Thoughts for Life: LIFE IN THE RED LETTERS

Andrea Merrell- "The volume was up a bit more than usual as I sang along with a contemporary Christian song one day while driving. When the song ended, I reached to turn the radio down, then heard the announcer say, "There's life in the red letters." (photo courtesy of Martin Wiles.)Funny how the smallest statement can grab your heart. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about what he said. How true. And sadly, how taken for granted. I pulled my car over and scribbled the words on a notepad.

The Word of God is described as alive. Powerful. Sharper than even the sharpest two-edged sword. It exposes our deepest thoughts and the secret motives and desires of our heart. This is especially true when it comes to the letters written in red. The words of Jesus Himself—the Word who became flesh. The One who loves us so much that He suffered, bled, and died a cruel death so we could have eternal life and so much more.

Jesus referred to Himself as the following:

The Way – When we lose our way, He will help us find it and keep us on the right path. He is also the one and only way to the Father.

The Truth – When too many voices clamor for our attention and we don’t know who or what to believe, He will lead us to the truth. He is the truth.

The Life – When we struggle to make sense of our very existence, He fills us with love, strength, and purpose. He promises us abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven.

Whenever you’re downcast and need some comfort and guidance, open your Bible and turn to the red letters. There, you will find everything you need.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6–7 NKJV

Life in the Red Letters

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)

Let's pray-

Father, thank You that Your Word is powerful, alive and sharper that even the sharpest two-edged sword. We're finding that it exposes our deepest thoughts and secret motives and desires of our hearts, especially when it comes to our reading the words printed in red in the KJV Bibles.

These are the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples, when in the flesh of a human, as they were. He's the One who loved them so much that He suffered, bled and died a cruel death so they, and we can have eternal life and so much more!

Whenever we're downcast and in need of some comfort and guidance, we can open our KJV Bibles and turn to the red letters for inspiration for our needs. In the name of Jesus we pray for You help. Amen

#18 Testimony- Butch and Kimberly

Ever since I, Butch, was a young child I have always loved trains, and I love to travel on trains. My wife Kimberly and I were praying about where to share the gospel one day, for we go soul winning every week out to the highways and byways of the cities around Palm Beach County, with our church, the River Church, in West Palm Beach, FL.

Kimberly and I felt like we were supposed to go that day to the train station. The train station is in a rough part of town, which people call, the “hood.” Not many people want to go there unless they have to take the train because of the danger.

We prayed and went there with homeless food packs, because many homeless people hang out there. Being a rough area, there is an element of danger. We believe in the great commission, so we go anywhere the Holy Spirit tells us. He will always protect us!

The great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 says, to “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

When we go to the streets for example, like the train station, there is a biblical promise that when we go, Jesus said, “Lo, I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is a great promise. He also promises us in Mark 16:20, “and they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” Amen.

We have seen many signs and wonders as we go every week. We feed the homeless and give them hope in a new life in Jesus Christ. We have seen people healed and delivered at the train station. When we go preaching the Word, God will be with us and confirm His Word with signs and wonders following.

One morning I shared the gospel with a young lady at the train station. She gave her heart to Jesus and then asked us to pray for her healing. We said ok, and laid hands on her and prayed. Then I took some anointing oil and put some on the palm of her hand. The power of God came upon her, and she fell down in the Spirit.

I went to catch her with Kimberly, and the bottle of oil poured out on her. She later

woke up and said, “What happened? I am healed!” We asked what she was healed of. She said her head and speech were now clear, as she used to have Autism. It was a time of rejoicing at the train station. The smile on her face was amazing!"

Recommended reading:

THE POWER OF COMMUNION

Beni Johnson with Bill Johnson

"We get to come to the Lord with our choliy — our grief, our sickness, our pain — and make an exchange. Because of all that Christ did on the cross, we now have access to the same health and wholeness that is found in Him.

Our God is the healer. It's not something that He chooses to do or not do; it is who He is. When you take Communion, align yourself up with this reality. Plead the blood of Jesus over your soul, your spirit, and your body. And receive His transformative, healing presence into every area of your life." (p. 68)

1116-1120 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1116- Ps. 59:9b "God is my defence."

1117- Is. 50:10b "Let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."

1118- Heb. 6:10a "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love."

1119- Is. 37:6b "Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard."

1120- Ps. 97:1a "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice."

#18 Hymn- Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

The information about this song, Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 211)

How fitting that a missionary should write this hymn about faith and trust. Louisa M. R. Stead was born about 1850 in Dover, England., and became a Christian at age nine. She wanted to become a missionary, but her health prevented it at this time. She married, and after her husband died, she took their daughter and went to South Africa as a missionary. and it was there during those days she wrote, "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus."

Some encouraging words-

~ We may often lose sight of being grateful, as it’s easy to get caught up in the moment when things are not rolling the way we’d hoped. Even when we may be justified in our frustration, it doesn’t change the fact that it helps us to be thankful in every situation.

Upcoming posts:

13th- AN IMPOSSIBLE GIFT- Kristen Holmberg

20th- OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART- OXCHITL Dixon

27th- DON'T PANIC!- Jane Ault

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

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For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage