You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. — Psalm 85:6
A new month is ahead.
It seems like we just entered 2024 and now one month is over.
How comforting to know that God is forgiving.
When I mess up, He forgives me when I come to Him in repentance.
The Lord is good.
He abounds in love.
And He's not selective.
His love is for all who call to Him.
Thank You, Lord.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. — John 4:24
Today our pastor gave an inspisrting sermon on Matthew 4.
He talked about how Jesus called His disciples.
And he introduced the biblical story of the Wedding Feast..
He mentioned that we often want the benefits adn blessings of Christ's kingdom without Jesus, the King.
He also talked about the cost of discipleship.
That Jesus calls us to a new identity.
We are His body.
And he fishes for people.
Reminding us that Jesus forsook all for the love of God, who forsook Jesus.
All for us.
All for love.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. — James 5:13
But today the sun came out and we walked outside to take my coworker to lunch for her birthday.
She turned 24, and was very excited for the occasion.
Her name is Joy, and she is extremely joyful.
So we were praying for those dealing with the aftermath of flooding streets and rain-soaked homes.
While we were rejoicing for birthdays, sun, and joy.
God is good; all the time.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — Psalm 103:1-2
He helps us through stressful times.
He hears and answers our prayers.
Yesterday I made a job offer to one of our writer candidates.
If she exceptes, I'll have just two positions still available.
My colleague also made an offer to her social media opening.
We said a prayer of thanks together for God's goodness.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
And for His love.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. — Galatians 6:7-8
He doesn't want us to be deceived.
We reap what we sow.
If we live to please our flesh, we will only gain destruction from our flesh.
If we live to please the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.
Here's the bird that landed outside my window at work.
A beautiful example of God's creation.
And a reminder of His care for me.
Praise be to the God and Father of us all.
And to His Son, our Lord Jesus.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. — Jamaes 1:5
Talking to Him in prayer.
Asking Him to guide and direct us with His wisdom rather than ours.
He gives generously to all people.
And He doesn't find fautlt with our stumblings.
He answers our prayers before we even ask them.
And he knows our thoughts.
Amaxing grace!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. — James 1:2-3
That's not always easy to do.
God only gives us what we can handle.
Whenever we face trials of many kinds, we should consider it joy.
When we're tossed about like waves in the ocean,
We should feel the calm underpinning of God.
Because we know the testing of our faith provudces perseverance.
And perseverance must finish its work so that we can be mature.
And complete in Christ.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” — Philippians 2:14
And we are part of a warped generation of people.
Even so, He calls us to a higher standard.
To do everything without grumbling.
So we can become blameless and pure.
Avoiding arguments.
Living for Jesus, our Savior.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. — Galatians 5:16
So we will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
No matter how tempting they may be.
Monday was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
And it was also National Hat Day.
So I thought this photo was a fun one to include.
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. —1 John 4:20-21
God commands us to love others.
And he calls us liars if we claim to love God but hate our brothers.
He calls us liars if we claim to lvoe God but hate our sisters.
God has a better plan.
Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31-32
And He speaks to us today.
If we stick to His teaching, we are His disciples. Really.
Then we will know the truth.
And the truth will set us free.
Jesus, the truth, will set us free from sin.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26-28
We were baptized into Christ.
And we have clothed ourselves with Christ.
There is no longer male or female in teh eyes of Jesus.
We are all one in Christ!
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. — 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
We had the pool almost all to themselves.
What a beautiful day.
God was reconciling us to himself in Christ.
He wasn't counting our sins against us.
We are Christ's ambassadors.
God calls us to be reconciled to Him.
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. — Amos 5:14-15
And He calls us to seek good, not evil.
Even stronger, to hate evil and love good.
Maintain justice.
And perhaps God will have mercy on us as He had on the remnant of Joseph.
Kirk has been suffering from a cough for the past nine days, poor guy.
Abby and I are now healthy.
We pray for his recovery and for sleep.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. — Ephesians 5:1-2
And walk in the ways of love.
Just as Christ love us.
He gave Himself up for us.
A fragrant, scented offering.
And a sacrifice to God.
All for us.
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. — 1 Peter 1:13
And to focus on His Word.
Our guide to living.
He calls us to set our hope on His grace through Jesus.
And the grace to be brought to us when Jesus is revealed at His coming.
Set our minds on Christ.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. — Titus 2:11-12
He offers salvation to all people.
Salvation teaches us to say "no" to worldly passions.
And to live self-controlled and godly lives.
Even in this present age.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-21
Not on earth.
Even though earthly treasures are tempting.
But they're also temporary.
Destroyed by moths and rust.
Whereas treasures in heaven are not destroyed by moths and vermin.
Where my treasure it, there shall my heart be.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! — 2 Corinthians 5:17
We become new creations.
Saying goodbye to our old selves.
And saying hello to the new.
Our new creation has come.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” — Luke 1:30-33
She had found favor with God.
And as a result, she would be the mother of the Son of God, Jesus.
He was part of the lineage of King David.
And He will reign forever.
His kingdom will have no end.
And we can live with Him forever.
Happy New Year!
