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Sample
devotionals, from weekly emailings:
7/22/2010, Jigsaw Puzzle
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.....each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Jigsaw Puzzle
Life was a slow, easy pace, at the cottage on the lake, where I spent many summers as a child. There was always a jigsaw puzzle on the cardtable. Somehow it was like a magnet, drawing me as I passed by, "Sit down, and put that one piece in."
Early on, we had photos of puppies and kittens in baskets with large pieces. Later, country landscapes with tiny pieces. As soon as we'd finish one, we'd begin another. Dump out the box. Save any pieces already stuck together for a head start. Prop up the lid so the finished picture was visible.
Soon puzzle pieces would be scattered everywhere on the table top. Mom taught us, "Separate the pieces with straight, outside edges. Find the four corners, and make the frame before starting the rest."
What if there had been no cover picture to guide us and help put the pieces together? We don't have a lid to look at, with a finished photo, for the puzzles of our lives. God, however, knows exactly and precisely what the picture looks like.
I recall my little sister would pick up a piece and determinedly declare, "This fits!", as she would try and force the cardboard into the space. How often I try to sqeeze something into my life that is not supposed to be there, not designed for that particular time and place.
One day at a time, as we turn our lives over to Him, the Lord give us a piece for the day. "It's a puzzlement!"...the King of Siam, to Anna, in the musical, The King and I. Yes, well, not to Someone.
That's good news.
7/15/2010, Beautiful Feet
How beautiful .. are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation Isaiah 52:7
Beautiful Feet
At a shopping mall, I noticed a sign in a window, "Let us make your feet beautiful."
Spring's past end and Summer's now. That's 'sandal time'. The sign grabbed my attention.
What makes our feet so attractive is not how 'groomed and polished' they are. What makes beautiful feet, according to the highest authority, is feet that bring good news. Not crabby, nit-picking and negative, rather feet that carry a message of love, encouragement, and hope.
How beautiful are my feet today? I will seek the Lord's help in this today.
7/8/2010, Seasons
give thanks in all circumstances; 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Seasons
It is now officially summer. I love summer. The greens are so vibrant, the flowers so brilliant, the sun so intense. Actually, I like every season, although every season has its upside and downside.
Spring has the softest pale green new growth with beautiful buds about to burst open. Spring also has crazy windy weather and surprising cold snaps.
Autumn has dramatic color that takes your breath away, yet autumn can have torrential rains and hurricanes.
Winter is peaceful, a time to rest and regroup. Winter can bring the doldrums of cabin fever, and much work that comes with heavy snows. Yet, after winter, comes spring, again….
For each season of our lives there are up and down sides, too; they are all good. There is a time for everything*, and each serves its own purpose. Thank you, God, for the seasons in our lives.
* Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
7/1/2010, Coming Back
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Coming Back
The plant that "would grow anywhere" looked dead as a doornail. The flowers behind it weren't looking so good either. Limp and fading, they appeared to be on their last leg, too. Ironically, the surrounding weeds were thriving, growing great.
Fading, limp, wilting, or a goner. Have you ever felt this way, in your spirit, body, or emotions? I've been there, and I have learned the truth of the principle of being rooted in Christ.
This plant was sprayed with an insecticide, but the large dose burned it. For us, circumstances, relationships, job situations, can batter, or burn, us pretty good sometimes. That's life.
On the surface, what is visible, is what I call "in the night". Things seem dim, cloudy, even dark. But God is not a God of confusion. No matter what is going on, He is still sovereign, still watching over you, and involved in every facet of your life, working all things out for your good. (Romans 8)
On either side of this burned-out plant are two sturdy, older bushes, and the roots of the plant have grown deep down into the soil below. This plant will come back. It will have fuzzy green leaves again. It will have bold sunny yellow flowers.
Stay rooted and grounded in Christ. In Ephesians 3, Paul says, "May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love."
Persevere, no matter what. Hold on to the hem of Jesus' robe, to His mighty and powerful name. We will not only be survivors, but we will flourish.
That is good news.
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