We live in a world that has been driven to the brink by natural disasters, political divisiveness, and a pandemic that threatened to crush the world's socioeconomic infrastructure, no less the health and welfare of every individual. Dr. Thurston draws on
Through all the ups and downs of life; NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!
God made us just the way we should be! All our self doubt and anxieties about whether we are good enough is really a slap in the face to the One who loves you and created you!
Believers can just THINK their thoughts to God; no texting required. God neither slumbers nor sleeps, so you don't have to worry about the hour either! You don't even have to have the right words because Jesus will intercede on your behalf!! Cool.
Our spouses are gifts, created for us and fragile like pottery; if broken they can never really be replaced.
Christians are viewed as hypocrites not for our stated beliefs, but for the way we live! Faith without works IS dead!
For I will forget their iniquity and remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:34b)
Does consign some people to hell? Is that REALLY what scripture says?
Sticks and stones might break my bones.....
"When besieged, I am calm as a baby. when all hell breaks loose, I am collected and cool....."(Psalm 27:2-3 The Message)
The characteristics in the ladder of the Beatitudes
All of us find ourselves under water holding our breath from time to time. That first desperate intake of air can come through scripture!
Only One is miraculously present in every moment of need.
"he gives power to the faint, and to him with nomight he increases their strength." (Isaiah 40:29)
Fear of creatures that track us in the dark dissipates in Your presence! There can be no fear of the unknown if we let the Holy Spirit in!
"You can't see the stumps when the water is high!" (Anon Southern) Life goes by QUICKLY, and if you are not present every moment, you may suddenly find yourself totally surprised when you run aground on a falling tide.
My Grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness." (2 Cor 12:8-9)
"God's chosen are not the children of the body, but the children of the Promise." (Romans 9:7-8)
Fruits of the Spirit are NOT a to do list; they are instead a barometer of how well we are letting the Spirit direct our lives.
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower...." (Proverbs 18:10)
Faith to move mountains....... It's not the strength of your faith; but the strength of the One in whom you place your faith!
"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function...." (Romans 12:4-6)
Jesus, nudge us daily to get out of the Spirit's way, denying ourselves that we might do Your will!
When fear warps our perspective, the Holy Spirit will guide us to the truth.
"Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction." (Isaiah 38:17)
"In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love." St. Augustine
"You are to labor six days, but you must rest on the seventh." (Exodus 34:21)
"Take care and be on guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)
Why do we find it so easy to celebrate the defeat of a despotic English King and freedom from tyranny, but have trouble celebrating the defeat of DEATH and freedom from it, given to us by Grace through Christ?
Wait on the Lord....you will be renewed; ie charged up!
"It is a happy talent to know how to play!" (Emerson)
In scripture, repentance always leads to mercy. Some things that we don't understand are part of God's Divine Purpose, and are always consistent with God's character of love.
We need to learn to be content in all circumstances like Paul. What we view as inconvenience may well be a Blessing disguised until someone reveals it to us.
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks." John Muir"Silence isn't empty. It's full of answers." (Anon)
We have the opportunity to shape our children and grandchildren just as You have shaped us. Let us take every opportunity to show the world, first with our kids, that there IS a right and wrong way for everything.
Suffering can be endured when we believe what God has offered us in Christ's own suffering and death and resurrection!
Every job we do is important to God! We are all interconnected and the seemingly most boring or low level job, helps to create a work product from which we all benefit eventually.
The One who created the Universe knows you by name!
The lighthouse of the Old Testament, the LAW, has been internalized with the New Covenant. Just as God promised in Jeremiah, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Law is written on our hearts! We have immediate access!
Just look around yourself...in any direction! What part of what you see doesn't scream that there is a Creator; that what you see had its origin in an intelligence far to great for us to fathom.
A parent's love is UNCONDITIONAL! How hard would it be for you to let your son get crucified? This is the only kind of sacrifice, one that spills life blood, that could ever wash us clean of our sins! This is what is required for atonement. This free gift of forgiveness is theonly ting that can allow us to be "right" with the Creator again.
We all find ourselves in tough spots from time to time. Our American culture tells us to "buck up and go it alone!" Our faith teaches exactly the opposite! We are to look to our brothers and sisters as well as our Heavenly Father, and help is available.
Why do we so often forget to praise you? Things like the doxology were designed to help!
Let us greet the Lord like a dog rather than a cat!
We will be honored guests at the feast!
No matter how far from God, we can always make a U-turn.
Be prepared to make a defense for your faith.
God created you nothing short of miraculous, and you should use the gifts you were given to the max!
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