Lift Up Your Heads and Bloom!

by Lois Breneman

A Poppy from Our Garden

A neighbor friend has grown beautiful poppies next to her house for years and I love going to visit and taking pictures of her gorgeous paper-thin beauties. 

She kindly gave me some seeds last year and we planted them early in the spring.  They didn't look like much in the beginning - only scrawny little sprigs sticking up from the ground, looking more like weeds.  But in God's timing they shot up quickly when the warm temperatures came.

As you can see in this photo the buds hang down before opening, looking sad and dejected.  But as the Creator gives them strength, they lift their little heads and open into breathtakingly beautiful delicate flowers!

So it is with us as we gain strength from walking closely to Him by reading His Word for encouragement and instructions.  Without His power guiding us we often hang our heads in despair with the cares of this world when we go our own way without Jesus. 

God has a special plan for our lives.  If we accept His payment for our sins, He gives us so much including His guidance, direction, and His presence on earth and eternal life in heaven.  The gospel changes everything!

God Is in Charge

by Lois Breneman

How amazing that God can use even destructive insects to create a work of art as in this lacy holly leaf.  Their intent was not to be creative but their Creator still brought exquisite beauty out of their munching away at the leaf as they destroyed it.  

Although it is difficult for us to see, God Almighty can also use destructive national and world leaders to carry out His divine and perfect plan.  

We cannot always understand but we can fully trust that the Lord God is always still in charge of the universe, in all its complexity, including our own little world.

Lesson from a Puzzle

by Sue Huey

Used by permission

This is probably my favorite puzzle we have done so far. Puzzles come in assorted sizes and take different lengths of time to complete. Sometimes they're fun, sometimes they're when the last piece is put in, the puzzle is finished. And so it is with our lives. Some are longer than others, and we all face  frustrating times, sometimes they're boring, sometimes they're challenging. But one thing they all have in common is that when the last piece is put in, the puzzle is finished. And so it is with our lives. Some are longer than others, and we all face challenges. But one thing is certain; one day the "last piece will be put in place" and our life will be over. But the difference between our life and a puzzle is that we don't know when ours will be finished. Our Creator has the Master Plan and we can't see it from our side. And so, we must be ready.

The first Mother's Day I spent without a mother was 1985. My mom had passed away just a few weeks earlier, and to us, it seemed she was gone too soon. It was sad and it was difficult, but I remember being so excited for her because her cancer was gone and I knew she was in the presence of her Savior. We knew her faith and trust was in Christ alone and it gave us great peace and joy. Do you have that peace?

John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

If this were your last day, would you be ready to face eternity? We need to believe in Jesus and receive him as our Savior so we can become a child of God.  And if you are ready, tell your loved ones, so they will be able to have peace when your last "piece" has been put in place. Have a blessed day!

Jesus Our Rock

by Sue Huey

Used by permission

Life today in these troubled times can be dark and unsettling, and often overwhelming.  But I choose not to be sucked in by the darkness.  

Psalm 60:2 says, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  The rock is not a thing, but a person, and His name is Jesus.  He is the Rock of our salvation and we are to run to Him.  He wants to protect us and to give us the strength we need day to day to keep us from being overwhelmed.  He is our shelter in the time of storm!

I'm so thankful that Jesus is not only our Rock but that He came to earth to be the Light of the World.  If we put our faith and trust in Him, we no longer need to walk in darkness.  And once we've experienced Him and His saving power, we're not to turn off our light and hide, but we are to be proclaiming the praises of Him who called us out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.  We need to keep on pushing back the darkness and sharing the Light of Jesus, who has come to seek and to save those who are lost and in need of a Savior.

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide.
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain:
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

On the Victory Side

by Sue Huey
Used by permission

There is so much darkness in our world today. 2020 has been quite the year, and humanly speaking, our future is not looking too bright. COVID-19. The government controls. The racial tension. The looting. The rioting. The burning. The destruction of our nation and its history. The division of our nation. Our freedoms are disappearing right before our very eyes. Sin is rampant. Truth is trampled on. It’s a very bleak outlook for our beloved country and sad and scary time to be alive.

But, thank God, Jesus is the Answer! We know that in the end, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and every tongue will acknowledge God. ( Romans 14:11) For those of us who know Jesus, a glorious future is awaiting us. We will spend all of eternity with Him, with no more sorrow, no more tears, worshiping, and praising Him forever.

We’ll be going through some trials in the meantime, but we are on the victory side, and nothing can touch us that doesn’t have God’s approval. He has the final say. He is the VIctor, and this should encourage us to be steadfast and enthusiastically serving and praising Him, for none of it is in vain.

If you don’t know Jesus, Romans 10:13 tells us, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” You can become a child of God simply by calling on Him and asking Him to forgive you of your sins and trusting Him with your eternity. Then you too can enjoy walking with Jesus and can look forward to an eternity with Him.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

This song came to mind - one that we sang often when I was growing up.

On the victory side, On the victory side
No foe can harm me, no fear can alarm me,
On the victory side.
On the victory side, On the victory side
With Christ within, the fight we'll win.
On the victory side.

Waiting on God

by Sue Huey
Used by permission

Who likes to wait?  No one that I know enjoys waiting.  We're so impatient.  In a world of instant and immediate gratification for so many things, waiting seems so tedious.  Why does everything have to take so long?  Sometimes we're waiting for God to work in our lives and we feel like nothing is happening.  Does He see me?  Does He hear me?  We feel like waiting on God is wasted time.  But I love this verse I read this morning.

Isaiah  64:4  Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Wow!  What a verse!  God is not just doing nothing while we are waiting.  He is up to something!  He's acting on my behalf while I am waiting!

Several years ago God gave me a perfect illustration of this. Clay bought me a beautiful plant for Mother’s Day. At that time I knew almost nothing about plants. Other than some purple petunias I recognized, I thought the rest was just different types of greenery. But a couple days later, some tiny yellow flowers popped out. Then a patch of bright pink flowers, and then some little white ones. I was so surprised to see the plants blooming when I thought it was just greenery. And then much later, another plant with very dark green leaves that I had been tempted to pull out because I thought it was not very pretty was suddenly bearing the most beautiful lavender flowers! What a surprise! I had no idea these late bursts of color were coming.

I felt like God spoke to my heart and said, “That is what I’m doing in your life. You sometimes feel like you are just wasting time and waiting for nothing. But you can’t always see what I’m doing, and so you have no idea of what I am planning while you are waiting. Just trust me. Not only are you growing, but what I am doing in your life will become more beautiful with time.”

I’m so thankful for this beautiful illustration that God gave me of His promises. God doesn’t work on our timetable, and sometimes things take way longer than we ever expected. In Ephesians 3:20 He tells us that He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. If God cares that much to surprise us in nature with flowers when we expect none, surely he wants to do so much more in our lives.

Our Creator's Splash of Colorful Fireworks

by Lois Breneman ~ Heart to Heart ~  September, 2019

Our Creator God blends all the colors in our world so beautifully, even when the spring and summer plants He created are fading, dying, and emerging into the new autumn season!

There are touches of golds, oranges, reds, mauves, blues, silvers, and other hues mixed in to replace the green.  He beautifully paints and transforms each leaf before it fades away and drops to the earth to decay and nourish the ground before spring according to His plan.

We have an amazing God who gives us all things to enjoy, including fabulous colors of autumn that He puts on display in a splash of colorful fireworks during this season.  For everything, there is a time and a season.

If your life is in a difficult change of seasons right now just remember that the same God who created you loves you and will indeed make all things beautiful in His time.

Bear One Another's Burdens

by Barbara Lea Campbell
Used by permission
 

I was reading in Galatians yesterday in chapter 6.  I love verse 2.  Just a wonderful command for us. I decided to do a bit of digging and look up the original meaning of the word "bear" (I love going back to original language and meaning). Bear here means to take up with hands, to put upon one's self to be carried, to sustain, support.

To me, it is a picture of not just being concerned about someone's situation, but doing something about it. No doubt there are many situations we can do nothing about.  I can't cure your parent's disease or bring your rebellious child home, but I can listen. I can give you a break if you are a caregiver. I can provide a meal. I can help around your house. I can do "whatever" to lighten your load if only for a bit. And I can pray, not just a one-time prayer but I can come along side you and pray fervently for your situation.

 

When I do this.. reach out and help in whatever way I can, Gal 6:2 tells me I am fulfilling the Law of Christ. I am sure someone who has a great deal more theological knowledge than I would have a grand explanation.  But yesterday as I pondered this I kept thinking of Jesus being asked by the Pharisee which commandment was the greatest and He replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

I'm thinking when I carry your burden for a bit, pray for you and do whatever, I can to lighten your load.  Then I am loving you as myself and obeying Christ which is an outward display of my love for God. I am hoping I am able to lighten a few loads today through the power of Christ in me.

Patterns for Living ~ A Jesus Christ Original

Thanks to Gayenelle Wakely who shared this with me!

$ Priceless                                             All Sizes

Material Required:
A life (young or old) filled with determination, will power, and the Spirit of God.  Synthetic material not recommended.

Notions Needed:
Elasticity                               Interfacing
Variety                                   Lip Zipper
Sense of Humor                   Backbone Stiffening

Measurements:
How wide is your understanding?
How long is your patience?
How deep is your love?                          Galatians 5:22-23

Pattern Instructions:
Step 1 ~ Pattern for Adjustment
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
~ Colossians 1:10
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
~ John 3:30

Step 2 ~ Planning the Layout
"Let all things be done decently and in order."
~ I Corinthians 14:40
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
~ Matthew 6:33

Step 3 ~ Instructions for Cutting
Cut all the unkind criticism, gossip, and fault finding.
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you..."
~ Ephesians 4:31

Step 4 ~ Seam Allowance
Give others the benefit of the doubt.
"And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
~ Galatians 6:9-10

Step 5 ~ Pressing
It is necessary to press after each step.
"I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:14

Step 6 ~ Putting Together
"Add to your faith virtue; to virtue knowledge; to knowledge temperance; to temperance patience; to patience godliness; to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love."
~ II Peter 1:5-7

Step 7 ~ Insertion
Join in some joy and laughter.
"A merry heart doeth good like medicine."
~ Proverbs 17:22
"Yes, happy is that people whose God is the Lord."
~ Psalm 144:15

Step 8 ~ Ruffling
Don't get ruffled.  There's none called for in this pattern!
"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."
~ I Peter 5:7

Step 9 ~ Zipper (Lips)
"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
~ Psalm 141:3
(Translation of above)  "Lord, fill my mouth with proper stuff, and nudge me when I've said enough."

Step 10 ~ Facing (the Task)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
~ Philippians 4:13
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works."
~ Titus 2:7

Step 11 ~ Finishing Details
"I have finished my course; I have kept the faith."
~ II Timothy 4:7
"Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
~ Revelation 2:10

Letting Go

by Nina Graff - Used by permission

The lilac photo is from our farm that we sold a few years back. I went to visit yesterday and they have a new baby (#5!)  I asked before I came if I could dig a shoot from a couple of lilacs? There are 5 different ones there. This beautiful double purple one in the photo was CHOPPED DOWN!  Just because he didn't want it there!

Oh my, the whole place was in shambles. Really. Broken windows, falling boards, the yard a MESS. But I did get to dig a few lilac shoots that were popping up.

I drove away realizing that the things we build up in this life are nothing more than sand castles. We can enjoy the building....BUT they can be dismantled in one big wave.  It's only the things we build for eternity that last.

Forming

By Jason Fizer - Used by permission

When I think of “forming”, I think of forming a material that is pliable, that can be molded into a particular shape. I think of forming or sculpting a material like clay. In Scripture, the Hebrew word for form is “yatsar” and is used to describe what a potter does or what a potter makes. In these cases it is translated as “potter” or “earthen vessel”. Sometimes the Bible refers to God as a “Potter” who forms things or people, or people groups, such as the nation of Israel. Also, formed (yatsar) can mean "to ordain".
Consider some of the following things that God forms. Many times they are immaterial and things that we wouldn’t think could be formed, but still the same word “yatsar” is used.

PSALM 33:15 – God forms (yatsar) hearts.
This is not referring to the physical heart that pumps blood. This is referring to God’s various ways of communicating with humans, in order to shape the inclinations of the “heart” and will.
ZECHARIAH 12:1 – God forms (yatsar) the spirit of man within him.
The spirit is immaterial but can be formed in various ways. Inadvertently, life will form one’s spirit. Based on the life one has encountered (people, circumstances etc.) whether good or bad, along with personal decisions, the spirit will form accordingly. For us all, our spirit has to be re-shaped by God .
ISAIAH 45:7 – God forms (yatsar) the light, God creates (bara) the darkness
Light was not understood to be material. The original audience wouldn’t have thought about objects in the distance outer space that burn or reflect. Just before this verse it spoke of the movement of the Sun from the east to the west. He forms the Day and the Night. God forms light and creates darkness in such a way as to order our world with time.
PSALM 74:17 – God formed (yatsar) summer and winter
Summer and winter are not material things. God forms the conditions which cause summer and winter. As in Day 4, in Genesis 1, Day and Night establish time, and also seasons. The day and the night belong to God, and He has established the light and the Sun (Psalm 74:16).
PSALM 94:9 – God formed the eye
There is much more connected to the “eye” than just the physical structure. It is also about looking, considering and paying attention. The verse says: since God formed the eye, shall He not see? The accusation was that God doesn’t pay attention, that He doesn’t hear or see the injustices of our world. Since God formed the eye, He would be the One to know what seeing is really about. The One who formed the ears and eyes is listening and watching very closely.
PSALM 139:16 – God formed (yatsar) the days for me, which are recorded in His book. “Formed” takes on the meaning of “ordained” or “purposed.” The days were formed in advance, i.e. it was considered a completed action on God’s part. The days which are formed/purposed are written about in His book before one of them takes place. This is much more than numbering the days God will give us. Despite all that we experience, God is in control and has purposed good for us. The Psalmist prays that he might be led in the way of everlasting, that he might live in a way that transcends days/time.

God forms (yatsar) events before they happen. “Formed” again takes on the meaning of “ordained.” In 2 Kings 19:25 (also Isaiah 37:26), God had formed (yatsar) Assyria’s success in battle. It was considered a completed action long ago before it happened. He planned it from ancient times. Then He brought it to pass. He formed it before He brought it to pass.(see also Is 22:11)

ISAIAH 43:21 – God has formed (yatsar) a people for Himself that they shall show forth His praise

GENESIS 2:7 The Lord God formed (yatsar) man (adam) from the dust of the ground
‘Adam was formed (yatsar) from the dust of the 'adamah.
GENESIS 3:19 “For dust you are and to dust you will return”
PSALM 103:14 “For He knows how we were formed (yetser –comes from yatsar). He remembers that we are dust.”
This Psalm is referring to everyone. We are all dust and we are all formed. We are all formed from the dust. Interestingly, dust is not a material that one would consider forming.

ISAIAH 64:8 – God is the Potter (yatsar), we are the work of his hand
JEREMIAH – 1:5 – God formed (yatsar) Jeremiah in the womb. God forms us in the womb.
JEREMIAH 10:16 – God forms (yatsar) all things

A Miraculous, Triumphant Contradiction

by Mary Childress Wall
Used by permission

What miraculous, triumphant contradiction this is: that we should call his agony, "good." I fear many other days we too boldly imply His goodness only equated with ease. With Comfort. With Escape. We demand it still. We shamelessly lay demands defined by what we want to be His goodness on the Rescuer who hung for our shame. 

The more His scarred, grace filled hands gently and firmly rework my view of what "good" really is, the more I know Him, the less I can bear to think of His suffering that day. And even Today. His courage. His agony. His longing. His love. His strength. His gaze. His choice. 

And I am silenced. 

He is the greatest love story this world has ever known. And yet I am His. And He is mine. And as I fall silent I remember the crowds, surrounding still; they don't know who He really is. They don't know how He really loves. They don't know what "good" really is. Come and see... Come and know this King ... Our King... who stepped down from His throne... And though I know I cannot fully see it, comprehend it...bear it... I recognize that voice. 

I know those scarred hands that let "worth it" redefine good. They have loved me. They have saved even me.

From the start He loved our lives. "God saw all that He had made and it was very good." Gen. 1:31 He called our lives good. We call His death good. And yes, it is good. This love.. I cannot comprehend. 

But it demands a response. "Oh, your cross, it changes everything. There my world begins again." "For my thoughts are not your 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 55:6-7

Life Principles to Live By

A Message from In Touch Ministries

Do you ever wonder what God is doing in your life?  Do you wrestle with doubt when your prayers seem to go unanswered?  Almost every believer can relate to the struggle you may feel during challenging times.  While the Christian life is an amazing adventure, it is not without suffering at times.

Even in the midst of difficult seasons, we can be grateful for the wisdom and encouragement found in God's Word.  Over the years, Dr. Stanley has discovered biblical lessons that have helped him navigate the challenges of his life and ministry.  It is our pleasure to share these Life Principles with you on the enclosed bookmark (see below).

Of course, these principles are not shortcuts to knowing God or replacements for in-depth Bible study.  And there is no substitute for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  However, we pray these Life Principles will become tools that God will use to teach you more about His character, draw you closer to His heart, and bring powerful transformation to your life.  May God bless you as you obey Him and leave all the consequences to Him.

Twelve Principles to Live By
by Dr. Charles F. Stanley

1.  Our intimacy with God--His highest priority for our lives--determines the impact of our lives.

2.  Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

3.  God's Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.

4.  The awareness of God's presence energizes us for our work.

5.  God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.

6.  You reap what you sow, more than you sow, later than you sow.

7.  The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

8.  Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.

9.  Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.

10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.

11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.

12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.

13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

Multiplied Moments

Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:10

Every year each person has 8,760 hours, or 525,600 minutes to spend.  Most of us will spend about one third of the time sleeping, another third working, and a generous percentage eating.  We will be busy, but even so, all of us will have spare moments.  These are ours--to waste or to use to enrich our lives.

On a sundial in Tunbridge Wells are the words, "You can waste me, but you cannot stop me."  How true!  And you can waste your spare moments or you can give them to the Lord.

One way to stop wasting time is to study the things in your life and correctly evaluate them.  Is the time you devote to them out of proportion to their importance?

Even in this rushing world you can find a wealth of moments in which you can pray.  Those times when you wait for others, you can pray.  Or if you walk to work, to church, or to school.  And at night when sleep comes slowly, prayer will soothe.

You can enrich your life by making the moments valuable.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, only one life, it will soon be past.  Only what is done for You will last.  Show me how I can make my moments count for you.

--Dorothy C. Haskin in "God in My Home"

An Encouraging Word for Women of God

by my niece, Diane Fenlason ~ Used by permission

I can't tell you how many times I have thought how, in the struggle of trying to be self-reliant and independent and "strong," many Christian women end up NOT reflecting Christ.

That Proverbs 31 woman was not strong alone. She first of all recognized her strength was sourced from God Himself. She also did not work alone. She delegated and managed well, but had others working along with her. Thirdly, she was motivated by blessing others, especially within her own household.

How often, ladies, are we trying to put forth an image of being tough and strong and self-reliant? How are we encouraging our young girls to be pure if we are overly concerned about who likes us and whether or not we are accepted into certain groups of people?

Let's just encourage each other to lay those down at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to help us draw on Him for strength, but to BE the body of Christ to one another in the way we function and to humbly serve our families and one another better. For that is a truer picture of Christ. 

Morning Prayer for Moms

by Phyllis Brokaw - March 2005 - Used by permission

Good morning, Dear Lord,
My day's just begun.
Please guide me and help me to honor Your Son.
Help me to walk in the path you have planned.
There are so many options---so many demands!

Help me keep focused, Your Word obey,
Teach me to trust You each step of the way.
Don't let me wander, don't let me stray,
May Your will be done in my life today.

Amen.

Recall the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Used with Permission by Michelle Gill
 

One day last week I was struggling with letting go of something I have been waiting for from God.  He had shown me and confirmed in many ways that I am to have more children.  I am forty-four years old and the world's ideas about age began to creep in and I am tired of waiting to be honest.  A common battle ensued of letting go and moving on versus believing, waiting, and battling through.

Then I heard this verse:  "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well."  I Tim. 1:18 NIV

Paul tells Timothy to recall to mind the prophetic words spoken regarding him.  This can mean a promise God has given you or an actual prophetic word spoken over you that He has confirmed in your spirit.  First, recall it.  Remind yourself of it.  Then use it by fighting the good fight with it.  Believe. Stand firm.  Speak it.  Pray it.  Battle.

The following verse says that many have shipwrecked their faith by not standing firm, stepping out of the battle.  Waiting is a battle.  Believing when we can't see it is a fight.  It would be much easier to let go.  He has spoken to me to believe Him for a larger family.  He told me to buy a painting of a little boy and girl playing by the sea when I first lost my husband.  To me it made no sense at all but I did it purely out of obedience.  It hangs in my bedroom still.  He has given me confirmations time and time again.  Yet I still wait and it is easy to get used to the life you live and lose the want altogether.

My desire a long, long time ago was that my life would show that He still answers prayer on a regular basis and works in mighty ways in our ordinary everyday life.  I first heard of George Mueller, who fed ten thousand orphans through prayer only in his lifetime, as a child.  His reason for opening the orphanage was not primarily to feed and shelter orphans but to show the church that God indeed answers prayer, provides, and is the only answer we need.  So he never asked for money or provided it himself.

God is faithful.  Faithful to the ordinary everyday person.  He is faithful in the smallest needs and the largest.  He has extraordinary plans for your ordinary life.  So instead of letting go of His word to me, I let go of my reasoning, my waning desires and passion, and I recall His words to my mind and fight the good fight of my ordinary day.

I will report His extraordinary fulfillment to you when it comes.  So be watching for Him and may my life be an encouragement to you to believe and trust Him for your ordinary life. 

The True Vine

Used with Permission by Barbara Baranowski

                         Photo by Lois Breneman to go along with this scripture

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”   John 15:1-2 (NIV)

The beautiful ivy had crawled up through the ground after winter’s cold and was overtaking our sturdy wooden fence.  I needed to remove it.  So, on a beautiful spring day, with gloves and clippers, I headed out to trim.  The vine was solidly and deeply rooted in the dirt, but I was able to pull the runners away from the fence.  I hated trimming those beautifully variegated leaves.  To me, ivy gives a sense of antiquity and strength.  As the day ended, I looked at the carpet of cuttings on the ground and breathe a sigh of relief that the job was nearly complete.  As I finished the next morning, I noticed how dead the trimmings were after only one night.

Jesus cautioned believers to live in Him for the same reason.  His words in the Bible resound with the same thought—apart from Him, we can do nothing for His kingdom and do not become what He has created us to be.  If we are like sturdy branches growing in Him, the Vine of Life, we will understand that the pruning, while sometimes painful, is necessary for us to grow in love, trust, and service for God, leaving us to be an ever-bearing, vibrant part of His kingdom.  However, as the leaves of the ivy vine will die apart from its strong source of strength, we too will quickly die spiritually if we remove ourselves from prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

As the springtime brings new growth and the earth becomes rejuvenated with beauty, may we experience the same in our relationship with Jesus by staying connected to Him.


Barbara Baranowski is a published writer and inspirational speaker devoted to family, educational, and spiritual issues.  She lives with her husband John in Roanoke, Virginia, and is a retired middle school teacher and director of the Roanoke Valley Christian Writers.

I Choose

by Max Lucado in his book When God Whispers Your Name

Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this!

In a few moments the day will arrive. It come roaring in with the rising of the sun. The dawn's stillness will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm solitude will be invaded by decisions and deadlines. For the next twelve hours, I will be exposed to the day's demands. 

Now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so:

I CHOOSE LOVE...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...I will invite God to be the master of circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

 
I CHOOSE KINDNESS...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are lonely. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...I will be broke before I'll take a dishonest dollar. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse.

 
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My spouse will not question my love. And my children will never fear that I will not come home.

 
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

 
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

 
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL Gal.5:22,23

 
To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest with the peace that passes all understanding.

Recall Notice

Author unknown

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions 
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior 
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
 
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9 Self-control
 
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
 
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!