care for others, in peace

For my Christian brothers and sisters, a timely message that I encourage you to watch to the end, and share the message.

Christians in Crisis - How to Respond to the Coronavirus Outbreak - March 15 - Scott Christenson

john 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  ~ John 16:33 NIV

Jesus spoke these things to His disciples, just before going to the garden, where He would be betrayed by Judas, led to the court of Pilate, and given to the Romans for crucifixion.  He knew what was to come, for Himself, for His disciples, for the world.  His thoughts were on us, to comfort us in our turmoil, even as His was to begin.

Jesus died, was risen, and reigns forevermore.  We can trust Him; He alone knows what is and what is to come, for all of us, for each of us.

If Jesus is your Lord, trust Him, lean on Him, seek peace and joy in Him.  Praise God.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, not yet received Him as the Lord of your life, He's waiting for you now.

Go here, study the text and scriptures, let me know what you think, or how I can help, or just if you want to discuss.

salvation comes

Today, 23 years ago, at around 10:30 am, I met Jesus. Some of y’all were there, a very few others have heard my witness of that day.

This was the single, most important moment of my life, for I was given a new life, transformed by the Power of His Spirit and Shed Blood.

I won’t lie and pretend to be other than a common sinful man in the flesh, but in my Spirit, I am reborn, seen as more pure than the whitest snow, as God sees me through His Son’s Eyes.

Lives changed at that moment, not only mine, but others that came and to come. Prayers of the faithful were answered in a miraculous way, as with all who come to know Him.

“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16:32-33‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Take hold, be at peace, love one another.

character matters: honesty

Honesty

No one appreciates a liar, not even other liars.  Be honest in every word from your mouth; speak the truth in all things.  Avoid exaggeration and embellishment; don’t make more (or less) of yourself or of a given situation.

“He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit.”  Proverb 12:17 (NASB)

 You are who you are; embrace yourself and allow others to accept you without surprise or disappointment.  Admit your faults when needful; be accountable for your actions without reservation.  Accept the consequences of your actions, good and bad.  Allow your successes and your failures to mold and shape you into the person God intended you to be.

 “Honesty is a direct reflection of your inner character.” ~ Kelli Mahoney

 We all desire to be admired and respected.  The people in your life will respect and admire your honesty and will be drawn to your good character.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22 (NASB)

 

A person who always speaks truthfully does not have to try to remember what he has told someone as his story never changes.  A liar is unusually transparent to others; no one has a memory good enough to hang onto various versions of their story.

 

^“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Proverb 2:6-8 (NIV)

Bible bookmarks

I'm cleaning out the various pieces of paper that fluff the pages of my Bible and reviewing some of the passages I noted for reflection.  Scribbles of verse references, sermon notes, thoughts to chew on;  I should have studied them immediately and intently, followed them up, for daily, passing peace.

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"But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,  so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."  ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12 (NAS)

"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.   Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."  ~ Colossians 3:22-24 (NAS)

These two, kept at the front of thinking, would go a great way toward leading me to a stronger and more peaceful relationship with my employer and my fellow workers.

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"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."  ~ 1 Timothy 6:10 (NAS)

I don't lust after money or riches, but there are certainly far too many occasions when I could have been a stronger steward of God's bounty, and more certain, could have put His money to use helping someone other than myself.

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I have the following notes titled "chapter six focus"; I don't recall what study, which book, they are referencing, but the thoughts alone bear review.

1. prayer, surrendering, confessing - I can feel God's presences and sometimes His comfort but His "pleasure" eludes me
2. work was God's plan from the beginning - working "hard" was the result of sin - I think work is needed to keep us sharp, mentally and physically
3. surrendering what we "have" to God puts us in the position of seeking his desires with our stewardship as well as (?) us constantly seeking Him, His plans, His purposes for our lives
4. I have no ambition
5. work as its own reward provides for our needs (not at the mercy of others 1 Thessalonians 4:12) and allows us to show God's hand in our lives - Honor God - God displayed - God honored
6. at this point, virtually none of my life is surrendered to God - I am hanging on to control and God is not honored & seldom acknowledged

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Here are some note from a study titled "Relationships":

1. Not sure about everyone else, but I am
2. Somewhat - drilling down deeper - think you could call it "personal dissatisfaction"
3. Fear of failure
4. I would lobe to step aside but time is money and money is ability - "If can't give love, I must give stuff"
5. Amen
6. inward focus - "self trapping"
7. I am more outward outside the home. but part of it is that I get "nitpicked" if i express myself to my three girls - it gets wearisome
8. yes - more frustration at home because I expect them to comply willingly, but they are just as difficult

It's interesting that this most important chapter is the shortest and says the least.

Hmm ...

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This one comes from a sermon, I think at Grace Point, titled "EPIC"

 

Your Ending

The Journey

•  2 Peter 1 3-11 -The journey begins when we exchange our lives; the goal is to have lived a life of moral excellence (vs 5)

 Glimpses of Glory

• 2 Corinthians 2:18
• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• 1 John 3:2

Our New Home

• Geneses 2:19
• Revelation 2:17
• Revelation 19:11-16

 I'll just have to look these up and flesh them out to reveal the cohesion.

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11/28/10 FWFBT (?)

James 4:10-12

1 Peter 2:1-2

Ephesians 4:29-32

Galations 6:1-2

Matthew 7:1-6

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