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Posted on 12/31/2019 7:29:35 PM PST by JustAmy
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Bible in a Year:
The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Legend has it that at the edges of medieval maps, marking the boundaries of the world the maps’ creators knew at the time, there’d be inscribed the words “Here be dragons”—often alongside vivid illustrations of the terrifying beasts supposedly lurking there.
There’s not much evidence medieval cartographers actually wrote these words, but I like to think they could have. Maybe because “here be dragons” sounds like something I might’ve written at the time—a grim warning that even if I didn’t know exactly what would happen if I ventured into the great unknown, it likely wouldn’t be good!
But there’s one glaring problem with my preferred policy of self-protection and risk-aversion: it’s the opposite of the courage to which I’m called as a believer in Jesus (2 Timothy 1:7).
One might even say I’m misguided about what’s really dangerous. As Paul explained, in a broken world bravely following Christ will sometimes be painful (v. 8). But as those brought from death to life and entrusted with the Spirit’s life flowing in and through us (vv. 9–10,14), how could we not?
When God gives us a gift this staggering, to fearfully shrink back would be the real tragedy—far worse than anything we might face when we follow Christ’s leading into uncharted territory (vv. 6–8, 12). He can be trusted with our hearts and our future (v. 12).
Is there a particularly debilitating fear God may be calling you to confront? How might the support and love of other believers encourage you as you walk through your fears?
Loving God, thank You for the new life You’ve given us, for freedom from all that would cripple us in fear and shame. Help us to find peace in You.
For further study, read Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear at discoveryseries.org/q0733.
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Thank you.
Aw cute little pup!
Looks like we will get snow tonight.
Freezing rain this evening first.
Have a good night!
Hi Kitty! Last night’s kitty post is very very extra cute! She is smiling!
LOL
Just saw the picture of the dog with its head the snow.
Very funny!
Have a great night! :-)
:-)
What an adorable little puppy! :)
Snow Storm
The land was white and freezing cold
the snow had come and taken hold.
A blizzard moved in from the north
and told the flurries to go forth.
A howling sound brings with it chills,
frozen words drift through the hills.
The trees wear coats of fluffy snow,
the land’s so bright it seems to glow.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky
whipped by the wind in swirls they fly.
A light and freezing screen they form,
the blizzard grows into a storm.Robert Patinson
Happy Caturday, Dogurday and Bunnyday!
Bible in a Year:
They bowed down and worshiped him.
As five-year-old Eldon listened to the pastor talk about Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth, he gasped when the pastor thanked Him in prayer for dying for our sins. “Oh, no! He died?” the boy said in surprise.
From the start of Christ’s life on earth, there were people who wanted Him dead. Wise men came to Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod inquiring, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2). When the king heard this, he became fearful of one day losing his position to Jesus. So he sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger around Bethlehem. But God protected His Son and sent an angel to warn His parents to leave the area. They fled, and He was saved (vv. 13–18).
When Jesus completed His ministry, He was crucified for the sins of the world. The sign placed above His cross, though meant in mockery, read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (27:37). Yet three days later He rose in victory from the grave. After ascending to heaven, He sat down on the throne as King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:8–11).
The King died for our sins—yours, mine, and Eldon’s. Let’s allow Him to rule in our hearts.
What does it mean for you to have Jesus as your King? Are there areas of your life where He’s not?
Jesus, thank You for willingly dying for our sins and offering forgiveness. Teach us to submit to Your rule.
To learn more about Christ’s life, visit christianuniversity.org/tgs.
I LOVE puppies.
I think God made them so adorable because they can be really dirty an destructive at that age, and their adorable-ness makes us love them anyway.
God is Good! :-)
Amen to that! :)
Love it, left that other site! :)
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Rocky is getting HUGE! :-)
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WEARING RED ON FRIDAY
