In some translations, the question that 12-year-old Jesus asks his parents is, “Did you not know that I would be about my Father’s business?” For it’s not just where he was that mattered, it was what he was doing. He was at work, immersing himself in Scripture and going head-to-head with the astonished teachers. He was clearly meant for bigger things. As are we.
Our Baptism and life of faith calls us beyond the ordinary. Should the Lord come looking for us today, what will he find us doing? Will we be so immersed in the work of our human lives that we have forgotten to bring the Word of God and the person of Jesus with us? Or will the Lord smile and say: “Aha! I thought I would find you here taking care of my business!”
Sorry so late, Ken. Just letting you know that I will be praying for Kimberly tonight.
Amen. :)
I woke up this morning thanking God for my parents as I joyfully celebrate 73 God blessed years! I absolutely know, my Mother pondered my willful ways in her heart! Thank God I saw His love in her and all she did and tried to do for me. The fact that I was a "Limited Edition" made for a very strict upbringing to make sure no one accused me of being spoiled! And thanking God for this Living Faith Family that Celebrates, Commemorates & Congratulates us all when we post our life's moments here! As I LOVE to say...God Bless Us ALL And ALL Who We Love!
Pam, Happiest of birthdays…and Peggy, too!! How exciting to have you both celebrate on the same day! I love your prayer warrior posts and know that God sees both of your beautiful hearts. Amen.
Happy, Happy Birthday Friend Pam! Today I celebrate 75 years of a blessed and loved life and I am so grateful for all our LFF! Wishing you joy and happiness and let’s remember to share your beautiful thought, God bless us all and all who we Love! ❤️
Happy Happy Birthday, Pam!!! May you have many, many more. I too will be celebrating my 73rd birthday this year, in August. Blessings, Rita.
Happy birthday hugging you with my heart. Hopefully you are enjoying the western New York weather. Living faith family please pray for Kimberly who is my friend and plumber's sister. She is in an induced state of paralysis,due to infection of lungs. Ken
This is what I am looking forward to in Matthew 25:20-23, “The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you trusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have earned five more.’ “His master replied, ‘You have done well, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you trusted me with two bags of gold. See, I have earned two more.’ “His master replied, ‘You have done well, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” *** Paul tells us what to do in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I give you a command in the sight of God and Christ Jesus. Christ will judge the living and the dead. Because He and His kingdom are coming, here is the command I give you. (1)Preach the Word. (2)Be ready to serve God in good times and bad. (3)Correct people’s mistakes. (4)Warn them. (5)Encourage them with words of hope. (6)Be very patient as you do these things. (7)Teach them carefully!” *** What to expect in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “The time will come when people won’t put up with true teaching. Instead, they will try to satisfy their own desires. They will gather a large number of teachers around them. The teachers will say what the people want to hear. The people will turn their ears away from the truth. They will turn to stories that aren’t true,” *** How to respond in 2 Timothy 4:5, “But I want you to (1)keep your head no matter what happens. (2)Don’t give up when times are hard. (3)Work to spread the Good News. (4)Do everything God has given you to do!” ******* Conclusion for me in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is a crown waiting for me. It is given to those who are right with God. The Lord, Who judges fairly, will give it to me on the day He returns. He will not give it only to me. He will also give it to all those who are longing for Him to return!” Amen!!! Lord Jesus, come!!!
Steve, just loved this. This made me think of our choice to be immersed in something - God’s work or other things. This is very different than being forced into something (submerged!). May I make the choice to be immersed in the God’s work today. Praying for Karen as she will undergo surgical treatment for her cancer. Also, many thanks for all of your prayers. They give me great comfort. Amen. ????
Jane I will pray for you and Karen right now. Vincent great hearing from you yesterday. Please keep Anna and Debbie in your prayers as well as Christine and Stephanie and Annette. Ken
Sending prayers for Karen this morning Jane, as she goes into surgery. Prayers for a successful outcome of the procedure and loving prayers for strength and healing to her and her family. Lord Jesus, please let Karen feel your presence and Your love.
Amen! May God bless all parents. Raising children is an arduous journey.
Amen! May God bless all parents. Raising children is an arduous journey.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Good Saturday morning to you all...may we all arise today set about doing the work to which we have been called...Grace and peace (and lots of inspiration) to you all! Steve
Immersed? How about fully immersed in a dunk tank of octopus ink? And only willing to see my business.
Salina, indeed you are getting paid by the WORD, just not with earthly dollars.
I do get paid by the Word :-) ✝️
Steve, I was striving for a parable….but a metaphor will suffice. Jane, these devotions inspire me. Salina, I don’t get paid by the word, so my explanations are sparse.
I didn’t understand what it means, “octopus ink?” So I looked it up, “Octopus and Squid use their ink as a defense mechanism to escape from prey. When feeling threatened, they can release large amounts of ink into the water using their siphon.”
A classic Bruce!
Oooh I love that metaphor!
Amen
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Hi Rusty, I sent a response to your post on Thursday, if you care to read it. You’re doing great!