Look Carefully How You Walk, Real Humility, Honor or Sacrifice, Faith to Become Sight, A Covenant Guarantee, Revival Generation, and "Praise the Giver"
In This Issue... Ephesians 5:15-16, Quotes by Rick Howard & Jamie Lash and David Livingstone, Observations by Jennifer Rothschild, Ray Vander Laan, and Bunni Pounds, Plus Song by Matt Maher
Welcome to this issue of one24worship - Because worship is a daily lifestyle, one 24-hour day at a time, not just a weekly event.
The one24worship Newsletter is a weekly offering of inspiration, ideas, and insights landing in your email inbox every Thursday... 1-2-4: one verse, two quotes, and four observations at a time.
There seems to be a recurring theme with me going on around meals these days.
Two weeks ago, I had dinner with a friend who reminded me of the importance of being aware of the Lord’s active presence in all aspects of life.
Then, last week, I had dinner with two friends, a married couple who reminded me that God always has a plan in every circumstance.
And this past Sunday, over lunch, I got to experience both the awesome awareness of His presence and experience just a whisper of His divine plan. A precious widow in our church hosted two of my long-time friends and me for lunch in her home.
Mrs. Jean S. had decided to donate all of her late husband’s suits and shirts to pastors in the Rio Grande Valley through a long-time friend and mentor of mine, Dr. Dan Crawford. Dan was my Baptist Student Union Director while I was a student at The University of Texas at Austin… almost 50 years ago! 😳
Dan and his wife, Joanne stopped by Jean’s home on Sunday for lunch and to pick up the clothes, delivering them the next day to Pastor Robert Rodriguez at the Primera Iglesia Bautista in Harlingen to pass on to other pastors.
Facebook Post with pictures of Mrs. Jean S., Joanne & Dan Crawford, and me, plus Pastor Robert Rodriguez and Dan Crawford
My friend, Doug Stringer often says,
“The Kingdom of God is built on relationships.”
I believe he's right. This Sunday lunch was just another example of how the Lord works His purpose and plan through relationships - one from almost 50 years with Dan & Joanne Crawford and the other from almost 13 years with Mrs. Jean S. and her late husband, John.
There are no coincidences with JESUS!
In fact, I believe that every “coincidence” can actually be an opportunity for a divine appointment, even if it’s in disguise. And who knows, it may take almost 5 decades to fully materialize!
His presence and His plan along the pathway of relationships is an amazing convergence!
To find out more about Dr. Dan Crawford, check out his website and weekly Monday Morning Manna at DiscipleAllNations.org.
Enjoy!
David
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“Why is it when an earthly king commissions us, we consider it a great honor; but when the Heavenly King commissions us, we call it a sacrifice?” David Livingstone
Mike Lynch on the cover of Somebody Cares Magazine
Excerpt: “Since becoming blind at age fifteen, I’ve held the arms of friends, family, and strangers to navigate my unending darkness. I’ve held tight to my faith and been held by God’s grace through every dark day. And I’ve also held a white cane. I have definitely walked by faith and not by sight—in a very literal sense.” 👉 Read More…
Excerpt: “God created human beings with the ability, even the deep need, to be in relationship with Him. When Adam and Eve sinned, they broke the friendship between God and his creatures. So God developed a plan of salvation that would restore His children to Himself. To help them understand the depth of His love and commitment, God chose to seal the relationship with a familiar cultural form: the covenant.” 👉 Read More…
Excerpt: “For decades, Western culture has drifted further from the biblical principles that once anchored it. Postmodernism, secularism, and radical individualism have led many to believe that faith is outdated, that traditional values are oppressive, and that personal fulfillment comes only through self-exploration.
Despite the increasing secularization of society, young people are searching for something deeper. They are now realizing that the promises of modern culture — wealth, status, self-indulgence — are ultimately unfulfilling. Amid economic instability, social unrest, and personal struggles, Gen Z is yearning for something real and eternal.” 👉 Read More…
“God of the desert and dry land / God of paradise / You see the joy and the trial / And all of the reasons why / In highs and lows I testify.”
“All My life I will raise / Songs of thanks to you Father / To bless Your heart when it beats or breaks / Either way I surrender / It’s all a gift, praise the giver!”
