Better Together

Yesterday, I attended a beautiful wedding.  It was a rainy January day, but unseasonably warm - perfect for the two professional gardeners who were becoming husband and wife.

As plants need the soaking rain for nurturing and growth, so may this godly couple nurture their world and bring positive growth to everyone they know.

Everyone present was sure that they would do far more good together than each one on his or her own.  May it be so for them, and for all of us who are married.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  [Ecclesiates 4:9]

Twenty-four Minutes Per Day

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  Exodus 17:11

The battle was won as long as Moses held up his hands.  

I said to God, "Lord, I am not able to pray 24 hours a day.  That is what it takes to win this spiritual battle. However I can pray for 24 minutes and I ask you to multiply them to 24 hours, just as you multiplied five loaves and two fish from a little boy's lunch."

TV~  (Today's Verse)
For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
[Ephesians 6:12]

Stop and Listen

Most mornings, I wake up with my mind full of purposed thoughts regarding the day ahead.  A mental to-do list begins to form, which usually becomes a hard copy list, which translates into action.

This is addressed in C.S. Lewis' book, Mere Christianity:
  
“It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.”

I tried this today, taking a moment to pray about the day ahead and ask God to lead in His way.  There are three occurrences which I note at the end of the day, things that focused on people rather than my 'list'.  I plan to try it each day - an experiment of sorts.  

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Be still, and know that I am God. [Psalm 46:10] 

Rescue

The scriptures mention the snare of the devil, or Satan's trap.  Being trapped means that one needs rescue.  Here is a prayer for someone who is trapped.

O God, merciful Father, who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sorrowful; mercifully assist our prayers....and graciously hear us, that those evils which the cxraft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh agains us, may, by thy good providence, be brought to nought...   (The Anglican Service Book, p. 159)

TV~  (Today's Verse)
 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.  [2 Timothy 2:26]

Listening to God

Years back, we were given a used book about making gingerbread houses.  It started an annual tradition which culminated each New Year's Eve with the breaking of our gingerbread house at midnight.  After baby #5 was born, this tradition waned.

This year, I was praying about our family times at Christmas.  Into my mind popped the thought of making a gingerbread house.  So, I put aside the baking of delectables for family and friends and reinstated the gingerbread house tradition.  There were some beautiful moments of decorating and, yes, destroying that brought our children of many ages all together to focus on one fun project. 

It was a reminder to me: Take the time to pray about things and listen to God.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  [Jeremiah 33: 3]

Four Commodities

We each posses four valuable commodities, namely time, money, energy and space.  Everyone has the same amount of time, but the other three commodities vary from person to person.  How we spend these commodities reveals the desires of our hearts.

This explains the devoted love of a parent, as huge amounts of time, money and energy are poured for many years into one's child.  The size home that parents choose often is determined by the amount of space needed for their children.

Time, money, energy and space... think about it.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [Matthew 6:21]

All Things New

Blessings to you in 2014.  Have a blessed new year.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.   And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." [Revelation 21:4,5]