“Satan’s greatest victory is to convince us that the battle was only in the past; that we no longer need to be on our guard. It’s okay to relax and be comfortable.” Dwight Koopmans
Our vacation went as planned...needle work while my husband drove, and then visiting with friends, sightseeing, and shopping at each destination. After two weeks I was relaxed. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The rebellion of your moods against your real self is going to come anyway. That is why Faith is such a necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods ‘where they get off,’ you can never be a sound Christian…consequently, one must train the habit of Faith.” If my mood of relaxation so easily diminishing my habit of making oatmeal, how much more vulnerable am I to temptation if I don’t continue to strengthen my faith daily, even while on vacation? Have you bought into the lie that the battle for your heart is in the past, so you can relax and be comfortable? Do you take a vacation from God (quiet time, prayer time, etc.)? What can you do today that will reinforce your ‘habit of faith’? Lord, I know it was no accident that I came across those sermon notes; help me to double-down on my disciplines that keep my faith strong, at home and away. Amen “And He said to His disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come...’, The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” Luke 17:1, 5 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, lay theologian, lecturer and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (1925-63). Although most all of his published works are still in print, he is best known for The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Miracles, The Four Loves, and The Problem of Pain.
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“…as we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked, one by one the enemy has whispered lies and led them off as slaves…” Lauren Daigle & Michael Farren, from Come Alive (Dry Bones)Later I was speaking with friends and confessed that although I pray for my mother, I don’t often remember her when I’m in church worshiping. The very moment when I’m closest to God I don’t remember to ask for one of the most important things in my prayer life. It may not be so bad that I’m focusing on God, but when I sing words from songs like this and don’t pay attention to the words, don’t give my mother a thought, don’t ask God to soften her heart toward Jesus, am I mis-using this intimate moment with God? Or, it might better be asked, am I not taking advantage of the passion in my worship to lay my earnest request at the alter?
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Lauren Ashley Daigle (1991- ), an American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, signed to the Centricity Music label; Come Alive (Dry Bones) was on her debut album How Can It Be, released April 2015 and went on to achieve Platinum Record status. Daigle was named New Artist of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards. “The most valuable gift you can give another is a good example.” Unknown Author“Don’t bother to talk to her about God, it just makes her shut down and push God farther away.”
They moved in and I enjoyed the company. Baby Delilah's cry was so quiet I could barely hear her. I’d never been around a newborn before. Delilah's mother was very protective; after all we were virtually strangers. For weeks she saw me read my bible at night and have a quiet time in the morning, but I never spoke to her about God. Eventually she let me hold Delilah and even feed her.
St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all time and when necessary use words.” Is there someone who might be watching how you live your life? Does your life reflect the faith you profess? What will you ask God for today to ensure you are living a life that reflects the good news of God’s grace and mercy to you? Lord, thank You for teaching me the lesson of how important a living witness can be; and, that there is always someone watching. Amen “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Saint Francis of Assisi, a.k.a. Giovanni de Pietro de Bernardone (1181-1226), an Italian Catholic friar, deacon and preacher know for founding the Third Order of Saint Francis (among other church Orders); he is one of the most venerated figures in church history, also widely remembered as the patron saint of the natural environment and of animals. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Unknown Author
The man watching me asked, "Are you a Christian?" I told him I was. "Why do you think that guy is standing on street corner like that? Nobody's paying attention to him." "We did," I replied trying not to offend him. No response, so I continued, "Maybe that approach was what changed his life and he's trying to reach someone else using the same method." "But everyone's laughing at him," he said. "You didn't laugh," I pointed out. This same man was in my study group in the training class and we did homework as a group in the hotel atrium after dinner. At the end of the week he asked me, "So why haven't you been pressing me to become a Christian? Isn't that what Christians do? My sister is always on my case to come to church with her." "I've always believed that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care," I said, "I've only known you five days." He then asked, "Well, how about now? Do you care about me?" he asked. "I do," I said. He continued,"But tomorrow you'll be back in California and I'll be back in Michigan, what then?" I then asked him, "Would you like to hear about when I came to know Jesus?" He did and we talked all through dinner our last night in Atlanta. We corresponded for the next year or so through emails on work-related topics but also included short personal notes as well. During that time I was able to water those seeds planted in Atlanta, first those by the Sandwich Man and then others planted when I shared my testimony. Before we lost touch he was able to speak to his sister's husband about Christ. I hope one day I'll see him in heaven. Do you ever wonder how to know when to open the subject and share about Jesus? Are you cautious not to push people farther away from Christ by offending them with too much, too soon? How will you approach the next opportunity to talk about Jesus?
Lord, thank you for keeping me from judging Sandwich Man just to feel a part of the crowd, because it later gave me an opening to share Your good news. Amen "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." John 7:24 What are your thoughts? Libby “All music jars when the soul’s out of tune.” Miguel de CervantesI don’t remember what upset me. Had someone said something to me, or had I said something to someone else and was under conviction to apologize? Maybe someone (even me) had not measured up to my expectations. Was I running late for an appointment, or was it merely the evening’s traffic?
In those days it wasn’t second nature to turn my thought to God for comfort. Even today, I’m sorry to say, it’s still too often a last resort. Yet, it always works. It always calms, putting my problems into perspective. As my sister used to say, “In light of all eternity, how important it is?” Do you get distracted when your problems are weighing you down? Can music sometimes be annoying? What can you do to calm the problems you are facing today? Lord, when I strive to find some earthly means to quiet my mind, remind me again that You are the true source of peace and serenity. Amen “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Or, as the New American Standard version translates Psalm 46:10, “Cease striving and know that I am God.”
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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