Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 5/10/15  Pro 6:23b ...the reproofs of instruction are the way of life.  You will never get to where you don’t need instructions on how to improve or deepen or strengthen or repair relationships, habits, skills, memories, health, methods, etc. You may think you don’t need it, but...             Ps 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. “Holy men of God” penned the Bible, so this “holy man” had emotional troubles.  They’re real. They’re legitimate. They, most often, have discernible and (usually) fixable causes.  1Some emotional variation is to be expected.  2Having emotional troubles (depression, panic attacks, etc.) doesn’t mean you’re “crazy” or that you have a sin problem.  3Get spiritual and medical advice and help.  4After prayer and counseling, if prescribed, take your medications.  (If there’s a treatable physical problem that a med will fix, what’s wrong with that?  5However, be honest enough to deal with any sins you need to “come clean about” first. Unconfessed sin, guilt, and shame can cause physical manifestations.  6As with physical ailments, we should go to God first and doctors secondly. Pray before you even take an aspirin.

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 5/3/15  Ps 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I just asked God to forgive me for being so cavalier towards people and not deeply caring...maybe you need to do so too.                                    What is prayer? Really?!? What is the essence of prayer?  It’s simply asking a favor from God. Well, if I’m asking you for a favor, it would hurt my chances of a positive answer if I’m being haughty or demanding; or if I am actively doing things that aggravate you. And it definitely wouldn’t help my cause if I’m abusive to your kids. Pro 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.                           Jud 2:4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that they people lifted up their voice, and wept. They wept, but didn’t change. Do you weep over the pain and sorrow that your sin caused Christ and/or His people, or over what it causes you? Do you keep doing it over and over again?

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 4/26/15  Deut 33:2c-3a ...from [God’s] right hand went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people... God’s rules are not unnecessarily limiting (like those of a cruel babysitter): they are protective, just like we had and enforced rules on our toddlers re: electrical outlets or knives or playing in the street. You’ll understand God a LOT more if you view yourself as about a 15 month old and not as a mature adult.                                Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor. Do you chase after righteousness? (Maybe I should ask about your church attendance and Bible reading record.) Do you pray for holiness? For a revelation of your sins so you can correct them? Do you thrill for opportunities to extend mercy and rejoice over others being given mercy?

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 4/19/15  In your world, do arguments tend to persist and grow, or get settled, lessened, and forgotten? Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.               Ps 93:1c ...the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. If mankind is causing any damage to nature (via global warming, pollution, nuclear radiation, etc.), God is in overall control of the situation...and any damage is either negligible or is being governed and managed by Him. Relax!!!

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman


Sunday, 4/12/15  1 Cor 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. No opportunity is without its challenges: active resistance or hard work or risk or the doubts of loved ones. Using counsel and the Bible, determine God’s plan for you and DO IT!!!            Matt 4:1-11 The Devil isn’t going to hold a conversation with you, but the temptations are still real. How did Jesus respond and win? By a knowledge of God’s word. “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book. “Ask your pastor or SS teacher (or me) for ideas to help enliven your Bible time.    

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 4/5/15  Rom 2:21 Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Is the degree of consistency between what you profess and what you enact greater or less this year than last?          Num 10:29-30 And Moses said unto Hobab [his brother-in-law], We are sojourneying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us...And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. Family loyalty and a love for country are good, but never elevate anything above a closer walk with Him and doing His will. It’s easy to get sidetracked here. He deserves (and quietly demands) first place in our day, our devotion & affection, in our preferences, and in our deference. Remember that those people/places to which you feel so tied, will answer for and by themselves to God, as will you. Place Him at the top of the social & familial “food chain.” Don't ever place a piece of dirt (either living and breathing dirt, or pretty dirt) on a higher level than His will.

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 3/29/15  Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart...soul...mind, and...strength. The first commandment: how are you doing with it? The same methods that can improve an earthly relationship will work with a heavenly one also: talk, listen, thank, compliment, give in, etc.          Ps 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Oh!! We need His mercy and blessings so much...but the sentence didn’t end. V2: that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. What if the soul winner who won you to Christ served God as fervently 2-5-10 years ago as you serve Him now? Would you be saved? There’s another “you” out there tomorrow, next month, 2023...you’re saved to serve God. Today, go give someone a chance to come to Heaven with you.

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 3/22/15  Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Name your 2 biggest sins. Come up with 5 ways that you are “making provision” (opening a door) for them. (Ask for others’ input. Tell them you’re advising a friend on cleaning up their sin.)       Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course... Keep in mind that whatever you do in Christian service is done before God. So...are you working hard? Diligently? “As unto the Lord”? He sees every mistreatment of His kids, every misappropriation of His material; every cut corner or padded expense or shaved hours.

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 3/15/15  Pro 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Ladies, does your husband rate you as shameful or superlative? (I guess there could be another: so-so.) How would you rate yourself? Unmarried ladies and teens: study good wives at church; ask questions; observe; learn.               John 13:1b …Jesus knew his hour was come…having loved his own…he loved them unto the end. Here’s a good goal: love your spouse until the end; love your kids ‘til they move out, then love them as friends and adults; love your church, your pastor, your friends, your God, the Christian life, the KJB, lost souls, wayward church members, etc.              Mark 9:10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising of the dead should mean. What do you do when you’re unsure of a spiritual matter? Talk to others who’re as clueless as you? Or seek out the answer from credible sources: the Bible itself (with the help of the Holy Spirit), or people more wise than you?

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 3/8/15  Ps 143:1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. A reminder:  1Any answers to prayer are 100% because of His goodness and 0% because of our merit.  2He has no favorites or pets.  3Also, notice “in thy righteousness.”  He cannot answer outside of His character.              Attention everyone in a leadership position!!! The Commander is about to speak.  Ps 82:3 Defend the poor and the fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. School teachers, principals, youth directors, coaches, bus captains...do you ACTIVELY and AGGRESSIVELY stand up for the kids who are always getting picked on? Even the ones you don’t like personally? That “stupid” one; that “goof ball,” the one who seems to have been custom made to get picked on; the one whose actions “call for” someone to “put him in his place”...that kid is a child of the same Heavenly Father as you, and He has put you in a position and charged you to protect His kids. SMH....  (BTW, to those that I, no doubt, offended back at HBHS: please forgive me. Message me personally, and I’ll apologize to you directly.)