Weekly Verse and Song for Tonight Weeks 268- 276
March 13, 2019
Week 268
John 16:32 "Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me."
Yesterday I was just thinking through some personal issues I was having and this phrase just "popped" into my head, "My Father is with me". Growing up really without a dad I never felt I was ever missing anything because my mom fulfilled that role, and mom was all I knew. As I walk through this life as an adult, and since mom left I recall many times feeling lonely without anyone really to talk with. This week I felt a lone in my thoughts and actions, then as I thought through things I recall a truth that I am never a lone for "my Father, my Heavenly Father is with me".
In tonight's verse we encounter Jesus telling His disciples that they will all leave Him, they will "scatter". Jesus then said you will leave me a lone but know that I am not for my Father is with me. Today this verse is for us today, that when others have left, and we are a lone with our struggles, that God is with us.
Mom taught me as a young kid to rely on God, and growing up this stuck with me to the point I can recall and not feel a lone. Parents this is the greatest gifts to give to a child, teaching them that no matter where they may go, God is with them.
I love you mom, and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who Never Leaves Us
Song: "My Redeemer Is Faithful And True - The Nebblett Family [Music Video]"
Week 268
John 16:32 "Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me."
Yesterday I was just thinking through some personal issues I was having and this phrase just "popped" into my head, "My Father is with me". Growing up really without a dad I never felt I was ever missing anything because my mom fulfilled that role, and mom was all I knew. As I walk through this life as an adult, and since mom left I recall many times feeling lonely without anyone really to talk with. This week I felt a lone in my thoughts and actions, then as I thought through things I recall a truth that I am never a lone for "my Father, my Heavenly Father is with me".
In tonight's verse we encounter Jesus telling His disciples that they will all leave Him, they will "scatter". Jesus then said you will leave me a lone but know that I am not for my Father is with me. Today this verse is for us today, that when others have left, and we are a lone with our struggles, that God is with us.
Mom taught me as a young kid to rely on God, and growing up this stuck with me to the point I can recall and not feel a lone. Parents this is the greatest gifts to give to a child, teaching them that no matter where they may go, God is with them.
I love you mom, and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who Never Leaves Us
Song: "My Redeemer Is Faithful And True - The Nebblett Family [Music Video]"
March 20, 2019
Week 269
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
One of the things I learned from mom, was being peaceful and quiet. Let me be honest here and say that mom was not always peaceful and quiet, mom had a hard time at times dealing with many things in mom's life. However, towards mom's final years I noticed a lot of differences. One of those differences was that mom was peaceful and quiet, alone with mom's thoughts towards God. That's the best way I can describe, when opposition came in those years mom, had a sense of peace even in those times.
In tonight's verse, we read from Paul's letter to the Church at Ephesus that there should be no corrupting talk, but only talk that is good for building up, so that the person who hears it, may receive grace. This week I encountered a friend who through a text message had some unkind words towards me because I couldn't talk on the phone. My first thoughts were to respond with a "teaching undertone" however, thinking through this and with prayer my thoughts turn to "responding with grace". I know that this wouldn't have been the case for me years ago. As I walk with the Lord prayerfully and carefully consider my faith I know that God has taught me through experiences (ie. mom) how to offer grace to others.
Putting our own feelings aside from how we feel when someone treats us wrong and considering first their feelings as to why they may be responding in a manner that doesn't build one up but tears them down is not easy. Most of us (including myself) need to put into practice and exercise often what Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus. There are ways of offering a statement back to the offender that is full of grace and truth, but this comes with practice.
As Christians being reminded of Ephesians 4:29 in our daily encounters with others is of high importance, as we reflect Christ Himself to others and for others to see. After all as followers of Jesus Christ we have been extended grace by our Heavenly Father.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who Extends us Grace
Song: "Song of Grace (Official Lyric Video) - Jarod Espy"
Week 269
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
One of the things I learned from mom, was being peaceful and quiet. Let me be honest here and say that mom was not always peaceful and quiet, mom had a hard time at times dealing with many things in mom's life. However, towards mom's final years I noticed a lot of differences. One of those differences was that mom was peaceful and quiet, alone with mom's thoughts towards God. That's the best way I can describe, when opposition came in those years mom, had a sense of peace even in those times.
In tonight's verse, we read from Paul's letter to the Church at Ephesus that there should be no corrupting talk, but only talk that is good for building up, so that the person who hears it, may receive grace. This week I encountered a friend who through a text message had some unkind words towards me because I couldn't talk on the phone. My first thoughts were to respond with a "teaching undertone" however, thinking through this and with prayer my thoughts turn to "responding with grace". I know that this wouldn't have been the case for me years ago. As I walk with the Lord prayerfully and carefully consider my faith I know that God has taught me through experiences (ie. mom) how to offer grace to others.
Putting our own feelings aside from how we feel when someone treats us wrong and considering first their feelings as to why they may be responding in a manner that doesn't build one up but tears them down is not easy. Most of us (including myself) need to put into practice and exercise often what Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus. There are ways of offering a statement back to the offender that is full of grace and truth, but this comes with practice.
As Christians being reminded of Ephesians 4:29 in our daily encounters with others is of high importance, as we reflect Christ Himself to others and for others to see. After all as followers of Jesus Christ we have been extended grace by our Heavenly Father.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who Extends us Grace
Song: "Song of Grace (Official Lyric Video) - Jarod Espy"
March 27, 2019
Week 270
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Each morning, my favorite thing to do is to read scriptures, read my daily devotion, and pray to God. Doing this daily sets the rutter of the day, knowing and reminding me that my dependence is on God not anyting or anyone else. In tonight's verse we read the Psalmist state that each morning he goes to God in prayer laying his request to Him and waits knowing He will deliver.
Growing up one of the things I remember mom telling me was to make sure I pray and read my Bible. As far as I can remember mom telling me this instilled a value in me that carries on today. Mom also prayed each day, the latest I remember is seeing mom pray just before having mom's breakfast which was coffee and bread.
Starting your day off with God is a great way to start the day, however, more importantly it's all about spending time with your Heavenly Father. Spending time with God is most important for us to know the will of God more and more in our lives and to know Him more. So truthfully whether you can spend time with the Lord in the morning or later, the important part is being able to set time aside daily for your Father in Heaven.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One Who is Most Important
Song: "The Cause of Christ | RESOLVED" -West Coast Baptist
Week 270
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Each morning, my favorite thing to do is to read scriptures, read my daily devotion, and pray to God. Doing this daily sets the rutter of the day, knowing and reminding me that my dependence is on God not anyting or anyone else. In tonight's verse we read the Psalmist state that each morning he goes to God in prayer laying his request to Him and waits knowing He will deliver.
Growing up one of the things I remember mom telling me was to make sure I pray and read my Bible. As far as I can remember mom telling me this instilled a value in me that carries on today. Mom also prayed each day, the latest I remember is seeing mom pray just before having mom's breakfast which was coffee and bread.
Starting your day off with God is a great way to start the day, however, more importantly it's all about spending time with your Heavenly Father. Spending time with God is most important for us to know the will of God more and more in our lives and to know Him more. So truthfully whether you can spend time with the Lord in the morning or later, the important part is being able to set time aside daily for your Father in Heaven.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One Who is Most Important
Song: "The Cause of Christ | RESOLVED" -West Coast Baptist
April 3, 2019
Week 271
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
It's interesting to be a follower of Christ. It's interesting because no matter what we face in life God always has the answer. I suddenly myself in a work situation where things seem to be slow, I don't know how long that will last but at the same time it seems these things come in spurts. I do get a bit restless because I like being busy, but as I move along it appears to me that God is telling me to rest. This rest is not necessarily a physical rest but a mental.
In tonight's verse we see Jesus addressing the crowd, telling the listener to come to Him, those are weary, burdened and He will give them rest. Jesus uses the analogy of the yoke, which is used between animals as they worked the land. When animals would work the land the yoke was fitted over the two so that seemingly they would be one. When one animal would get tired or behind the other would help pull the other. Jesus tells us the same thing.
Stress is something that can harm any of us, if it's not checked. Mom always told me a lot of times when I was tired and stressed to rest. Christ tells us the same, as stated above it's not necessarily a physical rest but a rest that involves peace for our souls. We find this peace only in Jesus knowing that no matter what happens in life He is with us, and will carry us through any and every situation in life. Put on Christ Jesus.
I love you mom and I love you LORD.
Home with the One who is our Rest
Song: "Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) [Lyrics]" -Kari Jobe
Week 271
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
It's interesting to be a follower of Christ. It's interesting because no matter what we face in life God always has the answer. I suddenly myself in a work situation where things seem to be slow, I don't know how long that will last but at the same time it seems these things come in spurts. I do get a bit restless because I like being busy, but as I move along it appears to me that God is telling me to rest. This rest is not necessarily a physical rest but a mental.
In tonight's verse we see Jesus addressing the crowd, telling the listener to come to Him, those are weary, burdened and He will give them rest. Jesus uses the analogy of the yoke, which is used between animals as they worked the land. When animals would work the land the yoke was fitted over the two so that seemingly they would be one. When one animal would get tired or behind the other would help pull the other. Jesus tells us the same thing.
Stress is something that can harm any of us, if it's not checked. Mom always told me a lot of times when I was tired and stressed to rest. Christ tells us the same, as stated above it's not necessarily a physical rest but a rest that involves peace for our souls. We find this peace only in Jesus knowing that no matter what happens in life He is with us, and will carry us through any and every situation in life. Put on Christ Jesus.
I love you mom and I love you LORD.
Home with the One who is our Rest
Song: "Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) [Lyrics]" -Kari Jobe
April 10, 2019
Week 272
John 16:33 33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This week has been pretty interesting I think for one reason or another I have hardly any peace, as I find myself wanting the weekend to get here faster, just so I can clear my head. I was telling a friend this morning that I wish I can just be with Christ.
In tonight's verse we see that Jesus has the answer. He tells his followers that in Him there is peace, to understand this however, in this world there will be problems but know that Jesus has overcome the world. As this is regarded to us, that Christ is the one we follow and trust, not the world.
I know my mom had many days of turmoil, but the one thing I can say is that towards the end of my mom's time here, mom had a sense of peace, a peace that came from knowing Jesus Christ.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with our Peace.
Song: 2 10 Overcome The World Every Nation Music Lyrics YouTube
Week 272
John 16:33 33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This week has been pretty interesting I think for one reason or another I have hardly any peace, as I find myself wanting the weekend to get here faster, just so I can clear my head. I was telling a friend this morning that I wish I can just be with Christ.
In tonight's verse we see that Jesus has the answer. He tells his followers that in Him there is peace, to understand this however, in this world there will be problems but know that Jesus has overcome the world. As this is regarded to us, that Christ is the one we follow and trust, not the world.
I know my mom had many days of turmoil, but the one thing I can say is that towards the end of my mom's time here, mom had a sense of peace, a peace that came from knowing Jesus Christ.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with our Peace.
Song: 2 10 Overcome The World Every Nation Music Lyrics YouTube
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April 17, 2019
Week 273
1 Peter 1:13-16 "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."”
Many times throughout life we encounter something that will test us our faith so hard that it may cause us to forget that we are truly followers of Christ. These past few weeks have been just that for me it's been a huge burden at work, every day I been getting up extremely exhausted, frustrated and honestly upset. In tonight's verse we see Peter speaking urging us to be "holy" as Christ is holy.
I will admit it is something that truly has been testing me, people at work seem to ignore we are professionals, which should guide how we act to each other and to our customers. I am a follower of Christ and as I encounter so many obstacles at work such as these it does cause me to wonder if I am following God's plan. Additionally these obstacles cause me to want to lash out, however as Christians we must recognize that we follow Christ and as such we must hold ourselves to His standards. We must remember that to be like Christ, is to be holy as He is.
One of the things I recall my mom telling me a lot is to rest. Resting our physical bodies can give us time to have our minds relaxed so that we can remember to focus our lives on Christ, especially in situations such that I described above. Resting or stepping away from a hard situation that may be testing us is powerful. I think this is a great thing to do, and as the verse for tonight states that our minds need to be alert and fully sober. It seems to me that rest causes me to get my mind in order. I think this would be true and practical for everyone especially Christians, to rest and then to return to where God would have us that is to be like Christ.
I love you mom and I love you LORD.
Home with our Rest
Song: "Jurassic Park Theme" - 65 Million Years In The Making! - The Piano Guys
Week 273
1 Peter 1:13-16 "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."”
Many times throughout life we encounter something that will test us our faith so hard that it may cause us to forget that we are truly followers of Christ. These past few weeks have been just that for me it's been a huge burden at work, every day I been getting up extremely exhausted, frustrated and honestly upset. In tonight's verse we see Peter speaking urging us to be "holy" as Christ is holy.
I will admit it is something that truly has been testing me, people at work seem to ignore we are professionals, which should guide how we act to each other and to our customers. I am a follower of Christ and as I encounter so many obstacles at work such as these it does cause me to wonder if I am following God's plan. Additionally these obstacles cause me to want to lash out, however as Christians we must recognize that we follow Christ and as such we must hold ourselves to His standards. We must remember that to be like Christ, is to be holy as He is.
One of the things I recall my mom telling me a lot is to rest. Resting our physical bodies can give us time to have our minds relaxed so that we can remember to focus our lives on Christ, especially in situations such that I described above. Resting or stepping away from a hard situation that may be testing us is powerful. I think this is a great thing to do, and as the verse for tonight states that our minds need to be alert and fully sober. It seems to me that rest causes me to get my mind in order. I think this would be true and practical for everyone especially Christians, to rest and then to return to where God would have us that is to be like Christ.
I love you mom and I love you LORD.
Home with our Rest
Song: "Jurassic Park Theme" - 65 Million Years In The Making! - The Piano Guys
April 24, 2019
Week 274
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Sometimes I look at my life, and wonder why things work out the way they do. In tonight' verse King Solomon answers this question for me and for Christians. Solomon writes "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." This is something that I was taught by mom and others growing up, that is to honor God. As as adult I make this my number one priority, though I am not perfect in this. See life begins and starts with honoring God committing to Him in all that you do, then He establishes our plans. In reality when we are following God and honoring Him, it's not that we first make our plans but that God makes them as we first follow and honor Him. When we first honor God His desires become our desires.
One of the things I remember most about my mom is that mom always taught me to honor God. This honoring was by reading my Bible, and praying. By doing this my understanding and relationship with Him grew.
This week as I see things play out before me in regards to an injury I suffered. I find myself injured, at a time when being injured and needing surgery comes at the right time. Being a Christian is no easy task, as daily we are surrounded by temptations, to get angry, to lust, to fret, to worry, to lie, to cheat, etc. However when we run from these things and instead run to God we honor Him. Additionally in our lives by seeking Him through scriptures, through prayer, we honor and commit ourselves to Him, when we do so we place Him first in our lives, and He establishes our plans.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who Establishes our Plans
Song: Walk By Faith by Jeremy Camp with lyrics
Week 274
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Sometimes I look at my life, and wonder why things work out the way they do. In tonight' verse King Solomon answers this question for me and for Christians. Solomon writes "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." This is something that I was taught by mom and others growing up, that is to honor God. As as adult I make this my number one priority, though I am not perfect in this. See life begins and starts with honoring God committing to Him in all that you do, then He establishes our plans. In reality when we are following God and honoring Him, it's not that we first make our plans but that God makes them as we first follow and honor Him. When we first honor God His desires become our desires.
One of the things I remember most about my mom is that mom always taught me to honor God. This honoring was by reading my Bible, and praying. By doing this my understanding and relationship with Him grew.
This week as I see things play out before me in regards to an injury I suffered. I find myself injured, at a time when being injured and needing surgery comes at the right time. Being a Christian is no easy task, as daily we are surrounded by temptations, to get angry, to lust, to fret, to worry, to lie, to cheat, etc. However when we run from these things and instead run to God we honor Him. Additionally in our lives by seeking Him through scriptures, through prayer, we honor and commit ourselves to Him, when we do so we place Him first in our lives, and He establishes our plans.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who Establishes our Plans
Song: Walk By Faith by Jeremy Camp with lyrics
May 1, 2019
Week 275
Luke 12:18-20 18."Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19.And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."' 20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'"
Weeks ago I touched on the subject of emptiness, and it's affect on us as believers. This morning I texted my friend and asked "have you ever felt empty inside, as if something was missing". His response was that "yes, sometimes I struggle with saying I would be happy if... Next he said that this seemed like a temptation from Satan." . As I began to think about his response and how I would answer the same question, I thought I couldn't agree more but that I would also add that God is showing us something in the emptiness.
In tonight's verse we see Jesus telling the parable of the person who stores up for himself "treasures". The person in the parable seems to want to live for himself, enjoy his life here. However, this person is though "happy" in himself, he has neglected others and doing things for people, he is solely concerned about himself. Even a bigger tragedy is that this person has forgotten God, verse 21 goes on to read:
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
In our feelings of emptiness God is showing us that whatever we care for, whatever seems to fill us is fleeting. Many times I'll look to my favorite show or podcast and think this is great. With technology today we can watch what we like a lot over and over, however at some point we either get tired of it, and we get to the point where we realize that it's doesn't "fill" us the way it use to. This "filling" is true with anything and anyone, it's at this point were God is grabbing our attention and telling us that it's not that thing or person who fills you, but your fulfillment comes from me. As mom got older I could see more and more mom's dependency on God was getting stronger and stronger and the things that filled my mom like family, and friends were fleeting but it was God all along that was mom's joy and peace.
Today as Christians unlike the person in Jesus' parable we must remember that our fulfillment is not in accumulation of things in the parable's case or ours, but it's in knowing Jesus, and letting Him a lone guide us to true fulfillment
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One who Fulfills Us.
Song: Citizen Way - When I'm With You (Official Music Video)
Week 275
Luke 12:18-20 18."Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19.And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."' 20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'"
Weeks ago I touched on the subject of emptiness, and it's affect on us as believers. This morning I texted my friend and asked "have you ever felt empty inside, as if something was missing". His response was that "yes, sometimes I struggle with saying I would be happy if... Next he said that this seemed like a temptation from Satan." . As I began to think about his response and how I would answer the same question, I thought I couldn't agree more but that I would also add that God is showing us something in the emptiness.
In tonight's verse we see Jesus telling the parable of the person who stores up for himself "treasures". The person in the parable seems to want to live for himself, enjoy his life here. However, this person is though "happy" in himself, he has neglected others and doing things for people, he is solely concerned about himself. Even a bigger tragedy is that this person has forgotten God, verse 21 goes on to read:
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
In our feelings of emptiness God is showing us that whatever we care for, whatever seems to fill us is fleeting. Many times I'll look to my favorite show or podcast and think this is great. With technology today we can watch what we like a lot over and over, however at some point we either get tired of it, and we get to the point where we realize that it's doesn't "fill" us the way it use to. This "filling" is true with anything and anyone, it's at this point were God is grabbing our attention and telling us that it's not that thing or person who fills you, but your fulfillment comes from me. As mom got older I could see more and more mom's dependency on God was getting stronger and stronger and the things that filled my mom like family, and friends were fleeting but it was God all along that was mom's joy and peace.
Today as Christians unlike the person in Jesus' parable we must remember that our fulfillment is not in accumulation of things in the parable's case or ours, but it's in knowing Jesus, and letting Him a lone guide us to true fulfillment
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One who Fulfills Us.
Song: Citizen Way - When I'm With You (Official Music Video)
May 8, 2019
Week 276
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
A lot times we want to do things on our own. I know for me that is hard for me to accept help. In tonight's verse we see the importance of help. It's
something God does for us, He helps us, He saves us.
Recently I had a procedure done that in a nutshell I needed help. My sister and others offered help, but I really didn't want any. God however, knew that I did and He sent my sister to help me through it.
My mom a lot of times would simply help me through things. It is an important Christian trait I'm learning that we understand that we cannot do everything on our own. Much like a realization that we need Christ to save us and apart from Him we cannot offer up ourselves to save us. In life God allows others to help us.
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One who Helps Us.
Song: The Afters - Light Up The Sky - Official Video
Week 276
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
A lot times we want to do things on our own. I know for me that is hard for me to accept help. In tonight's verse we see the importance of help. It's
something God does for us, He helps us, He saves us.
Recently I had a procedure done that in a nutshell I needed help. My sister and others offered help, but I really didn't want any. God however, knew that I did and He sent my sister to help me through it.
My mom a lot of times would simply help me through things. It is an important Christian trait I'm learning that we understand that we cannot do everything on our own. Much like a realization that we need Christ to save us and apart from Him we cannot offer up ourselves to save us. In life God allows others to help us.
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One who Helps Us.
Song: The Afters - Light Up The Sky - Official Video