FLOUNDERING FORTITUDE!

STRENGTH diminishing! Why? What's the Source.....other than age or too much "me"?

Is it discouragement? Disappointment? Depression? Disease? Irritable-heart 

syndrome? 

Acceptance is the key.

This morning, the mirror on my chest clearly reminded me. "In my Face!"

Then, Scotty Smith's words for today re-emphasized the truth God already had  for me.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Two “I Am’s” + Three “I Will’s” = Deep Peace

GOSPEL LENS!

Physically, I seem to be getting weaker. Thus, service to others seems more difficult at times. Even my practice of prayer has too easily become self-centered, i.e. "Help, I need strength." 

Pastor Emeritus, Scotty Smith, reminds us to daily  "Pray the Scriptures."

Nothing has been of greater importance to my growth in grace than learning to pray the Scriptures while wearing the lens of the gospel. 

As Martin Luther said, we need the gospel every day because we forget the gospel every day.

Is heartfelt-engagement possible with a tired body? Even my eyes aren't what they once word after new glasses. I need clarity along with strength.

I need to begin each day with an open Bible read through gospel-lens. (James 5:16c)

BREAD AND WATER DIET

In the past, a prisoner's diet often included a "bread and water diet" as  a physical disciplinary measure. Result was often malnourishment.

In Scripture, Christ is described in bread and water terms. With Him we will never be malnourished. "Bread of Life" & "Living Water." Not to discipline but to encourage. Truth which believers can depend on ....a spiritual gift from above, received in our innermost being. A spiritual nourishment of daily bread and living water which which one must seek daily.

A spiritual diet of sorts to be passed along i.e. shared with others! 

Think of an artesian well spilling over.

Today may we allow the flow of the Spirit deep in our hearts, to bubble up & gush forth to others to comfort and encourage them. 

*in web view of this entry, click on living water label to see other entries.

SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD!

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY *is His authority and control. His control means that everything happens according to His plan and purposes. 

Our triune God's sovereign control is the loving and gracious oversight of the king of creation and redemption. Many see it as a pathway to peace, especially in the midst of grief and life-threatening struggles.

I appreciate Soup Campbell's succinct sharing with a local pastor recovering in ICU as the sole survivor of an airplane crash on a trip which he had planned.

"He is or He ain't!" (Soup Campbell)

The pastor, overcome with sadness and guilt, weeps!

Soup repeats. "He is or He ain't!"

It's not the end of the story but the "pathway to peace" began!

*https://www.crossway.org/articles/series/key-bible-verses/

FELLOWSHIP-LACED FRIENDSHIP!

Fellowship + friendship = perfect duo!

The longer it goes, the better it gets.....especially when you can still make each other laugh during the hard times.

On our most recent visit, I shared some verses I recently prayed for someone dear. She got her Bible and asked me to read them to her. It became a "reminder moment" of the ease of getting to the Psalms by opening the Bible to the middle.

Voilà! She did it.

She then found Psalm 71.

Next, she took my picture as I read her Bible....

saying she wanted to remember me reading to her. 

What a moment! 

A grace-laced moment I'll never forget! 

CHOICES!

The Christian life is all about choices.

Daily one faces choosing how to face the day.

I once read that many folks try to dull  the pain of all the "what if " and "if only" worries of life in unhealthy ways.

Retail therapy is about as helpful as a sugar rush.

AT our house, hubby grabs his COSTCO card and I grab a handful of jelly beans.

What we both need to grab is our faith.

Choose this day whom you will serve;...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24;15)

A faith that loves God and serves others for his glory.

That's why this gift has hung above an outside door since the seventies.....

a daily reminder to make the right choice!

HOPE /LOVE/FAITH

TRIAD OF VIRTUES IN ST. AUGUSTINE'S WORDS

Love gives us hope that one day we will see face to face the One who is love.

FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE ARE INTERTWINED!

It's His love we rely on. It's the core of our faith! (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Paul instructed his followers to be defined by love (John 13:34-35). 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

God is love. In Him we put our faith and receive hope.

MONDAY = PRAYERS FOR REVIVAL

Revival begins in the prayer room.

Prayer is a transformative divine privilege of the saints!  (Pace McKee)

Revival is truly when God's people return to God and humble themselves and pray allowing others to see Jesus in daily life.....yours. (2 Chronicles 7:14) May the Lord continue to revive saints again and again! (Psalm 71:20)

This week may others see Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) ... in the family of Christ at First Evan and throughout the world!

SATURDAY SAMPLER!

Smoky taste. Sweet taste. Literary taste. Artsy taste. Spiritual taste. 

SMOKY 

SWEET

LITERARY 

ARTSY

Spiritual

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)

REFLECTIONS!

REFLECTIONS............

Poolside ponderings.....

• As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. (Proverbs 27:19)
• There is no I in team!
• God has my heart and I have His.
• Gratitude turns what we have into enough. We lose the need to want more or different. (Taylor Park)
• Prayer is a reflection of our dependence on God. (Rad Andrews)

FROM.......

WONDER OF EACH HOUR!

For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flowers, and moon and stars of light,

Refrain: Christ our Lord, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

Remember the wonder of the words of Scripture....."The earth is the Lord's and the fulness there of, the world and those who dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1)

RED FLAG DAYS!

All of us seem to have Red Flag Days in our lives!....often without warning!

At least, at some beaches warnings are given so prep is a possibility.

This morning ours were strong currents and rip tides. The wind warnings were listed on weather bulletins. Those were experienced immediately as one walked into a recalcitrant wind tunnel. Turbulence in the weather category! Think stormy hat dislodging, uncontrolable blast.

Sometimes life comes at us fast and furious and totally out of our control

How grateful believers are to know the One who is in control---our sovereign God.

God who can still the storms.(Mark 4:39)

 Even when the tumultuous times continue, approaching a 2 red flag day, one can lean into Him and His guidance as He supports the faithful in their struggles as they seek the things above with Him. (Colossians 3:2)

GOD'S HANDIWORK!

SOLAR ECLIPSE APRIL 8, 2024.

All across America,.....

 ......from young to old, from beginning to end.......

....enjoyed God's handiwork!

SANCTURY BY THE SEA!

For the beauty of the earth, for the glories of the skies for the love which from our birth over and around us lies. 

Refrain:Christ our Lord, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

SATURDAY SUNSHINE!

What a way to start the day!

Quiet time with the Lord, sun in the blue, blue sky, breeze in the air......

....and time with JLK!

VERBS OF VERACITY = VICTORY!

Verbs of veracity can give victory    

Veracity---a 17th C word that is derived from truth or true..... as the quality of being true.

Many adjectives and nouns are synonymous with truth but are there verbs that are somewhat synonymous with veracity? Scripture in Psalm 119 speaks of soul-clinging, life-giving words.Words of truth that "strengthen." "Choose" the way of faithfulness that leads to truth. "Cling" to God's testimonies. "Speak" of them. "Allow" God to "incline" your heart toward Him; "Enlarge" your heart and let it "lead" you to run the way of His commandments."Dread not."

"Long" for God's precepts in His righteousness.

Trusting the Veracity of God's Word results in a life lived in Christ, for Christ and with Christ.....aka Victory in Jesus!

 Verbs of Veracity = Victory in Jesus 

MONDAY MOUTHFUL!

Much munching on Scotty Smith's devotional this morning.

A pastor who can go from French to slang in capturing our earthly mission in and for Christ.

Powerful words that justify our existence.

Glory for sure!