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Human beings can be pretty judgy. We want things to be the way we are used to or things we have been taught were right (even when there is no moral code attached to it- have you ever heard people argue over if pineapple should be on pizza?!). The same thing happens in faith circles when people disagree with other’s worship styles or theology.
Sometimes people act like God’s grace is cheapened by some of the (non-essential) things that happen in church. I’m not talking about the important things that make up our faith, but the smaller things that boil down to tradition or personal preference. I think there are times that instead of cheapening God’s grace, we make it very expensive. In reality, it is FREE! Thank you, LORD! Meghan
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We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!
Hebrews 12:2 TPT https://my.bible.com/bible/1849/HEB.12.2.TPT I love this verse and how it’s expressed! The Passion Translation says that Jesus’ heart was focused on knowing that we would be HIS. He actively pursued us so that we could live a full life with Him. In return, He asks for nothing. Just to trust that He is the way. That’s it. In my experience, however, I have seen that many of us feel we are just not worthy of His active pursuit of us. This may be due to poor self esteem, trauma or just plain humanity, but we tend to want to STRIVE or HUSTLE for what God wants to freely give. He endured the cross and the humiliation because He wanted to spend eternity with you. Settle in on this for a few moments and really see that for what it means. I pray you feel loved and pursued by God today. Meghan We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!
Hebrews 12:2 TPT https://my.bible.com/bible/1849/HEB.12.2.TPT ' When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. '
Ephesians 5:19 https://my.bible.com/bible/392/EPH.5.19 As many of you know, I work with horses for a living and I have noticed that there is a common thread between working with horses and faith in God. A lot of times it's something that we overlook as Christians thinking that we just want to be better and better, of course. It has taught me something that we should think about us Christians. And this is the tiny little fact of looking at those who aren't as far on their journey as we are. Talking to them and learning from them.
What's working with horses? They tend to not know what we are asking, but we know exactly how to get them to the point where we are at in our training and in our abilities . But a horse will communicate to you about how to become a better person and communicator. They teach you patience and love and they teach you to listen. That's something we should start doing more of. We should start looking at those and talking to those and listening to those who aren't as far along in their journey as we are because we can learn a lot from them just as much as the people who are further ahead of us. As Ephesians 5:19 says speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. Mara Fiedler But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord , I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 NIV https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MIC.7.7.NIV Have you ever used the SOAP method of Bible study? In the past, I used it pretty regularly and I was looking back at some of my previous entries in my journal. It made me wonder if others have ever done this.
When we refer to the term SOAP, it stands for SCRIPTURE, OBSERVATION, APPLICATION and PRAYER. I have used this with difficult passages, but it works quite well for more familiar passages as well. Take for instance, the passage of Jeremiah 29:11 which you can find here: https://my.bible.com/bible/111/JER.29.11.NIV Using this method would look something like this: S (Scripture)- “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.” O (Observation)- The things I take away from this are that God has an understanding of who we are and what He has planned for us. He is not winging it, but He has a clear destination in mind for our lives and it is GOOD! A (Application)- Often I find myself getting lost in the “what if’s” of life. What if the future doesn’t look the way I’d like it to? What if I mess things up? The questioning can go on and on in my brain and I can take myself off the rails, but what I have learned is to stop and think about this: If God is in control and His plans are good, then why am I spinning out of control in my thought process? I do it more frequently than I’d like to admit, but I’ve gotten better at reigning it in. This verse was a HUGE part in that. P (prayer)- Lord, I find myself getting way ahead of myself (and YOU). Remind me in the uncertain times that You are in control and your plans for my life are good. AMEN. Let us know if you’ve ever used this method and your experience, or try it in your own quiet time. Meghan "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". This song has been on my mind for days. Its caused me to think about and remember a lot of people and incidents in my life that have had an impact on my me. Sometimes just sitting quietly and " pondering " over them helps me through the day. I used to spend a lot of time with my Aunt Virginia and her husband, Uncle Floyd. They were farmers and childless. They lived in Greenville Pa. My Aunt Gin had a devoted following of friends from her Lutheran church. One of them was a man whom she shared adult Sunday School teaching responsibilities with and had done for more than 50 years. We would spend time with them sometimes away from church and my aunt asked him to share with me something that happened in his life. He had a terrible heart attack and was rushed to emergency. They worked on him for a long time but had lost him on the table. One of the doctors watched him intently because something amazing happened before his eyes. Mr Kaufman (sorry, I forgot to give you his name before), told me what happened to himself as he lay there in that cold room with all the lights and the doctors gathered around him. He said he remembers looking down on himself on that table and seeing everything I just described to you. But then he beheld a different kind of light. It was brighter than the ones in the surgery room and there were voices calling him. So he followed the voices into the light. He saw people whom he loved deeply there but he saw one very special person. No, it wasn't Jesus as you might expect. But it was Peter that met him. He told me that Peter revealed a lot of things to him that Mr. Kaufman had been struggling with all his life. He said that it seemed like they talked for a very long time but then Peter told Mr Kaufman that he had to go back because it wasn't his time yet to be there.
Meanwhile, back at surgery, the doctor was watching Mr. Kaufman. He watched as he saw his spirit leave his body and then return. I don't remember the number of minutes that passed but I do remember that it was quite a while and they were just setting down on paper his time of death but thank God they had to erase that time. When Mr. Kaufman finally came to and was responsive, the doctor told him he watched him leave his body and he asked him where he went. Of course Mr. Kaufman told him what I have told you. Think of the impact that had on that doctors life. Mr. Kaufman was approached by a book company who had heard about the experience and was publishing a collection of these experiences of several others. My aunt had that book and I have read it. That conversation has been with me a lot of years. It has been a part of the lamp that has shown me the way through life. Mr. Kaufman was an ordinary farmer just like my aunt and uncle. My aunt has revealed to me many things in her life that I've been the lamp for her. Sometimes you just have to take time to stop and listen. I'd like to share with you that song... Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way, still you're there right beside me. And nothing will I fear as long as you are near. Please be near me til the end. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I will not forget Your love for me and yet my heart forever is wandering. Jesus be my guide, and hold me to your side, I will love you to the end. Nothing will I fear as long as you are near. Please be near me to the end. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105-112 If you want to sing along , you will find this song on You-tube done by Amy Grant at Amy Grant Official... Amy Grant Thy Word May you find the Peace of Gods love within today and every day. Joyce Miller We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
2 Corinthians 4:8 NLT “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.13-16.NLT |
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