My Reflections

Long-suffering God

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I actually ran across this by accident this morning. It blessed my heart. I think God led me to it. I hope others will read this, and be blessed by it too.
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FORUM

Feasting On The Word of God   (E) This is for a Bible study group. #2245217 by Marvelous Friend

Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at the Armor of God. Please come study with me. A new Bible study will be posted Monday, March 15th. Take a look at the three studies already posted, and leave some comments. I am looking forward to seeing you there! 👀
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Dear person in the mirror stairing back at me,

Hi, You need some encouragement. I know not everything is going the way you want it to. You are frustrated with yourself. Everything will eventually work out. Just keep trying. I am not sure how we are going to get you to log your intake. I know it is hard. It isn't enjoyable. It takes extra time and effort. It isn’t easy or convenient to measure everything out precisely. I know this is a big reason you don't want to record your intake. Maybe you can find a better way to do it. There has got to be a way that will work for you. We just have to find it. Don't be to hard on yourself. You are having legitimate health issues that make every day life a huge challenge. The last thing you need right now is to give in to depression. God has got this. Continue to count your blessings. There is a time and purpose to everything. Everything works together for good for you because you are called according to God's purpose. Your only and complete help is from him alone. Praise him and trust him in everything.

Sincerely,

Marvelous Friend


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Take UpYour Cross

Prompt:
Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Why is the Lord waiting and why do we have to wait for him while he is waiting?

Answer:
Long-suffering is one way to describe the Lord. He is willing to wait until the time is just right and we should be willing to wait until then too. In this verse, he is waiting so he can give grace and mercy to whom he chooses. This brings him glory. It allows him to be the ultimate judge. So when you see someone constantly being bad, making foolish life choices, and hating the laws and ways of God, praise him for his mercy. God is giving them time to repent because he loves them too. He isn't ignoring it. On the other hand, if they still refuse to repent and change their evil ways, they are heaping upon themselves the wrath of Almighty God, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. This is why the Psalmest says the following in chapter 50, verses 21 and 22.

Psalm 50:21-22
21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

FORUM

Take up Your Cross  (E) This will be a daily blog forum. #2225667 by Marvelous Friend

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Scripture writing - Psalm 91:5-8

Scripture:
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Observations:
Verse 5- We don't have to be afraid of terrors in the night or weapons during the day.
Verse 6- we don't have to be afraid of pesky unseen threats like viruses, nor do we have to be afraid of terrorism or unexpected calamities.
Verse 7- People may be dropping dead all around you, but God will deliver you. Give him praise!
Verse 8- You will be able to see with your own eyes what happens to the wicked.

Application:
God is in control, and he will protect me. Nothing catches God by surprise. He will let me see him reward the wicked for their evil works against me.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I give you praise! I can trust you at all times. You always have my back. Nothing can take you unaware. You will allow me to see you take your wrath out on my enemies, but you are full of mercy. I love to see your grace and mercy more than I do your wrath. Teach us to only fear you.
In Jesus’s name,
Amen
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Gratitude List

1. God's mercy
2. God's protection
3. God's grace
4. God's peace
5. God's presence
6. God's Word
7. God's goodness
8. God's kindness
9. God's judgment
10. God's discipline and laws

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Make-Up Scripture writing - James 1:9-12

For March 4th, 2021

Scriptue:
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Observations:
Verse 9- The brother of low degree is a brother of lower status. If someone else exalts him, he has reason to rejoice.
Verse 10- However, if a rich man is brought low, he doesn't have his riches to take security in. He has to rely on God. As the grass dies, so will the rich man. All his riches can not save his soul or his body from eventual death.
Verse 11- This is an explanation of verse 10.
Verse 12- We are blessed when we don't yield to temptation. God gives us the crown of life.

Application:
God gives us the crown of life and blesses us when we refuse to yield to temptation. We should never rely on riches. All the riches of the world can not save our soul or our body from death.

Prayer:
Dear Father,
Thank you for your promises and your Word that we can trust in. Help us to endure temptation so we can receive the crown of life and be blessed. May we never rely on the riches of this world, but put all of our hope and trust in you.
In Jesus's Holy name,
Amen