Saturday, April 7, 2012

Proverbs 11:27

"If you search for good, you will find favor;
but if you search for evil, it will find you!"


Do you look for the good, particularly in people? If you do, you will find favor. If you focus on the negative all the time—watch out! The negative will find you. Yes, sometimes you have to search for the good; it's not always apparent. But the search is worth the favor you will experience.

Friday, April 6, 2012

John 19:26–28

"When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, 'Dear woman, here is your son.' And he said to this disciple, 'Here is your mother.' And from then on this disciple took her into his home. Jesus knew that his mission was now finished."


See the tenderness of Jesus: One of his last actions on earth was to provide for his mother. Once he did that, he knew that everything was finished. For what pain do you need the tender touch of Jesus? Go to him for healing, knowing that he is as eager to meet your deepest need as he was to care for his earthly mother's needs.



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Have a Great Day!
Carol
 
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

Jesus' Last Words on the Cross (Max Lucado)

Jesus' Last Words on the Cross

The hill is quiet now. Not still but quiet. For the first time all day there is no noise. The clamor began to subside when the darkness—that puzzling midday darkness—fell. Like water douses a fire, the shadows doused the ridicule. No more taunts. No more jokes. No more jesting. And, in time, no more mockers. One by one the onlookers turned and began the descent.

That is, all the onlookers except you and me. We did not leave. We came to learn. And so we lingered in the semidarkness and listened. We listened to the soldiers cursing, the passersby questioning, and the women weeping. But most of all, we listened to the trio of dying men groaning. Hoarse, guttural, thirsty groans. They groaned with each rolling of the head and each pivot of the legs.

But as the minutes became hours, these groans diminished. The three seemed dead. Were it not for the belabored breathing, you would have thought they were.

Then he screamed. As if someone had yanked his hair, the back of his head slammed against the sign that bore his name, and he screamed. Like a dagger cuts the curtain, his scream cut the dark. Standing as straight as the nails would permit, he cried as one calling for a lost friend, "Eloi!"

His voice was raspy, scratchy. Reflections of the torch flame danced in his wide eyes. "My God!"

Ignoring the volcano of erupting pain, he pushed upward until his shoulders were higher than his nailed hands. "Why have you forsaken me?"

The soldiers stared. The weeping of the women ceased. One of the Pharisees sneered sarcastically, "He's calling Elijah."

No one laughed.

He'd shouted a question to the heavens, and you half expected heaven to shout one in return.

And apparently it did. For the face of Jesus softened, and an afternoon dawn broke as he spoke a final time. "It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
As he gave his final breath, the earth gave a sudden stir. A rock rolled, and a soldier stumbled. Then, as suddenly as the silence was broken, the silence returned.

He Chose the NailsAnd now all is quiet. The mocking has ceased. There is no one to mock.

The soldiers are busy with the business of cleaning up the dead. Two men have come. Dressed well and meaning well, they are given the body of Jesus.



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Have a Great Day!
Carol
 
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

Proverbs 26:17

"Interfering in someone else's argument
is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears."


Do you ever find yourself needlessly entering someone else's argument? That's as foolish as yanking on a dog's ears; you know you will get bitten. Entering an argument or conflict brings sure results—you'll get "bitten" by the arguers, who will turn on you. And you will have brought it on yourself needlessly. How much trouble do you bring on yourself needlessly? It's worth pondering

Monday, April 2, 2012

John 16:23–24

"'At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.'"


We Christians enjoy direct access to the Father now, through Jesus. We can ask for anything, and we will receive it and have abundant joy. What an amazing way to live! Are you living it? Do you feel connected enough to God to know what you can confidently ask for? What kinds of things are you asking for, and why? If you can honestly say the things you're asking for are in God's will, then confidently expect to receive them. If you cannot, ask God to change your heart so your motives are pure.