Verse of the Day 11/30

 

2 Peter 1:5-7For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

You can probably recall seeing news stories where a soldier who had been held captive by another state, when returning home and steps off of the plane, bends down and kisses the ground, being thankful that he is "home".  They have escaped with their lives and most likely would not want to go back to where they have been.

 

In today's passage Peter is reminding his readers that in believing, in putting their faith in Christ they have escaped from the corruption of the world (v.4).  They have received the truth and the truth has set them free (John 8:32).  He then goes on to encourage and challenge them to grow in their faith. He calls them and us to do this by complementing their  "basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others." 

 

This is not a checklist but each on "fits in" and helps develop the others.  In gratitude and with thanksgiving for having been set free, may we be making an effort, to "complement" our faith with these things, and follow in His steps.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

2 Peter 1:5-9The Message (MSG)

^5-9 So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

Verse of the Day 11/28

 

Romans 1:21  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they  became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
ESV

It is kind of ironic, or worse, that the day after Thanksgiving, a day of giving thanks, of celebrating and being thankful for all of God's blessings shared with family and loved ones, we go to perhaps that day that most exemplifies greed and the "desire to acquire".  We will see news stories of people pushing and shoving (and worse) trying to get that best deal of the year, doing whatever it takes to satisfy that desire.

 

Thinking about that in light of today's verse, that attitude does not honor God.  It represents a people that have become futile in their thinking, who have had their "thankful hearts" deceived and darkened.  I am not saying that we may not take advantage of sales, but what we should consider is our attitude behind it?

 

In his devotional today, John Piper writes, "At the root of all ingratitude is the love of one's own greatness. For genuine gratitude admits that we are beneficiaries of an unearned bequest. We are cripples leaning on the cross-shaped crutch of Jesus Christ. We are paralytics living minute by minute in the iron lung of God's mercy. We are children asleep in heaven's stroller.  Natural man hates to think of himself in these images: unworthy beneficiary, cripple, paralytic, child. They rob him of all his glory by giving it all to God.  Therefore, while a man loves his own glory, and prizes his self-sufficiency, and hates to think of himself as sin-sick and helpless, he will never feel any genuine gratitude to the true God and so will never magnify God, but only himself."

Our son Jeff is probably one of the happiest people you'd come to know.  Being disabled, yes crippled, he relies on others to provide for his needs.  He is thankful every day and he expresses his gratitude freely.  Others may be out there today trying to accumulate to bring happiness which will be temporary and fleeting.  Jeff's happiness is ongoing, he relies on God and family, expresses it and is satisfied in it.

I believe it was Augustine who wrote, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him".  May we realize that "He's got the whole world in His hands" (The Message) and find satisfaction in what He has provided with thanksgiving.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Romans 1:21The Message (MSG)

Ignoring God Leads to a Downward Spiral

^18-23 But God's angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

Verse of the Day 11/27

 

Neh 8:10  Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."   New King James Version (NKJV)

You may not expect to find a Thanksgiving verse in the book of Nehemiah but in reading the verse I think that you can see how it is fitting.  Whether everything is going right or you are in the middle of rebuilding your life there is a need to stop and be thankful for what you have, how you've been blessed, count your many blessings, and give thanks.

 

Most of us will be following the prophet's advice and eating plenty of the choicest provisions that can be offered, the turkey and ham, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and a host of other delights.  The verse is also a reminder to be thinking of those who do not have family members in the area, to remember those who may not have the "choicest" provisions and do what you can to share with them, to celebrate and to give thanks together.

 

That kind of giving, that kind of sharing, that kind of gratitude of thanks and praise are part of what being a Christian is.   J.I. Packer writes, "Christian doctrine is grace, and Christian conduct is gratitude. "  Christian conduct would include giving thanks on Thanksgiving, but true Christian conduct is grace that shows in our gratitude and our actions 365 days a year.

 

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Neh 8:9-12  The Message

 

Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to God, your God. Don't weep and carry on." They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation.

 

He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!"

 

The Levites calmed the people, "Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don't be upset."

 

So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.

 

 

Verse of the Day 11/26

 

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

I read today's verse this morning and the mention of being grateful made me think of being Thankful to God for our salvation, today, tomorrow which is Thanksgiving Day, and every day.  The verse speaks of being grateful for having received a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

 

Yesterday we considered "Standing on the promises, holding onto our faith "when the storms of doubt and fear assail".  The faith that holds on, the faith that sees through, is what came to my mind as a faith to be grateful for, to be thankful for.  It is not something that is of ourselves, that comes from us, it is a gift of the grace of God.  The Holman Christian Study Bible translates the verse this way "since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace."

 

We will face storms and trials in life, our world may be shaken, but when  we hold on in the grace, in the strength that God provides, when we see through it, may it be said it is because we have believe in Jesus, we believe in God and through faith we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  May we be able to give thanks for that over the next few days.  The Message paraphrases it this way, " Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship."

 

May we truly give thanks, brimming with worship..

 

GIVE THANKS
WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
GIVE THANKS
TO THE HOLY ONE
GIVE THANKS
FOR HE'S GIVEN
JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON

AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY
I AM STRONG
LET THE POOR SAY
I AM RICH
BECAUSE OF WHAT
THE LORD HAS DONE
FOR US 

GIVE THANKS...

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Hebrews 12:27-29The Message (MSG)

^25-27 So don't turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn't get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time—he's told us this quite plainly—he'll also rock the heavens: "One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern." The phrase "one last shaking" means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.

^28-29 Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. 

Verse of the Day 11/25

 

Hebrews 6:17-18  Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

One of my favorite old hymns is "Standing on the Promises", it refers to the believer as being "safe and secure from all alarms".  There are many things that may sound alarms if our lives, financial setbacks, health issues, the loss of loved ones or any number of other things.  But we as Christians are to be see through-ers.  We are to see beyond the current circumstances and hold to those promises.  Today's verses give us the reasons that we are to have this hope, this confidence.  But it is not a passive thing, it is something that is to be "seized" as stated in the HCSB.  Other translations say "hold fast" or "lay hold of" this hope.

Why does the writer encourage us to hold on to this hope?

John Piper writes, the answer is this:

• What Christ bought for us when he died was not the freedom from having to hold fast but the enabling power to hold fast.
• What he bought was not the nullification of our wills as though we didn't have to hold fast, but the empowering of our wills because we want to hold fast.
• What he bought was not the canceling of the commandment to hold fast but the fulfillment of the commandment to hold fast.
• What he bought was not the end of exhortation, but the triumph of exhortation.

Whatever the alarm is that is sounding in your life today, God has given you the enabling power, He empowers our wills, to "grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go."   The Message

    	Standing on the promises that cannot fail,   	when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,   	by the living Word of God I shall prevail,   	standing on the promises of God.   	(Refrain) 
        Standing, standing,   	standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;   	standing, standing,   	I'm standing on the promises of God.     	Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,   	bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,   	overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,   	standing on the promises of God.   	(Refrain)     	Standing on the promises I cannot fall,   	listening every moment to the Spirit's call,   	resting in my Savior as my all in all,   	standing on the promises of God.    

Blessings,
Mike
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Hebrews 6:17-20The Message (MSG)

God Gave His Word

^13-18 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!" Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

^18-20 We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

Verse of the Day 11/23

 

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday we brought my granddaughter Ava and her little friend Jude to watch the Burlington NC Christmas parade.  While waiting for it we set up along the sidewalk and there was a 3 foot high brick retaining wall behind us.  Jude (3 yrs old)  had fun playing in the leaves on the lawn behind it.  I then asked him to jump from the wall and I would catch him.  He did and we did it many times and from slightly greater distances.  Then I asked Ava (2 1/2 yrs old) if she wanted to try.  She was more hesitant, but because she had seen Jude do it she jumped into Gramps arms.  They both did it several more times, a few times in unison.  They did so because they trusted "Gramps".

 

Earlier in the morning Jean and I had received the news that a dear friend of our family had gone to be with the Lord.  The two things came together for me and brought my mind to the old hymn "Only Trust Him".  Toddlers and little children must learn to trust in their parents and other adults, that they can jump into there arms, that they can prevent them from the pain of a fall.  As we age and face the end of our lives at some point, we too must trust the we have someone there to catch us in His arms and deliver us safely into His presence.

 

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,   	there's mercy with the Lord;   	and he will surely give you rest,   	by trusting in his Word.   Refrain:  	Only trust him, only trust him,   	only trust him now.   	He will save you, he will save you,   	he will save you now. 

	For Jesus shed his precious blood   	rich blessings to bestow;   	plunge now into the crimson flood   	that washes bright as snow. 

	Yes, Jesus is the truth the way   	that leads you into rest;   	believe in him without delay,   	and you are fully blest.     	Come then and join this holy band,   	and on to glory go,   	to dwell in that celestial land   	where joys immortal flow.

In today's verse Paul encourages, us, reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven.  We need not fear death, Jesus has made the leap, He has gone before us and will lead us one day to our Father in Heaven.

 

Today's verse was featured in Moody's "Today in the Word" devotional where we read, " Paul urged believers to set their minds on heaven, where our true citizenship is. When we get to glory, we will be transformed. Our bodies will not be subject to the effects of sin. Our physical ailments will be gone and suffering will disappear. We will go from this humble state into a glorious one."

 

While we will miss Jake and loved ones that have passed, we are to press on here, looking forward to that day when we will be reunited with those who have gone before us to where our true citizenship is.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Philippians 3:19-21The Message (MSG)

^17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

^20-21 But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

Verse of the Day 11//22

 

Philippians 3:16  Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Today's verse comes from Philippians 3 in a passage that is probably better known for Paul's declaration and challenge to "press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:14).  This verse is very much a part of, a central ingredient to pressing on.  If we have received Christ as our Savior our salvation is something that has already been attained.  It is there for us, will be through this life and for eternity.  While it is true that we are "sinners saved by grace", once saved we are saints.  We are saints that will still sin, but we have been set free from the bondage. 

 

The focal point here is that we are to walk, to live our lives confident in that knowledge, confident in our faith, and more importantly "the grace of God that brings salvation".  The question then becomes, what am I doing in my life to "order my life" according to that fact?

 

Take a minute or two and read the passage from The Message below.  In those times when we perhaps stumble in our faith, may we be able to stop, consider and realize that while we don't have it all together, that we are on our way, reaching out to Christ daily, and pressing on in the power that He, that only He can provide.   We're off and running, holding on to what is true, pressing on with no turning back.

 

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
   I have decided to follow Jesus;
   I have decided to follow Jesus;
   No turning back, no turning back.
2. Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   No turning back, no turning back.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Philippians 3:12-16The Message (MSG)

Focused on the Goal

^12-14 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

^15-16 So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Verse of the Day 11/21

 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday we considered how we are to keep ourselves "free" from the love of money.  Many people will hire money managers to make decisions on how their money should be invested and distributed to make the greatest gain, to increase their "holdings".  Just that word "holdings" should cause us to see how easy that can become greed.  The Christian is to their money, their finances to make a different kind of gain.  To invest in family, in the local church and in ministries , serving others for the kingdom, for the body of Christ and for His glory.

 

In the same way, today's verses, while speaking of leaders, should also remind us to be good stewards of what God has blessed us with spiritually.  We can't hold onto and be selfish about spiritual blessings, they must be shared in the circumstances of our lives, they must be spread around to be fully effective.  David Jeremiah writes, "circumstances don't create character; they reveal character. Arm your self today with the integrity of Christ".  This would include integrity in being good stewards, good managers not only of our finances but of what God has revealed of Himself to us.  This will come from a gratitude of what He has done for us.

 

John Piper writes, "The key to unlocking a heart of gratitude and overcoming bitterness and ugliness and disrespect and violence is a strong belief in God, the Creator and Sustainer and Provider and Hope Giver.  If we do not believe that we are deeply indebted to God for all we have of hoped go have, then the very spring of gratitude has gone dry."  May we be good stewards of God's mysteries and never let our "spring of gratitude run dry".

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 Corinthians 4:1-4Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Faithful Manager

4 A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God's mysteries. ² In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful. ³ It is of little importance to me that I should be evaluated by you or by any human court.^[a] In fact, I don't even evaluate myself. ⁴ For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord.

Verse of the Day 11/20

 

Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶So we can confidently say,

"The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?"   English Standard Version (ESV)

The first few words of today's verse should jump out at us.  "Keep your life free", the opposite of being free is to be a slave.  You would think that no one would want to be a slave. The sad thing is that many of us are slaves to something, something that demands our time, our thoughts and our devotions and many of those things will be fueled by and revolve around money.

 

I remember the movie "Wall Street" from years ago, the one take away line that I still hear is "greed is good".  Unfortunately, many people have bought that lie.  There lives become, they become a slave of money to the point of being consumed by, of hoarding, of accumulating more than they could ever use.  And where does this lead them and where does this leave them.  Empty and oftentimes alone.

 

We need money for every day things food, clothing, shelter and other necessities.  But the desire to become "financially independent" can too often lead to coming to the end of life feeling alone and forsaken by what had been invested in; namely money.

 

Today's verse, in The Message, starts by saying "don't be obsessed with getting more material things".  In yesterday's passage David spoke of making a daily sacrifice of himself to God.  His attitude was that of verse 6 here in Hebrews 13.  He was dependent on God, he was not afraid of a downturn in the market, but trusted in God "fearlessly" to be there for him, to provide for him day by day.  May it be so with us today and day by day.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Hebrews 13:5-6The Message (MSG)

^5-6 Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

Verse of the Day 11/19

 

Psalm 5:3  O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you^[a] and watch.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday we considered how we can prevent ourselves from falling into a spiritual lapse by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  As I read today's verse in my devotions I couldn't help but think back to that passage in Ephesians.  The verse is a picture of "putting that armor on".  The Psalmist is praying and seeking God, preparing his heart and mind, preparing to live for God sacrificially and then being watchful for what God has for him to do.

 

Oftentimes in our lives we may not be sure of what it is that God would want us to do.  I remember going through Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" years ago.  His advice had to do with this watching.  In a nutshell, he said that if you are unsure of what God would have you to do, look and see where God is at work around you and join in.

 

As we prepare to start our day, may we put on our armor and watch and see where God is at work in our lives and join in.

 

My read through the Bible plan this morning brought me to Hebrews 13, I'll close with the benediction from the book of Hebrews.  May we "do His will" through the Spirit working in us.  To God be the glory.

 

Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, ²¹ equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us^[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.  English Standard Version

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Psalm 5:3The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

5 ^1-3 Listen, God! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
my groans and cries?
    King-God, I need your help.
Every morning
    you'll hear me at it again.
Every morning
    I lay out the pieces of my life
    on your altar
    and watch for fire to descend.

Verse of the Day 11/18

 

Ephesians 6:13  This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.  Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Through the wonder of Facetime my wife and I are able to spend time, to see our grandchildren "face to face" over a great distance..  The other day we were talking to our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter Ava.  When she was told that she was going to be going to Gigi's house to visit for a few days, she leaned close to the camera and said "I not going to take a nap, not ever!"  It is precious (sometimes challenging) to see the determination in the face of a child.  But strong as her will is, that day and the next she took a nap.  I'm sure she will take them when she comes to visit.

 

As adults we may not be concerned about taking a nap.  But are we ever concerned about a spiritual lapse; a lapse of judgment, of obedience, of faith?  Like a 2 1/2 year old, if we try in our own strength to stand, determine in our own strength that we can walk right up to or along that line and not cross over it, but we are fooling ourselves as much as little Ava in her confidence of taking a stand against a nap.

 

How then are we to stand, to resist and to avoid those lapses?  We are to "be strong in the Lord" and to "put on the full armor of God."  It should be a familiar passage to us but the important question is, is it a familiar practice for us?

 

Read the passage below.  May we put on our spiritual armor today , "take all the help we can get, every weapon God has issued" (The Message) and stand.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Ephesians 6:13-18The Message (MSG)

^13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.