August 17 -The Choice

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”

(Luke 9:24 NIV)

 

To follow Jesus requires self-denial, complete dedication and willing obedience. He repeated this saying in all four gospel accounts. No other saying of Jesus has been given such emphasis. Do I dare wonder why? He is the forerunner. He came to earth and fulfilled the Father’s demands so I can spend eternity with Him. Jesus gave up His life to save me. I will lose my life for Him. I hope you will, too! 

August 16 - Work of His Hand

 

“Yet, O Lord, You are our Father.

We are the clay, You are the Potter;

we are all the work of Your hand.”

(Isaiah 64:8 NIV)

 

A co-worker in the Gift Gallery confessed her memories were not as they once were. I reassured her that we all drift away. That is how we were made. Aging is a part of life. Only my Creator knows what I go through as my body weakens and I experience pain. I will rejoice as I move closer to having a new, resurrected body. I hope you will, too!

August 15 - Love's Direction

 

“Dear friends, let us love one another,

for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God

and knows God.”

(1 John 4:7 NIV)

 

"Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." –Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince.

Love originates with our heavenly Father and passes through us. As Christ’s followers, we love others and serve them together, looking outward in the same direction. I will represent Jesus as I love those He loves. I hope you will, too!

August 14 - A Father's Compassion

 

“As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”

(Psalm 103:13 NIV)

 

I remember my earthly father sitting on my bed beside me, explaining why I had hurt his feelings by sinning against him and my mother. Tears flowed, but he never raised his voice. My father never yelled at me. I knew when I had done wrong. Daddy was gentle, just like his heavenly Father. I will show compassion to others as I have been shown. I hope you will, too!

August 13 - Chosen

 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people He chose for His inheritance.”

(Psalm 33:12 NIV)

 

My study Bible identified Israel as God’s chosen people. By His creative power He imposed His order on creation. No one can thwart His plans and purpose to save His people. Israel is safe and secure under God’s protective rule. They are blessed. I am grafted into Israel through faith in Jesus Christ, my Redeemer and Friend. I thank my heavenly Father for including me in His kingdom. I hope you will, too!

Stiff-Necked

 by Macy Johnson

“You stiff-necked people,

with uncircumcised hearts and ears!

You are just like your fathers;

You always resist the Holy Spirit!”

(Acts 7:51 NIV)

 

Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin left him in a tough spot. A few verses later in the book of Acts, he was stoned to death.

August 12 - Lean Not

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding.”

(Proverbs 3:5 NIV)

 

Oswald Chambers reminded me, “We are not taken up into conscious agreement with God’s purpose, we are taken up into God’s purpose without any consciousness at all. We have no conception of what God is aiming at, and as we go on it gets more and more vague.” God smiles when I tell Him my plans and probably asks, “And how is that going for you?” I will trust in God alone for everything. I hope you will, too!