More and More Like Jesus

"I want to be more and more like Jesus.  I want to be more and more like Him."  I'm listening to a sweet, but very strong-willed five-year-old sing that right now, at the top of his lungs.  Out of the mouths of babes....

Lord, we want to be more and more like You.  May your grace be sufficient  today, your power made perfect in our ever-present weakness.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. [John 13:14]

Stuff or Speak?

One way to deal with loss or grief is by "stuffing it," that is pushing those painful feelings aside and continuing on.  The problem with this method is that eventually those feelings come out in one way or another, perhaps causing unhealthy behavior.  The scriptures tell us to speak the truth in love.  That is a more healthy way to handle the situations that rock our boat.  In the end, we will be in a more stable, godly place.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [Ephesians 4:15]

Wearing Scripture

I have a pendant around my neck.  It is made of sparkly yellow yarn, golden construction paper and brightly-colored plastic jewels.  Made in a child's Sunday School class, there is a scripture printed on it:   "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear."  Feelings of fear keep plaguing me.  Every time the fear comes, I clasp the child's pendant and mentally review the verse.  It is helping.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" [Hebrews 13:6]

The Heart

King David was a man after God's own heart.  God has a heart.  Perhaps that is why the word heart is found so often throughout the Bible. 

TV~  (Today's Verse)
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.  [Psalm 28:7]

Christ Everywhere

The following prayer keeps coming to mind in recent days.  It is attributed to St. Patrick and is part of a longer prayer, entitled: St. Patrick's Breastplate.

If we pray this and attribute this to ourselves, it truly is like a breastplate.  It protects us from temptation, from the evil one and from our own evil desires.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

TV~ (Today's Verse)
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [Colossians 1:17]

Part of God's Family

I spent last evening at a surprise birthday party.  There were 80 people present.  The "birthday girl" has been married for 40 years, has no children, both her parents are deceased and she has few blood relatives.   At one point in the evening, she came over to speak with me and we discussed all the people present.  The majority were from her church.  "They are my family,"  she said, with tears in her eyes. 

The scriptures call us children of God and refers to our fellow believers as brothers and sisters in Christ.

TV~ (Today's Verse)
But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

I Will, by God's Help

At one point, during the Anglican baptismal service, those in the congregation renew their baptismal vows.  The celebrant asks questions about faith, fellowship, resisting evil, witnessing and serving.  In each case, the people answer:  "I will, by God's help."

Celebrant   Wilt thou continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowhip, in the breaking of bread, and in
                     prayers?

People        I will, by God's help.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all men. [Acts 2:47]