Thinning pears....
I have two Asian pears trees which were planted last year. Their trunks are no bigger than 2 inches across. These are young trees. This spring the blooms on them were so thick that they resembled lilacs with flowers continuing up the small tender Limbs three feet long. The bees were just as thick, pollinating the abundance of blooms.
Evidently, all the pollinating was successful, as the small, baby pears are as thick as grapes growing on the long thin limbs which are bending from the weight.
I have never had this kind of abundance of pears before...I have never had pears grow before wherever we have lived and started trees...so this is a true gift...
But, the hard part is thinning this abundance...the baby limbs or even the tree cannot support the amount of fruit which is growing...so, I first thinned out the smaller pears, then I thinned about one quarter out..then last night I thinned again---50 pears laying on the ground...my heart wrenched to see these laying there...
And, There will have to be more thinning as they become larger...
Choosing which pears will stay and which will be grudgingly thrown away is hard when this is a first time experience...but, I want some to grow to maturity without killing the prolific tree...
Transformation is hard as well...culling out the stuff we don't need in our lives...getting down to the core of life...maturing, focusing on the best...with no clutter...so that growth can take place is hard...watching the extra fall away...putting aside...pruning...
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:1-4
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4
As much as I don't like the pruning, thinning of the pears, it is a picture of what God is doing in my life...getting rid of the excess...the extra...focusing on growth of the best-Himself in my life...all rest of just extra stuff! not good for growth or strengthening....thank YOU... I want the good growth...the good, mature fruit...
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
The "those" of Memoriall Day....
The "those" of Memorial Day...
The chaplain spoke of remembering those who have given their lives for the freedoms which we enjoy in this country and other countries....those who have fought the evils around the world that good might prevail for a time...the "those"... Nameless millions to many, but family members to others...
We see poignant pictures of raising the flag on battle torn hills or beaches, the slain covering the grounds in various wars...visit battle sites with historical plaques explaining the wars fought there...listen to patriotic music, salute the caskets as they pass by...we may wear MIA bracelets, we may even have a folded flag amongst our earthly treasures or memories of taps or the twenty-one gun salute...the "those" in our lives....
I had classmates who fought in the Vietnam war, some came home while others didn't, two brothers in law who were there...my husband was Army reserve and National Guard who did not go to the fighting fields...but he carried on with pride his patriotism to our nation...my father was born in between wars and tried to join, but couldn't ...my grandsons, as Boy Scouts, yearly placed flags on headstones of veterans...the "those" at the cemetery ....
When following our family tree, we found Revolutionary war participants, who fought for freedom for to new nation...others who fled foreign dictatorships to freedom offered in this country...the "those" long dead, but remembered...
Thank YOU, God for memorials....You have been there throughout the ages, guiding , comforting, strengthening...You have upheld, encouraged...the "those" we remember...and continue to do that for those who live with the memories...
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children —
Psalm 103:13-17
The chaplain spoke of remembering those who have given their lives for the freedoms which we enjoy in this country and other countries....those who have fought the evils around the world that good might prevail for a time...the "those"... Nameless millions to many, but family members to others...
We see poignant pictures of raising the flag on battle torn hills or beaches, the slain covering the grounds in various wars...visit battle sites with historical plaques explaining the wars fought there...listen to patriotic music, salute the caskets as they pass by...we may wear MIA bracelets, we may even have a folded flag amongst our earthly treasures or memories of taps or the twenty-one gun salute...the "those" in our lives....
I had classmates who fought in the Vietnam war, some came home while others didn't, two brothers in law who were there...my husband was Army reserve and National Guard who did not go to the fighting fields...but he carried on with pride his patriotism to our nation...my father was born in between wars and tried to join, but couldn't ...my grandsons, as Boy Scouts, yearly placed flags on headstones of veterans...the "those" at the cemetery ....
When following our family tree, we found Revolutionary war participants, who fought for freedom for to new nation...others who fled foreign dictatorships to freedom offered in this country...the "those" long dead, but remembered...
Thank YOU, God for memorials....You have been there throughout the ages, guiding , comforting, strengthening...You have upheld, encouraged...the "those" we remember...and continue to do that for those who live with the memories...
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children —
Psalm 103:13-17
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Gatekeepers....
Gatekeepers ....
There comes a scary time in every parent's life when they are launching their children...it comes with the first babysitting time, or entering school for the first time, that first date, or the first time the child drives away on their solo trip...or graduation, heading for their first job or college years and even when they leave for their first job, marriage...lots of launching times when you look at our lives...
The parent has been a gatekeeper for years...watching who and what enters into the family..not that we have total charge...God does....but we monitor many things throughout the earlier years of our children...we usually want the very best for our children...we want to guard them from the evils around us..
In the Old Testament, gate keepers were appointed for the temple, the towns...their job was important in the safety of others...just as parent's are...
I watch as my children are gatekeepers for their children...it is a daunting task as it was for us and those who went before us...some of my grandchildren are launching into college life and beyond...out of the safety of the that which has enfolded them...now with open hands again, the parents ( and grandparents) are watching, praying for these young adults as they leave the fold finding new pastures, new adventures, leaning on the God who really has control, the real Gatekeeper, the eternal lover of their souls...
What adventures, lesson await...but God is in Control...thank YOU...
gate·keep·er (gāt′kē′pər)
n.
1. One that is in charge of passage through a gate.
2. One who monitors or oversees the actions of others.
3. One who controls access to something, such as information or services: publishers as gatekeepers.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
gatekeeper (ˈɡeɪtˌkiːpə)
n
1. a person who has charge of a gate and controls who may pass through it
....
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
gate•keep•er (ˈgeɪtˌki pər)
n.
1. a person in charge of a gate, usu. to supervise the traffic or flow through it.
2. a person or thing that controls entrance or access: a gatekeeper for a busy executive.
3. a guardian; monitor: the gatekeepers of Western culture.
.....Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:1b
These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
1 Chronicles 26:12-13
They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord —the house called the tent of meeting. The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.
1 Chronicles 9:23-27
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:2-3
There comes a scary time in every parent's life when they are launching their children...it comes with the first babysitting time, or entering school for the first time, that first date, or the first time the child drives away on their solo trip...or graduation, heading for their first job or college years and even when they leave for their first job, marriage...lots of launching times when you look at our lives...
The parent has been a gatekeeper for years...watching who and what enters into the family..not that we have total charge...God does....but we monitor many things throughout the earlier years of our children...we usually want the very best for our children...we want to guard them from the evils around us..
In the Old Testament, gate keepers were appointed for the temple, the towns...their job was important in the safety of others...just as parent's are...
I watch as my children are gatekeepers for their children...it is a daunting task as it was for us and those who went before us...some of my grandchildren are launching into college life and beyond...out of the safety of the that which has enfolded them...now with open hands again, the parents ( and grandparents) are watching, praying for these young adults as they leave the fold finding new pastures, new adventures, leaning on the God who really has control, the real Gatekeeper, the eternal lover of their souls...
What adventures, lesson await...but God is in Control...thank YOU...
gate·keep·er (gāt′kē′pər)
n.
1. One that is in charge of passage through a gate.
2. One who monitors or oversees the actions of others.
3. One who controls access to something, such as information or services: publishers as gatekeepers.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
gatekeeper (ˈɡeɪtˌkiːpə)
n
1. a person who has charge of a gate and controls who may pass through it
....
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
gate•keep•er (ˈgeɪtˌki pər)
n.
1. a person in charge of a gate, usu. to supervise the traffic or flow through it.
2. a person or thing that controls entrance or access: a gatekeeper for a busy executive.
3. a guardian; monitor: the gatekeepers of Western culture.
.....Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:1b
These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
1 Chronicles 26:12-13
They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord —the house called the tent of meeting. The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.
1 Chronicles 9:23-27
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:2-3
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Everything Royal 2....
Everything Royal 2...
Yesterday morning I set my recorder on my tv to watch the Royal wedding at more convenient ( to me) time...so I watched it while treading, at lunch, etc...until I finished what I wanted to watch...the setting up, the rich, famous, the common arrivals ....the procession...the service, the candid shots, the vows, the carriage ride...millions spent on this beautiful auspicious day..praying that they truly love and cherish one another, that their lives going forward reflect some of what one of the clergymen spoke of...the love of Christ...
Reading the book, Gospel Patrons, at the same time this event is taking place was interesting...at one time, the Word was restricted to the clergy...it was against the law that "common" man have scriptures...in England and other countries as well...
In the 1500's, the Bible was translated in English so that the everyday person could read scriptures. But, that translation came at great price...jail, pain and sorrow, sacrifice...but revival in England came about because the Word was given out, proclaimed...rich and poor alike could read the very written Word in their own language...
And reading as well, some of the psalms written by another King...David...his asking to be closer, forgiven...
Fast forward to the present...a Black pastor speaking at a royal wedding...the cameras panning the audience...looks of distain, boredom, rapture, laughter, cynicism, sleepiness, happiness were caught on the camera for the world to see...the Word spoken with passion...in English, in freedom...may those words touch someone's heart, burrowing in, convicting...bringing some to the Real Throne of the Eternal Father of light and love...
Thank YOU that your light shines brightly...in royal palaces, in darkened dungeons...
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:1-5,43:3-5
Everything Royal 2...
Yesterday morning I set my recorder on my tv to watch the Royal wedding at more convenient ( to me) time...so I watched it while treading, at lunch, etc...until I finished what I wanted to watch...the setting up, the rich, famous, the common arrivals ....the procession...the service, the candid shots, the vows, the carriage ride...millions spent on this beautiful auspicious day..praying that they truly love and cherish one another, that their lives going forward reflect some of what one of the clergymen spoke of...the love of Christ...
Reading the book, Gospel Patrons, at the same time this event is taking place was interesting...at one time, the Word was restricted to the clergy...it was against the law that "common" man have scriptures...in England and other countries as well...
In the 1500's, the Bible was translated in English so that the everyday person could read scriptures. But, that translation came at great price...jail, pain and sorrow, sacrifice...but revival in England came about because the Word was given out, proclaimed...rich and poor alike could read the very written Word in their own language...
And reading as well, some of the psalms written by another King...David...his asking to be closer, forgiven...
Fast forward to the present...a Black pastor speaking at a royal wedding...the cameras panning the audience...looks of distain, boredom, rapture, laughter, cynicism, sleepiness, happiness were caught on the camera for the world to see...the Word spoken with passion...in English, in freedom...may those words touch someone's heart, burrowing in, convicting...bringing some to the Real Throne of the Eternal Father of light and love...
Thank YOU that your light shines brightly...in royal palaces, in darkened dungeons...
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:1-5,43:3-5
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Yesterday morning I set my recorder on my tv to watch the Royal wedding at more convenient ( to me) time...so I watched it while treading, at lunch, etc...until I finished what I wanted to watch...the setting up, the rich, famous, the common arrivals ....the procession...the service, the candid shots, the vows, the carriage ride...millions spent on this beautiful auspicious day..praying that they truly love and cherish one another, that their lives going forward reflect some of what one of the clergymen spoke of...the love of Christ...
Reading the book, Gospel Patrons, at the same time this event is taking place was interesting...at one time, the Word was restricted to the clergy...it was against the law that "common" man have scriptures...in England and other countries as well...
In the 1500's, the Bible was translated in English so that the everyday person could read scriptures. But, that translation came at great price...jail, pain and sorrow, sacrifice...but revival in England came about because the Word was given out, proclaimed...rich and poor alike could read the very written Word in their own language...
And reading as well, some of the psalms written by another King...David...his asking to be closer, forgiven...
Fast forward to the present...a Black pastor speaking at a royal wedding...the cameras panning the audience...looks of distain, boredom, rapture, laughter, cynicism, sleepiness, happiness were caught on the camera for the world to see...the Word spoken with passion...in English, in freedom...may those words touch someone's heart, burrowing in, convicting...bringing some to the Real Throne of the Eternal Father of light and love...
Thank YOU that your light shines brightly...in royal palaces, in darkened dungeons...
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:1-5,43:3-5
Everything Royal 2...
Yesterday morning I set my recorder on my tv to watch the Royal wedding at more convenient ( to me) time...so I watched it while treading, at lunch, etc...until I finished what I wanted to watch...the setting up, the rich, famous, the common arrivals ....the procession...the service, the candid shots, the vows, the carriage ride...millions spent on this beautiful auspicious day..praying that they truly love and cherish one another, that their lives going forward reflect some of what one of the clergymen spoke of...the love of Christ...
Reading the book, Gospel Patrons, at the same time this event is taking place was interesting...at one time, the Word was restricted to the clergy...it was against the law that "common" man have scriptures...in England and other countries as well...
In the 1500's, the Bible was translated in English so that the everyday person could read scriptures. But, that translation came at great price...jail, pain and sorrow, sacrifice...but revival in England came about because the Word was given out, proclaimed...rich and poor alike could read the very written Word in their own language...
And reading as well, some of the psalms written by another King...David...his asking to be closer, forgiven...
Fast forward to the present...a Black pastor speaking at a royal wedding...the cameras panning the audience...looks of distain, boredom, rapture, laughter, cynicism, sleepiness, happiness were caught on the camera for the world to see...the Word spoken with passion...in English, in freedom...may those words touch someone's heart, burrowing in, convicting...bringing some to the Real Throne of the Eternal Father of light and love...
Thank YOU that your light shines brightly...in royal palaces, in darkened dungeons...
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:1-5,43:3-5
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Friday, May 18, 2018
Yoke...
Yoke...
I was awakened to a letter written by a friend who at this moment is in
Africa sharing the love of Christ...they are sharing at festivals in Kampala, Uganda, this weekend...they thought about a thousand people came last night with 250 coming forward to receive Christ...
Then I opened my "extra" reading book, "Gospel Patrons" to find that the chapter was partly about John Newton, slave trader turned song writer/evangelist...and then my devotional was about freedom and slavery as well...no coincidence .....
My mind conjured up this picture of a person laden down with a yoke so heavy they are stooped over trudging through life bent over...that is how I picture and have seen some pictures of slaves brought to this country years ago...sin that we carry has the same effect...
but, here is this friend in Africa, not collecting slaves but sharing the life giving, yoke breaking Good News of Christ's love...the yoke thrown off, people set free, raising of hands to the God who frees....taking the bond of love ....
What a mind's picture!!! Praise replaces sorrow...freedom replaces slavery...thank YOU...
In Jeremiah 27:2 ; 28:10,12the word in the Authorized Version rendered "yoke" is motah , which properly means a "staff," or as in the Revised Version, "bar."
These words in the Hebrew are both used figuratively of severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection ( Leviticus 26:13 ; 1 Kings 12:4 ; Isaiah 47:6 ; Lamentations 1:14 ; 3:27 ). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denote servitude ( Matthew 11:29 Matthew 11:30 ; Acts 15:10 ; Galatians 5:1 ).https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/yoke/
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
Exodus 6:6
“‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.
Jeremiah 30:8
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/06/18/what-does-yoke-mean-in-the-bible/
"FREEDOM IN HIM, Sarah Young, Jesus Always
I APPROACH YOU WITH TENDERNESS, BECAUSE YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO ME AND I KNOW HOW FRAGILE YOU ARE.
I draw you with gentle cords, with bands of Love. These Love-cords keep you connected to Me; they also help you discern the way you should go. Though My bands of Love are unbreakable, they do not curtail your freedom. These highly elastic bands allow you to go your own way for a while. However, even if they are stretched out for a long time—as you seek to live independently of Me—they retain their drawing power. Eventually, when you grow weary of worldly ways, the cords draw you gently back to Me.
No matter how far you have roamed, I welcome you with unfailing Love. I stoop down both to nourish you and to liberate you: take the yoke from your neck.
The yoke is a symbol of slavery, and you have been a slave to sin. My death on the cross for your sins provided a way to free you from this slavery. I have broken the bands of your yoke and replaced them with bands of Love. Now you can walk upright—with your head held high—rejoicing in Me, your Savior.
When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
"I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” HOSEA 11: 4 NKJV
MLet the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. PSALM 143: 8
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” JOHN 8: 34–36
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.” LEVITICUS 26: 13 NKJV"
I was awakened to a letter written by a friend who at this moment is in
Africa sharing the love of Christ...they are sharing at festivals in Kampala, Uganda, this weekend...they thought about a thousand people came last night with 250 coming forward to receive Christ...
Then I opened my "extra" reading book, "Gospel Patrons" to find that the chapter was partly about John Newton, slave trader turned song writer/evangelist...and then my devotional was about freedom and slavery as well...no coincidence .....
My mind conjured up this picture of a person laden down with a yoke so heavy they are stooped over trudging through life bent over...that is how I picture and have seen some pictures of slaves brought to this country years ago...sin that we carry has the same effect...
but, here is this friend in Africa, not collecting slaves but sharing the life giving, yoke breaking Good News of Christ's love...the yoke thrown off, people set free, raising of hands to the God who frees....taking the bond of love ....
What a mind's picture!!! Praise replaces sorrow...freedom replaces slavery...thank YOU...
In Jeremiah 27:2 ; 28:10,12the word in the Authorized Version rendered "yoke" is motah , which properly means a "staff," or as in the Revised Version, "bar."
These words in the Hebrew are both used figuratively of severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection ( Leviticus 26:13 ; 1 Kings 12:4 ; Isaiah 47:6 ; Lamentations 1:14 ; 3:27 ). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denote servitude ( Matthew 11:29 Matthew 11:30 ; Acts 15:10 ; Galatians 5:1 ).https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/yoke/
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
Exodus 6:6
“‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.
Jeremiah 30:8
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/06/18/what-does-yoke-mean-in-the-bible/
"FREEDOM IN HIM, Sarah Young, Jesus Always
I APPROACH YOU WITH TENDERNESS, BECAUSE YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO ME AND I KNOW HOW FRAGILE YOU ARE.
I draw you with gentle cords, with bands of Love. These Love-cords keep you connected to Me; they also help you discern the way you should go. Though My bands of Love are unbreakable, they do not curtail your freedom. These highly elastic bands allow you to go your own way for a while. However, even if they are stretched out for a long time—as you seek to live independently of Me—they retain their drawing power. Eventually, when you grow weary of worldly ways, the cords draw you gently back to Me.
No matter how far you have roamed, I welcome you with unfailing Love. I stoop down both to nourish you and to liberate you: take the yoke from your neck.
The yoke is a symbol of slavery, and you have been a slave to sin. My death on the cross for your sins provided a way to free you from this slavery. I have broken the bands of your yoke and replaced them with bands of Love. Now you can walk upright—with your head held high—rejoicing in Me, your Savior.
When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
"I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” HOSEA 11: 4 NKJV
MLet the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. PSALM 143: 8
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” JOHN 8: 34–36
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.” LEVITICUS 26: 13 NKJV"
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Some names of God, personalized...
Names is God personalized...
Gleaned from another woman on the same journey...
Powerful, personalized...
Thank YOU that You are so much to "whomsoever will"...
"Some of the Names and Attributes of God"
Lord, I praise you for who you are ...for great is the Lord and Greatly to be praised, your love endures forever!
You are the King of Kings,
The Lord of LORDS,
the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace,
The Great I AM,
You are the Eternal,
You are Immanuel,,,God with us,
You are the Resurrection and The Life,
You are the Way, the Truth and the Life!!
You are the Holy One of Israel,
The Most High God,
The Lord of Hosts,
You are the God above all gods,
You are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You are Jehovah,
Jehovah Jireh...our Provider,
Jehovah Nissi...our Banner,
Jehovah Rophe...our Healer and great Physician,
Jehovah Tsidkenu, our Righteousness,
Jehovah Shammah...The God who Is,
Jehovah Shalom...The God of Peace,
Jehovah El Roi...The God who sees and watches over us!
You are Yaweh, Yeshua, Elohim...Strength and Power,
You are El Shaddai... The Lord God Almighty,
You are Adonai...our Lord,
You are The Alpha and Omega... The Beginning and the End,
You are the Vine,
You are the Branch out of the Root of Jessie,
You are the Vinedresser!
You are The Good Shepherd,
You are the Lamb of God, who takes away the Sin of the world, for worthy is the Lamb that was slain!
You are the Lion of Judah!
You are our Covering,
Our Hiding Place!
You are the Helmet of my Salvation,
The Breastplate of Righteousness,
The Belt of Truth,
The Shoes prepared with the Gospel of Peace,
The Shield of Faith, the Sword of the Spirit!
You are the Spirit of the Lord,
The Spirit of Wisdom,
The Spirit of Understanding,
The Spirit of Counsel,
The Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord,
You are the Spirit of Truth,
You are the Lily of the Valley,
The Bright and Morning Star,
The Rose of Sharon,
The Star of David,
The Light of the World,
You are the Blessed Hope,
The Righteous Judge,
You are our Rabbi,
our High Priest,
You are the Word,
You are the Word of God,
You are the Living Word of God...sharper that any two-edged sword,
Thy lamp is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path!
You are the Almighty One,
You are All Powerful,
you are All Glorious,
Full of Grace and mercy,
You are the Servant of All!
You are the Trinity...The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit,
You are the Father to the fatherless,
The Defender of widows,
You are the Omnipotent Father,
You are my own dear Abba Father,
Faithful Father,
The Eternal Father,
All Compassionate Father!
You are our leader and guide,
Our Wonderful Counselor,
Our Teacher,
You are our Comforter...the God of all Comfort...
You are a Very Present Help in time of need,
You are Omnipresent...God is everywhere,
You are our Advocate,
Our Mediator and Protector!
You are Jesus the Christ,
Our Saviour,
Redeemer,
Messiah, Creator,
Master,
and Friend,
our Shield and Defender,m
TheAncient of Days!
You are the Rock,
You are the Rock ofour Salvation,
You are the Foundation,
The Cornerstone,
The Door,
You are the Master Carpenter and Builder,
Our strong High Tower,
You are our Refuge and Strength,
Our Fortress,
Our Deliverer,
You are HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
You are Worth to be Praised,
You are Majesty...how Majestic is Your name in all the earth,
You are my Kinsman redeemer,
You are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control....
You are the Lord God Almighty,
The Author and Finisher of our Faith,
You are the King of Glory!
Lord, you are all of this and so much more! You are an Awesome God! What a joy to know You and to know that we have all Eternity to worship and praise you!
Gleaned from another woman on the same journey...
Powerful, personalized...
Thank YOU that You are so much to "whomsoever will"...
"Some of the Names and Attributes of God"
Lord, I praise you for who you are ...for great is the Lord and Greatly to be praised, your love endures forever!
You are the King of Kings,
The Lord of LORDS,
the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace,
The Great I AM,
You are the Eternal,
You are Immanuel,,,God with us,
You are the Resurrection and The Life,
You are the Way, the Truth and the Life!!
You are the Holy One of Israel,
The Most High God,
The Lord of Hosts,
You are the God above all gods,
You are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You are Jehovah,
Jehovah Jireh...our Provider,
Jehovah Nissi...our Banner,
Jehovah Rophe...our Healer and great Physician,
Jehovah Tsidkenu, our Righteousness,
Jehovah Shammah...The God who Is,
Jehovah Shalom...The God of Peace,
Jehovah El Roi...The God who sees and watches over us!
You are Yaweh, Yeshua, Elohim...Strength and Power,
You are El Shaddai... The Lord God Almighty,
You are Adonai...our Lord,
You are The Alpha and Omega... The Beginning and the End,
You are the Vine,
You are the Branch out of the Root of Jessie,
You are the Vinedresser!
You are The Good Shepherd,
You are the Lamb of God, who takes away the Sin of the world, for worthy is the Lamb that was slain!
You are the Lion of Judah!
You are our Covering,
Our Hiding Place!
You are the Helmet of my Salvation,
The Breastplate of Righteousness,
The Belt of Truth,
The Shoes prepared with the Gospel of Peace,
The Shield of Faith, the Sword of the Spirit!
You are the Spirit of the Lord,
The Spirit of Wisdom,
The Spirit of Understanding,
The Spirit of Counsel,
The Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord,
You are the Spirit of Truth,
You are the Lily of the Valley,
The Bright and Morning Star,
The Rose of Sharon,
The Star of David,
The Light of the World,
You are the Blessed Hope,
The Righteous Judge,
You are our Rabbi,
our High Priest,
You are the Word,
You are the Word of God,
You are the Living Word of God...sharper that any two-edged sword,
Thy lamp is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path!
You are the Almighty One,
You are All Powerful,
you are All Glorious,
Full of Grace and mercy,
You are the Servant of All!
You are the Trinity...The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit,
You are the Father to the fatherless,
The Defender of widows,
You are the Omnipotent Father,
You are my own dear Abba Father,
Faithful Father,
The Eternal Father,
All Compassionate Father!
You are our leader and guide,
Our Wonderful Counselor,
Our Teacher,
You are our Comforter...the God of all Comfort...
You are a Very Present Help in time of need,
You are Omnipresent...God is everywhere,
You are our Advocate,
Our Mediator and Protector!
You are Jesus the Christ,
Our Saviour,
Redeemer,
Messiah, Creator,
Master,
and Friend,
our Shield and Defender,m
TheAncient of Days!
You are the Rock,
You are the Rock ofour Salvation,
You are the Foundation,
The Cornerstone,
The Door,
You are the Master Carpenter and Builder,
Our strong High Tower,
You are our Refuge and Strength,
Our Fortress,
Our Deliverer,
You are HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
You are Worth to be Praised,
You are Majesty...how Majestic is Your name in all the earth,
You are my Kinsman redeemer,
You are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control....
You are the Lord God Almighty,
The Author and Finisher of our Faith,
You are the King of Glory!
Lord, you are all of this and so much more! You are an Awesome God! What a joy to know You and to know that we have all Eternity to worship and praise you!
Everything Royal....
Everything Royal....
With a imminent British Royal wedding, it seems like there is a frenzy on everything Royal....from ads about hand creams made of Royal jelly to how to dress like a Royal...many movies are about royalty, talk show themes, news shows, newspaper ads, library stories...royalty, royalty, royalty everywhere...kings, queens, princes, princess'...the whose who of guests, non guests, maybe guests....and on and on....
Growing up with Prince Charles, (we are the same age)... We lived, of course in different countries and cultures...and one of my daughters reminded me that she grew up with Prince William ...funny how we associate with the royals, continents and lifestyles away...
I am reading about King David in the Bible as well, both in the Psalms, Chronicles, and Samuel... His struggles, triumphs, his humility, his always coming back to the King of Kings, the great I Am, the Creator of All...the Comfortor, the real Royalty...the one to Whom all will bow...Jesus, who came as a tiny baby, was sought out by shepherds, wisemen and kings...sung about by angels...came as a servant, died as a criminal...but defied death and was resurrected, ascended to the right hand of God, the Father...
The true royals, God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit...these are the ones that count for eternity...we are given Royal robes of righteousness, crowned, given eternal life, a heavenly home, sealed for our belief and faith in them...this is the royalty that counts...for everything...
Thank YOU...
The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord.
Psalm 102:15,21-22
“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery. ”
Daniel 2:44,47
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time —God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
With a imminent British Royal wedding, it seems like there is a frenzy on everything Royal....from ads about hand creams made of Royal jelly to how to dress like a Royal...many movies are about royalty, talk show themes, news shows, newspaper ads, library stories...royalty, royalty, royalty everywhere...kings, queens, princes, princess'...the whose who of guests, non guests, maybe guests....and on and on....
Growing up with Prince Charles, (we are the same age)... We lived, of course in different countries and cultures...and one of my daughters reminded me that she grew up with Prince William ...funny how we associate with the royals, continents and lifestyles away...
I am reading about King David in the Bible as well, both in the Psalms, Chronicles, and Samuel... His struggles, triumphs, his humility, his always coming back to the King of Kings, the great I Am, the Creator of All...the Comfortor, the real Royalty...the one to Whom all will bow...Jesus, who came as a tiny baby, was sought out by shepherds, wisemen and kings...sung about by angels...came as a servant, died as a criminal...but defied death and was resurrected, ascended to the right hand of God, the Father...
The true royals, God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit...these are the ones that count for eternity...we are given Royal robes of righteousness, crowned, given eternal life, a heavenly home, sealed for our belief and faith in them...this is the royalty that counts...for everything...
Thank YOU...
The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord.
Psalm 102:15,21-22
“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery. ”
Daniel 2:44,47
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time —God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Sunday, May 13, 2018
The piano...
The piano....
I know I have written about this before, but....
One hundred years ago, my grandmother received a piano...I just realized that yesterday as I watched a young woman play a piano similar to the one belonging to my grandmother...1918...and here it is 2018...
As far as is know, my grandmother received it as a graduation present...it moved from her family's home to her home in the foothills of California until it moved to the "new" house in the 1940's. It remained there until I inherited it in the 1980's. I think it only moved 10 or 11 times in those 100 years...each time requiring a hefty team of movers...
When we moved it in the 1980's, we joked that the accumulation of dust from 40 years of sitting in one spot would hopefully be blown out as it rode in the back of a pickup for 500 miles...
All of my growing up years, it held family pictures except at Christmas time.
Then my grandmother would sit an array of little houses for a Christmas scene...
I remember as a little girl my grandmother would play very rarely, otherwise it sat silent...unless my mother would play at Christmas time...
Each on my children, painfully took piano lessons using it for their torturous practice times...only one daughter lovingly continued and still continues to this day to play its ivory keys...keeping it in tune 100 years later...
If the piano could talk, I would love to hear it's tales of newly marrieds, rambunctious little boys, hard economic times, food rationing, living on ranches, a world war, aging parents, death, new homes, generations of people, various players, a man on the moon, family Christmas's and gatherings, family singings, endless practicing, and much much more ....100 years of stories...
Music has been important in my family...whether we listen to it from this older piano, or a radio, a concert, our modern devices...whatever they happen to be at the time...praise music at church or in the car...old songs, or new ones...thank YOU for giving us the gift of songs...
Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 33:2-3
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
Psalm 57:7-8
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:2
I know I have written about this before, but....
One hundred years ago, my grandmother received a piano...I just realized that yesterday as I watched a young woman play a piano similar to the one belonging to my grandmother...1918...and here it is 2018...
As far as is know, my grandmother received it as a graduation present...it moved from her family's home to her home in the foothills of California until it moved to the "new" house in the 1940's. It remained there until I inherited it in the 1980's. I think it only moved 10 or 11 times in those 100 years...each time requiring a hefty team of movers...
When we moved it in the 1980's, we joked that the accumulation of dust from 40 years of sitting in one spot would hopefully be blown out as it rode in the back of a pickup for 500 miles...
All of my growing up years, it held family pictures except at Christmas time.
Then my grandmother would sit an array of little houses for a Christmas scene...
I remember as a little girl my grandmother would play very rarely, otherwise it sat silent...unless my mother would play at Christmas time...
Each on my children, painfully took piano lessons using it for their torturous practice times...only one daughter lovingly continued and still continues to this day to play its ivory keys...keeping it in tune 100 years later...
If the piano could talk, I would love to hear it's tales of newly marrieds, rambunctious little boys, hard economic times, food rationing, living on ranches, a world war, aging parents, death, new homes, generations of people, various players, a man on the moon, family Christmas's and gatherings, family singings, endless practicing, and much much more ....100 years of stories...
Music has been important in my family...whether we listen to it from this older piano, or a radio, a concert, our modern devices...whatever they happen to be at the time...praise music at church or in the car...old songs, or new ones...thank YOU for giving us the gift of songs...
Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 33:2-3
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
Psalm 57:7-8
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:2
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Let's go....
Let's go....
My small group has been doing a short study on Mark 4:35-41... My
Bible already has notes and dates written next to this passage of times when these verses were "illuminated" and went with life experiences...storms, decisions, going to other side, faith, lack of faith, fears, questions, peace or lack of.....and they came back to, "who is this?" , can I trust the one who calms the seas, who made the seas, where was my faith, what are my fears, were my fears ruling my life....various lessons on the same passage...
These disciples were in the boat with the creator of the waters...fearing for their lives in the fury of squall...I have been there...wondering, "is God asleep while I am bailing water, trying not to drown in the storms of life". And He has asked the same of me, "why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?" A rebuke to my soul after see how much He has supplied or carried me through previous life experiences...
But, truthfully, I don't like storms...I want calmness all the time...but that isn't as faith building ...there is a time for both...and God is there in each...building, encouraging, admonishing ....loving...thank YOU...
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:35-41
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:29-30
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
Psalm 29:3
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:9-10
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Psalm 33:6-9
My small group has been doing a short study on Mark 4:35-41... My
Bible already has notes and dates written next to this passage of times when these verses were "illuminated" and went with life experiences...storms, decisions, going to other side, faith, lack of faith, fears, questions, peace or lack of.....and they came back to, "who is this?" , can I trust the one who calms the seas, who made the seas, where was my faith, what are my fears, were my fears ruling my life....various lessons on the same passage...
These disciples were in the boat with the creator of the waters...fearing for their lives in the fury of squall...I have been there...wondering, "is God asleep while I am bailing water, trying not to drown in the storms of life". And He has asked the same of me, "why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?" A rebuke to my soul after see how much He has supplied or carried me through previous life experiences...
But, truthfully, I don't like storms...I want calmness all the time...but that isn't as faith building ...there is a time for both...and God is there in each...building, encouraging, admonishing ....loving...thank YOU...
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:35-41
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:29-30
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
Psalm 29:3
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:9-10
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Psalm 33:6-9
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Fruitfulness...
Fruitfulness...
I moved this past fall to a new location, state, city...the new back yard was a big lawn and a dead tree..so I had a landscaper come in and rock about a third of the lawn, plant fruit trees, blueberry bushes, rework the irrigation system to match...then I planted bulbs, seeds on the berm near the trees.
This spring the tulips, daffodils, pansies, Shasta daisies, Iris have all come up and bloomed as well as the trees and bushes. Now I have baby cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apples and blueberries setting on...growth...pleasing growth...a gift...but, I couldn't have done it without God sending the rain, snow, sunshine, bees in the right times ...He, after all, is the creator ...the nurturer...the supplier of all...nature is under His direction...
Even as I was weeding yesterday, a quail came to visit...another gift...have had quail or other wildlife at all of our homes...country or towns...
Thank YOU...
Reminded me to take the storms and sunshine of life to be fruitful for Him in ways that He brings...to be a pleasure to Him...to bloom where I am planted...
PLEASING HIM, Sarah Young, Jesus Always....
SEEK TO PLEASE ME ABOVE ALL ELSE. Let this be your guiding focus throughout the day so that you won’t be sidetracked by lesser goals. You will not be able to achieve success through discipline alone, for this pursuit requires more than your willpower: It is mainly powered by what is in your heart. As your Love for Me grows stronger, so does your desire to please Me. When a man and a woman are deeply in love, they take great delight in pleasing one another. They may spend hours pondering ways to surprise their beloved with unexpected pleasures. Simply anticipating the loved one’s happiness is exciting to such a lover. I Myself am such a Lover! I delight in increasing your Joy: making it complete. The best way to grow in your passion for Me is to increase your awareness of My ardent Love for you. Whenever you seek to please Me, think about Me as the Lover of your soul: the One who loves you perfectly every nanosecond of your existence. Let your budding desire to please Me flourish in the Light of My unfailing Love.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. COLOSSIANS 1: 10
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. HEBREWS 3: 1
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” JOHN 15: 9–11
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. PSALM 52: 8
I moved this past fall to a new location, state, city...the new back yard was a big lawn and a dead tree..so I had a landscaper come in and rock about a third of the lawn, plant fruit trees, blueberry bushes, rework the irrigation system to match...then I planted bulbs, seeds on the berm near the trees.
This spring the tulips, daffodils, pansies, Shasta daisies, Iris have all come up and bloomed as well as the trees and bushes. Now I have baby cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apples and blueberries setting on...growth...pleasing growth...a gift...but, I couldn't have done it without God sending the rain, snow, sunshine, bees in the right times ...He, after all, is the creator ...the nurturer...the supplier of all...nature is under His direction...
Even as I was weeding yesterday, a quail came to visit...another gift...have had quail or other wildlife at all of our homes...country or towns...
Thank YOU...
Reminded me to take the storms and sunshine of life to be fruitful for Him in ways that He brings...to be a pleasure to Him...to bloom where I am planted...
PLEASING HIM, Sarah Young, Jesus Always....
SEEK TO PLEASE ME ABOVE ALL ELSE. Let this be your guiding focus throughout the day so that you won’t be sidetracked by lesser goals. You will not be able to achieve success through discipline alone, for this pursuit requires more than your willpower: It is mainly powered by what is in your heart. As your Love for Me grows stronger, so does your desire to please Me. When a man and a woman are deeply in love, they take great delight in pleasing one another. They may spend hours pondering ways to surprise their beloved with unexpected pleasures. Simply anticipating the loved one’s happiness is exciting to such a lover. I Myself am such a Lover! I delight in increasing your Joy: making it complete. The best way to grow in your passion for Me is to increase your awareness of My ardent Love for you. Whenever you seek to please Me, think about Me as the Lover of your soul: the One who loves you perfectly every nanosecond of your existence. Let your budding desire to please Me flourish in the Light of My unfailing Love.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. COLOSSIANS 1: 10
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. HEBREWS 3: 1
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” JOHN 15: 9–11
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. PSALM 52: 8
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Words of praise....
Words of praise...
I am reading through the Scriptures chronologically...so back and forth from history to songs, prophets...to fit the times together ...
In the past when I have read through the Bible, I have read straight through from front to back...so this is fun and enlightening to see how it fits together ...
But, no matter how I do it, God speaks...words of praise, admonishment, teaching...words I need to heed...use in speaking to others as well as praise for what He has done...
Thank YOU...
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. PSALM 141: 3 NKJV
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].
Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.
Psalm 141:3,5
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Proverbs 16:21,23
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. PROVERBS 16: 24
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
Ecclesiastes 10:12
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders. .....
Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
Psalm 107:1,8-9,15-16,21-22,31-32,43
I am reading through the Scriptures chronologically...so back and forth from history to songs, prophets...to fit the times together ...
In the past when I have read through the Bible, I have read straight through from front to back...so this is fun and enlightening to see how it fits together ...
But, no matter how I do it, God speaks...words of praise, admonishment, teaching...words I need to heed...use in speaking to others as well as praise for what He has done...
Thank YOU...
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. PSALM 141: 3 NKJV
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].
Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.
Psalm 141:3,5
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Proverbs 16:21,23
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. PROVERBS 16: 24
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
Ecclesiastes 10:12
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. ....
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders. .....
Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
Psalm 107:1,8-9,15-16,21-22,31-32,43
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