Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
As springtime progresses, we see more and more things around us in bloom. I notice this in our gardens, as we first get crocuses, etc., and then pretty soon there are tulips, daffodils, and a whole host of other springy flowers. It was most notable when I got home from my recent trip to Michigan. After I dropped off my sister and brother-in-law at their home, I got home and began to unpack my things. Tulips of every color were flooding the gardens. As I walked behind the house, I saw the lilac bushes just bursting with pastel purply happiness and their pretty aroma. Behind them, was a tree with deep pink blossoms, almost overflowing. I looked to the edge of the yard and the apple tree is just covered with pink blossoms and the pear with pure white blossoms. The trees out front are also in bloom. It's like all of creation is proclaiming something. I think it is proclaiming the glory of God and magnificence of one who created such a wonder.
As I was thinking about some things that were going on, I got to thinking about the state of life and testimony and our effect on others and each other.
Just as God designed so many trees and flowers with so much life in them that they burst with so much unmistakable evidence of the love and glory of their creator, I believe that He has designed us to burst with His glory. I want my entire life to be an example of God's handiwork and a testimony to His great mercy. I want to be so full of His love that it affects others. I want people to see the design of the great Creator (ReCreator?) and His New-Life-giving mercy and love bursting from within me in everything I say and do (and everything I don't say and don't do!)
I suppose I should mention that it may not be clear sailing. Yes, a blossoming tree seems to exclaim, "God is great! He began a good work and also finished it!" But what if someone comes along with some Agent Orange? Then it looks like a dead twig. It no longer seems to proclaim the glory of God. Sometimes people purposefully try to steal the glory and joy because they don't like it or don't want to be reminded of what God wants to do in their life. Other times it may just be a person with an abrasive personality that wears at you (perhaps not knowingly). Sometimes it is just something frustrating at work or school or a difficult thing in some other part of life. Life is not always easy, but I believe that with the Holy Spirit filling us, our lives will be bloomin' with God's love, proclaiming the wonderful truth of the Gospel of Grace. And just like spring blossoming all around us, nothing will be able to silence that testimony to God's greatness.
Let us pray that God will fill us with His Spirit so that Love will be flowing from our hearts to others and to one another. Let us also pray that we are not the ones that wear at one another, hindering God's work, and perhaps effectively consuming the joy and destroying the testimony that was once bursting forth.
Galatians 5:14-15
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
As springtime progresses, we see more and more things around us in bloom. I notice this in our gardens, as we first get crocuses, etc., and then pretty soon there are tulips, daffodils, and a whole host of other springy flowers. It was most notable when I got home from my recent trip to Michigan. After I dropped off my sister and brother-in-law at their home, I got home and began to unpack my things. Tulips of every color were flooding the gardens. As I walked behind the house, I saw the lilac bushes just bursting with pastel purply happiness and their pretty aroma. Behind them, was a tree with deep pink blossoms, almost overflowing. I looked to the edge of the yard and the apple tree is just covered with pink blossoms and the pear with pure white blossoms. The trees out front are also in bloom. It's like all of creation is proclaiming something. I think it is proclaiming the glory of God and magnificence of one who created such a wonder.
As I was thinking about some things that were going on, I got to thinking about the state of life and testimony and our effect on others and each other.
Just as God designed so many trees and flowers with so much life in them that they burst with so much unmistakable evidence of the love and glory of their creator, I believe that He has designed us to burst with His glory. I want my entire life to be an example of God's handiwork and a testimony to His great mercy. I want to be so full of His love that it affects others. I want people to see the design of the great Creator (ReCreator?) and His New-Life-giving mercy and love bursting from within me in everything I say and do (and everything I don't say and don't do!)
I suppose I should mention that it may not be clear sailing. Yes, a blossoming tree seems to exclaim, "God is great! He began a good work and also finished it!" But what if someone comes along with some Agent Orange? Then it looks like a dead twig. It no longer seems to proclaim the glory of God. Sometimes people purposefully try to steal the glory and joy because they don't like it or don't want to be reminded of what God wants to do in their life. Other times it may just be a person with an abrasive personality that wears at you (perhaps not knowingly). Sometimes it is just something frustrating at work or school or a difficult thing in some other part of life. Life is not always easy, but I believe that with the Holy Spirit filling us, our lives will be bloomin' with God's love, proclaiming the wonderful truth of the Gospel of Grace. And just like spring blossoming all around us, nothing will be able to silence that testimony to God's greatness.
Let us pray that God will fill us with His Spirit so that Love will be flowing from our hearts to others and to one another. Let us also pray that we are not the ones that wear at one another, hindering God's work, and perhaps effectively consuming the joy and destroying the testimony that was once bursting forth.
Galatians 5:14-15
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
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