Inadequate

I was feeling embarrassed.

And frustrated, because we unintentionally made it impossible for me to reach the ornaments box when rearranging the garage this fall.

All we had were a few balls which wouldn’t fit in that tote.

I kept trying to come up with solutions, but everything I prayed about felt like a closed door.

It wasn’t until this morning that I realized the problem.

My motivation wasn’t Jesus.

I instantly repented.

Only then was I able to see the blessing.

My prayer for this holiday was for our family to be focused upon Jesus.

Now that I’m looking at Jesus, our Christmas tree is an answer to my prayer.

The white lights remind me that Jesus is the Light of the World.

John 8:12 KJV — Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The red Christmas balls reminds me that He died to grant us the gift of salvation.

Matthew 26:28 KJV — For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The only ornament this year, hangs at eye level, front and center.

Revelation 1:5-6 KJV — And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I no longer feel our tree is inadequate.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your blessings! Thank You for showing me a new way to look at things. Lord, You continually amaze me at how You use even the tiniest details in my life. Lord, thank You. I know that we wouldn’t be celebrating Your birth of You hadn’t died and risen to give us new life through You. Your ways are perfect. Your truth is incredible. You are worthy of glory, honor, and praise. May this holiday season be filled to overflowing with the truth of Your life and the gift of salvation. Without You we are lost. Thank You, for Your boundless love, Jesus. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Honey bees!

Okay, I admit it.

I was nervous about getting our own bee hive.

As a child I got stung a lot.

Not normally by honey bees, although I accidentally sat on one once and have never forgotten that!

Just the idea of doing something I don’t have a clue about, was intimidating.

Not to mention, mess up and it can be very painful!

So, when my husband first came home and told me it looked like we were going to get some I had to spend some time in prayer.

That was months ago, and the Lord has really been working on my heart to stretch and learn new things.

When I received a text message offering us a free beehive I jumped at the chance.

Not only was this a great blessing from God, as bees can be very expensive, but I felt certain the Lord was showing us this was something He wanted us to do.

They arrived yesterday morning, and I still felt a bit nervous.

But as I listened and learned my fear vanished, replaced by excitement at learning something new.

We’ve been told to go and check them in the afternoon and see if they had found our nearby flowers.

The picture at the top is only one of many who were busy about all the dahlias in the garden.

My husband is away on a work trip right now but I enthusiastically related all the information to him over the phone.

I’m looking forward to sharing this adventure with him as he’s always wanted to be a beekeeper.

God’s ways are not what we expect, but I’ve learned they are far better than anything I could come up with on my own.

Psalm 37:3 NKJV — Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your provision. Thank You for walking us forward through many things, guiding us in many ways. You are so faithful. You are good and Your works are amazing. Please continue to teach me how to be teachable and to keep my trust in You. Thank You for Your Word, for it is truth. Thank You for Your salvation, for it is life! May Your name be glorified throughout the Earth. Amen.

Fellowship of believers

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV — As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

People need each other and the gift of true friendship comes from God.

This verse captures the truth in a concrete way: friendship is a mutually beneficial relationship.

Both parties are honed, sharpened, and better able to be used by God, because of the friendship.

It’s a place where both parties can be real, honest, and held accountable; encouraged in righteousness.

Proverbs 17:17 NKJV — A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

True friendship is built through love and it withstands the storms of life.

Even friendship can be twisted by the enemy to be something it was never intended to be, this choosing one’s friends needs to be with wisdom and discernment.

Proverbs 20:11 NKJV — Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.

Our choice in friends should be honorable before the Lord; fellow believers who live by the Word of God and exhort us to do the same.

We also need to be a friend to others if we expect to have them.

Jesus is our example in all things.

He is the Son of God, which means He’s holy, righteous, sinless, and He is greatest friend, ever.

John 15:13 KJV — Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Let us be inspired by our Savior to follow in His example.

Loving at all times, exhorting through application of His Word, encouraging through faithfulness, and sacrificing ourselves for our friends and family.

As the body of Christ, we need one another, and there’s no better time to hold each other up than today.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that we can find direction for every part of life, including our friendships. Lord, please help me to be a good friend, like You are. Please bring scripture to my heart as I pray for my friends. Please place Your Word in my mouth as we share. Lord, please help me to be silent and simply listen, not caught up in myself that all I do is talk. Lord Jesus, help me to have discernment and understanding. That I would be an encouragement to my friends and family. Lord, thank You that some of my closest friends are my family. That is such a blessing. Lord Jesus, in all things I want to bring You glory. I want to be filled with gratitude and praise, not allowing anything to quench my worship of You. Thank You for Your encouragement this day. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Serving others

Times like this remind me of the blessings of serving others.

Since the Lord has been restoring my health, I’ve been enjoying being able to serve my family and doing daily tasks.

This morning, I’m being blessed by my children doing those things for me, since my asthma has required me to abstain.

Serving others is a gift from God, and He set the example.

Jesus came to Earth and served others throughout His ministry.

He healed the sick.

He freed those trapped in demonic possession.

He raised the dead.

He taught the scriptures as only the Author can.

He washed the feet of the disciples, including His betrayer, and exemplified how we should respond to one another.

He gave His life that we might live.

Truly, serving is a blessing from God.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your example to us. Thank You that You have given us the opportunity to live our lives in service to You and others. Lord, thank You for the moments when we are blessed by the service of others. Please continue to grant each one of us the blessings of serving. Lord, help us to serve with an attitude of praise and a heart of understanding. Lord, please grant us wisdom, that we serve where You are calling us to and not in our own strength. Lord, we do not want to try to “make things happen” by our efforts, rather, we want to be so instep with Your plans that we naturally look to You for both direction and provision. Lord Jesus, in those times when we are unable to serve as we are accustomed to, help us be quick to lift up those around us through prayer and words of truth, encouraging and inspiring those around us. Lord, thank You for Your wonderful works! Thank You for Your greatest service, our salvation! I praise Your holy name, Jesus!! Amen.

Never mundane

It’s Monday and after a week at VBS and a full weekend, we are back to our regular schedule of homeschooling.

Despite our return to the schedule, it is never mundane.

Because life is a gift from God.

Genesis 2:7 KJV — 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.

Not only from Adam, but every single person is created by God.

Psalm 139:13 NKJV — For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.

God is good and His works are awesome, thus we can rejoice in each and every day, because the very breath in our lungs is a gift.

Let us live today, acknowledging God’s blessings, thankful for life, and living in such a way as to bring glory to His name.

Psalm 100:5 NKJV — For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your gift of life. Thank You for the gift of a new day. Thank You for the schedule which helps guide my focus. Thank You for the way You provide for us each day. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach me through Your Word, that I might understand Your will and walk in Your ways. Lord, open my heart and mind to learning. Please continue to speak through Your Word, encouraging and honing my heart through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your blessings, how You sustain us from day-to-day. What a blessing it is to know You and serve You! I love You, Jesus. Amen.