Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... April, May and June 2016

April 1, 2016 | JustAmy; Meg33, The Mayor; Trisham; St.Louie1, Friends, MamaBear

[MEG33]

Amen.
Thank you for the lovely music, (((LUV))).
I wish you a blessed Lord’s Day.

[luvie]

Bless your Sunday, too ! (((hugs)))

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY SUNDAY TO
AMY'S PLACE!



"Abide In Me"
Kings College Choir, Cambridge
(Click)

A Blessed Lord’s Day To
You And Yours!

[trisham]

Thanks, left that other site!

[MEG33]

Sunbird

Thank you for coming by today and sharing your lovely posts
and blessings.
Wishing You A Pleasant Evening
May God Keep Safe Those Who Keep Us Safe

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

No Drifting

June 27, 2016

We must pay the most careful attention . . . so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1

At the end of one school semester, my wife and I picked up our daughter from her school 100 kilometers (60 miles) away. On our way back home we detoured to a nearby beach resort for snacks. While enjoying our time there, we watched the boats at the seashore. Usually they are anchored to prevent them from drifting away, but I noticed one boat drifting unhindered among the others—slowly and steadily making its way out to sea.

As we drove home, I reflected on the timely caution given to believers in the book of Hebrews: "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away" (Heb. 2:1). We have good reason to stay close. The author of Hebrews says that while the Mosaic law was reliable and needed to be obeyed, the message of the Son of God is far superior. Our salvation is  “so great” in Jesus that He shouldn’t be ignored (v. 3).

To avoid drifting away from God, stay anchored to the Rock.

Drifting in our relationship with God is hardly noticeable at first; it happens gradually. However, spending time talking with Him in prayer and reading His Word, confessing our wrongs to Him, and interacting with other followers of Jesus can help us stay anchored in Him. As we connect with the Lord regularly, He will be faithful to sustain us, and we can avoid drifting away.

What do you know about Jesus that keeps you wanting to be near Him?

Share your thoughts at odb.org

To avoid drifting away from God, stay anchored to the Rock.

INSIGHT:

The word translated “drift away” appears only once in the New Testament (Heb. 2:1). It means to flow from alongside, flow past, or slip away. It is used figuratively to illustrate the gradual giving up of one’s belief in the truth or a drifting away from belief. The writer of Hebrews uses this uncommon word to warn the Hebrews to pay careful attention to and not ignore the message and miracles of Jesus. They announce and confirm the salvation He brings.

[Kitty Mittens]

That is the Most Beautiful Bird and Frame, Dear Meg!
I Love your Wonderful Sunday Post with Psalm 100 Scriptures.

Thank you to Everyone for the Beautiful Daily Pings.
(((((Hugs, and God Bless)))))

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Leaving the Past Behind

June 28, 2016

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (nlt)

Chris Baker is a tattoo artist who transforms symbols of pain and enslavement into works of art. Many of his clients are former gang members and victims of human trafficking who have been marked with identifying names, symbols, or codes. Chris transforms these into beautiful art by tattooing over them with new images.

Jesus does for the soul what Chris Baker does for the skin—He takes us as we are and transforms us. The Bible says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17 nlt). Before knowing Christ, we follow our desires wherever they lead us, and our lifestyles reflect this. When we repent and begin to walk with Christ, the passions and pitfalls that once dominated our lives are the “old life” (1 Cor. 6:9–11) that fades away as we are transformed. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ” (2 Cor. 5:18).

To enjoy the future, accept God’s forgiveness for the past.

Still, life as a “new person” isn’t always easy. It can take time to disconnect from old habits. We may struggle with ideas that were foundational to our old way of life. Yet over time, God’s Holy Spirit works in us, giving us inner strength and an understanding of Christ’s love. As God’s beautiful new creations, we’re free to leave the past behind. 

Jesus, thank You for the power of Your death and resurrection. Your victory over sin means that I can be forgiven and can enjoy a new life in You.

To enjoy the future, accept God’s forgiveness for the past.

INSIGHT:

Second Corinthians likely arrived around ad 56 and is probably the fourth letter Paul sent to the church of Corinth. Many scholars believe the apostle wrote a letter prior to the New Testament letter of 1 Corinthians (see 1 Cor. 5:9) and that Titus delivered a third letter—one containing a severe reprimand—about a year after sending 1 Corinthians and before the New Testament letter of 2 Corinthians (see 2 Cor. 2:3–4).

[The Mayor]

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Our Way of Life

June 29, 2016

We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:10 nrsv

I was struck by a phrase I heard quoted from a contemporary Bible translation. When I Googled the phrase “our way of life” to locate the passage, many of the results focused on things people felt were threatening their expected way of living. Prominent among the perceived threats were climate change, terrorism, and government policies.

What really is our way of life as followers of Jesus? I wondered. Is it what makes us comfortable, secure, and happy, or is it something more?

God has called us to pursue a life that reaches out to others and honors Him.

Paul reminded the Christians in Ephesus of the remarkable way God had transformed their lives. “God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5 nrsv). The result is that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (v. 10 nrsv).

Doing good works, helping others, giving, loving, and serving in Jesus’s name—these are to be our way of life. They are not optional activities for believers, but the very reason God has given us life in Christ.

In a changing world, God has called and empowered us to pursue a life that reaches out to others and honors Him.

Father, thank You for the incredible riches of Your love and mercy. You rescued us from our dead way of living and made us alive with Christ.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

INSIGHT:

Paul makes an instructive distinction in Ephesians 2:1. He tells his readers that they were dead in their transgressions and sins. By using the past tense he establishes a new normal for those who follow Christ. They are no longer spiritually dead, but are alive in Christ. Paul makes a subtle distinction between transgression, the disobedience of known and established standards, and sin, missing the mark of God’s holiness. He points out that when followers of Christ fall short of God’s perfect and holy standard, whether they know it or not, they are living lives that are no longer natural to the new life given to them. The resurrection of Christ has brought our dead hearts to life. 

[MEG33]

Good morning, Rus. Thank you always for Our Daily Bread.
You Are A Blesssing

[MEG33]

*Happy Very Warm Wednesday To Amy's Place*

Good Morning Everyone
Ice cream weather for sure...It's good to share a treat with your friend!
(((HUGS)))

[MEG33]

Thank you, dear (((Kitty))), for your sweet comments on my Sunday posts.

[The Mayor]

Good Day Meg! Thank you my FRiend!

[left that other site]

Happy Warm, WET, and Fuzzy Wednesday!

No Need to Water the Garden Today! Huzzah!

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[MEG33]

Happy for you...No rain in our forecast this week...just temps rising daily!

[luvie]

It's too warm!
Time to take a
Warm and Fuzzy
NAP!!
[with Peaches!]

[trisham]

Oh my goodness is that adorable!

[trisham]

Awwwww... :)

[MEG33]

Thank you for the sweet graphics and comments.
Have a lovely evening.

[left that other site]

And a Blessed Good Night To You, Too! ;-)

((((HUGS))))