December 30

Happy Monday! The countdown is on for 2020. As I left church yesterday I heard someone say “That was the last church service of the decade!” And so here we are—at the end of a decade. When you think back over the last ten years, how has it been? Ups and downs? Good times and bad? I saw a movie the other day that had a good line in it. A dying mom told her 18-year old son that life would sometimes knock him down to his knees. But he needed to remember that if he could just take a minute, breath, get back up and take a couple of steps, it would get better. 


We have been talking for a month about the four attributes of Christ: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. But even though we may be saved, there are times we just don’t feel one or all of those. We may not feel like we are worthy or we may just feel isolated and alone or maybe life has knocked us to our knees. But regardless, all of us at times have problems feeling the hope, peace, joy and love of Jesus. 


“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬


Clearly, we need each other. Through the scripture and through one another, we find the encouragement we need to have the blessed hope in our Lord. Together, we glorify Him. Together, we worship Him. Together, we bring our sacrifice of praise to the King. And together, we accept one another just as we have been accepted. 


There is a reason the early church that was under so much persecution banded so tightly together—they needed the strength they gave one another, they needed the accountability to each other and they needed the teaching of the scriptures— together. 


Lord Jesus, bind us together. Help us to seek out relationships with those who we can study your word and be encouraged. Help us to have honest relationships where we share important things from our hearts and are accountable. Lead us Lord to healthy, happy, godly friends with whom we can share this journey of life. Thank you for the friends and family you have put in our path and help us to show your love and your mercy to those around us. We love you Lord and we worship you this day. Hallelujah. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one, 

Pam





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more