Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Steven Furtick from his book, Seven-Mile Miracle: Journey into the Presence of God Through the Last Words of Jesus (p. 66). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Leading up to this thought Steven says, “The rest of Judaism in that era tended to focus on keeping rules . The disciples, however, knew they were engaged in a relationship with God in the flesh. So, however difficult or disturbing this relationship with the Savior could be on occasion, they wanted it. “I tell you this to assure you that appearances can be deceiving when it comes to having a relationship with God. Even though he may seem tough, that doesn’t mean he’s any less loving.” Steven goes on, “Maybe sometimes you read statements in the Bible about how people are sinners, or you come across commands that seem harder than you can handle, and you feel beaten down. How much would change if you started reading God’s Word as if

A thought by Steven Furtick from his book, Seven-Mile Miracle: Journey into the Presence of God Through the Last Words of Jesus (p. 56). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) How about you, what kind of day are looking at today?   Oh you may have blown it yesterday, you messed up and you are starting this day with a lot of guilt.   You don’t have a lot of hope because you believe that you are also going to mess up today. Steven says, “Isn’t that what the mercies of the Lord are for us? They are new every morning, new every twenty-four hours.” He goes on, “Every day when we wake up, we can remind ourselves that God’s compassion will not fail. His mercies are renewed with the rising of the sun. “Need some deliverance today? Need a reminder that God has forgiven and saved you?” Steven then says, “You’ve got a new twenty-four. God in heaven remembers you.” And he has created this day for you because

A thought by Steven Furtick from his book, Seven-Mile Miracle: Journey into the Presence of God Through the Last Words of Jesus   (p. 52). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) If you remember seeing a picture of the three crosses in the story of Calvary, you remember that Jesus was on the middle cross and two thieves were on both sides of him and one of them repented and ask for Jesus to remember him.  (Jesus, remember me.) Steven says, “Jesus told a story about a widow who had been treated unfairly by someone else. (Luke 18:1-8)   She kept bothering a judge about granting her justice. I picture one of the many conversations between the two of them going something like this: WIDOW: Remember me, Judge? JUDGE: All too well. WIDOW: You haven’t done anything about my case yet. JUDGE: I’m busy. I’ll get to it. WIDOW: Why not now? My adversary was in the wrong. I need justice! JUDGE: I’ve got better things to do