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Peripheral Vision

How’s your peripheral vision?

Could you pass an eye test?

Driver instructors frequently remind their pupils to be aware of their surroundings.

“Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon. And a man who was lame from birth was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, ‘Look at us.’ So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, ‘I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’ Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:1-8 HCSB).”

Peter and John passed the test with flying colors!

The apostles looked closely at the man; they didn’t dismiss him as an annoying beggar. Instead, they saw his need and his worth. Begging was the only means of support the lame man had known. Up until then, his legs could not support his frame. Peter offered him mobility; yet, he drew no attention to himself. He credited healing to Jesus.

In humility and compassion, Peter extended a helping hand.

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Women, They Were the FIRST!

Women, they were the first.

Before full daylight, faithful women began a mission of love. Laden with spices to anoint His body, they approached the Master’s tomb contemplating how to remove the large stone barrier.  

Finding it open puzzled them. The stone lay off to the side, affording them access to the burial place. Consider the women’s frame of mind as they discovered Jesus was not inside His place of burial.

Where is He? 
 
Suddenly, they encountered two men dressed in radiant clothing. Fright griped them as they fell to the ground. The men asked a pertinent question. “Why do you seek the living among the dead (Luke 24:5b NKJV)?” 

A messenger continued.

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:6-7 NKJV).” 

But… They saw Jesus die. 

Three days had passed since His lifeless body had been placed inside the sealed tomb. Yet, as the sun began to rise, hope and joy rose in their hearts.  

“So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word (Matthew 28:8 NKJV).” 

On their way, they met the risen Christ. He calmed their fears.  

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me (Matthew 28:10 NKJV).” 

He’s alive!

Prejudice against women prevailed as they shared their experience with the disciples. 

“And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them (Luke 24:11 NKJV).” 

The disciples received affirmation of Jesus’ resurrection in the remainder of the 11th chapter of Luke’s Gospel.

Jesus is indeed alive and the women’s message was verified. 
 
Don’t lose track of the women’s prized privileges. They were the first to see the open tomb, first to hear an announcement of His resurrection, first to behold the risen Savior.

Women, they were the first appointed messengers to carry the gospel; the good news of Jesus conquering death.

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Fear of Flying


Do you have a fear of flying?

That’s a phobia many experience.

It has been the source of many jokes. I remember watching an entire Bob Newhart episode that focused on the problem.

Bob attempted to rid his psychology group of their fear of flying. Though humorous to watch, his wife Emily thought it was no laughing matter. She was not convinced by Bob that flying is safe; Emily wanted to get off the plane.

You’re not alone if you share Emily’s fears.

Her fears were in the past tense; she found the courage to fly.

Emily overcame her fears. Some fly even though terrified; they white-knuckle during every take off and landing.

The fearful are determined to never-ever fly.

Through faith, others will be taking a miraculous future flight.

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV).”

Fear not; there won’t be any crash landings!

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It’s Grand!

Grand-parenting is wonderful; well, it’s grand!

“Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,

and the pride of sons is their fathers (Proverbs 17:6 HCSB).”

I wear the crown proudly and admit to being in the elderly age bracket.

Grand parenting is one of the best perks; one of the blessings of family life.

God rewards both men and women.

“How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in His ways!

You will surely eat

what your hands have worked for.

You will be happy,

and it will go well for you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house,

your sons, like young olive trees

around your table.

in this very way

the man who fears the Lord

will be blessed.

May the Lord bless you from Zion,

so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life

and will see your children’s children (Psalm 128:1-7a HCSB).”

He continues to bless; I’m living to see my grandchildren’s children!

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Christmas, Devotionals

It’s Christmas

It’s Christmas and I’ll miss receiving a gift package from Mom and Dad. No longer living, I miss them even more.

Mom worked as a volunteer at a Hospice thrift store in Devine, Texas. Having both an eye for bargains and a generous spirit… she selected clothes throughout the year for her children and grandchildren. We reaped the rewards.

I can almost follow the action in my mind.

Mom bought the clothes; set them aside waiting for special occasions and then packed them in shipping boxes. Dad had a part too; he added duct tape to seal the boxes before mailing. He trusted duct tape.

I trust God the Father and Son. My salvation is secure.

 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand (John 10:28-29 NKJV).”

I trust the Holy Spirit. He has sealed me.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV).”

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Christmas is Coming!

Homesickness is a common malady; beware, it mercilessly strikes around this time of year.

Though I call our current residence home, (like many) I consider the neighborhood where I grew up as my home.

In my case, I have no family left in the small CNY State neighborhood.

Yet, each Christmas I visualize our Mycenae living room and the Ford family tinsel decked tree.

Homesickness is apt to pop-up at any time of year; even grown men are susceptible.

My Dad briefly resided in Southern California, at Devore.

His furnished apartment was in walking distance from me; my husband and our two young children.

At first, my father put up a good front; (not wanting to admit how homesick he was).

Soon, the facade fell.

Dad made sudden plans to go back home.

I know he was happy to return to family and the familiar surroundings he was accustomed to.

“Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place (Proverbs 27:8 NKJV).”

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Devotionals

The Devil on a Leash

My husband and I aren’t dog owners but the majority of my family and friends are.

Many have more than one fur baby to keep them company. Dogs like to run free but leash laws are strictly enforced in many towns and cities.

You might not realize it but God keeps the devil on a leash.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.’The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’ Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.’Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.’ So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord (Job 1:6-12 NASB).”

God holds the leash; He limits the devil’s power.

Restrictions are strictly enforced.

“So the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life (Job 2:6 NASB).”

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Bible Studies

Aliens

They were not invaders from Mars or Pluto.

They were not little green men who used ray guns.

Enemies didn’t view them through 3-D glasses.

Yet, the people of Egypt thought they were dealing with an alien population explosion.

“Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, ‘Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we (Exodus 1:8-9 NASB).”

The Egyptians made their lives intolerable.

“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel (Exodus 1:12 NASB).”

 God witnessed the cruelty of the Egyptians. Then, and now, He hears the cries of aliens.

“He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:18-19 NASB).”

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Uncategorized

The Ransom

Most have heard of the 1932 Charles Lindbergh case.  Lindbergh paid a large ransom and yet his child was murdered.

Our attention is drawn to kidnapping situations.

What if someone we loved was kidnapped and held hostage?

What would we do?

Would we pay a ransom?

Kidnapping dramas are acted out on stage; television and in movies.

Act One:

The family usually receives a ransom note or a phone call with no specific leads to follow. They hear only the terrible news; the kidnappers are holding their spouse or child captive. The kidnapper tells them not to notify the police. If they do, the one taken will be killed.

Next, there are sleepless nights and frantic pacing.

The family waits; they wait for the next note or call.

Act Two:

The 2nd message has detailed step-by-step instructions. Come alone and bring a designated amount of cash (usually in small unmarked bills) to a secluded area. Family members begin to pull large sums of money together. At this point, the police and FBI often become involved. The law tries to rescue the kidnapped and comfort the family.

Act Three:

Results vary. Many times the FBI and police out maneuver the kidnappers. They free the one who has been held hostage. If not, there is heartache and sorrow for the survivors.

Do you realize that as a Christian you were once held captive to sin? The lost have been abducted by Satan’s lies.

JESUS frees us; the ransom has been paid!

“…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28b HCSB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Liberty

‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ (Declaration of Independence, United States of America)

Life…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV).”

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3 KJV).”

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world (John 11:21-27 KJV).”


Liberty…

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1 KJV).”

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32 KJV).”


Pursuit of Happiness…

Trust Him.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (1Timothy 6:6b-8 KJV).”



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