Good morning to everyone. Grace and peace be with you.
First let me advise everyone that today is a fantastic day. My brain is fried from Christmas rush, but …. I HAVE LOTS OF COFFEE now. So the world shall be safe for another day.
I told you about the gospels challenge from my pastor. About two weeks ago, I hit the ten times each and decided to listen to the rest of the new testament. Now I am halfway through 2 Peter. It is interesting to listen to because things I thought I knew really highlighted in my mind that I do not know. Thing that I was doing well in, well …. Not so much. But this is a good thing. A lot of the time I find myself reflecting back to the gospels as a reference point for clarity. I also found it interesting that at no time did “I hear” the scriptures that I am familiar with … such as not conforming to the world in Romans, or the armor of God in Ephesians, or repent and be baptized in Acts. None of those did I hear, however, here is the funny part, boy how He actuated the need to remind me of my thoughts and actions. The couple in Acts that sold property but kept part of the profit for themselves and lied, the tongue cannot be tamed, what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart (from the gospel of Matthew). Suppose He is trying to get my attention?
I have noticed that my shortness, either in attitude or patience, has to do with a kink in my armor that I have not soldered up yet. Certain situations just crack that kink wide open and the less than ‘Jesus-like’ me pops out … and usually quite quickly with ugly undertones. I tell myself that I will just stay silent and then (it) happens.
Perhaps, while I have been listening, those two little dudes who have been pictured in cartoons as good and bad that sit on my shoulders all day have been boxing about what I will hear. I am seeking ‘familiar’ verses (which good wants me to hear) but bad dude does not want me comfortable in what I know so he distracts my thoughts. However when the verses that I ‘need’ to hear (because I need corrected) good dude steps up and clears my mind of all distractions so that I get the lesson. Good dude is not concerned with what I know, he is concerned with what I need to focus on.
This time of year is stressful. It should not be, but it is. When we are in a moment of stress, we lose part of our armor protection and cracks appear throughout. Staying in the Word helps keep those cracks from opening wide up. Staying in the Word helps keep the armor secure. Staying in the Word keeps our peace intact.
Today I invite you to pick up, dust off, and pick a book in the Book and read. Wherever you land, just read. Then, when you have found a suitable stopping point, reflect and pray on what you read. As you focus on the lesson of the day, you will not be distracted by the ways of the World and your peace will stay in place. Give it a try.
Be blessed today my friends.
***He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. – Psalm 107:20
First let me advise everyone that today is a fantastic day. My brain is fried from Christmas rush, but …. I HAVE LOTS OF COFFEE now. So the world shall be safe for another day.
I told you about the gospels challenge from my pastor. About two weeks ago, I hit the ten times each and decided to listen to the rest of the new testament. Now I am halfway through 2 Peter. It is interesting to listen to because things I thought I knew really highlighted in my mind that I do not know. Thing that I was doing well in, well …. Not so much. But this is a good thing. A lot of the time I find myself reflecting back to the gospels as a reference point for clarity. I also found it interesting that at no time did “I hear” the scriptures that I am familiar with … such as not conforming to the world in Romans, or the armor of God in Ephesians, or repent and be baptized in Acts. None of those did I hear, however, here is the funny part, boy how He actuated the need to remind me of my thoughts and actions. The couple in Acts that sold property but kept part of the profit for themselves and lied, the tongue cannot be tamed, what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart (from the gospel of Matthew). Suppose He is trying to get my attention?
I have noticed that my shortness, either in attitude or patience, has to do with a kink in my armor that I have not soldered up yet. Certain situations just crack that kink wide open and the less than ‘Jesus-like’ me pops out … and usually quite quickly with ugly undertones. I tell myself that I will just stay silent and then (it) happens.
Perhaps, while I have been listening, those two little dudes who have been pictured in cartoons as good and bad that sit on my shoulders all day have been boxing about what I will hear. I am seeking ‘familiar’ verses (which good wants me to hear) but bad dude does not want me comfortable in what I know so he distracts my thoughts. However when the verses that I ‘need’ to hear (because I need corrected) good dude steps up and clears my mind of all distractions so that I get the lesson. Good dude is not concerned with what I know, he is concerned with what I need to focus on.
This time of year is stressful. It should not be, but it is. When we are in a moment of stress, we lose part of our armor protection and cracks appear throughout. Staying in the Word helps keep those cracks from opening wide up. Staying in the Word helps keep the armor secure. Staying in the Word keeps our peace intact.
Today I invite you to pick up, dust off, and pick a book in the Book and read. Wherever you land, just read. Then, when you have found a suitable stopping point, reflect and pray on what you read. As you focus on the lesson of the day, you will not be distracted by the ways of the World and your peace will stay in place. Give it a try.
Be blessed today my friends.
***He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. – Psalm 107:20
Good morning to everyone. Grace and peace be with you.
First let me advise everyone that today is a fantastic day. My brain is fried from Christmas rush, but …. I HAVE LOTS OF COFFEE now. So the world shall be safe for another day.
I told you about the gospels challenge from my pastor. About two weeks ago, I hit the ten times each and decided to listen to the rest of the new testament. Now I am halfway through 2 Peter. It is interesting to listen to because things I thought I knew really highlighted in my mind that I do not know. Thing that I was doing well in, well …. Not so much. But this is a good thing. A lot of the time I find myself reflecting back to the gospels as a reference point for clarity. I also found it interesting that at no time did “I hear” the scriptures that I am familiar with … such as not conforming to the world in Romans, or the armor of God in Ephesians, or repent and be baptized in Acts. None of those did I hear, however, here is the funny part, boy how He actuated the need to remind me of my thoughts and actions. The couple in Acts that sold property but kept part of the profit for themselves and lied, the tongue cannot be tamed, what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart (from the gospel of Matthew). Suppose He is trying to get my attention?
I have noticed that my shortness, either in attitude or patience, has to do with a kink in my armor that I have not soldered up yet. Certain situations just crack that kink wide open and the less than ‘Jesus-like’ me pops out … and usually quite quickly with ugly undertones. I tell myself that I will just stay silent and then (it) happens.
Perhaps, while I have been listening, those two little dudes who have been pictured in cartoons as good and bad that sit on my shoulders all day have been boxing about what I will hear. I am seeking ‘familiar’ verses (which good wants me to hear) but bad dude does not want me comfortable in what I know so he distracts my thoughts. However when the verses that I ‘need’ to hear (because I need corrected) good dude steps up and clears my mind of all distractions so that I get the lesson. Good dude is not concerned with what I know, he is concerned with what I need to focus on.
This time of year is stressful. It should not be, but it is. When we are in a moment of stress, we lose part of our armor protection and cracks appear throughout. Staying in the Word helps keep those cracks from opening wide up. Staying in the Word helps keep the armor secure. Staying in the Word keeps our peace intact.
Today I invite you to pick up, dust off, and pick a book in the Book and read. Wherever you land, just read. Then, when you have found a suitable stopping point, reflect and pray on what you read. As you focus on the lesson of the day, you will not be distracted by the ways of the World and your peace will stay in place. Give it a try.
Be blessed today my friends.
***He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. – Psalm 107:20
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