Posted on 01/01/2021 6:43:29 AM PST by JustAmy
Good Night! :-)
Bible in a Year:
[God’s] compassions never fail. They are new every morning.
My brother Paul grew up battling severe epilepsy, and when he entered his teenage years it became even worse. Nighttime was excruciating for him and my parents, as he’d experience continuous seizures for often more than six hours at a time. Doctors couldn’t find a treatment that would alleviate the symptoms while also keeping him conscious for at least part of the day. My parents cried out in prayer: “God, oh God, help us!”
Although their emotions were battered and their bodies exhausted, Paul and my parents received enough strength from God for each new day. In addition, my parents found comfort in the words of the Bible, including the book of Lamentations. Here Jeremiah voiced his grief over the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, remembering “the bitterness and the gall” (3:19). Yet Jeremiah didn’t lose hope. He called to mind the mercies of God, that His compassions “are new every morning” (v. 23). So too did my parents.
Whatever you’re facing, know that God is faithful every morning. He renews our strength day by day and gives us hope. And sometimes, as with my family, He brings relief. After several years, a new medication became available that stopped Paul’s continuous nighttime seizures, giving my family restorative sleep and hope for the future.
When our souls are downcast within us (v. 20), may we call to mind the promises of God that His mercies are new every morning.
Reflect & Pray
How has God sustained you through the trials you’ve faced? How could you support someone who’s enduring a challenging time?
God, Your love will never leave me. When I feel spent and without hope, remind me of Your mercies and compassion.
Thank you.
Hope you had a good Sunday. We all enjoyed President Trump’s speech.
Will be gone Monday at work, so have a lovely March 1st.
🌸🌼🌺
It was a great speech. Had to watch it in spurts because of church, lunch, nap, more church, etc. LOL!
Have a lovely week. Hope it’s warming more for ya!
Just checked the forecast and we have 40s all week and no rain. Sounds good!
Sounds pretty perfect after all the snow and cold and snow-blowing you’ve put up with!
I enjoyed the (REAL) President’s speech as well!
Yes, his State of The Union speech! 🙂
Heading to work in a while, see ya later.
☺️
Indeed.
Bible in a Year:
Everyone who [practices] these words of mine . . . is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
As many as 34,000 homes in one US state are at risk of collapsing due to faulty foundations. Without realizing it, a concrete company pulled stone from a quarry laced with a mineral that, over time, causes concrete to crack and disintegrate. The foundations of nearly six hundred homes have already crumbled, and that number will likely skyrocket over time.
Jesus used the image of building a home atop a faulty foundation to explain the far riskier danger of building our lives on unsteady ground. He explained how some of us construct our life on sturdy rock, ensuring that we hold solid when we face fierce storms. Others of us, however, erect our lives on sand; and when the tempests rage, our lives tumble “with a great crash” (Matthew 7:27). The one distinction between building on an unshakable foundation and a crumbling one is whether or not we put Christ’s words “into practice” (v. 26). The question isn’t whether or not we hear His words, but whether we practice them as He enables us.
There’s much wisdom offered to us in this world—plus lots of advice and help—and much of it is good and beneficial. If we base our life on any foundation other than humble obedience to God’s truth, however, we invite trouble. In His strength, doing what God says is the only way to have a house, a life, built on rock.
Reflect & Pray
Whose wisdom, insights, or opinions do you listen to the most? How can you better build your life’s foundation by putting Jesus’ words into practice?
God, so much of what I experience feels unsteady and temporary, a life built on sand. I want to live a solid life. Help me to obey You.
To learn more about the life and teachings of Jesus, see ChristianUniversity.org/NT218.
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That is the sweetest doggie! 🥰
Oh that’s funny! 🌞❄️
Bible in a Year:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
As a full-of-energy preschooler, my son Xavier avoided afternoon quiet time. Being still often resulted in an unwanted, though much-needed, nap. So, he’d wiggle in his seat, slide off the sofa, scoot across the hardwood floor, and even roll across the room to evade the quiet. “Mom, I’m hungry . . . I’m thirsty . . . I have to go to the bathroom . . . I want a hug.”
Understanding the benefits of stillness, I’d help Xavier settle down by inviting him to snuggle. Leaning into my side, he’d give in to sleep.
Early in my spiritual life, I mirrored my son’s desire to remain active. Busyness made me feel accepted, important, and in control, while noise distracted me from fretting over my shortcomings and trials. Surrendering to rest only affirmed my frail humanity. So I avoided stillness and silence, doubting God could handle things without my help.
But He’s our refuge, no matter how many troubles or uncertainties surround us. The path ahead may seem long, scary, or overwhelming, but His love envelops us. He hears us, answers us, and stays with us . . . now and forever into eternity (Psalm 91).
We can embrace the quiet and lean into God’s unfailing love and constant presence. We can be still and rest in Him because we’re safe under the shelter of His unchanging faithfulness (v. 4).
Reflect & Pray
In what ways have you seen God’s protection in your life? How can you face difficulties knowing that God has you under His wings?
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a safe haven of unfailing love.
To learn more about growing spiritually in your walk with God, visit ChristianUniversity.org/SF104.
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