Psalms 119:15 NIV — I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I encourage you to spend your day meditating on the Psalms.
Did you know that Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible? On @biblegateway you can select your version preference.
Did you know that Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible? I have provided the ASV – American Standard Version.
Take time to worship with “I’m So Blessed” by Cain.
Focus on the lyrics, “Cause on my best day, I’m a child of God. On my worst day, I’m a child of God. Oh, every day is a good day. And You’re the reason why.”
I have been blessed to see Cain perform at the 2024 Winter Jam Tour. The tour, formerly known as January Jam, was started by NewSong in 1995. Here is a picture of confetti they released into the audience. We were sitting about midways on the sidelines. It was amazing to see the confetti float as it made its way to us. It made me think about how our worship reaches the heavens and permeates through those around us.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV — And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Join us on YouTube for our See You Saturday Video as we talk about relationships. Make sure to like and Subscribe while you are there!
Fill in the blank. I am the friend who __________________?
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Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV —- Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
In May of 2019 I was honored to have one of my writings be published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The devotional was about friendship so today I share it with you again. The friends I share about in this devotional helped me in a time I needed it and shared their love in a Christ-like way.
Friends That Stand In The Middle
@proverbs31woman
Often we don’t feel comfortable with testifying and witnessing to strangers. However, by building relationships with others we can share Christ simultaneously. Those around us will see the way we respond and react to life. Through our words and actions others have the opportunity to see Christ.
Are you a deep-spirited friend? How do you “put yourself aside and help others get ahead?” How do you “forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand?” How are your relationships a reflection of Christ?
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the relationships I have and the opportunity to show Christ through my words and actions. Help me to be ever mindful of my responses and reactions so that I am a true reflection of You, Amen.
Philippians 2:5-8 NIV — In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!
One definition of relationship is the state of being connected. Spend some time thinking about your relationships and connections. Do you have the mindset of Christ in your relationships with others? How do you humble yourself within your relationships? In what ways do you use your connections to take the nature of a servant?
As you go throughout your day, look for opportunities to relate with others and share Christ. Listen for common situations, burdens, or valleys and use those as a way to share your experiences of Christ with others. Use servanthood to connect and reflect the nature of God.
Let’s pray. Dear Holy Father, thank You for sending Your only son to show us how to live. Show me opportunities to serve others and be a witness to Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Philippians 2:1-4 NIV — Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
This past Sunday was Easter. We have just walked through the death of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection which promises us everlasting life. In today’s featured scripture Paul tells early Christians that they should be “like-minded” and “one in spirit and of one mind.” How does that apply to you and I today and what does that look like? Paul goes on to explain that Christians should put others first. Does this not echo Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 22:39 NIV to “Love your neighbor as yourself?” As we walk through this week and move farther away from Easter Sunday, may we not forget the value Jesus placed on relationships. May we each give thanks for the opportunities we have to witness to others by serving Christ through our relationships.
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of relationships. Help me to be mindful today to put the interests of others above my own. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
