Learning Contentment from a Tree

I have to say that I greatly marvel at the wonder of God we call a tree. There are countless insights wonderful in the design and function of these plants we see every day. But in our busy and mired modern lives there is a particular insight that has brought great blessing to me. The Creator gave this same profound message to the shepherd David. He wrote this inspired insight about those engaged to godly living in the first Psalm.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. (Psalm 1:3 NLT)

Trees do not have feet, they have roots. So while a quality gardener can uproot a tree and relocate it, the process is traumatic. The first seasons after the transplant see a significant reduction in the fruitfulness of the tree. It takes a couple of seasons for the roots to expand so that they can absorb the nutrients needed to support a fruitful harvest. So trees that live long and fruitful lives have two things in common: they are planted in a good location and they stay there for a long while. In a word trees are content. They spend their entire lives without ever knowing what is around the corner. They see the deer run past, feel the wind blow through, and only improve their view by increasing the height and breadth of their present makeup.

People do not have roots, they have feet. In spite of this fact, past generations tended to be more like trees than we are today. In those days families in transition were described as settlers. They usually only moved around when something traumatic forced them to do so. As soon as they found a suitable place they settled with the intent of never moving again. Modern people have forgotten that a happy and fulfilling life is grown not found. We are too busy climbing the ladder, moving on to better opportunities, and broadening our horizon to let our roots expand and find the nutrients in the soil where we are.

So what is God teaching us with the trees we see every day? Uprooting our lives is sometimes necessary but always traumatic. A fruitful and fulfilling existence is not found elsewhere but by growing deeper where we are planted. If God has placed you where you are, then find faithful contentment there. God always plants his children along the river where we can find what we need to grow tall and strong. If your life is not a fruitful one then you have one of two problems: either you are not planted along the river or you are not allowing your roots to dig into the soil where God has planted you. —Jeremy Higle

Larger Than Life

The expression “larger than life” is one I have heard and used myself to describe a thing that is so enormous the only way to convey the size of the matter is to compare it to something that everyone would consider the epitome of largeness.

At times life situations may seem to become more than one can handle. Those feelings, whether it be pain, heartache, anxiety, etc., can take on a life of its own and we cease to function as God intended and that is when the problem seems “larger than life.”

Exactly what is life that we would consider it a pivotal point to measure the enormity of a situation? It is the breath of God in us. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen. 2:7 KJV)

How many of us ever stop and consider this truth? We breathe and live because of His breath in us. Everything we are and everything we do is because of it. That is why life is to be esteemed. We are created as individuals with a plan and a purpose. Our major thrust in life should be to work toward fulfilling His plan for our lives.

There seems to be only two times when we as humans really stop and consider life. First, the birth of a baby; it causes us to become newly aware of the miracle of life. Once again, God’s breath brings forth creation. The other is when we face sickness that is unto death. In these circumstances we find ourselves fighting to preserve life, not willing to let go. At these times, life and the living of it, becomes our most important goal.

If we did not consider life to be our greatest commodity, then we would give very little thought to our Lord’s death on the cross. We would not be able to understand the great sacrifice He made on our behalf. The Word tells us that “life is in the blood.” Jesus poured out His blood and died for us that we might have life and life more abundant.

Satan would have us believe that Death is larger than Life, but Jesus defeated Death at the cross. He proved the point by His resurrection three days later; and because He lives, those of us who have received Him as our Savior live also. Life goes beyond the grave. Once the breath of God is in us, life becomes eternal. Nothing is larger than life except the one who created it, God our Father.  —Sylvia Hensel

HIS GREATEST GIFT
Jesus, I know You love me more than life
Because You gave Yours as a sacrifice.
No one could take it
You willingly gave it.
Your blood was not spilled, but poured out for me
As an act of pure love to set me free.
Your life seemed to be no longer,
But resurrection power was much stronger.
Death had no power and Satan conceded
Life was restored and Death was defeated.
Death and the grave have run their course;
Life proves larger because of its Source.

Keeping Christmas Simple

Every year we try to make Christmas meaningful, but instead we 
end up with shopping, spending, credit cards, 
traffic jams, crazy schedules ...

Here's taking a look how we can make a difference this year 
to keep Christmas simple and meaningful.

Large in His Charge

Looking back on tougher days, on harder days, and even on the easier days, I recognize that at the beginning of those days I never would have guessed it would have worked out the way it did. Not so much the ending, as much as the 'during' part of it. See ... I like to think I am a strong, independent, resourcefully tenacious person. But, without the Lord in my life, I'd be pretty pathetic, much more inclined to whine, and by far more willing to run/hide from challenges (in our hearts, we choose our own winnable battles).

But, when we are called by God, when we are committed to Him, when we are dedicated to His will in our lives, each day's challenges are matched with His strength. Sure, we each have 'an idea' how the day is going to go ... we have something of a routine, schedule, or plan.  But, as you encounter the variances in your day (flat tire, traffic jams, medical calamity, etc) a certain calm, assurance, and something of a peace empowers your soul ... in the Lord.  Otherwise, panic, terror, utter chaos all overtake your being.  Sure, we don't all handle our daily challenges the same way ... some even avoid 'the very appearance' of a challenge. But, Psalms 105:4 reminds us; "Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.", which is to say that you should NOT try facing your day alone ... not that we only turn to the Lord WHEN tragedy appears on our horizon.  When we have a constant, fresh, and consistent fellowship with the Lord, these tumultuous times will seem like nothing to you.

So, you cannot 'see' the future, but you CAN see the one who holds the future!  Jesus' presence in your life doesn't give you foresight, it only gives you His sight. Ephesians 1:18-20 states; "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,". As you approach your day, as you approach tougher times or easier times ... they all are God's guidance for your life.

How?

Consider a time when you were faced with a pending expense.  Maybe you had vehicle trouble (car/truck won't start) and the mechanic's shop has diagnosed the problem. If you have deep enough pockets, this pending news doesn't cause you panic ... for, you know you have the funding to cover the expenses and resolve this trouble.  Similarly, as you maintain a close and sincere fellowship with the Lord, His presence in your life leaves you with a confidence, an assurance, and certainly a peace. Deuteronomy 33:25 reminds us; "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.", which is to say that with the Lord in your life, with Jesus by your side ... you are Large in His Charge! —G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr. MDiv

Language of the Spirit

Music is the language of the spirit, winging the joys and sorrows of our deepest emotions through words or captivating tunes. It is no wonder The Sound of Music remains a favorite to movie critics and viewers after decades. Cameras and audio crews combined the senses of sight and sound; creation linked with lyrics and as Maria climbed mountains the grass beneath her feet seemed to celebrate and harmonize.

“When you are set free, you will celebrate and travel home in peace. Mountains and hills will sing as you pass by, and trees will clap. Cypress and myrtle trees will grow in fields once covered by thorns. And then those trees will stand as a lasting witness to the glory of the Lord (Isaiah 55:12-13 CEV).”

God’s people have often been in bondage and experience his release and liberation; we break free from captivity to sin and his landscape joins the choir to his praise and glory! —PamFord Davis

Learning to Give

It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will be refreshed themselves. (Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT)

Everything we have is given to us by God: our lives, families, jobs, food, everything. At the beginning of time, God gave Adam life, the necessities to sustain life, and gave him Eve to share it with. God is still giving. God gave His only Son to die on a cross for our remission of sins. He continues to give His love, provisions, blessings, healings, and forgiveness. He richly blesses us at a continuous rate, not because we earn it or deserve it but because He loves us.

Giving is a way to express love. When we love, we want to give. We want to perform acts of compassion. We want to give friendship and loyalty.

Giving benefits everyone involved. This could be blessing someone with our time, talents, finances, love, attention, and/or prayers. The possibilities are limitless. We get blessed when we give and the person receiving gets blessed by what we give. It's a win-win situation.

Luke 6:38 explains if you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving- large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you.

The duty of a good steward is to give oneself to and for the service of our Lord. It is important to give freely, not expecting anything in return. Don't be greedy or selfish. Give cheerfully, with love. It is also important to be consistent with giving for this will be pleasing to the Lord.

If you have been blessed financially, give of your finances to help benefit someone in need. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or support missions. Use what the Lord has given you to make a difference. —Cindie York

Landscape

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NAS)

Life changing events happen at the strangest of times. They throw us off balance and leave us wondering what happened. Whether they are good or bad, the one thing they do is to change the landscape of our lives.

I remember being in awe of this very fact when I went to Parys. Before making the decision to go there I had no idea about the geological significance of the area and what had taken place at that very site. The Vrederfort dome area was the site of one of five earth changing extinction level events that scientists believe have changed the landscape of our planet. A massive asteroid hit our planet at that exact point and changed everything.

The strange thing is that this is all just part of nature. We don't want to believe that something like this is normal, but in the scale of our universe it most certainly is. If you are in the middle of a life changing event, hang on tight to God and he will guide you through the change. —Ronwyn Hughes

Stain

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14 NKJV)

Imagine a situation where a person is walking on the road wearing a pure white dress, his attempt all through the journey should be to avoid the dress getting stained by the innumerable opportunities available on the way and he needs to be more careful when he is walking through a passage or lane filled with dirt, filth and everything available to make his dress dirty.

Today, we are living in an age where sin is easily available, many countries, societies and groups of people have indulged themselves in sinful activities to such an extent that continuing in them has become the normal trend amongst them, earlier when people could call on God and were dedicated to Him in the little they had, God blessed them and they had great contentment, peace and solace, however now with more of everything, the people have forgotten God and thus discontentment, hatred, strife, lack of peace and many other unblessedness rule their hearts and lives.

God has not changed all these days, He is the same powerful to redeem, ready to forgive and willing to restore us always.

With God's help it is perfectly possible to move ahead in the blessedness and sanctity that God has desired of us.

Take note of this, the world will pull us to sin and it may also present a blessed future with the stains of sin, however we have to pursue/decide/yearn for holiness, failing which we will never be able to see our blessed Lord and for such who sin and love to live in sin is reserved the eternal hell, yet for those who pursue holiness and do it with God's help is reserved the eternal heaven and blessedness with the Lord ... the choice is our's, we have to pursue it, we have to maintain our sanctity. —Abraham Pulickal

Celebrities Online

Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. (Matthew 14:13 NAS)

Many of us are in a sense like celebrities online. We join social networks and leave behind trails of digital footprints of what we do and where we visit on the Internet. Our movements are tracked down by our followers and we are ‘stalked’ by different kinds of people. If we leave trails because we desire attention or to be followed, we might just get our reward or lose our credibility in full, depending on how well we behave online.

Jesus during His ministry on earth was famed for His teachings and the miracles He performed. Even when He withdrew to a secluded place to be alone to pray, frequently the crowd would track Him down. Jesus did not turn them away or see them as invading his private life but felt compassion for them and healed their sick (Matthew 14:13-14). Although He received inordinate attention wherever He went, Jesus did not feel annoyed that He was stalked. Even when Jesus saw the crowd that came to watch the spectacle—His humiliation on the Cross—before He breathed His last, He did not resent them. Instead, He prayed for them saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, 48).

Such was the contrast between staged publicity and the other of genuine love and care for the public.

Are we making ourselves famous for the wrong reasons or are we doing it out of concern for others? Not all things in life can be done in secret, so we need not hide what must be done, even in public. Our intent is what matters most—are we doing it to show off or to care?

Mold us, dear Lord, to become more like You in reaching out to others with love and compassion rather than to bring popularity or fame to ourselves.

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Are we doing good to show off or to care?

Unbreakable Bond

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Ecclesiastes 4:12b NAS)

A laid or twisted rope is one of the most common ropes used today. Laid rope of three strands is usually preferred because of its strength to carry a load or lash a structure. Such a rope is made by twisting three strands of fiber in one direction and then laying them together to twist in the opposite direction. This counter-twisting is what holds the finished rope together to make it stable and unified.

A bonding relationship is like a three-strand rope. Depending on how much we are willing to let the Lord guide us as a couple and in our family life will determine how our marriage relationship turns out. A relationship that lasts is one that has Christ at the center. Unless we have Him to hold fast our relationship like a threefold cord with strands bound together, our marriage and family can easily be broken or quickly torn apart (Ecclesiastes 4:12). 

With Christ as Lord, even in a strained relationship where a husband and wife go opposite directions in opinions or preference, they can stay strong to carry any load together and remain unified to move ahead in one direction. 

Dear Lord, thank You for holding fast our marriage relationship.

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A relationship that lasts is one that has Christ at the center.