[11/5, 8:44 PM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: The message here is that we all need one another. If a body is to work properly, all the parts need to work together. Just think about the last time you had a headache or stubbed your toe. For me, the headache leads to a stomachache and the stubbed toe means I'm limping and that gives me a backache. Paul wasn't making reference to those who are born lacking a member of the body, or a person who suffers illness or accident that leads to a loss of a body part, but of us as individuals. As members of the body of Christ, he means that we all have been given gifts that work together for the body to function properly and that each person's gifts are not given so that one person believes that his/her gift is more important than another's. He is telling us that we need to identify the gift we have been given and use it for the glory of God. I once thought that I would become a nurse and so as a freshman in high school, I joined the "Future Nurses of America" program at the local hospital. Took the classes and then was let loose on the wards. By the end of the second week, I knew that nursing was not for me! It was not my gift, it was my sister's. Although I didn't realize it at the time, teaching was more my gift. So, as much as I denied it, God let me to discover that this was my gift and that I should be teaching. So, I did and still am. The key is to identify the gift and ask God to direct us.
[11/5, 8:45 PM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF GOD.?
If we had any understanding of the mind of God, we wouldn't be so surprised when things happen that we can't comprehend. I have a feeling that the question we ask God the most is, "Why?" Why this disaster, why do people kill, why did the tornado take my house and none of the others on the street? Why me? Why didn't you stop/prevent that from happening? Even when we know that it was not God who caused whatever it is we're questioning, we question! If you're anything like me, you have a list of things you want answers to when you meet God face to face. I have sometimes heard it said that life is like a tapestry. We only see the bottom of the tapestry, the side with all the crisscrosses of threads and the hanging pieces. God sees the top side, the finished product. We don't know why things happen the way they do, and we never will. What is most important is that we trust in God, that we trust God, that we have faith. This is what gets us through the difficult times that we don't understand. Faith is also what keeps us from taking credit for the good things that happen, or thinking that we just lucky. God's hand is in everything. He can't prevent the bad things that people do as he has given us free will and sometimes we use it in the wrong direction. Then, God gets us through it. In many ways the problems with weather are human's fault as well, as we have not taken good care of the planet we were entrusted with. When we trust God, we can have peace of mind even in the bad times and know that one day we will see what God sees and our questions will be answered.
[11/6, 1:12 PM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: LOVE
Romans 13: 8-10
We all know that we are called to love – even the unlovable and that's the problem. Part of this issue resides in the question of what constitutes love. We say we love our parents, our spouses, our children, our friends and then we say we love pizza or chocolate, or our pets. What's the difference in these loves? Is it choice or is it feelings or does it just mean preference? When we talk about the love that Jesus has for us as the type of love we are to have for others, we are talking about a lot more than feelings or preference. We are talking about a choice to put the other person's needs first, to only want the good of the other. When we are upset with the choices the other person has made, or the ways that someone has caused us pain or injury – that becomes a very difficult thing to do.
I do like the way the Jewish people sum up the Golden Rule: don't do to someone what you would not have someone do to you. This is a kind of love that sums up the law that can be easier to live with and obey. We all know that we don't want to be cheated, lied to, be stolen from or have our property vandalized, etc. so if we don't do this to anyone, including our enemies, we are better able to keep the commandments by not being unloving. Whatever works for us as we come to terms with loving our enemies as well as our friends and families, is to the good and, I'm sure, approved by God.
FRANCES TAYLOR
[11/8, 11:43 PM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: God is very definite in this passage from Isaiah. I am God and there is no other! I am the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, as is written in the book of Revelation. Since we declare that we believe this, why do we insist on having other gods? Anything or anyone we put before God, including ourselves, we are making gods. Putting God first, means giving up some of our control and obeying his rules, and living as God wants us to live. This isn't the first time this message has come before us this year, but it bears repeating and reflecting upon once again. Where do we place God on a scale of 1 – 10 in the course of our day? Is God in your thoughts when you wake up? How many times do you think about God during the day while driving, working, reading, watching television? What about at night? Is God the last thing you think about at night as you reflect upon your day? How many times during the day do you say "thank you" for getting those green lights, finding a parking place, having the meeting go well? Or maybe you need to thank God that the person running the red light didn't hit you? Tomorrow, try saying good morning to God and ask him to be with you during the day. Then, look for God in the people and events during the day. Tomorrow night, think about your day, recognize the places where God was present and then say "good night." Repeat.
[11/16, 8:25 PM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
INSPIRATION
The fruit of the Spirit refers to the characteristics that we should be expressing as sons and daughters of God. They are the evidence of the nature of God inside of us. As a Christian you should be loving, kind, patient, gentle, good, faithful, meek, joyful, and peaceful. We have the Holy Spirit as our guide who will help us make decisions that reflect this nature of God, in our daily lives.
LET'S PRAY
Dear God, I thank you that I have the Holy Spirit to guide me in expressing who you are in my life. Father, in everything I do may the fruits of the Spirit be evident. May I be different to the harsh and wicked ways of the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
[11/19, 11:01 AM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: FREE FROM FEAR-THE 3 Fs
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15
INSPIRATION
As Christians, we are no longer subjected to the power of sin or fear that was held over us before we became saved. We now have the Holy Spirit in us, who has bonded us with God and because of this we can confidently call God our Father.
LET'S PRAY
Dear God, I thank you that I am free from all fear and iniquity. Thank you, Lord, that you have delivered me from the consequences of sin, and have brought me into a life of freedom. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
[11/19, 11:07 AM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: CHRIST SACRIFICED FOR US.
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:28
INSPIRATION
Christ came once, died, came back from the dead...guess what? He will come back again to bring all of his believers to salvation. Are you willing to have faith and wait? Of course!
LET'S PRAY
He has risen! Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Only He can judge the quick and the dead. Generous God, I long for the day that Your son returns to us. We are waiting patiently, Your faithful devotees. Amen.
[11/19, 11:12 AM] JESUS IS MY TESTIMONY: GOD IS THE CREATOR
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psalm 19:1-2
INSPIRATION
God created the heavens, firmament, and earth. All of his creations exalt and rejoice in Him. All things came into being through him, and without Him, nothing would come into being. Glory be to God!
LET'S PRAY
God of infinite wisdom and light, creator of all that is holy, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory! I pray that I can love You with all of my heart and strength, with every fiber of my being I wish to rejoice in You, as the rest of Your creations do. I shall rejoice in Your name and exalt Your creations this day and always. Amen.
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