Well, we have made it this far! We can certainly press on and press in from here!
This week was a reminder to me to keep doing just that. PRESS ON. PRESS IN.
There is a song by Darlene Zschech that says "my heart leans in...". Can we do that? Can we just LEAN IN and Lean on the shoulder of Jesus for just a few moments??
Life is hard. It's been a hard week for many of us in many ways. But not as hard as Paul and Silas had when they visited the Philippians who beat them, dragging them through the marketplace and throwing them in to prison. Now THAT is a bad week.
You'd think they would get discouraged and give up, but NO. While in prison, God miraculously released them while they sang praise and worship songs to Him. They encouraged others, then went on their way and continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 16)
Like I said. Life is hard. I wanted to give up on some things last week and this week, too. Cause it is hard to keep up the good fight of faith sometimes. But here is a truth I am clinging to today:
One note I made myself in the margin on page 41:
"Reflect on those first four verses of 1 Thessalonians 2 again.
Ask yourself: Did we do the will of God as best we perceived it? Were we authentic before God and man?"
My response: Purity and blamelessness is not to equal to being perfect, but rather pursuing the One who IS.
On Day 3 this week, we looked at A Theology of Walking and how we are exhorted in the Scriptures to Walk Worthy of the calling we have to share the gospel to the least and the lost. It occurs to me that we can walk forward, eyes ahead, looking at the goal and prize of Jesus.... or we can walk toward Him while looking backward at the way life was, or what we miss or regret or wish we could do over... we will reach the same destination- eventually- but the walk is much harder and easier to get off course when we are looking backward and not ahead. Can I say it again???
So let's press in and press on together. Let's encourage one another and others and continue to do this gospel life that we are called to share. He is walking among the Churches. Oh, let Him find us faithful!
I desire Jesus
Precious Lamb
Who ransomed me
And unto You an offering
Will my life forever be
You are worthy of all honour
All glory to Your Name
You alone deserve
Our highest praise
And forever You will reign
You are all glorious
You are all glorious
My heart leans in
My soul must sing
You are all glorious
2012 Hillsong/Cornerstone Album
Review the Week:
PRINCIPLE QUESTIONS:
DAY 1- What happened to Paul and Silas after they were
dragged into the marketplace before the authorities
(Acts 16:22-24)? (p. 39)
DAY 3- What action verb describes how we journey with
God? (p 47)
DAY 4- Focus on 1 Thessalonians 2:14. How had the
Thessalonians become "imitators of God's churches
in Christ Jesus that are in Judea"? (p 51)
DAY 5- In Thessalonians 2:19-20, what words did Paul use to
describe the Thessalonians Christians? (p 58)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS:
DAY 1- What do you think He's searching out and testing our
hearts to find? (41)
DAY 2- Does 1 Thessalonians 2:8 stir up a story of your
own? (p 46)
DAY 3- How does Christ walking among the churches
encourage you? (p 49)
DAY 4- Share a time when you experienced some form of
persecution because of your
belief in Jesus. ( 51)
DAY 5- Have you ever avoided relationships to avoid pain?
(p 59)
If you missed this week's video session, you can go to Life Way and down load your very own copy! You will not be disappointed!
This week was a reminder to me to keep doing just that. PRESS ON. PRESS IN.
There is a song by Darlene Zschech that says "my heart leans in...". Can we do that? Can we just LEAN IN and Lean on the shoulder of Jesus for just a few moments??
Life is hard. It's been a hard week for many of us in many ways. But not as hard as Paul and Silas had when they visited the Philippians who beat them, dragging them through the marketplace and throwing them in to prison. Now THAT is a bad week.
You'd think they would get discouraged and give up, but NO. While in prison, God miraculously released them while they sang praise and worship songs to Him. They encouraged others, then went on their way and continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 16)
Like I said. Life is hard. I wanted to give up on some things last week and this week, too. Cause it is hard to keep up the good fight of faith sometimes. But here is a truth I am clinging to today:
HE is Worthy and HE is Worth IT!
One note I made myself in the margin on page 41:
"Reflect on those first four verses of 1 Thessalonians 2 again.
Ask yourself: Did we do the will of God as best we perceived it? Were we authentic before God and man?"
My response: Purity and blamelessness is not to equal to being perfect, but rather pursuing the One who IS.
On Day 3 this week, we looked at A Theology of Walking and how we are exhorted in the Scriptures to Walk Worthy of the calling we have to share the gospel to the least and the lost. It occurs to me that we can walk forward, eyes ahead, looking at the goal and prize of Jesus.... or we can walk toward Him while looking backward at the way life was, or what we miss or regret or wish we could do over... we will reach the same destination- eventually- but the walk is much harder and easier to get off course when we are looking backward and not ahead. Can I say it again???
HE is Worthy and HE is Worth IT!
So let's press in and press on together. Let's encourage one another and others and continue to do this gospel life that we are called to share. He is walking among the Churches. Oh, let Him find us faithful!
I desire JesusPrecious Lamb
Who ransomed me
And unto You an offering
Will my life forever be
You are worthy of all honour
All glory to Your Name
You alone deserve
Our highest praise
And forever You will reign
You are all glorious
My heart leans in
My soul must sing
You are all glorious
2012 Hillsong/Cornerstone Album
Review the Week:
PRINCIPLE QUESTIONS:
DAY 1- What happened to Paul and Silas after they were
dragged into the marketplace before the authorities
(Acts 16:22-24)? (p. 39)
DAY 3- What action verb describes how we journey with
God? (p 47)
DAY 4- Focus on 1 Thessalonians 2:14. How had the
Thessalonians become "imitators of God's churches
in Christ Jesus that are in Judea"? (p 51)
DAY 5- In Thessalonians 2:19-20, what words did Paul use to
describe the Thessalonians Christians? (p 58)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS:
DAY 1- What do you think He's searching out and testing our
hearts to find? (41)
DAY 2- Does 1 Thessalonians 2:8 stir up a story of your
own? (p 46)
DAY 3- How does Christ walking among the churches
encourage you? (p 49)
DAY 4- Share a time when you experienced some form of
persecution because of your
belief in Jesus. ( 51)
DAY 5- Have you ever avoided relationships to avoid pain?
(p 59)
If you missed this week's video session, you can go to Life Way and down load your very own copy! You will not be disappointed!
The Word. Worship. Payer.
These are my Roots.
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