Sometimes as you are traveling along, you just get to going and become oblivious to exactly where you are. You've been making good progress and get caught up in the accomplishment rather than taking in your surroundings, and if someone stopped and asked you where you were, you'd have no idea.
Where are we? We've covered a lot of territory, but where are we in our journey? Have you committed many of our previous 73 verses to memory? Do you know that we've gone through the Four Corners, down the Romans Road, across the Word of God, into Prayer, found Assurance, presented Praise & Thanksgiving, stood strong on Promises, marched to Obedience, experienced the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, enjoyed a picnic of God's Kind of Happiness, and are now climbing the mountain of Faith. Yes, right now, if we look around, we're in the middle of the mountain of Faith. And it is a good place to be!
Now if you're wondering where we might be along the journey of the Appalachian Trail, well we're just about 3/4 of the way through our trip...and we're in the beautiful state of Vermont. In 1995, Robert & I traveled through Vermont in early October. We had always heard of the beauty of the fall colors, we had seen pictures, but we were not prepared for the breathtaking display of God's artistic wonder of leaves of such vibrancy and brilliancy. One afternoon it rained as we drove through the countryside, and the moisture on the leaves just added a richness to their color. It really was one of those times that we said, "We never imagined it would be this beautiful!" I'm including a picture, but I'm telling you, pictures do not do it justice. If you ever have a chance to go to New England in the fall, don't miss it! We would love to go again.
Let's imagine sitting at this point, realizing that we still have 1/4 of our journey ahead of us, but taking some time to think back on the miles that we have most recently traveled, and then, after we've reflected on where we've been, just really soaking up the beauty of where we are!
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Yes, our most recent verses are worth sitting back and soaking up...they are verses on this mountain of faith that we are on, and they are verses of beauty. And now we add to these four verses, the next three which are a series of verses starting with Colossians 3:15 and going through Colossians 3:17.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:15
Our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior brings with it some wonderful benefits. Faith brings peace, and faith brings with it a fellowship of other believers...I have seen that fellowship in action today as Christian friends offered support and love to one who needed just that. I thank my God for the peace that He brings to us...through our faith, and through our family of faith.
Where are we? We've covered a lot of territory, but where are we in our journey? Have you committed many of our previous 73 verses to memory? Do you know that we've gone through the Four Corners, down the Romans Road, across the Word of God, into Prayer, found Assurance, presented Praise & Thanksgiving, stood strong on Promises, marched to Obedience, experienced the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, enjoyed a picnic of God's Kind of Happiness, and are now climbing the mountain of Faith. Yes, right now, if we look around, we're in the middle of the mountain of Faith. And it is a good place to be!
Now if you're wondering where we might be along the journey of the Appalachian Trail, well we're just about 3/4 of the way through our trip...and we're in the beautiful state of Vermont. In 1995, Robert & I traveled through Vermont in early October. We had always heard of the beauty of the fall colors, we had seen pictures, but we were not prepared for the breathtaking display of God's artistic wonder of leaves of such vibrancy and brilliancy. One afternoon it rained as we drove through the countryside, and the moisture on the leaves just added a richness to their color. It really was one of those times that we said, "We never imagined it would be this beautiful!" I'm including a picture, but I'm telling you, pictures do not do it justice. If you ever have a chance to go to New England in the fall, don't miss it! We would love to go again.
Let's imagine sitting at this point, realizing that we still have 1/4 of our journey ahead of us, but taking some time to think back on the miles that we have most recently traveled, and then, after we've reflected on where we've been, just really soaking up the beauty of where we are!The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Yes, our most recent verses are worth sitting back and soaking up...they are verses on this mountain of faith that we are on, and they are verses of beauty. And now we add to these four verses, the next three which are a series of verses starting with Colossians 3:15 and going through Colossians 3:17.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:15
Our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior brings with it some wonderful benefits. Faith brings peace, and faith brings with it a fellowship of other believers...I have seen that fellowship in action today as Christian friends offered support and love to one who needed just that. I thank my God for the peace that He brings to us...through our faith, and through our family of faith.
1 comment:
Christ is the Prince of Peace. He calms the storms that rage inside of me. He settles the wars of sin that battle against Him. I am so thankful of how God had provided for me. I gain strength and insight into a trouble life. His plans for me are filled with His abiding love and presence of joy.
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