Our family watched a movie called Play the Flute last night.
I’ve seen it before, but it was the first time our son had seen it.
When it was over we discussed it and something he said stuck with me.
“It’s about having faith in the Word of God.”
He went on to say he knew others who didn’t have that faith.
We discussed the importance of God’s Word as well as the costly price just to have it in our language.
I told him about William Tyndale and his passion for the Word.
As our conversation drew to a close, my heart was challenged.
Do I revere God’s Word as I should?
Am I passionate about it?
Have I given it the time and attention which something so profound deserves?
I feel there’s room for improvement.
Not only do I want to study, memorize, and meditate upon God’s Word, I want to apply it.
I want to seek answers from God’s Word, looking to Him for my plans, the standards I set, the measure I use.
If someone was to ask me if I believe the Bible, I’d respond quickly with a harty “Yes!”.
However, I know, I don’t always respond to God’s Word with that same quick “Yes!”.
I want to, but I’m still learning how to surrender myself before God in all things.
Things like:
Trusting God completely with our children, that He is using all things in their lives for good.
When suffering in one form or another, giving God praise and seeking His will for the circumstance.
Am I willing to surrender everything before God, including my physical abilities?
In my heart I have assurance that the Bible is God’s Word and I can rest in its truths to guide and direct.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 KJV
I’m still learning how to put these truths into practice; still learning how to die to my flesh.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the wonderful gift of Your scriptures. Lord, thank You for showing me the error of my ways, where I need to have faith in Your Word and walk bearing my cross with joy. Lord Jesus, thank you for your patience with me, a slow learner. Please continue to hone my heart and help me see the areas that I need to surrender to You. Lord, thank You for Your truth and the many people who have given so much to translate the Bible throughout the Earth. Lord, thank You for teaching me to love Your Word and to hide it in my heart. I’m so grateful for Your promises and the blessings which come from applying the scriptures. Lord Jesus, I am picking up my cross today and following You, for there is no other way to Heaven and a fruitful life here on Earth. Thank You! Amen.
This morning I was in the garden briefly and noticed one these beauties laying on the ground.
I found a stake and tried to put it in the dirt, but it was way too dry.
I got the hose and watered the area then set the stake in.
As I gently lifted the plant my hold slipped.
Crack-snap!
I’d broken the plant clean off at the base!
“Oh no!” I exclaimed, but no one was around to hear it.
I felt like crying, but realized my best response would be to gather the flowers from the plant and thank God.
Maybe it sounds strange to be thankful to God at a moment when I just ruined something He gave me, but I’ve been asking the Lord to help me learn to have a thankful attitude.
Here was my chance.
And there is much to be thankful for.
How I handle myself when I’ve made a mistake speaks loudly to the condition of my heart.
Especially, if it’s something small and no one is around.
Luke 19:17 KJV — And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
God has been working on my heart a lot this past week through a variety of circumstances and His Word.
(It’s been a difficult journey.)
Challenging me to step up to His standards more fully.
PraiseGod continually.
Philippians 4:4 NKJV — Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Submit myself daily before Him, including my schedule.
Proverbs 3:5 KJV — Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Don’t worry, and always bring requests before the Lord with a grateful heart.
Philippians 4:6 NKJV — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Be humble.
James 4:10 KJV — Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
The Word of God is true and should be applied daily to our lives.
For through it we can see a more accurate picture of ourselves and what God is calling us to.
Personally, it was a struggle to realize I needed to revisit truths I know and to humble myself before God and people.
Yet, through the submission came incredible blessing, and I can testify to the goodness of God.
It’s one of the wonders of God’s Word, how it can be so familiar, yet still teach something new, still unearth something hidden inside our hearts, and still bring us closer to Our Heavenly Father.
No matter how much we know about the Lord, there is always more to learn and more to apply, for this is a journey.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18 KJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this past week and the difficulties You used to teach me and deal with me. Lord, thank You for holding me in Your hand and walking with me through this. Lord, thank You for helping me see that through humility I find clarity. When I’m proud in any area, I’m going to struggle with total surrender. Lord, thank You for bringing these things to my attention. Thank You for surrounding me those those who love me through my struggles and encourage me to do what is right. Lord, thank You for Your Word which teaches me so much. I love You, Jesus. May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.
How can we know what a man or woman of faith looks like?
Scripture lines it out clearly
The Lord knows the heart, and He gives us practical truth to help us direct and discern what is acceptable before Him.
Psalm 15:1 NKJV — A Psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
Psalm 15:2 NKJV — He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;
We can observe the works of righteousness in others as well as mark those who walk uprightly.
This can also be applied to ourselves, giving us a standard to live by.
Although, we can’t weigh the words of someone’s heart, we can only weigh our own and work to speak truth therein.
Psalm 15:3 NKJV — He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
Ahh, the tongue!
James speaks of the difficulties of taming the tongue. James 3: 2-14
We must be mindful of what passes through our lips, for Jesus said words come from the overflow of the heart. Luke 6:45, Matt. 12:34
The next two lines speaks directly to the people around us.
How often do we sin against those closest to us?
Maybe because we feel secure in the relationship or we think it doesn’t matter or worse, we expect them to “get over it” so we are less restrained.
Whatever excuse we concoct, scripture makes it clear we are to treat those around us with love, as Jesus loves us. John 15:12
Psalm 15:4 NKJV — In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
This seems out of step with the “love one another”, but the scriptures are full of warning for those who simply turn a bling eye to wickedness and let those who practice such dwell among them.
It’s dangerous for both parties.
Those who are practicing evil need to hear the truth and being allowed to continue in the acts of wickedness doesn’t lead them to respect that consequences come from both good choices and bad ones.
The truth for those practicing evil is their own choice to reject God and His salvation, choosing instead eternal death and separation from God, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For those who know what is right, but allow evil to live with them, they are in danger of growing accustom to that which God hates.
Sin hurts people and it separates us from God, we cannot live with it and not be negatively influenced by it.
Thus, the righteous despise evil and honor those who fear the Lord.
The upright has such strong convictions, that even when he promises something that ends up costing him, he will not go back on his word.
Psalm 15:5 NKJV — He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
The upright do not take advantage of others, especially when it comes to money.
Whether, by lending at a fee or trying to use money to get their way, they don’t do it.
Finally, the chapter brings us back to the point: Who is allowed to dwell with God?
Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Taken alone, this list could seem impossible, but remembering that it is only a piece of the scriptures, we can find both hope and faith in these practical steps.
For the Word of God is clear that we can do no good thing on our own, it is only through our salvation through Christ Jesus that we are made righteous.
Then, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the renewing of our minds through the washing of the Word do we find God’s strength teaching us to walk in righteousness.
And that is why these steps are not impossible, God gave them to help us.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for continuing to teach me from Your Word. Please continue to help me learn how to walk in Your truths daily, especially in the areas I find challenging. Lord, I thank You that You cleansed me the moment I accepted Your gift of grace. Thank You that You are so patiently renewing my mind and understanding to be more like You each day. Lord, for those who are seeking You and learning to apply Your truths, please encourage them and bring them up in Your Word, plant them firmly in Your truth. Lord, for those who feel they are a failure or have let You down, please remind them of the truth, that they are valuable, priceless to You and You are waiting for them to return to You. Lord, for those who feel comfortable in their walk, too at ease in their day-to-day and have grown callous to Your Word, please bring them to the truth and help them be humble, steadfast, and uncompromising in respect to application of Your Word to their lives. Lord, for those who are these upright people, faithful and true, thank You. They are such a blessing and encouragement. Lord, You are amazing and I praise Your holy name!
One of my earliest memories is standing on the footboard of my parents’ bed as my father carefully explained why I had to go to the dentist.
I didn’t want to go to the dentist.
It sounded scary, but it seemed really important to both my parents, so of course I agreed.
That began years of appointments to both a dentist and a therapist to try to correct my severe overbite.
I had four molars removed, because my teeth were so big in my little mouth.
As a teen I had braces for 4 years, correcting all that was wrong with my teeth.
And I’m very thankful to my parents for all the time and money they put into my mouth.
I’ve been told often, that I have a beautiful smile.
As an adult, I have gone to the dentist, but rarely.
So I shouldn’t have been surprised when I broke a tooth last week.
But I was.
I’ll be honest, I was tempted to feel sorry for myself, but I felt instantly that the Lord was with me.
I knew, I had done this to myself in not taking better care of my teeth.
I got a hold of my dentist and the earliest they could get me in was today.
It’s really poor timing, I’ve had to rearrange my schedule.
And I’m feeling nervous.
But I’ve been praying about it and this morning the Lord answered through a friend.
She sent me this verse:
Psalm 81:10 NKJV — I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
It spoke so clearly to me that God understands and has already provided.
Today, I’ve gained a whole new perspective for the words: Open wide!
When they are spoken by my Lord and Savior I can respond with joy and assurance that it will be good.
And when spoken by my dentist or hygienist, I can trust that God is using them to help me have healthy teeth.
Psalm 81 continues and this verse stuck out as well.
Psalm 81:13 NKJV — “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!
Following through on those things I know are right is walking in God’s ways and today I’m choosing to do so with a grateful heart.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word and the promises therein. Please forgive me for neglecting my teeth and refusing to get them checked regularly. Thank You for the area of dental health and how blessed we are to have people who know how to treat our teeth. Please bless my dentist today and all his staff. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for Your promises and the wonderful gifts in Your Word. Lord, I want to listen to You. I want to walk in Your ways. Thank You for continuing to hone my heart and speak clearly. Lord, as I open my mouth wide today I will be treasuring Your Word. Thank You. Amen.
Malachi 2:15 NKJV — But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.
Living as one is not easy.
Yet, the Word clearly tells us, God has standards for those who are married.
Genesis 2:24 NKJV — Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
It begins at the covenant, when they say “I do”.
This vow is before God and the couple are no longer to live as two separate people, but as one.
They are to live in unity.
Finding such is complicated, thus God gave us His Word to guide and direct us.
Ephesians 5:22-24 NKJV — Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Ephesians 5:25-31 KJV
This is heavy, but God’s Word is truth and we are to apply it.
And if one begins to doubt whether marriage was meant to be for life, Jesus made it clear.
Matthew 19:3 NKJV — The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
Matthew 19:6 NKJV — “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Matthew 19:9 NKJV — “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
God sees a husband and wife as one and so should we.
No two people are exactly alike, nor are any two marriages, but God’s Word is applicable to all.
Not just these few verses, but many others as well which are our instruction on life and the keys to finding unity in marriage.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for creating marriage. Thank You for Your Word which guides and directs us. Lord, thank You for speaking so clearly and saying so much about marriage. Lord, for myself and my husband, I humbly request that You continue to teach us how to be one. Continue to strengthen our ability to understand both Your Word and one another. Lord, please help us to be thoughtful and prayerful, not rash nor easily offended. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your restoration. Thank You that You have patiently walked us forward each day, each year, teaching us, chastening us, loving us. Lord, thank You for my husband, my family, and the difficult things which brings us closer. Lord, for those who are suffering from deep hurt, wounds of the heart, loneliness due to loss, and struggles from discord, I humbly request You reach each one where they are and heal them. Lord, that You would reveal Your perspective. That You would guide and direct each one, bringing them to Yourself. Lord, Your Word says: Psalm 68:5 NKJV — A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. Let it be understood, for You are our Salvation and our future. Thank You. Amen.
Yesterday evening, I watched a video clip on YouTube by Michael Jr, titled “Know your why”.
As the video inspired me, I want to inspire you.
Why are you doing the things you are doing?
Why are you living the way you do?
For those who are called by the name of Jesus Christ, the answers are in scripture.
John 14:15 KJV — If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Our reason for choices should be based on following God’s Word.
1 John 5:2-3 KJV — By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Our daily walk in following Christ should be a joy, for we choose to follow, to obey, because our love of Jesus and His love for us.
1 John 2:28 KJV — And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
As children of God, we should each be abiding with God, in such a way that we are not ashamed of His return.
John 14:23 KJV — Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
To be a child means looking to the parents for direction, instruction, and guidance.
To be underneath their authority, trusting that they want what is best and they understand that better than the child does.
It’s that kind of abiding we should have daily; living with God our Father.
Personally, I don’t always follow what God’s Word directs,
to my shame.
But I’m seeking the Lord daily, looking for guidance in His Word, and humbling myself before Him.
My “why” should always be based in scripture.
And with the Lord’s continued guidance it will be.
Hebrews 4:12 KJV — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the video which inspired me, yesterday. Lord, thank You for reminding me to check my motivates with You and Your Word. Lord, please continue to hone my heart and help me find truth in these days when it has become forgotten. Lord, please sift the information coming at me, that I might discern that which aligns with Your Word and that which does not. Thank You for Your scriptures. Thank You for truth. May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.
But it was definitely the Lord, that the error was caught.
I’d planted seeds in the garden, but completely missed an entire package.
Much later, I found it where my seeds waited in a drawer all winter.
The crazy thing about it all, is my expectations.
I’ve been looking forward to those in soups and salads, but I’m not going to have a single one if the seeds never go in the ground.
Which struck me.
How often do I expect spiritual fruit, but fail to plant the seeds?
My daily choices today will bring forth a harvest in the future.
Galatians 6:7 NLT — Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
If I want to reap the fruit of the Spirit in my life, I need to be humble, teachable, obedient to God’s Word, not walking in the ways of the flesh.
Ephesians 4:22-23 RSV — Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Ephesians 4:30 RSV — And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
If I want God’s peace in my life, I have to surrender myself fully to the Lord and trust in His Sovereignty.
Philippians 4:6-7NLT — Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
I shouldn’t expect to reap a harvest of righteousness if I’ve not summited to God and chosen to walk in His ways.
So, I’m grabbing my garden gloves, putting on my rubber boots and taking that unplanted package to the garden to plant, but first…
I’m spending some time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer, making sure I’ve begun this day with the proper seed: faith, humility, love, truth, honesty, selfcontrol, patience, peace, the heart of a servant…
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your love and this lesson in life through my oversight. Lord, please help me to realize each day is an opportunity to plant into tomorrow. Lord, please continue to teach me to be self-disciplined, honorable, gentle, soft spoken, truthful, loving, kind, faithful, wise, discerning, and Your child. Lord, I want to be like You in every way. Thank You for teaching me this morning. Thank You for speaking so clearly through something so simple. How I love You, Jesus! What a blessing it is to walk in Your ways, reading Your Word, and being guided by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for Your patience with me, such a slow learner. May Your name be glorified throughout the whole earth! Amen.
This morning didn’t begin as it normally does on a Monday.
Instead of waking to my husband’s alarm, I awoke to him entering the room carrying a blanket and saying in a less-than-rested voice, “I’m late. Going to take a shower.”
“What happened?”
“I was awake from 1 am to 5 this morning and didn’t hear my alarm.”
He headed to the shower and after a few moments of trying to get myself fully awake, I rolled out of bed and headed for the kitchen to make him some coffee.
It’s been a wonderful weekend.
Saturday was our oldest girl’s birthday and our son-in-law had called me the day previous to ask if we could watch the kids so he could to take her out for part of the day, then they would be back in time for supper, cake and gifts.
I love watching the grandbabies!
We had a great time, but somewhere in the day I started to feel a migraine coming on.
It was disappointing, but I prayed and asked the Lord to keep me from having to go to bed while the family was still here.
Thankfully, not long after this our daughter and son-in-law returned.
I went and took my medication and had a short nap.
I was able to get up and enjoy time with all three of our daughters as our second girl and her husband came over as well.
By bedtime, I was ready to crash.
I overslept the next morning and when I did waken it was with the realization that I wasn’t going to leave the house for church.
My family did and prayed for me.
I felt good enough to be able to eat and read my Bible.
I normally watch online when I can’t go, but yesterday I really enjoyed the time by simply praying.
When everyone came back we ate and I rested, while Hubby and Jase worked on our chicken coop.
Hubby had not worked on Saturday so he could help me with the kids.
They got a bunch done and I didn’t have to cook as we had leftovers from the night before.
I went to bed still hurting, but thankful and happy.
Not the same emotion I felt as I drug myself into the kitchen this morning.
Not only had I failed to clean the kitchen after supper, I was like a porcupine whose quills are working the opposite way, everything seemed to poke me.
The cutting board with crumbs, the sink with dirty dishes, the floor which needed to be swept, the…you get the idea.
I needed to get my mind and heart out of the “crummies” and into the Lord so I started to pray.
“Lord, thank You for my family whose dirty dishes are in my way.”
…hmm, not quite the right attitude…try again.
“Lord, thank You for the food we have leftover, so I don’t have to try to make a lunch for my husband.”
…better…
“Lord, thank You for my husband. I don’t know why he couldn’t sleep, but he is so tired, please bless him today, giving him all he needs to do his job well.”
“Lord, thank You for my children still at home. Please help me to be gracious and not cranky today.”
Unfortunately, I got sidetracked from this positive line when I realized the dishwasher was completely clean, but hadn’t been unloaded from yesterday morning, and someone in an effort to find something in the clean clothes in the dryer dropped a used-to-be clean dish towel on the floor and left it there.
I tossed it in the washing machine and went to deal with the dishwasher.
Hubby returned, thanked me for breakfast and lunch and coffee.
He kissed me, hugged me, and knew I was struggling.
Gently asked me what was wrong.
I whispered the truth and he kissed me again, said “I love you” and left.
After finishing the dishes, I loaded and started the washing machine, turned off breakfast to keep it from burning and headed for my room.
I had neglected my time with the Lord and that was why I was struggling so much.
I barely made it in and my phone dinged with a text.
It was a childhood friend whose now a lovely adult woman with a family.
She’d texted me that she was praying for me, thanked me for my prayers for her, and told me I was awesome.
I texted back: “How’d ya know I needed that this morning? I bet it was Jesus who told you. Thank you, so much for your prayers!”
Then, I read another prayer from a friend I made in our last city.
It was beautiful and encouraging and I felt humbled, blessed, and convicted.
I know how difficult it is for me to come back off a migraine and how much my family does when I am unable to do.
It’s very ungrateful of me to focus on all the things they didn’t do rather than praising God for all they did do.
It’s also unfair to them as they are simply doing what they see as the priority for that day.
I spent some time in prayer, thanking God and confessing I’d messed up my Monday morning, asking Him to redeem it.
He has.
With that knowledge and blessing, I am writing to you.
If your struggling with the “crummies”, an attitude which is anything but loving, thankful, and joyful take a minute and repent for the ingratitude, thank God for His blessing, even if it’s only the breath you are breathing you have something to thank Him for.
Then seek God’s Word and His face, find a chance to worship God, and fill your heart and mind with God’s truth, His love, His mercy and grace.
That’s what restored my morning along with the prayers of a few friends, the gentleness of my husband.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word and how You use us to encourage and lift up one another. Lord Jesus, I thank You for all You have done through others for me this morning. First, with the gentle understanding of my husband and then through the reaching out of my friends in prayer. Lord Jesus, for those who are struggling with crummy attitudes, crummy circumstances, maybe even crummy lives, I just lift them up to You and humbly request that they see You this day, that they turn their hearts to seeking You and find solace for their hurting in Your Word and Your salvation. Lord Jesus, sometimes we simply get off track through selfishness or other tricks of sin, please bring us , each one of us, clarity if we have stepped away from following hard after You. Lord, put our feet back upon the right road and let the weary heart find strength in Your Word and You Holy Spirit. For it is Your joy in which we find strength. Lord, for so many who are living lives of horrible oppression and abuse, I humbly request You meet them right where they are and bring them both hope and freedom through You precious blood. Lord, it is for the lost, the sick, the broken, the blind, the lame, the deaf, the hurting, the orphan, the widow, the prodigal, the sinner, that You came, You died, You rose again. May we never tire of that truth nor weary of waiting for Your return. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Jase had to get pond water and look at it under the microscope for an experiment in Biology.
He had to find specific microorganisms and draw them in his notebook.
Next, he was to get four jars and place something different in each, add pond water, wrap each carefully to keep out the light and wait a week.
Upon the end of the seven days, he was to draw water from the bottom of each jar and look through the microscope to see what he could identify.
He did very well on each slide, quickly finding and drawing what he found, except for one.
Not seeing anything on the 10x power, he switched to the 40x power and still couldn’t discover any microorganisms.
I’d noticed his struggle, but was waiting to see if he’d find some on his own.
After more effort, he looked at me in frustration.
“Mom, I can’t see anything. It must be they all died.”
I offered to look and he stepped aside.
After seeing nothing on either of the powers 10x and 40x, I switched to 400x.
It took a little longer, but I finally found what he’d been looking for.
“Hey bud, why don’t you see if you can see anything now?”
He looked and focused and was silent.
“Can you see those super tiny things that look like little dots? Watch them closely.”
“Oh! Wow! They’re moving!”
I smiled at him.
He returned the smile and went back to watching these things barely visible at our microscope’s highest power.
It turned out to be our favorite slide.
Upon reflection, I realized that “looking deeper”, the extra effort and time, was what made that slide so interesting.
The same thing has been true for my time in God’s Word.
When I was a teen I read my Bible as a duty, missing the joy and interest of looking deeper into God’s precious gift of His written word.
As an adult, I was convinced I was missing something and began reading through the Bible.
It wasn’t easy and often I’d get discouraged, but as I kept at it, I noticed a change in my heart.
God’s Word had become a joy and a source of strength, direction, and hope.
The richness of scripture had been missed by when I only spent a short time in God’s Word.
It has only been through diligent, humble reading of the scriptures where my heart has found the security and guidance I need.
I’m so thankful for the recent reminder of this truth through our son’s science experiment.
Psalm 119:17-18 NKJV — GIMEL Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Lord, let these words from Psalm 119 speak for me. Lord, please continue to teach me how to seek You through Your Word. Lord, open my heart and mind to Your truths and guide me through Your commandments. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for all Your blessings. Your ways are perfect and Your Word endures through every generation. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 33:4 NKJV — For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.
Psalm 119:160 NKJV — The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
God has always been faithful.
His Word is trustworthy.
Yesterday, He not only dealt with my fears, He carried me through with ease.
As if that were not enough, He answered prayer and we finally know what is robbing me of my voice, and I am being referred to a Speech Therapist.
When I think about the goodness of God, I am overwhelmed.
Exodus 34:6 NKJV — And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
For nothing is too small for His notice and nothing too large for His ability.
Psalm 27:13 NKJV — I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
Yesterday, I did.
Praise the Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for answering our prayers. Thank You for Your Word and Your goodness. Lord, thank You for being righteous, holy, merciful, and full of grace. Thank You for Your love and help. Lord Jesus, thank You for guiding and directing. Thank You for Your ways, which are far better than ours. Lord Jesus, I lift up the helpless. Those who are in danger, those who are completely vulnerable. You see each and every one. Please act upon their behalf. Please bring the gift of salvation to those in such great need. Lord, let each and every one of us cling to Your Word and walk in peace knowing we can place all our trust in You. Lord, let the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of Your glory. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 