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Posted on 07/01/2019 12:03:00 AM PDT by JustAmy
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:)
Bible in a Year : Psalms 105–106; 1 Corinthians 3
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Luke 6:27 In Leif Enger’s novel Peace Like a River, Jeremiah Land is a single father of three working as a janitor at a local school. He’s also a man of deep, sometimes miraculous, faith. Throughout the book, his faith is often tested.
Jeremiah’s school is run by Chester Holden, a mean-spirited superintendent with a skin condition. Despite Jeremiah’s excellent work ethic—mopping up a sewage spill without complaint, picking up broken bottles the superintendent smashed—Holden wants him gone. One day, in front of all the students, he accuses Jeremiah of drunkenness and fires him. It’s a humiliating scene.
How does Jeremiah respond? He could threaten legal action for unfair dismissal or make accusations of his own. He could slink away, accepting the injustice. Think for a moment what you might do.
“Love your enemies,” Jesus says, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). These challenging words aren’t meant to excuse evil or stop justice from being pursued. Instead, they call us to imitate God (v. 36) by asking a profound question: How can I help my enemy become all God wants him or her to be?
Jeremiah looks at Holden for a moment, then reaches up and touches his face. Holden steps back defensively, then feels his chin and cheeks in wonder. His scarred skin has been healed.
An enemy touched by grace.
What would your first reaction be in Jeremiah’s situation? How can you help a difficult person move closer to God’s purposes for them?
God, when faced with unfairness, injustice, or abuse, show me how to help my enemy move closer to You.
Thank you.
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Bible in a Year : Psalms 107–109; 1 Corinthians 4
Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24
Stephen grew up in a rough part of East London and fell into crime by the age of ten. He said, “If everyone’s selling drugs and doing robberies and fraud, then you’re going to get involved. It’s just a way of life.” But when he was twenty, he had a dream that changed him: “I heard God saying, Stephen, you’re going to prison for murder.” This vivid dream served as a warning, and he turned to God and received Jesus as his Savior—and the Holy Spirit transformed his life.
Stephen set up an organization that teaches inner-city kids discipline, morality, and respect through sports. He credits God with the success he has seen as he prays with and trains the kids. “Rebuilding misguided dreams,” he says.
In pursuing God and leaving behind our past, we—like Stephen—follow Paul’s charge to the Ephesians to embrace a new way of life. Although our old self is “corrupted by its deceitful desires,” we can daily seek to “put on the new self” that’s created to be like God (Ephesians 4:22, 24). All believers embrace this continual process as we ask God through His Holy Spirit to make us more like Him.
Stephen said, “Faith was a crucial foundation for me changing my life around.” How has this been true for you?
When you look back over your life, what comes to mind as key moments that prompted change? What long-lasting change resulted?
Jesus, You’re alive and working in the world and in my life. Help me become more like You day by day as I leave the old self behind.
Thank you.
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Decades ago, when I lived in a midwest state, I met Betty over tea at the home of a mutual friend, now deceased, who owned a basset hound kennel, was a dog breeder and also a national dog show judge. Betty was in from California for a judging gig and was staying at my friend's home.
I took some photos at the time, and recently here in my Florida retirement heaven I came upon them again whilst looking through some old albums. These are great photos of Betty, a lovely, charming and personable lady as well as one of our country's leading and most well-known animal advocates.
I thought I would mail these photos to Betty....she's in her 90's now....as I know she would enjoy my "blast from the past" reminiscing cover letter and pix.
Alas, I can't find an address for Betty, no matter how hard I try ! There's a phone number and address floating around on the internet, but it's long defunct. There's a New York City actors' agency listed for her, but they told me they haven't represented her for ages and they don't know where she can be reached.
As a last resort I'm posting this appeal on FR because I know that Freepers are the world's best detectives !
If anyone knows where I can mail my little golden treasures to the Golden Girl, please let me know. If I'm successful in reaching her, I'll post the results here for all to enjoy !
Leni/MinuteGal.....FR class of '98
Sure hope someone can help with this.
Bible in a Year : Psalms 110–112; 1 Corinthians 5
He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name. Psalm 111:9
I recently found a “hack” (a clever solution to a tricky problem) when one of my grandchildren warmed her toy rabbit on our fireplace glass. The resulting globs of fake bunny fur weren’t pretty, but a fireplace expert provided a great hack—a tip for how to make the glass look like new. It worked, and now we no longer allow stuffed animals near the fireplace!
I bring up hacks because sometimes we can view Scripture as a collection of hacks—tips to make life easier. While it’s true that the Bible has much to say about how to live a Christ-honoring new life, that’s not the only purpose of the Book. What Scripture provides for us is a solution for mankind’s greatest need: rescue from sin and eternal separation from God.
From the promise of salvation in Genesis 3:15 all the way to the true hope of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1–2), the Bible explains that God has an eternal plan for rescuing us from our sin and allowing us to enjoy fellowship with Him. In every story and every suggestion for how to live, the Bible is pointing us to Jesus—the only One who can solve our biggest problem.
When we open God’s Book, may we remember that we’re looking for Jesus, the rescue He offers, and how to live as His children. He’s provided the greatest solution of all!
How has Jesus and His promise to rescue those who believe in Him touched your heart and life? Why is it vital to see that the Bible consistently points to Christ?
Father, thank You for the salvation You provided through Jesus. Help me to honor You by keeping focused on our Savior and His amazing love for me.
To learn more about who Jesus is, visit christianuniversity.org/NT111.
Thank you.
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Owls are wonderful birds!
They are! And their babies are a *hoot* to watch as they grow and fledge.
Bible in a Year : Psalms 113–115; 1 Corinthians 6
Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. Mark 9:35
Cook. Event Planner. Nutritionist. Nurse. These are just some of the responsibilities regularly performed by modern moms. In 2016, research estimated that moms likely worked between fifty-nine and ninety-six hours per week doing child-related tasks.
No wonder moms are always exhausted! Being a mom means giving a lot of time and energy to care for children, who need so much help as they learn to navigate the world.
When my days feel long and I need a reminder that caring for others is a worthy pursuit, I find great hope when I see Jesus affirming those who serve.
In the gospel of Mark, the disciples were having an argument about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus quietly sat down and reminded them that “anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (9:35). Then He took a child in His arms to illustrate the importance of serving others, especially the most helpless among us (vv. 36–37).
Christ’s response resets the bar for what greatness looks like in His kingdom. His standard is a heart willing to care for others. And Jesus has promised that God’s empowering presence will be with those who choose to serve (v. 37).
As you have opportunities to serve in your family or community, be encouraged that Jesus greatly values the time and effort you give in service to others.
How might you serve someone today? How could you take time to say “thank you” to someone who has graciously loved and served you?
Jesus, thank You for reminding us of Your loving care for children and any who are vulnerable. Help us to follow Your example of service.
Wish I could be the one that could help you. Will give it a go, but not optimistic.
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