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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :What Are You Looking At? Bible Verse :Philippians 3:17-21 (ESV) "Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Message:
Paul has neither shame nor pride in holding himself up as an example to be followed. He admits his faults but he knows on thing for certain: He has faith in the power and love of Jesus Christ. There is one vision in the distance upon which he keeps his eye trained: Christ crucified.
We cannot see the cross, of course. We do not even have a photograph, only the imagination of artists who do their imperfect best to give us a visual representation; and, occasionally, a sighting of some image claimed to be miraculous. But God saw fit to give us His words. We cannot understand as God understands, and He cannot bring us to total understanding even by His words, for our minds are imperfect instruments. We see “through a glass darkly,” i.e., a dim reflection in a mirror. But God has promised that our imperfect understanding is sufficient for our salvation.
Mixed race people praying together
We have, also, another imperfect but important object to look at: Other Christians who are doing their best to follow Christ. Paul tells us to focus our vision, not only on him, but on those who follow him. Stop paying attention to all the enemies of Christ, he tells us, and pay attention to the friends of Christ, instead. Shall we watch, today, drunken Irish-Americans parading down the street, or shall go to church and watch other Christians pray in thanks for the gift of the marvelous Saint Patrick, a man to be emulated, indeed?
The second paragraph would seem to discourage nationalism. So, let me take one more swipe at those who celebrate today as some sort of Irish pride festival. In Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile,” Irishman nor Englishman. Our citizenship is in heaven. Do we really want to consider ourselves citizens of some other place? We must tread carefully, for just as no person can worship both God and Mammon, we cannot be true citizens of heaven and some other place. We have one King, and that is King Jesus, who cares nothing for our snarling squabbling over earthly power, except to be pained when it leads us into sin.
Let us always keep our eyes on the cross; and when we look at those on earth, let us keep our gaze focused on those who love and emulate Christ.
Meditation : Prayer : As I travel through the rest of my day, may the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound in hope............Amen |
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