Can You Hear Him?

Good Morning!! Mary Magdalene, saw Jesus on the cross and heard Him say, "It is finished."...and she knew that Jesus was dead. So on the third day, she came to recover a body,...not to witness a miracle. Mary wasn't convinced that Jesus had risen. She comes to believe only when the risen Christ called her name. And after hearing her name,...she turns toward Christ.

Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher).—John 20:16 (NRSV)

The only reason any of us believe, is because we have heard Jesus call our name. Maybe it was in a worship service or while reading the Bible. Or reading a good book, looking at a piece of art, or hiking through the woods. Or maybe in a time of deep trouble or doubt. Or on bright, sunny days when we know that life is good and right, and that He is present,...that the Eternal, is real.

Christ call our name, and we believed.
Because of that, we can tell others He lives.

Lord Jesus,...risen Christ, thank You for calling out to us, and for giving us the grace to hear You. Amen.

"For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth."

( THE PURSUIT OF GOD, A.W. Tozer, p. 9)

Show Some Sign

Good Morning!! One sign of maturity, is also a sign of Christian growth,...and that is; knowing that we need to seek help and advice when problems arise. Talking with friends and sharing problems and joys, helps both of you grow.This principle holds true in our spiritual journey, just as surly as, beginning my day with my devotionals has strengthened me spiritually.

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times."—Romans 12:12 (TEV)

Prayer has become my first response, when thing don't appear to be going well. Not to have problems fixed, but rather to see God's hand in them,...that I may move more easily into His will. I realize anew the importance of not only praying for someone, but letting them know that they are being prayed for. Sometimes that may be what's needed at that moment. A kind word of encouragement is often all it takes to show someone that we care.

Taking time for God each day, develops strength for living.

Father in Heaven, we give You thanks, for each day of our lives and the opportunities and joys that each day brings for doing Your will. Amen.

"For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth."

( THE PURSUIT OF GOD, A.W. Tozer, p. 9)

Love Anyway

Good Morning!! In all honesty,...I cannot say that if someone were not nice to me, that my first reaction would be to still behave kindly toward them. That is simply not my nature. Whenever a divisive situation arises, I have to work on not becoming defensive, or not losing my temper. It is not easy to exhibit a loving outlook,..when you feel under attack.

Jesus said, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."—Matthew 5:39 (NIV)

But Jesus instructed us in how to respond, when others treat us poorly.
He told us to love our enemies,...and to pray for those who persecute us. When we are treated badly, Jesus tells us to respond gently,...to love anyway.

Jesus' command to love, is not based on how others treat us.

Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us how to respond when others are discourteous. Help us to be vessels of peace and grace no matter what situations we may encounter. Amen.

"For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth."

( THE PURSUIT OF GOD, A.W. Tozer, p. 9)

Read With Purpose

Good Morning!! I start out by asking that my eyes be opened to miracle that is God's Word. Sometimes I have a message, and search for a scripture. Other times I've read a scripture, and then seek a way to share the revelation I received from it. Either way, my Bible reading always has a purpose.

Jesus said, "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."—John 6:63 (NRSV)

Even if I don't use the scripture that same day, it stays in my head and heart,...waiting for just the right time, just the right circumstances. My experience has taught me the importance of expecting a personal message from God each day when I read the Bible. That's reading with a purpose!

God speaks to us through His Word,...reading with purpose is how we hear.

Thank You, Father God, for the personal message You offer to us each day, through Your Word. Help us to be open to hearing what You have to say to us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

"For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth."

( THE PURSUIT OF GOD, A.W. Tozer, p. 9)

When It's All God, It's All Good

Good Morning!! Why be a Christian? The best answer that I can give would be; "because as Christians, people live better, and you die better. I really am convinced that people of faith do live and die better,…because they are able to face life's storms with greater peace than those who walk without the faith that God is walking beside them.

For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.—Romans 14:9 (NIV)

Today's scripture, assures us that our Lord walk with us,…through both life and death,…and that Jesus is Lord, both of the dead and the living. If we have the inner peace that comes with God's presence which "surpasses all understanding and will guard our minds and our hearts in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7),…then we can live and die in confidence, and without fear.

As we live and as we die, people of faith have an assurance of God's presence with us.

Lord, we love You, and trust You to walk with us through our living,…and our dying. Thank You. Amen.

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