#139. “DAY BY DAY”
Every day I read Dave’s gratitude list and almost every day he says that ‘every day’ he needs to fight his addiction. For example, this morning, #1 on his list were these words: “1 (I am grateful…) to wake free from the darkness of addiction knowing that this is a daily reprieve ...just 1 day at a time.”
And I am reminded that following Jesus is a daily thing, one day at a time.
· He told us to pray: ‘Give us today our daily bread’ - We are to pray daily for what we need
· The writer to the Hebrews said: ‘But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,”’ - we are to encourage one another daily because we all need daily encouragement
· Jesus said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me’ - following Jesus is a daily commitment to Him as our Lord & Saviour
I need to fight my sin every day or it will kill me. I need to fight anger, bitterness, revenge, discontent, lust, greed, gossip, resentment every day or it will overcome me – and kill my spiritual life, and I will end up living like an unbeliever.
So many of us started following Jesus so long ago, years ago maybe? That was a ‘happy day that fixed my choice on Thee my Saviour and my God.’ But if we are not careful, we can, sadly forget that following Jesus today is as important as when we first started.
High heaven, that heard the solemn vow,
that vow renewed shall daily hear,
till in life's latest hour I bow
and bless in death a bond so dear
Today you are a child of God. Today you are following Jesus. Today you are His servant. Today He will use you to bless other people. So today follow Jesus. Every day follow Jesus. Recommit your life to Him every morning.
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day
Love from Paul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMEqoZE7aSw
#136. “A Women’s Bible Study”
*I keep thinking about Mary the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, and their women’s Bible Study in Luke 1v39-45: At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
That’s all we are told about it! But we know from v56 that it went on for around 3 months! Just picture these two woman, on fire for God, one very young, the other very old, searching the (OT) Scriptures to find out the truth about their sons and what God was going to do!
And their Bible was so worthwhile, for out of it came Mary’s magnificent song (Luke 1v46-55), full of theology and emotion (a potent combination).
And out of their time together came a Biblical principle (Titus 2v3-5)
Love from Paul
#135. “Hair”
I was reading a Christmas poem by GK Chesterton last night and it made me think of Jesus’ hair! (I’ll include the poem at the end of this devotional).
I wonder what Jesus’ hair was like? When he was born, did he have a lot? As a teenager did he have a parting? How long was it? Who cut it? Did he have it cut? Was it curly or straight? Who knows?
The only time we read of Jesus’ hair in Revelation 1v14 is when the Risen, Ascended, Glorified Jesus appeared to the Apostle John. John records that the hair on Jesus’ head was white like wool, as white as snow… Maybe white as a sign of purity? Or as a crown of glory (cf Proverbs 16v31)? We know that a woman’s hair is her glory (1 Corinthians 11v15).
Anyway, the next time you brush, comb, wash, cut or put product in your hair… think of Jesus’ glory, and that he is crowned with majesty.
Love from Paul
1. The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)
2. The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)
3. The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)
4. The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.
(GK Chesterton published in 1896)