WHEN SOMEONE HAS ANNOYED YOU...

People can be irritating at times. But if you're ever considered an annoyance by somebody else, would you rather that person talk bad about you, or have patience with you? We are all works in progress and are all called to show mercy and grace.

So this week, when you're tempted to lash out at someone requiring a little "extra" of you, or dismiss someone who's getting on your last nerve, consider asking yourself: If I were them, what would I want?

If we want to live like Jesus, we need to do what He asks of us. And Jesus explained a key mindset in following Him--to treat others how you want to be treated.

To the extent that we forgive, we are forgiven. So what if, today, ew give others the same grace, compassion, and mercy that we'd like to receive?

WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING...

When you personally experience hardships, you might seek counsel from a pastor or mentor, but you probably also want a friend who will listen and help you process. You want someone to come alongside you who can handle your honest thoughts, and help you navigate the hurt in this world.

Just as we need people to encourage us, we are also called to be that source of support to others. So today, consider what you can do to point people to God's love and truth.

Continued

People suffer from lack of food, education, or medical care. Women live in fear of being kidnapped or raped. Men fear of being killed or forced into armies that are more interested in war than keeping peace. Solomon allowed himself to be lured away from God by his wives. What lures us away from God and God's Law? It's a question each of us needs to answer. Yesterday, we spoke about righteousness and justice. As long as justice abides, there will be division that will leave us open to invasion in one way or another. There's not much we can do in countries that are not our own except to pray and offer whatever support that is available, but we can work for justice in our own cities, our own countries. We can support laws that protect the poor and the vulnerable. We can volunteer for organizations that reach out to help. May we always be part of the solution and not part of the problem, working for peace and helping to eliminate injustice in any way that we can.

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Praying that they are all at peace now and resting in our Heavenly Father's presence. God bless them all. So sorry for what they all went through and had to endure.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️I totally agree. Great memories from those times.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Rofl...I had an 8-Track player in one of my cars. I loved it. Those were the days.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

✋🙋✋🙋

🙏❤️🤗🕊️You are most welcome.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️LOL.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️I love you too, sis. God bless you and yours. Have a most wonderful rest of the day and evening.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Now that's funny.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Amen and Amen.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Great song. Thanks for sharing.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️ Praying for both families. May God heal them both fully. May God give them all strength, healing, courage, love, peace, comfort, and rest. May God keep watch over both families and put a hedge of protection around them all. In Jesus' Name, Amen.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️ Good Day to you, as well. God bless you and yours. Have a wonderful day.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

1. He knew the Word of God.
2. he experienced the faithfulness and goodness of God based on that Word.

We, too, have this--and more. We have the revealed Word of God from the ancient prophets in the Old Testament, the words of Jesus while on earth, and the revealed words of Jesus through the apostles and authors of the New Testament. In other words, we have what David had:

1. We have the Word of God.
2. We can experience the faithfulness and goodness of God based on that word.

Read what Jesus said to His disciples:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace, in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 ESV

Like David, we don't have anything to fear, because God is near--and He is our comfort. Knowing Scripture helps us confidently believe that god is and will be a faithful protector, guide, and presence to those who love Him. So today, commit to getting God's words deep within you.

How many times have we seen people work for increased opportunities for those who have mobility issues, and then are shot down because it might affect the taxes? Why should someone in a wheelchair not have access to public sidewalks and buildings? All of us who claim Jesus as our leader also vow to follow His law of love. Love speaks wisdom and justice for all. In his first letter, St. John tells us that perfect love casts out fear. If ignorance is a cause for fear, than I guess, getting to know one another better is the beginning of love. It makes me wonder how many people do we consider friends who are of a different culture, a different race, or who speak a different language? If we isolate ourselves, we will never develop an understanding of how much we are alike, and can be tricked into thinking that we are somehow threatened by the "other." May we all grow in knowledge so that we may speak worlds of wisdom and be seen by our God as one of the righteous.

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Well said.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Number one: quit calling us a democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic. Learn the truth. These people are such demons. I can't stand any of them and I hope and pray God eradicates all of from His beautiful earth.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️That's awesome. God bless her in all that she does. Keep going. Doing it the right way. God's way.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️You are exactly right, Mike.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️I've said it before and I will say it again to all the parents out there with school aged children: Be the one who teaches your children the right way, God's way. The way it was intended to be. We all got duped by the educational system. Wake up and start being your children's caregiver and teach them the right way to go. God will provide. Trust and believe.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️You are most welcome. I'm glad it helps you. God bless you and yours always. Have a great rest of your day and week ahead.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Amen and Amen.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

🙏❤️🤗🕊️Good Morning. Beautiful picture. Thank for sharing. Wishing you and yours a blessed and beautiful day.🙏❤️🤗🕊️

Tomorrow, we'll do some digging into Israel's past, but before then, please don't forget to click on our "A Little Extra" podcast linked at the top of this page. It's a great chance to hear our Healing Strong team discuss the day's Scripture reading and what the Holy Spirit is showing us in that passage. It's like having friends join you in the study!

Questions:

1. What are you currently battling that keeps you up at night?

2. Are you feeling overwhelmed or somehow managing your problem?

3. What do you hope to get out of this study?

So out of all the Bible plans on the site, you somehow chose this one. Is it because of something you're facing right now? Are you tired of this fight? Please know that you are not alone. Every single one of us is battling something. I wrote this Bible plan to be an encouragement! I want to remind you that God is on your side, and He is fighting your battles!

In this Bible plan, we'll focus on one amazing Hebrew king named Jehoshaphat who led the kingdom of Judah when they were surrounded by, not one, but three enemy armies at the same time. I can't wait to show you what Jehoshaphat did when that happened! Spoiler alert - it is a story you won't want to miss. Better yet, you can learn what Jehoshaphat did and apply those battle-tested principles for any trial you are facing!

Continued

That is why Paul says he delights in difficulty, persecution, and hardship--because it's in those moments that God is able to be his strength and joy. God forms character in times of difficulty.

Paul was not a naturally gifted speaker or writer, and yet God worked mightily within his weaknesses to produce powerful speeches and letters that are part of Scripture. God's strength worked through Paul's weakness to accomplish things Paul couldn't do on his own.

This persecution changes how we live. It's in moments of anxiety, weakness, or difficulty, that God desires to be our strength. It's in times of persecution and hardship that God is doing some of His deepest work within our lives. If we are in relationship with Him and depending on His strength, then He will be with us in times of weakness. He promises to be our strength in difficulty.

Simeon was ready to die now that he had seen the Messiah. Anna gave thanks to God for sending the One who would redeem His people. Do we take God's presence for granted? Is Jesus just the baby at Christmas and the empty tomb at Easter, a reason for families to get together for feasting and celebrating? Do we - do I - feel that my life is complete now that I know Jesus? Does having Jesus in my life fulfill me? To be honest, I don't reflect upon it enough. In times of difficulty, I ask Jesus to walk beside me and help me to carry my burden. Most of the time, I remember to thank Him for being there. But there are times when I forget. It is easy to look for other ways of being fulfilled and many have turned to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other forms of pleasure instead of allowing Jesus to fill their hearts to that nothing else is needed. May you and I be more like Simeon and Anna!