Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Peace of Christ



Peace I leave with you; 
my peace I give you. 
I do not give to you 
as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

In the world in which we live, this verse keeps coming to mind.  If I hadn't learned it many years ago, I wouldn't have access in times of trouble.  Jesus is right.  I don't understand, but when I believe...
the peace comes.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Big Dash



But from everlasting to everlasting 
the Lord's love is with those who fear him, 
and his righteousness 
with their children’s children— 
with those who keep his covenant 
and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalm 103:17-18

I've noticed when reading the promises of God that they are contingent upon our obedience to Him.  Notice the big dash placed after line four above.  
A covenant is a formal agreement.
A precept is instruction given as an authoritative rule of action.
(In my words: Do what I say.)
Covenant, precept, law, statute---all are synonymous.  The point is we are to acknowledge God's love for us by loving Him back...that is, following what He has given us to do.
All His laws are to be passed down from generation to generation.  It's our duty--a command from God.  Now, I'm heading out to play Follow the Leader.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Letter from Christ



You show that you are a letter from Christ, 
the result of our ministry, 
written not with ink 
but with the Spirit of the living God, 
not on tablets of stone
 but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3


How effective my letter is today depends on my willingness to share it.



Monday, May 27, 2013

On Task



However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;
 my only aim is to finish the race 
and complete the task 
the Lord Jesus has given me—
the task of testifying
 to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24


Oh, to be so focused!



Saturday, May 25, 2013

Opportunity to Honor



Be devoted to one another 
in love.
 Honor one another 
above yourselves.
Romans 12:10

I'm excited about the day.  I'm going try to sell my jewelry at a festival today.  It will be the first time since last Spring to be able to do so.  Every day is an opportunity for service to my Lord and I will be looking for that today.  May God be honored by my words and actions.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Who Is Our Neighbor?



Each of us
 should please our neighbors 
for their good,
 to build them up.
Romans 15:2

...the people by whom we live, the people down the street, the people around the corner, the office worker in the next cubicle, the boss, the janitor, the store clerk, the doctor, the nurse, the cashier at the bank, the loan officer, the landlady, the teacher, the dance instructor, the pharmacist, the tax consultant, the minister, the deacon, the new mother, the grieving, the ones celebrating...and the list goes on...



Thursday, May 23, 2013

His Paths



 Oh, the depth of the riches
 of the wisdom
 and knowledge of God! 
How unsearchable his judgments, 
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Romans 11:33

I can't begin to understand the wisdom of God.  He knows everything before it happens.  He sets my paths, I search for Him and He puts me on the right one.  When my decisions are mine alone, I fail.  When they are God's I never fail to see Him at work.



Wednesday, May 22, 2013

God's Peace



May the God who gives endurance and encouragement 
give you the same attitude of mind toward each other
 that Christ Jesus had,
 so that with one mind and one voice 
you may glorify the God and Father
 of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6


May you have God's peace today.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Peaceful Harvest



But the wisdom that comes from heaven
 is first of all pure; 
then peace-loving,
 considerate,
 submissive, 
full of mercy and good fruit,
 impartial and 
sincere.
 Peacemakers who sow in peace 
reap a harvest of 
righteousness.
James 3:17-18

Do you want to know if your decisions are wise?  Then just measure them to these requirements.


Thursday, May 16, 2013

He Sings to Me



The LORD your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:7

I've probably used this verse before but I love it so much.  When things around us crumble, it's good to know that God loves us enough to sing for us, though we sometimes have to listen hard to hear it.  Tune in.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A Study of Industry


Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
    whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know the path of the wind,...
so you cannot understand the work of God
 the Maker of all things.

Sow your seed in the morning,
    and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
    whether this or that,
    or whether both will do equally well.
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

Today's Bible verse from Bible Gateway lead me to this photo--wind blowing heather.  Now, where heather grows is not the best place to plant grain so you farmers don't chastise me too much for using this example:  To get the ground ready for planting one must plow, disk, field cultivate (did I use the right terms?) and then...plant...a lot of work for one crop.
So many times we look at the work ahead of us and then crawl back in bed.  I think Solomon was hoping we'd pick up on his encouragement for working here and get off our keasters.  Wise words...point taken.  



Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Knitting



For you created my inmost being;
 you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
your works are wonderful, 
I know that full well.
Psalms 139:13-14

It's interesting to think about the people in David's time knitting.  I don't know the Hebrew word that David used for our English word, "knit," nor the history of knitting but I do know the intricacy and time involved in the process.  Every piece is unique, even when following a pattern.  Maybe the differences are minute and only noticed by the creator but each is one-of-a-kind and useful.  God has a purpose for every individual He creates even if they have dropped stitches or uneven rows.



Monday, May 13, 2013

Perception of Beauty


Charm is deceptive, 
and beauty is fleeting; 
but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30


Fashion is also ephemeral.  I'm glad I don't have to wear all of this fabric in warm weather, especially the bustle.  Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.  Mine was.



Saturday, May 11, 2013

Snail's Pace



Return to your rest,
 my soul,
for the LORD
 has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7

I'm looking forward to the pace of this cute creature.
I captured him in this photo on one of our morning walks.
The semester is almost over but a graduation and family gatherings are in the offing for next week.  It will be a while before I can take a leisurely stroll...like this little fella.  Hope you get some rest time this weekend.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Pearls



Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
 a merchant looking for fine pearls. 
When he found one of great value,
 he went away 
and sold everything he had 
and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46

I was looking for pearls to make bracelets and necklaces similar to these when I ran into a wadded up strand.  I did the "tooth" test on them and they were real!  What a find.  Now I own a strand of real pearls.  I won't be using them in my jewelry to sell.  Instead, I'll wear them.

Sometimes I feel dissatisfied and start looking for something to please the surging desire for....whatever....when all I have to do is dig into the treasure box I already own and pull out a valuable gem.  It was there all along but hidden.

The Kingdom of God is like that.  We search and search for something to fill the emptiness within, the God-hole in our hearts, when all along He's been there waiting for us...and all we had to do is ask him to come and meet our need.  God will satisfy...when I trust Him.



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Seasoning


Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
 make the most of every opportunity. 
Let your conversation be always full of grace, 
seasoned with salt, 
so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6

I haven't looked it up but I would imagine that salt is the most popular seasoning in the world.  I'm not a pepper person.  It can be thrown out and never missed as far as I'm concerned.  Salt is another story.  I probably use too much according to the health experts but it would be very difficult for me to give it up.  
Salt applied to conversation?   
Hmmm...probably don't use enough.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Paying Taxes



This is also why you pay taxes, 
for the authorities are God’s servants,
 who give their full time to governing. 
Give to everyone what you owe them:
 If you owe taxes, pay taxes;
 if revenue, then revenue;
 if respect, then respect;
 if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:6-7

Yes, and we're to give with a cheerful heart.




Monday, May 6, 2013

Confession


Therefore confess your sins to each other 
and pray for each other 
so that you may be healed. 
The prayer of a righteous person
 is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

I'd never noticed the first sentence here.  I do believe it, though.  Many years back, after studying Experiencing God, my husband and I confessed our past indiscretions to each other.  It was cathartic and actually increased our love.  It was scary because both of us were afraid the other wouldn't understand...but we did.  We each realized that we were not perfect.  We were only sinners saved by the grace of God.  Neither was any better than the other.  Our relationship took a turn for the better and we actually respected the other more.  In effect, we were healed.  I don't know how this works in the physical healing aspect but I do know we each were cleansed and able to continue our lives together in peace.

Isn't it interesting how life-changing nuggets of scripture are hidden in the Bible?  Only in reading it can we find them.

Friday, May 3, 2013

All You Can Do


As I sit here this morning, praying, I realize how insignificant my prayer is.
Then...
I read my daily Bible verse that comes in my email every day...this one...

Be joyful in hope,

 patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

My prayers are for a 4-year old little boy who had brain surgery last week.  They got the hideous tumor...a Medullopblastoma, one of the worst you can have.  He'll have to face radiation and chemo therapy but they can't get him to eat.  I wouldn't either...what a trauma in every regard.  I feel so helpless just sitting here praying but that's all I can do from this distance in this circumstance...and it's enough.  I'm hopeful that the family has joy in their hope and is patient in their affliction because I'm going to be faithful in prayer.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Every New Day



The LORD within her is righteous;
    he does no wrong.
Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,
    and every new day he does not fail.
Zephaniah 3:5


I've borrowed this lovely photo from Lisa Socha on Flickr's Creative Commons. Though I've taken the word "her" personally here, I'll share it with you, too, and pray your morning will be filled with hope and encouragement with this prophet's words.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Natural Transformations






    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
     the new creation has come: 
    The old has gone,
     the new is here! 
    2 Corinthians 5:17
    I've finally had a little free time to create.  It's been since last Spring since I've done any jewelry-making...only a few earrings for friends.  I've been working in deer antler that Bill had cut into beads and buttons.  No, I'm not really into wearing this style but it's fun making it and I hope it sells.  I've put a new spirit into these pieces.  Once they were a deer antler, now they are to adorn the ear, neck and wrist--quite a transformation.
God transforms our spirit and gives us a new one when we accept His Son as our Savior...the guarantee of a heavenly residence with Him.  ( Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  2 Cor. 5:5)  We once were only an earthly body but now we have been transformed and carry the beautiful nature of Christ within us.  We are completely changed...old to new. People should be able to tell a difference between who we are now and what we were.