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February 7, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Joy, Thanks & Praise

It’s a Wonderful Life

You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count. [Psalm 40:5 (GW)]

I’ve heard people complain that life hasn’t turned out the way they had expected. I respond, “Thank God!” If we’d gotten exactly the life we’d expected, we would have seriously short-changed ourselves. We could never have imagined all of the blessings that would come into our lives: the joy, love and laughter that have been ours. Of course, we made more than our share of mistakes and experienced heartbreak and disappointment along the way. Moreover, it is likely that the future will bring its share of difficulties for us as well. Yet, along with those difficulties will come unimaginable blessings as well. Let us lift our hands and thank the Lord for the life with which we have been blessed. Let’s raise our voices and sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. [Annette Funicello]

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February 6, 2014

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God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer

Sweet Dreams at Night

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone will keep me safe. [Psalm 4:8 (NLT)]

Father in heaven, thank you for getting us safely through the challenges of this day. May we have a peaceful night and a productive tomorrow. If it’s not too much to ask, could tomorrow also bring some sunshine, an extra dose of patience, a little laughter and lots of love.

I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. [Leviticus 26:6a (NLT)]

I found the “if I should die before I wake” part of the traditional children’s prayer a bit worrisome for my little ones and so combined various versions of the “Now I Lay Me” prayer into this evening prayer for our grands:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.May angels guard me through the night,
And wake me in the morning’s light.
When in the morning light I wake,
Show me the path of love to take. Amen.

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February 5, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Thanks & Praise

From a Senior Citizen in Christ

2014-2-5So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. [2 Corinthians 4:16 (NCV)]

Lord, you may not change through the years but I surely have. Although I may tire more easily, please keep my spiritual life robust and lively. As my body becomes weaker, please make my faith stronger. May the fact that it is increasingly harder to get on my knees (let alone get back up again) never keep me from prayer. My heart will always kneel before you in praise and thanksgiving. Thank you, God, for all that has been and all that is yet to be.

My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever. [Psalm 73:26 (NCV)]

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February 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Word: The Bible, Love & Works

Be an Example

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. [1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)]

One of my Bible translations is called The Living Bible. The real living Bibles, however, are you and I. After all, we may be the only Bible some people ever read! When we’re opened up, what do they see? How does our faith translate in our daily actions? Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we always live in such a way that people will be able to see Christ within us.

Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. [St. Francis of Assisi]

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February 3, 2014

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love

How Can He Do It?

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. [Psalm 65:3 (NLT)]

It just takes a glance at the newspaper or a few minutes of television to see how absolutely horrific we humans can be to one another. The abuse of power, the exploitation, atrocities, corruption, selfishness, violence and depravity that exist in our world are both overwhelming and depressing. It seems that every day brings another news report that makes me ashamed of being part of the human race. How can we call ourselves “civilized”? That God is capable of repeatedly forgiving the evil mankind regularly recommits is hard to believe. Moreover, that He actually does forgive us our sins is astonishing. I find it absolutely mind-boggling, however, that God hasn’t given up on us in despair. Instead, He sacrificed his son for our salvation. If He hasn’t given up hope in the human race, neither will I.

Thank you, O Lord; we are so unworthy of your love, mercy and forgiveness.

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. [Psalm 145:8-9 (NLT)]

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February 2, 2014

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Holidays & Holy Days, Salvation: A New You, Today: Make it Count

Are We Ready for the Big Day? (Super Bowl Sunday)

I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other – “We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!” – suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman. [1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (MSG)]

It’s Super Bowl Sunday and the past few weeks have been filled with hype about this event. We’ve heard from coaches, players, sports analysts, bookmakers and weather forecasters; we’ve even seen previews of the ads that will be shown during the game. People have stocked up at the grocery and liquor stores, donned their favorite team’s colors, and planned their parties and menus. With ticket prices so high, many made sacrifices to attend the game; some even sold even their cars to purchase tickets. All of this planning and excitement are for the earthly rewards of a championship trophy, money, fame, a few hours of entertainment and bragging rights.

I couldn’t help but compare the elaborate preparations for this yearly event with our preparations for the day we will meet with God. In football there is a clock that tells us when time is running out; life isn’t that way. We’ll never know when the final whistle will blow. Unlike the Super Bowl trophy, God’s reward will be eternal; there won’t be another opportunity to play again the following year. Some day we will all give an accounting of our lives to our Father in Heaven. What kind of preparations are we making for that special day?

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. [1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (MSG)]

There is no escape for the man who squanders his opportunity to prepare to meet God. [From “Hope for Each Day” by Billy Graham]