A few years ago we had the very difficult task of having our beloved dog, Whimsy, put down following a lengthy illness. Both my husband and I mourned for that funny, stubborn, but always entertaining dog…and for the hole that was left in our hearts on her passing. We had talked about getting another dog, but neither of us were ready to put Whimsy in the past and love a new dog. Until last week…when Duncan came into our home and our hearts. It reminded me of a clipping I have in my Bible about a conversation between God and Adam . Adam was complaining to God that he was lonesome, so the Lord said,” I will create a companion for you that will be a reflection of My love for you… regardless of how selfish, childish and unlovable you may be. This new companion will accept you as you are and love you as I do, in spite of yourself.” And God gave him a dog…a reflection of God’s love for us, his name of reflection of God Himself…For Dog is God spelled backwards.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Luke 6: 45 “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
I’ve heard it said, if you give someone a good jab…whatever’s in their heart will spill out! And it seems to be so true…our hearts are the wellspring of life, the starting point of emotions, feelings, and passions. So it goes without reason, that whether it’s good or evil, whatever you’ve put into your heart…will flood out.
Exodus 14:14 ” The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”
Why won’t we allow the Lord to fight our battles for us? Rather than standing there quietly watching Him do all the work, we’d rather chatter on incessantly, running here and there, usually making more of a mess of it than before. Over and over in the Word it states to, “Be still before the Lord and watch what He can do…” God really doesn’t need your help…just stand silently and see the miraculous things He can accomplish.
Romans 10:17 ” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
You may hear about Jesus all your life…but it’s not until that knowledge comes alive within you, and true revelation of who He is causes you to believe what you’ve heard is trustworthy and true. Then that head knowledge of yours becomes heart knowledge as His word abides within you.
I Samuel 1: 27-28 ” I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked Him. So now I give him to the Lord.”
Hannah was barren and had pleaded with the Lord for a child…and God gave her Samuel. But she also realized that her little boy still belonged to the Lord, so she dedicated Samuel to God’s service. When we pray and implore the Lord for some special thing in our life…and then receive it, we too must also remember…it still belongs to Him.
I John 2:6 ” Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Everyday people watch how you conduct your life…what comes out of your mouth may or may not have much impact on those around you. More times than not, it’s your walk that people notice. Do you walk as Jesus did? The Lord led by example, and He demonstrated what He taught in very real and tangible ways…and He wants us to do the same. There are many times when you won’t have to say a word… for your walk will speak volumes for you.
Genesis 8:22 ” As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Sometimes I think the good Lord gives us the awe-inspiring beauty of Fall in compensation for the up-coming harsh Winter that will soon overtake us. The trees are in their full glory now…golds, yellows, rusts all contrast beautifully against the chilly blue sky. Long lines of birds perch on the high-line wires waiting for the queue to fly South…while V-shaped groups of Canadian geese move slowly across the sky, honking as they bid us goodbye for another season. Cold weather is right around the corner, so I thank you Lord for all this beauty right now.
Deuteronomy 2:2-3 ” Then the Lord said to me,’ You have made your way around this hill country long enough…’ “
The Lord has a way of teaching us lessons. If we’re a quick study and obey immediately, we move forward with Him. But if we ignore or refuse to heed the message…He will “send us around the mountain one more time”…until we’re again facing that same old matter. Depending on our willingness, stubbornness, or just plain stupidity will determine how many times we make that long trip around.
Colossians 3:2 ” Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Holy living is not about what you can’t do…it’s not about some list of things you must adhere to…or else. Rather, living a holy, self controlled life is a mindset of where and who you place your devotion in…on things of this world and yourself, or things of heaven and Jesus.
Jeremiah 10:12 ” But God made the earth by His power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.”
The Lord is the Maker of all things…He brought into existence the land, sea, and sky for our enjoyment and pleasure. By His infinite wisdom everything was formed perfectly…with careful attention to every detail. We thank you Lord for the vast beauty around us…and we thank you for the opportunity to enjoy it all.
Safetypinlove 