Prayer

James 1

Testing Your Faith

 2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 9But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

 10and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

 11For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

 12Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

 18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

 19This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

 20for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

 21Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

 22But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

 25But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

 26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Hi guys!

Would you please pray for some problems I am getting ready to have with the process of classes/enrolement here?  I am very confused about what I need to do, and I need wisdom.  I also need answers to questions from the people in offices here, questions I dont know I need to ask.  What I mean is I need them to tell me things that I dont know that I need to be told.  The situation is I am  anticipating is that I will need to change two classes this late in the semester.  This has happened because the way European study abroads are arranged is different than the American process.   Therefore I am now in two classes that will not work in the American process.  Also, my test dates are not lining up for when I need to be in France.  It is really messy, and I would really appreciate and ask for your prayers. 

Thank you,

Sophie

Sorry guys :(

Luke 16:10-31

11"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?

 12"And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

 13"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth."

 14Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.

 15And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

 16"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

 17"But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.

 18"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

 20"And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores,

 21and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

 22"Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.

 23"In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.

 24"And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'

 25"But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.

 26'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.'

 27"And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house--

 28for I have five brothers--in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

 29"But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'

 30"But he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!'

 31"But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Two things really struck me in this passage recently.  First, verses 17 and 18.  I think that it is really significant that verse 18 follows verse 17, because it demonstrates that it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for unbiblical divorce resulting in remarriage to be considered anything else than what it is: adultry.  Secondly, verse 25 was really convicting to me recently.  I dont want you to misunderstand and think that becoming a christian means that good things will never happen to you (or that you will never receive comfort on earth..etc) because that would be contrary to the truth in scripture- not only the references to being filled with a peace that not only surpasses all understanding but also guards your heart(Philippians 4:7), not to mention that salvation from sin and the cancelation of a debt that could not be paid through anything I could do is by far the best thing that could happen to anybody.  But where are the people you know in your life?  I have heard it said, and it is demonstrated vividly in a book by CS Lewis called The Great Divorce-which has nothing to do with marriage but rather demonstrating that "here on earth is the closest to heaven a non-christian, and for a christian, it is all the hell they will experience".   Also verse 26 is an amazing verse on eternal-eternal security.  "The chasm is fixed".  Therefore, this life is the opportunity we have, and at the point of our death, our decision about salvation becomes an eternal reality. 

Christians, Please think about all those you know who are not christians, and pray for them. 

 Hebrews 9:27-28 "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."

If you dont know Christ as the salvation of your soul, or if you have any questions, leave a comment, or feel free to send me an email me at ssize@ou.edu. 

It was so good to talk with you all again!  I love you all!

Sophie

Yeah God!

1 Samuel 5

Capture of the Ark Provokes God

 2Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.

 3When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD So they took Dagon and set him in his place again.

 4But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.

 5Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

 6Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He ravaged them and smote them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.

 7When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god."

 8So they sent and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" And they said, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath." And they brought the ark of the God of Israel around.

 9After they had brought it around, the hand of the LORD was against the city with very great confusion; and He smote the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.

 10So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And as the ark of God came to Ekron the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought the ark of the God of Israel around to us, to kill us and our people."

 11They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it will not kill us and our people " For there was a deadly confusion throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

1 Samuel 6:1-12

The Ark Returned to Israel

 2And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we shall send it to its place."

 3They said, "If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty; but you shall surely return to Him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed and it will be known to you why His hand is not removed from you."

 4Then they said, "What shall be the guilt offering which we shall return to Him?" And they said, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for one plague was on all of you and on your lords.

 5"So you shall make likenesses of your tumors and likenesses of your mice that ravage the land, and you shall give glory to the God of Israel; perhaps He will ease His hand from you, your gods, and your land.

 6"Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had severely dealt with them, did they not allow the people to go, and they departed?

 7"Now therefore, take and prepare a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves home, away from them.

 8"Take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away that it may go.

 9"Watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance."

 10Then the men did so, and took two milch cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.

 11They put the ark of the LORD on the cart, and the box with the golden mice and the likenesses of their tumors.

 12And the cows took the straight way in the direction of Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh.

This is one of my favorite places in the Bible.  I cannot read it without laughing.  Look at God´s power!  Before the Ark of the Lord, the false god falls down on his face.  How appropraite.  We serve a powerful God, and He is in control of everything!   Remember Elijah and the fire that rained down to consume the offering, Abraham and God´s provision of the ram. 

Psalm 77:11-13 says
11 I shall remember the deeds of the LORD;
         Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 
12I will meditate on all Your work
         And muse on Your deeds.
13Your way, O God, is holy;
         What god is great like our God?

To update you on how things are going here in Spain,
Thank you so much for your prayers, they are a blessing and through them God continues to meet needs here.  Pray for several girls here that they would be open to the message of the gospel weither they have heard it before or not.  Pray that I can continue making relationships here, and also use the recent events with the outcome of the Iraq trial and Sadaam Hussin´s death sentance as an opportunity to talk with people about what happens after death and also that I would not let politics and other frustrations become hinderances.  Your prayers are the greatest encouragement to me.   Thanks!

I saw some video of Americans in our great USA on the TV, and when I saw them I felt really relaxed and some cultural tension was eased and I felt really comfortable, and I wanted to give them a hug....so if you see an American today, and you have the privledge of being in America, give them a hug and enjoy America! 
Have a great day,

Sophie

Truth

Isaiah 51 Israel Exhorted
    1"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
         Who seek the LORD:
         Look to the rock from which you were hewn
         And to the quarry from which you were dug.
    2"Look to Abraham your father
         And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain;
         When he was but one I called him,
         Then I blessed him and multiplied him."
    3Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion;
         He will comfort all her waste places
         And her wilderness He will make like Eden,
         And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
         Joy and gladness will be found in her,
         Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.
    4"Pay attention to Me, O My people,
         And give ear to Me, O My nation;
         For a law will go forth from Me,
         And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples.
    5"My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth,
         And My arms will judge the peoples;
         The coastlands will wait for Me,
         And for My arm they will wait expectantly.
    6"Lift up your eyes to the sky,
         Then look to the earth beneath;
         For the sky will vanish like smoke,
         And the earth will wear out like a garment
         And its inhabitants will die in like manner;
         But My salvation will be forever,
         And My righteousness will not wane.
    7"Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
         A people in whose heart is My law;
         Do not fear the reproach of man,
         Nor be dismayed at their revilings.
    8"For the moth will eat them like a garment,
         And the grub will eat them like wool
         But My righteousness will be forever,
         And My salvation to all generations."
    9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD;
         Awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago
         Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces,
         Who pierced the dragon?
    10Was it not You who dried up the sea,
         The waters of the great deep;
         Who made the depths of the sea a pathway
         For the redeemed to cross over?
    11So the ransomed of the LORD will return
         And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
         And everlasting joy will be on their heads
         They will obtain gladness and joy,
         And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
    12"I, even I, am He who comforts you
         Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies
         And of the son of man who is made like grass,
    13That you have forgotten the LORD your Maker,
         Who stretched out the heavens
         And laid the foundations of the earth,
         That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor,
         As he makes ready to destroy?
         But where is the fury of the oppressor?

 14"The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking.

 15"For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the LORD of hosts is His name).

 16"I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, 'You are My people.'"
    17Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem,
         You who have drunk from the LORD'S hand the cup of His anger;
         The chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs.
    18There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne,
         Nor is there one to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared.
    19These two things have befallen you;
         Who will mourn for you?
         The devastation and destruction, famine and sword;
         How shall I comfort you?
    20Your sons have fainted,
         They lie helpless at the head of every street,
         Like an antelope in a net,
         Full of the wrath of the LORD,
         The rebuke of your God.
    21Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted,
         Who are drunk, but not with wine:
    22Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God
         Who contends for His people,
         "Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling,
         The chalice of My anger;
         You will never drink it again.
    23"I will put it into the hand of your tormentors,
         Who have said to you, 'Lie down that we may walk over you.'
         You have even made your back like the ground
         And like the street for those who walk over it."

Isaiah 52 Cheer for Prostrate Zion
    1Awake, awake,
         Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion;
         Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments,
         O Jerusalem, the holy city;
         For the uncircumcised and the unclean
         Will no longer come into you.
    2Shake yourself from the dust, rise up,
         O captive Jerusalem;
         Loose yourself from the chains around your neck,
         O captive daughter of Zion.

 3For thus says the LORD, "You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money."

 4For thus says the Lord GOD, "My people went down at the first into Egypt to reside there; then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

 5"Now therefore, what do I have here," declares the LORD, "seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?" Again the LORD declares, "Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

 6"Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, 'Here I am.'"
    7How lovely on the mountains
         Are the feet of him who brings good news,
         Who announces peace
         And brings good news of happiness,
         Who announces salvation,
         And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
    8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices,
         They shout joyfully together;
         For they will see with their own eyes
         When the LORD restores Zion.
    9Break forth, shout joyfully together,
         You waste places of Jerusalem;
         For the LORD has comforted His people,
         He has redeemed Jerusalem.
    10The LORD has bared His holy arm
         In the sight of all the nations,
         That all the ends of the earth may see
         The salvation of our God.
    11Depart, depart, go out from there,
         Touch nothing unclean;
         Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves,
         You who carry the vessels of the LORD.
    12But you will not go out in haste,
         Nor will you go as fugitives;
         For the LORD will go before you,
         And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. The Exalted Servant

    13Behold, My servant will prosper,
         He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.
    14Just as many were astonished at you, My people,
         So His appearance was marred more than any man
         And His form more than the sons of men.
    15Thus He will sprinkle many nations,
         Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him;
         For what had not been told them they will see,
         And what they had not heard they will understand.

God really blessed me this week with a joke.  You know how I am always cracking jokes in English, well it is harder in Spanish, and there really havent been many opportunities where I could make a joke because of how formal most situations I have been in are.  Well two days ago I was sharing a book with this girl in my spanish speaking (as in we are doing the speaking) class and afterward I asked her if she wanted to get some coffee.  Her name is Danelle and she is from Ireland.  Little did I know that she goes with her friends after that class to get something in the cafeteria at that time anyway, so I got to meet lots of people.  Anyway we were all sitting at the table drinking coffee and stuff, and one of the guys there was german and he was explaining to us how he had to go because he was going to go help another student study and do homework, 1/2 the time in Spanish, 1/2 the time in German.  He was explaining to us that what they call that action translates into spanish as "tandem bicycle" (which is a bike for two riders).  At first we were all confused but then we understood what he was trying to say.  Well another person from my class says that at first he thought that the german guy was trying to say they were going to ride a tandem bicycle while they were doing homework.  Then the joke came, and I made a senario between two riders where one is talking in the spanish way, and for the other rider I used the only german phrase I know which translates to "I have this homework I must get done"   Well most everyone else at the table knows how to speak german, and so the whole table bursts into laughter.  It was such a blessing to me, and literally I laughed about it in the night, and woke up laughing about it, and yesterday afternoon, I was walking in the street and rethought about it and was laughing again.  It was really good.   

God brought these passages in Isaiah over a friend of mine who is going through a lot of hurt right now.  They apply really to all of us, because they remind us of God's heart.  His heart is so beautiful.  I pray that you will see and know His heart through these passages, and rest in the truth.

Sophie 

Yeah!