Category: 90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-One

A. Knight

Luke 13:31-33

As I read Beth’s observations from this passage, I thought of my “child” that has the determination—which some called stubbornness. Hard headedness. Strong willed. As difficult as it may have been in raising her, the streak of set-determined-will, paid off in her young adult life. When she accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a young child, she never thought of another path. It was her determined purpose to live for Him. She was never a “follower” as my older child, and while she might not necessarily “lead” others, she certainly was not put off by those whose path did not align with hers. She had her mind made up. Don’t think her perfect—she will be the first one to tell you “loudly” she is not. But her heart follows closely to Christ Jesus.

The determination which Christ spoke in verse 32 had to shake the leaves on the trees. That’s what I imagine anyway. I see His eyes flash and His cheeks flush with the determination of a made up mind. Then He lays out His path, clear and straight. Absolutely no room for changing.

What if we lived every day with such a determined purpose? How would the day flow? I think right now, it seems almost impossible for me. The weather has a lot to do with it. Weather? Yes, crazy as it sounds—it’s a fact of my life. The colder the weather, the further down I bury myself in the covers. Snuggling deeper into the thick warmth, prolonging the fact down to several minutes after the fact I should have already been up!

When it rains…same thing. Knowing full well I need to be up and going…getting myself prepared for the day ahead. The sooner I am ready and leave the house, the sooner I get an hour of solitude with Christ. But I linger. Because of the weather.

What about you? What stumbles your feet in your day? When your plans run amuck, does it throw your whole day into somersaults of confusion? Or, is your plan of heart so set that you find some way to fulfill what God is calling you to no matter what.

I want the set determination that Christ had that day. For Him, the plans were made. I often say, something is or is not “in concrete.” To me, either it’s changeable or it’s not. On the Sisters of Faith Retreat, I had prayed for weeks for the Lord to direct our steps, plans and anoint the time together. He did. Although I planned certain things for certain days, the weather hindered the schedule. Did I panic? Nope. I learned a lesson about 5 years ago—give your day to God, allow Him to do the scheduling and leading —and it can’t go wrong. Try and do it all by yourself…the ship will sink every single time. The day it rained on our retreat, we simply switched the plans from one day to the other. And God anointed our time.

He has a plan and purpose for each heart and life that seeks to follow Him. I long to fulfill His purpose. I want to be usable in His divine plan of leading souls to Him.

Father God, You see our hearts. You see the day while the stars are yet twinkling. I ask You this morning, take our days and work Your perfect plan into each of our lives. Show us ways where we can bring You ultimate delight! I give you my today, my tomorrows—thanking You for the forgiveness of my yesterdays. Go with each one this weekend and give us a word over the next few days, directing us into what You desire. We continually seek Your face—for Your will. Not ours. In Christ holy name~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

I hope you all have a blessed weekend. Not many days left. I have been missing Regina and Gail. Girls, you are loved and prayed for. I hope to hear from you to know that you are all right 🙂

Denise and Denise, Bernadine, Regina, Janice and Gail (and all those who have read along–but kept silent 🙂 )–you all have no idea how much it has meant to Aimee and myself to have you join us each morning/day in this time of study. The days of study that are coming are so good. I would like you all to join with us in prayer for one another—for our study to “sink in” to our hearts. For us to be able to meditate on His word–and what He accomplished for us. I love you all!
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty

A. Knight

Luke 12:41-48

When I read these scriptures I always think about those that have known and had a relationship with Christ and have turned away. Possibly, this is even someone you know who has been brought up in church and the ways of God and walked the opposite direction. Paul speaks of a “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” Sadly, we have already been seeing some “falling away.” I want to have my full armour on and be found ready!

This past weekend on our “Sister’s Retreat” we focused on “being a servant,” and this is what our lives should be about, serving others as unto the Lord. It’s not about us–it’s all about Him!

In vs. 41 of our study today, Peter asked who He was speaking to with the parable. Vs. 42, Jesus explains the servants, as all of us, being ready and working diligently for, and seeking Him.

Looking at vs. 47, He speaks of one that knew God’s will, but didn’t carry it forth- they will be punished. Beth asks a question today about- are those in leadership held to higher standards. I believe God expects more from those that have heard and know His word. In the Old Testament, God expected a bigger and better sacrifice from the Priests than the layman. Leadership is a big responsibility.

Let’s remember to pray for our leaders. We need to join together as Christians and pray for one another. His coming is drawing nearer.

Obviously, we can’t stand around outside everyday looking at the Eastern Sky, but we can work for Christ and His kingdom as we know our days here are limited…He’s coming soon! I love to sing the words- “This World is not my home, I’m only passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue…..” Hold on my sisters, He is coming soon!
I love you Lord, and I’m honored to get to work for you, as a servant. I love you more everyday! Your retirement benefits are “out of this world!” Many of us have lost loved ones and we want them to make it in. Please, deal with their hearts- soften their hearts and change their minds. Help us not be swayed by the enticements of this world. Thank you for all the dear sisters that you’ve blessed us with. You are so good to us. I praise your holy name. May we continue to wear your armour everyday to “fight the good fight of faith.” In Jesus name–Amen.
Keeping the Faith,
Aimee
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Nine

A. Knight

Scripture Reference Luke 12:35-40

Have you heard the commercial for a certain motel chain? “We’ll leave the light on for ya!” I thought of this when I was reading Beth’s comments.

How do they know what time I will arrive? They don’t. But they are prepared. The bed is made. The towels are clean and everything needed is at hand. I’ve only visited that particular chain of motels once or maybe twice in my life. They had the essentials. Nothing extra. I like the breakfast bar. The fresh coffee and cereal or biscuits in the morning. Sorry. This post is not about that. It’s about being found ready. Let’s move on.

When we were growing up, our mother worked as a bookkeeper in a nearby city. About a 25 minute drive from our house. We knew that every single day she expected the house to be neat and if she had something laid out for supper, and had given me instructions on preparing it, she expected to smell it when she walked in.

Well…you know we were kids. I was (still am), the oldest. Then Wanda, Aimee and finally, bringing up the rear was the baby brother. The ONLY boy. Got the picture? He was a mite bit spoiled. Didn’t have to do anything much…except be a bit annoying at times. THANKFULLY he grew up! Thankfully….we all did! (We really had a great family of kids—and mother was the icing on the cake!)

We had it timed down to the last minute. Mother got off work at 5. That meant that we had to hustle if we started at 5 to have everything “sloppily done” by 5:30. Most of the time it was done right. But I am SURE there were those few times that it was just slopped through. We would goof off watching TV—Gilligan’s Island, Beverly Hillbillies (this was when they were only re-runs in the afternoon…before any such thing as Nick at Nite or TVLand) or we’d be playing…and sometimes…doing homework! (Imagine that!)

But I think back to those days and wonder at our silliness. Why didn’t we just do as we were told? So many distractions. The TV. Games. Fun stuff to keep us otherwise occupied. A time or two, the 5:00 alarm just sneaked up on us!

There will be no warning alarm. We are told in the Word to “be found ready”. Be prepared.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14 NIV(emphasis mine)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 2Peter 3:10-12(a) (emphasis mine)

That pretty much tells it all. Right? I am praying daily for the Lord to show me where I need to change my attitude—repent—renew my mind! I want to be found doing what He has called to the best of my ability. I want to be found ready. Not on the way to getting ready. The 5:00 alarm will not give us a 30 minute warning.

Let’s get busy for Him. Doing what He has called us to do.

Father in heaven, I am here. Again. Asking You to use me—to fulfill Your desire for my life. Show me where I need to be molded into a fashion that You set out for me from the beginning. Pull my path back in line with Yours. Keep me straight. Help me have the vision that You have. Help me have the love and compassion that You desire in each of us. Teach me. I thank You for each heart that stops by here to read and study. I want more of Your word than ever before! Fill me up! In the holy name of Jesus I pray—believing with all my heart!~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Eight

A. Knight

Luke 12:1-34

Good morning sisters. I hope after you read the scriptures for today you felt the same hug I did from the Lord. He loves us so much He said in vs. 7, “…ye are of more value than many sparrows.” This reminds me of a cute little story I read some time ago in a book entitled: “Messies 2” by Sandra Felton. In the introduction, Sandra shared the story of a South Sea islander named Johnny Lingo that fell in love and went to the parent’s home to bargain for his bride. It was written that she was “a very shy girl and just a shade short of homely. The going price a groom had to pay for a bride was between two and five cows. The women often compared the prices

they had brought.” Well, it ended up in the story he offered and paid eight cows for her. They went off on their honeymoon and when they came back a man came to deliver a package to their hut. Johnny had purchased an ornate mirror for his new bride and it was delivered to her. When the delivery guy saw Johnny’s bride, she didn’t look like the same “homely” girl he had always known. She was a “radiant beauty, basking in the confidence of her husband’s love and esteem.”

When she went in the hut, the man asked Johnny how she had changed so much, and Johnny answered, “I have loved her since she was young,” he said. “I have always wanted to marry her, but I knew she felt unworthy to be my bride. I bought her for eight cows so that she would know and all the village would know how valuable she is to me. That knowledge brought the change you see.”

That story reminds me of what God paid for us… His only Son. We are valuable to Him. Some people just don’t see how much we are worth to Him–more than eight cows my sisters! I love vs. 27. He tells us he clothes the lilies. He wants us to seek Him first. Vs. 31 says: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (When we seek Him first, all those other things will be taking care of.)

So many times we worry, and it does not change a thing. I once told my mother, when she was reminding me to turn a situation over to God I was worrying about, “Let me worry about it a little and then I’ll turn it over to Him.” We both laughed. But I admit, that’s what I do, if only I would go ahead and give it to Him from the beginning, I would save myself a lot of stress. I guess, I try to think I could fix it or figure out a way the Lord should fix it and save Him some time. (Ha!) My Father knows best. He is right 100% of the time! Friend, let us continue to seek Him, and remember vs. 34: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Thank you Lord for reminding me today of your love. Help me not be a greedy person that wants to hoard up treasures down here. Help me lay treasures in Heaven…lasting ones. If there is a sister that is feeling worthless or has listened to the lies of satan, remind her of the price you paid for her. We are your bride, help us reflect the attitude of your name. Since we carry the name Christian, may everything we do, honor you and serve you. Father, sometimes I get busy with the cares of this life and I forget to seek you first. Forgive my slackness and help me look for you in everything I do- first of all, I humbly pray. In Jesus name– Amen.

All you “eight cow” women come back tomorrow for more of “90 Days with Jesus.” Angie will be sharing Day 59.

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Seven

A. Knight

Luke 11:24-28

“We were created by God to be inhabited by His Spirit. We were not created to be empty. The vacuum in every human life does not yearn to be fixed. It yearns to be filled.” Beth Moore.

This past weekend, we spent a glorious time in what some might call “extreme fellowship” with one another! It was fantastic! Aimee and I gathered with several ladies that are precious to us—some related by blood–all are related in Christ! One thing we shared on Friday during one of our sharing sessions was the fact that in these days…more of God is needed in our lives than ever before.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 NIV I am afraid that there are many that feel that the way they have chosen is the right way, simply because they don’t participate in things that are harmful or evil. But unless you bring your whole heart and soul before Jesus, in a posture of repentance….the way you have chosen does not lead to life…but rather to death. Eternally.

I want my Father to do the “path choosing” in my life. It’s not enough to just not participate in the activities that can be harmful that the world participates in…we must fill our lives with people and activities that are beneficial to our Christian walk. Fellowship with like-minded believers. That’s what this is. We gather here with one mind and one goal. To learn more about Jesus Christ. More about the life He lived. More about the live He gave. Willingly.

I shared with the ladies that not only do I have to not watch excessive amounts of TV, but I have to read and study excessive amounts of His Word. If I want it to saturate my soul. And I do. I want more of Jesus in my heart and life than ever before. I have only scratched the surface. There is so much more. He wants to be so much more.

I expressed my desire for Him to so fill my heart and soul, that there is no room for anything else. I want my desires to be what He desires for me.

I read these passages of Scripture and I immediately thought of my sweet husband. When he gave his life to Christ Jesus, he was bound by a life of sin and drugs. When God touched his heart and life and Jeff knelt at an altar of true repentance, the desire for that lifestyle left him. He began to desire the things of God. I didn’t know him at the time, but had the opportunity to meet the minister that lead him to the Lord. He discipled Jeff in his new walk with Christ, as well as his younger brother, Cliff. God has done amazing things in our lives since then.

I won’t tell you that it has been a picnic. It hasn’t. But it has not been alone.
The enemy tried various things to try and lure him back to a life of sin. But God gave him strength. As we fill the places of our lives with Christ, where we were once bound in sin, He can give us the full coverage protection that is needed! It is so far better than AllState. They just think they are the good hands people. I know the GOOD HANDS FATHER! He never leaves His children unprotected! We are fully covered!

Thank You Lord for keeping Your mighty hand on each of our lives. YOU and YOU alone are the Source of our strength. I give my all to You. Take our lives and use us to fulfill the desire You have for each life. You path and plan is the best way, show us that way. Lead us on that path. Thank You for putting each life in this study together. I praise You awesome holy name!~Amen.

Keeping the faith,


Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Four

A. Knight

Read Luke 10:25-37
Jesus always knows the answer. He won the debate! The lawyer thought he could prove how knowledgeable he was himself, but Jesus blew him out of the water! He wrote the Book! (I love that!) However, Jesus kept the right attitude- he was not showing off- just showing love.

This is one of my favorite parables in vs. 30-35. The Good Samaritan was an example of God’s love for humanity. So many times, it may seem easy just to turn the other way just like the priest and Levite did, because we feel we don’t have time or we don’t want to get involved. But Jesus wants us to be the neighbor that reaches out and helps.

When my husband and I were youth pastors, we once did a play called “The Good Samaritan.” It was so powerful in depicting these characters in Jesus’ parable. The young-people put their heart into it and the part was so moving when the “good Samaritan” helped the beaten man. The play had a little twist in it, because the “Good Samaritan” died and there was a funeral for him and later it showed him standing before Christ at the throne and he entered into the “joys of the Lord,” and then a trumpet sounded and Priest and Levite stood before the Lord and they didn’t make it in and they were crying and naming every good deed they had done, but Christ said “depart from me I never knew you.” The young people did a marvelous job and I’ll always think of this when I read this story.
Recently, I heard a song on the radio called “Broken Ones” by the Talley’s and I tried to load it on this blog, but I couldn’t. But it talks about a little girl finding a rag doll and loving it. Then the little girl grows up and helps people that is struggling in life, and then it talks about how Jesus loves the broken ones, too. It has a very good message. May we all find some way to love the “broken ones”.
May God bless all you sisters with a great weekend!
Dear Lord, Help us be the kind of neighbor you would have us to be. Use us to reach out, and when we reach out in your love, we are your hand extended. Don’t let fear stop us or being too busy, hinder us from obeying your voice. Thank you for using someone to touch my life so many times. Remind us today of the “good Samaritan’s” choice. Thanks you for loving us and “never leaving us or forsaking us” when we felt unlovable. In Jesus’ Holy Name- -Amen.
Keeping the Faith,
Aimee
90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Three

A. Knight

Do you see what day it is? The clock is ticking on our Bible Study….as time is for each of us to get His message out!

Scripture reference: Luke 10:17-24

I can’t fully explain what I feel while typing this….my fingers are dancing though. All over this keyboard! So much excitement! The joy of what Jesus was feeling purely leaps off the pages here! Imagine if you will with me…our Lord, excited! The joyous light that must be twinkling in His eyes as His own mind goes back to what He knows and remembers!

Think about it like this. What do you feel when you sing a upbeat spiritually moving song? Well—I don’t know about you…but if a choir consisting of Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples, Larnelle Harris, Janet Paschal, The Gaither Vocal Band, Natalie Grant, MercyMe, Barlow Girl, Big Daddy Weave, Sandi Patti, David Phelps, and throw in some Casting Crowns were all singing the same song…”Oh, I WANT TO SEE HIM”…. I can tell you right now, there would be some jumpin’ and shoutin’ and I would lead the “jericho march”. Ya’ll may not know what I am talking about…but—that’s okay. It may be just a Pentecostal Southern thing. I was going to add Vestal Goodman (she was my all time favorite growing up) to the list in my choir…but I realize…her song is now….”Oh I have seen HIM! SHE IS SINGING around the THRONE!!!

Read these lyrics…tell me if you’d shout… (try something different…read it out loud!)

Oh, I Want to See Him
R. H. Cornelius, 1916
Copyright: Public Domain

As I journey through the land,
singing as I go,
Pointing souls to Calvary—
to the crimson flow,
Many arrows pierce my soul
from without, within;
But my Lord leads me on,
through Him I must win.

Refrain:
Oh, I want to see Him,
look upon His face,
There to sing forever
of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory
let me lift my voice,
Cares all past,
home at last,
ever to rejoice.

When in service for my Lord
dark may be the night,
But I’ll cling more close to Him,
He will give me light;
Satan’s snares may vex my soul,
turn my thoughts aside;
But my Lord goes ahead,
leads whate’er betide.

When in valleys low I look
toward the mountain height,
And behold my Savior there,
leading in the fight,
With a tender hand outstretched
toward the valley low,
Guiding me,
I can see,
as I onward go.

When before me billows rise
from the mighty deep,
Then my Lord directs my bark;
He doth safely keep,
And He leads me gently on
through this world below;
He’s a real Friend to me,
oh, I love Him so.

Refrain:
Oh, I want to see Him,
look upon His face,
There to sing forever
of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory
let me lift my voice,
Cares all past,
home at last,
ever to rejoice.

Now sisters…I don’t know if you are still sitting …but Jesus looked ahead for that band of followers…all the way through the portals of time and saw the finish. He saw the end of the game as it were. As Beth said, the scoreboard read: Believers 72, Satan 0.

I wish we could all be in one room—I can’t play a piano…my sister Aimee’s husband can play the white off the keys…and this is not him playing….but it sounds like him….hit play and enjoy this awesome organ…this is Oh, I want to SEE HIM!

This is a good time to say—have a blessed day! Go with a song in your heart! Rejoice…He is about to call for His Bride!

Keeping the faith,

Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-Two

A. Knight

Scripture Text: Luke 10:1-16

Jesus commissioned the seventy to go out and be witnesses in these verses. Not only was He sending them, but His Spirit would abide with them.

Instructions were given as to what to pack and not to pack. Looks like they were not to pack much. I must say I have a problem in this area, because for trips I tend to over pack, I guess, thinking I might get stranded somewhere or someone else might need something.

Angie and I went on a trip this summer to the “She Speaks” conference and I packed a separate luggage just for my shoes. Now this bag was not large, kind of medium sized. I had some heels, flip flops, tennis shoes, (if we decided to exercise—yeah, right!) and sandals.

My problem was, I didn’t want to put those shoes in with my clothes, so, I packed a separate suitcase. It sounded smart to start with, but when we started packing all our luggage in the back of my vehicle- Jeff (Angie’s husband) just laughed when he saw my separate shoe luggage along with Angie’s two book bags with our other luggage.

Well, what can I say- God didn’t tell me not to bring it! However, Christ told the “appointed seventy” in vs. 4 to “carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes…..” Maybe He wanted them to solely rely on Him to take care of them. It is unclear, but I know He had a very good reason. We don’t always have to know His reason for things, but part of growing in Christ is being able just to trust and obey.

In verses 10-15 Christ expresses the response and results of those not accepting them. Vs. 16 breaks it down even further to say: “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” As a christian, we bear His name. Everything we do should be a reflection of Christ. Let’s hold the banner high and share Him with everyone. “This world is not my home, I’m only passing through.

“Lord Jesus, as uncomfortable as it can sometimes be, I must take You at Your Word: I am blessed when people insult me and persecute me and falsely say every kind of evil against me because of You (Matt. 5:11). The person who rejects Your truth does not reject man, but You, Lord, who have given us Your Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:8). May I live with this understanding even when it hurts.“

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty-One

A. Knight

Luke 9:51-56

The Blasted Unbelievers…Have you ever thought that? Okay now…be honest. I’m about to be gut wrenching honest with you…

In reading up to this point…I am reminded of the incredible love the Father has for His children. Over and over. A picture came instantly to my mind when I read these passages. A day when I was very angry—and not without cause. Cause or not though, it was sin. In it’s ugliest form. And I had to repent—and remember that Christ instructed us to LOVE them. Pray for them. (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)

The Lord had me know with no uncertain terms what allowing that feeling to remain—not dealing with those harmful thoughts—what it would do to my heart, soul and very life. What it was already doing. Bitter root was growing. Festering and contaminating other parts of my life.

I was even like James and John….“Lord, call down fire!” That was wrong!
I imediately knew it–and repented of my attitude–and I had to pray for days for the Lord to help me PRAY for them in the right way.

What I see in James and John was something like this: “They can’t refuse You and get away with it! Surely they all need to be destroyed!”…Little did they realize the thousands that would then and still now refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the true and only Messiah.

Something that I read in the Scripture references today really penetrated my heart, causing tears to burn my eyes.

I pulled forward the New Living Translation and read it from there…”As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (emphasis mine)

He knew what lay ahead. Yet for all the world He proceeded on the journey He knew must be made. For those He loved that day, and for the world that lives today. He could not let anything, nor anyone deter His footsteps. The path had long ago been laid out.

It is for us as well. Laid out and marked clear. We have been told–even in the scriptures today, there will be trials. There will be days of discouragement. Times when we will even ask, “How much longer Lord?” But, travel on we must. For the time is not yet. Soon though.

Father God, I am so thankful that You continually speak to our hearts about the wrong that tries to penetrate and stay. Thank You for sweeping my mind clean of the unhealthy thoughts. Thank You for showing us how to love those who set their mind against what is right. Hard as it is at times, surely You have shown us the way. Thank You Lord for giving us strength and direction . I pray that You will guide us and keep us—forever following the right way. Your way. In Jesus holy name I pray~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Fifty

A. Knight

The weekend studies were great! Sunday’s was especially touching to me, because I have a dear child that is running from God and, my husband and I have felt at times (during the toughest times) just like the father in Mark 9:22 – – “…If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” But in vs. 23, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” And vs. 24 “…and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” I got a wonderful blessing. I called my mother and read it to her and cried some more. I didn’t know if she had read her study yet, so I was blessed again by sharing it with her. I know I’m supposed to be on Monday’s, but I had to encourage you, if you haven’t had time to read yesterday’s you might want to back track. You will be encouraged! (Angie, I think I chased a little rabbit here, but he did come in my yard- hope that was okay.? Sis- I love you the mostest!)

Scripture Text: Luke 9:46-48

In vs.46 the disciples were thinking “who was the greatest?” Kind of sounds elementary doesn’t it? (I’m bigger than you are!) The truth is everyone wants to be well thought of, but to think one is greater in God’s kingdom is different by the worldly standards. Money, fame, glamour, personality, etc… – these are all the world’s qualifications. Holding a child, in vs. 48, Jesus expressed the qualifications of being the greatest. How humbled they must have felt. He read their thoughts. (He’s pretty good at this if you didn’t know, after all, He knows our heart’s intent.)

Comparisons- I’m sure we all have been guilty of this one. Example: (High School Reunion)”I hope I don’t look as old as her.” or “By the size of the rock on her finger, looks like they are the wealthiest.” Maybe at church we say, “I wish I could sing, as good as, her.” Maybe at work we think, “I wonder if the boss knows I work harder than her?” The disciples maybe thought, “Maybe I’m closer to the Master, because after all, He chose me first,” or one of them might have thought, “I’m the greatest disciple, because I read the law three times a day, and give Jesus a place to stay every time He’s in town.” What if they even voiced, “The Master is closer to me, because He sits by me at the table,” or “I should be president of our discipleship club, because I’ve been with Him the longest.” I could go on and on – my mind is really clicking, but Christ does not like this attitude. Before long, if this attitude is not squelched it leads to envy and strife. James 3:16 says: “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.“

Lord, cleanse my every thought. I want to make it in the Pearly Gate and I don’t care if I’m the doorkeeper or the floor sweeper, I just want to make it in. (now sisters, I might have to just write that one down, it kinda rhymed)

In our devotion today, Beth talked about the Lord helping her continually to rid her life of the “self-stuff,” and she named so many: “self-exaltation, self-righteousness, self-will, self-pity, self-absorption”, etc….. Man, she stepped on my toes and sprung my ankle! Allow me to quote along with Beth, Luke 9:23 ….”If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.“

Friends, may your day be blessed and filled with His presence. Come back tomorrow to see what Angie’s going to say about Day 51 and those “Blasted Unbelievers.”

Dear Lord, thank you for this time with you. Thank you for loving us. Allow your Holy Spirit to nudge our heart when our thoughts are not pleasing to you. Forgive us for all the times we have not been in line with you. Truly, we all want to draw closer to you or we wouldn’t be doing this study today. Fill our mind with pure thoughts. Clear the clutter and sweep out the cob webs, and speak to us again. Please show us every area you want us to polish up. We’ve all been busy Father, (it’s the day we live in) but help us steal enough time away with you to hear you whisper to our hearts today. In Christ Jesus’ name- – Amen.

Close your eyes, just for a moment, to pause and listen to what He is saying today ………………..

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee