APH Inc, Your Reentry Connection

Welcome to Cheryl's Scripture Corner....
Culture part 5
Matthew 4:19 New Living Translation
Jesus called out to them, “ Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Amplified
And He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 16:24 NLT
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
Amplified
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
Luke 14:27 NLT
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
Shalom dear brothers & sisters, we've come to the finale on culture. I truly believe the Lord wants us to take a look at the previous four parts as our closing devotion to remind us of His culture. In part one, we learned: we are ALL one IN Christ Jesus, we are to apply the Living Word to our daily life if we're serious about living in Christ’s culture. Then in part two we talked about seeking God, His Kingdom & His righteousness. Believers swim against the world’s current & culture. Hardened hearts deny spiritual perception & revelation. Fear creates flawed reasoning. Wrong reasoning can cause doubt, weak faith or no faith at all. Motives of the heart were next in part three & the seven detestable things God hates. We also know we reap in the future the words we speak today! John 1:1 AMP: IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. Last week we discussed that prayer is actually communicating with God & it is detrimental to our well being to starve our spirit. We are in right standing with God in & through our beloved Yeshua (Hebrew for Savior), Jesus, the Name Above All Names!
Overwhelming love, joy & peace will come as we journey with Jesus, learning His culture, applying His culture & loving His culture! No matter what & I can't stress that point enough, no matter what we go through He is our friend that is always with us (Prov 18:24). Please join in agreement with me in praying that Christ’s culture be absorbed into our soul, body & spirit. Let’s let our absorption of God’s love & all He wants to give us be our daily goal so we can give Him to others. While walking in the world, Lord, please don't let us revel in the absurd. Help us to apply Kingdom culture in every area of life. God we ask for strength to continue walking in faith, not fear! We will praise Your majestic name forevermore! Thank you Father, thank you Jesus & thank you Holy Spirit. Amen Sincerely, Cheryl

Verse of the Day…
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
—Psalm 34:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We are like the moon; the glory we show is the reflection of the greater life in our lives that does not originate in us but is a blessing to others through us. Look to God for your hope, your strength, your values, your foundation, your security, and your light.

My Prayer...
Father, I look for you and to you. Be near me as I face challenges and temptations. Don't let the evil one bring me shame because of my sin and weakness. Triumph over evil in my life for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

(c) Verseoftheday.com used by permission

Verse of the Day…
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
—Psalm 119:133

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God's word is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world. It must be our standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil. As God's will and Word have sway in our life, we are delivered from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives.

My Prayer...
Great and Almighty God, who raises the dead and restores the fallen, make my heart delight in your truth and my life more perfectly conformed to your will. Lead me in your way and guide my footsteps in righteousness. Empower me to freedom from any form of bo***ge that Satan might use to control me and ruin my godly influence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

(c) Verseoftheday.com used by permission