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God said to Moses, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). I am your shield… (Genesis 15:1). I am your Lord is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27). I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless (Genesis 17:1).  I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29). I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst (John 6:35). I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh ( John 6:51).

 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12). I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me (John 8:18). I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live (John 11:25).  I am the door of the sheep, I am the good shepherd,  I know my own, and my own know me (John 10: 9,14). I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58).

‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Matthew 22:32). And I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, “Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1:8, 17-18).  I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works (Revelation 2:23).  I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have so that no one may seize your crown (Revelation 3:11).”

“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on so that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed (Revelation 16:15).  I am making all things new ( Revelation 21:5), and then Jesus will say, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty, I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment (Revelation 21:6). And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book (Revelation 22:7).”

“Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:15).  What is your answer? Will it be “You are the Son of God, Messiah, High Priest, Good Shepherd, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords (Mark 9:7; John 10:36; John 4:26; John 10:9; Hebrews 4:14; Revelation 19:16).

In Christ, who are you imitating?  Apostle Paul explains to the Corinthians that he became their father in Christ Jesus, and they were to be imitators of him (1 Corinthians 4:15-17, ESV).  And that was the reason he sent Timothy to them. Timothy was his faithful and beloved child in the lord to remind the Corinthians of his ways in Christ. Apostle Paul goes on to say, give no offense, just as he tried to please everyone in everything … they were to be imitators of him as he was of Christ (1 Corinthians 10: 32—11:1).

Apostle Paul expresses to the Philippians, as brothers, they are to join in imitating him but keep their eyes on those who walk, according to the example that they have seen in him and Timothy (Philippians 3:17). He encourages the Philippians by emphasizing that what they have learned, received, heard and seen in him they should practice those things (Philippians 4:9). Paul warns against idleness in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, to the Thessalonians that they themselves know how they ought to imitate him and Timothy, that he and Timothy were not idle. Therefore giving them an example to imitate.  Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy and told him that he had followed his conduct, his patience, his teaching, his goal in life, his faith, his love, his steadfastness, his persecutions, and his sufferings (2 Timothy 3:10-11). So, who are you following or imitating? Is it someone who imitates Christ?

Woman

Witty, wondrous, and wise. Don’t be surprised.
Ominous, osculating, outspoken. She is no token.
Meaningful, mellow mentor. She is no mere vendor.
Amorous, awesome, accredited. There is no way she can be edited.
Nurturing, novice, and notable.

Woman

Reading: Proverbs 31:19, 20, 25, 26

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

(An acrostic poem)

Power prevailing

Overwhelming prevailing

Wondrous glory prevailing

Ever burning fire prevailing

Rapidly flowing through my blood prevailing

Holy Spirit power overwhelming, wondrous glory, ever burning, and rapidly flowing—prevailing.

Reading: Colossians 1:10,11

“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…”

 Christ our King, High Priest, and Mediator forever 

       Overrides the old Mosaic covenant 

         Virtual heavenly reality of God’s presence 

            Each of God’s people can participate  

              Now in the heavenly good things 

                A heavenly Mount Zion 

                   New Jerusalem, City of God 

                     The spiritual and invisible realm 

Readings: Hebrews 7; 9:11, 15; 12:22-24 

Life in the kingdom is made of God’s chosen people who will keep God’s covenant and who have His words or laws written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) and whom He has forgiven of their sins (Jeremiah 31:34; Ezekiel 36:25), by the blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28). Everyone who believes in Christ is His chosen people, regardless of their nationality at birth, but by their new birth, they form a nation that is new (Exodus 19:5-6; Mark 12:17; Isaiah 43:10, 20 -21). A royal priesthood, God’s special possession a holy nation set apart for service to Him called out of the Kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (1 Peter 2:9).

Life in the Kingdom is one of covenant power and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:46). One of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). A people united in Christ and to each other from every nation in the Church as one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).

Life in the Kingdom is trusting and obeying God amid life’s chaos, and as the faithful ones, supporting and encouraging one another in a spirit of tenderness and humility (Romans 12:15).  1 Thessalonians 5: 14-22 teaches that as brothers and sisters, we are to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Life in the Kingdom is rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit by causing Him to sorrow from one’s sin or doing something against God’s word. Do not despise prophecies but test everything, holding fast to what is good and abstaining from every form of evil. And walk in a worthy manner in humility, gentleness, and patience bearing with one another in love and maintaining the unity of the Spirit bond in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).  Life in the Kingdom is being kind, forgiving, and tenderhearted (Ephesians 4:32), imitating God’s holiness and demonstrating self-sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:1-2). Love is the royal law in the kingdom of God (James 2:8).

Cleansed by the purifying fire of the Spirit

Overcoming obstacles by His power

Never to look back, and follow Jesus

Questions answered through prayer

Unable to be diverted from His truth

Evil and sin has no power over you

Raised and loved by the Heavenly Father

Obedient to His will and steadfast in His plans

Reigning as His sons and daughters

Spiritually endowed with faith, love, and grace

                    Conquerors

Reading: Revelation 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.

Falling leaves floating in the wind capture my soul as my Spirit sings

Highlighting my multi-colored life of brown and gold

All brought to me through His everlasting love

Magnified by His string of instruments and their bellowing sounds

The spiritual richness and sweetness of His words cause my heart to pound

Falling leaves in the wind capture my soul as my Spirit sings

Highlighting my multi-colored life of brown and gold

All brought to me through His everlasting love

Lifting me higher and higher in eloquence like a dove  

His gentle fingers strumming the guitar strings, so appealing to my soul

Falling leaves continue to fall on me in the richness of brown and gold

Floating in the wind capturing my soul with His mellow touch of love

As we waltz through the leaves, our shared life is yet to be told

Falling leaves floating in the wind capture my soul as my Spirit sings

Photo by Douglas Sellers

Unity as one in the Father and Son

Never forget brothers and sisters

In Jesus’ prayer, His desire is we be one

The ones sent out in the world

Yet not of the world sharing His joy and love

Reading: John 17:21

“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.“

Emotional awareness demonstrating a deep concern for others

Making sense by listening attentively for understanding

Purposely seeking to relive what is happening inside of them

Actively responding with insight and encouraging words

Thoughtful reflection on “what if this was me?”

Heavenly prayer looking to the divine Father of all compassion and comfort

Yielding to Jesus and His Spirit for comfort, strength, and loving guidance

Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.