A Weekly Walk in the Word

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.

Summertime on the farm is the best time of the year. There are kittens, lambs and chicks to love up on. Every week something new is blooming in my gardens. And our evening walks through the woods to the creek out back are magical. It is easy to get caught up in all the country beauty. God created all these beautiful things for our enjoyment, but they were never meant to be worshiped. Thank God for all the wonderful things he created just for you as you worship the Creator!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Romans 3:9-31

Monday – Romans 4:1-12

Tuesday – Romans 4:13-5:5

Wednesday – Romans 5:6-21

Thursday – Romans 6:1-23

Friday – Romans 7:1-13

Saturday – Romans 7:14-8:8

Acts 26:29 Paul replied, “Short time or long – I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Over and over, Paul shares his story of how Jesus changed his heart of stone to make him a new man. Paul boldly invites others to receive the Good News and accept this Jesus who has transformed his life. For years, Paul was held in prison chains. But those chains did not stop Paul’s mission. In a straightforward manner, he continued to plant the seeds of faith with other inmates, prison guards and even powerful leaders.

What chains do you have in your life? Don’t let those chains hold you back. Walk boldly with Jesus as you share your story with others, leaving an unforgettable legacy.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 27:1-20

Monday – Acts 27:21-44

Tuesday – Acts 28:1-31

Wednesday – Romans 1:1-17

Thursday – Romans 1:18-32

Friday – Romans 2:1-24

Saturday – Romans 2:25-3:8

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Paul has been on quite a journey, traveling to several cities sharing the good news of Jesus. We are so blessed to live in the USA, where we are allowed to travel freely and more importantly, we are free to share the good news of Jesus with everyone we meet along the way. I may have retired from my job a year ago, but I am not finished running the race. I plan to finish strong as I share Jesus‘ love with everyone I meet.

Enjoy the 4th of July this week as we celebrate our freedom.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…

Sunday – Acts 21:18-36

Monday – Acts 21:37-22:16

Tuesday – Acts 22:17-23:10

Wednesday – Acts 23:11-35

Thursday – Acts 24:1-27

Friday – Acts 25:1-27

Saturday – Acts 26:1-32

Acts 14:15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.”

Taylor Swift was in Minneapolis this weekend, and people were loosing their minds. Ticket prices skyrocketed while fans waited in lines for hours to buy a T-shirt. It is easy to idolize singers, or speakers, or preachers, or even writers. But, they are only human like you. In sharing the good news of Jesus, you are a superstar. You may never be able to sing like Taylor, but you can share Jesus’ love. In God’s eyes, you rock!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last weeks readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 16:16-40

Monday – Acts 17:1-34

Tuesday – Acts 18:1-22

Wednesday – Acts 18:23-19:12

Thursday – Acts 19:13-41

Friday – Acts 20:1-38

Saturday – Acts 21:1-17

Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barbara’s and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Teaching has always been a cornerstone in the church. From the earliest days, God’s people were called to communicate the stories of Jesus. Barnabas and Saul spent an entire year teaching and sharing the good news of Jesus to the people in Antioch. No wonder they received the name Christian “belonging to Christ”. The stories told in Antioch have been passed down for generations. Take the time to share your personal Jesus stories with the ones you love. Today is Father’s Day. What better gift than to ask your dad to share his Jesus story with you? God bless you all this week, and especially those with the important role of dad.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 12:1-23

Monday – Acts 12:24-13:15

Tuesday – Acts 13:16-41

Wednesday – Acts 13:42-14:7

Thursday – Acts 14:8-28

Friday – Acts 15:1-35

Saturday – Acts 15:36-16:15

Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.“

No matter how hard we try, no one can do it all by themselves. It has taken me years to learn to delegate tasks. And I was almost there when I was working full time. But when I retired, I went back to thinking I would have time to do everything. I don’t. So today I am grateful for the help planting flowers, pulling weeds, and picking up after a big weekend sale so that I can spend my upcoming week with the children at VBS giving my attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 7:51-8:13

Monday – Acts 8:14-40

Tuesday – Acts 9:1-25

Wednesday – Acts 9:26-43

Thursday – Acts 10:1-23

Friday – Acts 10:24-48

Saturday – Acts 11:1-30

John 19:41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

Jesus’ body was placed in a garden. How have I skimmed over this detail for years? Not a cemetery with a few plants, but a full blown garden large enough to have it’s own gardener. When the angel appeared to the women, they thought it was the gardener. The agony of the cross ended in a beautiful garden. No wonder I feel close to Jesus when I am digging in the dirt as I work in my garden. How is God growing you?

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Acts 2:1-47

Monday – Acts 3:1-26

Tuesday – Acts 4:1-37

Wednesday – Acts 5:1-42

Thursday – Acts 6:1-15

Friday – Acts 7:1-29

Saturday – Acts 7:30-50

John 13:14-16 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Mike experienced a life changing trip this past week. He and my dad along with 178 veterans left Sunday morning on Vet’s Roll to Washington DC, where they spent 4 days traveling and touring the monuments constructed in their honor. This trip allowed them a time for closure as they shared their important stories with one another. Wednesday night they arrived home to a hero’s welcome complete with fireworks, police and motorcycle escort and hundreds of flag waving grateful people.

This trip was filled with hard work and little sleep. I am so proud of my husband for serving those who served us in the armed forces. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 17:1-26

Monday – John 18:1-24

Tuesday – John 18:25-19:22

Wednesday – John 19:23-42

Thursday – John 20:1-31

Friday – John 21:1-25

Saturday – Acts 1:1-26

John 10:1-4 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Jesus used everyday life experiences to explain extraordinary holy life. Sheep herding was a common profession when Jesus walked the earth, so he often used sheep to explain Godly views in stories called parables. The imagery used in Jesus’ parables are just so spot on! I shepherd 6 sheep (Tilla, Toots & Irene are in the picture above). One of my greatest joys is walking outside to chore and all six sheep greet me at the gate. They are very vocal and happy to see their shepherd walk through the gate with a slice of hay. How much better will it be when we hear our shepherd, Jesus call us by name as he leads us through the gate into heaven!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 11:55-12:19

Monday – John 12:20-50

Tuesday – John 13:1-30

Wednesday – John 13:31-14:14

Thursday – John 14:15-31

Friday – John 15:1-27

Saturday – John 16:1-33

John 6:20-21 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

“Don’t be afraid” – those are words I need to hear everyday. I have nothing to fear when Jesus is with me through it all. Everything will work out, just as He planned. The storm will clear when Jesus enters my boat and sails with me to the shore.

Today is one of those stormy days…. My first mother’s day without my mom. I have a hole in my heart, that only Jesus can fill to keep me from sinking. He will walk on water to meet me where I am, and get me to shore safely.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – John 8:1-20

Monday – John 8:21-30

Tuesday – John 8:31-59

Wednesday – John 9:1-41

Thursday – John 10:1-21

Friday – John 10:22-42

Saturday – John 11:1-54