Interesting Green: Reflection - Julie Ackerman Link

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 82, "Saving Ourselves", Page 94.

By Julie Ackerman Link, Our Daily Bread Author

PHOTO: If we died with him, we also live with him. - 2 Timothy 2:11
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Inside, music was playing. Outside, leaves were falling. Catching a gust of wind, one of the last leaves of autumn blew briefly upward as I heard the phrase, "He is risen!" By the end of the song, however, the leaf had reached the ground. Gravity had overcome the breeze.

Later, I overheard three middle-aged women discussing diets, exercise, face-lifts, and other age-defying efforts. Like the leaf, they were trying to keep gravity from pulling them toward the inevitable.

Their conversation reminds me of the good works people do to try to save themselves from spiritual death. But just as leaves cannot keep from falling and people cannot keep from aging, no one can work hard enough to avoid the consequence of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23).

At the crucifixion, mockers challenged Jesus to save Himself. Instead, He put His life into the hands of God, and God gave back to Him not only His own life but ours as well. To receive salvation, we too must simply put our lives into the hands of God, for if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, He will give life to us as well (Romans 8:11).

The forces of sin outside cannot defeat the life of Christ inside.

Salvation isn't turning over a new leaf; it's receiving a new life.
Picture posted by prasuna - Aesthetic
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If we died with him, we also live with him. - 2 Timothy 2:11
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

PHOTO: If we died with him, we also live with him. - 2 Timothy 2:11
Photoshop from picture posted by Imgbin
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwELjNrojJpUnxo7jqYlGZtEGCuPqtt5EpXbHp8FEthUfmxGnk01Gaz7zXi0oOIZSjQe6BmI9yChDFVBJ_Qx6C4a_Yi1BlPRB-VKFy0di2H_VxwbCCVdUNwftAOyYVsbRdeWBVLE6K14rXSFAZSuuWHgmtfco6HMwymks50uhTTkK4JtD-CnGMhH5Q58M/s1536/47cce6a1874ce33a03a5a8402fdf7694_1_1.png
https://cdn.imgbin.com/4/13/3/imgbin-congregation-of-the-sacred-hearts-of-jesus-and-mary-congregation-of-the-sacred-hearts-of-jesus-and-mary-prayer-mary-jesus-christ-t3psfuUUPucbbvfUQeY5Mwysg.jpg
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Inside, music was playing. Outside, leaves were falling. Catching a gust of wind, one of the last leaves of autumn blew briefly upward as I heard the phrase, "He is risen!" By the end of the song, however, the leaf had reached the ground. Gravity had overcome the breeze.

Inside, music was playing. Outside, leaves were falling. Catching a gust of wind, one of the last leaves of autumn blew briefly upward as I heard the phrase, 'He is risen!'

PHOTO: Inside, music was playing. Outside, leaves were falling. Catching a gust of wind, one of the last leaves of autumn blew briefly upward as I heard the phrase, "He is risen!" By the end of the song, however, the leaf had reached the ground. Gravity had overcome the breeze.
Picture posted by Diane Henkler {InMyOwnStyle.com}, Style Scouting: Vol. 66

Picture is enlarged by AI-powered image upscaler from depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/upscaler.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=button2&utm_campaign=ntf_upscaler&utm_content=en&iterable_campaign=2704095&iterable_template=3704971

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCwanXiuVHC_PyKGxRPTbDwbr2wW3T0xO0Qi_H1pSOCEOtAwZHxegB8Ceeb4wmKwd4ywTq1lXdNH6fUaF0udkBHFyd37h1L9JUvIChmSc7Op6zGeaDloNAIuAek1ubqDoMLxZHEAR2yDlYCWSz2UpsfC8SuKpq8h6-2rWVK3_29ApCPvJiYDmVRghUYQ/s1128/d5b3aeef9c3a77ad962ef1aae3af484f-1128x1128.jpg
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/34199278415390242/

Later, I overheard three middle-aged women discussing diets, exercise, face-lifts, and other age-defying efforts. Like the leaf, they were trying to keep gravity from pulling them toward the inevitable.

PHOTO: I overheard three middle-aged women discussing diets, exercise, face-lifts, and other age-defying efforts. Like the leaf, they were trying to keep gravity from pulling them toward the inevitable.
Photoshop from picture posted by Freep!k
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2EBAt4yVmKv-HrdbHhoUGrcleVqh4s6hWecJWJQzTinRytsB2iz06nqeeM-pZDnxOUN14A6Ij6xzaX_wF4wBll-yJUo77QHfA3H8t3MWPMRnULrGKhR48ZCPqsKeMf3N8PfgPfdSn5lVfZ914kdrfgkSZZ7wmXCvJdBBv3Xvkgv6TJbL1hOmZcDiiB0/s1380/351981-277_1.png
https://img.freepik.com/premium-photo/three-smiling-middle-aged-women-are-standing-near-underpass-talking_351981-277.jpg?w=1380
https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/three-smiling-middle-aged-women-are-standing-near-underpass-talking_12347251.htm

Their conversation reminds me of the good works people do to try to save themselves from spiritual death. But just as leaves cannot keep from falling and people cannot keep from aging, no one can work hard enough to avoid the consequence of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23).

PHOTO: Their conversation reminds me of the good works people do to try to save themselves from spiritual death. But just as leaves cannot keep from falling and people cannot keep from aging, no one can work hard enough to avoid the consequence of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23).
Picture posted by Calvary Baptist Church
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDCz8BR2PjGCAJdZ-D0ykE3781n2EjYMNjfB2C6Z4gG7kCdelNGlYysSyVpoLl-3bNoVOhwLpjeKkKrqC8MM6eiRlrRDv5KeMe5MyllgCZJeQWgqlevwI4wnk4iPiWcBg7qQUeVoyDZE2niQ5j5eJEdeqRNfzL5heMVfFMTlKSOnR2Ba6DlXnWZDAL90/s1814/KJV_Page_09.jpg
https://www.calvarybaptistep.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/KJV_Page_09.jpg
https://www.calvarybaptistep.org/resources/how-to-get-to-heaven/

At the crucifixion, mockers challenged Jesus to save Himself. Instead, He put His life into the hands of God, and God gave back to Him not only His own life but ours as well. To receive salvation, we too must simply put our lives into the hands of God, for if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, He will give life to us as well (Romans 8:11).

At the crucifixion, mockers challenged Jesus to save Himself. Instead, He put His life into the hands of God, and God gave back to Him not only His own life but ours as well.

PHOTO: At the crucifixion, mockers challenged Jesus to save Himself. Instead, He put His life into the hands of God, and God gave back to Him not only His own life but ours as well. To receive salvation, we too must simply put our lives into the hands of God, for if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, He will give life to us as well (Romans 8:11).
Picture posted by Baamboozle
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https://www.baamboozle.com/study/302364

The forces of sin outside cannot defeat the life of Christ inside.

PHOTO: The forces of sin outside cannot defeat the life of Christ inside.
Picture posted by stevegoad - Silence The Deception
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUfvkHxhcHQgqbZ2Rhikty5qngrUs1ljrEUPu6_YA-Bu6rzicxmasF6tgg7dVt6W4fAwdCSN7oRuhBoV6gCAB9ikbcl4MvFS04dEFCOutzDvMS_IH9Qox0I6zoyLI1lr6kKkVmGCx55MYlasxw2b0Uvtg_Vmhn8BCdKLhqITHFL6zLy2KifOWOQpArI0/s1386/dae7ejh-8cccf107-b9d3-41ef-95dd-fcc2b43d2312_1.jpg
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https://www.deviantart.com/stevegoad/art/Silence-The-Deception-628521821

Salvation isn't turning over a new leaf; it's receiving a new life.

PHOTO: Salvation isn't turning over a new leaf; it's receiving a new life.
Picture posted by Jesus Club
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PHOTO: Reflect and Pray
I walked life's path with worry,
Disturbed and quite unblest,
Until I trusted Jesus;
Now faith has giv'n me rest. - Bosch
Picture posted by Diamond Painting
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Reflection - Julie Ackerman Link - Saving Ourselves
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 82, "Saving Ourselves", Page 94.
By Julie Ackerman Link, Our Daily Bread Author

Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html

"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html

"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html

Reference

Links

Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html

1 Corinthians 15:12-20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A12-20&version=NIV

2 Timothy 2:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A11&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Romans 6:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A23&version=NIV

Romans 8:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A11&version=NIV