Devot. Christ in You, the Hope of Glory

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good week!  Spring feels like it is in the air this week and Resurrection Week is coming up fast.

I'm going to start on Easter devots. soon.  

This devot. is the last verse in the hymn Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners.    The message was a blessing to me, an

encouragement and inspiration.  Pray the Lord gives you and yours a safe and healthy week!

 

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January 9, 2016 Christ in You, the Hope of Glory “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)   The last six words of this text have been the theme of many sermons, and surely they are worth our study, for the concept is used throughout Scripture. They also are included in the final verse of “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners.” Jesus! I do now receive Him, More than all in Him I find; Christ in me, the Hope of glory, I am His, and He is mine. Christ does indeed live in each believer and fills and controls as allowed by the individual. But for those filled with His abundance, He provides the certain “hope” of glory. We have assurance of salvation, adoption, grace, Spirit-filled life, and eternal glory as we are in Christ. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).   Scripture specifically teaches that God loves sinners as they are and moves as a gracious “Friend” to pay the penalty for their sin. “If thou shalt . . . believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).   The words “believe” and “receive,” while not the same, can often be used interchangeably in Scripture. Once we truly believe, we can receive Him, for when we believe we simultaneously receive God’s forgiveness and salvation. And we can affirm, “I am His, and He is mine.” His sweet “friendship” will last for all time. JDM   Click here for the sheet music for this hymn.     This email was sent to | Print this article Unsubscribe | Subscribe

Devot. Understood by Jesus

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good week!  The devot. for today is a spin off of Tuesday's devot.   Tuesday devot.  talked about grief and help in sorrow.

 

This devot. talks about Jesus understanding how we feel.   The passage they use has always been an encouragement me to me that Jesus understands when I am hurting or sorrowful, because He had those same emotions when He was on earth (as He was 100% God and 100% man).

 

I pray this is an encouragement to you and feel free to fw and share with someone who could use it.

 

Have a blessed weekend!

 

Devot.

http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/understood-by-jesus  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.intouch.org/)

Devot. A Help in Sorrow

Hi Folks,

Hope you stayed warm this weekend!  I just keep reminding myself that spring will be here soon:)
We are back to Verse 3 of our hymn Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners.

As the title implies, Jesus is a help/comfort in sorrow.   My own family found this out about a dozen years ago when we lost a dear loved one.  

 1 Corinthians 1:3-5  says that God gives us comfort so that we can come others in time (paraphrase).

This has become very true for us and I mentioned in the devot. last week, my parents facilitate a faith based program called Grief Share at our church.

I have seen transformations, hope and healing through the weeks that folks come to talk and share.  Many have said that the Lord has been providing them

comfort and support and well as finding comfort in sharing.    I would encourage you that if you have lost someone dear,  no matter how long it has been, or you know

someone who is grieving, check this site out and find one  being hosted in  your state/county.   There are many around!!  http://www.griefshare.org/

I pray this devot. encourages you this week and you gain something that can be passed on!   God bless!  Devot. below.

 

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January 7, 2016 A Help in Sorrow “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)   Christians have received great joy and hope for the future, but make no mistake, there are troubles in this life. Christ promised that even if we “weep and lament . . . your sorrow shall be turned into joy” (John 16:20). The third verse of “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners” expresses this well. Jesus! what a Help in sorrow! While the billows o’er me roll, Even when my heart is breaking, He, my Comfort, helps my soul. Our text shows that even when Israel was about to be captured and exiled, Isaiah still anticipated their return and ultimate victory. “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).   In this life He has not left us without comfort, for Christ promised His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Even when death and separation are imminent, “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).   And in the next life, the “forever” life, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). JDM   Click here for the sheet music for this hymn.

Petition: Defend Overseas Christians!

BE HEARD PROJECT	SIGNATURES 171,793
Recognize the Genocide
Like     f   Like this on Facebook     President Obama is abandoning Christians to ISIS genocide. ISIS – the Islamic State – is beheading Christians, enslaving women, and executing missionaries at a staggering rate. 80% of Iraq’s Christian population has been forced to flee or die. Syria’s Christians are on the brink of extinction. Yet the Obama Administration is refusing to label these atrocities for what they are - genocide. The White House even admitted it is afraid of the "legal ramifications." That’s right. As Christians are slaughtered, the Obama Administration is more worried about the “legal” action it would be required to take. It’s abysmal. Genocide requires action. Christians being left to torture and death requires action. We're taking direct action. We've sent legal letters to the Obama Administration and assisted in securing genocide recognition in the European Parliament. Now we're preparing critical legal documents at the United Nations, demanding action to stop the genocide and defend Christians. Take action with us before it's too late. Sign Our Petition: Recognize the Genocide; Protect Christians. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel

Petition: Defend a Hero!

Take Action  |   Contribute

Like     f   Like this on Facebook     A hero in the War on Terror is being dishonored. It's an absolute injustice - a travesty. The U.S. Army is threatening to kick out a Green Beret war hero for defending a child. He could be ejected from the Armed Forces any day. Sign the Petition Now Sergeant First Class (SFC) Charles Martland - a Bronze Star Medal recipient - took decisive action against an Afghan soldier who admittedly raped a child. SFC Martland did what any honorable person would do and forcibly removed the admitted sexual predator from a U.S military base. SFC Martland said, "We felt a moral obligation to act." But now he faces expulsion from the military at any time this month. We're taking direct action - sending critical legal letters to the Military, Congress, and President Obama - to defend a hero who defended a child. We have a moral obligation to act. Sign our urgent petition for Sergeant Martland now before it's too late. Sign Our Petition: Defend a War Hero; Stop Child Sexual Abuse. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel

Devot. Valentine's Day History

Dear Friend

I hope you had a good weekend and good Lord's Day! 

Since Valentine's Day is coming up this weekend, I thought I would give you a history of the day, but as it's taken from church history.    Some of it is believed to be true, parts of it legend. I remember watching a movie on this aspect as a pre-teen and it really touched my heart.

As you will read, the possible "Valentine" behind this day showed true unselfish  love, Christ's love, in the midst of a difficult period in church history. 

 

I also wanted to share 2 things that were on my heart:

1.  Valentine's Day is commercialized to emphasize romantic love, and there's nothing wrong with that, but how could we as followers of Jesus use it to show HIS love to those who need to know they are loved by God? 

How an we show love that will make an impact for eternity?  Jesus said that the world would know that we are His 'disciples', followers by our love (care, concern) toward one another (John 13:35).  That 'one another' means fellow Christians, but we could  also extend it to those who have not trusted Christ yet.

 

 I remember the expression that 'the only Bible some people may ever 'read' is you.'   We have a chance to show genuine care, concern and interest in another's life and ask than God to take our meager efforts to show that person how much HE loves them.   Look for ways to be a sincere blessing to folks this week. 

 

 If they are going through a difficult time right now, have the boldness to tell them that you will be praying for them (Most folks, even if they are non-religious will still appreciate that kindness).    Write a note to someone and include a candy bar give someone a call, ask someone how you can help them this weekend, send an ecard (http://www.dayspring.com/ecards?legacy).

2.  For many, Valentine's Day can be a painful day for those who have lost a loved one or the single person who hasn't found God's special person for them yet.    My eyes were opened to that this past weekend.    

My parents facilitate a faith based group hosted by our church called "Grief Share".  (http://www.griefshare.org/)  It's for folks who have lost loved ones at any point, recently or years past, helps them deal with the holidays,  know what grief looks like,  that the symptoms are normal and to heal.    The biggest thing I heard this weekend was how difficult Valentine's Day was going to be and that they just wanted to move quickly through it.

 

As I stated above, look for ways to make folks like these feel your care, concern.   Be sensitive, but encouraging.   Let them know they are thought of by someone this day. 

 Look for these opportunities at work, church, your neighborhood.  My pastor said yesterday look for opportunities, and then take advantage of them.

 You never know how God could use these opportunities in the future for you to share how your trusting Jesus changed your life! 

I pray the Lord looks our for you and yours this week!   Devot. http://www.sharefaith.com/blog/2011/01/valentines-day-history-story-st-valentine/   (Taken from http://www.sharefaith.com/blog/)

Devot. My Strength and Victory

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good week and are healthy and well! This devot. shares and explains verse 2 of the hymn,

What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

I pray it is a blessing and encouragement to your weekend! May the Lord watch over you and yours.  Devot. below

 

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January 6, 2016 My Strength and Victory “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)   “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners” verse two highlights His attribute of strength. David wrote of encountering and benefitting from it when he hid safely in Him. “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5). Jesus! what a Strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in Him; Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing, He, my Strength, my vict’ry wins. In times of opposition, we can go to Him for comfort and protection. In Psalm 23:4, we are comforted to read, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” We can likewise pass this along to bolster others in need, for “we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).   When conflict comes, our Friend for sinners provides a way out. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).   Ultimately, victory is ours through His great strength and wisdom. In eternal glory, we are told that “now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10). Forever we will hide safely in Him. JDM   Click here for the sheet music for this hymn.