From where the sun rises to where the sun sets, the name of the LORD
should be praised.

-Psalm 113:3 {GOD’S WORD Translation}

————————————————————

By Jessica B. 

Food for Thought

Soar Like Eagles

How Will They Remember Me?

This summer I met three different people with three different personalities. But they all had three things in common: their evident love for Christ and His Word. Until recently, I didn’t read my Bible on a regular basis. Sometimes I forgot. Sometimes I pushed it to the back of my mind. Sometimes it was just too late. And sometimes I just looked at it and said no. I knew it was important but I wasn’t motivated. This summer changed that. The three people I met changed that.

The first of three (we’ll call him Blake) couldn’t get enough of God’s Word. In fact, every blank space in his New Testement was covered with notes. Each year he buys a new Bible because his old one is so full of notes.

The second of three (we’ll call her Mary) delighted in God’s Word. She got this huge smile on her face when she thought that this instant, next year, she’ll know more of God and His Word. In fact, she even is thinking about majoring in Greek or Hebrew so she can understand it better!

The third of three’s (we’ll call her Ellie) only desire is to know and glorify God more. She told me that recently she’s been wanting to spend more time with God than with her friends. How awesome is that?

These three people left a lasting mark on me. I now see the value of reading the Bible and how amazing it is. I also see what the result of eating up God’s Word looks like. Thanks to these three people.

It makes me wonder how people are remembering me. Did anyone meet me this summer and come away better for it? Or did they come away worse? What legacy did I leave with them? I don’t really like to think about that; it makes me feel a little uncomfortable because sometimes I’m not the nicest. Sometimes I don’t always have the best attitude. Sometimes I don’t leave a God-glorifying legacy. I want to leave one though. I want people to be better not because of me but because of God shining through me. I want to leave a legacy that’ll continue to glorify God long after I’m gone.

What kind of legacy are you leaving? When people hear your name, what comes to mind? Think about that while you listen to this song.

Romans 12

I was reading this chapter in my quiet time this morning and just praying that God would show me something from His word today, something that would help me with things that I’m struggling with here. And that He did. This passage starts off with being a living sacrifice. I know we can hear that a lot, but how often do we actually live it out. We become a living sacrifice so we can be acceptable to God and that is our spiritual worship.  That is pretty important! It also talks about not being conformed to the world but being transformed by the renewal of your mind. It says that God’s will is perfect and good and acceptable. Why don’t we always believe that? Then it goes on to talk about spiritual gifts, and how they are different but all work together. And doing all of them to the best of our ability. With cheerfulness and zeal! We try to do things on our own too often. And then it also goes on to say: have genuine love. Outdo each other with honor. Bless those who you don’t like. Rejoice. Live in Harmony. Live peaceably as far as it depends on you. Let God take the vengeance. (Just examples) And the last verse… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  This is deep stuff. And I feel as though I should work on all of them a lot more than I do. I want to become like this passage. That is my goal. I’m praying God will shape me and mold me to become the woman He wants me to be. My desire is to be this passage. Especially while I am here in Italy, it is a perfect opportunity for me to start living these things out. Please read:

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members,  and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[fn] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, ]serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I just wanted to share this with you guys because it spoke to me. And I’m praying it can speak to you too. God is SO good! I would love to hear what you all have to say about this passage also!

This post was written by Grace M.

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord…”

Today I was reading Psalm 112 and several things really stood out to me. The chapter starts with, “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments!” The rest of the chapter describes the attributes of someone who truly fears the Lord and delights in His commandments.

Here are some of the attributes that jumped out at me:

1. “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.” (verse 6) if you really do delight in God’s commands and fear Him then you won’t be shaken. You’ll not only stand on a firm rock, you’ll trust that the rock is firm.

2. “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”(verse 7) he or she is not afraid of the future and what bad things will come with the future. He trusts the Lord and gives his future to the Lord.

3. “His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” again, the heart is mentioned again. A firm and steady heart is stressed because if your heart is firm in God then you won’t be afraid of what’s to come or of your enemies. You’re secure in God.

4. “He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.” (verse 9) you’ll be aware of those in need and you’ll take care of those needs, being generous with what God has given you.

These are just a few of the things that God says about those who fear Him. Grab your Bible and read the rest of the chapter. Journal about what you read. Are you fearing the Lord and delighting in His commands?

What’s Your Favorite Bible Verse?

My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 55:22. It reads, “Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you.” That verse gives me so much comfort and peace in time of pain and worry. It also gives me security to know that there’s always someone I can run to when everything’s against me.

What’s your favorite Bible verse?