Scripture and a Snapshot - How You Listen

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them."

Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you."
He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

~Luke 8:16-21~

"If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear."

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued, "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."  

~Mark 4:23-25~ 

Consider carefully how you listen, and what you hear. I noticed that wording this week, and that the familiar sayings about those who have will be given more and the same measure you use being measured to you follow the specific instruction to listen carefully. It seems to me that we like to use those adages to encourage generosity with our money, but when seen in context, I'm not sure that's the exact point Jesus was making. Perhaps he is telling us to be mindful of what the Bible says and the teaching we get from it and about it. And to be mindful as well about how well we obey the Word and what we teach others about it. Those who listen and learn and obey will be given more wisdom from the Scripture. The amount of effort and dedication we put into learning from the Word will be the measure with which we receive all the blessings of the Word.

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Like a River

But let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream!

~Amos 5:24~

The context of this verse is God's revelation that he is angry with Israel because they offer sacrifices and celebrate festivals in a show of religion, but their hearts are far from him. They sing praise songs but they don't mean any of the words. God is sick of it. Their empty rituals and religious practices are disgusting to him as long as they continue to live selfishly. God wants them - and us! - to practice justice and mercy, love for others, genuine devotion to him and heart-felt obedience to his law. Are we going through the motions of attending church and acting religious - standing up on the cliffs and taking selfies to prove to everyone that we have been to Niagara Falls? Or are we in awe of the beauty and power of the mighty river that carves the landscape and provides for the needs of so many - truly worshiping God and aligning our hearts and lives with his Word?

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The Little Women Devotional

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The Little Women Devotional by Rachel Dodge - Louisa May Alcott's classic Little Women has been charming readers for generations, and there are many life lessons to be found in its pages. Marmee's patient advice to the girls as they each mature and face their individual struggles and temptations touches on many areas of daily life. This devotional is designed to explore the themes found in the book, with each devotional chapter corresponding with a chapter from Little Women. The Little Women Devotional can be read as a companion to the novel, a chapter at a time, or readers that are very familiar with the novel may read the devotional as a stand-alone as it provides enough summary of the novel's action to remind you of the story.

There's delightful original artwork to bring the lessons to life. Each devotional chapter begins with a Scripture related to the theme and a brief quote from the book, and ends with a Personal Application and short suggested prayer. Scripture is sprinkled throughout. Each devotional chapter is only a couple of pages long, and would be about the right length to read aloud with children. Along with the four March girls, readers can learn lessons about patience, forgiveness, working hard, and dealing with disappointment and heartbreak.

The end of the devotional has an invitation to become part of the family of God, with some Scripture and a suggested prayer. The book closes with a collection of some of Marmee's little nuggets of advice and encouragement.

 It is my greatest happiness and pride to feel that my girls confide in me and know how much I love them. ~Mrs. March, Chapter 8

Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. ~Mrs. March, Chapter 11

I believe this little devotional helps to make reading time both useful and pleasant, by gleaning spiritual encouragement and life lessons from this beloved book.  

From the publisher:

Devotional inspiration from the Lives of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy

The Little Women Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the themes of faith, family, contentment, wisdom, and joy in the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, cherished by generations of readers.

Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God's guiding hand in your life as His cherished daughter. This beautiful chapter-by-chapter devotional includes original artwork throughout, and each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, and prayers perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.

By the same author: The Anne of Green Gables Devotional

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. 

©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Only A Day?

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.

Raise your voice like a trumpet.

Declare to my people their rebellion

and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.

For day after day they seek me out;

they seem eager to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that does what is right

and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions

and seem eager for God to come near them.

'Why have we fasted,' they say,

'and you have not seen it?

Why have we humbled ourselves,

and you have not noticed?'

"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please

and exploit all your workers.

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for people to humble themselves?

Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed

and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the LORD?

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

~Isaiah 58:1-12~

We tend to feast more than to fast, but it seems to me our attitude is often the same. We think we honor God by counting our blessings and thanking him as we kick off the holiday season with an extravagant feast. We go around the table and say what we're thankful for. We donate some extra money to a food bank. We pray for peace and more prosperity. And then we leave the dishes for someone else to do, while we rush to the stores or to our online shopping cart. 

Is it only for one day, one week, one season that we are thankful? 

I pray that my gratitude to my God overflows throughout the year, in generosity and service, in earnest work and prayers for justice and freedom, and in a willingness to trust and follow the Lord in everything.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Recent Reads - Rest, Girl

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Rest Girl: A Journey from Exhausted and Stressed to Entirely Blessed by Jami Amerine - Women of all ages find themselves overwhelmed by their to-do lists and struggle to find rest and peace. And yet the Bible promises us that rest and peace through Jesus. Why do we not feel rested? Author Jami Amerine knows that struggle well, and through sharing her personal experiences and insights from Scripture, she empathizes and encourages readers in this book. 

In Part One, she presents the dilemma we have and some wisdom about where we may be disconnected. We know we should have peace, we say we trust God; and yet we don't experience peace. Jami shows how that's often due to our subconscious mind not being in sync with our conscious desire to trust, and she offers encouragement and advice on how to retrain our minds to a more positive and faith-filled perception of the things that stress us out. A bit of practical how-to in "taking every thought captive" and being "transformed by the renewing of our minds" as Paul teaches (2 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 12:2).

Part Two offers many more personal stories and encouragement to choose love over fear, offer forgiveness, practice gratitude, and train ourselves to believe God's promises. Jami shares many stories from her own experiences and journey that are often humorous and relatable. The advice is sometimes challenging, but it's also practical and real, and may just be the thought-provoking challenge needed to point you in the right direction.

Each chapter begins with Scripture and ends with a "Rest Girl Reflection" that summarizes the main ideas of the chapter, inviting you to pose some probing questions to yourself as you consider. At the end of each chapter there is also a prompt and space to do a little journaling about the ideas shared. 

From the Publisher:

If you're overwhelmed and exhausted . . .

If you've ever thought that all you need to do is try harder . . .

If you've ever felt unappreciated or overlooked . . .

If you've found Jesus or you're still searching . . .

Your Heavenly Father Invites You to Rest, Girl.

***

Female readers of all ages will find a sassy, funny, authentic, and encouraging friend in master word weaver Jami Amerine, as she comes alongside you to share God's overwhelming grace and peace in an inside-out journey to true, life-sustaining rest. In a climate that is steeped in stress and worries, this book offers a priceless opportunity to walk in faith to experience the overwhelming blessing of a mind, spirit, and body at rest. Jami will lead you on a humorous, engaging and life-altering journey from restrictions and unrealistic expectations to the unconditional love of the Father.

By the same author: Well, Girl

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - They Devoted Themselves

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

~Acts 2:42-47~

***************

We love to look at that last verse and get excited about the Lord adding believers to the early church day by day. God was doing a mighty work among those first Christians! But maybe we should take a look at the beginning of the passage for some clues about why God was working in and through them, and why people were being saved and joining them.

They devoted themselves to the faith - to the teaching from the Word, to prayer, and to being in community with other believers. God made his presence known among them in a powerful way because they were seeking him with all their hearts. They wanted to grow spiritually, and they were committed to doing the things that would draw them closer to the Lord.

We are fooling ourselves if we think our faith will grow if we aren't spending time in his word and in prayer. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can grow in Christ when we don't bother to participate in the church. 

I suspect the early church faced many more hardships than most of us do, and they were often in real danger when they lived out their faith. But they sacrificed to provide for each other when there were needs, and they got together to worship and do life together every day. Many of us are just lazy, to be honest. Too lazy or too scared or too self-centered to show up to church even once or twice a week. Too lazy or too distracted to get into God's Word every day. Too lazy or too busy to help meet needs or meet for Bible study or meet for prayer. 

Lord, help us to do our part, to devote ourselves to the things that will promote our spiritual growth! Help us to watch expectantly for what you will do through us and among us when we get serious about living for you. And help us to always give you the praise and glory!

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©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

A Bible Study Journal for Women

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

A Bible Study Journal for Women - This is a beautiful journal for writing down your own insights, thoughts, and prayers as you study God's Word for yourself. In the introductory pages of the book, you'll find five brief chapters outlining methods of Bible study and practical helps for understanding and applying what you discover in the Bible. This mini-guide is adapted from How to Study the Bible by Robert M. West, and is enough to get you started if you're new to Bible study, and is a great reminder and refresher course even if you've been studying for years. The guidelines include thoughts about how essential God's Word is to believers, and overviews of different approaches to studying and understanding God's Word.

The vast majority of the pages are for you to fill in. Each page is lined and has a small border of flowers printed at the bottom, but the only prompts are a line for the date and a line for the Study Topic. A perfect setup for recording your own notes during personal study or notes from a sermon or group study for further study later. Note historical background, character studies, cross-references to other passages of Scripture, or personal application of the passage. 

From the publisher:

You want more from your time alone with scripture . . .

A Bible Study Journal for Women provides helpful instructions and ample space for you to jot down your reflections.

Based on the million-copy bestseller How to Study the Bible, this journal describes the types, tools, and techniques of exploring God's Word. And it allows you to share your thoughts and feelings along the way, creating a treasured record of your own walk with God.

A Bible Study Journal for Women is presented in a beautiful package featuring

- a flexible textured binding

- two-color interior printing

- stained page edges

-a ribbon marker

Here are everyday Bible helps for everyday spiritual growth.

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Daughters of Zion

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Daughters of Zion: Biblical Retellings by C.A. Gray - Like her book of Biblical retellings (Messiah), this is a collection of short stories based on Scripture along with reflections and historical background. This collection focuses on women mentioned in the Bible. Some are well-known heroines of faith like Sarah, Ruth, and Mary; and others are not named in Scripture and little is known about them - the 'woman with the issue of blood' and the Syro-Phoenician woman. A close reading of Scripture, research, and the author's imagination bring women like Rahab, Hannah, Esther, and Anna to more vivid life.

The short stories are arranged in chronological order, and each story is followed by the author's notes and reflections on what is known about the characters and the setting, and some Biblical truth that can be illustrated or learned from the story. Then the passage of Scripture is included as well.

The retellings are compelling and thought-provoking, as are the background notes and reflections. I especially appreciated the inclusion of the Scripture, which makes it easy to read the original account immediately, and see that the author has been faithful to the text. What she has added gives context and background, some historical and some imagined possibility, but is not contradictory to what is known from the Bible's account. The Afterword to each story gives valuable insight into the research and spiritual lessons that can be gleaned from these women of the Bible.

From the publisher: 

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Eve to be the first woman, created as an adult but with the mind of a child? What must it have been like for Deborah to be the only female judge in Israel's history? Ever considered how Esther felt about being chosen as queen in the ungodly kingdom of Persia - particularly when she'd have to share her husband with a harem? What must Mary and Martha have thought when their brother Lazarus had died, and it looked to them like Jesus was not coming?

This collection of retellings from the perspectives of women in scripture explores these stories and more, including a few stories from female perspectives that also appear in Messiah: Biblical Retellings. While all of these women lived in various patriarchal cultures, and some of the most prominent women were even Gentiles, scripture shows that God cherished them all. As the Apostle Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) - and this was true for believing women under the old covenant as well, whose faith was counted to them as righteousness.

These are tales of miracles and victory: from brokenness, bitterness and envy to shalom: peace and wholeness, with nothing missing and nothing broken. For some, this meant a transition from barrenness to motherhood; for others, from widowhood to love and belonging. Still others went from bereavement to receiving their dead restored to life again. They included judges and queens, and also prostitutes and despised foreigners. God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:25): what He does for one, He will do for all who believe in His promises.

By the same author: Messiah: Biblical Retellings

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

When God Says No

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When God Says "No": Facing Disappointment and Denial without Losing Heart, Losing Hope, or Losing Your Head by Elizabeth Laing Thompson -  There is a whole lot of wisdom and practical teaching packed into this little study book. Thompson chooses eleven examples from the Bible of times when God's answer to a prayer was "no" and unpacks the lessons to learn from each. God would not allow Moses to enter the promised land; God disciplined Adam and Eve, and Cain; he would not take away Paul's 'thorn in the flesh'; and he even said "no" when Jesus prayed for another way besides the cross. In these and the other examples, we can find emotions and reactions so similar to what we feel when we don't get the job, when we are bitterly disappointed, or when the news from the doctor isn't good.

Each chapter begins with an imaginative retelling of the Bible story referenced. Then in the rest of the chapter, Thompson provides further insight into the story and solid teaching about what we can learn and what we can apply in our lives. Will we acknowledge our limitations and be humble, like Naaman? Will we be persistent in prayer and petition, like Abraham? Will we accept a "no" we don't understand and allow God to work things out in his way, like David? Other Biblical stories and references are woven into the chapters, along with personal stories from the author's life. At the end of each chapter are suggestions for deeper Bible study, a prayer prompt from Scripture, and a couple of journal prompts. 

I was especially touched by the story and lesson from the life of David. After King David had been inspired to create detailed plans for the temple he wished to build for the Lord, God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David that he would not be the one the build the temple. The answer was a firm "no". Although the blow was probably softened by the assurance that God was pleased with the king, and that his son Solomon would carry out the work according to David's plan, it must still have been a bitter disappointment. Bittersweet, perhaps, to realize that a great work he'd dreamed about and planned for would not be his to do. And that he wouldn't be alive to see it. Seeing our hopes pass us by and having to turn over the reins to someone else can be very hard, even when it's someone we love. What a comforting look into the Scripture, and into God's heart, and see that he knows our mixed emotions and understands.

From the publisher:

No is not a four-letter word, but it certainly feels like one.

It's one thing to feel God's love when life goes your way, but what happens to your faith when life doesn't go as you had planned?

When prayers go unanswered and dreams unfulfilled?

When the sick stay sick and the dead do not rise?

When you're lost in the desert and the Promised Land seems like empty promise?

When God says, "No," how do you grapple with disappointment?

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson walks alongside readers as she tackles the difficulties that stymie our faith, stifle our prayers, and stunt our relationship with God. When God Says, "No" will help you to discover hope when life feels hopeless, good in what feels bad, and new dreams when old ones have died. This book is a fantastic reminder of Who is in charge - Who He is and how He works. How He loves us and why He limits us. The better we know Him the more we understand that He says "no" to a few things, so He might say "Yes" to many more.

By the same author: When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal; When God Says Go

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tell Me Thursday - Unexpected Blessing

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

One of the bloggers that regularly participates in Five Minute Friday started a new link-up on her blog this past week. I'm late this first week, but I'm intrigued by the Tell Me Thursday link-up so I'm going to try to join in. Each week My Life in Our Father's World will pose a question for us to think and write about. This week's question:

What did God do for you this week that you didn't ask for?

I love how God is always working, even when we don't realize it. Keeping us safe from dangers we don't even recognize, preparing us for what he knows is ahead, and orchestrating blessings that surprise us.

The surprise blessing that comes to mind for me actually happened on Thursday. I was messaging with a good friend the day before, mostly talking about my son's wedding which was on the previous weekend, when she surprised me with a suggestion. Would I be interested in going out to dinner with her and her mother and mother-in-law? Ladies Night Out. I'm often the only one home on Thursday evenings so this was a welcome chance to do something a little different. And an interesting bonus to the evening was that it was my friend's mother-in-law that suggested inviting me - how fun is that? 

We had a lovely dinner at a restaurant I'd never been to before. Lots of laughter and visiting. I was weary after all the excitement and busy-ness of the wedding, and although I hadn't expressed or even realized what I needed, I guess God knew what would encourage me and be a real treat. 

As I was writing this, I wondered what small things God prompts me to do that wind up being unexpected blessings to others. Lord, help me to be paying attention when you nudge me!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

~Ephesians 1:3~

This post is linked at the Tell Me Thursday Weekly Linkup hosted at My Life in Our Father's World.

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Recuperate

Praise the LORD, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

not will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

~Psalm 103:1-5, 8-12~

What love, patience, and grace! Not only does God forgive us and redeem us, but he heals us and gives us strength. Our sin is a disease and damages us in so many ways. Sin has damaged mankind and all of creation, and because we live in a fallen world, some of those effects won't be erased until we reach heaven. But God has had a plan to save us right from the beginning. He has been working to bring us back into right relationship with him and with each other. He saves us and gives us the Holy Spirit, and so we can recover from the sickness and weariness of sin, we can regain our health and strength, we can recover from our losses, and we can be restored to God.

recuperate - verb (used without object)  -  to recover from sickness or exhaustion; regain health or strength; to recover from financial loss.

verb (used with object) - to restore to health, vigor, etc.

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles; and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

This post is also part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the challenge here: Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge - Disappointed

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Awestruck

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

~I Peter 1:3-9~

We have the promise of heaven to give us hope and help us persevere when we face trials and tough times. The little glimpses of heaven that we see reassure us. Though we don't yet know what our Savior looks like, the glimpses of his love and glory are beautiful beyond description. Though we're still looking forward to our home in heaven and seeing Jesus face to face, we are awestruck by his love for us.

Let's always be awestruck by what God has done for us, and by his love for us. 

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles; and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the challenge here: Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge - Disappointed

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Write 28 Days - Argument

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How quick we are to defend ourselves, to argue our side when we're accused. My first reaction is to tell my side of the story, to argue that what I said or did was reasonable or right. Even if I was in the wrong, I want to argue that I hadn't intended harm.

Maybe I have a good case, maybe not. Maybe I have a right to defend myself and make a fair argument. However, as I thought about this prompt for Write 28 Days, the words to an old hymn came to mind:

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device nor creed;

I trust the Ever-living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that he died for me.

This first verse and the refrain reminds me that I have no argument for my salvation, at least none I can make for myself. None. Zero. I have no defense. The only possible argument I can make is that Jesus died for me. Praise God - that is the only argument I need. 

*****

This poem was composed by Elizabeth Edmunds Hewitt, who used the pen name Lidie H. Edmunds. She was a public school teacher who was forced to retire from teaching after a student struck her with a slate and suffered a spinal injury. Although an invalid after this incident, she continued to teach children in Sunday School and was a superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children. The tune was a Norwegian folk melody. (from Hymns With a Message)

 This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge hosted by Anita Ojeda. Find all my posts for the challenge here: Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge - Disappointed

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.