Solo Day 117
Pain and sorrow. How do we deal with death as it comes to everyone.It has been almost 5 years since Dixie died and I had to learn to cope with everyday issues. What I learned was that God was by my side thruout my healing process. The choir will be singing an anthem, Lean On Me this Sunday and I learned and am still learning to lean on him for strength; to turn my sadness into laughter and to try to be an encourager to someone else who is going through the pain of the death of a loved one. Yes, I do learn more about a person’s character at their funeral than if I were at a party. We see them one way and the family and friends who speak at their services, give us a real insight into their personal lives and testimony. Peggy
Solo Day 113
Do we truly believe? (I mean, those who are professing Christians). It was great to see +/- 200 people at the Sunrise Service at the Methodist Church but… look at their faces. I mean, what makes us any different from the rest of the world if we just trudge along doing what we need to do ? Know what ? A mirror just appeared in front of me ! Here it is: sometimes I’m almost giddy with the Holy Spirit and I’m sure that it is apparent in my words and actions but then, what is in front of me,(the world), slows me down. I know that “I” am the one who chooses to let it happen. So, if we truly believe that Jesus has overcome the world then His Word should be “in front of us” and striving to pray unceasingly will help us to keep It there. The closer we get to Him, the closer God will be in and to us. Thank you Holy Spirit we have you to help us! Mike
Solo Day 110
In verse 11 in today’s reading,it stands out to me. I read about all the people who are wealthy in the United States, and hear very little about their relationship with Christ. And then, I think of the poor around us and they give all of their heart and love to the people they love and their gift to God in whatever amount they can afford. Many years ago, I met a woman and her family and they lived in a very old run down home and she met me at the door with love and graciousness and soon I forgot about her meager belongings. Through the years of knowing her, she had the gift of good character. Can someone same that about us after we die. Peggy
Solo Day 106
The world wants nothing to do with humility! Wonder why? Because it goes against every stinking fiber of the “Prince of the power of the air”, (Eph. 2). BUT, humility, and the practice of it, removes the “me” that is in us and avails us to all that the Scriptures has to offer. Here’s the bottom line. What is available to us doesn’t make “IT” happen… the love of Jesus Christ and the willingness to be obedient to His Word makes “IT” happen. Humility has everything to do with “IT” . Lets seek to be humble in Christ and watch what God will do! Mike
Solo Day 103
Wisdom: Do we seek wisdom from God on a daily basis. I know that there are many days I fall short. In verse 9 in the New International Version, says but goodwill is found among the upright. A definition of goodwill is an attitude of kindness or friendliness. There are times, I don’t exhibit goodwill toward others and find this especially when someone may say something to me unkind and I find my blood pressure rising and my gentleness left behind.This happened to me several days ago when I was in a group. I am ashamed to say, that my attitude did not glow with kindess.This verse convicted me on seeking God’s wisdom instead of my own. Peggy
Solo Day 99
It is interesting that right now, in the life of our Church, we are pursuing the value of “The Green Stuff “. Yet, in the Bible Proverbs 2 talks about something far more valuable than money… wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, (Psalm 111:10). How important is that? The pursuit and acquirement of wisdom is key in our lives if we seek to use it to further intensify our relationship with Jesus Christ and to be obedient to His Word. If we seek to do this every day, in unity with the Holy Spirit, all else will follow. Tall order, huh? Nah! It’s and on going process, but the peace that comes from this journey will motivate us on! Mike
Solo Day 96
Bless His Holy Name. We hear that all the time through scripture verses and in hymns. We find that the words of a particular hymn we tend to mouth in repetition, instead of hearing what the song writer wants us to feel in expressing our love for Our Lord. Our prayer at times seems just to hear us praying , instead of offering up our most deepest thoughts and love to God. We are often off key with our petitions. Never in perfect harmony with our Lord and Saviour. The next time you sing a praise chorus or a hymn, think about the message. We just might all be in tune. Peggy
Solo Day 95
Today as I read Psalm 139 I couldn’t help but to ponder the thought that for some the idea that God is always with us and even knows are thoughts before we put them to speech is an unsettling idea. Why is that?
The simple answer, SIN. Are sinful nature causes us to want to hide some parts of our life from others and from God. Look at the very first thing that happens in the garden after Adam and Eve sinned they hid from God. Most people want to put on a fascade that says we have it all together and at some level we get so good at this that we can even trick ourselves into believing it. But, the truth is we don’t have it all together and we can’t fool God. Are desire to do so is really quite silly if you think about it. It makes me think of my children who are still young enough that they haven’t become proficient at hiding things from us yet but their sinful nature doesn’t keep them from trying. It is almost comical to watch them try to make up a story or hide the truth even though we know what really happened. How silly we must look to God at times. Thankfully he is our loving Father and only wants the best for us the same way I do for my children but only more so. We need to stop hiding and start basking in the wonderful reality that we are always in the presence of a loving God. Paul
Solo Day92
Does God talk to you? How about speaking to your heart? Do we know it is God and do we listen? Scripture helps us to know God’s heart. When we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and seek to be like Him through the study and obedience of Scripture, then God’s heart becomes our heart and we become familiar with who is “speaking” to us. His word tells us that the closer we come to Him, the closer He will come to us… that is His promise and we know that He doesn’t break a promise! Read His word every day- seek to live it as our lives and watch what will happen. Better yet, write it down because some of it will be hard for us to imagine! Mike
Solo Day 89
As I read today’s passage in Psalms 103, verse 8 keeps reminding me that The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love. And here as I read again and again this beautiful chapter, I think of the times that I need to be more like God. Slow to anger, instead of showing my sudden burst of anger toward a particular situation that we find ourselves in on a daily basis. What a difference we could make in our witness. Always abounding in love. God forgives. Why can’t we?
Peggy