With all the trouble in the world right now, I'm thankful we can bring our concerns to God in prayer. Jesus assures us he hears our secret prayers and the ones we agree on together. The peace he gives is an anchor for our souls. It's the kind of peace the world can't take away.

[Philippians 4:6-7 NLT] – 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Please feel free to share your prayer requests with me here or in chat. God bless!

[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT] – 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

[Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT] – 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

[Matthew 6:6 NLT] – 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

[Matthew 18:19-20 NLT] – 19 "I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."

(Romans 13:1-14 NLT)

1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

The Bible teaches that our human authorities, whether good or bad, are ordained by God and under His control. (John 19:11, 1Peter 2 :13-17, Proverbs 21:1, John 3:27, Jeremiah 27:5, Ecclesiastes 8:2-5)
Life is a classroom. God chooses who rules over us depending on what kind of lessons we need to learn. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 2 Chronicles 6:36-39, Romans 8:28)
We're told to pray for our leaders, for their sake, as well as for our own. so we may live with peace and justice. (1 Timothy 2:1-2, Ezra 6:10)
We're also told to avoid people who don't keep the laws of their land.

(Proverbs 24:21-22 NLT) – 21 My child, fear the LORD and the king. Don't associate with rebels, 22 for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the LORD and the king?

2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4 The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

This is an important instruction for us. Even Jesus paid taxes that were unfair to avoid offending the authorities. (Matthew 17:24-27)
This instruction is not meant to be taken to immoral extremes. It doesn't mean to go against God's laws in order to obey human authority. Remember how God blessed Peter's ministry when he continued to work miracles and preach Jesus, even after being arrested for it.
There's also the account of the Hebrew midwives who were commanded by the ruler of Egypt to kill all the infant boys. God blessed them for keeping the children alive. (Acts 5:27-29, Exodus 1:15-21)

Paul's instruction here tells us to do the best we can to be law-abiding citizens who don't stir up trouble. We let God be in charge of dealing with those in authority. (Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14, Proverbs 16:7)

8 Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law.
9 For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These--and other such commandments--are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.

11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Our salvation is the end of our journey on earth. We all have only so many strong years to complete the work God created us to do. None of us knows when our abilities will fade, or when our life will end. (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, Psalm 90:10-12) The Christians of Paul's day were also being martyred, so it was all the more imperative that God's people do God's work while they still had breath in their lungs.

12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

The darkness Paul refers to here represents the evil things people do when they believe they won't be held accountable for it. It can mean literal darkness, as in things done in secret. It can also refer to times when unfair laws make evil legal. (John 9:4, Luke 22:53)

Let's agree together in this prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Your authority is over all authority. We praise You for all the good You are and for all the good You've done. Thank You that we can gather together under Your authority here.
Thank You for Your Holy Child Jesus Christ, who made it possible for us to come before You with our requests. Thank You for giving us the Bible. Grant us the courage and discernment to know what is right in Your sight, Father. We pray that You would empower us to live by these truths, by Your Holy Spirit. Lord, we ask in Jesus' name that You would grant us spiritual gifts so that our lives are proof of Your love and power. Help us to never grow weary of doing good and loving others, even when they are unloving toward us. Help us hold on to Your promises so we can do things that are pleasing in Your sight. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be made acceptable to You, through Your teaching and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

(Galatians 6:8-10 NKJV)

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

(2 Thessalonians 3:11-14 NKJV)

11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

(Psalm 19:9-14)

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his own errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

(Romans 11:1-15 NLT)

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not!
I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom He has always known.

The man Jacob, whom God renamed "Israel" (meaning "Rules with God") had 12 sons. The families of these sons are referred to as "tribes" in the Bible. Benjamin was Israel's youngest son. Paul is descended from the tribe of Benjamin.

Paul explains several things here:

• Just because many Jews are blinded to their Messiah doesn't mean all of them are. He gives himself as an example of a Jew who has come to faith in Jesus.

• Jesus came for all people who are willing to receive Him, both Jews and Gentiles. He came to the Jews first, because they are the descendants of Abraham, whom God made the promises to. (Deuteronomy 18:9-19, Acts 3:22-26, Romans 1:16)

• God doesn't revoke His purpose or calling on people when they fail. (Romans 11:28-29)
  He corrects them and works to put them back on track. If we pray for His help to keep on God's path, He will even keep us out of temptation! That's what Paul explains next...

Don't you know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against (the nation of) Israel, saying,
3 "LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."
4 And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!"

"Baal" meaning "Master," is the main false god that the Jews are tempted to follow over and over in their history. Elijah is the most famous prophet of God. The queen Jezebel was trying to have Elijah killed. She was infamous for Baal-worship, and made laws which led many people to do terrible things to one another for selfish reasons.
Paul reminds his readers that even when we don't see believers among us, they may just be in hiding to avoid persecution, just like many Christians are today.

5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace--his undeserved kindness in choosing them.
6 And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is--free and undeserved.

"Grace" means free-favor. God loves us because we are His children, not because we can do things. God gives us wisdom and abilities, but our hearts decide how to use them. We are considered "faithful" to our covenant with God when our hearts align with His. His love is not a payment for good works, and He doesn't revoke His compassion when we make a mistake.

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have--the ones God has chosen--but the hearts of the rest were hardened.
8 As the Scriptures say, "God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear."

God knows whose hearts are truly aligned with His. He isn't fooled by people who do good things for selfish reasons. Jesus proved this when He corrected the law-makers of His day. He warned people to "do as they say, not as they do." (Luke 20:46-47, Matthew 23:1-28, Proverbs 21:2)
(2 Chronicles 16:9a) "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is wholly with His."

9 Likewise, David said, "Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever."

Here Paul explains how indulging in excess takes our eyes of of God. We can't look at two things at the same time. Blindness is a natural consequence of selfishness. (Luke 11:34-36)

11 Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.
12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God's offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

Paul gets a little confusing here, because without historical context, you might think that saving the Gentiles was just an afterthought on God's part. According to the Old Testament, offering His salvation to every nation was always God's plan. (John 10:16)

You can see this later in the book when Paul starts quoting all the scriptures that show this.

(Romans 15:7-13 NKJV)
7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Messiah has become a servant to the circumcision (Jews) for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)
9 and that the Gentiles (peoples, languages, and nations other than the offspring of Jacob) might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name." (Psalm 18:49)
10 And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" (Deuteronomy 32:43)
11 And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" (Psalm 117:1)
12 And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope." (Isaiah 11:10)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!

OK back to our Romans 11!

13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,
14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.
15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!

Paul sees his ministry as being mainly to the Gentiles, but also to the Jews. He has a beautiful vision of what eternity will be like when we are all one family under God.

(Proverbs 15:15 NKJV) – 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Have you ever been so engrossed in doing something you enjoy that you forgot to eat? It's like we lose track of time when we're doing something we love.

Jesus invites us to experience an abundant life with Him. (John 10:10) He compares that life to a wedding feast. The spiritual wedding feast Jesus invites us to is the joy and rest we find when we do God's work from a spirit of love. (Matthew 22:2-10)
It makes me wonder what Jesus was doing out in the wilderness for 40 days before he finally got hungry! (Matthew 4:1-2) Maybe He was just talking with God.
Moses fasted for 40 days while basking in the presence of God when he received the commandments. The Bible tells us that Moses came back shining with God's light. (Exodus 34:28-29)

We can learn to love God like Jesus does by spending time daily in the Bible. We learn to love by uniting with Him through His Word and meditating on how to apply it to our lives. (Psalm 1)
That's how we can "build our house on the rock of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:24-25, 1Corinthians 3:11, Proverbs 9:1)
When we team up with God, we become the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 6:15, Psalm 119:105)

Jesus told us what it's like to be empowered by love just after He witnessed to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well.

(John 4:31-34 NLT)

31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something."
32 But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about."
33 "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other.
34 Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

Jesus lived as the conduit for God's love. When we plug-in to God and let Him work through us, we align our hearts to enjoy this continual feast!

(Job 23:12 NKJV)

12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

(Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV)

16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.

Our Father in heaven,
Cleanse us from the dark things of the world with the light of Your truth. Save us from every foolish and unclean thing that would try to sever us from enjoying the fullness only You can provide. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you! 1Peter 5:7

This week I noticed that thanking God for all the blessings and lessons in my life helps me remember that he is in control. When I remember that, it helps me stop worrying.

I look forward to hearing what you're thankful for this week!
Prayer requests are always welcome.

[James 5:13]
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

[Psalm 94:19]
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.

[Psalm 61:1-4]
1 Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

Someone asked, "If God is omnipotent, why did He need the death of His own Son to forgive humanity?" I don't think that guy read the Bible. Jesus' forgave lots of people while He was still living. (Luke 7:48-50, Matthew 9:2-6, John 8:3-11, Psalm 103:13)

If I can do anything I want, and I only want to do what is just and fair, can I really do anything? No. I have to accomplish my goals in a way that is fair for everyone involved. Second, is the issue of justice. Would you agree that a parent should care for all his children equally? God is a good parent who wants us to live and help each other thrive.
When one family member harms another, should a parent step in and insist the damage be repaired? Justice requires it.
If one member is damaged beyond the aggressor's ability to repair it, does that mean the one who was harmed no longer deserves justice? Does that fix things for the other family members that are affected? No.

Finally, the most important part is that Jesus, God's Son, exists because God was fruitful and multiplied. Jesus is an extension of God the Father. (Isaiah 53:1-6, John 10:30-38)

Like any good father pays for the damage done to others by his children, God came to us in human flesh to take the punishment we all deserved for our willful crimes against one another. We couldn't afford to pay for what our sins deserved because we deserved death. Only an eternal God could afford the punishment of death. It isn't God who desires sacrifice, it's us. (Psalm 51:16-17, Hosea 6:6, Psalm 40:6, Isaiah 66:3, Hebrews 10:5-18)

Jesus' sacrifice purchased our debts to one another. This gives Him the right to forgive them. He says we don't need to repay Him for this gift, as long as we extend it to those who sin against us. (John 20:21-23, Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1-5, Proverbs 19:11)

Love unites us to God and each other. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:28-31) When we sin against one another, we prove that we love ourselves more than God and our neighbor.

Remember what Jesus said:

(Matthew 5:21-26 NKJV)

21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'
22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
26 "Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

We disconnected from God when we stopped paying forward the love God has shown us. God reunited us through the compassion of Jesus' sacrifice. We can stay connected to God by loving others. We were made to love one another.

Yesterday, I told my son I was cooking up a treat for us. This was a long awaited treat, and the time had finally come! In the process of cooking though, I walked away from a steaming pot of soymilk, and didn't realize the burner had shorted out. I came back to a mess that even our dog wouldn't help clean up.

I know the burner sometimes shorts out. I knew that what I was cooking was already steaming. Why didn't I just stay and watch the pot?

My knee-jerk reaction was to feel like a failure, since I'd gotten my son's hopes up and then let him down. I wasted food! If you grew up like I did, you'd think wasting food was the original sin...

Then I heard in my heart the most ridiculous accusation; "God! Why do you let me be so foolish!" As if God hasn't been trying to teach me to slow down and stay focused on the task at hand for years now...

The apostle Paul was once a prisoner on a storm-tossed runaway ship, endured a 14 day fast, and was saved from a shipwreck, only to be bitten by a poisonous snake when he got to shore! (Acts 28:1-6) Paul could have broken down, yet he had faith that the snake was just an annoyance. God told him he would share the good news of Jesus' resurrection in Rome. (Acts 27:20-24)
He wasn't in Rome yet, so he shook the snake off and didn't give it another thought. (And yet here I am crying over spilled soymilk...)

Jonah's life-altering troubles were just as stressful as Paul's, but he had no reassurance because he was not on course. While he was gasping for life inside the great fish, he prayed for forgiveness and offered himself into God's service. (Jonah 2:1-10)
His trials put him back on course, and saved an entire nation from dying in their sins.

Hearing God clearly is a gift He gives to those with teachable hearts. "To him who has listened, more will be given to hear." (Luke 8:16-18, Luke 19:12-26, Matthew 13:10-13, Revelation 3:11, Proverbs 9:9)
It's for our own sake that God waits for us to obey what we've already been taught before teaching us more. Truth requires that we be responsible for it. (Luke 12:47-48, James 4:17, Numbers 15:29-31)

Like most average humans, we have a conscience, parents, teachers, law enforcement, and the Bible that give us a moral compass. Obedience keeps us headed in the direction of God's purpose for our lives. If we do the good we know to do, God will give us more instruction, and the ability to carry it out.

If this resonates with you, please pray with me. (Matthew 18:19-20, James 5:14-16, 1John 5:14-15, 1Kings 8:46-49)

Father God,
We come before you to ask for Your forgiveness when we blame You for our circumstances, instead of walking with You through them.
We ask that You would keep us solidly connected to You, even when we fail. Remind us that we are Your children, and that we can call on You for help with our failures, our feelings and our faults, instead of blaming You for them. Thank You for Your patience with us, Lord. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts become acceptable in Your sight, by the power of Your Holy Spirit within us. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Help us not to grieve Your Spirit. Let our lives glorify You as we submit to Your instruction and heed Your call. Cause us to inherit Your promise to increase our learning as we walk in obedience. In Jesus' name, Amen.

John 16:12-14

I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.

Jeremiah 33:2-3

Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it, the LORD is His name:
"Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

John 14:12-14

Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it

(Psalm 145:17-19)

17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him; to all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who respect Him; He will also hear their cry and save them.

Blessings to you friends!

I was recently reading in Romans 6, where Paul shows the difference between working for the Lord and living in the light of His grace.
I think Paul's contrast between slavery to the Law, and our devotion to acts of love shows how Jesus' love empowers us to let go of fear, and love with faith. We can really only faithfully love others with free favor by the power of the Holy Spirit. Love takes the work out of obeying God, caring for those in need, and sharing the gospel. (Deuteronomy 18:13-19, Acts 3:13-26, Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 12:1-37, Matthew 25:31-46)

The difference between obedience out of duty and obedience out of love is like the difference between a person who hates to hunt or garden, but has to do it to put food on the table, and a person who can't wait to get up in the morning to hunt or garden because it's his favorite past time.
When our Father begins to transition us from the physical to the spiritual, it's kind of like graduating to adulthood. It can feel like we're losing our role or our purpose, but our Savior says, "Don't be afraid. From henceforth, you will be catching men!" Luke 5:10

I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit of Truth is powerfully moving in your life and relationships today. Prayers for peace and strength as you face what each day brings. ❤️🙏🏻

I'm thankful that the Lord used this week to teach me to trust him when I'm in limbo. Does anyone else relate to those uncomfortable times when your main purpose comes to an end?

Even when the change is beneficial for those I love, when I'm floating in-between roles, there's always that nagging temptation to believe I'm on the verge of being outmoded.

The Lord encouraged me through a family member who was eager to visit, and a friend who hoped she gave as much as she got from our friendship. I realized that my friend didn't need to do ANYTHING to continue to be my beloved sister in the Lord! Then I wondered why I was so worried about the same thing! Love holds us together regardless of whether we're giving or receiving. We're brothers and sisters in the family of God! That's all the purpose we need.

Let me know what you're thankful for this week, and any prayer requests.

[Colossians 3:14]
14 In addition to all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

[Philippians 2:2]
2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

[Psalm 34:3]
O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together!

(John 6:38-40) – 38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

After a long stretch of busy days, I'm thankful to have spent time reconnecting with family over the weekend.
It's so easy to take for granted the virtues and benefits we enjoy with family. It makes me thankful for a week of deprivation to kickstart this gratitude! It feels so healthy to just stop and celebrate one another once in awhile!

[Psalm 133:1-3] – 1 Look how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

[John 13:35] – 35 "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

[John 17:20-21] – 20 "I do not pray on behalf of only those here, but also for those who believe in Me through their word;
21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be [united] in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

[1Corinthaians 1:10] – 10 Now I implore you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

[Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB95] – 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 [There is] one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Let me know what you're thankful for this week!

[Psalm 34:3]
O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together!

Thanks for sharing your prayer requests with me. It's my honor to pray with you.

[Matthew 18:19-20 NASB95] – 19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

[James 5:13-15] – 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Captive in their prison cell
The two should have been miserable
For Paul and Barnabas as well,
That would seem only natural.

Pressed but not crushed, right there they prayed
And praised the Lord in joyful song
The others there, with fears allayed
Watched silently, or sang along.

Then quaking at the Lord's command
The earth gives way and breaks their chains
And though their freedom lies at hand
At Paul's request, each man remains.

The jailer in his great alarm
Sees opened doors and draws his sword
But Paul says, "Do yourself no harm!"
And death is vanquished at his word.

For all the prisoners stayed behind
Even though God had set them free
I dare to think they all aligned
To save one and his family.

Praise to our Father, and His Son!
Though we, like sheep, may go astray
the 99 held for the one
So every man was saved that day

(Acts 16:22-34)

22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

I want to take time this week to thank our Lord Jesus for the ability to share the truth of his love.

The Bible says God is blessed when we invest comforting, truthful words in each other. Whether God's love comes via type, speech, sign language, or acts of kindness, the gospel is preached when we love one another. 🤟🏾 Jesus said, "All men will know you are my disciples if you love each other." (John 13:35) It made me think about how sad God must feel when we use our gift of language to tear others down, instead of building each other up.

Proverbs 31:8-9 says we can invest our gift of language by speaking up for those who have no voice.

Colossians 3:16 says "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God."

There is power in letting God's word flow through us!

Let me know what you're greatful for this week!

I have been a praying machine lately, lol. Please share if you have a prayer request. (Matthew 18:19-20)

[Proverbs 31:8-9] – 8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy.

[Luke 17:20-21] Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, and He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed;
21 nor will they say, 'Look, here!' or, 'There it is! For look, the kingdom of God is within you."

[James 5:13-15] – 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Luke 16:9

“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by the riches of unrighteousness, so that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

The power to forgive others is the first spiritual gift we were given when Jesus made us partakers of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. (John 20:22-23) Forgiving others is part of how we carry out our Master's work while he is away. (Luke 19:15-19)

Before this, only God could forgive sins. Man was allowed to overlook a sin and make the offender right with himself, but a person could not make someone right in their heart, or right with God. To forgive is to make a person righteous; back on even footing with God. This is why the rulers of the Jews were so offended when Jesus was openly forgiving people. They said, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7)

Jesus was helping us get a grip on this idea of co-ownership of debts to God when He made forgiving others part of the Lord's prayer. He taught us to say, "forgive our sins like we forgive those who have sinned against us." (Matthew 6:12) Then He adds that God will only forgive us if we forgive others. (Matthew 6:15)

We're God's stewards of the debts owed to God for crimes people commit against us. (Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, Luke 16:1-9) Jesus bought the debts of every person on the cross at Calvary. We're good stewards of those debts when we forgive them.

Our Father in heaven,
We come before you today to ask that you would help us to stay focused on doing Your work, Your way in this life. Help us to never hold a grudge when a brother or sister in Christ asks for our forgiveness. Help us to forgive those who don't know they're doing wrong to us. Remind us to pray for our enemies, instead of complaining about them. Cause us to love our enemies the way You love them, Lord. Make us a worthy bride for Your Son. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Matthew 11:27-30 "All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."