Definite Impact

“So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in dlovedefending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 1:7-8, NLT

Photo: Nick Martin // Unsplash

Paul and Timothy loved these followers of Christ! They were a huge part of their hearts. So Paul and Timothy stood with these people, even from a jail cell.

Their lives were intertwined.

They were especially united in Spirit as they experienced the generous favor of God. The very special favor of God!

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What really stands out here is God knows how much we love our friends, family, and brothers and sisters in Christ! He intimately knows the love I have for each of these people. And He knows how desperately I want all of them to enter a rich relationship with our Most High God through His Son Jesus Christ – our Savior and King!

As I face this desperation, I know that He can save anyone! And once we are His, that cannot be taken away. I am going to celebrate the favor God has for each of His sons and daughters.

Faith comes by hearing. Jesus Christ carried our sins, took on our punishment (because of our sins), died the death meant for us, and rose on the third day to give us brand new life.

Even if my loved ones aren’t walking with Jesus (or we wane in our reliance on Him), there is hope that one day we all can come to Him – completely surrendering to Him. And as we pray, let us stay faithful to being a light to a dark world – sharing about Jesus for all to hear and see.

Whenever we put energy and effort into others to have faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, it leaves a definite impact on our souls. Paul had a love for these people, because of how he emptied himself into the lives of others. So I can relate on a smaller scale to this love he felt for the Philippians.

Question of the Day: Think about one person you can pray for and encourage to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if you end up not being able to step out of your comfort zone, you can pray passionately for them. The Lord can move many mountains to draw others to Him!

Trusting My Potter

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Phil. 1:6).”

“The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me (Ps. 138:8).”

“He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns (1 Cor. 1:8).”

New Living Translation

Photo: Vonecia Carswell // Unsplash

Normally, I don’t see this much evidence of transformation in my own life. But the first twelve days of my study were largely spent with my Grandma until she passed.

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Just as God through His Son Jesus Christ – has saved my Grandmother and used her greatly in our lives, I have that same choice – to receive His costly gift of eternal life and trust my Potter. My life is surrendered into His hands. To keep being transformed, I need to be disciplined in prayer and reading my Bible – and other ways to connect with Christ and His Church.

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Tonight, I enjoyed a church direction from nearly 25 years ago. Many of these men and women have been in Heaven for a long time. These are brothers and sisters in Christ have impacted my spiritual walk greatly!

They served me in the kids’ program or VBS.

They invited the kids up on stage during the last song before preaching started.

They welcomed the chance to allow me to serve alongside of them.

They even allowed me to crash their Sunday School class, so I can soak up their God-given wisdom.

. . . Now, it’s my time. It is my turn to mature in Christ, mentor other women, encourage others, and serve others. My kind of serving is often from my bed. You actually can serve the Lord and His Church from your bed. It is about the position of our hearts when serving, not whether we are at church, work, etc. That is what I am remembering tonight.

I have Chronic Illness Bible Study I lead, where I send out these three devotions a week. It is how I am choosing to serve the Lord. But, I am choosing Jesus the Savior of the world and to bask in His beautiful presence and Word.

Question of the Day: Who has made a big impact on your relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ? How did they impact you?

If you are interested, you can pick up your copy of Nourished People today!

“Right” Way to Pray

“Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now (Phil. 1:3-4, NLT).”

Photo: Patrick Fore // Unsplash

Have you ever looked back and saw how the Lord God has answered your prayers? As I look back to my original response to this Scripture in my Nourished People journal, I am reminded how much the Lord has changed me since.

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This set of Scriptures has reminded me of my need to be a prayer warrior, whereas before it was centered around the prayer warriors the Lord has used in my life. Each aspect is important. Without my prayer warriors, would I be this far?

As the Lord shares with me His forever Good News, I am reminded how much I need my Savior – Jesus Christ! I need to spend time each day praying. And, I cannot wait until I am feeling perfect to pray.

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These last few weeks, I have been utilizing YouVersion’s Prayer Guides to help me pray and it has been such a needed help. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know where to start, would be too overwhelmed about the many needs, or other things. But, this is a tangible way to help me pray.

I have been asking the Lord to help me learn to pray for many years, and this has been a wonderful help for me. I know we all pray differently and there is no one “right” way to have a prayer life. But, this is what’s working for me and I am so thankful!

It has been much easier for me to spend time in the Word than to pray. Being spending time in the Word is more doing-oriented. However, I am so grateful that praying isn’t as much about what my hands are doing – because I have less to stop me from praying when I am in a chronic illness flare.

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Question of the Day: What does your prayer life look like? What tools do you enjoy using, and does it come almost effortlessly for you?

Lydia and Me

Wanna join me as I walk through my newest journal, Nourished People, which is a walk through in the book of Philippians?

Welcome to….

Day 1!

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Photo: Hello I’m Nik // Unsplash

When I begin a new book of the Bible to study, the introduction is probably the most difficult for me. I always want to rush past it. But, there is a message here. I want to talk about the “Looking Up” Scriptures found in today’s journal entry. Acts 16:11-12, 14.

“From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The LORD opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message (Acts 16:11-12, 14).”

Philippi was not a city ruled by the Jews. It was near a Roman colony. The Lord was definitely the One who sent Paul there, where many would be drawn to the Gospel and accept His message of salvation. In Acts, we learn that people like Lydia needed to meet these Christian missionaries and accept Christ as her Savior and learn His plan for humanity – that included her. She had great value in His sight and kingdom!

We have such a big purpose. How are we seeking the Lord, so we can learn about it?

Lydia needed to learn how much the Lord has loved her – even before she was born! It was a worthy trip, even if only she would accept Christ.

Imagine placing yourself in her shoes. Or perhaps, you have been in her shoes. She worshiped. Then she met these men who told her all about Jesus Christ and it changed everything for her! It was a life-changing experience, as it should be. We get a relationship with the Maker of the universe. How cool is that?!

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Question of the Day: How can you relate to Lydia? Do you need a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ? How have you experienced Christ? Meet me in the comments section.

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“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:1-2).”

Memory Verse: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Phil. 1:9).”

Pick up your copy of Nourished People today!