Repeat and Repeat

Do you ever get tired or frustrated with having to repeat the same thing over and over to your children so they will grasp your words? My child is grown and no longer lives at home, but I remember having to repeat myself often. In today’s world, I may still have to repeat myself, but that would be because the hearing aid is not turned up loud enough. 

     Getting back to repeating! In my Daily Hope devotional this morning, the author stated that “there are 365 ‘fear not’ verses in the Bible.”  Yesterday, I did a search on Google and found several who stated there are “sixteen verses with ‘I am with you’ or ‘I will be with you,’ or ‘God will be with you’” or similar statements.” 

     I have to say that God is my Father, and I am very sorry that He has to continually repeat Himself to get my attention. However, I am, also, so very glad He does. I know God repeats Himself because I am constantly pulled back from my sinful ways to Him. He sees! He knows! He holds me tight! 

     I am a constant sinner who knows, “God is always with me,” and I “fear not” because He is!

I Am With You

One of my favorite thoughts that takes me through the day is “This is the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.” Why shouldn’t I be glad, because God is with me! Knowing God is with me absolutely makes my day. 

     How many times does God say, “I am with you” or God will be with you?” I didn’t do the count but one or two researchers said it was sixteen.

 

     Regardless, my verse for today will be from Isaiah 41:10

 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  

 

Rudeness

I was just thinking this morning about my knee-jerk reactions. I am like most folks when grumbled at, I grumble back. When faced with a rude person, I instantly want to be rude right back. However, that is not what God desires to see in my daily character. I have to be alert. So, what should I do when people are rude? I have to keep in mind they may have troubles I do not know about or can even comprehend.

 

R aise the bar- give them a smile

U ndo their influence – stay happy 

D o the unexpected -wish them a better day

E ven the score is not my job- keep that in mind – pray for them

 

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." Proverbs 3:13 KJV 

 

Women of Mention

Women have a place in everyday simple places - in the home, in the workplace, and in the church. So, I thought I might talk about them just a bit. 

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” Luke 1:38

 

“And then as a widow (Anna) until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.” Luke 2:37 

 

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church...for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well” Romans 16:1,2b

 

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life.” Romans 16:3a

 

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia...a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14 

 

Women of Mention

 

We all know about Mary. How she was chosen to bare the Messiah!

And how she said, “I am a servant of the Lord; let it be.” 

She was obedient to God, you see.

Then there is Anna, a widow until she was eighty-four. 

She didn’t leave the temple but fasted and prayed day and night.

She gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to those at the temple door.

 Martha and Mary were two different talented sisters.

Both were eager to welcome Jesus as a guest into their home.

One wanted to clean- The other to give full attention to their guest.

There’s a purpose to both, but consider what Jesus expressed. 

There is no discounting Phoebe, a servant of the church.

She was a patron of many and of Paul, as well. 

Then there is Prisca who journeyed with her husband, risking her neck, for the ministry they had to tell. 

Lydia was a seller of purple goods and a woman of faith.

She offered her home for Christians to stay during her day.

Rich or poor, women have a place; 

Gifts upon them God has graced.

There is purpose within His intent,

And they’re flavored with a delicate scent.

 

Be Happy! Laugh Hard!

     There are several verses on “a merry heart.” Today, as in every day, I strive to find laughter! I believe it is a weapon with healing power! Better than vitamins! I invite all my readers to strive to find joy and laughter, for “Today is the day the Lord has made.” 
 

Following are a few good verses on “a merry heart.”
  Proverbs 17:22a “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”
  Proverbs 15:15b “He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” 
  Proverbs 15:13a “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” 

 

     Laughter and joy seem to go hand-in-hand. Aside from the verses above, I also found a few good quotes of interest. 

 

“We don’t laugh because we’re happy – we’re happy because we laugh.” – William James
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”- Charlie Chaplin
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” -Victor Hugo
“Joy is God’s smile; love is God’s laughter.” – John O’Donahue
“Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy.” – Catherine Ripperger Fenwick 
“To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it.” -Charlie Chaplin
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” – George Bernard Shaw 
“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” Mark Twain
 

 

 

Catch and Release

 In the world of fishing, there is a “Catch and release” and a “No fishing” ordinance. Both can be good. To look at life in a similar way, we all sin and feel guilt. When we confess our sin, God forgives us. He has put it away. So if we “Catch” our sin and confess, we need to “Release” it and observe the “No fishing” sign to prevent us from pulling it back in and dwelling on it. 

     Does that make sense?  

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Pierced! Crushed! Wounded!

My verse for today comes from Isreal 53:5-6 NIV version, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” 

 

     Verse 6 answers the reason for His pierced body, His crushed body, and His wounds. We are straying sheep.  Jesus took our sins on Himself. What a wonderful Lord we have!

 

     I add to this just a few more thoughts of what Jesus does for me every day. 

Jesus was pierced.     

   Why? To indwell inside a wandering sheep like me.            

Jesus was crushed.    

   Why? To rescue a sinner like me. 

Jesus was wounded.  

   Why? To save, from death, me so I can live with Him forever.

 

Praise His Holy Name!