Jesus – Every Day with the King

Pentecost

May 26, 2020 everydaywiththeking

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:1-8 NKJV

The above portion of Scripture contains the last words Jesus spoke before He returned to heaven. So much is packed into a few precious words.

In the next chapter of Acts, we read the account of the Holy Spirit’s entrance.

Read Acts 2

It is good to read the account and study the entire book of Acts but are we living it?

We long for Jesus to return. He is not with us physically at this time but we have the Holy Spirit. We need to stay focused on being witnesses of Jesus. The ability and the power to accomplish this quest is through the Holy Spirit. We have a mission of the highest honor.

As Pentecost approaches this year, spend some prayerful time dwelling on what the Holy Spirit will empower you to do if you are willing. Take Acts 1:8 to heart. Ponder, pray and respond.

Yes, there is much darkness all around us but we have the light! How awful to be keeping it to ourselves instead of sharing.

Let us serve with joy and love.

Bible

Ascension Day

May 21, 2020 everydaywiththeking

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Today is Ascension Day

We don’t seem to take much note of this important day each year. It seems lost between the Resurrection and Pentecost. I do wonder why we don’t put more focus on the Ascension.

What an amazing time the disciples were experiencing with Jesus after His resurrection! They must have eagerly listened as He taught them. Jesus spent time preparing them for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The time was approaching quickly when the disciples would be sent on the mission to share Jesus with all the world.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:9-11

In his book, Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions, Timothy Keller writes “At the ascension, Jesus leaves the space-time continuum and passes into the presence of the Father. He is still human, still our second Adam . . . and still our Advocate—yet now he has been so glorified that everything he does has a cosmic scope . . . any time-space limitation passes away.”

Today Jesus is continuously present with us through the Holy Spirit and He is also present in Heaven. He is King over all always!

Let us be included with all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing and His glorious Return! (see 2 Timothy 4:8)

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. – 1 John 2:28

Corrie ten Boom

Words From Corrie

April 23, 2020May 1, 2020 everydaywiththeking

During this time of Pandemic, the opportunity to attend weekly worship services at church has been taken away. The doors are closed and parking lots empty. As the weeks roll by many are discovering different ways to worship other than in a group setting. The online options are abundant and ever-growing.

The choice of gathering with others has been removed. The option of being with Jesus has not. Some are hearing Jesus knocking now who were not even noticing before.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” – Revelation 3:20

I pray that you are among those who are now finding an increased interest in developing your own personal relationship with Jesus.

Consider these words from Corrie ten Boom today. Here is an excerpt from her daily devotional book “Each New Day”

We must not be too dependent on meetings.

You and I are what we are when we are alone.

Find your satisfaction in Jesus Christ.

Talk with Him, listen to Him, look at Him.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13

Lord, make me independent of conditions. I thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Jesus

He Lives!

April 12, 2020 everydaywiththeking

He Lives – I Serve a Risen Savior

I Serve A Risen Savior
He’s In The World Today.
I Know That He Is Living,
Whatever Men May Say.
I See His Hand Of Mercy;
I Hear His Voice Of Cheer;
And Just The Time I Need Him
He’s Always Near.

He Lives, He Lives, Christ Jesus Lives Today!
He Walks With Me And
Talks With Me Along Life’s Narrow Way.
He Lives, He Lives, Salvation To Impart!
You Ask Me How I Know He Lives?
He Lives Within My Heart.

In All The World Around Me
I See His Loving Care,
And Though My Heart Grows Weary,
I Never Will Despair;
I Know That He Is Leading,
Through All The Stormy Blast;
The Day Of His Appearing
Will Come At Last.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Oh Christian,
Lift Up Your Voice And Sing
Eternal Hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ The King!
The Hope Of All Who Seek Him,
The Help Of All Who Find,
None Other Is So Loving,
So Good And Kind.

-Author and Composer –Alfred H. Ackley, 1887-1960

I hope you were able to see the Resurrection Day sunrise this morning

Watch the sun come up in the video below anytime and sing. (video does not have sound)

Let’s celebrate today and every day!

Every day with the King

Jesus

Passover – Easter – Resurrection Day

April 9, 2020 everydaywiththeking

Passover, Easter/Resurrection Day celebrations are very different this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic the entire world is experiencing.

I’m writing this as Passover begins and thinking about the significance of leaven.

In the past few weeks, stores have run out of ordinary products that suddenly became very valuable because of panic buying. Along with toilet paper, pasta, and eggs, baking supplies are depleted in some areas. One of the supplies that have become scarce and precious is yeast. This is why I have been led to think about the importance of leaven and specifically what Jesus said about it. Maybe you are interested to learn more about it also.

Click on the link below and read an article written by Lois Tverberg.

The Imagery of Leaven

Uncategorized

Christian Pandemic Response

March 30, 2020 everydaywiththeking

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.

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.

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

March 16, 2020 everydaywiththeking

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.

Bible, Morning devotions, Quiet time

Morning Manna

February 24, 2020 everydaywiththeking

While 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

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

Bible, Faith

Faith Quest

February 18, 2020 everydaywiththeking

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

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

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!

Worry

Fear – Worry – Stress

January 27, 2020 everydaywiththeking

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.

Tag: Jesus

Pentecost

Ascension Day

Words From Corrie