So That I May Finish My Task and Ministry

But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace. — Acts 20:24

Daily I ask God to help me finish my task and serve Him in ministry.

And to guide me in the ministry I've received from Jesus.

To share the good news of God's grace with others.

To encourage those around me.

To love others.

And to consider my life as a sacrifice to God.

To follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

This week I spoke with my surgeon who removed the melanoma on my knee.

She is very pleased with the way it is healing.

There was no cancer left - the margins were clear.

I can swim again, so I'll go after work tonight.

Praise the Lord!

Consider It Pure Joy

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

Monday, Abby and I went to the zoo.

The animals were up and about, so it was really fun!

Here's the view from our Skyfari ride.

It was a beautiful day.

And we got there early so we had really up-close views everywhere we went.

Five hours later, we were on the way home.

Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Because the testing of our faith develops perseverance.

Which is a gift from God.

I Press On

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:13-14

God has called me to glorify Him.

I am not there yet, but I strain toward His goal for me.

Then I take a few steps back.

I mess up.

Even so, I press on toward the goal.

After all, God has called me heavenward.

And He has sent His Son Jesus to take my hand and lead me there.

Today I pray for those who are struggling with cancer and other illnesses.

Lord, please wrap your loving arms around them and give them your deep peace. Amen.

Knowing Christ Jesus

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. — Philippians 3:8

 

Knowing Jesus Christ is worth more than anything.

It surpasses everything.

Paul wrote that he had lost all things for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Everything else pales in comparison.

My goal is to gain Christ.

Spur Each Other On

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. — Hebrews 10:23-24

It is not always easy to think of others first.

But when we hold on to the hope we have in Jesus, He is faithful.

He helps us spur each other on toward love.

The Holy Spirit helps us consider how we can do good deeds for each other.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.

The Hand of the Lord

I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,  so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this. — Isaiah 41:19-20

San Diego is a desert, a wasteland.

Even so, God has provided us with trees and plants.

He has created springs of water.

And has provided the sun by day and the moon by night.

He has surrounded us with His beautiful creation.

And He has commanded us to care for it.

The hand of the Lord has done this.

So that people may see and know, may consider and understand.

God is awesome. He is creator. He loves us.