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Weekly Verse and Song for Tonight Weeks 429-437
April 13, 2022

Week 429

Luke 22:61-62
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Not Forgiving Others

It's been almost 2 years, and I had a falling out with a friend, however, just recently this friendship started to be mended. Over the course of two years, my friend would try and keep in touch with me. She would text me mainly, had her kids text me, and send me a few gifts. I never opened one of her gifts or text messages, I just basically ignored her. In tonight's verse we come to Luke 22:61-62:

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me es three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

My mom could attest to this, when I was growing up when someone would hurt me emotionally or physically I would more than likely not retaliate, I would get silent. Mom was the one person who understood me the most and would know that when I would get this upset I would just get silent and not speak. I don't know if this is a great trait to have or not but I will say it is the response I would put out. In time, however, I would forgive.

When I felt hurt by this particular friend of mine my response was the same I became silent and did not want to speak to this person. Looking back her attempts to reach out should have been seen by me as a way to at least reach out and explain myself I did not. As such I lost almost 2 years because I was bitter. My friend had a loved one pass away, I knew how much she loved this person, my heart sank when I found this out. I reached out to her and she was in good spirits she apologized to me "for whatever she did to upset me". 

The truth is I felt horrible and I knew at that moment my response to her was wrong by being silent for nearly 2 years. Like Peter, we all make costly mistakes, these mistakes can harm us. As Peter wept bitterly for his mistake, we too should be remorseful. When we hold something against others we are forgetting that God forgave us, so why should we not forgive others. Understand that God forgives us and restores us back, to Him. This is seen clearly in John 21:15-25 where Jesus reinstates Peter.

This Easter recall that gift of forgiveness we received and so go and forgive others.

Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One Who First Forgave Us.

IN CHRIST ALONE - The Passion of the Christ
April 20, 2022

Week 430

Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

In Every Mess, There's a Message

Last week I talked about a friend I had not spoken to for almost two years. Well, that same year I had a falling out with another friend, and this past week I reconnected with that friend. This friend it turns out is struggling with an illness, from what I know of her she is a follower of Christ, as I was talking to her she told me "In every mess, there is a message." Though I can't be sure of the origins I will quote her on this.

In tonight's verse, we come to Philippians 4:19, where we hear Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit speak to the Church at Philippi: "19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." 

When I was growing up I know I saw my mom struggle with many things, essentially we can say there were messy situations. In light of these messy situations, God made my mom stronger in Him, as my mom's faith grew in Him. Mom wanted the most for us, and mom knew that the right way was for us to know the Lord.

Just like any good parent God would not give us something that would hurt us. God wants us to grow our dependence on Him through faith and trust in Christ and develop a Christlikeness as we see every struggle being allowed by Him to grow us in Him and Him alone. Our dependence on Him may wain if life was "perfect". 

To my friend who is struggling with illness and to anyone struggling with anything, including myself, it is our sole and soul's purpose to remind ourselves in this mess that I am in there is a message. Know that the message ultimately is to grow our dependence on Him and Him alone through faith in Jesus Christ.

Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One who gives us our message.

Waymaker | Michael W. Smith | Radio Version
April 27, 2022

Week 431

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Waiting On The Lord

A friend of mine sent me a text this week, basically asking me how I liked my work, and my response was that I see it as a transitional period. He then asked me what I meant, and my response was that I see everything as a transitional period that the work I do, is based on goals that I have and things that I do I see it as a transition from one to another as it keeps me from being complacent. He then responded that He agrees and that waiting on the Lord is a form of avoiding complacent. I agreed.

In tonight's verse, we come to the Psalm 27:14, where the Psalmist writes: 

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

When I was growing up mom would have to scrimp and save, a lot of times on the things that were needed. I recall that for a period of a year mom had to wash the clothes by hand every Saturday, for four kids. The reason is that the washing machine had broken, we did not have a car to drive to a laundry mat, nor the money to do so. Mom would wring the clothes out with mom's hands throw the clothes in the dryer and let the clothes dry, filling the house every Saturday with humidity and all. It was what was needed. We were in a waiting period where mom was saving. 

There is a Biblical lesson to learn here, God causes us to wait for things that we may need for example a spouse, a job, savings, etc. In that waiting period should we just do nothing? The answer is no. If mom for example mom had done nothing while in the waiting period of saving for a new washing machine we would not have any clean clothes. We should work and do the things that God places on our hearts to do, for example, meet others as potential spouses, look for a job, save, etc. In the midst of that "transitional" period, God will open our eyes to the things that may or not be for us.

So today in our struggles, trust the Lord during the waiting period, work for the things God places on your heart but know that the things that come our way may or may not be for us, as we wait for the Lord.


Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One whose shoulders we stand on.

You Raise Me Up | BYU Vocal Point (Josh Groban A Cappella Cover
May 4, 2022

Week 432

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Dealing With Harsh People

Demeanor and perception are everything, I've heard that saying before. Recently I started back working out at the gym, when I started back I realized that I wanted to do something different. In tonight's verse we come to Proverbs 15:1:

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

When I was older and was with mom, I could see mom had a difference in mom's demeanor as opposed to when I was younger mom was super focused and intense to take care of mom's kids being a single parent. Later in life I noticed a change, it could be that mom felt mom did mom's job, but I also would say mom had a closer relationship with the Lord. 

See when I train I am super intense and focused. Going back to the gym was interesting as I had not been there for two years. Yet what I started doing differently was to have a different demeanor. Sure I am there to work out and train, but that does not preclude me from being nice and showing it. What I have noticed so far is that people seem differnt when you, say a kind word, or smile and acknowledge someone. More importantly though we are showing Christ to others in our demeanor that will ultimately change their preception about what it means to be a Christian and to have a relationship with the Lord.


Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One we represent

Memory Mondays — Philippians 4:4-7
May 11, 2022

Week 433

James 4:2-3
2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Jealousy

So last night a good friend of mine sent me a picture of a friend I think she and her husband have known for a while but longer than me. In the picture, my friend crafted a wonderful, personalized gift for him. When I saw the gift I was impressed, and then I thought, wow I would have liked that gift too, as that is something I am interested in.

In tonight's verse we come to James 4:2-3:

2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

When I was growing up I knew mom would give us things, and in order to perhaps avoid a sense of jealousy among us, mom would always try to give us equal share. On our birthdays' mom, however, would give something to just that person whose birthday it was. I think these are good lessons to teach because at times I recall that some of us would develop a sense of jealousy.

My friend when she showed me that special crafted and personalized gift for her friend, I could feel a strong sense of jealousy coming over me. It actually carried into the morning. I placed my thoughts on the Lord and saw things from His perspective. I was tempted to fight, I was tempted to allow anger to overcome me, take root and cause me to get upset. I think this is because I was yearning for something from a person. The verse tonight is essential for us as Christians when we have feelings of jealousy to recognize it and seek the Lord. My jealousy subsided before it took root and I saw things from God that He is the one I yearn for.

This is a practice we as Christians must put in place especially at times of jealousy because we must know we yearn for the Lord, He is the one where our hope is built.

Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One we yearn for.

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less • T4G Live [Official Lyric Video]
May 18, 2022

Week 434


John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


Heartache

I recently got into a disagreement with an excellent friend of mine. I don't believe that she did anything to cause me heartache intentionally. However, it affected me and cause a rift in our friendship. In tonight's verse we come to the book of John 14:6: 

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

In September of 2013 when my mom went home to be with the Lord, my heart ached so bad, that I felt like I was never going to get through this time. I sought out many Grief Share to try and cope with this. Nevertheless, I was in much pain, not physical but strictly emotional. In the book of John verse 14, Jesus tells His disciples that He is the Way, the way to the Father, and eternal life.

This life that we live on earth is temporary, the heartache we feel here, will one day be removed and we will enter life with our Heavenly Father, where we enter the new creation that these things, this side of heaven is forever removed (Revelation 21:10-27). For now understand that the pain, the temptations, trials, heartache, and death are all part of this life, we will experience all of this, but all of this ushers us into eternal life, with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One who gives frees us.

Matt Redman - Better Is One Day (Lyrics And Chords)
May 25, 2022

Week 435

Matthew 14:22-23
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up to a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

Retreating To Quiet Places

The world is full of commotion this time of the year, especially where I live. It's roughly summertime here and days seem longer, people are out enjoying the weather and other activities. However, with all this it's important to remember not only during this time of the year but every time of the year to retreat to your quiet places to get quiet and spend time with the Lord. In tonight's verse, we come to Matthew 14:22-23. Here Jesus dismisses the crowd after He fed five thousand men, besides women and children, and retreated to a mountainside to pray, and later He was alone:

"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up to a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,"

When I was growing up mom had a prayer corner of the house where mom would kneel and pray later in life that was not something mom actively had, but mom would always spend time with the Lord daily as far as I could see. I carried that with me and each morning I get up and before leaving the house I do my best to find even just a few minutes to spend with Lord, through prayer, Bible reading, and daily devotion. It helps me focus for the day. However, when that is over my time with the Lord continues as I live with the knowledge and attitude that He is there with me every step of the way.

As Christians, we should always retreat to our quiet place. That can be different for each of us, but the important part is that we spend time with the Lord daily, but that should not stop there. We then should live our lives with Him on our hearts, and minds all day as He is always with us.

Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One who never leaves us.

Leeland - Way Maker (Official Live Video)
June 01, 2022

Week 436

Ephesians 4:32

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Being Kind and Forgiving

Today is my best friend's birthday. It's been an interesting few years, and I have not spoken to her in a while because I was upset with her. Rather than simply tell her I was upset I retreated to myself and became silent. In tonight's verse we come to the pages of Ephesians 4:32:

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Growing up and becoming an adult I know I have said things to mom that I wish I hadn't and though mom would get upset with me, mom would display Christ like character and forgive. 

Just this past year I felt a nudging from the Lord to forgive my friend, but I did not. Then one day I learned of her gram passing away, I felt really bad, and suddenly any level of angst against my friend dissipated and I realized that I was wrong. Unforgiveness is wrong and we as Christians need to walk in the light of Christ and forgive. To make matters worse unforgiveness can also affect others, and create an air of various emotions in others. I was thinking through things and I realized that my getting upset may have also affected my friends' loved ones around her. I realized that in order to walk truthfully in the Lord I needed to ask for forgiveness from her loved ones.

Through this experience, I realized that no matter what hurts we may feel, it's important to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving others because God has forgiven us through Christ. Knowing this and practicing this, brings us closer to a relationship with Him.

Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One who first forgave us.

Memory Mondays — Romans 8:1
June 08, 2022

Week 437

Proverbs 13:4 
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Being Diligent

Recently I was working out on the Stairmaster at the gym and I was chatting with a person next to me. I asked her if she was a Christian and what Church she went to. A gentleman next to her looked over at me and asked what my name was and that the conversation was interesting. So he and I started chatting and I asked a few questions of him regarding why he believed what he believed.

In tonight's verse we come to the pages of Proverbs 13:4:

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Doing some research on the word diligence I come to this definition: Due diligence is the investigation or exercise of care that a reasonable business or person is normally expected to take before entering into any agreement or contract with another party or an act with a certain standard of care.

When I was growing up mom would always teach us about God. I cannot recall a time when I did not know about Jesus in some capacity. However, as I grew older I would get questioned by believers and non-believers about my relationship with the Lord and what I knew. My best friend asked me what I believed about the book of nature (which is the world around us) and the Bible and how they are related. This prompted me to use due diligence to seek why I believed what I believed, essentially why am I a Christan.

The gentleman that I asked a few questions to while on the Stairmaster said he was a Christian but offered no due diligence weeks later as to why he believed what he believed. 

As "young" Christians we get an understanding of the Lord. However staying complacent and not developing a stronger relationship with the Lord through the use of due diligence might leave us wondering, why do we believe what we believe. It is of utmost importance to always be ready to tell others why you follow the Lord and why He is true, and your Lord and Savior (1 Peter 3:15)


Love you mom and I love you, Lord.

Home with the One we have Hope in.

Memory Mondays — Matthew 11:28
"28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" -Matthew 11:28
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