In Training

The sign on the conveyor belt read “Cashier in Training” to invoke customers‘ patience.  Could this be applied for any of our walks of life? 🙂

“I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”                                            Hosea 11:3-4 (KJV).

“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”                          says Jesus in Luke 6:40 (NIV).

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV).

 

 

Pull ’em Out Of The Muck & Mire

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 

“He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and trust in the Lord.” declares David in Psalm 40:2-3 (KJV).

“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”                                      Jude 1:2 (KJV).

“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:23 (KJV).

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” says Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV).

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”                  Paul states in Colossians 3:16 (NIV).

Dear Lord Father, forgive us for standing idly by and being afraid to admonish our brothers & sisters.  Put a new song in their mouths as You give abundant grace & mercy to us poor sinners when we repent, in Jesus’ name.

 

2 Cents

Our 2 cents worth, may not be worth much.

But the widow’s mite…was everything.

“Beware of the scribes…which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

“And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.  And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God but she of her penuary hath cast in all the living that she had.”                                                                                Luke 20:46-21:4 (KJV).

 

Psalm 98

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Sing to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands;
Let the hills be joyful together
before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
With righteousness He shall judge the world,
And the peoples with equity.

Highest Compliment

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

“Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11:1-3 (NKJV).

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”               Philippians 2:1-11 (NKJV).

Promotion

“For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another.” Psalm 75:6-7 (NKJV).

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

“Exalt her and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.” Proverbs 4:7-8.

 

Power in The Blood

“There’s power in the blood of Jesus,” a friend at church mentioned this song when her brother’s health was failing.  Knowing how many people he brought to Jesus, she said though he may die prematurely, he served the Lord.

 1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV), “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

grayscale photo of the crucifix
Photo by Alem Sánchez on Pexels.com

Resurrection Sunday Sacrifice

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from trouble.” Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV).

What are you sacrificing this season until Resurrection Sunday? I’d like to sacrificing being right!  We don’t celebrate lent per se but want to be in fellowship with the Lord Jesus for His suffering for us.

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having  said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46 (NKJV).