GARDENING FOR THE LORD

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop. Matthew 13:7 (NIV)

As one who considers gardening a passion, it is difficult for me to pass a weed and not pull it out of the ground.

Our recent rainy spring is a mixed blessing. On one hand, everything is growing out of proportion. The tomatoes are bigger and more juicy than usual. Corn on the cob is early and sweet. There is a profusion of beautifully colored flowers. On the other hand, weeds are prolific.

After a recent pouring rain, I just HAD to pull weeds. After all, weeds come out by the root easier when the ground is wet.

It occurred to me that telling someone about salvation through Jesus is something like pulling weeds. A person who is living without our Savior can be overtaken by the emotional, physical and psychological distractions of this world (weeds). Explaining the joys of living with Christ is like pulling out and destroying those evil distractions.

The question is, when does the “ground” become soft enough for those without Christ to receive the seeds of faith? When can the roots of the evils of this world be extracted from the hearer’s life?

The answer is that as God’s “Spiritual Gardeners” it is our job to soften hearts by serving others with love and compassion and to live an example of life directed by the Holy Spirit. When the ground is soft and trust has been  established, it is time to share our own story of salvation.

Lord, help me to be ready to yield to the Holy Spirit as I garden and harvest souls for your Kingdom.

©2015 Christy Struben

Lost and Found

This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 (HCSB)

In a village by the seashore, lived a lonely boat. It seemed to have been abandoned a long time ago. It floated by the dock, unadmired for its old wooden surface, scratched and faded by time.

Late one evening, it began to storm and the wind caused the waves to clap loudly against the dock. The motion forced the little boat to move fiercely to and fro. Before long, the worn rope attached to the boat, snapped. The boat broke away from the dock and floated farther and farther away from the shore.

On the water, under moonlight, it appeared as a speck rocking back and forth against the raging sea. The poor little boat knew not what was to become of him, but he was brave. He depended on his faith and God’s grace to calm the waters and deliver him to a promised land.

When morning peered through the clouds, the tired little boat awoke and found itself bathing on a new shore in the sweet sunshine. The boat was surrounded by people giggling about the treasure they had found. The little boat blushed with excitement about the thought of being a treasure to someone. The people saw great promise in the little boat and began to scrub and paint its surfaces.

Before late afternoon the ugly little boat was restored and refreshed by the tender loving hands that knew its true worth.  At nightfall, the beautiful boat and his beautiful friends ventured out across the sea to discover how to love purely and remain faithful, even when the stormy waters are deep.

Lord, inspire me to live as a lighthouse that shines the treasures on true worth, through knowing You.

© 2015 Kimberly Clayton

WHAT IF'ING

Have mercy, O Lord…let me receive my sight.” Mark 10:48-52 (RSV)

Sitting somewhat patiently, twisting and rolling a tissue in my hand, I peered into the Visual Field Test machine. While the doctor quickly switched slides, I made the comment, “Your slides are blurry.”

The doctor chuckled and replied, “That’s your cataracts. There’s a big change from last year. They are ready to be removed.

Cataract surgery! (I sighed).

My nurse will be in to review your options, and she’ll schedule your surgery.

The day and time was scheduled along with an eye drop regime Personally, I started a “What if” regime.

What if it doesn’t take? What if I get an eye infection? What if I go blind? What if I can’t drive anymore? What if I get sick and throw-up? What if my eyes get squinty and won’t open?

I knew a lady who had cataract surgery and her eyes teared all the time. Imagine, always crying! My anxiety barometer soared upward.

“Jesus, Help!”

Jesus spoke to my heart, “What if can’t help you. I came to save the lost, to heal the sick, and to give sight to the blind. You can’t serve what if and Me, too.”

Repenting of my faithless actions, I felt at peace. I reported for my surgery at 10:00 a.m. The doctor began his procedure. At 12:00 noon surgery was complete. I walked out of his Lab feeling great and enjoyed a bright new clean world. Now, only a regime of drops for a few days was required.

Dear Lord, may we always seek Your will for our lives. Our bodies will fail us, but may our trust in You, our Creator, Redeemer and Provider, remain secure. Amen 

© 2015 Lois Gosley

ROBIN MYTH

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

I was always told never to touch a bird’s nest, because the mother birds would abandon the babies. I found this to be a myth.

There was a storm that caused a robin's nest to fall from a tree at the Mariner. This is a place I enjoy walking around to take pictures.

Two days after the storm, I stopped by the Mariner office and was told about the robins. The story goes like this, there was a certain lady walking by that noticed the nest on the ground and proceeded to put it back into the tree. She then picked up each chick and placed them in the nest.

So I went over to see if the robins were still alive. I was sure that they would not be because of the myth.

I watched as the parent birds brought bugs and worms time after time to feed the two babies. It was a surprise that they were still taking care of their little ones. The chicks look healthy and hungry. The parent robins did not abandon them.

Many people have similar myths about God. We might think that if we sin, we will fall out of His grace and that He will abandon us. But that is a myth. God will never abandon us. Like the robins, He still cares for us and picks us up to get healthy and strong again.

Lord, help me to see that You are always there. When I sin and fall on my face, thank you for picking me up and caring for me.

©2015 Dawn Sexton.

UNCHANGING LORD

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrew 13:8 (RSV)

My 1998 auto was due for an oil change and check-up. They advised to come early. I omitted my regular devotion time, and left for the garage.

Repairs would take five hours and they gave me a loaner car.

Driving off the lot in a new 2015 model was a treat. Arriving at the intersection, a car pulled out in front of me. I angrily slammed on the brakes, shouted, and hit the horn. No sound was heard, but the wipers came on.

Wipers are a warning!

Then while holding the steering wheel, I heard an operator say, “Please give a command.”

“Good grief! How about ‘shut up?’”

Carefully, with vigilance,  I drove home and pulled into my parking spot.

Later that afternoon, the mechanic called, “Your car is ready.”

While backing out of my parking spot, a little screen, played a movie of a car driving. What a dumb place for a commercial!

HONK! A horn blew behind me. It scared the life out of me. It wasn’t a commercial. It was a back-up camera—traffic behind me. After settling down from the major scare, I drove gingerly, not touching anything, or getting close to other cars. No telling what automatic thing I would trigger.

The next morning, clad in my pjs, I carried my mug of coffee to my favorite chair where I read my devotionals and journaled. The verse for the day was Hebrews 13:8 (above).  I was thankful Jesus does not change. He didn’t say, “Because you let a car get the best of you, I’m withholding My grace.” No. He still loves me.

Dear Lord, thank You for grace and mercy, and steadfastness. 

(C) 2015 Lois Gosley

Talking Butterflies

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1(NAS)

My husband noticed an unusual butterfly on our picnic table. Looking it up, I found it was a Red Admiral. While admiring the Admiral I read aloud interesting facts about this species. The depth to which it had been studied was amazing. For example, they often appear before a thunderstorm and there was indeed a storm brewing on the horizon.

As I drank in the precious moment shared with my husband marveling at its beauty, I reflected on our even more amazing God who created such diversity.
 
God did not make a few for His own amusement. He made countless varieties. In my hand was a book with details of innumerable butterflies! He opened His hand and out fluttered thousands of breathtakingly beautiful butterflies to decorate the earth—all part of His wondrous creation.

Would God go to all that trouble just to bring us joy and delight?
Yes! He loves to delight us. But, He had a more important purpose.
Sweetly, His word fluttered into my heart.

The Heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day to day pours out speech.

He shares knowledge of Himself through His glorious creation.
Butterflies, without uttering a word speak volumes about from whom they came.
His creation echoes back to Him, calling to us on the way.

Glory!

Glory!

Hallelujah!

Their existence declares the glory of God simply, perfectly. Without lips, they speak of His majesty for all to hear. Without uttering a single word, His creation never ceases to declare His glory.

Lord, how much more should I, me of so many words, praise Your Holy name!  Amen.

©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans  

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”  Exodus 12:31-32 (NIV)

Last year my brother and his wife were in the Independence Day parade in California. My grandson and I were also in a parade in Maryland. Even though we were miles apart, we shared in the Fourth of July celebration.

It took a war with England to win our independence. In biblical times, it took several plagues to give the Israelites their independence from Egypt. As they gather their belongings, it was like a parade of the people, animals and carts. Six hundred thousand men with their wives and children made the journey.

They were led by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. Along with these miracles, there were many sacrifices. While I watch the fireworks light up our skies, I can only imagine the wonders of these miracles.

Our country sacrificed many lives to win our freedom. The Israelites sacrificed an old way of living to start a new life in the Promise Land. Some did not give up on their faith. There were many hardships and many did not get to see the Promise Land, including Moses.

God blessed the Israelites. He blesses us today. As we watch the parades and fireworks of the Fourth of July celebration, let us remember all the sacrifices that give us our freedom to live and worship the one and only God: the God of Israel and the God of our country.

Lord, help me to remember both our country’s independence and the independence of Israel.

©2015 Dawn Sexton.