Last night before falling asleep I thought about how different my day was from my 'normal' Sunday. Usually after church I go to lunch with some of my church family and then the rest of the day is spent alone. Yesterday was spent with me preaching on-line, a lite lunch with my Momma, a drive to meet Ben and his family for pizza, a late dinner and watching TV with Rickey and my Momma. No alone time which was very nice! God is so good to provide exactly what I need. Hearing "Grandma Sheila" is music to my ears! Soaking up time with three of Rickey's grand babies Friday night and then five of mine yesterday was perfect! I love to hear their chatter, watch them interact with one another, spoil them. Every time I see grand babies there are little gifts for them. Nothing that costs much but something they will enjoy. Yesterday along with their little gifts they wrote their favorite Bible verse on a Christmas ornament. One for my tree and one for their's. I so wish I could do life with them more often. It is so hard to be seven hundred miles away from the ones in Ohio and Pennsylvania and a thousand miles from my Texas one. But I know I am where God desires me to be for this time. I know I have a purpose in South Carolina and I intend to be intentional in fulfilling that purpose. The weekly sermon challenge yesterday includes Colossians 3:12-13. It is truly a challenge to live by these verses if you live in the flesh. Verses twelve through fourteen read in The Passion Translation...
You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.
God chose us to be compassionate, kind, humber, gentle, and patient and to forgive as He forgives us. That is a mighty tall order for us but it is not too tall for us to accomplish when we allow God to live in and through us. I love verse seventeen that reminds us to praise God. As I was driving back to Momma's in the rain and fog after meeting Ben I praised Him for getting us home before dark. Before falling asleep I praised Him for Momma getting out for a second day in a row. As I read Colossians 3 this morning I praise Him for many years ago when we first began ministry in Willard and he brought me verse twenty-three of this chapter. Everything we do needs done for Him not man. Paul finishes out this chapter with these encouraging words. For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One! A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the titles or prestige of men. My reward is waiting for me in heaven. Until the time comes for God to call me home I will love with His love the best I can. When the 'tough' days happen, I will "Raise A Hallelujah" to Him for not only getting me through such times but Him being glorified through me during them.
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me
I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
Dear Jesus, Thank You for the wonderful day yesterday to do life in a different way than my 'normal'! Thank You for time with Ben, Emily, and the kids! Thank You for Momma being able to get out again! Thank You for last evening with sharing a meal and watching TV with my Momma and Rickey! Thank You for this precious time to make memories! Thank You for Colossians three that is rich in how we are to live and the reward for such living! Lord, cleanse me and fill me with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts in a mighty way today. Father, I pray for those going through 'tough' times to realize Your peace as Colossians 3:15 speaks of. Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. May peace flow down upon: My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; Ben and Colleen; Steve; Tony and Madeline; Joni; Wanda; Melanie; Cait; Mike; Joan; Terri Hall; Sharon Sebolt; the Pottenger Family; Carrie; Simone; Savon; Serena's husband; Norma Hall; Donna; Chrissy and her cousin; some young ladies with anxiety; a man in rehab for anger issues; a young man out of rehab and needs strength in his daily walk; a friend who needs protection in a hostile workplace; ones dealing with verbal attacks from 'friends' and loved ones; a teen in a volatile home situation; many with COVID; and so many others. I continue to pray for healing for: Little Ivy with leukemia; Little Jensen who needs a heart transplant; Ashley; Pastor Kevin; Sharon's niece Amy; Gay and Doug; Rickey's singing partner Tim; Ed; and Frank. I pray against the pain Debbie is experiencing in her legs. Thank You for being My Anointed One! Amen.
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