The Oreo Cookie Principle

Mark 6:50

"For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."

One of my favorite store bought cookies are Oreo cookies. I like the Oreo cookie because inside of the two hard layers is a layer of frosting that makes the cookie good. Nobody would like the Oreo cookie if it didn't have the frosting. That frosting in the middle makes the two hard layers more enjoyable. Truly, you should face your storms of life just like you enjoy the Oreo cookie.

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The Need of Little Faith

Matthew 14:31

"And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

We all love to hear the story of Peter walking on the water to go to Jesus. That story is truly one of the most amazing stories in the Scriptures. The disciples were on the sea when a storm arose, and fear filled their hearts because they thought death was imminent. As they were doing everything they could to save their lives, they saw something walking on the water. They later learned that something was a Someone; it was Jesus Christ.

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Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 6/8/14  Ps 51:2 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. When was the last time you came to God and got REALLY clean?           Ps 51:16b Thou delightest not in burnt-offering. 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices. Religious activities (service, standards, works) simply for the sake of religious activity is offensive to God. In vv 17-18, a broken and sincere heart are added. Standards and convictions for God without a heart wholly right toward God is offensive to both man and God.

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Obstacles to Wall Builders

Nehemiah 4:10

"And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall."

Nehemiah's whole ministry was about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Those walls were important for the protection of his people. The temple that Ezra was rebuilding needed those walls rebuilt so that it would not be in danger. The heritage to pass on to the next generation was at stake, and that is why the walls needed to be rebuilt. Nehemiah had a lot on his plate, and the rebuilding of those walls had to be completed.

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No one left behind

Obama talking about Bowe Bergdahl. 'We never leave a soldier on the battlefield, period.  We never leave a soldier on the battlefield.'  So, Mr. President, your administration did not consider the US embassy, the consulate in Benghazi a battlefield as it was burning to the ground?" -Rush

Altering Unalterable Laws

Esther 8:8

"Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."

Mordecai, Esther and the Jews were facing total annihilation. A law had been written that was sealed with the king's ring. Whenever the king made a law, it was considered unalterable. Esther 1:19 shows us the strength of these laws when it says, "...let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered..." It looked as if the Jews had no hope.

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Getting on God's Good Side

Zechariah 8:16

"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:"

Every person tries to learn how to get on the good side of someone to whom they are close. A child knows what they have to do to get on their parent's good side. A spouse knows what it takes to get on the good side of their spouse. Employees, friends and church members all know what they must do to get on the good side of their boss, friend or pastor.

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When the Adversaries Come

Ezra 4:1

"Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;"

Whenever you start doing a work for God, you will find that the adversaries will come out. Ezra saw this happen when he endeavored to rebuild the temple. His adversaries tried several approaches to hinder the building of the temple, and there was a point when they actually got him to stop. Thankfully, you'll see that Ezra finished rebuilding the temple in spite of his adversaries.

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