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Posted on 01/01/2021 6:43:29 AM PST by JustAmy
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Bible in a Year:
Praise be to the Lord.
When James was just six years old, his older brother David died tragically in an ice-skating accident. It was the day before David’s fourteenth birthday. In the years that followed, James tried his best to console his mother, Margaret, who in her deep grief sometimes reminded herself that her elder son would never have to face the challenges of growing up. In James Barrie’s fertile imagination, decades later that same idea would burgeon into inspiration for a much-loved children’s story character who never aged: Peter Pan. Like a flower pushing its way through pavement, good emerged even from the hard ground of unthinkable heartache.
How comforting is the thought that God, in an infinitely more creative way, is able to bring good out of our most difficult circumstances. A beautiful illustration of this occurs in the Old Testament story of Ruth. Naomi lost her two sons, leaving her without means or support. Her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth chose to remain with Naomi to help provide for her and to serve her God (Ruth 1:16). In the end, God’s provision brought them unexpected joy. Ruth remarried and had a child, “and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David” (4:17). He would also be listed among the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
God’s tender mercy reaches beyond our ability to fathom and meets us in surprising places. Keep looking! Perhaps you’ll see it today.
Reflect & Pray
When have you seen God bring unexpected good out of difficult circumstances in your life? How can you share what He’s done with others?
Loving God, I thank You that one day You’ll wipe every tear from my eyes because You’re greater than every heartache or difficulty I’ll ever face.
Bible in a Year:
Seek his kingdom.
In 2020, an outbreak of the coronavirus left the world in fear. People were quarantined, countries were put under lockdown, flights and large events were canceled. Those living in areas with no known cases still feared they might get the virus. Graham Davey, an expert in anxiety, believes that negative news broadcasts are “likely to make you sadder and more anxious.” A meme that circulated on social media showed a man watching the news on TV, and he asked how to stop worrying. In response, another person in the room reached over and flipped off the TV, suggesting that the answer might be a shift in focus!
Luke 12 gives us some advice to help us stop worrying: “Seek his kingdom” (v. 31). We seek God’s kingdom when we focus on the promise that His followers have an inheritance in heaven. When we face difficulty, we can shift our focus and remember that God sees us and knows our needs (vv. 24–30).
Jesus encourages His disciples: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (v. 32). God enjoys blessing us! Let’s worship Him, knowing He cares for us more than the birds of the air and the flowers of the field (vv. 22–29). Even in difficult times, we can read the Scriptures, pray for God’s peace, and trust in our good and faithful God.
Reflect & Pray
What’s causing you to fear today? What’s one thing you can do to seek God’s kingdom when you begin to worry?
Loving God, instead of living in fear or worry, help me to focus on Your care for me.
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Hi there! Cold here the next few days. I hope the snow stays away!
🙄
Today was gorgeous, but they say more storms are coming.
Our weekend was OK but we are having 40 degree high temps for a couple days. Possible snow Tuesday/Wednesday and 20s at night. Oh joy.😅
TRUMP IS ON HANNITY NOW
😁
I’m there...a bit late, but thanks!
Was good to see him. Nothing new to say, but he looks well.
He does look well and healthy. Nothing new to say because there is nothing new, except for how miserable we all are now.
Bible in a Year:
He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.
Jesus offered His friends similar words of comfort during the week of His crucifixion: “The Father . . . will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16–17). After His resurrection He gave them this promise: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus was soon to ascend to heaven, but He would send the Spirit to “stay” and live within His people.
We experience the Spirit’s comfort and peace when our tears flow. We receive His guidance when we’re wondering what to do (John 14:26). He opens our eyes to understand more of God (Ephesians 1:17–20), and He helps us in our weakness and prays for us (Romans 8:26–27).
He stays with us forever.
Reflect & Pray
What do you need from the Holy Spirit today? How can knowing He’s always near help you?
How thankful I am that You remain always by my side, Jesus! I need You.
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Snow. I saw snowflakes in the air today. 😐
However, the warm ground wouldn’t allow them to stick.
So no harm done.
Most snow stayed south of us in northern Illinois.
😅
No snow for me. From this point onward it’s forsythia, daffodils, and HARLEY RIDES! WOO HOO!
It will be 60 here Wednesday, but only 40 today.
Have fun riding the Harley!
🏍
Oh I will! I am riding it to church this morning. :-)
Bible in a Year:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
For some people, an insensitive comment like this might trigger an equally rude reply. But here’s how Lucy responded: “Oh Darren, I think you’ve used the anonymity of the internet to say something you probably wouldn’t say to my face. Please reconsider your unkind words! Lucy.”
Lucy’s measured response worked. Darren apologized and vowed not to send anyone such an email again.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath,” Proverbs says, “but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1). While the hot-tempered person stirs things up, the patient person calms them down (v. 18). When we get a critical comment from a colleague, a snide remark from a family member, or a nasty reply from a stranger, we have a choice: to speak angry words that fuel the flames or gentle words that douse them.
May God help us to speak words that turn away wrath—and perhaps even help difficult people to change.
Reflect & Pray
Think of a time you got defensive with someone. Why do you think you reacted that way? How could you respond differently in God’s power?
Loving God, give me the ability to respond to quarrelsome people with patient, gentle words.
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