2018

A MATTER OF FAITH

We begin as imperfect beings made perfect by the love filled blood of Jesus the Son of God. We are not, in the eyes of our Lord: Millennials, Generation Xers, products of the 60’s, homophobic, sexist, racist, or any label man wants to attach to the human body. If you are a follower of Christ, a Christian: stop defining yourself based on the ideology of another; do not justify your actions because of who they say you are.

HEBREWS 10:14
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Think about it: God sees you as perfect! He sees you without spot or wrinkle, because of Jesus. When man looks at a person he sees flaws. Man sees: Millenials, Generation Xers, products of the 60’s, homophobic, sexist, racist, and so forth. God sees Himself.

GENSIS 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

It is true we live in flawed bodies which is why we are told to walk according to our born again spirit.

GALATIANS 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

I too have fallen victim to the identity philosophies of the world. We all must vehemently reject the opinions of man and embrace the truth. God’s word is the truth (John 17:17) and He says we are awesome.

PSALM 139:14
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 

As a follower of Christ it is important to see yourself as God sees you. Man looks at the physical appearances and declares who is ugly and who is beautiful.  Man examines personal beliefs and determines what is  acceptable or unacceptable based on agendas; for example- a person who believes homosexualtiy is a sin based on Scripture is classified as homophobic. When Scripture tells us to be perfect (Matthew 5:48) it is telling us to be all that God has called us to be regardless of man’s opinion. Biblical perfection, by definition, is that of completeness, having recieved everything needed from God.


Every year on January first people make resolutions; a promise to self to do. Such resolutions as: reading the Bible in a year, finding and attending church regularly, exercising, loosing weight or some other behavior that the individual believes is necessary for a better life. The difficulties arise when people make these promises without understanding what it takes to carry out these actions.

Don’t make New Years resolutions.

HEBREWS 10:14
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

We are made perfect in Christ. We are completed, made perfect, via our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Therefore, it is important to know what it is He has done, we do this by studying the Word.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Today there is a lot of confusion in the world which has lead to a lot of anger, distrust and even hatred. Believers are not to be conformed to this world but are to change the way they think of themselves (Romans 12:2).  We are to develop the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)and be “determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)  This is what should be resolved in your heart and mind this day, regardless of the day reading it. 

Humanities identity is found within the pages of Scripture not the six o’clock news.  Everything a person needs to know and what he or she should do is in God’s word. Be it resolved: From this day forward you will remember that you are a child of God and live accordingly; and all those things will be given to you.

ACTS 17:28
for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

— written by Marsha L F Randolph

A MATTER OF FAITH reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.

BACK2BASICS: BACK TO BASICS!

I remember when I first caught “the fire” of faith. I was so into the word of God that nothing else really mattered; the cares of the world caused me to quench the fire within. Though my decreased focus on the word and increased focus on the world has made people I know content it has resulted in me struggling for peace and joy. I cannot live with a light hidden in a closet.

JOHN 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

Once upon a time I justified my prayer request by writing down the coresponding Scripture. Then I decided I knew the word well enough that it was not necessary for me to write it down. I was developing a confidence in my completed works as if I did not need to continue doing and growing.  No more.

HABAKKUK 2:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 

I must remember my original instructions “write” it is not just others who are empowered who read it but I too benefit from what I write. It is more effective when you commit the word to pen and paper and place those words in a visible place. This action facilitates your giving God’s word a more prominent position in your mind than the words of people.

I am going back to a simpler more effective faith lifestyle. I am giving up the bells and whistles- the big screens, the well rehearsed bands, the in and out message with coffee and donuts all in a room with thousands of others. I am going back to my King James version of the Bible; yes, I will still use other translations.

In otherwords I am not trying to make my life easier through technology; I am making my life simpler by not trying to incorporate technology into everything I do.  This idea takes longer but I believe it is more rewarding.  — written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIEOLOGY A compilation of ideas, opinions, beliefs and activities of Nettie a pseudo-fictional character created by Marsha L F Randolph. The author, Marsha L F Randolph maintains all rights associated with copyright laws; do not use post / articles without the permission of the author Marsha L F Randolph. All quotes should cite Marsha L F Randolph as the author.
Check out Nettie’s YouTube Channel NETTIE F R MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT 
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NETTIE-ISM: YOUR GIFT(S)

What are you doing with your gift? Did you kick the gift out after 18 years? Did you neglect your gift for the first five? Did you dress your gift up as if the gift was an adult? Or did you abort your gift before you knew if the gift was male or female? Children are a gift from God.

LUKE 1:42
Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!


PSALM 127:3 THE EXPANDED BIBLE
Children are ·a gift [an inheritance] from the Lord;  ·babies [L- the fruit of the womb] are a reward.


PROVERBS 17:6 King James Version
 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.


LUKE 18:16
But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

xxx written by Marsha L F Randolph
NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR

A MATTER OF FAITH: MERRY CHRISTMAS

NOTE: I am always amazed at the increased understanding I develop everytime I read Scripture, which is why you have to read it more than once. I did not see the message of Salvation found within the pages of Song of Solomon until chapter 3! It is through the Spirit of God that He speaks to us and it is the Holy Spirit that revealed this truth to me so that I could share it with you.
This task of blogging and intentionally sharing on social media my words has been an act of obedience. Writing and sharing my words is part of my God given purpose. You, dear reader, can develop a better understanding of your purpose by obeying what ‘thus sayeth the Lord.’ The task at hand, your personal journey, begins with salvation. -Marsha

Is Jesus Lord of your life? Have you exposed yourself to Him?

The first time I read the Songs I readily saw the relationship between a man and a woman but I quickly knew there was more. As a believer always seeking to improve my relationship with Father God I saw the passion of God’s love for me within the verses of this very personal book. The passion is very real:

SONG OF SOLOMON 8:6-7
Set me as a seal over your heart; wear me as an emblem on your arm for love is as strong as death, and jealousy is as relentless as the grave.  Love flares up like a blazing fire, a very ardent flame.  No amount of water can quench love; a raging flood cannot drown it out. If a person tried to exchange all of his wealth for love, then he would be surely rejected.

I choose to see Song of Solomon as the courtship of our Lord with the church, I personalized Scripture and saw my Lord and me. As I see all the foolishness that is going on in the world today, I see this book as a call for others to come into the kingdom while there is time. Let me say this again: The time for salvation is NOW.

ROMANS 13:11-12
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light

On December 25th Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the designated day to honor the birth of our Lord and Savior.

ISAIAH 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

It is good to give gifts. It is good to eat a great meal with friends and family. It is good to remember that our Lord and Savior is God manifested in the flesh. What is not good is focusing on the receiving and not the one who gave the most.

JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

It is not a flat screen television that a person should be seeking. It is not a Brother PE525 Embroidery Machine that I should be seeking. New cars, video games, iPhones, and such are excellent gifts but the best gift is Jesus.

MATTHEW 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year! Remember to put Jesus first. If you have not established a relationship with God through Jesus do it now, before you open the gifts.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8:14
Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.

THIS CONCLUDES THE STUDY OF SONG OF SOLOMON!   - Marsha L F Randolph

A MATTER OF FAITH- SONG OF SOLOMON STUDY  reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR

NETTIE-ISM: CHANGED

Some people 

will always see you the way 

you were before. 

1Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

                                                                             xxx written by Marsha L F Randolph



NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR

A MATTER OF FAITH: A REASON TO WORSHIP

SONG OF SOLOMON 7:10

I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.

God came to the church and the church should go to God. In 1835 Charlotte Elliot wrote a song that has been sung in many churches particularly during the alter call: “Just as I am”, we go to Him just as we are. Others may focus on your imperfections but God does not.

ISAIAH 55:6
Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

Far to often people focus on physical appearances: “I am black, but comely” or social status, “they made me the keeper of the vineyards”, that is not God’s way. (Song of Solomon 1:5,6) God sees you perfect: “Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee”. (Song of Solomon 4:7) When a person focuses on  physical characteristics or social  status  and not intelectual and emotional elements it is inevitable that the relationship will not be successful. Emotional well being and intelectual aptitude have a greater influence towards the success or failure of any relationship, even a relationship with God. 

As I said, when I first began this series of post, Song of Solomon is very sexy; to be sexy is to stimulate desires. The desires a man and a woman should have for one another should not be focused on fleshly pleasures- a short term activity. The desires a man and woman should have for one another should be of completion “

Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

This is what godly intamcy is about- becoming one.

JOHN 17:22
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

Song of Solomon is about becoming one with Father God through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit of God that will dwell in us if we open ourselves up to Him- this is intimacy.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

It is a personal choice. It does not matter how big or small the church you attend is or even if you attend church. Your denomination becomes irrelevant- there is no Baptist section in heaven. Do not focus on the superficial.

Life responsibilities go beyond the bedroom. In a traditional ceremony, when a man and a woman get married the two are cautioned: ‘Do not to enter into the union lightly’. What happens after you say “I do”? Gone are the pre-wedding parties, the ceremony, the post wedding celebration and for some a honeymoon.  Women’s breast become saggy and health issues may prevent the use of ‘male enhancement drugs’ marriage has to be more than a physical needs being fulfilled. The desire for each other must exist: in health and sickness; in poor times and rich times; in worst times and in better times.

A personal relationship with God has become part of a checklist for far to many believers.  In this day and age of super-sized churches, numerous activities for the children, prayer chains on social media, and telephones, daily word books and Bible reading programs that get you from Genesis to Revelation in a year: WHY BE INTIMATE?

Why is: giving ten percent plus, regular church attendance, participation in various church activites, reading the Bible in a year, reading a daily word book whenever you remember or have time, and praying for friends and family not enough?

Because the most important thing is sitting at Jesus feet. The most important thing is worshiping Father God. And you cannot do either unless you go to Him just as you are.

LUKE 10:41-42
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

EXODUS 34:14
(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),

Mary knew what Martha had to be taught; you have to put your checklist aside to become intimate with the Lord. No matter what is going on in your life you must take time to worship Him.

The Bible speaks of a marriage between the Bridegroom and the church. Song of Solomon illustrates the developing relationship between a woman and the king. As you read Song of Solomon note the transition of the Shulamite, once she was insecure about her looks, as time progressed and she developed a relationship with the king she developed a confidence about who she was in him. Jesus is our King and He is coming back for His bride.

It is one thing for someone to preach to you who God is but a realtionship with Father God through Jesus Christ is not about what someone said. Your church leader cannot get you into heaven or keep you out of hell. Developing an intimate relationship with God through Christ requires your being naked before Him, exposing your ‘self’ to Him.

ACTS 17:28
for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

Jesus is our beloved and we are His. There is not a better relatioship, no greater love, than that between the church and Christ.  He is everything to the church and the church is everything to Him. Can you praise Him in sickness, in bad times, during times of poverty? Or just when everything is going well?

PSALM 104:33
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

- written by Marsha L F Randolph

A MATTER OF FAITH- SONG OF SOLOMON STUDY  reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR

NETTIE-ISM: CO-OPERATING WITH GOD

Your faith is reflected in your ability to cooperate with God’s word.







JAMES 2:14-18
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

                                                                                            xxx written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR 

A MATTER OF FAITH: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

How do you experience a personal relationship with God? The answer is twofold: One, you have to yield yourself to Him completely; and two, you have to trust Him.

PSALM 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

MATTHEW 26:26-28
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

A personal relationship with God involves redirecting your senses. The ability to see, touch, taste, hear and smell must be utilized to receive what is in the spiritual realm.   When a person is born again it is his spirit that is made alive. The spirit within can become the dominant feature of a Believer but the Believer must want this. When you live according to, walk in, the spirit you don’t seek to satisfy the flesh (Galatians 5:16) thus you are able to taste, experience the blessings of God.

THIS IS MY OPINION: The churches have failed many believers today in not emphasizing the development of the spirit within when one is born again.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

GALATIANS 6:15-17
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 

Just as a baby crawls before he walks so does a Believer. It is not easy reading the Bible for the first time, particularly then King James Version. Each church has its’ own set of rules that may or may not be presented as rules. For example: Is it casual dress or should men wear a suit and women an appropriate length skirt or dress (no cleavage). 

As a Bible Teacher I have encountered quite a few individuals who have taken “New Believer’s Classes” at their church and still do not have a personal relationship with God.    END OF MY OPINION.

SONG OF SOLOMON 5:9
What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you so charge us?

There is a difference between a personal relationship with God than that of a relationship with the gods of this world. Consider the difference between fast food and fine dining. Not everyone experiences fine dining because they would rather spend $20 at McDonald’s every week than save the money to cover the cost of an expensive meal, or even prepare a homecooked one. It is easier to go to Burger King dressed in jeans and a t-shirt than to dress up and go to a place where you have to wait to be seated.
When a person accepts Jesus as Lord there is a period of time in which the Believer is learning who God is. Just as in Song of Solomon the Shulamite had to get to know the king and develop a trusting relationship with him. But, as time goes on a trusting giving relationship should develop.

God expects those who come to Him to know who He is, He sent His Son to teach us what we did not know.

JOHN 1:1, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

If you believe that God is the Creator of heaven and earth and you want a personal relationship with Him then you must believe in your heart that Jesus is who He is, the only begotten Son of Father God, and declare it verbally; and it is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, that helps you develop understanding.  This is the first step to pleasing Him.

HEBREWS 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Many believers have it twisted today; they think a relationship with God is about Him pleasing them. Yes, God will bless us and there are benefits to being part of the Kingdom of God but “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Everyone’s senses respond differently to stimuli thus your relationship with Father God through Christ will be unique. What is important is that you allow Jesus to be Lord of your entire life so that you will live according to His will and not your will. The more you know of Him the more you will yield to Him.
Song of Solomon chapters 5 and 6 (see below) are about the experience of a personal relationship. Allow your senses to: taste and see that the Lord is good; eat His body, drink His blood, be buried with Him (Colossians 2:12) so that the two of you will become one (John 15:4).  - written by Marsha L F Randolph

A MATTER OF FAITH- SONG OF SOLOMON STUDY  reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR

SONG OF SOLOMON 5-6

The Beloved
5 I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse;I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk.
(To His Friends)
Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!

The Shulamite’s Troubled Evening
The Shulamite
2 I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying,
“Open for me, my sister, my love,my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”
3 I have taken off my robe; how can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; how can I defile them?
4 My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, and my heart yearned for him.
5 I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.
6 I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
7 The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took my veil away from me.
8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am lovesick!

The Daughters of Jerusalem
9 What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you so charge us?

The Shulamite
10 My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousand.
11 His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy, and black as a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
13 His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herbs. His lips are lilies,
Dripping liquid myrrh.
14 His hands are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.
15 His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
16 His mouth is most sweet, yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

The Daughters of Jerusalem

1 Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside,
That we may seek him with you?

The Shulamite
2 My beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.

Praise of the Shulamite’s Beauty
The Beloved
4 O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners!
5 Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Gilead.
6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep which have come up from the washing; every one bears twins, and none is barren among them.
7 Like a piece of pomegranate are your temples behind your veil.
8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
9 My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
10 Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun,
Awesome as an army with banners?

The Shulamite
11 I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded and the pomegranates had bloomed.
12 Before I was even aware, my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people.

The Beloved and His Friends
13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon you!
The Shulamite
What would you see in the Shulamite— as it were, the dance of the two camps?

NETTIE-ISM: DON'T ASK GOD

Don’t ask God for what you don’t think He will give you.  As the saying goes: Believe and receive or doubt and do without.

James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

                                                                                          xxx written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube Channel MY COUNTRY CITY PROJECT at NETTIE FR 

A MATTER OF FAITH: HOW GOD SEES YOU

PSALM 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.



I read this from a female perspective yet I am reminded by the Spirit that this applies to men as well. We all must know that God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb and we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made.

JEREMIAH 1:4-5
Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Many people hesitate to have a personal relationship with the Lord because of their faults but God does not see us the way others see us.  He is our Creator, He knew us before we knew ourselves. God knows our successes as well as our sins; God knows the secret faults we don’t tell anyone. Despite all of our imperfections He still wants a relationship with His children and has done all that He can to facilitate that relationship.

JOHN 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

The remainder of Song of Solomon focuses on the personal relationship between the church and the Lord. When we become a new creation in Christ we discover a love like no other, we begin to learn how much God loves us.

SONG OF SOLOMON 4:16
Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out.
Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.

Father God wants to shower His church with blessings. The church's  response to His presence is worship.


Chapter 4 of the Songs, shared below from the Voice translation, addresses how the Lord sees the church; she is beautiful.

- written by Marsha L F Randolph

A MATTER OF FAITH- SONG OF SOLOMON STUDY  reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
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SONG OF SOLOMON 4 THE VOICE

Him (to her): You, my love, are beautiful. So beautiful! 
*Because stimulating images come forth when the lovers describe in intimate detail each other’s bodies, Jewish men were discouraged from reading this greatest of songs until the age of 30.
Your eyes are like doves nestled behind your veil. Your hair moves as gracefully as a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Mount Gilead. Your teeth are pearl white like a flock of sheep shorn, fresh up from a wash. Each perfect and paired with another; not one of them is lost.  Your lips are as red as scarlet threads;   your mouth is beautiful.  Your cheeks rosy and round are beneath your veil,   like the halves of a pomegranate.  Your neck is elegant like the tower of David, perfectly fit stone-by-stone. There hang a thousand shields, the shields of mighty men.   Your breasts are like two fawns,  twin gazelles grazing in a meadow of lilies.  As the day breathes its morning breeze and shadows turn and flee, I will go up your myrrh mountain and climb your frankincense hill. You are so beautiful, my love, without blemish.  Come with me from Lebanon, my bride; come with me from Lebanon. Journey with me from the crest of Amana, from the top of Senir even the summit of Hermon, from the lions’ dangerous den, from the mountain hideouts of leopards. My heart is your captive, my sister, my bride; you have stolen it with one glance, caught it with a single strand of your necklace.  How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is more pleasing than the finest wine, and the fragrance of your perfume brings more delight than any spice!  Your lips taste sweet like honey off the comb, my bride; milk and honey are beneath your tongue. The scents of your clothes are like the fresh air of Lebanon.  You are a locked garden, my sister, my bride, open only to me; a spring closed up tight, a sealed fountain.  Your sprouts are an orchard of pomegranates and exotic fruits—   with henna and nard, with nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon— with rows of frankincense trees and myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices. My bride, you are a fountain in a garden, a well of life-giving water flowing down from Lebanon.
*What does he mean by “my sister, my bride”? Is this a sudden revelation of an incestuous relationship? No. He is describing how sexual expression can bring two people intimately together, as close as two people can be; the man and woman are now family. This image would have been particularly meaningful in ancient Israelite society, where life was centered on familial relationships and calling someone “brother” or “sister” was a sign of deep intimacy and care. Blood relatives lived together, worked together, traded with each other, and were buried together. By calling the woman “sister,” he is declaring they are now blood relatives. In the covenant relationship called marriage, blood is drawn during consummation, bonding the two parties together as man and wife, as brother and sister, forever.
Him (to the winds): Rise, you north wind; come, you south wind. Breathe on my garden, and let the fragrance of its natural spices fill the air. 
Her: Let my love come into his garden and feast from its choice fruits.

The Voice (VOICE)
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.