A Prayer to Rest and Remember this Holy WednesdayBy Chris Eyte Jesus answered her‚ "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink‚ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir‚" the woman said‚ "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob‚ who gave us the well and drank from it himself‚ as did also his sons and his livestock?" Jesus answered‚ "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again‚ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed‚ the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." – John 4:10-13 I was looking on YouTube recently and looked up my old university. I came across a very old video by chance in which someone mentioned me by name. It was rather strange suddenly having this window back in time‚ and it brought back a number of memories‚ good and bad. We all have our life stories‚ don't we? The Samaritan woman at the well certainly did. And there's a reason why Jesus spent time with her.  That's an important point to remember. Jesus never did anything without a reason. This woman had kept burdens for many years and perhaps felt that she had led a number of parallel lives‚ in that sense‚ involving different men at various points throughout her adulthood. She had become a caricature of her real self‚ drinking from wells to slake an inner thirst but never being satisfied. I opine that she had lost her identity. And in the process‚ her heart had become burdened.   And then she meets this man when she goes to fetch water‚ but he is not like other men. This is the Holy One and He invites her to drink from a spiritual well‚ which is so deep and so satisfying that it wells up to eternal life. She is stunned by this strange invitation but feels at ease in His presence to sit and simply talk with Him. She has space and time to tell Him everything – to rest with Him. Perhaps she can tell him things that she'd never been able to say to other people. The Samaritan woman found‚ at last‚ someone to listen to her story.  And Jesus was very willing to listen to her tale but there was a condition – she had to listen to His story in turn. And that story was and is the Word of life‚ transforming everything. Surely the Reverend Francis Rowley summed this story above all stories perfectly in his hymn of 1886:  ‘I will sing the wondrous storyOf the Christ who died for me.How He left His home in gloryFor the cross of Calvary.I was lost‚ but Jesus found me‚Found the sheep that went astray‚Threw His loving arms around me‚Drew me back into His way.' This Holy Wednesday‚ we are invited – just like the Samaritan woman – to rest and remember Jesus and His story of salvation for us. We contemplate and receive His invitation to eternal life‚ guaranteed through the cross and resurrection. We remember‚ too‚ that He was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights. The Lord understands human frailties because He has personally experienced it. We have no hope in ourselves but we can rest‚ just like the woman at the well‚ and remember the Savior who poured out His own body for us to stand up into everlasting life.  Let’s pray: Father God‚ Today I want to thank you for the hope I have in you. You know my story‚ and you invite me to know your story‚ which is that you loved us so much that you came into the world as Jesus Christ to give me eternal life. Thank you that these truths are real and your beautiful Holy Spirit is the guarantee of what is to come. Help me‚ Lord‚ to push back from the past and hold onto you‚ the future. Today I do want to rest in you and remember you. Because you are life to me. In Jesus' name. Amen.  Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Javier_Art_Photography Christopher Eyte lives with his wife Céline and three children in Swansea‚ Wales‚ UK. He has worked as a journalist for many years and writes his own blog (hislovefrees.life) encouraging others in their walk with Jesus. He became a Christian in February 2002‚ after a friend explained God’s amazing grace! Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week‚ she gives you practical‚ real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day‚ click below! Now that you’ve prayed‚ are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Rest and Remember This Holy Wednesday – Your Daily Prayer – March 27 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Avoiding the dangerous trap of prejudice Here there is no Gentile or Jew‚ circumcised or uncircumcised‚ barbarian‚ Scythian‚ slave or free‚ but Christ is all‚ and is in all. – Colossians 3:11 Catherine Booth was known as the "Mother of The Salvation Army." Wherever she would go‚ large cross sections of society – princes and paupers alike – would gather to hear her speak. One night as she shared a message‚ many people came to Christ. After the meeting‚ a wealthy family entertained her at their home. "Mrs. Booth‚" the lady of the manor spoke up‚ "that meeting was dreadful. When you were speaking‚ I was looking at the faces of the people standing around me. Many of them looked terrible. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!" "My dear‚" Booth responded‚ "Don't you know them? I didn't bring them with me. They're your neighbors!" When we look at the world‚ sometimes it's easy to begin categorizing people by our prejudices. Whether it be based on race‚ gender‚ economic background‚ or any other construct‚ these categories can even lead some to look down on others. But that kind of thinking is directly opposed to how God wants us to see people. That's because the truth is‚ every person is to be treated as a neighbor no matter how different they are from us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to transform how we see the world‚ He will change how we see people. So let Him transform any and all of your prejudices into deep love for your fellow man. Prayer Challenge Pray that God will continually transform how you see others so you'll love all people as your neighbor. Questions for Thought As you think about how you see the world‚ what prejudices might be keeping you from loving others as Christ commands? What steps can you take today to grow deeper in your love for all people‚ regardless of how they look or act? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post Avoiding the Dangerous Trap of Prejudice –  Senior Living – March 27 appeared first on GodUpdates.

March 27‚ 2024 The Heart-Check We Need To Stay on TrackMEREDITH HOUSTON CARR Lee en español "From that time on‚ Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus." Matthew 26:16 (NLT) Editor's Note: Today's devotion is part of a special series for Holy Week! From March 24 (Palm Sunday) to March 31 (Easter Sunday)‚ each devotion will focus on the events leading up to Jesus' resurrection. We pray these words will prepare your heart and mind for the celebration of our risen Savior. I waited in the long checkout line‚ impatiently tapping my shopping cart‚ which was overflowing with school supplies. I wasn't in the mood to chat‚ but the gal behind me peppered me with questions‚ so I explained how our church organized a school-supplies drive each year. She gushed with admiration of this ministry‚ and I politely agreed. But conviction gripped me moments later. This was a great ministry‚ but my attitude about it wasn't great! I'd allowed the overwhelm of the busy back-to-school season to harden my heart. Outwardly‚ I complied - yet inwardly‚ my spirit grumbled. Right there in the parking lot‚ I confessed to the Lord the sorry state of my soul and prayed for a renewed heart. This experience reminded me how easily we can fall into doing the right thing with the wrong spirit. And we're not the only ones - we see this in Scripture too. Judas‚ the apostle infamous for betraying Jesus‚ spent years walking and talking with Him up close and personal. He was there when Jesus performed miracles and changed lives. He was there when Jesus taught crowds and called out religious leaders. Judas walked the walk‚ building God's Kingdom alongside Peter‚ John and the other disciples. But as today's key verse details‚ his heart reached a fateful turning point: "From that time on‚ Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus" (Matthew 26:16). We shudder at this scripture and wonder how he could do that! But a closer look at Judas' life reveals a sobering truth: Physical proximity to Jesus wasn't enough. We can even build His Kingdom outwardly‚ but inwardly we are tempted to build our own. It's the proximity of our hearts to Jesus that determines whether we give in to this temptation. Interestingly‚ Judas' decision to betray Jesus came on the heels of the poignant occasion when a woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume (Matthew 26:6-13). Jesus said this moment would be remembered forever‚ but Judas resented her charity and grumbled against it. He witnessed a lavish display of generosity firsthand - yet his heart was hard. Similarly‚ we can keep our lives busy with church activities‚ Bible studies and service projects‚ but if our hearts don't align with the gospel mission‚ we're setting ourselves up to fail. Like Judas‚ we can only fake it for so long. As Easter approaches‚ let's take a moment to conduct a heart-check and ask ourselves a couple of questions to stay on track: Is my heart more aligned with Jesus’ mission or my own? Does my heart prioritize the same causes that Jesus does? Dear one‚ asking God to show us our hearts isn't easy. But perhaps that's just what we need to continue walking faithfully with Jesus! Jesus‚ forgive us for outwardly serving You yet inwardly desiring our way. Help us align our hearts with You and walk with integrity and authenticity. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Are your days feeling jam-packed? Do you find yourself racing around from the minute your alarm clock goes off until bedtime many hours later? Experiencing the kind of rest we long for won't come from escapism‚ more vacation days or stuffing down our feelings. It's Jesus Himself who provides rest to our weary souls. In the new devotional Clear Mind‚ Peaceful Heart: 50 Devotions for Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry‚ Lysa TerKeurst and other Proverbs 31 Ministries writers will help you find relief from the stress of daily obligations and pressures by incorporating the Bible into your nightly routine. Purchase your devotional here! ENGAGE If you could use more encouragement and a few laughs‚ join Meredith on Instagram‚ and check out her website for helpful‚ free resources! FOR DEEPER STUDY Matthew 15:8-9‚ "These people honor me with their lips‚ but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules" (NIV). Do you find you're just "going through the motions" in your faith-walk right now? What step can you take this week to align your heart with God's? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. © 2024 by Meredith Houston Carr. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post The Heart-Check We Need To Stay on Track –  Encouragement for Today – March 27‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

The Republican majority Louisiana State Senate approved legislation that states the World Economic Forum‚ World Health Organization‚ and United Nations have no jurisdiction or power within the state of Louisiana. Senate Bill 133 passed in a 37-0 vote and moves to the Louisiana House of Representatives. “The World Health Organization‚ United Nations‚ and the World Economic Forum shall have no jurisdiction or power within the state of Louisiana. No rule‚ regulation‚ fee‚ tax‚ policy‚ or mandate of any kind of the World Health Organization‚ United Nations‚ and the World Economic Forum shall be enforced or implemented by the state of Louisiana or any agency‚ department‚ board‚ commission‚ political subdivision‚ governmental entity of the state‚ parish‚ municipality‚ or any other political entity‚” the two-page bill reads. If signed into law‚ the bill would go into effect on August 1‚ 2024. Senate Bill 133 just passed Louisiana Senate 37-0‚ bipartisan support. Now it has to go to the House! WHO‚ UN‚ WEF shall have no jurisdiction in Louisiana! Way to go!!! pic.twitter.com/B4lfzTFOVD — Dr. Kat Lindley (@KLVeritas) March 26‚ 2024 *Image from Dr. Kat Lindley X Post * SB133‚ the WHO Bill by Sen Pressly‚ passed the Senate 37-0! Next stop‚ House Cmt! pic.twitter.com/68ZXmhqs6T — Health Freedom Louisiana (@HealthFreedomLA) March 26‚ 2024 BREAKING: Louisiana Senate has passed a bill 37-0 to not allow any rule‚ regulation‚ fee‚ tax‚ policy‚ or mandate of any kind from the WHO‚ UN‚ or WEF to be enforced or implemented by the state of Louisiana or any agency. — Leading Report (@LeadingReport) March 26‚ 2024 SB 133 is perhaps one of the most common-sense bills passed by any legislative chamber in the United States. Every state should follow this initiative. 49 more states need to do the same. https://t.co/LqzhI8SDPn — Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) March 26‚ 2024 Louisiana's Senate unanimously passed a bill to prohibit any rule‚ regulation‚ fee‚ tax‚ policy‚ or mandate from the WHO‚ UN‚ or WEF to be enforced or implemented by the state of Louisiana or any agency. EVERY state needs to implement this kind of policy. — Mattea Merta (@MatteaMerta) March 26‚ 2024 Read SB 133 HERE:

Historical Events 1841 - 1st US steam fire engine tested‚ NYC 1930 - 1st US radio broadcast from a ship at sea 1941 - Britain leases defense bases in Trinidad to US for 99 years 1957 - 29th Academy Awards: "Around World in 80 Days"‚ Ingrid Bergman‚ Yul Brynner win 1982 - Randy Holt sets Wash Cap record of 34 penalty minutes 2021 - 114 people including children killed in one day by armed forces in Myanmar‚ with more than 420 killed since protests began against the military coup More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1845 - Wilhelm Röntgen‚ German physicist who discovered X-rays (Nobel 1901)‚ born in Lennep‚ Rhine Province (d. 1923) 1921 - Harold Nicholas‚ American dancer known as one of the world's greatest dancers (Nicholas Brothers)‚ born in Winston-Salem‚ North Carolina (d. 2000) 1939 - Maurice Petty‚ American auto racing crew chief‚ engine builder and team owner (Petty Enterprises‚ International Motorsports and NASCAR Hall of Fame)‚ born in Level Cross‚ North Carolina (d. 2020) 1970 - Elizabeth Mitchell‚ American actress (Lost)‚ born in Los Angeles‚ California 1972 - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink‚ Dutch footballer‚ born in Paramaribo‚ Suriname 1984 - Bonnie Milligan‚ American theater actress and singer (Kimberley Akimbo)‚ born in Decatur‚ Illinois More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1714 - Anton Ulrich‚ German Duke of Brunswick and poet‚ dies at 80 1916 - Susan Blow‚ American educator who pioneered kindergarten education and was known as the "Mother of the Kindergarten"‚ dies at 72 1982 - Fazlur Rahman Khan‚ Bangladeshi-American structural engineer and architect (Sears Tower‚ Chicago; John Hancock Center‚ Chicago; Metrodome‚ Minneapolis)‚ dies of a heart attack at 52 1993 - Kate Reid‚ British actress (The Andromeda Strain‚ Heaven Help US)‚ dies of cancer at 62 2003 - Paul Zindel‚ American writer (b. 1936) 2023 - Jocelyn Morlock‚ Canadian contemporary and post-modern classical composer (My Name is Amanda Todd; Bird in the Tangled Sky)‚ and music educator‚ dies at 53 More Famous Deaths »

Also in the picture are Miles Davis (or is it?)‚ Neil Armstrong (or is it?) and a possible in-joke aimed at engineer Glyn Johns