It's On My Mind

October 16, 2019 (Wednesday)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).

I am suggesting six steps for the new Christian to experience growth. These steps can also be good for seasoned Christians who desire a renewal of faith and a fresh start in living for Jesus. The six steps are: 1. Go to Church 2. Read the Bible 3. Pray 4. Talk about Jesus 5. Read Devotional Writings 6. Be aware of your daily life. (Each of these six steps will be the subjects of the blogs for the next six days).

October 15, 2019 (Tuesday)

When Jesus died on the cross, in our place, to save us from sin, his body was taken down and buried in a donated tomb.

Women who were followers of Jesus came to the tomb of Jesus to annoint his body, wondering how they could get past the stone which blocked the door. Not to worry, when they arrived, the stone had been rolled aside. Angels within announced his resurrection: “He is not here; he is risen!” The good news spread and soon most people knew about it.

That afternoon, two of Jesus disciples were walking toward Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem, discussing between themselves the events of the day. Suddenly Jesus was walking with them, but they did not know it was Jesus. They thought he was just a curious stranger, asking them to share what they had been discussing with each other.

They told him all they knew, that Jesus had been crucified and buried but his tomb was found empty this morning. Jesus then quoted Scripture after Scripture to them, showing how the Old Testament had predicted the coming of the Messiah, including his death and resurrection.

When they came to an inn, they invited Jesus to join them for a meal. When Jesus broke the bread, they recognized him and asked him to tell them more. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Some lessons for us from this experience.

There are times in our lives when Jesus is near and we do not recognize him. Jesus promised us reward if we recognize him in the guize of needy people. You may never have talked with Jesus on a highway somewhere, but have you talked with him as he appears as a homeless person, a sick person, or an imprisoned person?

We need divine guidance in the study of the Bible. We can find the Savior there if we open our hearts and minds and be willing to see for ourselves what the Bible says about the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed by what we know about the Lord and we want to share what we know with others.

What a wonderful experience can be ours when we fully recognize Jesus and become aware of his presence. We will want to do what they did: run to others and share the good news.

Soon all of Jesus’ disciples and others saw the resurrected Christ and shared the good news of John 3:16 (God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, and whoever believes in him shall not perish, but will have eternal life). That’s where you and I fit into this story. Jesus lives and saves those who believe in him.

Today’s president is
James Monroe – The 5th President

October 14, 2019 (Monday)

The “fruit of the Spirit,” as described in Galatians 5:22-23,  describes the character traits of our Lord and Savior. The list of the types of fruit becomes a word picture of Jesus: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.

Jesus is much more than any of these virtues, or even their sum total, but the words describe attributes possessed by Him. He is this kind of person.

LOVE, JOY, PEACE
Think about Jesus as He is revealed in the gospels. He came to earth on a mission to seek and to save the lost. Oh, what love! He said his joy was found in doing the will of His Father. Oh, what joy! He found peace by praying to His Father, “Not my will, but thine be done.” Oh, what peace!

PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS
Jesus called twelve disciples and spent three and a half years teaching them, although they found it difficult to understand Him. Oh, what patience! People who needed His help flocked to Him and He never refused their requests. Oh, what kindness! The religious teachers were outwardly righteous but distrusted Jesus because He was genuinely good. Oh, what goodness!

FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL
Jesus never wavered from His mission that finally took Him to the cross to die for us. Oh, what faithfulness! He never lifted a finger to harm anyone, but little children flocked to Him so He could take them up in His arms. Oh, what gentleness! He never lost sight of His mission and was always true to Himself; He never sinned. Oh, what self-control!

Oh, what a Savior!

October 13, 2019 (Sunday)

This “spiritual was formed in the West African Gullah/Geechee slave culture that developed in the costal areas of South-Eastern colonial America, including St Helena Island, Beaufort, and Charleston, South Carolina . . ..”

The text of the version that is commonly sung in the United States was first published in The Journal of American Folklore (1925). The Journal included spirituals, as well as African American folk tales and proverbs that were collected by students at the Penn School on Saint Helena Island, South Carolina.

This is a perfect song for the observance of the Lord’s Supper, literally performed by Methodists as they kneel at the altar to receive Communion. But it is also a good song to be sung at any worship service. The slaves singing this spiritual were not observing a church ordinance; they were hard at work, visualizing that rare occasion of public worship.

Let Us Break Bread Together

Let Us Break Bread Together

Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)

Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)

Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)

Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy if you please. (if you please)

October 12, 2019 (Saturday)

It was on a hillside that people gathered to hear Jesus and to see his miracles. On another hillside people gathered to see him crucified, giving his life so that we may have eternal life. On still another hillside people gathered to hear Jesus give them a commission to be his witnesses throughout the world; then they watched as he ascended to Heaven. We shall see Jesus, just as they saw Him. There is no greater promise than this. When He returns in power and glory, we shall see Jesus, we shall see Jesus, just as He is!

We Shall See Jesus
Dianne Wilkinson

Once on a hillside, people were gathered
Hoping to see Him, as thousands were fed
He touched the blind eyes, healed broken spirits
He moved with compassion, while He raised up the dead

Once on a hillside, people were gathered
Watching as Jesus was crucified
No one showed mercy, to the one who had healed them
Yet, Jesus loved them, as He suffered and died

Once on a hillside, people were gathered
For Jesus had risen and soon would ascend
Then, as He blessed them, He rose to the heavens
And gave them His promise to come back again

We shall see Jesus, just as they saw Him
There is no greater promise than this
When He returns in power and glory
We shall see Jesus, we shall see Jesus, just as He is!