Remembered by God

When God remembers me!

The God Who Remembers 

“But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth and the waters receded.” Genesis 8:1

I want to tell you a personal story from the closing days of the Second World War. I was seven years old at the time, and my father was stationed with the Air Force at Barksdale Field, Louisiana — with the family. We knew that the war was ending. Many servicemen had been discharged and sent home. We were looking forward to a discharge too and had even begun to pack so we could leave quickly if the papers came through. I remember my father explaining that when we were discharged we would have to leave quickly or run the risk that other orders might come through canceling the discharge.

When our discharge did come, school was in session, so I was told that we would leave as soon as I got home that afternoon. I was so excited! I could hardly wait to get on the school bus, get back to the base, and then get off at our corner. When the bus stopped I ran up the sidewalk and the steps to our front door. It was locked. Surprised and a bit subdued, I went around to the back door and found that it was locked too. At last I found a window that I knew could not be locked and after prying it up with a nail I crawled over the sill into a room adjoining the kitchen. It was empty. So was the entire house. I will never forget making my way slowly from room to room with the sinking sensation that in the rush of packing and the need to “leave quickly lest our orders be canceled” I had somehow been left behind. Actually, my parents had only gone off briefly for a last-minute errand. While I was wandering through the empty house they had returned and were waiting outside in the car for the school bus, which they thought had not yet dropped me off. But it was a sad little boy they saw backing out of the window of the room next to the kitchen after my tour of the empty house was completed.

By Dr. James Boice

Full story at One Place.

Are You Ready For When the Lord Shall Come?

In the Gospel for Tuesday of the 29th Week, Jesus reminds us to be ready, but what does that mean? Let’s consider four ways that the Lord describes.

READY to WORK – Jesus says, “gird your loins,” which is the ancient equivalent of saying, “roll up your sleeves.” The Lord has a work for us and wants us to get to it. He’s not thinking of a worldly career, but rather things such as raising children in godly fear, pursuing justice, and growing in holiness. The Lord wants us to work in His Kingdom.

We must commit to prayer, Sunday worship, reception of the sacraments, obedience, and holiness. The Lord has a particular work for each of us based on the gifts He has given us. Some can teach, others work well with senior citizens, still others have a good head for business and can provide employment at a just wage. Some are called to priesthood or the religious life. Some are called to suffering and to offer that suffering for the salvation of souls. Some serve in strength, others in weakness. In some way, all are called to serve, to work. So, work with what the Lord gave you to advance His Kingdom. Part of being ready means doing our work.

By Msgr. Charles Pope

Full story at ADW ORG

'Perilous Times' In the Last Day

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. — 2 Timothy 3:1

The Bible makes it unmistakably plain that in the last days, the world will be filled with difficulties, the like of which have never before been known in the history of mankind. In fact, the Holy Spirit was so committed to making sure we understand what will occur in the last days that in Second Timothy 3:1, it is as if He points His prophetic finger two thousand years into the future and specifically foretells what will occur at the end of the age.

Paul wrote these words by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Second Timothy 3:1: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” Notice that this verse begins by saying, “This know.…” The word “know” is the Greek word ginosko, the Greek word for knowledge. But in this verse, it is used in the present imperative tense, which means it is a strong command to recognize that there is something that must be known, must be recognized, and must be acknowledged. Having this knowledge is not optional; it is mandatory.

Full story at Renner

What Are Sin, Iniquity, and Transgression in the Bible?

Missing the Goal, Distorting Good, and Violating Trust

Pop culture sometimes obsesses over bad behavior—who’s doin
g the wrong things, who’s saying the wrong words, and who's to blame. Our most popular movies and books often depend on the “good guys versus bad guys” storyline. Whether we know it or not, we’re obsessing over sin.

The same goes for church culture. Pastors and priests preach about sin on Sundays. Small group leaders encourage you to confess it. Jesus and the apostles never shy away from bringing it up. And churches throughout history have been celebrating a 40-day season called Lent, which is devoted to reflections about sin and its ongoing corruption.

Full story at Bible Project

By Shara Drimalla & Bible Project Team

Christ Is Our True New Beginning

For many students, the start of a new semester means the beginning of a new chapter – starting or returning to one’s academic career in college or leaving home for the first time. When we talk about a “new chapter,” what we are really saying is “a new beginning.” Some might say it’s a “fresh start,” or a “clean slate.” Similarly, these phrases apply to New Year’s when we set goals and make resolutions. We consider times like these “new chapters” because we are marking a significant and transformative period in our lives. It signifies leaving behind past hardships, hoping for a better future, and embracing the changes that come with it. But what happens when the new chapter doesn’t go well? What happens when you don’t meet your goals and expectations? Suddenly the fresh start of this chapter feels stained and ruined, and you wish you could start again.

I am writing this because I have experienced it. I have heard stories of people who had hoped that college would be a place of new beginnings, but then something happened — maybe it was due to their own actions, or maybe it was out of their control. For students who are feeling hopeless or let down in this new chapter, I hope to encourage you in this season.

By Joziah Castillo

Full story at The Gordon Review

Let’s Pray - Talking to God with the Words of the Bible

The prayers of the Bible are an amazing gift from God and have much to teach us. They help us understand how Jesus, Job, Moses, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mary, Peter, Paul, and many others talked with God.

These prayers can also help us talk to God. Just as Jesus used several of the David’s prayers in His final moments on the cross (see matt. 27:46 cf. psalm 22:1 and luke 23:46 cf. psalm 31:5), we too can find in the prayers of Scripture, words that can help carry our thoughts and emotions to God.

When we use the prayers from God’s Word humbly and expectantly to encourage us in our own prayers, we open our hearts and lives to deeper faith, renewed strength, fresh blessings, and God’s power.

By James Banks

Full story at odbm org

God’s blessings

“God bless.”

One day I realized I was using those words frequently without really thinking about them. It was the way I signed off on most emails. It was something I prayed would happen for people who were struggling. It was something I said every time someone sneezed, which is a weird way to acknowledge someone else’s involuntary bodily action. I noticed I was using “God bless” without a lot of thought.

What about you? Does “God bless” have meaning, or has it become a pleasant platitude that means little?

By Pastor Matt Ewart

Full story at Time of Grace