Praising God
This morning I read a devotion from Dr. Jeremiah. I am totally using his idea to share with you as I think it is more interesting than anything else on my mind. In the Old Testament the Israelite men went to Jerusalem 3 times a year; the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering. These were times of worship and praise. They would offer sacrifices and worship. Since we have a New Covenant, we no longer make animal sacrifices (thank you!) but we still offer a sacrifice..."a sacrifice of praise to God". Dr. Jeremiah says, "As we thank God for His blessings of provision and protection in our life, we never lose sight of Him as our hope in all things." These are days where hope is rarely visible but our hope is not in anything we can see anyway. Praise God today and renew your hope, your true hope. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb
All meaningful ideas and words came from Turning Points Magazine and Devotional, OUR ONE TRUE HOPE, January 2017.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Sunday, January 8, 2017
So What if It's Cracked
Last week I found a beautiful rock. Not a random find but for sale in a store. The beauty in this rock was its color, design, purpose, and price! I love rocks but I'd prefer to find them as opposed to buy them. This one had a space carved out for a tea light and I love lighting candles in the winter during my reading and devotion time. This one was quite cheap so I bought it. When I got home I pulled out some other items first forgetting the rock was still in there. It fell to the floor. I scooped it up, unwrapped it and set it on the mantle. Later when I lit the candle inside, I noticed a crack from the center of the design to the rough exterior. It was still functional and was still beautiful but I was disappointed at the damage I had caused. I look at that rock and think about me. God made me in his perfect image. But I have a crack. What does He think of me now? I'm still functional and in his eyes I'm still beautiful, but I really am damaged goods. I'm not perfect. When He looks at me is He sad because I sin daily? I'm sure I can grieve Him easily but that's why we had Christmas. Jesus came as God's Assurance that even though we aren't perfect, we are still his children and can serve Him in many ways. I may be damaged goods to the world but I'm perfect through the righteousness of Jesus.
Be blessed by the Lord this week and highly favored.
Barb
Last week I found a beautiful rock. Not a random find but for sale in a store. The beauty in this rock was its color, design, purpose, and price! I love rocks but I'd prefer to find them as opposed to buy them. This one had a space carved out for a tea light and I love lighting candles in the winter during my reading and devotion time. This one was quite cheap so I bought it. When I got home I pulled out some other items first forgetting the rock was still in there. It fell to the floor. I scooped it up, unwrapped it and set it on the mantle. Later when I lit the candle inside, I noticed a crack from the center of the design to the rough exterior. It was still functional and was still beautiful but I was disappointed at the damage I had caused. I look at that rock and think about me. God made me in his perfect image. But I have a crack. What does He think of me now? I'm still functional and in his eyes I'm still beautiful, but I really am damaged goods. I'm not perfect. When He looks at me is He sad because I sin daily? I'm sure I can grieve Him easily but that's why we had Christmas. Jesus came as God's Assurance that even though we aren't perfect, we are still his children and can serve Him in many ways. I may be damaged goods to the world but I'm perfect through the righteousness of Jesus.
Be blessed by the Lord this week and highly favored.
Barb
Sunday, January 1, 2017
His Strength is Mine
Philippians 4:13 is a verse that most people have read, heard, or can recite from memory.
It says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." When I slow down
long enough to rest on every word, to let each word soak into my heart, my heart if filled
to overflowing. It is filled with the hope of a new year, the promises as old as the Scriptures
themselves, and the assurance and strength to accept, tackle, and endure whatever the next
hour or day brings. The knowledge that God will meet me at my weaknesses and fill in all
that I need whatever comes to me, is enough for me. I don't know what 2017 is going to
be like for me and I'm grateful. I wouldn't have wanted to know ahead of time what was
coming to me in 2016! Just give me one day at a time, guide me through it, and help me
on to the next day. The good news is I know where my strength comes from and it will
never fail. May God show you his favor on your journey through 2017 as He strengthens
you daily. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Philippians 4:13 is a verse that most people have read, heard, or can recite from memory.
It says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." When I slow down
long enough to rest on every word, to let each word soak into my heart, my heart if filled
to overflowing. It is filled with the hope of a new year, the promises as old as the Scriptures
themselves, and the assurance and strength to accept, tackle, and endure whatever the next
hour or day brings. The knowledge that God will meet me at my weaknesses and fill in all
that I need whatever comes to me, is enough for me. I don't know what 2017 is going to
be like for me and I'm grateful. I wouldn't have wanted to know ahead of time what was
coming to me in 2016! Just give me one day at a time, guide me through it, and help me
on to the next day. The good news is I know where my strength comes from and it will
never fail. May God show you his favor on your journey through 2017 as He strengthens
you daily. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
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