Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
***
When I was confirmed into the Lutheran church, these were the verses given to me for guidance. They have been my mantra for about 18 years now. "For it is by [wonderful] grace you have been saved...." These words hold a special comfort for me. I know that I don't have to DO anything to be saved. Jesus paid the price for me. And for you.
None of us needs to try to work our way into Heaven. As long as we simply accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will be allowed into Heaven. What a joy! My redeemer lives! I am saved!! And one day, when it is my turn, I will walk into His arms, hug Him and say, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, my Friend!"
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Today's Lamp || Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Psalm 40:1-2
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit;
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
***
(Because I had surgery yesterday, for the next few days, my posts will be somewhat shortened.)
These two verses (especially v. 2) have been special to me over the years. For a long time I was quite depressed, and when it got to the darkest of times, this Psalm helped me more than anything else. Verse two describes depression perfectly. If we but wait patiently and cry out to our Father in Heaven, he will turn to us and lift us up. We don't have to do it all on our own. In fact, we don't have to do any of it on our own. He will take us up in his strong arms and comfort and protect us.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit;
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
***
(Because I had surgery yesterday, for the next few days, my posts will be somewhat shortened.)
These two verses (especially v. 2) have been special to me over the years. For a long time I was quite depressed, and when it got to the darkest of times, this Psalm helped me more than anything else. Verse two describes depression perfectly. If we but wait patiently and cry out to our Father in Heaven, he will turn to us and lift us up. We don't have to do it all on our own. In fact, we don't have to do any of it on our own. He will take us up in his strong arms and comfort and protect us.
Yesterday's Lamp || Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Daniel 6:26b
For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
***
Yesterday I had surgery, so I was unable to do the Lamp. But here it is. A verse reminding us once again of God's everlasting omnipresence. How wonderful to know that he will always be there!
For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
***
Yesterday I had surgery, so I was unable to do the Lamp. But here it is. A verse reminding us once again of God's everlasting omnipresence. How wonderful to know that he will always be there!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Today's Lamp || Monday, January 18th, 2010
Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
***
The book of Nahum tells us of the fall of Ninevah. But in all of the raging anger of God, we are still reminded by Nahum that God is good and will care for his children.
Please remember special people in your prayers tonight. There is pain flying over this land, and so many are without God. Many more do not even know of Him. Please pray that they might be shown His wonderful love. And if God says you are the one to show them His love, do not be afraid--He will tell you what to say and do.
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
***
The book of Nahum tells us of the fall of Ninevah. But in all of the raging anger of God, we are still reminded by Nahum that God is good and will care for his children.
Please remember special people in your prayers tonight. There is pain flying over this land, and so many are without God. Many more do not even know of Him. Please pray that they might be shown His wonderful love. And if God says you are the one to show them His love, do not be afraid--He will tell you what to say and do.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Today's Lamp || Sunday, January 17th, 2010
Matthew 5:34-35 & 37
But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. ... Simply let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No," "No;" anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
***
I am tired today so I don't have much to say. But these are excellent words to live by, as are all the words from our Lord's mouth. He simplifies everything for us. As humans we tend to complicate matters. All of that can be summed up in verse 37: Let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No," "No." How much easier can it be?
But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King. ... Simply let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No," "No;" anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
***
I am tired today so I don't have much to say. But these are excellent words to live by, as are all the words from our Lord's mouth. He simplifies everything for us. As humans we tend to complicate matters. All of that can be summed up in verse 37: Let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No," "No." How much easier can it be?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Today's Lamp|| Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
***
Do you struggle with just going through the motions? I know I do at times. It is so easy to get sucked into the world's view of how we should live our lives. But it is just as easy to turn back to God's way for us. We just have to simply change our focus. We might have to do that several times each day, but that makes it no more difficult.
Let us all pray for daily guidance and discernment, that we should all be able to go in the direction that God wants us to go. For He wants us to go in that direction for our own good, and not simply for His pride.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
***
Do you struggle with just going through the motions? I know I do at times. It is so easy to get sucked into the world's view of how we should live our lives. But it is just as easy to turn back to God's way for us. We just have to simply change our focus. We might have to do that several times each day, but that makes it no more difficult.
Let us all pray for daily guidance and discernment, that we should all be able to go in the direction that God wants us to go. For He wants us to go in that direction for our own good, and not simply for His pride.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Today's Lamp|| Friday, January 15th, 2010
Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
***
In Matthew, chapter 4, we are told of the temptation of Jesus. It is here we find how to resist our own temptations. How easy it is to say, "Away from me, Satan!" Yet...perhaps it's not so easy. It's the wanting to say it that is difficult.
How do you resist temptation? Do you just say no? Do you have to call on the Lord to help you? Is it a conscious decision, or do you realize that it's a temptation from Satan at all? Is something as small as a chocolate craving a temptation?
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
***
In Matthew, chapter 4, we are told of the temptation of Jesus. It is here we find how to resist our own temptations. How easy it is to say, "Away from me, Satan!" Yet...perhaps it's not so easy. It's the wanting to say it that is difficult.
How do you resist temptation? Do you just say no? Do you have to call on the Lord to help you? Is it a conscious decision, or do you realize that it's a temptation from Satan at all? Is something as small as a chocolate craving a temptation?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Today's Lamp || Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
***
I felt that this would be an appropriate verse for my first blog. Do you think that this counts as coming together? I think it may. We are together in spirit--"virtually." Do you agree?
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
***
I felt that this would be an appropriate verse for my first blog. Do you think that this counts as coming together? I think it may. We are together in spirit--"virtually." Do you agree?
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