Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.… (I Thessalonians 5:17-19)
Which of the above do you find the hardest? For me, it is "rejoice always." However, this is God's will, in Christ Jesus. And, we are promised: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (I John 5:14)
TV~
For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:10]
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
How to Love a Rose Bush
Every person is like a rose bush, beautiful and special - yet thorny. We handle some people without getting too many pricks and pokes, appreciating their unique beauty. Others we learn to avoid due to the bleeding that comes from regular contact. Some rose bushes that we avoid also are overgrown with poison ivy. Avoiding the poison ivy rose bush would seem to be a no-brainer.
God loves each rose bush and wants us to love the others as ourselves... even the ones we have learned to avoid. I have no desire to love certain ones of these. Deep inside is the fear of yet more damage being inflicted upon me.
The prayer: Lord, give me YOUR love for this person. Every part of me wants to run, but You can place the strength, ability and even the desire to love this most undesirable person.
TV~
"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."
[I Corinthians 13:2b]
God loves each rose bush and wants us to love the others as ourselves... even the ones we have learned to avoid. I have no desire to love certain ones of these. Deep inside is the fear of yet more damage being inflicted upon me.
The prayer: Lord, give me YOUR love for this person. Every part of me wants to run, but You can place the strength, ability and even the desire to love this most undesirable person.
TV~
"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."
[I Corinthians 13:2b]
Friday, October 18, 2013
Our Great Hope
From Community Bible Study materials:
What great hope does James offer to encourage and exhort the believers to be patient?
He tells believers to be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. The great day of the LORD is near-- near and coming quickly. (Zephaniah 1:14)
TV~
He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. [Revelation 22:20]
What great hope does James offer to encourage and exhort the believers to be patient?
He tells believers to be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. The great day of the LORD is near-- near and coming quickly. (Zephaniah 1:14)
TV~
He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. [Revelation 22:20]
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Let Nothing Disturb You....
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila~
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.
TV~
God has chosen to make known... the glorious
riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [Colossians 1:27]
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
New Eyes for My Spouse
A friend of mine lived in an impossible marriage. She was given permission, by her pastor, to divorce her husband. In spite of this, she tenaciously perservered within the seeminly doomed marriage. Today, her situation has stabilized and her marriage is much better, even happy.
Here is a prayer that she said made a big difference. "Lord, give me Your love for my husband. Help me to see him through Your eyes."
TV~
...To know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. [Ephesians 3:19]
Here is a prayer that she said made a big difference. "Lord, give me Your love for my husband. Help me to see him through Your eyes."
TV~
...To know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. [Ephesians 3:19]
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
New Eyes
Many of my friends are becoming empty nesters. They now have time to travel, pursue personal goals and relax after many years of raising children. I, too, have spent many years raising children, but the empty nest is years away. I want to travel, pursue personal goals and relax, but I can't.
In the phonics book belonging to my five-year-old are various short, encouraging maxims. Here is what I read today: "The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking NEW LANDSCAPES, but of having NEW EYES."
Lord, give me new eyes as I look at life today.
TV~
My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word... Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances. [Psalm 119:148, 149]
In the phonics book belonging to my five-year-old are various short, encouraging maxims. Here is what I read today: "The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking NEW LANDSCAPES, but of having NEW EYES."
Lord, give me new eyes as I look at life today.
TV~
My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word... Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances. [Psalm 119:148, 149]
Monday, October 14, 2013
Carpe Diem
Why seize the day?
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:5)
No one knows what is coming-- who can tell someone else what will happen after them? (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
Even a small step in the right direction is better than no movement at all..
TV~
Behold, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2]
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:5)
No one knows what is coming-- who can tell someone else what will happen after them? (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
Even a small step in the right direction is better than no movement at all..
TV~
Behold, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2]
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