Saturday 7/23/2005
1 Corinthians 10-always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved.
2 Kings 3-I serve the LORD All-Powerful—and he lives
Amos 8-You will hunger and thirst to hear my message
Romans 8.26-39-Who will separate us from the love of Christ?-nothing!
Ephesians 2.1-5-God out of great love made us alive in Christ-for by grace we have been saved
Psalm 4-You have put gladness in my heart
"Oh the effervescence!"—A buddy in the hospital bed in ICU—This was the words spoken about some apple juice. It made me think about that word effervescence-to manifest high spirits- that’s one meaning. And from the looks of it – in some strange way – I think that’s what was meant by that statement- "Oh the effervescence!"- did I ever hear and see God speak yesterday evening! – through a friend- ill- suffering- yet very much at peace- with God and the world- delighted at each nurse that came to attend- delighted in family and friends- delighted in memories- delighted in the present- there was my friend in the ICU hospital bed- ministering to me- showing me the delight of life- in the hospital bed in the ICU- how ironic- how amazing can it get- always trying to please others – always seeing that hope of salvation for every person in that hospital- he had served God in the past and continued to serve God in the present- a living example of life- of Jesus life in action – an example of the LORD All-Powerful active in his life- oh how it made me hunger for his message- for God’s message through my friend in the bed in the ICU- nothing will separate my friend from the love of Christ! – Nothing! – there he lay- an example of life dedicated to his Savior- there was my friend reveling in the great love alive in Christ- alive in himself- that firm realization that he is saved by grace- and a solid display of the gladness- the joy- the life- the love of God in his heart- "Oh the effervescence!"—did God speak yesterday?- without a doubt – through the life and love of a friend in the ICU and through his response to some apple juice.—Thanks be to God!
Prayer- Lord thank you for friends- thank you for your Word spoken through each and every one of them- open my ears- open my eyes- and open my mind to receive the joy of your Word- to feel your high spirits- to experience the joy only you can give- for you are God- you are my Savior- you are the awesome creator of life and in you I place all my life- use me this day to display your Word- to reflect on your love – and to see the effervescence of the saving grace of Jesus- it’s a message for the entire world to hear – feel- touch- taste- smell and live. --- Amen
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