Not for show…

 

Not for a show…

So the awards have been given for various categories…the endless pictures of ball gowns in a myriad of colors, designs …who said what, who was seen with whom, etc, etc, etc…creative talents of many…

I have to admit, I didn’t watch the award ceremonies, but pictures keep popping up in my news feed, so I get a quick overview whether I like it or not…

Comparisons abound during these times…and they continue into all walks of life…

Who has the most money, biggest house, nicest car, most intelligence…etc…

It has a way of elevating one over another…

And reading Romans 14 addresses that to a degree…each of us must give account…not to man,but to God…it won’t be on our cars, our designer gowns, our money, our houses…but on where we stand with Jesus… 

…..”It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 

for it is written,“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,and every tongue shall confess to God.” 

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Rom.14.4b, 11-12, 17-19

 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matt.6.16-18

Thank YOU…

Nearer my God to thee…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtWVTCea_sw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1mQT1u_45I

For he spoke…

 For he spoke….

I was reading the other day about a woman who can now think her words and they are audibly spoken with the help of a new implant into her brain….she hasn’t been able to speak for several years…what an incredible gift to her…words must be pouring out that have been captive…We take so much for granted in a simple/complex gift…

It made me think of God’s gift of words and the Word…I can’t speak into the void and make a world…only God can do that…

 For the word of the Lord is upright,and all his work is done in faithfulness. 

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 

For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm. The counsel of the Lord stands forever,the plans of his heart to all generations. 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Ps.33.4,Ps.33.6,Ps.33.9,Ps.33.11-12

“And God said”….

 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 

And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Gen.1.3,Gen.1.6,Gen.1.9,Gen.1.11,Gen.1.14,Gen.1.20,Gen.1.24,Gen.1.26

 For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke.1.37 

Every word of God proves true;he is a shield to those who take refuge in. 

Prov.30.5

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John.1.1-5,14

Thank YOU for your WORD…

Speak to me….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPYPRpzF0Tk

Word of God speak…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

 

The Lord is patient with you…

 

The Lord is patient with you….

The title for the day….”the Lord is patient with you” ….I read this and I asked, “but, am I patient with Him?”

I had plans for the day…important things to accomplish, appointments to keep, phone calls to make and those important things had to run like clockwork to get them all done…

Well, it didn’t happen that way…I didn’t know I needed to clean out my refrigerator due to a crab bag bursting and spilling juice all over…I didn’t know I needed to mop and clean my floor that day…and several other events that weren’t on “my schedule “…

Maybe this just happens to me, but I had to put down my plans and say, “ okay, what are your plans for me?”

First and foremost He desire is…

 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2Pet.3.9

Give the day over to Him…His plans are for our good…

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jer.29.11-13

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Rom.8.28

It reminds me of the death of Lazarus in John 11…Jesus was told that his friend was ill, but he stayed where he was longer than what Lazarus’  family really wanted…Lazarus died…and basically, “if You would have come sooner he wouldn’t have died”…Martha and Mary’s plan”…but Jesus had something so much better…He raised him up before the family and the people…a story for the world to read in the Word…God’s plans may not be what we expect…

Thank YOU….

Your plans for us…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW2n0zs6Myk

Testimonies…

 

Testimonies…

 I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,and I am saved from my enemies.

Ps.18.1-3

 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matt.5.14-16

These two verses from two different Bible Apps are the verses for today…David’s and part of Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount…

I was awakened this am by a friend’s phone call about what she had dreamed and it was something she wanted recorded and written down…part of her testimony of God’s faithfulness to her…

Was reminded of the recent memorial service I attended…the pastor read the testimony written by the young woman…not sure there was a dry eye at the end…but, she had definitely not set her light under a basket…it still shone brightly even in death…

We each have a testimony to share…maybe short and sweet or lengthy…the times that God has blessed us, spoken directly to us, saved us…times when we feel His presence so deeply there are no words or we want to shout it from the roof tops…

We can add it to our wills or trusts for future reading of our descendants…we can record it with our voices…we can embroider it on plaques…so many ways to pass it on…not hiding it away…

Thank YOU for testimonies of those who have gone before or the one You have given each of us…help us to share and bless others now and in the future…Your Word cannot be hidden…

 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heavenand do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout,giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isa.55.10-11

Testimony…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyOrS3kY8BY

To God be the glory…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E4_MUUaioc

Oh, the depth…

 Oh, the depth…

The Word speaks for itself…the wonderment, the unfathomable of our God….

Thank YOU….

 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,or who has been his counselor?” 

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Rom.11.33-36

Cross f references from Biblehub.com…

Job 5:9

the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.

Job 11:7

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

Job 15:8

Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?

Job 37:23

The Almighty is beyond our reach; He is exalted in power! In His justice and great righteousness He does not oppress.

Psalm 36:6

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

Psalm 92:5

How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!

Psalm 139:6

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain…

Depth…

Psalm 107:8
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Proverbs 25:3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Ephesians 3:18
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

riches.

Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 9:23
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

how.

Job 5:9
Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

Job 9:10
Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Job 11:7-9
Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? …

Indescribable…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLMVqNwypjA

Then, how shall I live….

 Then , how shall I live…..

Romans 12 and 13 address how to live as a Christian…

Christians were being persecuted then, as they have been down through the ages…

Paul basically made a list of things to do…not to be checked of as  done and finished, but lived and transforming…day by day…

 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rom.12.2

Attitudes checked, actions revealing “marks of a true Christian”…

• spiritual worship of presenting  our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God…

• Not conformed to this world, but being transformed by renewed minds…

• Testing what is the Will of God, what is good, acceptable, perfect…

• Thinking correctly of ourselves, not prideful…

• Think with sober judgment according to the measure of faith that God given…

• Use the gifts that God has given to each…with enthusiasm…

• Be genuine in love…

• Choose good over evil…

• Love one another…

• Show honor…

• Be enthusiastic…be fervent in spirit..

• Serve the Lord…

• Rejoice in hope…

• Be patient in trials…

• Pray constantly….

• Help others…contribute to their needs…

• Show hospitality…

• Bless those who persecute you…

• Show and have empathy for the joyful and those who weak…

• Live in harmony…peaceably…

• Show no partiality, pride…

• Let God take care of vengeance…overcoming evil with good…

• Be subject to the governing authorities, knowing that God is actually over all…

• Don’t owe others except to love each other..

• Follow the commandments…summed up in “love your neighbor as yourself “….

• Finally, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ  and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”…

Wow, what a list…I am so glad we have the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit to be our helper…in my flesh, I can’t do these by myself…

 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2Cor.3.18

Thank YOU…

The God of all my days…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RocPcgqCDE0

Lord transform us….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2vt3-ld90A

 Actions and words have consequences…may they be a blessing to those around us…

 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? 

And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? 

As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,and their words to the ends of the world.”

Rom.10.14-18

Thank YOU….