32 “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For those who find me find life and receive favour from the Lord. 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Although this passage of scripture indicates that Jesus is talking to children, the passage really refers to us all. We must keep listening because it is only by listening we become wise and are blessed
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.[a]
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Saviour. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.[b][c]
7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
It’s probably a good job we don’t know what’s ahead of us for example we didn’t know Covid – 19 was going to raise it’s ugly head towards 2019. A couple of lockdowns on with vaccinations in September 2021 we’re still fighting the virus.
Meanwhile things have been happening else where.
Recently America has pulled their troops out of Afghanistan because of the troubles there, and on top of that New Orleans has been hit by a tornado
I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me; The God I serve is one who cares and understands; Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me, Of this I am assured: I’m in His hands.
I’m in His hands, I’m in His hands; Whate’er the future holds, I’m in His hands; The days I cannot see have all been planned for me; His way is best, you see; I’m in His hands.
What though I cannot know the way that lies before me, I still can trust and freely follow His commands; My faith is firm since He it is who watches o’er me; Of this I’m confident: I’m in His hands.
In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient, When I have yielded to the law of love’s demands; Why should I doubt that He would evermore be present To make His will my own? I’m in His hands!
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
It’s true what this video says We do have gift to share to everyone. The beauty of it is that everyone’s gift is different from the person next to you.
In the reading above we are reminded that Paul tells the people of Corinth because you have proved yourselves others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,
Whilst sharing things puts us in Gods favour, we mustn’t forget the most important thing to share is the Gospel.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a]6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down)7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e]12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of alland richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h]17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”[i]
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[
Following on from my dreams of what sport I could take part in at the olympics, I decided the one I would like least is rugby. A tough, brutal sport, where you have to be supremely fit and take all the knocks and bruises that come with the sport.
I was most impressed by the rugby 7’s team from Fiji. The entire team, led by their captain, went down on one knee and offered a sincere prayer of thanks. Wow. What an example of faith shown by the whole team. Not sure if I would be quite so willing to do the same. Ok, again, age means that getting down on one knee is not really a problem, it’s the getting up again that causes the struggle. Am I any less sincere in praying in a sitting or standing position? No. Prayer made sincerely and from the heart will never go unheard.
Do you have something in your life? Do you have a friend, do you know of a situation, that right now needs prayers. Than when you have read this post, take a few moments and offer that sincere word of prayer for the situation.
The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion. God know exactly what you need You need to understand life enough and at the same time be ready to endure the consequences of your actions, because every action of life comes with a reward. There are few […]
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Christian Devotions, Health and General issues of the day 