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Posted on 04/30/2021 10:23:24 PM PDT by JustAmy
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Bible in a Year:
All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
Martha served as a teacher’s aide at an elementary school for over thirty years. Every year, she saved money to buy new coats, scarves, and gloves for students in need. After she lost her fight with leukemia, we held a celebration of life service. In lieu of flowers, people donated hundreds of brand-new winter coats to the students she loved and served for decades. Many people shared stories about the countless ways Martha encouraged others with kind words and thoughtful deeds. Her fellow teachers honored her memory with an annual coat drive for three years after her life ended on this side of eternity. Her legacy of kindness still inspires others to generously serve those in need.
In Acts 9, the apostle Luke shares a story about Dorcas, a woman who was “always doing good and helping the poor” (v. 36). After she got sick and died, the grieving community urged Peter to visit. All the widows showed Peter how Dorcas had lived to serve (v. 39). In a miraculous act of compassion, Peter brought Dorcas back to life. The news of Dorcas’ resurrection spread, and “many people believed in the Lord” (v. 42). But it was Dorcas’ commitment to serving others in practical ways that touched the hearts in her community and revealed the power of loving generosity.
Reflect & Pray
How can you love someone with your kind words and deeds today? How has God used someone else’s kindness to draw you closer to Him?
Loving God, please help me to love others in practical ways each day so I can leave a legacy of kindness that points others straight to You.
Good night FRiends
😴💫⭐️✨
Bible in a Year:
I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
It’s while Monk and Harold are both panicking that the epiphany comes, abruptly interrupting Monk’s angst. “I think we’ve been looking at this the wrong way,” he tells Harold. “This trunk, these walls . . . they’re not closing in on us . . . they’re protecting us, really. They’re keeping the bad stuff out . . . germs, and snakes, and harmonicas.” Eyes widening, Harold sees what he means and whispers in wonder, “This trunk is our friend.”
In Psalm 63, it’s almost as if David has a similar epiphany. Despite being in a “dry and parched land,” when David remembers God’s power, glory, and love (vv. 1–3), it’s as if the desert transforms into a place of God’s care and protection. Like a baby bird hiding in the shelter of a mother’s wings, David finds that when he clings to God, even in that barren place, he can feast “as with the richest of foods” (v. 5), finding nourishment and strength in a love that “is better than life” (v. 3).
Reflect & Pray
When have you experienced God’s care for you while you were in a difficult place? In what current struggles might you learn to “sing in the shadow of [God’s] wings”?
Loving Creator, Sustainer, and Nourisher, thank You for the miraculous way Your love seeps into my heart in even the most difficult places, transforming them into the shelter of Your wings.
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Whoa there! Triple digit temps are awful, dry heat or not!
🔥🔥🔥
Penny is NOT amused.
The good old Chewy box. Had a few of those delivered before. 😊 They have a fantastic return policy. One time I got a slightly damaged item. Called them. They said keep it and we will also send another one.
🙂
Wow. You went to burning up very quickly! I hope those leave soon. We have your 70s...and I’m enjoying them very much.
Hubby orders our catfood from Chewy’s. They are very prompt.
Today is supposed to be the worst for heat. I have a couple of window A/Cs and they are pumping along, raising my electric bill. Friday we are expecting torrential rain, which hopefully will clear the air.
Bible in a Year:
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. . . . Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness.
One evening years ago, my wife and I were making our way down a mountain trail, accompanied by two friends. The trail was narrow and wound around a slope with a steep drop on one side and an unclimbable bank on the other.
As we came around a bend, I saw a large bear moseying along, swinging his head from side to side, and quietly huffing. We were downwind, and he hadn’t detected our presence, but he would soon.
Our friend began to rummage around in her jacket for a camera. “Oh, I must take a picture!” she said. I, being less comfortable with our odds, said, “No, we must get out of here.” So we backed up quietly until we were out of sight—and ran.
That’s how we should feel about the dangerous passion to get rich. There’s nothing wrong with money; it’s just a medium of exchange. But those who desire to get rich “fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction,” Paul wrote (1 Timothy 6:9). Wealth is only a goad to get more.
Instead, we should “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (v. 11). These traits grow in us as we pursue them and ask God to form them within us. This is how we secure the deep satisfaction we seek in God.
Reflect & Pray
What’s your passion in life? How might you pursue traits that will make you more like Jesus?
God, I want to grow to become more Christlike. Help me cooperate with what You’re trying to teach me.
I hope your heat breaks soon! I know how miserable it can be. I hope you take cool showers to help cool yourself down. :)
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Sounds like a plan! :-)
Looks like a fun way to accomplish just that!
Penny does NOT like getting wet, for anything. On the other hand, I like it!
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