Plugging Into The Power

 

Plugging Into The Power 

"Being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (Colossians 1:11-12) 

Walk-Line: Several years ago I heard this analogy, that we as Christians must be like small appliances. In order to work, we have to plug into the power. The Apostle Paul talks about we as Christians living a life that is worthy of the Lord (v.10) In order to do that, we must be "strengthened with all power" that comes from the Lord. There is no way that we can live the Christian life, and be involved in Christian service, on our own wisdom and strength. If we think we can, we are only deceiving ourselves. I will admit, that I am not in the Word of God, and do not pray as often as I should. And because of that, I find my weaknesses, and fail to accomplish the Lord's expectations for me. Do you admit to this too? We are vulnerable to the enemy's tactics and strength, when we let him get a foothold in our lives. The spiritual strength we need is found in our abiding in the True Vine (John 15) His Words, His example, and His presence in our lives, is so needed for us to have victory, and success. Yes, let's plug into the Power! GP 

Photo by renjith krishnan. Published on 24 September 2011 www.freedigitalphotos.net

Walking In our strength, is very hard to do.

Especially when our own power is almost through.

We must plug into God's power,

 through His Word, and constant prayer.

these two activities will bolster our spiritual life,

and help us to be in God's abiding care. 

_____gPatterson 2025 All Rights Reserved. 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line

2025 All Rights Reserved. 

Positioning For Blessing

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper."
(Psalm 1:1-3)

Walk-Line: How the Lord wants to bless us.
But the question comes: Are we in the right position to receive God's blessings? Are we standing in the desire, and determination to hear, and to live out God's word? Or are we standing before God in the path of sin, and sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful? If we are positioned in the right way before God, the promise is clear: "And whatever he does shall prosper"

In what position do we stand,
Before our mighty God, we are addressing.
Is it a position of sin, and scorn,
Or is it a position of blessing?
g/Patterson

Photo: geralt - Pixabay.com

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How Long Lord?

 

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How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? (Psalm 13:1-2)

Walk-Line:

Have you ever felt like you've been forgotten? Maybe family and friends neglect you, because of this or that. But one think I have learned, especially now when I am fighting cancer, that the Lord never forgets you, and He is always working ahead of you, and always standing beside you. In Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord says: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” I have found this to be true, and I hope that you will also, when you submit your life to the Lord's care.

How long Lord will you forget me?
Even though I perceive this to be true.
The truth is, He is always present.
When the skies are dark, and not always blue.

_____g/Patterson (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved. Photo: johnhain Pixabay.com 

A Precious Priority

 

Walk-Line:

A Precious Priority

When native converts of the island of Madagascar used to present themselves for baptism, it was often asked of them, “What first led you to think of becoming Christians?” The answer usually was that the changed conduct of others who had become Christians was what first arrested their attention. (Ministry 127)

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." 

(Colossians 4:5-6)

As Father's Day approaches, I think about the "Precious Priority" of having my conduct before my family, and those outside my family, to be what the Lord wanted it to be. Many times, it was not. Looking back, I am very disappointed with myself, that I was not the example I should have been. How can we expect our children to live the Christian life, when we are not? How can we lead people to Jesus Christ, when we are not totally obedient to His will, and our conduct reflects that? Dad's, it's something to seriously think about! GP

I don't always remember, 
that others are observing me.
My wife, my children, and those around me,
see my actions on display.
As a Christian, husband, father, and friend,
What do they see, when they look my way?
Do they see what a Christian is to look like,
when they take a good look at me?
_____g/Patterson (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Tumisu - Pixabay.com 

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Without Faith

 

Without Faith 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) 

Faith is a cornerstone of Christian belief, and the Bible emphasizes its importance in numerous passages. Here are some key insights:

Faith is essential to pleasing God

 Hebrews 11:6 states, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is the foundation of a believer’s relationship with God. All through the Bible God has expected man-kind to show faith in Him. For salvation, as well as in dealing with our daily trials. God wants to take care of us, and He wants us to take Him at His word, that He will do just that. Not only for today, but for all eternity. 

Faith leads to salvation

Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This highlights that salvation is a gift received through faith, not by human effort. When someone gives us a gift, we in faith, reach out and receive it. There are no works involved. There is just God's Grace (the gift) and there is our faith (the reaching out to receive it.)

Faith strengthens believers in trials

James 1:3 teaches, "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Faith helps believers endure hardships and grow spiritually. In 1 Peter 1:7 Peter says: "These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Yes, trials are a test of the genuineness of our faith--which the most precious possession we have. It is faith that will get us to heaven, and it is faith that will get us through the toughest trials. When you climb on a chair to reach for something, you put your faith in that chair to hold you, while you obtain the object you are after. Our faith depends on the strength and faithfulness of the object we are trusting in. There is no better foundation, than to stand on the principles, promises, and providence of God! 

Faith moves God to act

 Mark 2:5 recounts how Jesus healed a paralytic after seeing the faith of his friends. This demonstrates that faith, rather than fear or doubt, is what moves God. The woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment, believed that if she did that, she would be healed. And after she touched His garment, Jesus felt the healing power leave Him, and this woman who had suffered for many years, was healed. God is the rewarder of all those who seek Him, and trust Him with their whole lives. 

Faith is a way of life

 2 Corinthians 5:7 instructs believers to "walk by faith, not by sight."This means trusting in God's guidance even when circumstances seem uncertain. "A young girl, unaccustomed to traveling, was taking a train ride through the country, and it happened that in the course of the day her train was obliged to cross two branches of a river and several wide streams. The water seen in advance always awakened doubts and fears in the child. She did not understand how it could safely be crossed. As they drew near the river, however, a bridge appeared, and furnished a way over. Two or three times the experience was repeated, and finally the child leaned back with a long breath of relief and confidence." (Ministry 127-Faith) 

The Bible is filled with examples of faith, from Abraham’s trust in God’s promises to Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Faith is not just belief—it’s an active trust in God that shapes every aspect of life.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for,
and the assurance about what we do not see."
Faith is necessary in our relationship with God,
It is the key to our future, which we cannot see.
____g/Patterson (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved. 

A Time To Remember

 

A Time To Remember!   

Memorial Day is coming up this weekend, and mainly it is a time to remember those who gave their lives in service of our Country. But it is also a time to remember those who gave their lives in raising us, and making sure that we became the American citizens we were supposed to be. The Bible places great importance on honoring and remembering our parents and grandparents. It encourages us to cherish their wisdom, respect their guidance, and uphold the values they pass down. Here are a few key verses that highlight this: 

Proverbs 16:31 – "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." This verse reminds us that age and experience bring wisdom, and we should honor those who have lived faithfully. I learned a great deal from my parents and my grand-parents. And although they have gone home to be with the Lord, I still remember what they taught me, and the example they set for me. 

Proverbs 17:6 – "Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." This verse emphasizes the joy and legacy that family brings. There are times when we fail to value the relationship between parents and their children, and children and their parents. They are relationships that should grow in love and support for eternity. 

2 Timothy 1:5 – Paul acknowledges the faith passed down through generations, saying, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded, now lives in you also." This verse highlights the spiritual influence of grandparents. I remember my grandmother teaching me how to tie my shoes. I remember my grandfather teaching me how to take care of the things I owned. On both sides of our families, I learned a great deal. But most of all I learned how important the Lord Jesus Christ is in my life. 

Psalm 78:4 – "We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." This verse encourages passing down faith and stories of God’s goodness. These verses remind us to appreciate the wisdom and faith of our elders, to learn from their experiences, and to carry forward their legacy with gratitude. I have loved the opportunities to tell my children of the experiences of my parents and grandparents. Even though they lived in a different time, their experiences are still relevant, and meaningful, even for today! Yes, Memorial Day is a time to remember, and a time to share about the moments with our parents and grandparents, who have gone home. These moments, these memories are timeless, and very encouraging! 

Precious memories, unseen angels 

Sent from somewhere to my soul 

How they linger, ever near me 

And the sacred past unfolds 

Precious memories, how they linger 

How they ever flood my soul 

In the stillness, of the midnight 

Precious sacred scenes unfold 

Precious father, loving mother 

Fly across the lonely years 

And old home scenes, of my childhood 

In fond memory appears 

Precious memories, how they linger 

How they ever flood my soul 

In the stillness, of the midnight 

Precious sacred scenes unfold 

I remember, mother prayin' 

Father too, on bended knee 

The sun is sinkin', shadows fallin' 

But their prayers still follow me 

Precious memories, how they linger 

How they ever flood my soul 

In the stillness, of the midnight 

Precious sacred scenes unfold 

Precious memories fill my soul 

Source: Musixmatch 

Songwriters: Dp / Johnnie Robert Wright 

 Photo: susan-lu4esm - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License 

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2025 All Rights Reserved.

God's Stress Test

 

God's Stress Test 

"A stress test, also known as an exercise stress test, is a medical procedure used to assess the heart's function under stress. It involves monitoring the heart's electrical activity and other vital signs while you exercise, usually by walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike." (Google) 

"Stress takes our eyes off God. When we are stressed, it is usually because we feel we have to do everything on our own. When we try to take control of our lives, we fall apart. We are not capable of running our lives well devoid of God; rather, we need His power, His love, and His will in order to live peacefully. (January 19, 2018 by Allison Richmond in Spiritual Life )

The Bible has some Scriptures that help us to deal with the stress in our lives

Philippians 4:6-7 – "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 55:22 – "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

Matthew 11:28 – "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Isaiah 41:10 – "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

1 Peter 5:7 – "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

These verses remind us that God is always present, offering peace and strength in difficult times. 

What is the reason for God's stress test in our lives?

Is it not to have us trust completely in His care?

Sometimes the test is very overwhelming and severe.

But we can count on God's wisdom, strength, and love... 

to always be there!

____g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Photo: geralt - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com

The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2025 All Rights Reserved.