Nature is Consistent, Are We?

     As we conclude our thoughts on the "Nature" theme let's consider Genesis 8:22. In the context of this verse Noah has offered sacrifice to the LORD and God, having received the sweet aroma, declares that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood, God also makes this declaration:

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, 

cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, 

shall not cease.” (NKJV)

    Night follows day, spring follows winter... we come to know these 'patterns' and we expect them. We can count on them because of their constancy. Constancy is a quality of being dependable. A quality of being enduring and unchanging. We, as Christians, should be an example of constancy in our faith and in our walk. 

    Can you be counted on for certain behaviours? Are those behaviours good or are they bad?

    Consider these instructions today:

"...be an example to the believers in word, 

in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 
(1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV)

"...in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, 

in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 

sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one 

who is an opponent may be ashamed, 
having nothing evil to say of you." 
(Titus 2:7-8 NKJV)

    Both of these instructions were included in letters written to young preachers, and yes, preachers must be examples to the church, but they are also members, just like you and me. We all need to exemplify these instructions; there are people watching us all the time, some known to us, some not. We need constancy and consistency in our example!

    Just as we count on the sunshine to follow the rain and the day to follow the night, let us be people whom others can count on to be lights in this world of darkness!

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see 
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 
(Matthew 5:16 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

Nature Praises God - So Should We!

    Good morning! I hope you're having good days! As we continue in our Nature theme, let's consider how all creation praises the LORD and gives Him all the glory: 

Psalm 148

PRAISE the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him all you stars of light!

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,

And you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the LORD,

For He commanded and they were created.

He also established them forever and ever;

He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,

You great sea creatures and all the depths;

Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;

Kings of earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;

Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,

For His name alone is exalted;

His glory is above the earth and heaven.

He has exalted the strength of His people,

The praise of all His saints - Of the children of Israel,

A people near to Him.

Praise the LORD!
(New King James version)

    This psalm covers everything in the heavenly realm and in the earthly realm! "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 150:6)

    Holman Bible Dictionary defines 'praise': 

"Praise comes from a Latin word meaning “value” or “price.” Thus, to give praise to God is to proclaim His merit or worth. Many terms are used to express this in the Bible, including “glory,” “blessing,” “thanksgiving,” and “hallelujah,” the last named being a transliteration of the Hebrew for “Praise the Lord.”

    When we are thankful to God, we are giving Him praise. We are acknowledging His blessings, His majesty, and His dominion.

    We are commanded through the New Testament to be thankful, to give thanks always (1 Thessalonians 5:18). God has blessed us with a new life through His Son, we are to proclaim, in sincere thankfulness and true appreciation, the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)! When we open our eyes to God, His word, and the wonders of His creation our hearts should overflow with reasons to praise God, giving our lips a ready resource for declaring God's goodness to others (Acts 4:20)! 

"I will bless the LORD at all times; 

His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; 

the humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, 

let us exalt His name together."
(Psalm 34:1-3 NKJV)

    Where can you begin? Read the whole of Ephesians 1 and 2 and meditate on the blessings found only in Christ! Take time to read Philippians to learn how to be thankful and full of praise in every circumstance. Step outside (or look out the window) and meditate on the plants, the trees, the animals that God created. Look at your own self, your senses, and your abilities; consider all the time God has blessed you with so far. Show true appreciation by thanking Him for all these things and by using your time, your words, and abilities to His glory!  

Learn to be thankful. Value the blessings God gives you.

Fill yourself up with gratitude for God and praise Him!

Praise the LORD! 

You can do it! So can I!!

Nature: The Tenacious Mustard Seed

    "...I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, 

you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' 

and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." 

(Matthew 17:20 NKJV)

    As we continue our theme of Nature, I would like you to consider the tiny mustard seed. The photo at the bottom of this post shows mustard seeds. They are, individually, about the size of the head of a dressmaker's pin.

    Throughout the Bible we can read of God using lowly items (in man's estimation) to do or exemplify great things.

    For example:

• A spoken word - the earth and heavens were created (Genesis 1-2)
• A leader's rod - awe-inspiring miracles in Egypt (Exodus 4-14)
• A simple red rope - salvation from Jericho's destruction (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:22-23)
• An army of only 300 men - conquered over 135,000 men (Judges 7)
• A leather sling and a smooth stone - an enemy giant is felled (1 Samuel 17)
• Faith as a mustard seed - can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)

    A mustard seed is tiny, but it is known to have great tenacity. Tenacity means persistence, determination, perseverance. I have heard that a mustard seed can grow and develop in the harshest of conditions. They are hearty and their determination to sprout will in many ways "move mountains." They will crack the great rocks that they are growing up through. They will lift and crack concrete that has been set over them in their determined pursuit of development.

    You may feel small in comparison to the seemingly mountainous obstacles you face in your path, but God encourages you to keep trying, to keep trusting, to keep growing! He is near to you and wants you to lean on Him (James 4:7-8).

    Let your faith be like the determined mustard seed. Take root in the gospel of Christ and drink nourishment from the bottomless wells of God's love and provision. Seek the SON, lift your face toward Him!

    This makes me think of the lovely passage in Psalm 27; verse 8 says, "When You said, "Seek My face", my heart said to You, "Your face Lord, I will seek.""

    Continue to seek the Lord's face this week. Let your perseverance and determination to do God's will fuel your continuing development as a Christian. Flourish in your faith! Be a tenacious mustard seed!!

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 

rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, 

as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

(Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

Nature Magnifies God

    Good morning! I've chosen a new theme for the next few weeks: Nature. This week, as trees are once again flourishing, plants are growing daily in our gardens, and the birds and bunnies are abundant in our hedgerows, we will consider how Nature magnifies God and how it declares His greatness?

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech or language

Where their voice is not heard.

Their sound has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tent for the sun,

Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

Its rising is from one end of heaven,

And its circuit to the other end;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat."

(Psalm 19:1-6 NKJV)

    As small children, our very first understanding of God comes from our joy of nature - the feel of the cool grass under our toddling feet, the bright endless sky, the squint-causing sunshine, the soft breezes that carry bubbles and dandelion fuzz in swirls around us, and the feel of oh-so-fluffy, furry soft animals.

    All of it declares the greatness of the Master Creator.
    All of nature magnifies God to us!

"For since the creation of the world 

His invisible attributes are clearly seen, 

being understood by the things that are made, 

even His eternal power and Godhead [deity]..." 

(Romans 1:20 NKJV)

    Step outside this week, or sit where you can look out a window, and appreciate the beauty God has created. Let it tell you of His mighty power and His wondrous creativity!

    All of creation declares God's greatness. We, as part of God's creation - the part He declared as "very good" (Genesis 1:31) - should make use of EVERY opportunity to magnify Him to others!

"Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt His name together."

(Psalm 34:3 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!