God's Creative Design

 

     We have been appreciating and discussing God’s magnificent creation this week. That includes you! You are His handiwork and don’t you forget it. He needs you and He loves you.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

     God knew you before you were born. He understands how you are made, your personality, your family, your gifts and talents and He planned good things for you to do, according to His plan. This is fascinating, isn’t it? Let Him guide you throughout your days and you will be surprised at the encounters and the opportunities set before you and your ability to use your God-given gifts to serve Him.

     What a privilege to represent Him to our loved ones and to our communities and to strangers throughout our lives. I wish I had known Him much earlier in my life. I am more than grateful that our daughters know and love Him. Are you ready for His plan? It’s an adventure filled with blessings! And He will meet your every need.

And God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Out of His fullness we have all received grace upon grace in place of grace already given. John 1:15

Lord,

You never run out of the grace we need. We can never fall too far away from Your goodness, Your forgiveness. Your grace is always sufficient to meet our every need. Send us out to do Your works in the world around us. We are Your handiwork.

In Jesus name,

Amen

God's Creative Design

 

     Think about the resources, the time and the thought that has gone into some of the conveniences we enjoy today, from microwaves to I-phones, from airplanes to driving our own cars. To think God created us to be able to create, to build, to invent, to discover so many new and improved ideas and inventions.

     Imagine the thoughts and ways of our God! It is impossible, as we know from this verse in Isaiah:

“For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

     I simply can’t comprehend how anyone can believe that the universe just “happened” into being by some random cosmic force. The design of each tree, the color and shape and variety of each flower, the koala bear’s nose, the bunnies ears, the horse’s hoof, the zebra’s stripes, the giraffe’s neck, the lion’s mane, the flow of the streams to the rivers, to the magnitude of the ocean, the majesty of the mountains, the uniqueness of each individual human, each individual snowflake, the miracle of birth, one heart beat as blood cells, veins and arteries course through our bodies.

     When we sit and concentrate on all of creation, we know there has to be a grand design, a plan, a Creator and He is God of all.  Jesus is the heart of all we see, taste, touch, feel and hear. Listen to these two verses about our Lord.

Through Him all things were made. Without Him, nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3

For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

     “All things?” Everything created around us is because of Him. Amazing! Praise him as you look around. Appreciate the breath of life today, the birds and the trees, the rocks and the seas, all because of Him.

Father,

Thank You for Your thoughts and Your ways, so much higher than our own. You give us much more than we can hope for or imagine. Keep us filled with gratefulness for each day on this earth, the works of Your hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

God's Creative Design

 

     Are you inspired by God’s creation? Do you long to sit by the ocean, hike in the mountains, or do you have a favorite tree, flower or animal? Miraculous creatures, stunning views, quirky plants, flower-eating bunnies (not so cute) and my particular favorite, palm trees, are available for our pleasure.

     To think God created all of this for me and for you! There is so much we take for granted each and every day, including the sunrise and sunset, the moon and the stars, the air that we breathe. I am grateful. Take a deep breath. Look out the window and marvel at the sights and sounds. There is a robin right outside our window that greets the sunrise for us. I have heard this robin for years. My husband laughs when I say it’s my friend.  Our grandson, Gavin, thinks the robin stops by to see him. I believe it, too.

     I have a wall of palm tree pictures taken on some of our vacations. These wonderful trees come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Tall and willowy, short and stubby, long palm strands or short. I’ve even named some of my favorites, as if they have personalities of their own. I bet heaven will be filled with even more of God’s glorious creativity, but I am convinced palm trees will be with us. Maybe my special place will be surrounded by them.

     Scripture shows that in the building of the Jewish temples, the carvings showed the angels (cherubim and seraphim) surrounded by palm trees. (1 Kings 6) The earth sings in praise to the Lord. Let’s join the chorus as we marvel at the beauty around us.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before You, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Father,

We praise You for all of creation today, for the miraculous sights and sounds of the earth and for the beauty of heaven that will be ours one day. We can never thank and praise You enough.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

God's Creative Design

 

     Everything in all of God’s creation points to Jesus. The earth was made for our enjoyment, but all of it, including us, was created to show His glory. I love to think about how God uses everything to show us who He is. In Scripture, over and over again, the ways and means of nature are brought about to show us who God is and how we relate to Christ.

     Today, let’s think about the birds that raise their heads to greet the sunrise, giving glory to God’s name. The head of the sunflower follows the sun throughout the day, seeking light, as we do. Seeds planted by the farmer need to die before they are brought to glorious life.

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for He issued His command and they came into being. Psalm 148:4

     In John 15, Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.  Only when we are rooted deep in the nourishment of Christ, will we bloom for Him.

“I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5

     Jesus is our rock, sturdy, solid, keeping our foundation from falling. He is the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God. As you witness His creation, see how everything brings glory to the Creator of heaven and earth. Call on the Lamb, the Lion, the Rock and the true Vine. Let’s raise our heads, along with the birds of the air and the flowers of the earth. He is to be praised!

He will call out to Me, “You are my Father, my God, the Rock, my Savior.” Psalm 89:26

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God, the Rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94:22

     Let’s praise Him for all He has given us.

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:2

Lord,

We praise You for the many ways You reveal Yourself to us. Open our eyes to new beauty and truth today, as we move into the world. You are all around us and we worship and praise You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Philosophies of Life

 

     This week, we have found quiet time, made a song from our rocky paths and found the time to find joy and dance! I pray you will have some relaxation this weekend as we celebrate this wonderful country. America gives us freedom and democracy and a hope for our future.  Keep praying for our country and keep praying for each other.

“For I know the plans I have for you,,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:1

If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

     Celebrate, relax, savor, sing, dance, find hope and may God bless America!  See you Monday.

Father,

We are grateful for the blessings we find each day. We treasure our freedom and the long history of Christianity in our land. May many find You and return to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 

Philosophies of Life

 

     “I Hope You Dance,” became a special song for us and our girls when they were growing up. Our youngest daughter loves to dance and was on her high school dance team. The words are precious.  Listen to them if you can today    

     The lyrics include, “Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance, and if you have the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.” King David danced in the streets as he brought the ark of the covenant back to Israel. Miriam, the sister of Moses, played the tambourine as they celebrated. The Israelites sang as they ascended the hills to the temple.

     Sing praises to God. Dance when you can. Find joy often in the little things. And, please give the havens above more than just a passing glance!

The young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13

Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3

You turned my mourning into dancing. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Psalm 30:11

     I hope you dance.

Father,

We give thanks for music and joy. Music brings back memories and echoes within our hearts. We do give You more than just a passing glance always. We praise Your mighty name today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Philosophies of Life

 

     A saying I heard decades ago has stayed with me over the years. “A brook would lose its song if God removed the rocks.”  Isn’t that beautiful? As we look back over our lives, we remember the times we have stumbled, the rock-strewn paths we maneuvered, the giant boulders we believed we would never scale or make our way around.

     Are you on a rocky path or in a seemingly impossible situation? God uses our struggles to bring glory to His name. The journey isn’t easy, but He will help us through, around or over the burdens. He offers us comfort through our grief and suffering, so one day, we too, can comfort others. The rocks create a song of life

     Because of my eye disease, I literally stumble all the time. Here is a verse meant just for me. (You can share it, too.)

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do. I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

     Delight in God and He will find a way just for you.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him, though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds Him with His hand. Psalm 23-24

     God lifts us from the deepest holes, protects us from ourselves as we move into a wrong decision, finds a way around a tricky corner and holds us fast as we stumble

He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

Lord,

Thank You for Your 24/7 watch over us. We need it!  Remove the rocks before us and lift us up again and again. We put our trust in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen