Faithfully Yours Forever

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3%3A14-22&version=NIV
Passage: Revelation 3:14-22
Verse: Revelation 3:19-20 [pt] (NIV)
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in….

This portion of Revelation speaks of the seven churches.  In particular, this passage, writes about the church of Laodicea.  Just like we might want to spit out lukewarm water on a hot summer day, the Lord God might want to spit out the church of Laodicea because it is neither hot nor cold.    We, as His church, need to stand clearly for His holiness and His righteousness, rather than allow the world to water down or temper the message and teachings of Jesus, the Christ.  We must accept that He will rebuke and discipline us, if necessary, when we look more to the world for our sustenance than we look to Him.  May we remember, 1) that whoever seeks the Lord will find Him, 2) that the Lord will open the door for whoever knocks and seeks to enter in, and 3) that the Lord will enter in and have fellowship with whoever invites Him in to do so.  May we seek, knock, and enter in to eternal life with the Lord.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1%3A1-10&version=NIV
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (NIV)
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

Isn’t it something to know that we, as believers, have been chosen by God!  He has chosen to work through us, His servants, to reach others who have yet chosen to believe in Jesus, the Christ.  The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is powerful.  May we be empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit to reach out to others for the glory of God and for the building of His kingdom.  Way we be the witnesses, in this day… at this time… and under these societal conditions, that will point others toward an acceptance of God’s free gift of grace and life.  May our witness be a guiding example of how the Lord would have us live our lives in the world.  May we sense the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in us and those around us. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+3%3A11-26+&version=NIV
Passage: Acts 3:11-26 (NIV)

In Acts 2, we learned how the Holy Spirit was showered down upon the early church.  The Holy Spirit is present and at work in our world today.  Why are we amazed when the power of the Spirit of the Lord is displayed?  Haven’t we seen how the Lord has changed the lives of people… for good?  Haven’t we seen, or suspect we have seen, some kind of miraculous healing?

May we, by faith, believe.
Acts 3:16
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

May we, ourselves, be healed and made new.
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

(inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+3%3A1-10&version=NIV
Passage: Acts 3:1-10
Verse: Acts 3:6 (NIV)
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

We have been given power through Him, from above; power to be used in His name and for His glory.  It is not, however, power to be used for selfish ambition or selfish purposes.  It is power to be used to heal, to comfort, and to feed… spiritually and physically.  May we be worthy of the power, and calling, entrusted to us as Christians.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+8%3A10-15&version=NIV
Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:10-15
Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV)
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

You may have heard the expression; the Lord loves a cheerful giver.  Well, today’s Scripture verse supports this claim.  The surrounding passage indicates that the goal is equitable distribution of resources to all who may have needs.  In working to manage our home or family budgets, we often make the distinction between wants and needs.  May we recognize the difference between what we need and what we want.  May we willingly give, from what we have been given, to those who are in need.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)