January 23rd, 2024
Tuesday, January 23rd
Generosity God’s Way
By: Shirley Davis
If you really want to be challenged to follow Jesus, I suggest you read this passage in the Amplified Bible!! Sadly, there is not space to include it here, but it will give you enough food for thought for this entire week! If we’re honest, we all might briefly entertain this fleeting thought: “WHAT??? Really, Jesus, are you kidding??”
But if we spend time studying and praying about it, it becomes clear that if we would truly put this into practice, we would indeed “Shine like stars in the dark world” Philippians 2:15 (ICB). I have found that at times when there is someone who could be considered an “enemy” or at least someone “challenging”, if I will at least stop and pray sincerely for them and try to be nice (rather than start to grumble), the situation lightens.
Many years ago, I was confronted by such a person who was very angry with me for no reason, and so caused me a lot of trouble by falsely reporting me to not only my boss, but the state officials! I did study this very bible passage and prayed for some time. Then I suddenly had the thought: “most people react and give back as good as they get, so what if this person has never encountered a loving, forgiving Christ follower?”
I was determined to make a special effort, prayed, and even found a way to bless that person. I actually got the idea to bake them a chocolate cake, and so got a friend to drive me to the person’s home and deliver it with a friendly note. (I later learned that he was convinced I must have put poison or something in it, so threw it out!) But inexplicably, the whole situation defused overnight! To me this was a very clear and encouraging proof of the truth of God’s Word – and I actually had peace about the whole situation from the very moment I made the decision to make him the cake! I encourage you not to be overwhelmed by this challenging passage, but instead be determined to recognize it as an opportunity to pray and seek God’s guidance as to how to shine the love of Jesus!
Generosity God’s Way
By: Shirley Davis
If you really want to be challenged to follow Jesus, I suggest you read this passage in the Amplified Bible!! Sadly, there is not space to include it here, but it will give you enough food for thought for this entire week! If we’re honest, we all might briefly entertain this fleeting thought: “WHAT??? Really, Jesus, are you kidding??”
But if we spend time studying and praying about it, it becomes clear that if we would truly put this into practice, we would indeed “Shine like stars in the dark world” Philippians 2:15 (ICB). I have found that at times when there is someone who could be considered an “enemy” or at least someone “challenging”, if I will at least stop and pray sincerely for them and try to be nice (rather than start to grumble), the situation lightens.
Many years ago, I was confronted by such a person who was very angry with me for no reason, and so caused me a lot of trouble by falsely reporting me to not only my boss, but the state officials! I did study this very bible passage and prayed for some time. Then I suddenly had the thought: “most people react and give back as good as they get, so what if this person has never encountered a loving, forgiving Christ follower?”
I was determined to make a special effort, prayed, and even found a way to bless that person. I actually got the idea to bake them a chocolate cake, and so got a friend to drive me to the person’s home and deliver it with a friendly note. (I later learned that he was convinced I must have put poison or something in it, so threw it out!) But inexplicably, the whole situation defused overnight! To me this was a very clear and encouraging proof of the truth of God’s Word – and I actually had peace about the whole situation from the very moment I made the decision to make him the cake! I encourage you not to be overwhelmed by this challenging passage, but instead be determined to recognize it as an opportunity to pray and seek God’s guidance as to how to shine the love of Jesus!
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2024
January
New Year, Fresh StartA Good Plan for the New YearCall on MeHope Has a NameHolidays in Rear ViewHolinessHow to Have our Mind TransformedNew Year, New YouA Pattern of RenewalVictory in JesusFear Knot? Fear Not.Seek the LORDBetterWhere to Place your TrustRadical GraceGenerosity God's WayThe Poor and NeedyThe Open Hand ConceptA Need that Burdens your HeartHow's Your Heart?Who Are You?Testing in the Wilderness
February
CallingDon't HideWhere You AreJust the Two of UsInvesting in the Kingdom of GodThe Golden RuleAgainst the GrainUnexplainable JoyThe Power of God's WordFollow MeThe God of the ImpossibleOut on a LimbWe All Face ItTrue JusticeGatherGood SoilDon't Put God in a BoxBe BraveCulture CheckFeed His Sheep. Love His People.Jesus Revealed
March
Jesus in His GloryNot QuantityHow Much God Loves ChildrenWhere Two or Three are GatheredLike Little ChildrenFocusAmazing GraceBeing Confronted By JesusKingdom FruitWedding AttireCome with a Hungry HeartLive and Lead Like HimTough LoveBe on your GuardKeep WatchTalentsSlow DownBeing Led by the SpiritKingdom WatchThey Are Us. We Are Them.Jesus Gave His All For UsHe is Risen, Indeed
April
The Most Important Question Ever AskedExchanging Death for a Better LifeThe Space BetweenHe's got the KeysI want to know HimJoy of the LordNeverthelessFullness of JoyFavorites"Try it, you'll like it."He Created MeHe Chose to Die for MeGod's Love for UsAn Eternal LoveNothing will SeparateThe Salt ShakerThe Word Brings HopeMeditate on God's WordA Well Lit PathEverything Wears OutEnjoy itModeration found in Contentment
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