed to exist. (Jeremiah 5:22). When we live outside of God's laws, we cannot prevail, and God knows this. This is why He gives us free will. He knows that we will return to Him for comfort when we realize we cannot win without Him. Peter knew this when he wrote concerning those who scoff at God, knowing this first, that there shall come in the last day scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water. (2 Peter 3:3-5)

God also pointed out His authority when He asked Job: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare if thou hast understanding?" Then He goes on to inform Job how He set the boundaries on the foundations of the earth. (Job 38:1-11) Nothing happens without God, who laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed forever. (Psalms 104:5) As a matter of fact, the whole chapter of Psalms 104 rehearses this fact.

There is no God but God. The strength of God surpasses any judgment and there is no proof that can argue to the contrary. He is the God who rulest the raging of the sea.(Psalms 89:9)

The Bible is full of praise for God's grace in His creation. God is omnipotent. He is, was, and always will be. He knows every cell, every ounce of water, every strand of hair on our bodies. He made us who we are.

God always makes everything in abundance. Some of what He makes, He uses now. He saves the rest for later use. While we may, at times, think we have no purpose, we must remember that God has a purpose for all creation, and He uses each creation according to His will when the time is right. God prepares that which He intends to use. We are always a work in progress! And, whatever problems we encounter, God is able to fix for His purposes. (Psalms 93:4)

Even the Prophets of old knew that Christ was Lord. Agur asked, "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?"(Proverbs 30:4) Agur didn't claim to know everything, nor did he claim to be wise, but he knew god. And this knowledge alone made him wise counsel to Solomon.

When you concede that God is creator, then you open yourself to the wisdom of God. If God can create, then he can use even the seemingly useless to fulfill His purposes. (Psalm 78:3) The God, which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people (Psalm 65:7) can quiet the actions of any enemy of His children. The Lord God is in control (Psalm 92:8) and no other entity, be they called science or idols, can be compared to His greatness (Psalm 89:6)

What God creates, God can destroy if it does not serve His intended purpose. when mankind became so wicked that it exacted the wrath of God, who chose to destroy mankind in a flood, God used one righteous man to save what was left of His creation. God wiped the slate clean. He got rid of the evil and kept the good. If He can do that in the world (Genesis 6:20), He can do it for us as individuals.

God uses His own discretion when He creates. He doesn't need our advice, but we need Him. He doesn't do anything He doesn't want to do. He answers to no one. He is God. (Jeremiah 10:12) God alone is wise. We are nothing without God's wisdom. (Psalms 104:24).

If God is wise, and if God is just, then doesn't it stand to reason that God will provide for His creation? (Job 38:41). Behold the fowls of the air: For they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much beter than they? (Matthew 6:26) God created man to rule over His creation (Genesis 1:28). If He will provide for the birds, doesn't He have a greater sense of responsibility for us?

There is nothing God cannot do. He will go to any lengths for those who love Him. (Psalms 93:1). And, because God is so good, it is our responsibility to live within the bounds He has given us. We must learn His laws. We must follow His rules (Psalms 119:68).

And we must have faith in Him.

I find myself starting over again at this point in my life. It's as if all my efforts have been thrown in my face and grinded into my skin. My emotional net worth has been reduced to nothing.

I am going back to God for help, as usual. I am the one who withdrew from Him, and now I am the one who has to make amends for it. It's funny, because at the time, I thought I was where I was supposed to be. But, I wasn't. I was simply where I wanted to be and hoped that was enough. It wasn't.

I am now taking inventory of my life. What do I have? What do I want? What do I need? and Where do I go from here?

I am going to get on my knees and ask God to take me where He thinks I should be, and to allow me to prosper in that direction. I don't know what else to do. I don't want to do anything, but if I have to do something, it has to be this.

I am suffering from major depression right now, and fighting to keep it from controlling my health and mental well-being. I am exercising, forcing myself to continue to work. I am forcing myself to eat. I am forcing myself to bathe and clean the house. I am forcing myself, basically, to live.

This, too, shall pass.

Right?

Let us hope so.

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