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Spiritual Refreshment: Ever Green By: Jill Briscoe Reading Psalm 1:1-6 Key verse: Psalm 1:3 A tree with roots in the riverbank will be ever green. The leaves are green, the branches are strong, the trunk is solid, the roots are deep. Similarly, the woman who chooses to live a spiritually vibrant life is not going to copy the lifestyle of the religiously indifferent, but rather will choose to be a "planted" person. The word planted is translated more accurately "transplanted"-for example, from a wadi (a dry riverbed) to irrigated land – planted right on the lush banks of a swelling river. It pictures a tree planted in a channel where the water never stops flowing. God's grace plants His followers in running streams of His love. These "trees" have to flourish, for they have all they need. The Bible promises that we are like these trees, "bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper" (Psalm 1:3). The desert crowd, on the other hand, is a secular bunch of scrublike bushes, parched and dry. Politically correct maybe, yet scoffing at the God of all things and all the things of God. Such people "are like workless chaff, scattered by the wind" (Psalm 1:4)- they have no substance to them. Israel winnowed grain on high hills in full wind where the chaff would be carried away. "Chaff people" will stand no chance when Jesus comes. The Psalmist knew that "they will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly" (Pslam 1:5). When Jesus, the judge, comes with His winnowing fork in His hand, "He will clean up the threshing area" (Matthew 3:12). We need to find out what sort of people we are- planted by the riverbank or blowing across the desert. If we are God's people, He plants us in His river of salvation, where our roots are bathed in the water of eternal life. Then, as the psalmist says, we will prosper spiritually. We need to let our roots drink deeply on this living water so we can be transformed. If we are truly planted, we will be productive, however hot the desert sun or barren the wilderness around us. Planted people are joyous people (Psalm 1:1). Our soul, like the tree with its roots in the river that flows from the throne of God, will be ever green.
'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'written by Unknown Author 'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY! The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff -- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.
This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin.
I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch. Happy Fall !
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff -- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.
This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin.
I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch. Happy Fall !
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff -- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.
This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin.
I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch. Happy Fall !
Rosie's "Threatening" View
On yesterday's edition of ABC's "The View," Barbara Walters claimed that her dog spoke to her. But that wasn't the most bizarre piece of hard-hitting news to come from the show. Rosie O'Donnell, who apparently has also been talking to her co-host's dog, quipped, "...radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state." Unfortunately, it seems that O'Donnell isn't alone in her belief that Christianity is a threat. Attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund have just sent a letter to Georgetown University regarding in the school's decision to cancel agreements with six Christian student organizations while continuing to recognize and support student groups of other faiths, including the Muslim Student Association. These notions of a Christian "threat" contrast with what President Bush described yesterday as a "Third Awakening" in America. The president commented that he notices more expressions of faith in the people he meets. "I don't have people coming in the rope line saying, 'I'd like a new bridge, or how about some more highway money,'" said President Bush, "They're coming to say, 'I'm coming to tell you, Mr. President, I'm praying for you.' It's pretty remarkable." The president's observations reflect the reality that Americans see religious revival as the hope for our nation, rather than a threat.
___ sad thing is, I used to like Rosie O'Donnell until she opened her mouth about things she doesn't understand. What makes me most sad is her poor children. I pray they won't be lost.
From groups.msn.com/tru2godalways
Brennan Manning in his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, tells about a child caught on the second floor of his house when it was on fire. The family members were all running out of the house when the smallest boy panicked and ran back upstairs. Terrified, he screamed from a smoke-filled window.
Below, his father could see him and cried out, "Jump, son, jump! I'll catch you."
"But daddy, I can't see you," the boy cried.
"I know," the father called, "but I can see you." The father could see the son and that's all that really mattered.
Many times in our lives, when we are in difficult situations, we panic and cry out for God to help us. But not being able to "see" Him, we don't always know what to do. It is during those times we must remember that God is always there (Hebrews 13:5) regardless of our feelings. Even when we can "see" Him, He can certainly see us. When we call to Him (Jeremiah 33:3) and choose to put our trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5,6), He will help us (Psalm 46:1).
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27) He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)!!
And that may be all we need to know!
Let us continue to give God praise for what He has already done in our lives, for all the prayers He's already answered and for all the ways He's already made!
PEARL DROP
When you have come to the end of all light you have known,
and are about to step off into the darkness,
FAITH is knowing there'll be something to stand on or
you will be taught how to fly
(Thanks Dana =)
I have been feeling melencholy the past couple of days. I have been overly sensitive and very hard on myself. I think sometimes we as Christians forget that our human side is used against us by the enemy. Because I have heard wonderful things aobut myself lately from the people that I love and yet, I haven't been able to accept them. I have friends and family who are going through such difficult things and I am so selfish to be upset right now for no aparant reason. I feel lost and lonely and I keep reaching out to Jesus for comfort, He is the only one who can understand right now. I am so mad at myself for feeling this way because my friends and family need me to be there for them and be strong. I keep on pressing to Him and keep giving every emotion, every thought, every tear to Him. I know He has a reason for everything under Heaven. I am not writing this to be a whinner and I am not writing this for sympathy or advice. God knows you all have things going on in your lives too that are hard. I am simply saying that I am looking to Jesus no matter what I am feeling inside and I know that He will comfort me. And in return I will be okay and will comfort all of you.
Thank you for reading my heart.
Joel Osteens 30 Thoughts for Victorious Living
Day 25 Rest and Wait
The vision is for an appointed time. Thought it tarry, wait earnestly for it, for it will surely come. (Habakkuk 2:3).
I know God has put dreams and desires in your heart things you are hoping for, praying about, and believing in. The bible says if well pray in faith according to Gods Word, then God will hear us and answer those prayers.
When you have a dream from God in your heart, you dont have to struggle and try to force it to happen. You dont have to be worried or frustrated, wondering if its ever going to come to pass. When you have the promises of God deep in your heart, the Bible says you will enter into the rest of God. thats a place of total trust. A place where you know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that God is going to see you through. Its a place of faith, knowing that God is in complete control, and at the exact, right time, He will bring your dream to pass!
Prayer for Today:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the dreams and desires Youve placed in my heart. I choose to trust in You and wait for Your plan to bring them to pass. I know You are faithful, and I thank You for guiding and directing my every step.
AMEN
My hope, faith and peace is in the Lord. =)
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