----PREJUDICE AND FORGIVENESS ~~

---"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism."
---[ Acts 10:34] ---

---After hearing a message about correcting injustice, a church member approached the pastor weeping, asking for forgiveness and confessing that he hadn’t voted in favor of calling the black minister to be pastor of their church because of his own prejudice. “I really need you to forgive me. I don’t want the junk of prejudice and racism spilling over into my kids’ lives. I didn’t vote for you, and I was wrong.” His tears and confession were met with the tears and forgiveness of the minister. A week later, the entire church rejoiced upon hearing the man’s testimony of how God had worked in his heart.

Even Peter, a disciple of Jesus and a chief leader in the early church, had to be corrected because of his ill-conceived notions about non-Jewish people. Eating and drinking with gentiles (who were considered unclean), was a violation of social and religious protocol. Peter said, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile” (Acts 10:28). It took nothing less than the supernatural activity of God (vv. 9–23) to convince him that he “should not call anyone impure or unclean” (v. 28).

Through the preaching of Scripture, the conviction of the Spirit, and life experiences, God continues to work in human hearts to correct our misguided perspectives about others. He helps us to see that “God does not show favoritism” (v. 34)
---ODB/AJ
---"His Name Is Jesus" // Phil Wickham // <https://youtu.be/uqnkIzXRvGc>
~~~~~~~~~~~

--"I Lay It All At Your Feet, Jesus" ~~

--"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; and I am helped;
my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."
--[Psalm 28:7/ ESV] --

--OUR OLD farmhouse fronts two acres. I wouldn't trade it, but it makes for a lot of time on the mower. And let me tell you, it's a tough old piece of grass. I'm convinced our yard grows rocks and old tools--even tractor parts. Every year, by Fall, I get all the junk dug out only to have Spring offer up a whole fresh crop of rusty memories.

This year's happy surprise is old wire fencing. Have you ever run over wire fence with a mower? It starts with a boom, then a happy screeching sound. Then you spend the rest of the day pulling wrapped steel out of your mower

My daughter-in-law loves mowing. She was headed for the yard.
"Hey, Sarah," I said, "why don't you wait a few weeks till I can make sure all the rocks are out of the grass?"

She smiled, "Ah, Buck, have a little faith." -

I listened for a crash, but all I heard was her singing over the engine noise.

I mowed the following week, cringing and waiting for inevitable collision. Guess what? It came.

I guess life is a tough old piece of grass, tool And when we look for it, trouble rarely fails to show. It crashes in with a boom and screech. But the Master Gardener showed me something through Sarah.

-Have a little faith, Buck, He says.
There's a victory, There's Jesus. There's our Savior! There's a breakthrough. Yes, everything changes, hope is awakened when You walk in the room, Lord Jesus.

I've decided to take it to heart. The grass is high again and I'm going to put in my earbuds, crank up the music, and enjoy the sun.
--"Lord Jesus, I lay it all at Your feet, knowing there isn't anything You can't handle. Thank You, Lord, for leading, guiding an directing my (our) steps. amen"

--GP/BS~
--"Everything Changes" // Cross Point (feat Cheryl Stark) <https://youtu.be/c8-TTKBwfII>
~~~~~~~~~~~

---Heartfelt Prayers In Jesus Name~~

---"When he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!
But now they are hidden from your eyes." :--[Luke 19:42 - 42 // ESV]

---This precious glimpse of Jesus's heartfelt cry is an important example for me. He longs for people to know Him and accept His salvation, and He hurts for those He loves who are blind to His grace. His tears give me permission to let my own tears flow. I have family members and friends who are not walking with Him, and sometimes it hurts even to pray for them. There is so much potential for a life in service to Jesus--so much joy in living in relationship with Him. He longs for us to be in fellowship with Him, and I long for that for each of my family and friends.

There are times I stop praying for a while because I'm discouraged, and because when I pray form my heart, the yearning hurts and brings me to tears. But Jesus didn't hold back for compassion. He gave vent to His fierce anger longing for the best for His people. compassion. He gave vent to HIs fierce longing for the best for all His people.

I'm using these verses in Luke 19 to give new courage in my prayers. Because Jesus is praying with me. Even those who ignored Him in Jerusalem were in the focus of His love. And my dear ones are also the focus of His love--and His action on their behalf. He is not giving up, and neither will I.

As I pray, and sometimes weep, I'll also watch in faith for the ways He will work in the souls of those I love and pray for.
"Thanks be to God who causes us to have victory in Jesus Name." --

--Guidepsots/SH~
--"We Need A Miracle" // Charity Gayle // <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnRlZiG2RMg>
~~~~~~~~~~~

---BE NOT ASHAMED ~~

--Nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
---[2 Timothy 1:12]

--LET us never be ashamed of Jesus. Even as we would not be embarrassed to identify with a man who saved us from drowning, so we should not be ashamed of our Savior. Jesus also identifies willingly with us as the Scripture says: "Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11). So if we are saved by Christ, we should not be ashamed to proclaim Him with our words, our works, and our life.

According to Titus 1:16, some people "profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Why would we want to do this? Do we really want to act or dress like the enemy? Can we expect to eat at his table and not be poisoned? To play his games and not be dulled and lulled? I think not. If we are ashamed of our Lord, He will be ashamed of us.

We could unintentionally deny God in little things, such as by not giving Him credit for our safety or blessings. We might attribute these to "good luck" or "good timing." Let us use every available chance to honor God because honor is His due. Let us spread the word about our awesome, omnipotent God. Before Him alone we should be ashamed, since "all things are naked and opened" to His eyes (Hebrews 4:13). We are completely exposed, as transparent as glass.

Let us take courage and declare, not deny. Let us not be ashamed but bold. For our God is the ultimate Judge, the supreme Lord, the final Word, the Creator, the great I AM.

--BSW/JR~

---
---We should never be ashamed of being different from the world.
---Rather; we should be alarmed if we aren't.

--"His Name Is Jesus" // Phil Wickham //<https://youtu.be/uqnkIzXRvGc>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER ~~


---AN UNEXPECTED GUEST ~~

---[Jesus said], "Zacchaeus, come down immediately.
I must stay at your house today." --[LUKE 19:5] --

---ZACH was a lonely guy. When he walked down the city streets, he could feel the hostile glares. But then his life took a turn. Clement of Alexandria, one of the church fathers, says that Zach became a very prominent Christian leader and a pastor of the church in Caesarea. Yes, we're talking about Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see see Jesus (Luke 19:1-10)..

What prompted him to climb the tree? Tax collectors were perceived as traitors because they heavily taxed their own people to serve the Roman Empire. Yet Jesus had a reputation for accepting them. Zacchaeus might have wondered if Jesus would accept him too. Being short in stature, however, he couldn't see over the crowd (v. 3). Perhaps he climbed a tree to seek Him out.

And Jesus was seeking Zacchaus too. When Christ reached the tree where he was perched, He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (v. 5). Jesus, considered it absolutely necessary that He be a guest in this outcast's home, imagine that! The Savior of the world wanting to spend time with a social reject.

Whether it's our hearts, relationships, or lives that need mending, like Zacchaeus we can have hope. Jesus will never reject us when we turn to Him. He can restore what's been lost and broken and give our lives new meaning and purpose. ~~

--"Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking me when I was lost in sin and for redeeming my messed up life. I praise and bless your holy Name, Yahweh. ~ YHWH."

---"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." --[Hebrews 13:8]
--"Same God" // Hannah Kerr // <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etiaQLzAI3o>
~~~~~~~~~

----TELL JESUS WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ~~

---"When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted."
---[Matthew 28:17 / NIV) --

--TODAY"S KEY VERSE has often baffled me. How could the disciples both worship Jesus and doubt Him at the same time? I decided to research its meaning, and what I sound surprised me.

In the original Greek language, the word used for "doubted" is distazo. It implies hesitation or uncertainty about how to respond. It's not to be confused with unbelief. In this context, eleven disciples met with Jesus shortly before His ascension. They worshiped Him as the risen Savior, but they doubted--they were unsure of how to respond to Him. Should they bow on their faces? Should they throw their arms around HIs neck and give Him giant hugs? Should they engage in dialogue or remain silent in His presence?

Understanding the meaning of this verse has helped me. I try to be intentional about daily living, but occasionally I doubt too. Sometimes I'm unsure about how to to respond when my prayers aren't answered as quickly as I wish. Should I keep asking or reword my requests and try again? Am I missing the mark completely? Is there something I should know or change before pursuing the prayer request any longer?

I once thought that worship and doubt could not abide in the same heart. Now I understand that doubt -- distazo -- is part of our faith journey. Let's be honest with Jesus when we're uncertain about how to respond to Him. He knows our hearts anyway--we can't hide from Him. Honesty with Him deepens intimacy with Him. ~~

--"Lord Jesus, thank You that we can come to you when we don't understand and You will answer in your Word, the Holy Bible. Or we will wait until you guide us elsewhere. Thank You, Lord.."

--Guideposts/GF~

-----A LIFE OF INTEGRITY ~~

----[Please Read/ PSALM 15] ~~--

---IN TODAY"S PSALM, David describes a life of integrity-- it is marked by truthfulness, righteousness, and honesty. to develop and maintain this God-pleasing lifestyle, we must ...

**FORMULATE BELIEFS BASED ON SCRIPTURE-- Our need for a Savior, Christ's death on our behalf, salvation by faith alone, and the Father's gift of eternal life are foundational truths upon which to build our life. As we align our thinking with God's Word, our identity and priorities should flow from these tenets.

**SUBMIT TO CHRIST'S LORDSHIP-- Jesus commands us to deny ourselves and follow Him (Mark 8:34). Wholehearted commitment to Him helps us choose righteousness over temptations..

**BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH GODLY INDIVIDUALS. -- The influence of mature Christians strengthens our dedication and obedience to the Lord.

**ACKNOWLEDGE OUR MISTAKES. -- Everyone misses the mark at times. We are to confess any know sin to God (1 John 1:9) and turn away from the wrong behavior. We must also ask for forgiveness from anyone we have wronged.

God understands our struggle to resist temptation and choose righteousness, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us live with integrity. Ask Him today to help you embody the values in Psalm 15. ~~

--"Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit bringing conviction in my life and thank You for forgiving my sins. Help me to live for You. In Jesus Name."

---IN TOUCH~

---SET THINE HOUSE IN ORDER ~~

--[Please Read/ Matthew 24:36-51] --

---And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order;
for thou shat die, and not live." --2 Kings 20:1]

--Some years ago I was doing work at a certain home. The kitchen counters were full, and I could hardly find my way through the clutter on the floor. It is much more pleasant to work in a house where everything is kept in order. The words in the title were spoken by the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah when he was sick unto death." But Hezekiah prayed and wept before the Lord, and God said that He would add fifteen more years to his life.
None of us are promised fifteen more years; we could die today or tomorrow. As one proverb says, the young can die and the old must die. Ecclesiastes 8:8 tells us, "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit." When death comes to our door, it is final and irreversible. I was forcefully reminded of that when my wife passed away in May 2020. Before that it had always been someone else.

In today's Bible reading, Jesus said that we must be ready for His return because we do not know when it will be. His second coming will be sudden--"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Corinthians 15:52). Or He could come suddenly for us through instant death, as in an accident. Our spiritual house must be in order if we would be ready when Jesus comes for us. This means having our sins washed away by His blood, living holy lives, obeying the Bible, and thinking often of His coming. Is your spiritual house in order?

--"And it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment." --[Hebrews 9:27]~

--BSW/CM

----NOTHING CAN SEPARATE ~~

--"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword? --[Romans 8:35] --

---WHEN Pris'; father, a pastor, answered God's call to pioneer a mission on a small island in Indonesia, Pris' family found themselves living in a rundown shack once used to house animals. Pris remembers the family celebrating Christmas sitting on the floor and singing praises while rainwater dripped through the thatched roof. But her father reminded her, "Pris, just because we are poor doesn't mean God doesn't love us."

Some may see a life blessed by God as one that's filled with riches, health, and longevity. So in times of hardship, they wonder if they're still loved by Hi. But in Romans 8:31-39, Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from Jesus' love--including trouble, hardship, persecution, and famine (v.35). This is the foundation for a truly blessed life: God showed His love for us by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (v.32). Christ rose from death and is not sitting "at the right hand" of the Father interceding for us (v.34).

In times of suffering, we can hold fast to the comforting truth that our life is rooted in what Christ has done for us. Nothing--"neither death nor life....nor anything else in all creation" (vv. 38-39)--can separate us from Him. Christ lives inside of believers (spiritually).

--"Heavenly Father, open my eyes and heart to understand more of Your love, and help me realize that Your love is enough for my life. I praise and bless You, Jesus."

---ODB/YA~
~~~~~~

--All Praise and Glory To Jesus ~~

---"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved."
---[Ephesians 21:6/ NKJV] --

--Are we sure we want to do this?" Margi and I examined the paint sprayer one last time before committing. Rather than buying new furniture, we decided to just paint our old stuff.

The experts at the paint store suggested the correct sprayer. My wife and I read the directions, poured in the paint, and prepared to spray Big blue tarps protected our driveway. Dark wooden dressers flanked by their drawers, stood in rows like soldiers, awaiting our amateur efforts.

"Once we start, we can't go back," I said.

Margi smiled. "Let's do it! It doesn't have to be perfect."

I gulped. Perfectionism lurks in the corners of my heart, always ready to pounce. The fear of making mistakes nags at me. It makes me question my worth. But Margi's encouragement was enough. With the rumble of an air compressor filling our ears, I triggered the sprayer.
It was working. Our freshly painted furniture actually looked good. The color was beautiful and the sheen was great, because--following the directions of experts at the paint store--we kept it wet. "Wet enough to shine, but not wet enough to run." After a few hours, everything was finished.

That's when I made a fatal mistake. I suggested another coat. "I'll make it a light mist." That light mist turned into a dull finish. I didn't keep it wet enough, and the shine was gone. So was the our energy, and so was my self-worth. Margi must have seen it in my eyes. "Don't worry, honey. It's still beautiful," she said. And it hit me--my worth before both God and those I love doesn't depend on me being perfect. It just depends on me allowing Jesus in me, He runs my life. ~

--"Lord God, You alone are perfect. Help me to be good with that. You are Complete Perfection, my Lord and Savior."
---Guideposts/ BG~
~~~~~~

---LORD, GUIDE MY LIFE ~~

--"Men ought always to pray.... "
--[Luke 18:1 ] --

-----AS I thread my way though the early-morning traffic, the little robotic voice in my car's dashboard is telling me every turn to take and predicting the exact time I will arrive at my office.

Thanks to modern-day technology, I can simply request an address and the voice in the dash will give me exact direction to the place I want to go. If the traffic snarls or there's an accident ahead, the voice redirects me and guides me to another route.

Now, remembering the takeaway from last Sunday's sermon, "pray often and listen for God's response." I suddenly see this app in a new way. Or maybe I should say, in an ancient way.

Prayer, I know is mentioned some 132 times in the Bible. We are reminded over and over to pray, to talk to God, and the, just as importantly to listen to how He answers.

How many cars, I wonder, in this morning traffic are equipped with those magical voices in the dashboard? And that's not considering the vast numbers of people across the world who don't own cars, or phones, or any of the crazy GPS apps so many of us depend on.

And yet we all have access to the the greatest "Direction Giver" imaginable. In fact, I acknowledge, He my is riding right beside me in this this car ready to guide me through my day.

I turn off the app. The robotic voice is silenced.

"Lord God," I say out loud. "There's a long day ahead for me, people to help, decisions to make. I sure would appreciate your sticking with through the day, pointing me in the wisest directions, and taking me exactly where You want me to go. Thank You, Lord, I know You are always with me . In Jesus Name. ~

--Guideposts/BK~

---IT'S ALL IN THE BOOK ~~

---[Romans 12:2]
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
---

We rightly do all kinds of things to protect ourselves. We try to eat nutritious food, exercise, wear our seat belts, brush our teeth and floss, use sunscreen. But we fail to do one of the things that offers the most protection when we don’t read our Bibles regularly in order to renew our minds.
What you or someone else thinks the Bible might say could possibly do you some good; but in order to protect yourself from manipulation and deception, you need to know what it says for yourself. You will not know your Bible adequately if your only interaction with it is listening to preachers—we’re not that good! You need to read it to learn about the character of God and the salvation offered only through His Son, Jesus of Nazareth. This knowledge and awareness will allow you to live differently than “the pattern of this world,” and you will flourish as you become more like Christ and understand His will and purposes for your life.

THINK ABOUT IT
Is reading and thinking about God’s Word part of your daily routine? If so, how has it changed your life? If not, won’t you consider making it a priority?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, open my mind to understand Your Word, which reveals Your character and Your ways. I want to be more like You and choose to submit my heart and mind to You to transform them for useful service in Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
--WOC/AJ

--Wait Expectantly on Jesus ~~

--"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
---[Psalm 5:3 / NIV]
--The Blessings of Redemption / [Read/ Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 1 thru 23]

---I've heard it said, "Expectations are the building blocks for disappointment." True. Especially during the holidays. We are bombarded with unrealistic messages of what our meals and homes should look like and what clothes we should wear.

One year, when my three boys were small, I was determined to get the perfect family photo for our Christmas card. My sons didn't like the matching clothes I bought and wouldn't smile on cue. Disappointed, I gave up. Instead I wrote a humorous Christmas card about what we leaned the past year, ranging from "Don't hug your dog after a skunk sprays him,' to "Don't shave off your eyebrows, they take a long time to grow back. " I received grateful comments from friends because we didn't try to look like the perfect family.

Unrealistic expectations do lead to disappointment and steal joy. However, expectations based on knowing Jesus lead to everlasting joy. He is Immanuel, which means "God with us": (Matthew 1:23). He never changes (Hebrews 6:17). When we base our expectations on Jesus, He will not disappoint.

I never got the perfect family photo when my kids were little, but this year my adult sons did smile and wear the shirts I bought, but they didn't shave. Thankfully, I've stopped focusing on my expectations on the unimportant, and instead I'm waiting expectantly on Jesus. ~
--"Jesus is Immanuel, God with us."

--Guideposts/JB~

-----DARKNESS AND LIGHT ~~

--"I am the light of the of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness,
but will have the light of life." --[John 8:12]

--As I sat in the courtroom, I witnessed several examples of brokenness.: a daughter estranged from her mother, a husband and wife who'd lost the love they once shared only bitterness, a husband who yearned to be reconciled with his wife and his wife and his daughter reunited with his children. They desperately needed changed hearts, healed wounds, and for God's love to prevail.

Sometimes when the world around us seems to hold only and despair, it's easy to give in to despair. But then the Spirit , who lives inside believers in Christ (John 14:17), reminds us that Jesus died for that broknenness and pain. When He came into the world as a human He brought light into the (1:4-5) 8:12). We see this in His conversation with Nicodemus, who furtively came to Jesus to cover the darkness of. We see this in His conversation with Nicodemus. world as a human He brought light into darkness (1:4-5; 8:17) . They desperately needed changed hearts, healed wounds and reunited with his children.

Yet even though Jesus brought light and love into the world, many remain lost in the darkness of their sin (vv. 19-20). If we're His followers, we have the life that dispels darkness. In gratitude let's pray that God wlll make us become His beacons of His love of His love (Matthew :14-16).

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World.:

--"Thank You, God for coming to save me from the darkness of sin and Help me to remain in Your light and love."

--ODB/ AK