The Lamb....

Lamb...

The first week of August or even the month of August is the culmination of many agricultural projects for 4H's, FFA's, livestock production people who come together for county or state fairs...there are barns of pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, rabbits, ducks, chickens, meat or dairy goats, sheep...

At the end of the week, many of these animals are sold at auctions and then led into trucks for slaughter to be made into meat for private individuals or markets...so as you wander through the pens looking at the awards, the animals, talking to the owners you know that within a few days these animals which were so lovingly cared for will be meat packages in someone's freezer or simmering in a crockpot.

So innocent...are the poor animals...raised for our appetites...no wonder people become vegetarians, they don't have to look into the eyes of their future food...

I thought of this as I was looking at the lambs, baaing away, or lying calmly in their pens...the Lamb of God...Jesus came for each person who ever lived or whoever will...bearing our guilt on the cross... God provided, chosen, given over, worthy, unblemished, dying on my behalf, innocent of any guilt...to carry my sins and all sin....to raise again, glorified, ....what an awesome gift, a lamb...

Thank YOU....

Genesis 22:8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Leviticus 14:25 He shall slaughter the lamb for the guilt offering and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Luke 10:3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

John 1:29, 36 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

1 Peter 1:19-21 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Revelation 5:12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 21:22-23, 27 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Molding...

Molding....

I was reading my former hometown paper last night just for fun and found a not so fun article about a family which we knew, Whose son has gone missing since the end of July. He left early one morning to scout out his hunting  area and never returned home. Day and days of searching by many people and prayers from many more have only recovered his vehicle, some personal items and now the search is suspended... How one day changes lives of families...that molding process we, as clay, don't  really like...we wonder at the potter's ways sometimes, but are molded still into vessels that glorify the potter...not ourselves...

The molding is not easy many times, and the vessel may not look like we thought we should look...the turning can make us dizzy by its rotations, changing events in our lives...but he adds water to soften us, making us more moldable...He adds design, color, heat for hardening, purpose...some are put on shelves for their beauty, while others are used often or for particular purpose....the potter knows just what he is doing ...we as clay, are formed by His hands...

In Psalm  31:14-15a, David writes, "But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands;...."
More than time, but our very lives are in His hands...as we trust that He, the Potter, forms us for good, for his glory, for Himself...and rejoices when we are in his presence...at home...

Thank YOU for your molding of us, each day, a turn, a spin, a design, a color, a firing, a use...even a change...for your eternal purpose...


Immeasurably More

The Potter and the Clay

A daily devotion for August 14th

From your friends at RayStedman.org
Read: Jeremiah 18:1-23

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message. So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:1-4

We have commented in previous messages about the many things God uses to teach his people, these remarkable visual aids which appear from time to time in this book whereby God imparts lessons to this prophet. Jeremiah was sent down to the potter's house, and there he saw three simple things, conveying to him a fantastic lesson. You may have observed the same things that Jeremiah did, for the art of making a pot has not changed through the centuries. The wheel is now turned by an electric motor, but that is about the only difference. Even this is still controlled by the foot of the potter. The clay is the same as it has always been. The potter is the same, with his capable hands, working to mold and shape the clay into the vessel he has in mind.

What did Jeremiah see in this lesson? First there was the clay. Jeremiah knew, as he watched the potter shaping and molding the clay, that he was looking at a picture of himself, and of every man, and of every nation. We are the clay. Both Isaiah and Zechariah, in the Old Testament, join with Jeremiah in presenting this picture of the potter and the clay. In the New Testament we have the voice of Paul in that great passage in Romans 9, reminding us that God is the Potter and we are the clay. So Jeremiah saw the clay being shaped and molded into a vessel. Then some imperfection in the clay spoiled it in the potter's hand, and the potter crumbled it up, and began anew the process of shaping it into a vessel that pleased him.

Jeremiah saw the wheel turning constantly, bringing the clay against the potter's hand. That wheel stands for the turning circumstances of our life, under the control of the Potter, for it is the potter's foot that guides the wheel. The lesson is clear. As our life is being shaped and molded by the Great Potter, it is the circumstances of our life which bring us again and again under the potter's hand, under the pressure of the molding fingers of the Potter, so that he shapes the vessel according to his will.

Then, Jeremiah saw the potter. God, he knew, was the Great Potter, with absolute right over the clay to make it what he wanted it to be. Paul argues this with keen and clear logic in Romans 9: Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, Why did you make me like this? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:20b-21) Of course he has. The vessel is shaped according to the image in the potter's mind.

So Jeremiah, by watching, learned that an individual or a nation is clay in the Great Potter's hands. He has a sovereign right to make it what he wants it to be. He has the skill and design to work with the clay and to bring it to pass. If there be some imperfection in the clay, something which mars the design, spoils the work, the potter simply crushes the clay down to a lump and begins again to make it yet a vessel according to his own mind.

Thank you, Father, for creating me and shaping me. I trust that you are sovereign in all that you do, and that your purpose for me is good.


Life Application

What are three principles we may learn from the visual aid of potter and vessel? Are we learning to be grateful for the Potter's molding of our earthly vessels?

Copyright © 2016 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman, compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet.

Perseid meteor showers....

Perseid meteor showers...

Last night on the news, the meteorologist was talking about the meteor showers which are at their peak tonight and tomorrow night. I went out before I went to bed last night and again early this morning, 4am, and stood and watched the sky. This morning there were a few showers, but I plan to watch tonight again.  It is so amazing to watch the brilliance of the stars in the darkness...these past few years, we have had so many fires that they obscured the sky with smoke, so it is a pleasure not to have fires as well as to see the meteor shower this time of year...

What gifts of light God has given us to watch...and to think that each star is named by God himself... For our delight and pursuit ...

I was thinking this as a well known Christian, Franklin Graham is speaking many places this summer.  He, as well as his father, Billy, will go down as stars who have lead many to righteousness, with their world wide ministries.
Others have gone before, DL Moody, Charles Spurgeon, the Wesleys, to name a few...they led many to the throne of grace...plus the unnamed men and women who daily work in the thousands of ministries sharing Christ across the globe in a multitude of positions...stars, each one, using their talents and lives to forward the cause of Christ...shining in dark places...and God knows each by their name as well..

Thank YOU for the showers of blessings....


https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/perseid-meteor-shower-aug11-12.html

1 Corinthians 15:41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

Psalm 147:4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

Genesis 1:16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Psalm 136:9 the moon and stars to ilgovern the night; His love endures forever.

 Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever

The voice of the Lord.....

The voice of the Lord.....

The question is asked, "what storms are blowing through my life right now?" Am I giving God the glory even in those storms, letting His voice rule, am I finding His peace through the storm...or am I in an uproar listening to the storm rattle its fury???

Reading Psalm 29 this am was again a reminder to lay the storms at His feet, because only He has power over the storms of life...my job is to listen and seek His face....seek His strength and not my own...listen to his gentle answer and not the roar of the world....walk in His way, not my own...He alone gives peace.....

Thank YOU....

Psalm 29:1-11 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.


Isaiah 28:23, 26 Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Psalm 95:7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,

1 Kings 19:12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

The grass is greener...

The grass is greener...

My oldest daughter and family just put in new grass this spring and summer. It is growing well in a dry place.  The cows  are theoretically fenced out in their own  pasture which doesn't look quite so green.

I caught this picture of one steer looking longingly at the new greens, seemingly wondering how to taste the fresh grass...

It really embodies the saying, "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.."

I have known lots of people over the years who "church hopped", "town hopped", "house hopped" looking for various new venues, whether it be different preaching styles, bigger and better, more amenities, more comfortable chairs, better youth groups, different leadership, even better buildings or landscaping...each with their own merit. Nothing is inherently wrong with hopping unless it is due to lack of contentment...there is spiritual discontent or physical discontent or whatever...

The steer was looking for more moist, green, tender grass on the other side of the fence, even though he had that on his side of the fence...eyeing it with   Covetous  eyes..."greener grass"= better food...

Just like we may look covetously to other greener "pastures" as well meaning "I will be more content with something else"...I have been there many times over many things...my discontent keeping my attitude in poor shape and not listening for the lessons I should be learning in my life...greener pastures are not necessarily really greener...

Thank YOU that you can even let animals teach lessons for the soul....

Ecclesiastes 4:8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!

Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

The otter...

The otter....

The other morning as I was driving, I witnessed something so exciting it made me later than expected...a river otter crossed the road in front of me going from one of the ditches into a pond next to the road...it slithered into pond, keeping out of sight except were it was moving among the tall reeds...then finally swimming in the open water to cross the small pond to a wooden raft where it groomed itself, played on and around the raft. My camera was clicking all the while to document this event to show my family that it REALLY took place...

I have only seen river otters in zoos plus oceans ones in Alaska ...so this was a fun moment in time...what a gift...

I was thinking of this as I read in psalms again this morning..seeing the goodness of the Lord..

Psalm 27:13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Not that seeing an otter is anything like seeing God, but it was a gift that moment in time...

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Thank YOU for reminding me that you are the Author of creation...you bestow so many amazing things on us  to see and delight in besides yourself whom nothing compares...

"From sticks to beauty ".....

"From sticks to beauty...."

All three of my kitchen window plants are "rescues". I wrote this the  other day to a friend, "found this in the trash, one day. Couldn't  pass it by. So brought it home, fed and watered it...and voila..."  All three plants happen to be blooming right now...adding beauty to my day...both in thought and array.

She wrote back,
"Just a second thought: how quick we are to toss things, people that appear to have no worth or use, or have lost their beauty for a time. We aren't willing to wait, nurture until the season for bloom returns. How wonderful that God doesn't do that to us. He knows how to wait and nurture until we bloom again. "

What a wonderful thought!!! Thank you, Carolyn...

Thank YOU for not tossing us out, but You Renew us, you plant us to  bloom wherever we are...You care and nurture us with infinite patience....


Isaiah 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 71:20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

John 12:24-25 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.
But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.