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I was overwhelmed by the responses to my New Year's Eve devotional, Which Way To Go. Readers were very loving and understanding as I outlined my future needs while facing a move to residential care. I really appreciated the love and understanding that were shared with me.
The apostle Paul often spoke of appreciating his readers in his writings. How would you react upon opening a letter from your friend Paul, saying:
Philippians 1:3-5 – I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (NIV 2011)
Philemon 1:4-5 – I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. (NIV 2011)
Reading these passages, I feel like we loved our Lord together. How could we comprehend the Christian path without each other's love and understanding? This is why it is so important in our Christian fellowship to reach out with love to communicate Christ's understanding. We need to share our enthusiasm with each other, appreciating each other. There are many people, especially seniors, in need of help and encouragement today. Please reach out to them and tell them what the love of God is all about. Share your love — they will appreciate your caring.
Psalm 46 has always been my favourite psalm. Do you know these verses by heart?
Psalm 46:1,5 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. … God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (NIV 2011)
What else do you and I need? We can go forward without fear, knowing that God is our refuge and strength. He is planning to help our every move. Whether we are afraid or going forward in trust with true bravery, God sends us friends to help us to cope. Still, we need to admit that going into the future — as unknown as it is — can be scary. We need the wonderful reassurance that God is with us and will help us.
Let us reach out to each other in love and support, and let's pray for each other so that we can face the future with assurance and a steady, strong faith in Jesus our Saviour.
May God bless you and fill you with trust and faith.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we open to You our yearning hearts, that we may be filled with Your love and trust as we dedicate every day ahead of us to You, O Lord. Jesus, we love You, and in Your name, we pray. Amen.
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Amen.
Praying for your continued strength Iris. God bless.
Amen Iris!
Blessings.
You are a special part of our writing group here at Presbycan!! I always enjoy your devotionals.
Thank you, Iris, for sharing your encouraging words with us. May our Lord’s presence abide with you today and your every tomorrow. Blessings.
Hello Iris,
I have enjoyed and appreciated your devotionals for many years, now, and wish you many more years of service to our God. We know He will use you wherever you are.
Thank you.
Dear Iris
I pray for you as you meet the next challenge of life.
May God be with you. Every move is scary but you are not alone. Remember this. Try to see the positives. Accept and enjoy the help offered. If there are things offered, participate to the extent you are able. God bless.
Dear Iris,
Again, thank you and bless you for your message. It is reassurance for me at a time when my self confidence is slipping again.
I hope you are well and more settled.
My prayers are with you. I look forward to your encouraging devotionals.
Blessings.
One thing Paul did not experience was the life-long faith of fellow Christians. Though Judaism was very old, Christianity was quite new. So many of our congregations are filled with seniors. Your words of appreciation-giving ring true: in our culture it is so easy to criticize and find fault with others, how important it is to step back and appreciate the life-long faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ! God has blessed you over many years and your steadfast faith is a testimony and example for others to follow. May He continue to bless you with good fruit from your labours in Him! Thanks for sharing.
I am in my eighties and have had many friends go ahead when they need more care. Having been independent for so long we do not look forward to having to go. When we look back, both our mothers had to go many years ago and just this week another friend who was so independent had to move. We know if we live long enough we will do the same. Most of them all come to enjoy the friendship of others around, some prefer to keep to themselves. I pray you will accept the move and hopefully continue your work praising the Lord and leading others to him. Thanks be to God.
Dear Iris,
Thanks for you words about the importance of Christian fellowship.
I had a phone call from a senior lady who was concerned about another senior lady aged 100. We have gone together a number of times to visit the 100-year-old lady. They love to sing together.
It does my heart much good to see them in enjoyment. I can still drive my car, so I have much to be thankful for.
Praying for you Iris. Keep writing.
Once again we thank you for your dedication to bring God’s face to face to us through Jesus Christ. Yes your body maybe weak, but your Faith has kept you well.
Your dedication to the Daily Devotionals has been uplifting and makes one THINK, when reading your words, as others who also contribute to this wonderful Daily Devotions do also. You have been so faithful in spreading the news of God to all that want to listen and hopefully to those who lack Faith or a purpose in life.
You have had a interesting life, even through your difficult health challenges, but have never given up on your Faith to pull you through these rough times.
May God’s Blessings be with you, as you continue to win the battle with your health, through the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Mrs. Ford,
Both your recent devotions were wonderful! I wish you God’s blessings as you make your transition. Hopefully you can stay in your city as it sounds wonderful. Also, that you take a family member or a trusted friend when you visit facilities. If possible, pick a place which offers a continuum of care (residential, assisted, skilled and if possible intensive) without having to apply to get into each new level.
I am from The States. He and I took a trip to Winnipeg. Although we went to see a Blue Bombers game we spent the rest of the time getting out and seeing the city on our own. As you might imagine, with my father being in his 70’s, the next stage of living was a concern. So during our stay we toured a facility which had several levels of care. That visit had an impact on me. I have spent both my working and personal life in healthcare and as a caregiver.
May our Lord guide you and cradle you as you make your decision and afterwards.
Dear Iris Ford!
We don’t know each other, but we are known by the same God. And He spoke to me through your devotional. I felt as If you were praying for me! I’ve been through bad days and so afraid about my future… but I was conforted and encouraged by this devotional. I am moved to say that I will pray for you too! Thank you and God bless you!! It is so good to know that our Lord cares about us!
In Jesus name and love.