"Mama, why do we have to have soooooo many of these caterpillars everywhere??" Briley and Kinley both have commented on the literally hundreds of caterpillars on our doors, the ground, on the car....everywhere! At first they kind-of grossed me out a little. Well, NOTHING like frogs and lizards, of course, but they did give me the creepies:) Eeewwww....all those little legs crawling all over everything. But, then I began to think about the caterpillars.
Spring is such a beautiful time of year, and there's nothing like the smell after a soft rain, and the sight of a dainty, graceful butterfly dancing through a flower garden. Reminds me that winter is over and the earth has been renewed. There's new plants, new leaves on the trees, new grass, new everything. The old season has passed away and has been ushered in by the fragrance of renewal.
Isn't that like life though? We have seasons in life. Joyful times, sorrowful times, struggling times, and victorious times. But, nothing ever stays the same, does it? We may be struggling, and it sure seems like we've been in the 'winter' season for a long time. But, just like that ole' ugly caterpillar represents a new beginning, sometimes the struggles we endure are what will eventually be our butterfly of spring.
I still don't really think the caterpillars are cute or anything, but the beauty that they promise in the future is enough to endure them crawling all over everything now. The trial you are facing now will give way to spring...and renewal.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 5
Matthew 20
Friday, April 4th
In Matthew 19, the Bible gives us the account of a young man who wanted to know how he could inherit eternal life. Interestingly, he opened the conversation by calling Jesus "good master". Instead of answering the question about eternal life straightway, Jesus used the opportunity to appeal to his reasoning and said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:" The young man didn't catch the lesson Jesus was trying to teach him. So, Jesus continued and listed the commandments that he needed to keep in order to be saved.
Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Jesus wasn't trying to teach him that he could "earn" his salvation. He was trying to show him just how short he came to the mark of God's righteousness. Guess how the young man responded? "Oh, I've done ALL those things. What more must I do??" There is NO way that this young man had always honored his parents! You cannot convince me that he had never told a lie or had trouble loving others like he loved himself. Jesus saw through him and told him that he lacked one thing. The Lord advised him to go sell everything he owned so that he could follow God. The Lord knew he hadn't kept all those commandments, but instead of arguing with him, Jesus pinpointed exactly what was keeping him from God: the love of money.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 4
Matthew 19
Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Jesus wasn't trying to teach him that he could "earn" his salvation. He was trying to show him just how short he came to the mark of God's righteousness. Guess how the young man responded? "Oh, I've done ALL those things. What more must I do??" There is NO way that this young man had always honored his parents! You cannot convince me that he had never told a lie or had trouble loving others like he loved himself. Jesus saw through him and told him that he lacked one thing. The Lord advised him to go sell everything he owned so that he could follow God. The Lord knew he hadn't kept all those commandments, but instead of arguing with him, Jesus pinpointed exactly what was keeping him from God: the love of money.
This man's love for money was enough to keep him from the Lord because he wasn't willing to relinquish what had become his god. In the same way, not relinquishing what we allow to control us can break the fellowship between ourselves and God. The young man went away sorrowful because he just couldn't trust God enough to completely sell-out.
What about you? Are you completely sold out for the Lord?
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 4
Matthew 19
Thursday, April 3rd
I've never seen any of the teen girls at our church be mean to smaller children at all. Quite the opposite, our young ladies seem to understand the privilege God has given us to have so many young children. I know...sometimes little ones can be chatty and maybe even annoying. But, perhaps we are only annoyed when we forget the attitude the Savior exhibited toward children during His earthly ministry.
That Jesus loved little ones is hardly any secret. He tells us throughout Scripture that children are a blessing; that children are His heritage. But, our society as a whole does not see children that way. It's no wonder that many of our nation's kids feel thrown away and forgotten. We are too busy to stop and make cookies...to kneel down and put a band-aid on a skinned knee...to play a game of hopscotch. Mrs. Lois mentioned during our Saturday meeting that the best way to have nice hair is to allow a child to run her fingers through it at least once a day. What profound advice!
Many teen girls don't see the opportunity to mentor and help these younger children, but what a wonderful chance to make a change in the next generation. Jesus took every such opportunity to influence children.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 3
Matthew 18
That Jesus loved little ones is hardly any secret. He tells us throughout Scripture that children are a blessing; that children are His heritage. But, our society as a whole does not see children that way. It's no wonder that many of our nation's kids feel thrown away and forgotten. We are too busy to stop and make cookies...to kneel down and put a band-aid on a skinned knee...to play a game of hopscotch. Mrs. Lois mentioned during our Saturday meeting that the best way to have nice hair is to allow a child to run her fingers through it at least once a day. What profound advice!
Many teen girls don't see the opportunity to mentor and help these younger children, but what a wonderful chance to make a change in the next generation. Jesus took every such opportunity to influence children.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10
The Savior's gentleness was never more evident than when he stooped down to hold a child. If the Creator had time for children...if He had a heart for kids, shouldn't we?
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 3
Matthew 18
Wednesday, April 2nd
Most of you have read or heard of how Jesus took three of his disciples upon a high mountain which has come to be called the "Mount of Transfiguration" among Christians. Peter, James, and John walked closer to the Lord than the other disciples, and as a result Jesus shared things with them that He did not share with the other nine disciples. When they were coming down from the mountain, a man met them and begged Jesus to heal his son. The man told them that he had asked the disciples to heal his child, but they weren't able to. They weren't able to because they were lacking in faith. Just that. They were lacking in faith.
How much faith is necessary to be a mighty warrior in God's army? A VERY tiny amount, actually. Have you ever seen a mustard seed? It is so small that if you're not looking for it, you might miss it. But, the Lord, in His mercy, asks that we only give Him just this much.
What about you? Is there a mountain in your life that you need removed? All it takes is enough faith to put your hand in the hand of the Savior's and trust Him.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 2
Matthew 17
"...if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
Matthew 17:19-20
What about you? Is there a mountain in your life that you need removed? All it takes is enough faith to put your hand in the hand of the Savior's and trust Him.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 2
Matthew 17
Tuesday, April 1st
Girls, today is a national holiday? I don't think it's a legal holiday, but perhaps it should be. No, I'm not talking about April Fool's Day. But, the holiday I'm speaking about has something to do with a fool, alright.
You see, I think it should be called the National Atheist Day. Why? Because, Psalm 14:1 tells us that, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..."
God says that it is foolish to question whether or not there is a Creator because quite frankly, the complexity of creation testifies that all of this didn't just make itself. The great order of the universe, the eco system, and the intricacy of the human body all demand an honest answer to the question, "Could it all be a coincidence?" To the honest, truly seeking soul, God will certainly reveal Himself.
Today is a day that many take great pleasure in pranking others and playing practical jokes. I'm not against having a little fun, but on this day, take a few minutes of prayer to ask the Lord to help you witness to those who do not believe in even the existence of God.
Matthew 17
You see, I think it should be called the National Atheist Day. Why? Because, Psalm 14:1 tells us that, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..."
God says that it is foolish to question whether or not there is a Creator because quite frankly, the complexity of creation testifies that all of this didn't just make itself. The great order of the universe, the eco system, and the intricacy of the human body all demand an honest answer to the question, "Could it all be a coincidence?" To the honest, truly seeking soul, God will certainly reveal Himself.
Today is a day that many take great pleasure in pranking others and playing practical jokes. I'm not against having a little fun, but on this day, take a few minutes of prayer to ask the Lord to help you witness to those who do not believe in even the existence of God.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 1Matthew 17
Monday, March 31st
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Matthew 15:11
The Jewish nation is a very disciplined, moral people. Even their food is carefully chosen based on the law given to the Hebrew nation. My maternal grandparents weren't Jewish, but they were very strict in their diet, just like the Jewish. My mom was never allowed to eat bacon or catfish or ham. That was considered forbidden in her home, and they didn't eat it. The dietary restrictions in her home weren't for health's sake, but rather to keep with the teachings of the Seventh Day Adventists.
There's something to be said, of course, for choosing to eat wisely. Certainly eating a lot of fatty meat like bacon and ham could be detrimental to one's health. If I'm given a choice, my own diet doesn't include a lot of pork because I've found that it bothers my stomach. I choose not to eat it but my family doesn't share that same issue with their digestion, and they do eat ham and bacon. I do not refuse it because I think it will harm me spiritually. The Bible tells us that,
There's something to be said, of course, for choosing to eat wisely. Certainly eating a lot of fatty meat like bacon and ham could be detrimental to one's health. If I'm given a choice, my own diet doesn't include a lot of pork because I've found that it bothers my stomach. I choose not to eat it but my family doesn't share that same issue with their digestion, and they do eat ham and bacon. I do not refuse it because I think it will harm me spiritually. The Bible tells us that,
"...every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:"
I Timothy 4:4
What you put into your mouth shouldn't be the focus of your spirituality; what comes out of your mouth should be. It is the evidence of what is within. Harsh words, cursing, gossip, complaining, and bitterness are what defiles or makes you unclean.
Proverbs 31
Matthew 16
Sunday, March 30th
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:8
How do you know when you are giving the Lord "lip service" as opposed to "heart service"? Easy! When you are serving the Lord from the heart, it is YOUR desire to do the things you are doing. Your parents don't have to beg you to come to church, and even if they don't want to come themselves, your desire is to be there. When you're serving with your heart, no one has to remind you to read your Bible. Mama doesn't have to make a rule that Bibles must be read before anything else (although it's not wrong for mamas to set that standard!) because it is already something that you've chosen yourself. Daddy doesn't have to say, "Umm, isn't that dress too short, honey?" because you've already checked yourself in the mirror and asked the Holy Spirt if your dress is ok. When your pastor asks for volunteers, no one has to drag you by the arm screaming because it's your own desire to do what needs to be done for the Lord's house.
Girls, all of us need our hearts checked, don't we? There must be careful self-examination of our motivation because the Lord desires our service and our worship to be from our hearts, not just with our mouths.
If I say I serve God, then my actions should attest to that. And, if my actions attest to that, the attitude behind my actions ought to be of humble gratefulness. Instead of thinking we're doing God a favor by showing up for church, our thinking should be more along the lines of being excited for another opportunity to hear the Word of God.
Proverbs 30
Matthew 15
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)