Separated....
I was reading this morning and the word, "separated" kept coming out...
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
Then I looked it up for the Bible and it starts in Genesis 1, God starts separating the light and dark, land and water, etc..., Lot separates himself from Abraham, Jacob separates his flock from another...the temple has separate areas....there are 61 uses of "separate" throughout the Word...
We go our separate ways, we do separate things, we live separately....but, there is one separation believers won't face and that is separation from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord...once we have asked Jesus as our Saviour , we will not be separated...what a promise...nothing breaks that bond, that life...it is eternal...thank YOU...
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Notes on shoe boxes....
Notes for Samaritans boxes....
This week is collection week for millions of Operation Christmas Child boxes...some thoughts about them.....
Reminds me of song...
Song " thank you for giving to the Lord"
Thank You I dreamed I went to heaven And you were there with me We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name You turned and saw this young man And he was smiling as he came And he said friend you may not know me now And then he said but wait You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight And every week you would say a prayer Before the class would start And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart CHORUS Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave Then another man stood before you And said remember the time A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry You didn't have much money But you gave it anyway Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I'm here today CHORUS (repeat) One by one they came Far as the eyes could see Each life somehow touched By your generosity Little things that you had done Sacrifices made Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed And I know that up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord He said, my child look around you For great is your reward CHORUS (repeat) I am so glad you gave
Quote " you can't put a dollar value on generosity "
"What is Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.
Why shoebox gifts?
Shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."
*******
Sometimes we may think a shoe box gift or gifts in shoe box are of little consequence ...we put in our balls, pencils, tablets, toys assembly line style from our abundance...but these are just temporal/tangible things...the heart of each box may be the intangible....
What can we possibly find in a shoe box?
1. Love....john 3:16. For God so loved...
2. Laughter....walking and keeping and praising God...
3. Wonder....amazement...
4. Sharing...giving In our abundance to those in need...
5. Playing.....fellowship...
6. A livelihood.....crafts, a screw driver, a fishing kit...
7. Help in schools with supplies...basic education supplies
8. Help for young women/ men in personal hygiene
9. The very Word of the Creator on the universe ....a chance to study God's Word...
10. A means to present the gospel
11. An invitation that has the power to change lives in generations for eternity
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17
12. Church planting, a potential to start a fellowship in a new area of the world
13. Opportunity to bring people from various cultures together
14. The gift of giving which can change the givers life....A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great....Proverbs 18:16
15. Opportunity for all ages to give and receive...all ages can give and receive...
16. Touching someone's heart
17. The potential to build dreams
18. A new path in life...because of the gospel
19. A new song....He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.....Psalm 40:3-5
20. A new life
21. Desert to lushness...
22. Dry to water...fulfills a thirst
23. Hardness to brokenness and freedom through Christ...
24. Death to life...
25. Darkness to light...
26. Unknowing to knowing Christ...
27. Hopelessness to hope...
28. Anger to joy....
29. Neglect to care ....
30. Frowns to smiles...
31. Hate to love...
32. Bad to good...
33. Transformation of a soul, family, village, country....the world...from a small gift given in love...prayers guiding that gift to the heart of the receiver...
Jesus' prayer for believers to come...
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:20-26
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians---
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Thank YOU for making such a difference in your world ....with a little shoe box....
This week is collection week for millions of Operation Christmas Child boxes...some thoughts about them.....
Reminds me of song...
Song " thank you for giving to the Lord"
Thank You I dreamed I went to heaven And you were there with me We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name You turned and saw this young man And he was smiling as he came And he said friend you may not know me now And then he said but wait You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight And every week you would say a prayer Before the class would start And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart CHORUS Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave Then another man stood before you And said remember the time A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry You didn't have much money But you gave it anyway Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I'm here today CHORUS (repeat) One by one they came Far as the eyes could see Each life somehow touched By your generosity Little things that you had done Sacrifices made Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed And I know that up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord He said, my child look around you For great is your reward CHORUS (repeat) I am so glad you gave
Quote " you can't put a dollar value on generosity "
"What is Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.
Why shoebox gifts?
Shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."
*******
Sometimes we may think a shoe box gift or gifts in shoe box are of little consequence ...we put in our balls, pencils, tablets, toys assembly line style from our abundance...but these are just temporal/tangible things...the heart of each box may be the intangible....
What can we possibly find in a shoe box?
1. Love....john 3:16. For God so loved...
2. Laughter....walking and keeping and praising God...
3. Wonder....amazement...
4. Sharing...giving In our abundance to those in need...
5. Playing.....fellowship...
6. A livelihood.....crafts, a screw driver, a fishing kit...
7. Help in schools with supplies...basic education supplies
8. Help for young women/ men in personal hygiene
9. The very Word of the Creator on the universe ....a chance to study God's Word...
10. A means to present the gospel
11. An invitation that has the power to change lives in generations for eternity
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17
12. Church planting, a potential to start a fellowship in a new area of the world
13. Opportunity to bring people from various cultures together
14. The gift of giving which can change the givers life....A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great....Proverbs 18:16
15. Opportunity for all ages to give and receive...all ages can give and receive...
16. Touching someone's heart
17. The potential to build dreams
18. A new path in life...because of the gospel
19. A new song....He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.....Psalm 40:3-5
20. A new life
21. Desert to lushness...
22. Dry to water...fulfills a thirst
23. Hardness to brokenness and freedom through Christ...
24. Death to life...
25. Darkness to light...
26. Unknowing to knowing Christ...
27. Hopelessness to hope...
28. Anger to joy....
29. Neglect to care ....
30. Frowns to smiles...
31. Hate to love...
32. Bad to good...
33. Transformation of a soul, family, village, country....the world...from a small gift given in love...prayers guiding that gift to the heart of the receiver...
Jesus' prayer for believers to come...
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:20-26
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians---
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Thank YOU for making such a difference in your world ....with a little shoe box....
Friday, November 9, 2018
Comforted.....
Comforted....
When I am traveling to other areas, I sometimes need a rental car...after finding out how to turn it on, finding the lights, adjusting the seats and mirrors, I find a Christian radio station to listen to while negotiating the area.
Last night while getting ready to turn the car in, the song, "Come, now is the time to worship" was playing...so I awoke with that playing in my mind...
Turning to my daily scripture reading, I found John 17 was a part of the selections...a favorite of mine...knowing that Jesus prayed for me centuries ago...isn't that comforting? And in the chapters before, that He was sending A counselor to teach truth...comforting as well...thank YOU ....
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:1-26
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0geK9e9XeVbqu0AaTzBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTByMDgyYjJiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=come+now+is+the+time+to+worship&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dcome%2Bnow%2Bis%2Bthe%2Btime%2Bto%2Bworship%26ei%3DUTF-8%26_tsrc%3Dyfp-hrtab-s%26fp%3D1&fr=yfp-hrtab-s&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.TvVFnDbIZXAYBqAD_itdiwEsDh%26pid%3D15.1%26w%3D144%26h%3D77%26c%3D7&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsWiYWBhdpow&tit=Come+Now+is+the+Time+to+Worship.flv&l=255&vid=c18a9270b4e7c4cc1201a78dd66e54ec&sigr=11b57sgg2&sigb=1311uir8s&sigt=11376u21m&sigi=12jinnmrn
When I am traveling to other areas, I sometimes need a rental car...after finding out how to turn it on, finding the lights, adjusting the seats and mirrors, I find a Christian radio station to listen to while negotiating the area.
Last night while getting ready to turn the car in, the song, "Come, now is the time to worship" was playing...so I awoke with that playing in my mind...
Turning to my daily scripture reading, I found John 17 was a part of the selections...a favorite of mine...knowing that Jesus prayed for me centuries ago...isn't that comforting? And in the chapters before, that He was sending A counselor to teach truth...comforting as well...thank YOU ....
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:1-26
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0geK9e9XeVbqu0AaTzBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTByMDgyYjJiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=come+now+is+the+time+to+worship&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dcome%2Bnow%2Bis%2Bthe%2Btime%2Bto%2Bworship%26ei%3DUTF-8%26_tsrc%3Dyfp-hrtab-s%26fp%3D1&fr=yfp-hrtab-s&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.TvVFnDbIZXAYBqAD_itdiwEsDh%26pid%3D15.1%26w%3D144%26h%3D77%26c%3D7&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsWiYWBhdpow&tit=Come+Now+is+the+Time+to+Worship.flv&l=255&vid=c18a9270b4e7c4cc1201a78dd66e54ec&sigr=11b57sgg2&sigb=1311uir8s&sigt=11376u21m&sigi=12jinnmrn
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Furnished and ready...
Furnished and ready......
Matthew 26 and Mark 14 record the last day/ hours of Christ's earthly life...the betrayal, the surrender, the last supper, the arrest, the sleeping friends, the beginning of the night trial...everything preordained to happened...what meaningful passages...
Jesus sent his disciples ahead to prepare for the Passover...looking for a certain man to follow and make use of his upstairs room..."furnished and ready"... Was the room always ready? Was it a local gathering place?
But, there in that room, the Lord's supper is instituted, betrayal is acknowledged, the Passover is shared-the Lamb is prepared, ready for death, the first born to be taken soon...
And Jesus knowing all of this, moves forward, ready ...willing...the only one able....
I ask myself, now and in times past, am I "furnished and ready" for whatever may come into my life? No, there are so many times, I didn't want to be ready for the events taking place in my home/heart...other's easier, yes...was I ready to hand over each room in my life for the use of the Lord? No, no and yes, yes... For His banquet, for His fellowship, for His remembrances...
Thank YOU that you came in and dined...You made ready...You furnished the heart...help me always be ready...to sit and dine, to recline next to your heart...listening...prepared...
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
Mark 14:12-26
Matthew 26
Matthew 26 and Mark 14 record the last day/ hours of Christ's earthly life...the betrayal, the surrender, the last supper, the arrest, the sleeping friends, the beginning of the night trial...everything preordained to happened...what meaningful passages...
Jesus sent his disciples ahead to prepare for the Passover...looking for a certain man to follow and make use of his upstairs room..."furnished and ready"... Was the room always ready? Was it a local gathering place?
But, there in that room, the Lord's supper is instituted, betrayal is acknowledged, the Passover is shared-the Lamb is prepared, ready for death, the first born to be taken soon...
And Jesus knowing all of this, moves forward, ready ...willing...the only one able....
I ask myself, now and in times past, am I "furnished and ready" for whatever may come into my life? No, there are so many times, I didn't want to be ready for the events taking place in my home/heart...other's easier, yes...was I ready to hand over each room in my life for the use of the Lord? No, no and yes, yes... For His banquet, for His fellowship, for His remembrances...
Thank YOU that you came in and dined...You made ready...You furnished the heart...help me always be ready...to sit and dine, to recline next to your heart...listening...prepared...
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
Mark 14:12-26
Matthew 26
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
And the Pharisees...
And the Pharisees .....
Revolutions have been fought and won over the years from similar words, changing of the guard, wars, wanting my way, handing off the baton, etc..., etc. ....etc....sometimes change is simple, other times so painful....from mentor to mentee, teacher to student, retiree to the next generation...sometimes empowering, sometimes reins held in tightened fists....old guard to new entrepreneurs....
In reading the gospels, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecies of old, bringing freedom and light to the world, showing his authority, giving the salvation that all mankind needs...but, because he was who he was and proclaimed that, he was constantly hounded by leaders who desired the status quo, not wanting change to their lives, or questioning of their authority with or over the people whom they were supposed to serve.
Some leaders did, indeed, believe in Him, while others baulked at every turn, at every miracle, sign, healing, word...
As I have reached the mentor age, "older women mentor the younger women"...I have the choice the hold tightly to my generation's "traditions" and man's rules...or let the next generation fly, empowering ones who come after to follow the Spirit in His leading. This even also means not "westernizing" mission work around the world or next door... Showing the love of Christ following his commandments...encouraging not discouraging, admonishing in love not judging..
It behooves we as mentors to make sure we are not pushing our agenda, our way of thinking on the next generation, but are examples of the truth, not man's traditions...
Thank YOU for your love and admonishment....help me radiate your light....
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:11
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Revolutions have been fought and won over the years from similar words, changing of the guard, wars, wanting my way, handing off the baton, etc..., etc. ....etc....sometimes change is simple, other times so painful....from mentor to mentee, teacher to student, retiree to the next generation...sometimes empowering, sometimes reins held in tightened fists....old guard to new entrepreneurs....
In reading the gospels, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecies of old, bringing freedom and light to the world, showing his authority, giving the salvation that all mankind needs...but, because he was who he was and proclaimed that, he was constantly hounded by leaders who desired the status quo, not wanting change to their lives, or questioning of their authority with or over the people whom they were supposed to serve.
Some leaders did, indeed, believe in Him, while others baulked at every turn, at every miracle, sign, healing, word...
As I have reached the mentor age, "older women mentor the younger women"...I have the choice the hold tightly to my generation's "traditions" and man's rules...or let the next generation fly, empowering ones who come after to follow the Spirit in His leading. This even also means not "westernizing" mission work around the world or next door... Showing the love of Christ following his commandments...encouraging not discouraging, admonishing in love not judging..
It behooves we as mentors to make sure we are not pushing our agenda, our way of thinking on the next generation, but are examples of the truth, not man's traditions...
Thank YOU for your love and admonishment....help me radiate your light....
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:11
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Friday, November 2, 2018
My playlist....
My playlist....
This morning I was walking I place in my room here in Medellin, listening to my music on my iPhone. I haven't listened to it for so long...
Out my door/window the mountain raises up and up with high rise apartment buildings going up the mountain as well. I am on the 12th story of a 21 story building. The buildings around me are taller and some shorter...quite a difference from my little one story house in a small town...
Anyway, back to my play list ...each of the songs I have downloaded have a story in my life...when, where and why it is saved...
First, "Thank you for giving to the Lord", a favorite of my husband, we bothe liked it, Especially him and we had some one song it at his funeral.
"Blessings", I heard it for the first time driving from my home to our temporary apartment when my husband was ill. I had to pull over to the side of the road, listen and cry...
"Word of God speak ", my last solo song before I had to stop singing because of esophagitis...
"Tennessee Waltz" down loaded for my father as he was dying...he really liked that song as well as others....
"Jesus loves me", the first song I sang with my mother before church, when I was 4 years old...
"Wind beneath my wings", a song one of my daughters played for me for a birthday present when she was in junior high ...
Etc...etc...etc...
I suspect each person reading this has special songs which touch your heart in some way...bringing back good or maybe bad memories...ones that we don't want to hear, or can't erase because they bring back a moment in time...they touch our souls in a very deep way...thank YOU for music to sooth our souls, to touch us...
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
Psalm 65:13,66:1
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19
This morning I was walking I place in my room here in Medellin, listening to my music on my iPhone. I haven't listened to it for so long...
Out my door/window the mountain raises up and up with high rise apartment buildings going up the mountain as well. I am on the 12th story of a 21 story building. The buildings around me are taller and some shorter...quite a difference from my little one story house in a small town...
Anyway, back to my play list ...each of the songs I have downloaded have a story in my life...when, where and why it is saved...
First, "Thank you for giving to the Lord", a favorite of my husband, we bothe liked it, Especially him and we had some one song it at his funeral.
"Blessings", I heard it for the first time driving from my home to our temporary apartment when my husband was ill. I had to pull over to the side of the road, listen and cry...
"Word of God speak ", my last solo song before I had to stop singing because of esophagitis...
"Tennessee Waltz" down loaded for my father as he was dying...he really liked that song as well as others....
"Jesus loves me", the first song I sang with my mother before church, when I was 4 years old...
"Wind beneath my wings", a song one of my daughters played for me for a birthday present when she was in junior high ...
Etc...etc...etc...
I suspect each person reading this has special songs which touch your heart in some way...bringing back good or maybe bad memories...ones that we don't want to hear, or can't erase because they bring back a moment in time...they touch our souls in a very deep way...thank YOU for music to sooth our souls, to touch us...
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
Psalm 65:13,66:1
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Lights.....
Yesterday and the rest of the week, I am among millions of people going to and fro, hurrying, scurrying, back and forth to jobs, life in South America...I don't know their language, and most of their cultural lingo...but their hearts are the same as those next door or thousands of miles away...
I sat yesterday at breakfast with four young people whose faces radiated the light of Jesus, whose lives are given over to reflecting that light to other young people..
One has a heart to reach physically challenged teens, whose hearing, speech or body may not respond as well as others, but who hearts and lives need the love of Jesus...a friend remarked that their worship is the quietest she has heard as they signed their praise songs with beauty in movement...
Another young woman works with teen moms...again reflecting that light into their potentially shattered lives...encouraging them to grow with Jesus as center...
The next young woman works with high schoolers in a school near the city, reaching teens through the school and community...
A young man, finishing seminary, working with groups of teens leading the way to a Christ filled life...another generation given a hope for the future, discipling, teaching living skills to win new generations to the Love and light of Christ...
These are the frontline missionaries ...these are the Warriors, the pioneers of this next generation of believers...their countenance, their laughter, their smiles light the room around them... Extraordinary ...a delight to listen to...they hug readily, that touch of their Savior...
Thank YOU for sending such "lights" forth...not just to the world location but to all the world...
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:26
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Proverbs 27:19
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:8
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
Isaiah 42:6
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
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