The second commandment is "You shall not make for yourself any graven image".

We are not  to make or have idols and treat them as more supreme than God.

In the Bible, God tells us how he wants us to worship Him.  We may not worship Him any way we choose.  We must follow the guidelines He has given us.  You probably know the story about the Israelites making and worshiping a golden calf while Moses was up in the mountain recieving the ten commandments (Exodus 32:4-6).  Aaron told the people there would be a festival the next day.  He said it would be a festival for the Lord .  At that festival, the people sacrificed to the golden calf.  They had a wild and disorderly celebration, and the did sinful things.  Yet they called it a "Festival to the Lord".  They claimed to worship the true God.  Yet they tried to worship God with an idol and by doing things that displeased Him. He is also angry when people worship Him in ways that go against what he has commanded.

Paul Washer says that it is possible to treat the clothes we wear as more important than God.  Or, the car we drive.  Anything can become that graven image that God's law condemns.  And, the worst idol of all is the idol of self.  Putting ourselves as having more importance than the Sovereign God, the one true God who deserves all glory and honor and praise.

Your friend in Christ

Hattie  

The first commandment says "You must not have any other Gods before me".

On almost all of the way of the Master clips here http://www.wayofthemaster.com/watchwitnessing.shtml many of the people who Ray and Kirk ( people who run Way of the Master) say that " God will just forgive them".  They have heard about forgiveness and by saying this they are making God out to be a big softy that throws out forgiveness  to whomever  and whenever.  But this is creating a God in there own image because they are forgetting about God's justice.  In order for God to remain just there has to be punishment for sin.  The salvation story of Amazing grace is that Jesus Christ, God's son, was punished for all those who would become God's true children.

For God to be  good and righteous sin must be punished.  It will either be punished in Hell for all eternity or punished, by God's grace, on the cross of Jesus Christ for those who believe.

Your friend in Christ

Hattie   

where & why?

When you die were are you going to go? And why do you think you are going there?  The Bible says we can know we are going to heaven when we die.  If you call yourself a Christian and are not sure yet sure where you are going when you die then something in not right.  Either you really aren't a Christian or you have never been taught that children of God can have assurance based on the complete work of Jesus Christ in his life, death, and resurrection.   1st John 5:13 says, "

Everyone needs to ponder the question of where are you going when you die, and why?

I have found it to be very helpful in witnessing my faith.  Yesterday, for example, My Dad and I were able to use some of what these lessons teach, When two Jehovah witnessess came to our house. 

Here is a video from way of the master called Hells best kept secret.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I4RjTabGbw

please comment back to me on what you think about it.

your friend in Christ

Hattie 

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therfore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you ; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

I think that it is every churches responsibility (And ever persons) to get involved in missions in one way or another, Whether it is sending food or going on a short term mission trip or being full time or just praying because this is what God commands.

your friend in Christ

Hattie

I am doing this for Blogboy's contest!!!

Well this isn't very funny!! but it was an adventure.

One day, about a year ago, my Mom was working around the house cleaning.  My  Dad was on the phone with a new boss.  I was working on my school work.  As my Mom was going about her work she smelled a funny, smoky smell.  Then she noticed smoke billowing up through the vents.  She ran and told my Dad, "I think there's a fire".  My Brother Tyler ran outside on a freezing day barefoot and in shorts, and hooked up the hose. 

My Dad ( getting nervous) said to his boss, "Um! I think I need to go now, my house is on fire".  So he and my Mom ran out and the furnace room that was connected to our house was on fire.  Some coals had dropped out of the stove pipe and on to the insulation catching it on fire.

Tyler ( My brother) turned on the water and they got the fire put out.  No permanent damage was done, and my Dad fixed it so it could never happen again.

I wonder what my dad's boss thought at first about his new employee but I think he got over it!

That was just one of many exciting days here on the farm. 

Your friend in Christ,

Hattie

 Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart , oh God , and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

At the beggining of a new year we make new year resolutions such as stop watching so much tv,don't read bad books etc.  But what we really need to do is be depended on God and to make us more like his son Jesus.  2008 can be a year dedicated to much time spent in God's holy word and prayer.   Then, it is God's promise to create a new heart within us.

your friend in Christ

Hattie 

Girls are tempted to want to show off, talk a lot,and draw attention to themselves.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoever gaurds his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble.

The Lord wants all people (& since I'm a girl, I'm applying this to girls) to be quiet and humble and when we draw attention to ourselves we are  doing what God does not want us to do.  Our whole God-given assignment is to reflect the truth and love of Christ and draw people to him. 

1st peter 3:4 " rather let it be the hidden  preson of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, wich is very precious in the sight of God."

This verse teaches that a gentle and quiet spirit are precious in the sight of God.  Obedience to this command will both please God and set the stage for showing others what it means to be God's woman.

your friend in Christ,

Hattie 

We live in the Country and most people in the country are armenian.  That means that most people don't believe in the sovereignty of God in all things.  For some reason the rural areas don't have many good churches that teach the sovereignty of God.  My Dad says that we live in a dry and barren land, and my mother agrees.  Don't get me wrong, They're are many born again christians in our area.  It's just that they don't view God as sovereign.

Here is a clip that shows the sovereignty of God and scriptures.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EoxB2jsbYSo

armenians say that bad men killed Jesus and crucified him and this is true!  But it is also true that  God had planned the death of His Son, our Savior, from all eternity past.  GOD IS SOVEREIGN!

your friend in Christ,

Hattie

Most people imagine angels as cute little fluffy things that look like this.

But the bible shows us that when people saw them they were afraid. 

Luke 1:11&12 Then an angel of the lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the alter  of inscense.12.  And when zacharias saw him,  he was troubled and fear fell upon him.

also,

 Luke 2:9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

These verses show that because the angels came from God they were mighty and feared.  These verses also show us that since they came through God, God should be feared.

The fluffy little angels we see on T.V. are not the Biblical idea of angels.  Angels are God's war machines.  They are His servants.

your friend in Christ,

Hattie

My friend blogboy is in the top three teen boy blogs.  He is a great blogger and is strong on his beliefs so just go over there and check it out!!!!!!!!!!

www.homeschoolblogger.com/blogboy

The most important part of Calvinism is that God is in charge of everything and that is why not many people like it they think they have the power even over spirituality.  People want to make themselves bigger than God.

your friend in Christ,

Hattie

Noah Webster's last words when he was asked if he was ready to leave this earth were, "I am ready,my work is all done,I know in whom I have beleived,I am entirely submissive to the will of God". 

Almost all of us have been frightened at one time or another of your own or someone else's death.  But a person can entirely trust God to do the right thing.  My father and I were handing out invitations down a rock road, when one man came to the door and once we told him about the program and about how he was invited he answered, "I really thank you but my son fell off a cliff and killed himself and so I haven't really believed in God because if there were such a god as you say then that wouldn't have happened".  This man apparently does not trust God's plan for his son's life.

Your friend in Christ,

Hattie

Here are some  witnessing clips by wayofthemaster.

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/watchwitnessing.shtml

These are some really good witnessing clips done by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. 

your friend in Christ,

Hattie

ps...what do you think about doctrine.

Genesis 2:18 says And the Lord God said , "It is not good that man should be alone: I will make him a helper comparable to him."

There it says that woman is the helper and not the leader for the helper helps.

1'st corinthians 11:8 & 9 says For man is not from woman, but woman from man.9.  Nor was man created for the woman,but woman for the man.

God made man the leader, and woman the helper.  For example if the man and his wife went somewhere and the man drove that would not make the woman any more uninportant that would only mean she has her roll to play and  the man has his.

your friend in Christ

Hattie

John 19:15 says  But they cried out , "Away with him, away with him! crucify him! " Pilate said to them " Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered "We have no king but caesar!"

This shows how much sin has taken over mankind .  They are saying that God is not the king when he is in fact the Lords of Lords, and Kings of Kings.  A human king is enough for them, and that is the essense of humanism.

But before we condemn the chief priests we must remember that we are just as guilty.  Humanism is our condition too.  We too had our hand in on crucifying the King of Kings and settling for something much less.  And yet God shows us Mercy when we deserve Hell.  Luke 3:16 says John answered, saying to all " I indeed baptize you with water ; but One mightier than I is coming, Whose sandel strap I am not worthy to lose.  He will baptize you with the Holy spirit and fire.

This is indeed great mercy.  After treating the Lord of Glory so badly, here he comes pouring out his Holy Spirit upon us and giving us a reason to live.  And, we are not even worthy to lose his sandle strap.

your friend in Christ,

Hattie

Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city the watchman stays awake in vain." 

What this verse means is that unless the Lord is involved in the building of your house, your school, your job,  your vacation, ect., then it is worthless.

Something a person accomplishes can appear successful in the eyes of people, but true success can only be found in Jesus Christ, and sincere faith.

Proverbs 3:5,6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your ways."  The scriptures also say, "Whether in word or deed, do all to the glory of God."  These verses are saying the same basic thing as Psalm 127:1.

Your friend in Christ,

Hattie

Hey guys, almost every family has a nonbeliever over this Thanksgiving holiday visiting.  How many people in you're family have you witnessed to?  I have realized it is a lot more difficult to show God to someone you are close (friend or family) than to a stranger. My family and I handed out christian cd's to all our family last night called "Hells best kept secret."  You can also get this Bible message at www.livingwaters.com.  Also, on www.wayofthemaster.com they sell Christian tracts. Do you care enough to share the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Your friend in christ

Hattie

Have you ever heard of Tod Friel?  He is a Hermaneutics teacher.  Hermaneutics is the study of how to interpret the Bible. Here is a highlight of what I learned from Todd.

God verbally talked to Moses through the burning bush and to many others in that same way.  But today God speaks to His children through the Bible for the Bible is the word of God, and proper interpretation is a must.  For example, Romans 16:16 says " greet one another with a holy kiss" , And 1st Peter 5:14 also says " greet one another with a holy kiss.  But we shouldn't go up to brothers and sisters today and just kiss them.  That was the cultural way of greeting in the first century.  We should take the principle of greeting fellow Christians in holiness and purity and apply it to our culture.  So, that would be a holy hand shake or a holy hug.  

Your friend in christ

Hattie