Father, it steadies me to remember that even the powers that frighten me have to ask Your permission. Nothing touches…Father, it steadies me to remember that even the powers that frighten me have to ask Your permission. Nothing touches my life that has slipped past You. When fear whispers that things are out of control, remind me who gives the word.
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Theological explanation, context and application for your personal study.
Daily curiosity · Saturday, October 3
Today's question
Why should trials be counted as pure joy?
The answer is in James 1:2 ↓
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Images of clothing
God sews clothes for the first shame
Genesis 3Spread your cloak over me, Boaz
Ruth 3A prophet's mantle falls to his successor
2 Kings 2Ashes traded for a garment of praise
Isaiah 61Filthy robes stripped off before the accuser
Zechariah 3Twelve years of bleeding, one touched cloak
Mark 5Put on compassion like a warm coat
Colossians 3Trusting God through pain and sorrow
Four short moments a day to pause and be still. For the morning, lunch, afternoon, and evening.
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The wall of insights
What touches you in Scripture? What can we pray for? What can we thank God for?
Paul wrote this to household slaves, people whose work was never praised, never credited, never theirs. "Whatever you do, work…Paul wrote this to household slaves, people whose work was never praised, never credited, never theirs. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men." So the dishes at midnight count. The spreadsheet no one thanks you for counts. Someone is watching who never misses a thing.
Paul refuses to dress God's truth in impressive language: "not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy…Paul refuses to dress God's truth in impressive language: "not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches." Think of a verse you read ten times and felt nothing, until one ordinary morning it suddenly opened and undid you. That was not your mind finally catching up. Someone was teaching you.
Thank You that I live "in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels," never unseen and…Thank You that I live "in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels," never unseen and never forgotten. Thank You for a standard that leaves no room for favorites, and for the mercy that reached me when I had no claim on You.
The merchant list rolls on, cinnamon, wine, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, and then, last and lowest, "and bodies…The merchant list rolls on, cinnamon, wine, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, and then, last and lowest, "and bodies and souls of people." Human beings, filed after livestock. Heaven notices that placement. Ask yourself honestly: is there anyone in your life you have quietly moved down the list?
Father, I know how easy it is to hold my anger in all day and then let it loose at…Father, I know how easy it is to hold my anger in all day and then let it loose at home with people who will agree with me. Guard my heart from feeding resentment in private. Give me friends who tell me the truth and help me let it go.
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