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“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)
Welcome to my Blog “Settled in Heaven”. By the Lord’s grace I will be attempting to write short Bible Lessons / Devotions on a regular basis.
Being a retired pastor, Bible teacher and author for over 20 years, my heart’s desire is for this blog to be of spiritual benefit to any who might read it. I trust it will render both encouragement and knowledge to those of us seeking to serve the Lord in greater ways. For those who have not yet trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior, I trust this will help them to see the need and the urgency to receive the Lord’s gracious forgiveness. May the Lord bless our future studies of His Word.
This blog is dedicated to the honor of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus has forgiven me of all my sins, given me the ability to serve Him, and has secured my future eternity with Him. Having done all of this for me, I owe Him all my heart, my soul and my mind. This blog is my feeble attempt to serve Him. I thank Him for this privilege. To Christ be all the glory.
May the Lord bless you with spiritual strength and refreshment as we study His Word together.
After your visit to my blog, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the “comment” section following each blog entry. Or, if you desire, you are welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. A timely response will be made to all emails.
If you like what you see, please subscribe, either by email or feed. The subscription forms can be found in the right hand column of the “blog postings” page.
This text blog is only one ministry of Settled In Heaven Ministries… please visit our web homepage at http://www.settledinheaven.org for a complete listing of our ministries which include a video version of this text blog.
(Many thanks to my wife, Eva Barkman, for allowing me to use her painting, acrylics on canvas, named “Calvary” as my front page banner. Please visit her visual blog at http://alivewithchristart.blogspot.com for avisible representation of Bible truths…. if you like you are welcome to visit her other two websites at: www.alivewithcolor.com and www.etsy.com/shop/AliveWithColor )
My Honey and Me in a snow storm
Can I clone your article to my blog? Thank you…
You are more than welcome to clone my article. It would be much appreciated. Thank you. May the Lord bless you.
Rob
Hey Rob! Thank you so much for your warm and uplifting comment. I was just saying to some friends on Blog Frog how my confidence level is SO LOW. I read your comment and it really boosts my morale. I thank you for allowing God to touch your heart with my posts. Even though I have no “theological college education”, I believe as long as I speak out on what God puts in my heart, maybe someone will be uplifted or God will use my words to remind them who He is. Again, Thank you so much. You are truly a blessing to me and my blog.
God Bless,
PJ
Thank you for the kind words, PJ. They are an encouragement to my heart.
May the Lord bless you.
By the way…. don’t be concerned about a lack of “theological college education”. It sounds to me like you are a member of a good church. The Lord will bless you with knowledge of His Word through the messages being taught there.
Also, remember the Lord is the greatest teacher there is. I was blessed to be able to go to 4 year Bible college… I learned alot of truth there. However, I can honestly say I have learned MUCH more from His Word over the years of personal Bible study, then I did at college. Keep on keeping on!
Rob
Thank you, Rob. I also believe that people get “caught up in the mechanics of not only the positions of prayer, but “how to pray”. I think God will honor someone short, simple prayers just as quickly as he does of someone who uses eloquent language and prays a very lengthy prayer. The key is for it to be HEART-FELT, and so many people forget that. I have even caught myself not praying eloquently (I’m just a “plain Jane”, fut I find myself speaking to God just like I would my husband or friend. That would be a good thing except I tend to be redundant. I go into GREAT detail when I talk to my husband or friends, because I am afraid I don’t get my point across since I don’t express myself well, and I catch myself doing that in my prayers also! LOL! I really don’t think God would have a problem understanding me, do you think He would? LOL! Anyway, most of my posts are geared toward me “preaching to myself” as much as writing to anyone else, so again I thank you for your kind comments.
I had a blast at the Ladies Conference! It was excellent! I’m gonna start saving up now so I can go again next year. LOL! I know one thing though I’ve got to start taking vitamins if I plan to keep up with these younger women! LOL! The late nights and shopping nearly did me in, and we only shopped about 2 hours during the whole trip! What’s funny is I stay up late every night at home, and it doesn’t bother me. Two nights of staying up past midnight during the conference, did a number on me. The church services lasted about 3 1/2 to 4 hours each ( 1 morning and 1 evening) from Thursday evening at 6:30 -10:30, Friday morning 9:30- 1:30, Friday night 6:30 til 11:00, and Saturday morning 9:30-1:00, and of course the trip up there and home, was about a 4 hour drive each way. This old girl is STILL trying to recupe! haha!
God Bless!
PJ
PJ,
Sounds like you had a really good time on the trip. Glad to hear it.
I agree about the need for heart-felt prayer…. it is so sad when I see others praying like it’s a ritual not sincerely from the heart.
Lord bless you,
ROb
This is a nice blog to visit. I would live to list your blog on Video Sermon. Feel free to add your blog on the Other Sites you might like page.
Thank you for the invite. May the Lord bless you.
Rob
Great blog
wdednh,
Thanks for taking time to visit my blog. May the Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him. Rob
Hey Rob! Thank you so much for your comment and insight. I value your opinion so much. I trust your opinion and totally agree what you said about giving time to the Lord, so I will not worry about the length from now on. I was just torn between looking at my blog as a Christian hungering for the Word of God, and a “curious spectator” not sure for what I am looking. I want to be sure and appeal to both. The Christian for the purpose for uplifting and encouragement, and the “spectator” who is searching for something but unsure of what it is they are searching. I am wanting people of both walks of life to receive what it is God wants them to hear. Thank you so much.
I look forward to your next posting. I always get so much from them. God Bless,
PJ
PJ,
I understand and I think you are right about trying to consider who your audience is and then write your blog accordingly. I guess I disagree with you about how long it may take to read your blog entries. I think either those desiring for deeper studies, or those who are casually looking at your blog, will have no problem with your blog entries. Just speaking for myself, if you look at some of my blog entries they are very long and detailed… if anyone should be considering changing the length of blog entries it should be me. But I have come to realize that when the Lord places a subject on my heart and then reveals His truth to me from His Word I am obligated to share it with others.
May the Lrod continue ot bless you and your ministry PJ
Thank you for visiting my blog. Expect I will be returning the favor from time-to-time.
Bible lessons! Everyone needs those.
Great to have you visit SIH blog. May the Lord bless you. I enjoyed your blog as well.
Thanks for liking my blog. It’s nice to meet you! In Jesus, Susan @ mercycove.com
Good to meet you as well, Susan. Thank you for visting my blog! Lord bless you.
Rob, I want to thank you for all the times I have been encouraged and inspired by visiting your blog.
I have awarded you the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
Details can be found at
http://meetingintheclouds.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Thank you so much for the award Angela… it is very uch appreciated. The Lord has been so good to us all… to God be the glory.
I’ll post the award a bit later when my schedule has slowed a bit. Lord bless you.
Hi, thank you so much for taking an interest in my blog. I am honored. At this point, though, what I mainly have time is doing translations into Hungarian, so it might not be so often that I can post writings in English (although I am working on one at this moment, which I hope to post at Easter, by God’s grace:-). The reason why I am saying this is that I would not like to cause any disappointment at all due to the many Hungarian articles…:-) But I am so thankful and honored. And I so much enjoy reading your clear, biblical and inspired articles. God bless you as you keep doing His work! Blessings and greetings from Hungary.
I’m looking forward to any Englih posts you may make. I do appreciate your interest in my blog as well. I’m praying that the Lord will bless you and your ministry!
Thank you so much. God bless you, too.
thank you for visiting my blog…Happy Easter, buona Pasqua…
You are more than welcome. Thank you for returning the kindness. Lord bless you.
Rob and Eva–Wishing you a most blessed Easter, what a Resurrection Day!! Thank you so much for your frequent visits to my blog–I’m looking forward to viewing more of Eva’s beautiful work. God bless you both abundantly.
Lord bless you as well, Caddo. Really enjoying your blog. Thank you for visiting the blog and commenting!
God bless you, Thanks for visiting our blog and adding us on! Will visit your site often!
thanks for stopping by. May the Lord bless you.
Thanks for stopping by and subscribing, Rob.
your welcome, may the Lord bless you.
Great blog! Thanks for stopping by my place today.
You are very welcome… I enjoyed the visit. Lord bless you.
Dear Pastor Barkman,
Just wandered around your site and have been blessed beyond measure in the Lord! May God continue to pour out His spirit through your Christ honoring blog and may it be used mightly to bring the lost sheep into the Shepherds fold.
In the everlasting, lovingkindness of Christ, charisse graves
Charisse,
So glad you stopped by SIH. Thank you so much for your kind words. The ministry here only exists by God’s grace and His enabling. I am so thankful He saw fit to use the blog to be a blessing to you. Lord bless you.
Hi Rob,
This is just to let you know that I nominated you for the Sunshine Blog Award, which is given to “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.” Please visit the following link to see the post with your nomination. You are not obligated to accept the award…but I hope you do. You deserve it.
Here is the link http://kevinsine.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/ive-been-nominated-for-the-sunshine-blog-award/
Thank you so much…. May the Lord bless you. I am so grateful that the Lord has chosen to bless and use the SIH ministry to be a blessing to others…. I will be acknowledging the award shortly, when my schedule allows me to write up the posting. Lord bless you and your ministry… you have been a great encouragement to me!
I nominated you for the Sunshine Blog Award which is given to “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.” Please see my site for instructions about the award. God Bless!
Michele,
Thank you so much for nominating SIH blog. May the Lord bless you. As soon as I get some extra time, I’ll be accepting the award. Thnka you again! Congratulation on your receipt of this award … it is much deserved.
Rob- I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award! blessings to you!
http://lettersfromlilies.wordpress.com/
April,
Thank you so much for the award. As you know,it is only through the Lord that any of the SIH blog could be done…He truly does deserve ALL the honor and credit for the blessings that you have received from the blog.
It is such a blessing and encouragement for me to know that others are being blessed through the SIH ministry. Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him!
Thank you again for your kindness.
Thank you for connecting. I look forward to staying in touch.
Blessings and Grace,
Kim@thephonetree
Thank you as well. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry.
God bless you for taking the time to share Him with the world. Although there is much bad on the internet, we can utilize it for the good to reach out to those who are lost, and those who are living in a state of unrepentance. http://LynLeahz.com
Lyn,
Thanks so much for your comments. I agree fully althought the internet can be used by the powers of darkness… it can also be used for God’s glory! May the Lord bless you.
Hi Rob, I nominated you for the Ten Commandments Award…Diane details at http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/joy-sometimes-comes-in-threes/
Thanks for stopping by lifeinjoyfuljuxtaposition! It’s always an encouragement to come across like-minded men and women in the blogosphere. May we come to know Him better each day, He is faithful!
AMEN! He certianly is faithful to us all. Thanks for visition SIH, I enjoyed your blog thank you for being faithful to Him in service.
Hi Rob, I’ve nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award…Not everyone participates in these awards but in any case..’you got it’ he he…Diane details at http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/surprised-twice/
Diane,
Thank you so much for the award. May the Lord bless you. It is only through the gracious intervention of Christ that the SIH blog even exists. He deserves all the praise and honor. May He richly bless you.
Rob, thank you for visiting my blog and choosing to follow. I look forward to learning from your spiritual advice and journey.
Take care,
Ivon
You are more than welcome… May the Lord bless you.
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Super Sweet Bloggers Award! Please see simplyjuliana.com for more info!
Thank you so much for the award… it is a wonderful privilege. It is all through the Lord’s grace that the blog exists and I am able to serve Him. Thanks again. Lord bless you.
You are very welcome! Blessings!! Juliana
I nominated you for the “Blog of the Year 2012” award. Please go to The Other Side of Ugly at this link http://theothersideofugly.com/2012/12/04/blog-of-the-year-2012/for information. Congratulations!
Hi Sheri,
Congratulations, on the receipt of your award. Much deserved. I do appreciate the nomination for this award. I give all the credit to my Lord for the ability and use of the blog for His glory. Without the Lord I truly could do nothing. Without my Lord, none of this would have taken place,nor could it continue on. ONce agian Lord bless You!
Excellent blog! I love OT passages about the coming Messiah. My favorite is the “Son of Man” passage in Daniel 7. Blessings and may you prosper in all you do as you share the Good News.
Hi Sheryl,
Thank you for the kind words. I’m with on the the OT passages of the Messiah. They make a wonderful study and clearly show us that Jesus is the Messiah they are speaking of. May the Lord bless you as well.
Greetings from Australia,
I pray that Christ our Lord, by the grace of The Holy Spirit and for the Glory of God the Father, blesses you in every way such that you may touch the hearts of those around you who have not experienced the immense love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
God bless you.
I listened to your video on Part 1 of Marriage and Divorce. Outstanding! You’re a courageous obedient Christian to take on such a controversial subject. With the vast number of divorces in our country ffseems to be rising You have taken a balanced view that embraces the entire Word of God, and I appreciate it..
Thought you might like reading this, as I wrote it after your last comment….blessings!!
http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-one-thing-worse-than-any-sin.html
sorry for the late posting… your last several comments were in my spam box. Again, my apologies.
thank you thank you thank you
Please read this post: http://maggiemoosetracks.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/maggiemoose-saturday-pre-super-bowl-thank-you/
Good website! Thanks for standing up for the truth of the gospel! I’m trying to begin doing this on-line as well. The site I’ve set up has and will have many audios and videos on it to make learning what Christians need to in this present evil world as simple as possible. I think you’ll like it. Here’s the address: RYFTKOHIAH.WordPress.com. I’ve just started it last year and I’m trying to get this out to as many people as I can, so please pass it on.
Thank you.
As a brother under the blood of Jesus Christ,
Joseph Armstrong
I would just like to thank you for all the encouragement and support you have given my ministry. Thank you so much for all of your like. You are truly a blessing. May God Bless You always.
I’ve really enjoyed your postings. Both your writings and your pictures help to remind me of the Lord and His greatness that we can see in nature. Tahks for your faithfulness in blogging.
What a wonderful site. May God bless you with much fruit for your labor!
great blog!!!thank you for liking mine also!!!God bless!!!Enjoy Jesus!!!
I have nominated you for a very special Award check it out on my blog.