Author: everydaywiththeking

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Christian Pandemic Response

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What is the proper response to the Coronavirus?

Some things are common sense like protecting ourselves and others by following the suggested hygiene practices and social distancing.

But what is our response beyond these actions?

First of all, Christians should not be overcome by fear and panic.

_The Christian need not dread sickness, for he has nothing to lose, but everything to gain, by death._

It’s helpful to look to history for guidance.

Read this short excerpt from Martin Luther’s clear simple response to the bubonic plague in 1527.

We die at our posts. Christian doctors cannot abandon their hospitals, Christian governors cannot flee their districts, Christian pastors cannot abandon their congregations. The plague does not dissolve our duties: It turns them to crosses, on which we must be prepared to die.

Please read one more portion of Luther’s writing for a great balanced view. This is a handy guide to refer to during these days of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shal

Please don’t let this unusual time come and go without squeezing the good from it. Ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see. Know that Jesus is constantly with you. You may be isolated from others but not from Him.

I hope you are finding more time to be with Jesus and read His Word. Have you been spending more time in prayer? Are you unsure of how to pray? Pray by simply expressing your honest thoughts and feelings. Ask questions and then expect God to answer you in some way. I have found a very simple prayer from the Old Testament to be perfect for this time.

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.  – 2 Chronicles 20:12

Your comments are always welcome

 

Uncategorized

Grow and Bloom

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This is a follow up to the last blog post Always Ready

Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey.     – Numbers 9:22

In thinking about the travels of the Israelites a well-known saying came to mind. “Bloom where you are planted” or “Grow where you are planted”. I quickly looked it up and found a brief history of the origin. The Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is credited with the quote, “Bloom where you are planted.” Later Mary Engelbreit made the phrase popular.

I like the simple saying and the state of contentment it encourages. But we also need to beware of becoming overly comfortable in a certain way of life. We need to keep in mind that we are still travelers who have not arrived home yet.

The following quote from Spurgeon is a good reminder for us.

“The Christian is the most contented man in the world, but he is the least contented with the world. He is like a traveler in an inn, perfectly satisfied with the inn and its accommodation, considering it as an inn, but putting quite out of all consideration the idea of making it his home.”  – Charles Spurgeon

We should wholeheartedly serve the Lord in our present situation but also be ready to move when God says go. Simply put we need to daily live out the fact that God is in charge. Don’t make a plan and ask God to bless it. Ask God to show you His plan and then wait for His answer.

God can use you, exactly where you are. Wherever that is, serve joyfully. But be ready and willing when God’s hand reaches down to move you according to His plan.

You can grow and bloom where you’re planted or even on the move!

It’s not about where you serve. It’s all about Who you serve.

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Bible

Always Ready

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Lately, while reading the familiar chapters about the Israelite’s wilderness journeys, I’ve tried to picture myself there with them. Do you ever imagine being with them and what it would be like in that time? Exciting, hard, terrifying, thrilling, and confusing all at the same time? Perhaps?

Read Numbers 9:15-23 and think about what it would be like to check each morning on the location of the cloud as you stepped out to gather your portion of manna.

 Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire.  So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.  At the command of the Lord, the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not journey.  So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey.  So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey.  At the command of the Lord, they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 9:15-23 NKJV

Can you picture yourself traveling along with the Israelites? Each and every day meant waking up and not knowing if it would be time to pack up and move on or stay another day. It was all completely decided by God’s direct unmistakable leading.

Always ready to go and at the same time always ready to stay

Spending time with Jesus and the Word (gathering manna) is still the best way to start each day! We need to be watching and listening daily for what God is saying (looking for the cloud). Today we don’t follow a cloud or see the pillar of fire when we go to bed at night but we have the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Bible, Morning devotions, Quiet time

Morning Manna

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2016-04-08_10.47.59While reading my Bible and having coffee early in the morning, I see the birds getting their breakfast of seeds from the ground and feeder. I love supplying seed and watching the birds come each day. It brings me true pleasure to watch them arrive, feed and linger awhile.

Similar to the birds coming to feed, I start my mornings by spending special time with Jesus. My food, morning manna, is His Word. How delightful to know He is with me and enjoying my coming to Him!

Definition of manna
a:  food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness
b:  divinely supplied spiritual nourishment
c:  a usually sudden and unexpected source of gratification, pleasure, or gain

Want to find out about manna? It is often mentioned in the Bible and not only in the Old Testament.

Check out this list → Bible verses about manna

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Come early in the morning and start your day with the King!

 

Bible, Faith

Faith Quest

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Are you on a quest for more faith?

A quest for faith often involves searching, studying and prayer to find the faith supply that seems hidden. However, this is not necessary. It is like someone leaving their home and going on a journey in search of a treasure that is waiting back at home. The answer to the faith quest is simply this   ~  God’s Word 

I prayed for faith and thought that some day faith would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not seem to come. One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” I had up to this time closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now opened my Bible and began to study, and faith has been growing ever since.       ~Dwight L. Moody

Let’s look at Romans 10:17 in a few different translations 

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 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  – KJV

So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.    – NKJV

 (Belief you see, can only come from hearing the message, and the message is the word of Christ.)      – J.B. Phillips 

 So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.    -NASB

 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).  -AMPC

So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.   -AMP

This verse is certainly telling us that the Bible is all we need to acquire more faith. If you look at this verse in different Bible translations it becomes more noticeable that the particular part of God’s word that is needed is the gospels. It is clear that the words of Jesus are the key.

Let’s take a look at what happened in John 4:4-30 and John 4:39-43  This is the portion of scripture about the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus. However for the purpose of our topic today, I want to focus on the group of people that hear about Jesus through the Samaritan woman.

Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman and she then shared with others. John 4:39 tells us that the people believed in Jesus because of hearing what the woman said. Those people then invited Jesus to stay with them and He did. It would be great if you could get your Bible out and read this portion of scripture now, but in case that isn’t possible, I have included it below in a couple of different versions.

 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”  So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.  Many more believed because of His word;  and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee.  -John 4:39-43 NASB

 Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”  So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they asked Him to remain with them; and He stayed there two days.  Many more believed in Him [with a deep, abiding trust] because of His word [His personal message to them];  and they told the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; for [now] we have heard Him for ourselves and know [with confident assurance] that this One is truly the Savior of [all] the world.” After the two days He went on from there into Galilee.  – John 4:39-43  AMP

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We don’t believe any longer now because of what you said. We have heard him with our own ears. We know now that this must be the man who will save the world!                                            John 4:42  J.B. Phillips

The people believe after hearing the words of Jesus from the Samaritan woman. So this is an example of faith coming by hearing the word of God as Romans 10:17 says. But we also clearly see that another level of faith is reached when these people have their very own personal encounter with Jesus and hear Him for themselves.

Compare the Samaritan’s experience with your own faith experience. When you first believed you had faith to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Later you moved to another level of faith after spending time with Jesus. I hope that you have come to know Jesus personally, yourself and not just second hand through other people’s testimonies. I pray that all who read this will have the desire to get to know the Lord Jesus Christ. The Samaritans had two special days with Jesus. We can have every day with Jesus. Open the Bible to hear Him speak to you!

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Bible, Corrie ten Boom, Faith

A Mentor

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What is a mentor?

  • a wise and trusted counselor or teacher
  • a person who trains and guides someone
  • an experienced and trusted adviser

A good Christian mentor will always be directing your focus to Jesus. They will live out what they teach. Their guidance will be Bible-based.

It was at the very start of my faith journey that I found Corrie ten Boom.  I got to know Corrie while reading her book “The Hiding Place.” Many years have passed since she became a mentor to me through her writings. I’ve received a wealth of practical guidance for my life.  Today I continue to be richly blessed because I’m able to access so much of what she shared through her books and video recordings.

Corrie was a living example of

  • the life of faith
  • true forgiveness
  • how to help others
  • prayer
  • humility
It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts. When I try, I fail. When I trust, He succeeds.
If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.
This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see.
~ Corrie Ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom said faith is a    Adobe Spark (5)

Fantastic

Adventure

In

Trusting

Him

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Would you like to know more about Corrie ten Boom?

Visit →  Corrie ten Boom where you will find quotes, videos, audio, and general information.

Please leave a comment below and share about someone who has been a mentor to you.

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Corrie ten Boom  (1892 – 1983)

 

Worry

Fear – Worry – Stress

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Fear, worry and stress! There doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. We don’t usually invite them in but they barge into the middle of our lives. Even when we experience victory over these persistent foes, they are sure to return on another day. We need to expect these unwanted attacks. It is possible to plan and prepare to be active against fear, worry, and stress instead of letting them take over.

Last week’s blog post was an invitation for you to visit the Stop Worrying E-Course The course is very short, simple and practical. The purpose of the course is to give you some tips to use on the spot when stresses of life start to surround you. When we are truly feeling overwhelmed and worried we don’t have the energy to wade through much study material. At the end of the e-course, there is a link to a 4 – part blog series. The series goes more in-depth about the problem of worry and stress. Reading the series will allow you to delve deeper into the subject of worry.

Below are links to each part of the series.

Please leave a comment or contact me by email with your thoughts on worry and stress.

Links to the Worry series ↓↓

Worry Part 1

Worry Part 2

Worry Part 3

Worry Part 4

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Worry

Anxious?

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We are indeed living in uncertain times. Many people are experiencing fearful and anxious thoughts just as a result of hearing the daily news. Worry, fear and stress seem to be everywhere we turn today. The truth is that Christians are not exempt from worry!

Praise God that we know where to turn

When I am afraid, I will trust in You.        Psalm 56:3  NKJV
 Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.   – Matthew 11:28-30  J.B. Phillips
 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].   – 1 Peter 5:7  AMP

Don’t live as a slave to your worries. You can take steps today and find freedom.

Get some help for dealing with worry

Enroll Here →→ Stop Worrying E-Course

Worry is the problemGod is the answer.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Goals

Sunday grace

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I love this post from one of my favorite bloggers and thought you might too. Peggy has a way of capturing powerful truth with graceful simplicity.

strengthened by grace

It is a new year with all the looking backward and looking forward. We evaluate, resolve, set goals, plan projects. What worked? What didn’t? What needs to change? How can I improve? The fact that it’s a new decade means the pressure is on.

I’ve heard enough in the few days of 2020, how to make the best of the next 12 months, and I’m already tired.

There’s no judgment, because I am a planner and a goal setter with the best of them. I’m just trying to look toward this year differently.

Having lived seven decades, I know myself better than twenty years before. I acknowledge my strengths. I grimace at my weaknesses. I want to be the best me possible with the time remaining. I want to be authentic and genuine. I want to be the person God made me to be.

I’m a work in progress, an…

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Bible reading plan

Happy New Year! 2020

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New Year

New Decade

You crown the year with Your goodness,

And Your paths drip with abundance.

– Psalm 65:11 NKJV

I feel sure that the One who has begun His good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ.      – Philippians 1:6  J.B. Phillips

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  – 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

This year let’s keep our focus on what is truly important.

Your daily quiet time is the key to a growing relationship with Jesus. If you would like to develop this a habit in your life or enrich the experience, you might want to visit –  Design Your Daily Quiet Time

Do you have a daily Bible reading plan for 2020?

It’s so nice to have lots of options but sometimes there are too many choices. Looking for simple and easy? I am sharing only two different plans for you to consider. One of these might be perfect for you. Click on the links below to get all the details.

Chronological reading plan – Word Up Ministries

One chapter a day plan – Word of God Speak 2020 Bible Reading Plan

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