Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Reflections
GOD CALLS TO OUR SOULS in ways that words cannot — through a moving
song, a dramatic dance, the smile of a friend, or the kiss of the sun.
From the vivid shades of autumn to the intricacy of a spider’s web, God
made the earth and everything in it.
We, too, are expressions of God’s creative beauty and attention to detail. Our spirit flows out of God, who created us and gave us life. God’s fingerprints are all over us, and each of us is imprinted with the likeness of our Creator. No matter what life brings, God’s love will continue to create and to color our lives and our world.
– Lori Z. Scott
We, too, are expressions of God’s creative beauty and attention to detail. Our spirit flows out of God, who created us and gave us life. God’s fingerprints are all over us, and each of us is imprinted with the likeness of our Creator. No matter what life brings, God’s love will continue to create and to color our lives and our world.
– Lori Z. Scott
Sunday, October 8, 2017
First Draft
O GIVER OF LIFE, neither wealth nor status can rescue us. We cannot affect the outcome of our lives. We can only rest in you, who blesses us so that we might bless others. Give us a heart that longs not for wealth but for you and your upside-down kingdom alone. Amen.
O GIVER OF LIFE, neither wealth nor status can rescue us. We cannot affect the outcome of our lives. We can only rest in you, who blesses us so that we might bless others. Give us a heart that longs not for wealth but for you and your upside-down kingdom alone. Amen.
–
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God
Thursday, October 5, 2017
A True Tale
This week, I had to return to see the surgeon who operated on my hip: he placed a screw in it.
I
I waited for my wheelchair transport to take me back home, as I am still in recovery.
A woman came out to also wait her ride: she looked at me and said I looked familiar: I am, I told her, and moved closer to her. She was thrilled to see me, we had not seen each other in years.
She had lost her left leg...
Left me humbled, please keep her in prayers, her husband recently died; she is a 2 time widow..
I
A woman came out to also wait her ride: she looked at me and said I looked familiar: I am, I told her, and moved closer to her. She was thrilled to see me, we had not seen each other in years.
She had lost her left leg...
Left me humbled, please keep her in prayers, her husband recently died; she is a 2 time widow..
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
1 Corinthians 6
Scripture tells us that a believer has a dual citizenship -- one on earth and the other in heaven. In Philippians 3:20,
Paul wrote: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a
Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Yet, we also know that when
pressed by the Pharisees on the subject of taxation and the enforcement
authority of the Roman government, Jesus instructed (Matthew 22:21b):
"Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." In
Chapter Six, Paul will discuss how to balance these responsibilities.
It is important to understand that the believer's citizenship in heaven does not absolve us of our responsibility to the state. The Christian has accountability to both. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:2: "...for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." Therefore, the believer's obligation to the state is to make every effort and contribution toward a peaceful, law-abiding society -- including recognition of governmental authority. But why is it important? So we might get out the Gospel message (1 Timothy 2:3-4): "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." The subtlety of Paul's point is that even in the most tyrannical governments, there is some degree of freedom to preach the Word.
As we can see, God intended the church and the state to be kept separate. The church was not to dictate nor dominate the state -- and vice versa -- the state was not to control the church nor take the place of God. Unfortunately, many of the political forces in our country think they either speak for God or stand in replacement of Him.
It is important to understand that the believer's citizenship in heaven does not absolve us of our responsibility to the state. The Christian has accountability to both. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:2: "...for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." Therefore, the believer's obligation to the state is to make every effort and contribution toward a peaceful, law-abiding society -- including recognition of governmental authority. But why is it important? So we might get out the Gospel message (1 Timothy 2:3-4): "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." The subtlety of Paul's point is that even in the most tyrannical governments, there is some degree of freedom to preach the Word.
As we can see, God intended the church and the state to be kept separate. The church was not to dictate nor dominate the state -- and vice versa -- the state was not to control the church nor take the place of God. Unfortunately, many of the political forces in our country think they either speak for God or stand in replacement of Him.
Questions to Ponder:
Are
you having difficulty balancing your responsibility to the government
with the authority of God? Paul will begin Chapter Six by looking at the
legal system and how believers should interact with each other. Whose
law applies? God's or the secular system?https://www.ptl.org/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=DVO&utm_cam
Monday, September 25, 2017
Monday Morning Musings
HUMILITY, HOSPITALITY, and loving-kindness; simplicity and
deliberation ~ all are God-shaped qualities of life. To have all the
mind that was in Christ, however, means that these qualities flow from
Christ’s holiness and righteousness in us through loving actions toward
others.
A Life-Shaping Prayer
~ Wesley Chilcote
A Life-Shaping Prayer
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Upper Room Daily Reflection
OPEN MY MOUTH, LORD, that praise may flow more easily than requests, thanks more readily than complaints.
Praise be to you, O Lord, for life and my intense desire to live.
Praise be to you for the mystery of love and for my intense desire to be a lover.
Praise be to you for this day, for life and another chance to live, love, and be loved. Amen.
Praise be to you, O Lord, for life and my intense desire to live.
Praise be to you for the mystery of love and for my intense desire to be a lover.
Praise be to you for this day, for life and another chance to live, love, and be loved. Amen.
–
The Africana Worship Book, Year C
The Africana Worship Book, Year C
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