by Macy Johnson
“Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young -
a place near your altar,
O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.”
(Psalm 84:3 NIV)
Annette pulled me aside after a game of Mexican Train Dominoes. “Would you like to learn how to play Mahjong? One of our friends is an instructor and we might enjoy it,” she explained. “Sure, why not?” I replied.
“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.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV)
Am I ready to see Jesus face to face today? Is today the day He will return and take me to be forever with Him? Maybe today is the day. I will trust Him to make me ready. Only He can sanctify me and keep my soul blameless. He is my Rock and my Redeemer. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too!
“Since, then,
you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right
hand of God.”
(Colossians 3:1 NIV)
Matthew Henry wrote, “Though we are made free from the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we wish. We must walk the more closely with God. Our Best Friend has gone before to secure for us the heavenly happiness; and we should seek what He has purchased at so vast an expense.” I will set my heart on eternity. I hope you will, too!
“Strengthening the disciples
and encouraging them to remain true to
the faith,
‘We must go through many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God,’ they said.”
(Acts 14:22 NIV)
Paige Brown reminded me that Jesus Christ had to suffer in order to fulfill His calling. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He was tempted to not suffer, to make stones into bread to feed His hunger. I will suffer, like Him, when I choose the Kingdom of God over my own kingdom. I hope you will, too!
“A new command I give you:
Love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.”
(John 13:34 NIV)
God is pure love. He pours His love through those who know Him and love Him. People know we are Christians by the love we show to them, by giving up our rights to ourselves and serving them. It is possible only if the Holy Spirit lives in me. He will love others through me. I will obey the command of Jesus to love. I hope you will, too!
“Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.”
(Psalm 126:5 NIV)
Even when sowing is accompanied
by trouble or sorrow, harvest brings joy.
“He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed (God’s Word) to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.”
(Psalm 126:6 NIV)
“All my longings lie open before you, O
Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.”
(Psalm 38:9 NIV)
During a time of severe discipline, King David cried out to his heavenly Father to come near and help him. David knew nothing was hidden from God. I cannot keep anything to myself. He knows it all and wants me to remember He knows it all. I will move forward into the unknown confidently, because He is in complete control and loves me perfectly. I will lay out my longings before Him. I hope you will, too!
