Category: 90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Seventy-Five

A. Knight

Luke 22:7-13

In these verses we find something similar to what we found on day 73. Jesus told them what to look for—and what to do with the findings. Clear instructions. AGAIN. Over and over He does the same with us.

Okay, let’s get on with today. If there was a lesson written for me, I suppose today would be it. With the very first question Beth poses, she hits me in the head. “What task has Christ called you to lately, even though you’re not crazy about doing it?” My answer? Speaking to a group. Why? Nerves.

Well, before you say it I will for you! “If Christ can calm a hurricane slamed sea, can He not calm the nerves on one 46 1/2 year old girl from Florida?” Answer, Yes He can!

AND as I faithfully follow His directive—obedient heart beating in my chest—He calms the sea of my mind. And my faith explodes!

Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives! He had one planned from the beginning! The circumstances that happen in our day-to-day is preparation for what He has planned. Peter and John were chosen to perform certain tasks—for a reason. God had a plan. He knew in advance the pen and ink would flow from their hands onto the parchment…He knew they would share the LIFE of the Redeeming Lamb!

I like what Beth said in the 4th paragraph, “While every part of the meal was highly symbolic, it had no meaning at all without the lamb. The most important preparation Peter and John made was the procuring and preparing of the Passover lamb…..They may not have grasped the significance of it at the time, but eventually they “got it.”

Do you “get it?” Do you know that the day-to-day is part of His divine plan for you and me? The problems and trials we face today—are working in us a greater —stronger faith for days to come? His word says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV (emphasis mine)

I love how He speaks to our hearts! Beth shared at the end, “Christ’s ultimate goal in any work He assigns to us is to reveal Himself, either through us or to us…..Beloved, the tasks God gives you are never trivial.” AMEN!

As we close today, I want you to get into a posture of worship. Michael W. Smith has a song that has such an anointing all over it! Every time I hear it or sing it–I feel the power in those words!
Agnus Dei—Latin for “Lamb of God”….hear it and worship Him. The LAMB OF GOD!

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

Lamb picture obtained from hedweb.com

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Seventy-Four

A. Knight

Read Luke 22:1-6
Daily we fight spiritual warfare. Some we actually see and feel the heat of the battle, and others we may never know what happened. The Lord wants us to be covered in His armour every day to be able to stand “against the wiles of the devil.” According to Ephesians 6:10-17, He tells us to “Put on the whole armor of God…” We can be “strong in the Lord,” and we have life in Christ that the devil does not understand and Christ wants us to live in that liberty. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:14 – “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things…” Now I can actually say it because I found it in His word! He wants us to grow up! Have you ever felt like telling someone that? Their comes a time, as the old saying goes, “to part the whiskers and get rid of the bottle.” (Yikes! I don’t know that this was on the docket, but I already typed it now, so I was thinking it, might as well- just share, huh?)

I’m supposed to be talking about Judas, well I’ll get to him in a minute- this is good stuff! (*Think I need to give my husband some notes for a sermon or something- just kidding!) Well, the facts are, Judas apparently hadn’t had armour on in a long time, if He ever did have any on. He gave the devil an open door. And guess what? Satan took him up on the invite. I do not believe the devil can possess a Christian, because he won’t go through the blood, or he would be a saved devil, however Judas was not following Christ. Somewhere in there, Judas, turned against Christ and listened to the lies of satan. But “what satan meant for evil, God meant it for good” and turned it around and got the glory. The death, and resurrection of His Son meant- eternal life given for all who would receive Him! (Praise-the-Lord!)

Ever feel like the devil set a trap and there’s no way around it? God will make a way and He’ll pave it in gold if He has to! There is coming a day the devil will get his ultimate defeat, but until then we must “fight the good fight of faith!” I read the end again and again, the score has not changed- we still win– in the end and the devil is defeated in Jesus’ name! Not to say we won’t have to sweat a little, but we must remember “the battle is not ours, it is the Lords”, and He gives us the victory!! He fights our giants- whatever they may be. Just like Beth said, we do need to wise-up to the “devil’s schemes” and realize like the old song says: “My God specializes in things thought impossible and He can do what no other pow’r can do.”

Thank you Lord for being our place of refuge and shelter from the storms of life. Thank you for the hope you give us to keep holding on. Thank you for sending your only begotten son to die for our sins and allowing him to rise again so we can have this hope today of eternal life. We honor and praise your holy name. Touch all the sweet sisters reading with us in this study. Help them. Hold them. Strengthen them in their battles. Especially touch Regina today. She needs your strong arms upholding her, be with her and grant her your wisdom. I pray you will be her anchor in the storm she is facing. Thank you for all our new sisters and I ask you to bless them all bountifully. May you be with Angie today as she speaks what you’ve laid on her heart at the Ladies Tea tonight. Speak through her as she follows your leading and minister to them all. In Christ Jesus’ name–Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

By the way, we are going to have a give-away at the end of our Bible Study. I was going to let it just be a surprise, but Angie couldn’t wait and she “let the cat out of the bag!” (Now Angie, just don’t tell them what it is!)
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Seventy-Three

A. Knight

Beginning of the End…

Read Luke 19:28-48

I feel compelled to share Beth’s questions:

1) Try to describe the emotions that flood your soul–after having spent these first seventy days getting to know our One and Only–now seeing Him marked for a torturous death?
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2) What could you do to keep the reality of His suffering and the high cost of your atonement from ever becoming old hat and unmoving to you?
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Many years ago, probably more than 15 years, I read the book “The Messiah” by Marjorie Holmes. A powerful read. I stayed in anguish—pretty much the whole time. I had just read the previous books in the trilogy by the same author, so I was completely caught up in the whirlwind ministry of Jesus. The days before the Crucifixion, I kept this sick feeling. I knew what was coming. I had no power to change things. I remember how I cried when I read the account of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ —all—for—me. And YOU.

Let’s back up a bit though. Go back to verses 29-34. Did you notice what I noticed? Jesus gave them instructions and then told them “what” they would encounter and how to deal with it. “Go into that village over there,” he told them, “and as you enter it, you will see a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, `The Lord needs it.’ ” Luke 19:30-31 NLT

You know…He does that for us. He leads us in the way of “trusting Him.”

What strikes me as so sad in this passage, the very people that were shouting Hosannas to the King, were among the very ones days later, shouting “Crucify Him!” Along with that you have the religious leaders who were constantly laying verbal traps in the form of seemingly innocent questions! When that didn’t work, they began to seek a way to kill Him, but they could not…for the people hung on His very word. His Word. He was the Word. Before all of time. He is the Word and remains steadfast and strong today!

As I re-read the passages so familiar, and even those we have covered just days ago, my gut is already clenching. For I know what’s coming. It is painful even today. It was for my sins He laid down His life. I don’t want to jump ahead in the study, but I can’t seem to help myself here.

His love is so far reaching–beyond the beloved disciples that followed His every footstep, it is far reaching to the present day…even to you and me.

Sisters, do you feel you are knowing Him more? Do you find yourself talking with Him more? On a continual basis? I do. I find that I am considering what He feels about my every action. My words. I find myself almost in a constant state of prayer when I am alone…mercy and grace is ours.

Father in heaven, I cannot begin to fathom what YOU must have endured. Watching the very scenes that we are now studying unfold. I can only know from my own experience when my own children have suffered, sometimes by the actions of another. Your heart must have ached so much more. I am so thankful for the mercy and grace You have so lovingly given. Freely. Free to us—for Your Son Jesus paid the price for our sin. Thank You Lord. For life. Everlasting. Embed Your Holy Word into our very hearts and lives as never before! May we be forever changed through these next days of study. May Your heart be revealed to our hearts. In the most precious name of Jesus~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,
Angie
Photo from Art.com (City on a Mountain – Israel, Jerusalem, Valley of Kidron, Garden of Gethsemane)
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Seventy-Two

A. Knight

Read Luke 17:20-36

I say a hardy “Amen!” to today’s devotion. He is coming soon! Angie hit the nail on the head yesterday, and those songs Angie chose, gave me such a stronger longing to go. Heaven is real.

The beginning of today’s scripture talks about a pushy little Pharisee that was demanding an answer from Jesus. Christ made it clear, we won’t know the exact time, for He said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation…” His word also tells us in Matt. 25:13, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day not the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” First Thessalonians 5:2 reads: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”

We are seeing a Noah age or Lot day of wickedness, I agree with Beth. People are seemingly more concerned about what they can get out of life and the pleasures that can fulfill them. I keep thinking about, “where’s the servant’s heart in all of this?” This weekend the Lord led my husband to preach about end times, also. He was preaching from Daniel. He talked about the stage being set for the rapture of the church and then the anti-Christ to come on the scene. I’m so glad I’m not looking for the anti-Christ.

I want to go in the first load! And I want my family to make it to Heaven, too. I’m sure you have lost loved ones, as well. We must keep praying for them. You may be the only one praying for them. God hears every prayer. He listens. He answers in His timing.

I often think about vs. 32: “Remember Lot’s wife.” As wicked as a place as Sodom was somewhere in her heart she had a longing to go back. She looked back and became a “pillar of salt.” How did Lot’s family feel knowing that had happened to her? As Lot was ahead of her walking, the daughters may have been behind her and had to walk past her and leave her. What a sad thought! She died as a memorial to all who look back to sin. Vs. 33-36 talk about when the rapture takes place, the regular day-to-day activities will be taking place, but some will be taken from their places in society. What a day that will be! Where do you think you will be? I may be at work and I’ll go up with all the pediatric patients, or I might be standing at a graveside with my husband doing a funeral and the coffin pops open with a saint of God rising first for us all to see and then we can join them in sky! According to 1 Thess. 4:16 & 17. It will happen, we must be ready! I pray the Lord will give us all a stronger burden for the lost sheep.

Join in Beth’s prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I assure You– as Paul instructed us– that I am “encouraged” by the fact that You Yourself will one day descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise. Then those who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet You in the air; and so we will always be with You– all of us(1 Thess. 4:16-18). Lord, even though we haven’t yet seen that great day, we know we are already safe within Your covenant love. Even so–come, Lord Jesus.”

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Seventy-One

A. Knight

Luke 21:5-28

I cannot begin to tell you how I feel about this devotion for today. On Sunday at our church, both services dealt with this very subject! How God like is that!! I can’t hardly sit here without crying! The message of this song goes with the devotion for us today! Take a moment and click here and listen…

Let me ask you a question….”If you knew the exact day and time Christ would come for His spotless Bride, how would you spend the remaining days?”

We don’t know. He gave us all the information we need to live our lives…in faith and trust. Faith and Trust. Each day, expecting that day, the very one we are breathing in at this moment, to be THE moment.

The headlines of the papers have shown us that we are indeed “in line” with the end time events. Yet we don’t know the exact day.

I remember many years ago, back in the early 80’s a book was written by somebody that thought he had pinpointed the year! Almost to the very season! Can you imagine the boldness? Well, I thought it was pretty bold, especially when the word clearly says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:40. Well, that’s pretty clear, don’t you think?

I spend a lot of time looking at the clouds and the sky every time I am outside. I speculate a great deal on what heaven must be like. I like to imagine that the Lord God is looking down at me as I am looking up for Him. There will be a day when the clouds will roll back and Christ will appear and we will be caught up to join Him in the heavens!

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV

I cannot tell you how much my heart longs for that day! But until that day arrives, sisters, we must work as hard as we can, living our lives daily to please the Father, making certain our wedding garment is without spot or blemish. Abstaining from every appearance of evil. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those around us.

Father, I first want to thank You for Your awesomeness that we are privileged to feel and experience on a daily basis! I thank You for allowing us access to the very throne through Your precious Son! I praise You name today! Show us areas in our lives that needs to be repaired, show us things we need to leave off, direct us to the place closest to You. My life is in Your hands. Use me however You see fit. I give it up to You. In the powerful name of Jesus~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

One more video clip…carry this song as you go about your day…


Have a blessed day! Aimee may give you a reminder of a giveaway we will have for our participants at the end of this study!

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Eight

A. Knight

Read Luke 18:22-30

Beth’s devotion was short today, but she gave us a lot of meat to chew on. Whoever said our walk with Christ was a “bed of roses,” were right. There are times of “stem and thorns,” but it leads to beautiful flowers. Any inconveniences for the cause of Christ is worth it. Christ has not changed, He still requires our all for Him. He is the one that has blessed us anyway, why not ask Him what He would like for us to do with those blessings. Chances are He will want us to continue to bless others. I have found out many times over, you cannot out give God. He will always be the one who has given most!

This story of the “Rich young ruler” is definitely a sad one. Those of us that have been brought up in church sometimes may take for granted others may not have that background. I thank God for my heritage, but I don’t want to ever forget His goodness that I become haughty and hoard it up and not share it with everyone around me.

I remember when I was a young teenager I heard a preacher preach about being “Sold Out” to Christ. Can we sell out to Christ today- this day and time? Maybe some may say, “If you are a preacher you should.” Well sister, I believe He wants a “Sold Out” attitude from all of us today, from all Christians. Either we are “serving God or mammon.” This heartfelt gratitude-attitude says, “All that I am and have, I give to you.” Sounds like a wedding vow. . . it is. . . and we are His bride.

We wouldn’t let material possessions keep us from eternal life, because we know that will all fade away some day. The things we hold as treasureable possessions will not last forever, but our treasures in Heaven will. Now, I love beautiful things, as much as, the next girl, but my love for Him is the most important. It is deeper, He has been with me through every storm, He has carried me through every valley, He has been my dearest friend. I love my Lord and saviour!

Look at vs 27. This one is dear to my heart: “And He said, the things which are impossible with me are possible with God.” Write that one down sisters- As Paula Dean says, “Now that’s good!” It’s kinda cute in vs. 28, Peter was reminding Christ He had left all- like Jesus might have forgotten. And Christ reminded him that whoever does give all will receive “manifold blessings, now and in the world to come…” His word also says “He will not forget your labour of love.“
Let’s keep serving Him and “Let’s not grow weary in well doing!”

Join Beth in this prayer:

“Father, please help me guard against setting my hopes on the uncertainty of wealth, but rather on You, who richly provide us with all things to enjoy. Help me to be rich in ggod works, to be generous, willing to share storing up for myself a good foundation for the days to come, so that I may take hold of life that is real (1 Tim. 6:17-19).” In Jesus’ name–Amen!
Have a great weekend!

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Seven

A. Knight

Luke 18:18-21

I can already tell you this will be hard to keep from getting all over Aimee’s post for tomorrow! But I will try!

When I read what Beth had written and the Scripture text for today, I found myself wanting to fall on my knees in repentance for things that I know is under the blood. Already forgiven.

I was such a rebellious child for the day and time that I was a teenager. I remember many times getting so angry with mother, although, thinking back now, I cannot for the life of me remember why. She was an excellent mother! But I am sure that it had to be her not allowing me to have my way! Imagine that! A mother actually maintaining control of her children. Every single day! And for some crazy reason, we didn’t balk….to her face anyway. But boy-howdee did I ever let her have it when my bedroom door was closed. Silently. Right. We never even slammed a door in our house. It was Mother, me, Wanda, Aimee and then little brother Jeffery. And I had to be the rebellious one. She says that is until little Jeff became a teen.

Although I never murdered….I did have anger. And even murderous thoughts! You know…you may have even said something similar…. “when I get my hands on him I’m gonna strangle him!” Of course you wouldn’t. Neither would I. So why did I say it?

As far as adultery…well, I wrote a post yesterday on my own blog…the Lord woke me early. Around 4. …You can go there by clicking on my blog, but I will add a short exert from that post.

“During a time of devotion on our Sisters of Faith Retreat 2008, I told the dear sisters that I felt that even the “thoughts” of our mind would be accountable to Christ. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

When provoked to the point of anger, where does your mind go? I know EXACTLY where mine goes. And I have to pray. The mind is a dangerous place for some. For men, when they see a woman on the cover of a magazine—half naked—where do you think their mind goes? Same for women. The body of muscles rippling on a naked torso on a man sends some women into a frenzy of lust. And almost every single magazine you pick up from the newsstand screams that today. (I have discovered that women can be just as bad as men when it comes to trash like this. It is one of the most irritating things to me. I suppose because I hear it almost daily. Then if you watch any TV…there it all is again!)

As I watched the movie Fireproof on Tuesday night (Denise, we finally had our date!), I was reminded of the book by Beth Moore, Get Out of That Pit where she describes many pits that are waiting traps—and many we dig ourselves right into…”

Almost every single morning…my patience is tried to the max when I try and get to the 4-lane that carries me the 42 miles to work. Many days as I drive through downtown I find myself behind someone not going as fast as I think they should. That little bit of aggravation has to be dealt with. It’s not anger at this point. It’s minor aggravation. Major aggravation comes into play when someone pulls out in front of me and then stops, or turns “just after pulling out in front of me”. Does any of this EVER happen to YOU?? And now, just by saying this…it will probably happen in the morning! Again. Oh well. I will try and think happy thoughts!

I feel the need, having just talked about all this anger…to pray again. We didn’t even touch the stealing and lying either! Just reading this has caused me to remember my rebellious ways, my wrong turns in life and my incredible Savior who loved me so much, that He took care of my sins once and for all. I am so thankful.

I read last week, many people think someone else’s sin is worse…just because it’s different from theirs. But it’s not worse. Wipe the mirror clean. Look again. Yours is not worse than mine…and mine is not worse than yours. Sin is what it is. The Blood of Christ Jesus was shed for all.

Thank you Father—for the ulitmate gift. Your only Son. I don’t deserve what I have been given. But I am glad that I wasn’t given what I did deserve. That’s Your mighty mercy and grace at work in me. Keep each heart and life safe today, teach us and direct our hearts and lives to live fully and freely in You. In the name of Jesus~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

Picture from Art.com

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Six

A. Knight

Read Luke 17:11-19

Guess what girls? The Lord is not afraid to deal with our ugly stuff. No matter where we are, what we are going through- it may look bad, it may even stink. God’s able to and willing to do the work, to touch the untouchable, and love the unlovable.

Look at vs. 14. Jesus had told them to “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” Now, I know most of them were not carrying around mirrors, but they could look at each other and their own extremeties and see they still had their spots. They walked “by faith and not by sight.” They were healed on the way. Oh, what a message here! They went in faith, not looking at their circumstances. They stood on His word! I can just imagine as they were walking they were probably encouraging each other to keep walking. Amazingly, all ten stood on faith and begin walking to see the priests. If there were any doubting, they just kept walking, because it says in vs.14 “as they went, they were cleansed.” How sad it was that only one “Leper” returned to thank Jesus. My Mamo (Grandmother- now with Jesus) used to say, “Just praise Him even before He answers our prayers, believing He will.” Now that’s faith to the test! Sara Trollinger wrote that someone had written a little saying that said, “Faith that fizzles before the finish had a flaw from the first.” Let’s keep the faith to the finish!

Beth writes that she wondered “if the leper with the most spots was the one who came back to thank Him.” Leprosy is leprosy whether you have a few spots or not, kinda like chicken pox – you either have it or you don’t, and sin is sin whether we feel it is a big sin or not, it still makes us a sinner. But praise God, for forgiveness! (I said this in a loud voice, as I “fall down on my face at His feet giving Him thanks”)

Sisters, have a great day. Remember to thank Him every day- not just on Thanksgiving. He alone is worthy of all our praise. Thank you for joining us today. So glad to have you back Gail!

Lord, I come to you today to say thank you. I love you with all my heart! I thank you for this Bible study, I’m learning so much more about you and my love for you grows deeper. Thank you for allowing us to feel your presence with us. Bless the dear sisters in our study and their families. Minister healing to those that need a healing and miracles to those with financial needs or whatever the circumstances they may be facing… touch them- hug them- hold them and remind them you care. All these things I pray in Jesus Holy name–Amen.


Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Five

A. Knight

Well, I have to say right off, I was hoping that Day Sixty-Three would have fallen on a weekday. That one blessed my socks off! I had previously written a devotion on that very passage last year, pulled it out again this year, brushed it off and reloaded it! It has a message! If you haven’t read it—get alone with the Lord sometime this week and read that very passage–Luke 15:11-32.

Now, lets get on with today! We are reading today from Luke 17:3-4. “So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Watch yourself. Actually, to be more to the point…I read–“Angie—keep thy mouth closed until you have prayed!” Ever had that happen? I will give you two different scenes from my life. I will try to be brief. God was loving.

Several years ago I had someone that was a dear friend cause me extreme pain through a sin in her life and it fell against my family. Now, I will preface this with saying, I ONLY reacted appropriately because I believe that the LORD had been preparing my heart to deal with her. With the very sin itself. It was ugly. The attack came hard and swift. Strangely (or not) enough, it happened after long times in prayer after a weekend where I felt the LORD pulling me in close to Him (where He wants us all to be).

After the tears and explanations had subsided, albeit not from the young woman, I stayed on my face, sometimes literally, but daily I was continually on my face in my heart. When a few weeks had passed, the pain she had caused my heart and home was a looming tower of grief that I seemed to not be able to get around and I felt the Lord tell me one night at church to go to her and tell her I forgave her. WHAT? Are you KIDDING ME?? That was my response.

I was not the one in the wrong—she wronged me! But the persistent voice of God, my Father would not let up. Go to her. Tell her. Your healing will come.

So, of course, after much flailing around in my heart, I did as I was told. I took her by the hand, and lead her to another room in the church. I know without a doubt she probably thought I was about to beat the life out of her. (That had crossed my mind in days past—but it is not my way.) As I lead her to sit down, with much tears and a broken heart, I looked into her eyes and loved her—despite all the pain she had caused. I saw a sinner—just as I had been. A sinner that needed forgiveness. She had strayed from the path. I forgave her. My healing came.

Fast forward about 7 years to when my oldest daughter was dating. She really picked some humdingers too! One particular guy seemed so nice. Until she decided he was a bit too possessive. Then the evening came when she was coming home and she had not been driving all that long and when she came running into the house, her face white, but her eyes full of tears, the short, hiccuped explanation was all I needed. We had us a stalker. He was right on her bumper. Almost. As he tore through the front yard, my “mommy mode” kicked in high gear. I jerked the front door open and asked that young man one question and then without waiting for his answer, I told him what he needed to do, and if he didn’t what I was about to do. I did not use nice words. I was in high protection mode. Still, that was no excuse. What happened? I reacted in the flesh. Totally.

We never heard from the young man again. He saw my face, the wild rage in my eyes and I believe he KNEW I’d make good on my promise.

Later that evening, when I was settling down to pray, my heart was pricked by what the Lord revealed to me. It was my ugly. I had never acted like that. I had never spoken like that. Even in the worst of times in my life. What came over me? The enemy. I prayed and asked the Lord to please forgive me and I knew that my path would one day cross the young man’s path and I would be obedient. No matter what.

Several years had passed before I saw him again. I heard a few stories about him and a few other young girls. He had problems. But there was also a goodness somewhere inside him too. I was sitting on the back row at our Women’s Camp meeting at my home church holding our first grandson. My oldest child’s son. As I gazed around me at all the familiar faces and many unfamiliar faces—I realized this was the largest group we had ever had! Probably close to 400 women were gathered there. Then my eyes fell on this young man. Only guy on the bottom floor of the sanctuary. And then He said it. “Go ask him to forgive you.”

“Now? Right now? What about after church?”

“Now.”

Okay.

I did. I stood up and went to the row where the young man sat, asked him if I could sit just a minute and cried as I asked him to forgive this “wild eyed mom”. He did. Without hesitation. He then further went on to assure me that were the situation reversed, he would have reacted the same way. He admitted to his stupidity. I admitted to my sin. I was sorry.

God can direct our lives every day when we allow Him access to our entire hearts. I don’t want any unforgiveness in my life. I don’t want to be a stumbling block to another life that is pressing hard toward the mark. I want to be a light for Him….a soul that shines forth His love and mercy.

For, I have been shown much much mercy. He is a forgiving God. I am so very thankful.

Sorry girls, I said I’d be brief….I tried. Truly. Have you got a forgiving story to tell? If it’s too long to add here, put it on your blog and direct us there! (OR, if you’d rather….add it on right here! That’s what the comment section is for!) Take all the time/space you need!

Father in heaven, I am so thankful that You do speak to our hearts. I am grateful that You have blessed my life with mercy, grace and love. They go hand in hand. Thank You for Your faithfulness—for forgiveness! Direct our paths. I seek Your will and direction—daily. Help us to share Your love with others. As we continue on —until You come for us. In Jesus holy name~Amen.

Keeping the faith,

Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Four

A. Knight

Read Matthew 18:1-9

After I read the scripture for today, I thought about all the choices people make. Some choices can hurt us, some can help us, or some can hinder us. I don’t want to ever cause someone to stumble because of my actions.

The choices we make today does affect those around us. One day, my husband, two children, and myself were out on the boat fishing. My husband talking to the kids, took a rock and threw it in the water and said, “Did you see that rock go in the water, and all the waves and ripples it made in the water? Well, I had control of the rock going into the water, but I could not control the ripples and where they would go and how far out they might reach. That is just like the choices we make, we never know who it might affect, so, we must be wise in our decisions.” I thought about that illustration a lot, it had a good message. Later on, when my son was going out one night, his dad handed him a rock and said, “Son put this in your pocket as a reminder of making wise choices.” A few days later, my husband asked our son if he still had the rock, and he said, “No, I gave it to a friend that had a big decision to make.”

Children, have such a special place in the heart of God. They have the purest praises to Him. It hurts my heart to think of children being abused. I could never work for the DCF (Dept. of Children and Families) or HRS, because I’m afraid I would get so angry at people that abuse their children and want them locked-up immediately, and I would want to bring the children all home with me and love them! I’ve always thought that’s what vs. 6 was talking about. It seemed to me, God didn’t have alot of patience with child abusers either.

People often try to blame their sin on someone and past experiences. “My momma spanked me too much, I didn’t have a father at home, or my parents never told me they loved me, so that’s why I did what I did.” Lots of excuses for their sin. But the bottom line is they took the bait satan set for them. Beth talked about the “trapper and being trapped” and how all the blame shouldn’t be on the “trapper,” because when we take the bait from satan, “we are still responsible for: 1.) Repenting of the sin of taking the bait. 2.) Learning why we took the bait. 3.) Asking God to mend and fortify the weak places in the fabric of our heart, soul, and mind so we will not continue life as a victim.”

Vs. 8&9 talk about getting rid of the things in our life that might cause us to stumble or keep us from living the life God rewards. I once heard it said, “if it takes it, ride the altar all the way to Glory.” In other words, “keep praying”. If it means going to Him daily with the same circumstance or issues until victory comes. Pray like Hannah did in I Samuel chapter 1, persistently making our requests known to God. We can give birth to our “baby”, if we keep knocking!

Dear Lord, I love you and praise you for a beautiful day you’ve given us today. We worship and honor you and give you praise for you alone are worthy of our praise. Walk with us today and whisper your words of guidance in our ears. May we not be a stumbling block to someone else, but help us be a stepping stone to draw them closer to you. I pray that when others look at our lives they see a reflection of you. Bless all the dear sisters and their loved ones in Jesus name I pray–Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee