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Posted on 01/01/2021 6:43:29 AM PST by JustAmy
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The Peanuts are still my favorite!
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We still have a lot of snow. Boo. Maybe it will be gone by the weekend, as we are expecting rain. That should get rid of the snow.
Yeah! The Spring Equinox is only2 weeks away!
Mine too. They are so innocent.
Bible in a Year:
He says to the snow, āFall on the earth,ā and to the rain shower, āBe a mighty downpour.ā
Named for a tough blue-collar neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, the grassroots musical group Over the Rhine sings about a transformation that took place each year in the city. āWhenever weād get our first real snowfall of the year, it felt like something sacred was happening,ā explains band co-founder Linford Detweiler. āLike a little bit of a fresh start. The city would slow down and grow quiet.ā
If youāve experienced a heavy snowfall, you understand how it can inspire a song. A magical quietness drapes the world as snow conceals grime and grayness. For a few moments, winterās bleakness brightens, inviting our reflection and delight.
Elihu, the one friend of Job who may have had a helpful view of God, noted how creation commands our attention. āGodās voice thunders in marvelous ways,ā he said (Job 37:5). āHe says to the snow, āFall on the earth,ā and to the rain shower, āBe a mighty downpour.ā ā Such splendor can interrupt our lives, demanding a sacred pause. āSo that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor,ā Elihu observed (vv. 6ā7).
Nature sometimes seizes our attention in ways we donāt like. Regardless of what happens to us or what we observe around us, each momentāmagnificent, menacing, or mundaneācan inspire our worship. The poetās heart within us craves the holy hush.
Reflect & Pray
What events or things motivate you to ponder Godās greatness and creativity? How can you experience His wonder in your ordinary moments today?
Father, help me to see Your hand in everything today. Give me a heart to appreciate Your amazing works.
Thank you.
Bible in a Year:
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meāput it into practice.
Paul wrote about practice to his friends in Philippi. āWhatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meāput it into practiceā (Philippians 4:9). He mentions five things: reconciliationāas he urged Euodia and Syntyche to do (vv. 2ā3); joyāas he reminded his readers to cultivate (v. 4); gentlenessāas he urged them to employ in their relation to the world (v. 5); prayerāas he had modeled for them in person and in writing (vv. 6ā7); and focusāas he had shown even in prison (v. 8). Reconciliation, joy, gentleness, prayer, and focusāthings weāre called to live out as believers in Jesus. Like any habit, these virtues must beĀ practiced in order to be cultivated.
But the good news of the gospel, as Paul had already told the Philippians, is that āit is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purposeā (2:13). Weāre never practicing in our own power. God will provide what we need (4:19).
Reflect & Pray
What things do you need to practice as you seek to imitate Jesus? How can you practice in the power of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus, give me the grace to practice Your ways by the power of the Holy Spirit. Empower me to live my life in a way that bears the fruit of the Spirit.
Read Filled with the SpiritĀ at DiscoverySeries.org/Q0301.
Thank you.
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Aw! Cute puppy!
The snow is losing the battle here. Deep drifted areas and snow mountains by the driveway are still hanging in there, but shrinking by the hour.
Cheers
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Hi Ginger! š±
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It reached 60 today! Huzzah! :-)
Pretty warm here, but cloudy. Lots of rain up north, some snow, and west of here in Minnesota, they were watching a tornado this afternoon. Snow is disappearing except those deep drifts.
Warm and sunny here...feels like SPRING! Woo Hoo!
Bible in a Year:
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everythingāall she had to live on.
Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates made history when they launched the Giving Pledge, promising to donate half of their money. As of 2018, this meant giving away 92 billion dollars. The pledge made psychologist Paul Piff curious to study giving patterns. Through a research test, he discovered that the poor were inclined to give 44 percent more of what they had than wealthy people. Those whoāve felt their own poverty are often moved to greater generosity.
Jesus knew this. Visiting the temple, He watched the crowds drop gifts into the treasury (Mark 12:41). The rich tossed in wads of cash, but a poor widow pulled out her last two copper coins, worth maybe a penny, and placed them into the basket. I picture Jesus standing up, delighted and astounded. Immediately, He gathered His disciples, making sure they didnāt miss this dazzling act. āThis poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others,ā Jesus exclaimed (v. 43). The disciples looked at each other, bewildered, hoping someone could explain what Jesus was talking about. So, He made it plain: those bringing huge gifts āgave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everythingā (v. 44).
We may have little to give, but Jesus invites us to give out of our poverty. Though it may seem meager to others, we give what we have, and God finds great joy in our lavish gifts.
Reflect & Pray
What does it mean for you to give out of your poverty? How can you give āeverythingā for Jesus today?
God, I donāt feel like I have much to offer. My gifts feel puny and worthless. But Iām here. All of me. Will You receive me in my poverty?
Hi, there! Good to see you!
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