How often should we read the Bible?

Deuteronomy 6:6

“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.”

Deuteronomy 17:19

“He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.”

Joshua 1:8

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Psalm 119:97

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.

The Bible is for regular reading and meditation. God says to read it “continually.” Continually doesn’t mean reading the Bible just when we get around to it. If possible, we should read God’s Word every day because that is one of the primary ways he communicates with us. It is the first step taking forward to a relationship with God. To understand Him is to know Him, and when we know Him we find ourselves with Him throughout.

Taken from Grace For The Moment by Max Lucado. God bless, Jesus loves you ✝️❤️

@cosmicfunnies @babyimlosingit @cottonpuffmouse

I can't put my hope in myself, because I'm fickle. Nor in my attitudes, because I don't always make the best decisions. I put my hope in God, who has been constant since the beginning of all things.

A Rest That Surpasses All Understanding

I'm not advocating for working yourself to death, but I am aware that in every instance, the Lord has provided. At every retreat, every talk, in every kind of weather, in every time zone, no matter the obstacles, the Lord provided the energy, creativity, and the means needed to bring him glory. And there is rest that surpasses all understanding in His provision.

The Chosen One

I’m focusing on this scripture for my week ahead 😌 My prayer to the Lord is that I would be mindful of my mouth and the impact of my words! I pray that we would give ourselves to be led & taught by the Holy Spirit so that we may be good stewards of our mouths, in Jesus name I pray. Amen 🤍

Comment “Amen!” below if you are in agreement today! 👇🏽

The Lord, Your Shepherd is Near

A psalm of David

💜 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. ~Psalm 23:1-6 ✝️

Today's psalm, perhaps the most famous in the scriptures, reminds us how much God cares for us. Especially during times of vulnerability and when we are experiencing times in the valley. God watches over us, like a faithful shepherd looks after his sheep.

In every season, Jesus, your shepherd, is with you. Yes, He is a Savior that fights for you, but He is also a shepherd who cares for you. As He lays you down in green pastures, and puts you beside still waters - He promises to be with you. Down in the valley and up on the mountain top, He is with you.

In the waiting room, in the dental chair. At the cemetery and in the delivery room - God promises to never leave you nor forsake you.

As we truly absorb this truth in our hearts, as we understand who He is and who we have available to us, we can be assured that we will lack nothing, and in Him, we have gained absolutely everything we need.

Why? Because you lack nothing whenbyou have a good shepherd by your side.

Your good shepherd guides, provides, corrects and protects. Refuse to follow the imposter shepherds of certainty, independence and pride. Instead, follow the good shepherd who will lead you to have an open mind, open hands and an open heart before Him.

Source: Glorify App

Image: witness today

My Glorify Referral Link: https://share.glorify-app.com/MRSPINO777

2024 Bible Reading Plan

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Quatro Mulheres e a Vontade de Deus (Reflexão)

O Homem Que Queria Ver Jesus

(Re)aprendendo a Olhar o Outro

O Jovem Que Pensava Saber Tudo

Um Luto Que Termina em Festa

John 7:40-52

Nicodemus challenged his fellow pharisees.

Nicodemus Visiting Jesus,

Painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1957),

Painted in 1899,

Oil on canvas

© Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Gospel Reading

Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.

The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel reading, we encounter Nicodemus, marking his second of three appearances in the Gospel of John. Initially introduced as a curious seeker who approaches Jesus under the cover of night, Nicodemus is portrayed as intrigued by Jesus yet hesitant to fully embrace his teachings. His journey of faith is subtly woven through John's narrative, culminating in his participation alongside Joseph of Arimathea in ensuring Jesus receives a respectful (indeed, lavish) burial. This progression illustrates Nicodemus's gradual movement towards a deeper understanding and commitment to Jesus. Our reading today is the second (and middle) appearance of Nicodemus. Despite being a Pharisee, he displays remarkable bravery by questioning the outright dismissal of Jesus by his peers, who criticize Jesus based on his origin in Galilee, a region they regard as insignificant compared to the religious hub of Jerusalem. Nicodemus advocates for fairness and due process, arguing that Jesus should not be judged without first being heard. This stance places him at odds with the prevailing opinions of his colleagues, and his challenge is met with scorn, evidenced by their sarcastic comment "Are you from Galilee too?"

Nicodemus's growing relationship with Jesus left him increasingly isolated in the world where he had been so much at home. He actually reminds us that as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, there is often a price to be paid. We may find ourselves a lone voice among our peers. At such times, we know that the Lord is always with us.

Henry Ossawa Tanner painted our canvas in 1899, depicting the first of the three mentions of Nicodemus in John's Gospel (John 3:1-21). The painting was Tanner's entry to the 1899 Paris Salon. We see Nicodemus talking privately to Christ in the evening, a good example of Tanner's nocturnal light paintings. The painting was purchased there for the Wilstadt Collection, Philadelphia, and is now in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The narrative of Nicodemus' meeting with Jesus held significant meaning for Henry Ossawa Tanner's father, Benjamin Tucker Tanner. He was a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and had aspirations for his son to join him in the ministry. While Henry's decision to pursue a career as an artist fell short of his father's dream, his talent for painting ultimately produced works that his father could admire and support.

Article by Father Patrick van der Vorst

Taken from Grace For The Moment by Max Lucado. God bless, Jesus loves you ✝️❤️

@cosmicfunnies @babyimlosingit @cottonpuffmouse

I'm reading the @YouVersion plan 'Overcoming Unforgiveness'. Check it out here: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/44413

God has a plan to provide for your needs

"You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1 Kings 17:4 NIV

Our God is a loving father who knows what His children need. By his divine abilities, he can sustain us in different situations. No environment or condition can be an obstacle to stop him from delivering your needs.

When drought struck Israel in the times of Elijah. God had prepared a plan to sustain his servant. The word of God says in Isaiah 65:13 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed"

Don't be intimidated by what is happening around you. In the midst of that situation, God has a plan for you. Don't count yourself among those who are heading towards destruction. The Bible says, "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;" Heb 10:39. With God on our side, we will overcome every challenge.

Let us see what God told Elijah during drought and famine in Israel "Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1Kings 17:2-4

From these verses, I want you to know these three things:

1. God asked Elijah to leave where he was. "Leave here" When God tells you to move, obey him. Sometimes, God's plan can not be executed where you are. You can see this also in Gen 12:1-2

2. He also told him, "You will drink from the brook." A river here signifies supply abundance and life. God can not take you to dry places. Whenever he takes you, He will provide you with abundance and life.

3. Lastly - "The Ravens," the Bible says, "I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there." There is much to say about why God used ravens because according to the law, ravens are unclean birds, but God used them anyway. Today, just know this, Sometimes your help will not come from the people you expected. God can use anyone to help you.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust and obey everything you tell me because you have prepared a good plan for me. Teach me how to hear and follow the voice of your Holy Spirit. Amen

Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him.