Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. — 1 John 3:18
But our words are meaningless if we don't match them with our actions.
God calls us to love with our actions and in truth.
Without love, we are clanging gongs.
All noice and no action.
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. — Revelation 3:14, 20
These are the words of the one true God.
The Amen and the faithful.
The true witness.
The ruler of God's creation.
Our Lord and Father.
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. — Psalm 119:160
All of them.
He always keeps His promises to us.
I love His Word.
It gives us light and direction.
His righteous laws are eternal.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. — Psalm 119:130
It unfolds before our eyes each time we read it.
More understanding comes through God's words each time.
He opens our eyes to greater understanding.
His Word gives understanding to the simple.
Just as the sunrise lights up the sky,
God's Word lights up our minds and hearts.
Giving us His wisdom and understanding.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. — Matthew 24:35
Earth will pass away too.
And the things of the world will not last.
But God's Word will last forever.
His Words will never pass away.
I'm so grateful for God's Words and how He manages to make them apply to my life each time I read them.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. — Psalm 19:14
It felt wonderful.
It was an orchestra Sunday and the Pt. Loma Strings joined our orchestra for some of the songs.
I wasn't sure if I would have enough breath support to sing all of the hymns and praise songs as well as the anthem, but God kept me going.
May the words of the mouth and the meditation or my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord.
You are my Rock and my Redeemer.
My Savior and my Lord.
And if you honor [the Lord's day] by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord. — Isaiah 58:13-14]
There are so many other things to distract us from God.
That's why we worship together every Sunday as a family.
It helps ground our week in the Lord.
And helps us focus on our Creator instead of on ourselves.
Sunday morning worship get's us into God's Word.
And gives us a chance to sing praises to the Lord.
And to fellowship in community with others.
And to study His Word together as the body of Christ.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. — Matthew 24:25
Kirk smoked pork tenderloin — it was delicious and juicy.
Later at night we walked down to the harbor for fireworks.
The fireworks were beautiful.
On our walk back, we ran into Rebecca and her son Jeremiah.
A wonderful day and a reminder of God's care for us.
Heaven and earth will pass away one day.
God's Words will never pass away.
Words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him. — Ecclesiastes 10:12
Words can also uplift and encourage.
Words from the mouth of wise person are gracious.
Help me, Lord, to keep my words gracious and helpful.
All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. — Luke 4:36-37
And he spoke with power.
He ordered impure spirits to come out of people.
The news about him spread throughout the area.
People were amazed with the words he spoke.
He is the Son of God.
Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. — Luke 4:31-32
After all, He was and is the Son of God.
He is the Word and the Light of the World.
The people were amazed at his teaching.
Because the words Jesus said had authority.
Help me to read your word, Lord, and to hear them and put them into practice.
And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. — Luke 3:18
La Jolla Shores Beach
John was a powerful speaker.
He proclaimed the good news of Jesus wherever he went.
And people followed, listened to him, and turned from their sins.
He baptized them and prepared them for the coming of God's Son.
God asks us to tell others about Jesus, too.
I'm not always ready to do that.
God asks us to be prepared to explain to anyone who asks.
I'm not always prepared.
God asks us to love our enemies.
I often forget to love my friends and family.
Forgive, me, Lord.
Help me to obey You.
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" — Luke 3:4-5
John told his followers that Jesus would be coming.
John was sent to prepare the way.
He knew that Jesus was the Savior that He proclaimed.
We know that Jesus is our Savior, too.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. — 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
I find myself defending my position and not listening to those who feel differently.
But God calls us to encourage each other.
Even if we disagree.
Especially with our enemies.
And to do it with His Word.
What a concept!
Help me, Lord, to obey You.
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. — 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Today we celebrate Dave's and Susan's.
They came over Wednesday night so we celebrated with brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Friday was Alex's last day with our company as she moves on to a start-up.
Lots of transitions this week.
God has chosen each person.
The Gospel came to Liz, Susan, and Dave not simply with words, but also wtih power.
The Holy Spirit is working within each of them.
Thank you, Lord.
