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Posted on 01/01/2024 3:15:48 PM PST by luvie
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I can hardly wait until the shingles are replaced.
Sunday is just in time before the rain and snow starts.
😊
Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth follows a decidedly different pattern than most of his other “church” letters. The apostle usually opens with a section of doctrine (teaching) and follows that with a section of practical application. The first part helps us with what to believe and the second with how to practically live out those beliefs.
In 1 Corinthians, however, the apostle spends the first fourteen chapters addressing problems within the church at Corinth. Some of the chapters are in response to questions asked by the church itself (see 7:1). Then in chapter 15, he provides the single most detailed theological study of the resurrection in the New Testament. The final chapter (ch. 16) contains a few brief statements of practical exhortation.
Hear more about the problems addressed in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.
Stanley loves the freedom and flexibility that his job as a private-hire driver gives him. Among other things, he can start and stop work anytime, and he doesn’t have to account for his time and movements to anyone. Yet, he said, that’s ironically the hardest part.
“In this job, it’s so easy to start an extramarital affair,” he admitted frankly. “I pick up all sorts of passengers, yet no one, including my wife, knows where I am each day.” It’s not an easy temptation to resist, and many of his fellow drivers have given in to it, he explained. “What stops me is considering what God would think, and how my wife would feel,” he said.
Our God, who created each one of us, knows our weaknesses, desires, and how easily we’re tempted. But as 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 reminds us, we can ask Him for help. “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear,” Paul says. “When you are tempted, [God] will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (v. 13). That “way out” could be a healthy fear of the consequences, a guilty conscience, remembering Scripture, a timely distraction, or something else. As we ask God for strength, the Spirit will turn our eyes from what’s tempting us and help us look toward the way out that He’s given us.
What temptations are you facing today? What way out might God be giving you to keep on His right and holy path?
Father, You know my weaknesses. Please give me the strength to resist temptation and to walk with You, in Your holy and life-giving ways. For further study, read Walking Free: Overcoming What Keeps Us from Jesus
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Happy Caturday! Well I looked into which dog genes made Henry such a hair-shedder. Has to be the Great White Pyrennes. He is about 10 percent that breed. He looks somewhat like a Samoyed but that did not show up on the DNA report. His brother’s owners had that test done and shared the results with us. I read about the pyrennes and like Henry, they shed every day, not seasonally. I can vacuum every 2 days! 😅
I had a Samoyed once, and his shedding caused large white tumbleweeds of white fur to roll through my house.
😂🤣That made me laugh! Tumbleweeds is right. Ha ha! I am using a lot of lint roller sheets on my clothing.
Oh yeah. I spin those like they’re the Wheel of Fortune!
Ha ha! I’ve had many doggos but never had any blizzard of hair like this. I have a Fur-minator shedding tool and another even better one without a memorable name. I get 1/2 a bag of hair off him every week. He tolerates the grooming pretty well. 🐶😅
Time to get an Industrial Shop-Vac. :-)
The aim of Peter’s preaching in Acts 2:14-41 was to help his hearers find new life in Jesus. The apostle knew his Jewish audience (vv. 14, 22, 29). Because they were a Scripture-informed people, his preaching included references to the Old Testament Scriptures: Joel 2 (Acts 2:17-21), Psalm 16 (Acts 2:25-28), and Psalm 110 (Acts 2:34-35). Finally, Peter instructed his hearers how to embrace Christ and the new life they’d heard about: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Growing up together in Central Asia, Baheer and Medet were the best of friends. But when Baheer became a believer in Jesus, everything changed. After Medet reported him to government authorities, Baheer endured excruciating torture. The guard growled, “This mouth will never speak the name of Jesus again.” Though badly bloodied, Baheer managed to say that they might stop him speaking of Christ, but they’d never “change what He has done in my heart.”
Those words remained with Medet. Some months later, having suffered illness and loss, Medet traveled to find Baheer, who had been released from prison. Turning from his pride, he asked his friend to introduce him to his Jesus.
Medet acted on the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the same way that those who gathered around Peter on the feast of Pentecost were “cut to the heart” when they witnessed God’s outpouring of grace and heard Peter’s testimony about Christ (Acts 2:37). Peter called the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and some three thousand did. Just as they left their old ways of life behind, so too did Medet repent and follow the Savior.
The gift of new life in Jesus is available to everyone who believes in Him. Whatever we’ve done, we can enjoy the forgiveness of our sins when we trust in Him.
How do you think Baheer felt when Medet asked him to introduce him to Jesus? How does a relationship with Him help us in the time of trial?
Saving Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and rising to new life. I place my trust in You.
Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of four kings of Judah (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah). Ancient Jewish and Christian writers say that Isaiah was “sawn asunder”—perhaps being the incident referred to in Hebrews 11:37.
The book of Isaiah is the first of the “major” prophets. The Major Prophets are distinguished from the Minor Prophets mostly based on their length, with the Major Prophets being substantially longer than their smaller counterparts. Isaiah is the sixth longest book in the Bible. One of its distinguishing characteristics is that it contains a substantial amount of messianic prophecy. Isaiah is quoted (or alluded to) in the Gospels alone more than twenty times. In John 12:40, for example, the apostle John quotes Isaiah 6:10, then says, “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him” (John 12:41).
It was a long day at the hospital. Still no answers to the sickness that afflicted a young, bright nineteen-year-old. Arriving home, the family felt discouraged. To their surprise, a nicely decorated box sat on the step with Isaiah 43:2 printed on the front. Inside, were assorted encouraging Bible verses that friends had written out by hand. The next hour was spent being encouraged by Scripture and the thoughtful gesture of the family’s friends.
People going through tough times or family challenges can always use a heartfelt boost. Scripture—either a large portion or just a verse—can encourage you, a friend, or family member. Isaiah 43 is filled with little bits of encouragement—received either individually or as a whole. Consider a few choice thoughts: God has “created you,” “formed you,” “redeemed you,” and called you “by name” (v. 1). God “will be with you” (v. 2), He’s “the Holy One of Israel,” and He’s our “Savior” (v. 3).
As you consider the promises of God, may they encourage you. And as He provides what you need, you can encourage someone else. The verse box didn’t cost a lot, but its impact was priceless. Even after five years, some of those verse cards are still cherished by the family.
What other promises can you find in Isaiah 43? Who can you share a promise card, text, or email with today?
Dear God, I thank You today that the Scriptures are full of promises, and that I can be encouraged even by one verse at just the right time. For further study, read Stay Alert and Walk with Your God.
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Peaches would say, if we were intelligent enough to understand cat language, Eau de toilette is sold for up to $66 an ounce from France.
Peaches is way ahead of that.
LOL!
Hi Peaches!
😽
It was 50 today.
Gonna be about 10 degrees for a high on Thursday.
Roof got fixed on Sunday!
😁
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