"My All in All"

Hi Friends~


I really want to share a Devotion with you today.  It is from the book titled:
Daily Assurance of God's Grace--My All in All by Robert Morgan.  It is put out by B&H Publishing Group.  It was copyright in 2008.  This book is so unique.  It's purpose is to show the "deep purpose and powerful use of the word all in the Bible."  Did you know the word "all" appears more than 5,000 times in God's Word?  It is used to amplify His greatest truths, commands and promises.  I hope you will enjoy this reading. 


Please remember to leave a comment on any subject, a prayer request, question, anything before Tuesday at midnight.  If you do this you will be eligible to receive 1-5 cards/envies via random drawing!  The winner will be announced on Thursday's post!  The He IS Able Blog's Card Set Give-Away is a Weekly opportunity for anyone living in the United States.  We are very glad to have guests from any where in the world.  I am sorry to say that I can not afford postage to other countries, as the packages often get quite heavy.  I hope you understand that you are still in our prayers, and we are so glad you are here.  I can send it to a relative or friend who may send you packages if that helps!


And now, the Devotion word for word from February 3rd:

"You will search for the Lord your God, and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul."  (Deuteronomy 4:29)

The Bible no where allows partial devotion to the Lord.  Instead it says:

Seek Him with all your heart and all your soul...Love the Lord our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength...What does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all His ways...and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all   your soul?...

Return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart...Obey the Lord your God by keeping His commands and statutes that are written in this book of the law and return to Him with all your heart and all your soul...Remain faithful to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul...You know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the Lord your God made to you has failed...

If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths* that are among you, dedicate yourselves to the Lord, and worship only Him...Above all, fear the Lord and worship Him faithfully with all your heart, considering the great things He has done for you...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,...Think about Him in all your ways...

Believe with all your heart.

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I looked up the word Ashtoreths since I didn't know what it meant.  Here is the definition provided by Google:  "Ashtoreth was the primary Goddess of the Canaanite people and the female counterpart to Baal. Ashtoreth, according to the Canaanites, was the goddess of the moon. While previous empires worshiped Ashtoreth, most titled her as the goddess of war. However, there is no reason to believe the Canaanites ascribe such qualities to Ashtoreth."

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Which Scripture really touched my heart today?  I can tell you that "Love the Lord our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" is especially special to me.  Born a practicing Jew, this is one of the few Scriptures that we memorized. In my up-bringing (which may vary from others), we did not really concentrate on the Words of the Torah.  (Torah is the first 5 books of the Bible, the part the Jews believe.  We seem to have concentrated more on the people and stories of the Torah.  The Torah is sacred.  It is hand-written in Hebrew from right to left on parchment or sheep's skin. If the writer makes one mistake he must start all over...it can take 2 people's consecutive lives to fulfill the writing of the Torah...each stroke the same.   It can not be touched by human hand.  The scroll is wound around two heavy wooded rods.)  Anyway, this is one of the Scriptures we learned.  So, this Scripture really reminded me of my heritage.

 "What does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all His ways..." This Verse struck me as I read this Devotion.  It reminded me of what He wants from me...it is not asking the world of me.  In fact, it is my belief that since I am Saved, and have the Holy Spirit working within me...walking in the Lord's way is something I desire to do.  It is as if it started to happen on it's own...and now it is an act of obedience and love.  It is something I strive to do daily...decision by decision...action by action.  I want to walk closely with Him. I want to have a close relationship like Adam and Eve had with God in the Garden of Eden.  I want to respect Him.  Who else could possibly deserve the depth of respect we should have for Him?  And, His ways are the high ways.  He has instructed us on how to live the best life we can, and how to be with Him for eternity.  THAT is why I want to do everything I can to walk in His ways...to serve Him, and show Him I love Him, and that I want to be with Him forever.  (I do not know if that is what this Verse literally, scholarly means.  It is what comes to mind when I read it today...well, in February and today.

Which of the Verses really spoke to you?  Would you be willing to share in the comment section?  If you are willing to explain your thoughts in detail, I would love to share it as a post...with your permission only of course! If you are willing to share it as a blog post please email it to me as opposed to leaving it in the comment section.  tracistarkweather@gmail.com Please remember that we would love to receive your comments no matter how long. One of the goals I first had for this blog was for us to encourage and teach each other...to have fellowship...even if through comments.  To pray for each other, when someone leaves a need in the comment section. These things serve the Lord! When we share we encourage other Christians.  And, we may just say something that touches the heart of the unSaved.  I often leave replies in the comment section where you left your comment, so please take a look at the last post when you visit.  We are so glad you are here, and we love to hear from you, learn your opinions and thoughts, and  have fellowship with you.  Thank you so much for being here today.  I hope this Devotion was as uplifting to you...as it is for me! I can't wait to read your thoughts!  May God bless each of you!

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

"My All in All" (Part 3)

Hi Friends~

I hope you have been reading this series with us since Monday.  It is based on this wonderful Devotion Book I am reading.  It is called "My All in All" by Robert J. Morgan.


Before you read any further...I left Wednesday's post off asking you to post your Favorite Scripture with the word "all" in it.  Just write it out in the comment section, if you would.   It will also make you eligible to win the He IS Able Card Sets Give-Away!  When you are done with that...come on back and take a look at the list of Scripture the author came up with that all include the word "all" in it.

(Part 3 of Robert J. Morgan's Introduction to "My All in All"
The following is a quote:

Looking up the word in a concordance, I was amazed to find 5,675 “alls” in the Bible.This word shows up in a remarkable number of Verses, and it amplifies many of our greatest truths, commands and promises:

**”All things work together for the good of those who love God”(Romans 8:28)

**”You have thrown all my sins behind Your back” (Isaiah 38:17)

**”Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.”

(Matthew 10:30)

**“Love the Lord your God with all your heart”(Matthew 22:37)

**“Trust in the Lord with all your heart”(Proverbs 3:5-6)

**“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened”

(Matthew 11:28)

**“Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”

(Psalm 23:6 NIV)

**“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you" (Matthew 6:33)

The Lord doesn’t waste words in His Book.  In the Verses above, the alls could easily have been left out;  yet there they are. Seems it’s one of God’s favorite words.  He used it thousands of times, often in passages that would have read nicely without it;  yet, the all maximizes the meaning to the absolute.  It’s the largest little word in the world, taking already strong statements and broadening their applications to virtual infinity, which, after all, is what one would expect from an omnipotent Father.

The frequency of this word in Scripture speaks to the all-sufficient grace of our Almighty Savior.  It highlights the infinite omniqualities of God, and the complete devotion we should afford Him.  He is the Lord of All, our All-in-All, our Almighty God, our All-Sufficient Savior from whom All blessings flow;  and He is All we need.

Looking up all these alls was the simplest Bible study I’ve ever done, but one of those most bolstering to the soul, because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God—even the thousands of occurrences of this little monosyllabic term.

So for each day of the year, I’ve selected an “all” from Scripture---365 of them, all told.

The other 5, 310 occurrences you’ll have to dig out yourself!T

He IS Able!                                                                                     Traci Starkweather

"My All in All" (Part 2).

Hi Friends~

If you weren't here on Monday you may not know that I am in Texas celebrating with my son who is graduating from the Air Force Basic Military Training!  So, Monday started the 1st part of this series... "My All in All" by Robert J. Morgan.  Please go back to Monday's post and read the set up for this beautiful book.  It will continue for a couple of days at least.  I also explained about the He IS Able Card Sets Give-Away on Monday--please read it.

OK—Here is the Introduction.  It is all typed in direct quotes.

"He is all in all to me,

And my song of songs shall be,

Hallelujah, O My Savior,

I am trusting only Thee."

~Fanny Crosby

“Daily Assurance of God’s Grace…My All in All”

INTRODUCTION

One evening several years ago when troubled about a particular matter, I sat at the dining room table and picked up my Bible. I turned to a little book near the back and read through 1 Peter, thinking the old fisherman might have an encouraging word for me. When I got to the last chapter, I came across Verse 7: “casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.” It was a Verse I knew well, indeed had memorized it; but now I saw something I’d never seen before. It said: “casting ALL your care upon Him.”

The Divine Author could easily have omitted the word allwithout hindering the flow or force of the text: casting your care upon Him. But the Lord deliberately dropped that little all into the sentence like a pearl in the pathway, and I had overlooked it for years.

But what a word! The “all” indicated this was anall-inclusive promise. Nothing is excluded from the invitation. No problem is too small for His notice, none to large for His power. He’s concerned about each and every problem I have or would ever have, public or personal, large or little. He can handle them, and I should give them all to Him in total trust.

Then a thought came to me. I wondered if there were other “alls” in the Bible that I’d missed. Continuing my reading, I noticed three Verses later that God is the “God of all grace.” Four Verses later: “Peace to allof you.” Three Verses down the column, in 2 Peter 1:3, I read, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of Him who called us.” (NKJV)

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I'm going to stop quoting the book for today.  I have a challenge for you.  The next post will start off with many Scripture containing the word "all" in it.  So, I am challenging you to write your favorite Verse that contains the word "All" in it in the comment section.  Have a great day!  God Bless!

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

"My All in All" (Part 1)

Hi Friends~

Happy New Year!  I pray that you have all enjoyed this holiday weekend, and if you have made any resolutions, that they include getting to know Him as  closely as possible. You could spend as much time in prayer as possible.  Read His Word every day…even a paragraph!  And, encourage others in daily life…and to know the Lord, Jesus the Christ!

I am leaving for my son Joshua’s graduation from the Basic Military Training from the Air Force this week.  I doubt I will have the time or energy to post while I am gone.  You will all be in my prayers, as usual.  I will be spending some quality time with  my son that I haven’t seen for almost 3 months, and will not be able to see for almost a year! It is difficult for me to travel, we are heading to San Antonio, Texas. My back, legs and migraines are usually pretty bad when I travel. I am praying that my disabilities will not keep me from attending any of Josh’s events!

So, I will draw 2 names next week for our He IS Able Card Set Give-Away!  I’m not sure what day it will be, so please stop by Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I will be recuperating from the trip so as soon as able, I will announce the winners.  It is difficult for me to travel, we are heading to San Antonio, Texas.  My back, legs and migraines are usually pretty bad when I travel.  I am praying that my disabilities will not keep me from attending any of Josh’s events!  Be sure to leave a comment before Tuesday at 8pm to be eligible to receive a set of beautiful hand made cards.

I have started a new book of Devotions.  I have been waiting a while to start it on the 1^st .  And, I read the introduction the day before.  It may seem odd, but I want to share the introduction with you.  It is amazing…and so inspiring!  The book has a long name…

“Daily Assurance of God’s Grace…My All in All”   It is written by Robert J. Morgan and B and H Publishing Group put it out.  And, I love the feel of this paperback. The pages feel worn, the outside edge is "texturized" somehow…some pages stick out more than others, over and over it has ridges!  And it just feels like it has been read by many before me…this exact book--even though that was not the case.  The cover is an antiqued gold and brown, and the edges look as if they were distressed with Tim Holtz’s Distress Inks.  It is cozy.  If I am being clear about what I mean.

I hope you will enjoy these few days as I split this wonderful Introduction to this book and the 1st Devotion into a few parts.  You know how God provides?  Well, I pray for Him to please provide the material that is shared on this blog.  Well, when you get to the 1st Devotion...you will KNOW that it was made to be shared on the He IS Able blog!

I am setting the next post to automatically show up on Wednesday morning.  Have a great week!  God Bless!

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather