Happy Dog Day!
Penny Approves.
(((HUGS)))
ML/LTOS
Posted on 07/01/2019 12:03:00 AM PDT by JustAmy
She is indeed.
Bible in a Year : Psalms 120–122; 1 Corinthians 9
He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4
For a man who lives by a code, so to speak, it felt like a major failure. What’d I do? Well, I fell asleep. Our kids have a curfew to meet when they’re out for the evening. They’re good kids, but my practice is to wait up until I hear their hands turn the front doorknob. I want to know they’re home safe. I don’t have to do this: I choose to. But one night I awoke to my daughter saying through a smile, “Dad, I’m safe. You should go to bed.” Despite our best intentions, sometimes fathers fall asleep at their posts. It was very humbling, and also very human.
But that never happens with God. Psalm 121 is a reassuring song about Him as guardian and protector of His children. The psalmist declares that God who watches over us “will not slumber” (v. 3). And for emphasis, he repeats that truth in verse 4: He “will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Can you even imagine? God never falls asleep at His post. He is always keeping watch over us—the sons and daughters and aunts and uncles and mothers, and even fathers. It’s not so much that He has to do this, but rather that, out of His great love, He chooses to. That promise is definitely something to sing about.
In what ways do you sense God’s presence? When you don’t, what truths can you depend upon?
Father, thank You for Your constant care over our lives. We know that doesn’t mean a life absent of trouble, but rather a life held close by Your love and presence. Help us to confidently rest in the assurance that You’re always at Your post.
Thank you.
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Bible in a Year : Psalms 123–125; 1 Corinthians 10:1–18
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
Influenced by parents who were strong believers in Jesus, track star Jesse Owens lived as a courageous man of faith. During the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Owens, one of the few African Americans on the US team, received four gold medals in the presence of hate-filled Nazis and their leader, Hitler. He also befriended fellow athlete Luz Long, a German. Surrounded by Nazi propaganda, Owens’s simple act of living out his faith impacted Luz’s life. Later, Long wrote to Owens: “That hour in Berlin when I first spoke to you, when you had your knee upon the ground, I knew you were in prayer . . . . I think I might believe in God.”
Owens demonstrated how believers can answer the apostle Paul’s charge to “hate what is evil” and be “devoted to one another in love” (Romans 12:9–10). Though he could have responded to the evil around him with hate, Owens chose to live by faith and show love to a man who would later become his friend and eventually consider belief in God.
As God’s people commit to being “faithful in prayer” (v. 12), He empowers us to “live in harmony with one another” (v. 16).
When we depend on prayer, we can commit to living out our faith and loving all who are made in God’s image. As we cry out to God, He’ll help us break down barriers and build bridges of peace with our neighbors.
How can you build a bridge of peace between you and a neighbor? When have you seen your faithfulness in prayer bear fruit?
Heavenly Father, please strengthen us to come together in prayer, fully committed to loving others and living peacefully.
Vegetables
Eat a tomato and you'll turn red
(I don't think that's really so);
Eat a carrot and you'll turn orange
(Still and all, you never know);
Eat some spinach and you'll turn green
(I'm not saying that it's true
But that's what I heard, and so
I thought I'd pass it on to you).
Shel Silverstein
Happy Wednesday, all!
Thank you.
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Wow! :)
This one and its mate “visited” us when we were at Lake Whitney last year for the TexasCowboy Memorial Shoot. They loved us after we fed them rib bones from the BBQ. LOL!
Bible in a Year : Psalms 126–128; 1 Corinthians 10:19–33
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 1 Corinthians 12:4
I was invited to meet a world-renowned pianist. Since I grew up immersed in music—playing the violin and piano, and primarily singing solos for church and other events—I was thrilled at the opportunity.
When I arrived to meet the pianist, I realized he spoke little English; and to my surprise he provided a cello for me to play—an instrument I’d never touched. He insisted that I play and he would accompany me. I screeched out a few notes, trying to mimic my violin training. Finally admitting that I was lost, we parted ways.
I awoke, realizing the scenario had been a dream. But since the musical background presented in my dream was true, in my mind lingered the words, Why didn’t you tell him you could sing?
God equips us to develop our natural talents and our spiritual gifts for others (1 Corinthians 12:7). Through prayerful reading of the Bible and the wise advice of others, we can better understand the spiritual gift (or gifts) that is uniquely ours. The apostle Paul reminds us that whatever our spiritual gift, we’re to take time to find it and use it, knowing that the Spirit distributes the gifts “just as he determines” (v. 11).
Let’s use the “voices” the Holy Spirit has given us to honor God and serve other believers in Jesus.
What’s your spiritual “voice,” and how can you use it today? Why is it wrong to want others’ spiritual gifts?
Father, show me how You’ve gifted me and how I’m to use those gifts for others.
Thank you.
Sorry I’ve been absent recently.
I’m making plans to end my horrible marriage.
Have to keep it secret from my future X because he’s prone to fits of rage.
Yes, it’s way past time to leave.
Thanks for your prayers Dear FRiends.
One day at a time with My Lord and Savior Jesus.
God bless you all
Prayers for God’s courage so that your plans go as you wish them too...without any more drama or anger directed at you. Prayers that you are safe from that rage.
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