Hello my friends! Today's blessings were lots of rest!!! We both had a good nap this afternoon! Eating some things left over from the reunion was a blessing too!! Tomorrow Linus plans on painting some trim on our shed so that's done for our Anniversary, things are looking up - garage is good - he'll just have to do some organizing there yet and all's good. Prayers going for all of you for your intentions! Thanks much for your posts!
Think good and wise thoughts over and over again until you make them
your own. Lord, You have given me a strong foundation and the strength
to stand firm for what I believe.
Scripture for the day:
"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another
with whatever gift each of you has received." ~1 Peter 4:10
Meditation for the day:
We can try to be thankful for whatever vision we have. We can try to
perform, in the little things, faithful service to God and others. We
can do our small part every day in a spirit of service to God. We can
be doers of God's word, not hearers only. In our daily life we can
try to keep faith with God. Every day can bring a new opportunity to
be of some use. Even when we are tempted to rest or let things go or
to evade the issue, we can make it a habit to meet the issue squarely
as a challenge and not to hold back.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that I may perform each task faithfully. I pray that I may
meet each issue of life squarely and not hold back.
Food for Thought:
I FOUND JESUS THERE
Author Unknown
The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across
from him. "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your
heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he
continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there." The
surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.
"When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and
chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The
hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your
heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened
vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."
The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes
from the surgery: "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein,
widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for
cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:" here he paused,
"death within one year."
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he
asked aloud.
"Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this
pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?" The Lord answered
and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long,
for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock,
he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His
parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My
flock will continue to grow."
The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created
that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"
The Lord answered,
"The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty:
I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve
another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept.
The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across
from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"
"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.
Minute Meditation
Seeing God
Seeing God in every moment leads us
to total reliance on God in every moment.
This little way to faith and trust can help us accept ourselves
for who we are, redefine how we see success and failure
and cope with suffering and the sacrifices of daily life.
WHEN I PRAY THE LORD'S PRAYER:
I cannot say OUR if I am selfish and do not think of others.
I cannot say FATHER if I do not treat my parents with respect.
I cannot say WHOM ART IN HEAVEN if all I care about are material things.
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I do not say the Lord's name with
reverence.
I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE if I am more interested in
the things my own way.
I cannot say ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not ready to do His will
here on earth.
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD without being willing to share
what I have with others.
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS
AGAINST US if i hold grudges and will not forgive others.
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I am not willing to walk away from
those things that are wrong and ask the Lord's help through prayer.
I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I am not willing to accept God as a
Ruler of my Life.
I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I do not remember that my gifts and
talents come from God not from myself.
I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY if I only seek my own glory and recognition.
I cannot say FOREVER AND EVER if I am only interested in what is happening
in my life right now.
I cannot say AMEN unless I can say "WHATEVER HAPPENS IN MY LIFE, THIS MY
PRAYER."
May the Good Lord bless and keep you.
May His love shine upon you.
May He hold you in the palm of His hand.
(The Lord's Prayer can be found in the bible in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke
11:2-4.)
God used an important divine inspiration to prove to us that our Holy
Scriptures contains truth... God used prophecy; this is the ability predict
the future. Nobody else can do this, because only God is the creator of
time and only God is above time to know what will happen in the future.
The Old Testament was written hundreds, even thousands, of years before the
time of Jesus.
Arguably, the most important prophecy given to us was the prediction that
Jesus will come to earth to save us. There are hundreds of biblical
predictions concerning the birth, life, and death of Jesus in the Old
Testament and which have been realised and confirmed in the New Testament.
Below are just a few of them which you may find familiar...
In the Old Testament, we read about
a virgin who will become pregnant and it will be a sign that God is with us.
(Isaiah 7:14)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the Virgin Mary, will give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High God.
(Luke 1:31-32)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a star that will announce the birth of a king. (Numbers 24:17)
In the New Testament, we are told that
wise men followed the star that led them to baby Jesus. (Matthew 2:2)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a ruler that will be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:4-6)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a King who will be known as the Son of God. (Psalms 2:7)
In the New Testament, we are told that
heaven announces Jesus as the Son of God. (Matthew 3:17)
In the Old Testament, we read about
one being betrayed by a close friend for 30 silver coins. (Psalms 41:9 and
Zechariah 11:9,12)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was betrayed by one of His apostles, Judas, for 30 silver coins.
(Matthew 26:14-15 and Matthew 27:4)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a servant who is treated harshly and yet remaining silent. (Isaiah 53:7)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus kept quiet during harsh accusations. (Matthew 26:63)
In the Old Testament, we read about
one being rejected by one's own people. (Isaiah 53:3)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the crowds chanted for the death of Jesus. (Luke 23:18)
In the Old Testament, we read about
the cry and anguish of a man and the pains of his hands and feet. (Psalms
22:16)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus had his hands pierced by nails. (John 20:25)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a man calling out for God and being humiliated by other people who shook
their heads at him. (Psalms 22:7)
In the New Testament, we are told that
people hurled insults, shook their heads at Jesus, and humiliated him.
(Matthew 27:39 and Luke 23:35)
In the Old Testament, we read about
God's servant who is numbered amongst the criminals. (Isaiah 53:12)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was crucified with bandits. (Mark 15:27)
In the Old Testament, we read about
God's servant who is being harshly treated and yet still praying that they
might be forgiven. (Isaiah 53:12)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus prays for forgiveness to those who are killing Him. (Luke 23:34)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a victim whose clothes were gambled for and divided up amongst evil men.
(Psalms 22:18)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the soldiers who killed Jesus threw dice and gambled for Jesus' clothes.
(Luke 23:34)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a suffering man who is felt forsaken by his father. (Psalms 22:1)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus felt abandoned by God. (Matthew 27:46)
In the Old Testament, we read about
the good man whom the Lord preserves completely and none of his bones will
be broken. (Psalms 34:20)
In the New Testament, we are told that
the soldiers did not break the legs of Jesus, as they did to the others who
were crucified. (John 19:33)
In the Old Testament, we read about
the one who was stabbed to death and they mourn for him like those who mourn
for an only child. (Zechariah 12:10)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus, the only Son of God, had his side pierced by a soldier's spear. (1
John 4:9 and John 19:34)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a devoted servant who would bear the punishment of many. (Isaiah 53:11)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus died for our sins. (1 Corinthians 15:3)
In the Old Testament, we read about
an innocent man who was buried with the rich. (Isaiah 53:9)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus was taken by a rich man to be buried in the rich man's tomb. (Matthew
27:59-60)
In the Old Testament, we read about
a wise man who is saved from the power of death. (Psalms 49:15)
In the New Testament, we are told that
Jesus rises from the dead. (Luke 24:34)
Prophecy is God's signature on the scriptures. So christians can rejoice,
because God came to earth to save us. And we knew He would... We knew a
thousand years before it happened.
No other book in the history of the world can approach the impact of the
Bible. It has transformed countless lives. It has inspired great works of
art, music and literature. The very wealthy have drawn success secrets from
its pages; the most poor have found comfort and challenge in its words. And
it is the basis for much of "civil" society in many parts of the globe.
And a Morning Prayer:
Morning Prayer
Lord, God above
You who are love
You make me feel like singing praise
Lord, God of all
Please hear my call
Help me to learn Your loving ways
Though each day
From You I stray
This I am confessing
Yet if forgiveness I seek
To You I speak
And receive it with Your blessing
Lord, King of Kings
On high, on Angel's wings
You chose death that I might live
Most Holy One
Until my days are done
I thank You for the love You give
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY?
Written by Arlene Spanos
Christianity means having faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
It means to trust in the Bible as God’s Holy Infallible Word.
It is realizing sin separates us from God who is righteous and just;
Knowing we can’t be reconciled on our own, so in Christ we trust.
It is understanding we can not earn God’s grace by virtues or good
behavior.
It is acknowledging we’re sinners who need the atonement of our
Savior.
It’s realizing that laws and religion do not have the power to save
us.
It’s knowing and loving Jesus and accepting the gift that He gave us.
It is believing that Jesus took our sins at the cross for our debt to
be paid.
It is assurance we have eternal salvation because of the sacrifice He
made.
It’s asking for God’s forgiveness and to help us make a fresh start;
Asking Him to be with us always, and to fill us in mind and in heart.
It is having faith in God’s sovereignty for He knows what’s best;
Thanking Him for all He has done and for how we’ve been blessed.
This is the message of the Gospel; Good News to those who will hear
it.
And when we accept and follow Jesus we receive the help of the Holy
Spirit.
Being a Christian transforms us within and in every part of life;
It gives us hope and joy along with comfort in sorrow and strife.
We know we’re not perfect but we want to please God and obey.
We continually ask God to mend us and to show us the way.
We understand this is an ongoing process; not just an event.
We strive to reflect Christ’s love for it is Him we represent.
We believe God loves everyone and has a purpose for us all.
We know He does not want any of us to be lost or to fall.
We seek to know, to serve and to love God more and more;
As we find understanding and meaning we did not know before.
If your faith isn’t evident and doesn’t mean this to you,
Carefully reconsider and assess, is your faith really true?
If you have any doubts, seek His wisdom and pray.
Invite Him into your life; ask Him to show you the way.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life. For
God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through Him." John 3:16-17
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