I would ask, Father, that the message shared impacts those who read it. May it be what You need it to be for this place and this time. Amen.
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I want to preface today’s post with an announcement that I will be taking just a few days off from writing. I will be helping my son transition to his new place of residence and, once there, help him do some initial setup. We will be busy for sure.
I hope to be back to writing sometime the middle/end of next week. Please check out MoreThanUseless’ website for several years of posts. You can even type in a passage of Scripture – over that period, I’ve written something about every book in the New Testament except a couple of chapters in 1 Corinthians and the entirety of 2 Corinthians and Galatians (I didn’t delve too much into Revelations, either).
Today’s post pointed me to yesterday’s (Are We Ponds of Faith?), so I’ll wrap up this week with that one. Have a blessed few days, and I will see you soon!
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Mark 1:14-15 (<<click here to read the passage)
In the past, I have expressed my appreciation for the Amplified Bible. Wikipedia had this to say about it: “It is designed to ‘amplify’ the text by using additional wording…to bring out all shades of meaning present in the original texts.” Those “shades of meaning” speak to me. At this point in my life, I refer to it frequently and often use it in my blog and my sermons.
The Amplified Bible phrases Jesus’ statement this way:
“The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].”
Isn’t that a great filling out of the word repent? And that first word – change – is the catalyst! And it is not just an initial change but an ongoing lifestyle!
Yesterday’s post spoke of our faith being a pond or a reservoir. For too long, I allowed my faith to stagnate. Was I a Christian? Yes, but I must admit a poor one. Yet today, I have by no means reached anything close to perfection, but Jesus’ infilling of me has encouraged change…change in my inner self – my old way of thinking. Each day, I truly strive to live my life in such a way that proves repentance – that change. And I endeavor and am determined to aggressively seek God’s purpose for my life. There is great satisfaction in doing so!
Have you repented? Lord Jesus, I pray so!
Create in us an insatiable, burning desire to be all You want us to be! Amen.
(Jan 13th, 2019, Sun, 7:36 pm)
Jan 31st, 2024, Wed, 5:04 pm
