2nd Samuel 11 // What I Got Out of It

 A couple weeks ago my girls bible study started reading the book Seamless by Angie Smith. Angie's goal in this book is to cover the whole Bible in 7 weeks. Now obviously she doesn't cover every. single. point. but she does a great job of giving an overview of these stories. She's told us these stories in such an interesting way that I'm curious to study more about every topic. We're in out 4th week and this is so far my favorite chapter. Right now we're going over some of my favorite stories, the story of Samuel, Saul, David, and Solomon. This story really encourages me and I'm here to share my thoughts on it with you =)


   In 2nd Samuel 11 it talks of David having an affair with Bathsheba and him murdering Bathsheba's husband Uriah. Because of this sin that David committed he took away his son. Now right now you might say, "That's a horrible thing to do God. Why'd you do that?" But my pastor has been talking a lot about the patience of God. After Cain murdered his brother Abel because of his anger, God let him live. Yes, God cursed and alienated him, but God in his mighty power could've done something much worse. God could've killed Cain, but instead he let him live.


   In 2nd Samuel 12:13-14 it says,


David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord,^[a] the child who is born to you shall die.”




   There you see it. The Lord put away his sin, and he shall not die. God could've done far worse than killed David's son. And yes while this is still a big punishment we still need to see God's mercy.


   We can also be reminded of God's sovereign plan in this story. Why do you think God didn't kill David because of his sin? Because he still had a plan for his life. As horrible as this tragedy was, God uses these tragedies to shape us into more godly people.




Psalms 119:71 says,


 "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes."

   Okay, I finished covering two things I was encouraged by in this study. One more.
   Psalms 51 was written by David after Nathan confronted him concerning his sin. David shows humility as he confesses his sins to God. Often when say, "Oh I'm sorry for my sin, but I really like doing it, so I think I'm going to do it again." But David comes to God and says, "Create in me a pure heart." This sin is horrible. I don't ever want to do it again.


   This really encouraged me and made me more aware of myself when I say sorry. Not to just say sorry and think I can do it again, but cast myself from it. I hope this encourages you too :D





Thanks for reading!!
bouncing in to say bye,
                                   Bernie

What I like about the song At the Cross

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Today I wanted to share this song called "At the Cross" by Chris Tomlin.

There's a place where mercy reigns and never dies

There's a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide
Where all the love I've ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down

[Chorus:]
At the cross
At the cross
I surrender my life
I'm in awe of You
I'm in awe of You
Where Your love ran red
And my sin washed white
I owe all to You
I owe all to You Jesus

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness
Where all the love I've ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down

[Chorus]

Here my hope is found
Here on holy ground
Here I bow down
Here I bow down
Here arms open wide
Here You save my life
Here I bow down
Here I bow

I love this song so much. It's so peaceful.

I love the line "I'm in awe of you."

Whenever I think about Jesus dyeing on the cross I think about the sacrifice he gave up.  

How he died for the ones who were beating him to death.

He gave his life for us; the ones who constantly disobey and hate him.

"I'm in awe of you"

You are awesome God.

To die for us.

To die for them.

To love us so much that you would die for us.

And how do we apply to this message?

To this loving God who died for us.

How do we apply to this?

We bow down to him.

We follow him.

And we tell others about this amazing God.

Isn't God amazing?

Every single Good Apples Friday post I write I always leave saying,

"WOW. WOW. My God is so awesome. So amazing. So powerful. So loving. So caring. So forgiving."

I hope you feel this way to when you read about God.

Have a lovely week.

A great Reformation Day!

And that you may be reminded of how amazing God is every single day.

bouncing in to say bye,

                               bernie

Good Apples Saturday // Colossians 3 and 4

Welcome to Good Apples Saturday

Hey guys. Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I'm a day late on my post, but that's okay!

Yesterday we did a bible study and these verses really encouraged me!

 ^3:18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
²¹ Fathers,^[c] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.


Hope you like!!




bouncing in to say bye,
                                   Bernie

Good Apples Friday // Is Belief in God Logical?

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Although I do believe that belief in God is logical, I never really knew reasons that belief in God is logical until a couple of weeks ago. My youth group has been going through a book called "A Quest for Truth." A long time when the author Shannon Hurley was interested in God he had lots of questions. It was frustrating to not know the answers. This is why Shannon Hurley wrote this book. To help others understand the Bible more. This has definitely helped me especially chapter 2 which is what I'm about to talk about.

Is Belief in God Logical?

The four logical reasons are...

1. The complexity of the world demands the need for a designer.

In simpler words, "The world is so complicated that it must be a result of God."

This year in biology, I've been constantly reading about the most complicated things ever. I used to think that just animals and humans could move around and eat other things. This year I've learned that plants make food for other plants or animals. I've been learning about bacteria that can move and attack other bacteria for food. It's so complicated.

This world is so complicated it has to require someone so smart to have created it. So intelligent and powerful to have thought of all this. This world is so complicated that it couldn't of appeared. It demands the need for designer. 

In this book he says, "If there is no God what other possibility can there be for the creation of such a wonderfully complex universe?"

2.  A reproductive world demands the need for a pre-exist being.

"Since everything in the universe is produced from something that existed

beforehand, there must have been someone who has always existed.

I came in to existence when my parents had me, they came into existence when they're parents had them, when they're parents had them, and it goes on and on. Where did the first child come from? There had to be a creator. History and science have proven that animals can only be reproduced from it's own species. A cat has a cat as it's parent and it cannot have a dog as it's parent.


If there is no God, then how did this whole reproductive process begin?
3. Man's inward sense of right and wrong demands the need for a lawgiver.
"Since there is a universal desire to live morally, God must have been the one to have created that desire."
 How is there an universal knowledge of right and wrong? How do we feel guilty after doing some kind of wrong-doing? Everyone has a guilt in doing something wrong and try to do things right.
If mankind evolved do you think he would of evolved with moral standards or would he just come into existence?


If there is no God, who put this system of morality within mankind?


4. The need for purpose demands the need for a purposeful creator?
"Since everyone has the desire to live for something there must have been someone who put that desire to live into mankind."
This is saying two things: that there is a purposeful Creator and that Creator puts a purpose within mankind at creation. Every object has some kind of purpose. Just like clay was molded into a sculpture for a purpose. Everyone has a purpose for life. Everyday we wake up and have an aim and  purpose for the day.
Who put the desire in mankind to want to live with an aim for his day?
Who put the desire in mankind to make something of himself?
If there is no God, then who put this purposeful desire with mankind?




I hope you understand this whole post. I know it can be confusing, but once you understand it, it really makes sense.


I recommend you guys to read "Quest for Truth" by Shannon Hurley.


Please give me feedback on what you thought about this post. I love to hear you guys! :)


bouncing in to say bye,
                                   bernie

What I Like About the Song He Will Hold Me Fast.

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Today I'm sharing a song that we sing at church a lot.

It's called He Will Hold me Fast.

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast; When the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast. Refrain He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast; For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold, He will hold me fast; For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast. Refrain I am precious in His sight, He will hold me fast; Those He saves are His delight. He will hold me fast. Refrain He’ll not let my soul be lost, Christ will hold me fast; Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast. Refrain I love this song because it's so comforting. When we go through trials. He will hold us fast. He'll never let go. I love the verse, "Oh my Savoir loves me so," It's so awesome to know that God loves you. Remember to know what God is holding you. You don't have to be afraid. bouncing in to say bye,                                    bernie P.S. Sorry about not posting Tuesday. I'm losing ideas for Bernie's Random Ramblings. P.P.S. Please be praying for our youth group. We are going to a mission trip this weekend. 

What I Like About The Song Behold Our God

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Today I wanted to share the lyrics of Behold our God.

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

CHORUSBehold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him!

VERSE 2 Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His Words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

CHORUSBehold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him!

VERSE 3Who has felt the nails upon His hands
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior risen now to reign!

CHORUSBehold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him!

 You will reign forever!
 Let Your glory fill the earth

You will reign forever!
 Let Your glory fill the earth

You will reign forever!
 Let Your glory fill the earth

I really like this song because it reminds us of how great God is.

How this God has our life in his hands.

So don't be afraid!

Psalms 42:4-5 says, "These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One^[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God."

Our God is awesome!

He conquered death.

He's got everything under control.

Good Apples Friday // Catechism Questions

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

For my bible study I memorize catechism questions.

I really like these two I've been memorizing.

What is you only comfort in life in and death?

That I am not my own, but belong body and soul in life in death to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair from my head may fall without the will of the Father in heaven; in fact all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit assures me of eternal life and makes me whole-heartedly willing and reading to live for Him.

I really like this whole thing, but I highlighted the words that I think are really important. I love how it says, "All things must work together for my salvation." That's so comforting to know. That God is in control and everything that happens in my life works together for my salvation.

What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort? 

Three things: How great my sin and misery are; how I am set free from all my sin and misery; and how I should thank God for such deliverance.

Again just the things I highlighted were some really important stuff. How GREAT MY sin and misery are. I am horrible. I am a horrible sinner. BUT, I am SET FREE FROM ALL my sin and misery. I am set free from ALL of that horrible stuff. And I SHOULD THANK GOD for that. Because he is so GOOD to me. So good. He died for me. He died for the the one who constantly disobeys him. He died for the girl who complains about lots of things when I don't deserve anything I have.

ISN'T HE SO GOOD GUYS?

I hope you like this post and it helps you!

Remember to NEVER stop thanking God for the great things he has done.

Even if you're going through something horrible.

You're still breathing because of him.

You still have food because of him.

You still have clothes because of him.

Remember that.

Please give me some feedback. I'd love to hear from you awesome people.

bouncing in to say bye,

                                Bernie

P.S. I'm starting to lose ideas for Good Apples Friday and Bernie's Random Ramblings. If you could give me some suggestions that'd be awesome. Thanks guysss!

Praying for Others // And a Special Announcement!

Welcome to Good Apples Friday!

Today I'd like to encourage you to pray for others this week.

After a long day of gymnastics on Tuesday my back and legs starting hurting me.

It made me kinda mad because I couldn't do any gymnastics that whole day.

I still haven't totally recovered from my back hurting when I do flips.

Whenever I asked God for me to feel better I felt bad.

There are a lot of other people out there hurting way more than me.

For me to selfishly pray for myself to get better so I can do gymnastics asap.

I could've been praying for little kids who can't even walk.

People who don't even know what it's like to run and play.

I'm not saying that praying for yourself is bad.

I'm just saying before you go and pray to God about yourself, pray for others.

Thank God for your feet, legs, arms, neck, and whole body that you can use.

I was really convicted by that this week when we visited a friend from church.

A lot of the time we were talking they were talking about their back hurting, getting surgery, and all kind of hurt they have to go through. That made me so sad. Every night I've been praying for them asking God to help them.

It says in the Bible,

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6

I'm not saying don't ask God to help you feel better.

I'm just saying maybe before you think about yourself, think about others.

If you have any prayer requests I'd love to hear them.

Please comment them down below.

Thanks for reading!

bouncing in to say bye,

                                bernie

P.S. Before I leave I will announce the winner of my summer giveaway!

Thanks Courtney for letting me have this giveaway!

And the handler of this beautiful watercolor card set is...............

ALLIE D.

HIP HIP HOORAY HIP HIP HOORAY!

Congrats Allie!

Thanks to everyone who entered.

THANKS GUYS!

Good Apples Friday // The Word Hate Part 2

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Today I'm making a part 2 of my post about the word HATE.

If you haven't read it yet I would recommend you to. You can check it out right here.

Yesterday as I watched Usian Bolt, said to be the best runner of all time run.

These couple of races he's ran, have been easy for him because of the giant lead he has over all the runners. Great story. Awesome guy. What's so bad about him you might think?

He's addicted to the camera. He's said plenty of times, "I'm number one." Millions of people admire him and idolize him and he loves it. He feeds off it.

As I watched him I thought in my mind,

"I HATE HIM."

One thing I don't like to see is people bragging and telling others that they're number one.

But then I thought. What am I thinking?

Instead of hating him, I should pray for him.

He's lost.

He does not know Christ.

He runs for one thing. His glory.

Instead of hating him I should pray for him.

Pray that he would find Jesus.

That he would realize who number one is.

That he would give his life to God, not himself.

Many lives out there are lost.

I often always think bad things about them.

Instead I should love them

Pray for them.

Hate their sin.

Not them.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:12

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:27-28

We need to love others. Not hate them.

And this is my prayer.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4

Lord, help me and all of these readers to love others. To not hate others for the wrong that they are doing, but love them and pray for them. Bind love around my neck and never let it leave me. I want to love like you. Help me to love more Jesus.

bouncing in to say bye,

                                    bernie

Good Apples Friday // Trust in God

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Well I'm here typing with my sister's new awesome laptop. thanks sis. big sis's are the best guys.

I first want to apologize for not posting Tuesday. An all day trip to the water park just slipped up and I was to busy to post. But this Tuesday kinda relates to my post today.

I'm first going to talk about not doubting yourself.

And then, I'm going to talk about never giving up.

On Tuesday after our family had a nice time swimming I went to my first ever tumbling class. I admit I was a little nervous mainly about being around new people though. The class turned out great. I was a little behind everyone in m skills, but soon I caught up. I was extremely happy to hear my teacher's telling my parents that I was awesome and I was catching up with the other students who've been doing classes longer. And I'm not here to brag. I'm here to say.

NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER DOUBT YOURSELF.

A year ago I started loving gymnastics and doing it at home. Firstly, if I ever wanted to play professionally I'd have a disadvantage because of the age I was already at. But I loved gymnastics. So, I worked hard. I looked up videos on YouTube. Sometimes I got discouraged because I loved gymnastics a lot, but lessons are expansive. I still want to train though. Even if I have to quit classes, I'll still be learning. It'll be hard, but I know that if God really wants me to be a gymnast it'll happen even if I'm teaching myself on the internet.

So, never give up guys. Never. Never doubt yourself and say, "Oh I'm to old," and "Oh I can't do this." Because remember that verse in Philippians that we say all the time.

After the long nights that I watch the Olympics sometimes I just think. If only that could be me.

Sure the possibilities are maybe small for me to go to the Olympics someday, but never say you can't.

My dad taught me never to say I want to do this, but I probably can't. Because you'll never do it if you keep saying you can't. I know that it'll be totally rare for me to go to the Olympics. But I know that I have a mighty God. And he has a special plan for me. And if it's the Olympics I'll praise him. And if it's not the Olympics, I'll praise him.


Lord, help me to trust in you. Even though it seems like it could never happen help me to know that you are God. And you control my life. Help me to never say I can't but to work hard. And most of all help me to glorify you in whatever I do.


This is my prayer.


hope you like!


bouncing in to say bye,
                              Bernie

p.s. I don't mean to brag. I'm just trying to give you an example.

Good Apples Friday // Psalm 43

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Today I will be sharing a Psalm that I read today. Hope you like!

Psalm 34

¹ I will extol the Lord at all times;
    his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
¹³ keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to blot out their name from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

bouncing in to say bye,

                                  bernie

Good Apples Friday // VBS Verses

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

Today I'd like to show you the verse we've been learning in VBS this week.

This is my prayer to God and I hope it is to you too.

So, actually this isn't a Bible verse, but it's what the little kids have been memorizing.

God, you know everything about me. Teach me to do what is right.

It's simple, but I love it.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139:23-24

I love verse 24.

Please help me God to see if there is any offensive way in me. And help me to follow you and not that temptation.

And just if you're interested here's some of the songs we've been singing.

Thanks for reading!

If you have any post suggestions for Good Apples Friday comment down below.

I'd love to hear!

Thanks guys!

bouncing in to say bye,

                                 bernie

Good Apples Friday // My God is Amazing and Here's Why.

Seriously everybody my God is amazing!

 

Welcome to Good Apples Friday

 

I am here today to remind you of how great your God is. And how loving he is towards you.

 

 

Today for my bible study I had the joy of reading the last to chapter sadly of Live Smart. I recently posted about this book and how we should love the church a couple weeks ago and I'm here again with some other awesomeness from this book.

 

Know the Gospel

 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2nd Corinthians 5:21

 

At first I didn't really get this verse, but now after hearing this chapter it really comes clear.

 

What do you feel like most of the time when you get very bad score on a test? I feel very discouraged. But what about this kind of score? What if I told you that every single day I pray to God saying, "God please let me obey you today. Please let me love others. Please let me have a good attitude and obey my parents." And after that I hate on others. I don't obey my parents and if I do I whine horribly about it. And that makes me feel so discouraged. So mad. That I can't go one hour without sinning against God. Without just saying two words after my mom tells me to do something. Yes mom. Why? And it makes me feel so sorry to God. I failed. I totally failed. That test was to see if I could obey my mom with a good attitude and I failed.

 

But God sees this and he is sorry for us. He loves us and he doesn't want us to go to hell. He wants us to be with him forever. So he looks at his son and his perfect score. Jesus, lived a perfect life. Absolutely no sins. And what reward does Jesus get for that perfect score. Would you take the blame for all of Ellie's sins and every ones sins and die for them. I get so mad when sometimes my dad said I meant to spill the water on the table when really it was just an accident. Imagine people hating on Jesus and making him die for something he never even did. But he loved us enough that he did that for us. He died for us. He took my blame. Okay thank you Jesus!

 

And it gets better too! Not only did Jesus take my blame, but he gave me his perfect score. I'm clean. You are clean guys! Jesus gave you his perfect score. His 100% on one of the hardest I mean hardest tests of your life. He gave it to you. oh boy girls you are loved. you are loved!

 

Martin Luther called this the "great exchange." You know what I deserve? Eternal death. You know what Jesus deserves? Eternal life with Jesus Christ. And you know what I received instead of what I deserve. Eternal life with Jesus Christ. And you know what Jesus received instead of what he deserved. death. And he did die. But he rose from the dead. And now we will have eternal life with him in heaven. Oh thank you Jesus. I do not deserve ANYTHING. But you gave me eternal life.

 

 

This is why my God is amazing.

And I hope you think that too.

 

Now spread this to everyone you see.

And let them see the joy that you have too.

 

That Jesus died for you and he is risen!

 

 

bouncing in to say bye,

                                bernie

 

 

P.S. I'm on vacation right now and I'm having a great time!