Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... October, November and December, 2015

October 1, 2015 | JustAmy; Meg33, The Mayor; Trisham; St.Louie1, Friends, MamaBear

[MEG33]

Thank you, ML.
(((Hugs)))

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you, Dear Meg! That is the Sweetest Gif!

(((((Hugs)))))

[Kitty Mittens]

(((((Hugs and Love, Dear FRiends!)))))
Goodnight to Everyone, and God Bless.

[MEG33]

TOO CUTE!!
(((HUGS))))

[The Mayor]

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Our Main Concern

November 20, 2015

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

Peer pressure is part of everyday life. Sometimes we base our decisions on what other people will think or say rather than on our convictions and on what will please God. We’re worried that we’ll be judged or made fun of.

The apostle Paul experienced his fair share of peer pressure. Some Jewish Christians believed that Gentiles should be circumcised to be truly saved (Gal. 1:7; see 6:12-15). However, Paul stood his ground. He continued to preach that salvation is by grace through faith alone; no further works are required. And for that he was accused of being a self-appointed apostle. They further asserted that his version of the gospel had never received the apostles’ approval (2:1-10).

Despite the pressure, Paul was very clear about whom he served—Christ. God’s approval mattered most, not man’s. He made it his goal not to win the approval of people, but of God (1:10).

Similarly, we are Christ’s servants. We serve God whether people honor or despise us, whether they slander or praise us. One day “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Rom. 14:12). That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t consider what people think or say, but ultimately, we make pleasing God our main concern. We want to hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23).

Dear Lord, no matter what others may say or do, give me the courage to be faithful to You today.

Keep following Jesus.

Insight:

Because the risen Christ called Paul to be an apostle on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-18; 22:1-15; 26:9-18), Paul acknowledges that his apostleship was different from the original 12 apostles (Gal. 1:11-17), but it was clearly accepted by them (1:18; 2:7-10). Because Christianity was birthed in Judaism, adhering to the Mosaic law became an issue as more Gentiles became believers. The Judaizers taught that Christians must follow Jewish laws and practices in order to be saved. Paul wrote this letter to counter and condemn this false teaching (vv. 8-9), affirming that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by observing the law (Gal. 2:16,20-21; 3:11,24).

[MEG33]

Amen

[The Mayor]

Morning Meg!

[MEG33]

It's Wear Red Friday At Amy's Place

Supporting Our Troops Today And Every Day

I Wish You A Wonderful Weekend

[MEG33]

Good Morning!

[left that other site]

Happy Friday!

Yes...I am wearing Red. Underneath my sweatshirt, sweaters, triple-goose-down parka, knitted hat, scarf, and mittens.

I want to go back to Florida. :-)

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

[MEG33]

BRrrr

We’ll have 30s mornings Sunday and Monday...

I hope you at least saw some pretty fall foliage before the snow comes!

[left that other site]

The Pretty Fall Foliage was gone by the end of October.

BUT!

On my drive to MA on I95 through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, the Trees were so breathtakingly beautiful that I almost drove off the road!

So...it wasn’t all for nothing. LOL.

[Travis T. OJustice]

Here in CT, it’s not even time to break out a jacket yet. :)

I’d melt in Florida. I dread every time I have to go to ou Maitland office. They have the AC set at like 75, YUCK!

[MEG33]

I’m glad you had a lovely drive up!

[left that other site]

I guess it is all what you are used to!

:-)

[left that other site]

It was very nice.

Except for the Bronx.

[TheConservativeParty]

Friday Greetings to All.
Expecting snow later today.
No I am not excited.
(Hee Hee)

[trisham]

Red Friday, at Amy's Place
to support our troops!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

*=*=*=*=*=**=*=*=*=*=*

[The Mayor]

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Winning the Big One

November 21, 2015

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

In every field of endeavor, one award is considered the epitome of recognition and success. An Olympic gold medal, a Grammy, an Academy Award, or a Nobel Prize are among “the big ones.” But there is a greater prize that anyone can obtain.

The apostle Paul was familiar with first-century athletic games in which competitors gave their full effort to win the prize. With that in mind, he wrote to a group of followers of Christ in Philippi: “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7). Why? Because his heart had embraced a new goal: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings” (v. 10). And so, Paul said, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (v. 12). His trophy for completing the race would be the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8).

Each of us can aim for that same prize, knowing that we honor the Lord in pursuing it. Every day, in our ordinary duties, we are moving toward “the big one”—“the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Phil. 3:14 nlt).

Dear Lord, when I get discouraged, help me to keep pressing on, looking ahead to when I will be with You forever.

What is done for Christ in this life will be rewarded in the life to come.

Insight:

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is one of warmth and affection, perhaps rooted in his founding of this congregation—the first church planted in Europe. While presenting the theme of joy, the letter to the Philippians also focuses on Paul’s care for them (1:3-4), the matchless person of Christ (2:5-11), and the need for unity (4:2-3). Today’s Bible reading (3:7-14) draws our attention to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8) and the impact that knowledge should have on our living.

[trisham]

Dogs come when they're called;

cats take a message and get back to you later.

Mary Bly

Happy Caturday, Dogurday and Bunnyday, everyone!