Verses, Old and New

Some of the most beautiful scripture passages are found first in the Old Testament and then repeated in the New Testament.  Here is one that I encountered today:

Old Testament:
"...he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound..." (Isaiah 61:1)


New Testament:
"... he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised..."  (Luke 4:18)


TV~   (Today's Verse)

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  [Revelation 22:20b]

Grant, We Beseech Thee

"Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
(Collect for the 21st Sunday after Trinity)

TV~  (Today's Verse)

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you...  [Thessalonians 4:11]

For a Purpose

I know a woman who lost her husband and two small children in a car accident.  In a second, they were all gone.  That was many years ago, but she will talk about how she sat for a year and couldn't do anything, and how some people helped with their response and others didn't. 

At one point, someone came and told her about Jesus and said to her, "Just say the words," to help her pray the prayer to receive Christ.  From there, she slowly began to function.  She believes that God uses her story to help others.  She is a nurse and is able to minister to her patients in a unique way.  She still will shed tears when talking about it.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more deathor mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." [Revelation 21:4]

Who am I?

The classic thing that all adults have to deal with is:  Who am I in Christ? 

We are accountable to God, and God alone.  He is our anchor for life decisions.

TV~    (Today's Verse)

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.  [Jude 1b, 2]

Think about Such Things

Every day we make small decisions.  We decide what to wear.  We decide what to eat.  We decide what to say.  We decide what to think.  Some decisions require a bit of resolve, and prayer, in order to decide wisely.  The Lord says to give thanks in everything.  That takes resolve, as does looking at the good in a situation, however minute that piece of good may seem.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  [Philippians 4:8]

Compassion, not Condemnation

When loved ones do things we don't agree with, it can cause us anger and frustration.  We may have a feeling of judgment regarding their behavior.  However, the Lord says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

One  clinical psychologist I know of believes that shame, guilt and self-judgment are a primary source of psychological dysfunction. If we respond to our loved one's behavior with condemnation, rather than compassion, we will be contributing to their struggles, not helping them.

TV~   (Today's Verse)
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [Luke 6:37]

Deep Waters

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
               (How Firm a Foundation, vs. 3)

TV~  (Today's Verse)
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
[2 Samuel 22:17]

The Train Wreck

 

We've talked about the Fact, Faith, Feeling Train before.  It helps to visualize the place feelings should have in determining our life decisions.  

There may be those around us, however, who have been letting their feelings determine their actions.  As a result, a train wreck has occurred.  This train wreck is affecting not only them, but their loved ones.

How are we going to respond to their personal train wreck?  If we let our  feelings determine our response, then we are creating a whole new train wreck and we are no different from the one to whom we are reacting.