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Posted on 04/30/2021 10:23:24 PM PDT by JustAmy
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Bless your soul.
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What a cheerful awakening image! Very well done for spreading happiness.
Bible in a Year:
I pray that . . . he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Sometimes the words of children can jolt us into a deeper understanding of God’s truth. One evening when my daughter was young, I told her about one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith—that God through His Son and Spirit dwells in His children. As I tucked her into bed, I said that Jesus was with her and in her. “He’s in my tummy?” she asked. “Well, you haven’t swallowed Him,” I replied. “But He’s right there with you.”
My daughter’s literal translation of Jesus being “in her tummy” made me stop and consider how when I asked Jesus to be my Savior, He came and took residence within me.
The apostle Paul referred to this mystery when he prayed that the Holy Spirit would strengthen the believers in Ephesus so that Christ would “dwell in [their] hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17). With Jesus living within, they could grasp how deeply He loved them. Fueled by this love, they would mature in their faith and love others with humility and gentleness while speaking the truth in love (4:2, 25).
Jesus dwelling inside His followers means that His love never leaves those who’ve welcomed Him into their lives. His love that surpasses knowledge (3:19) roots us to Him, helping us to understand how deeply He loves us.
Words written for children can say it best: “Yes, Jesus loves me!”
Reflect & Pray
How does Jesus dwelling inside you give you great comfort? How can you grow closer to God knowing that His power gives you strength?
God, You’re not far off, but are close to me. May I delight in Your love and share it with others.
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Thank you for the new thread Amy!
Any idea what happened to Meg?
I’m not sure anyone has heard from her or trisham. They are sorely missed and loved here!
I agree
Hi Guys. Thank you for being here everyday.
I may have made a breakthrough with Windows 10. I posted the thread on a laptop. If I must continue using it, I need to get a mouse and a keyboard attached. :^}
I called Meg and talked to her son several months ago. She is no longer able to sit at the computer. I’m not sure if she is able to lurk or not.
Also talked to Trisham but hate to say that I can’t remember why she is unable to post.
Thanks for that Amy!
I knew she was having problems.
We need to pray for both of them.
Thanks for that update. Praying that they both get relief from their health problems.
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Bible in a Year:
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
The Scriptures tell us that the essence of faith is embracing what can’t be seen. Hebrews 11:1 affirms, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This assurance isn’t the result of wishful or positive thinking. It’s confidence in the God we can’t see but whose existence is the truest reality in the universe. His reality is displayed in His creative works (Psalm 19:1) and made visible by revealing His invisible character and ways in His Son, Jesus, who came to show the Father’s love to us (John 1:18).
This is the God in whom “we live and move and have our being,” as the apostle Paul put it (Acts 17:28). As such, “we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Yet we don’t walk alone. The unseen God walks with us every step of the way.
Reflect & Pray
In a world where seeing is believing, in what ways do you struggle to live by faith in God? What has strengthened your faith, and in what areas do you need to rest in Him more fully?
Father, sometimes it’s a struggle to believe what I can’t see. Nevertheless, You’ve promised Your faithful love and that You’ll never leave me or forsake me. Help me to rest in that promise.
Bible in a Year:
Give to the one who asks you.
For fifteen years, Mike Burden held hate-filled meetings in the memorabilia shop he ran in his small town. But in 2012 when his wife began to question his involvement, his heart softened. He realized how wrong his racist views were and didn’t want to be that person any longer. The militant group retaliated by kicking his family out of the apartment they’d been renting from one of the members.
Where did he turn for help? Surprisingly, he went to a local black pastor with whom he’d clashed. The pastor and his church provided housing and groceries for Mike’s family for some time. When asked why he agreed to help, Pastor Kennedy explained, “Jesus Christ did some very unpopular things. When it’s time to help, you do what God wants you to do.” Later Mike spoke at Kennedy’s church and apologized to the black community for his part in spreading hatred.
Jesus taught some unpopular ideas in the Sermon on the Mount: “Give to the one who asks you . . . . Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:42, 44). That’s the upside-down way of thinking God calls us to follow. Though it looks like weakness, it’s actually acting out of God’s strength.
The One who teaches us is the One who gives the power to live out this upside-down life in whatever way He asks of us.
Reflect & Pray
How are you living out Jesus’ words of giving to those who ask and loving your enemies? What would you like to change?
God, help me to love others as You love me. Show me how to do that today.
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I opt for the PJ’s. Easier to get on. That shower was difficult enough, I’ve had to take over hubby’s as it has a invalid seat in it, still having Vertigo issues.
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aturday!
