Thursday, March 31, 2011

lilies of the field

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:" -Matthew 6:28 Worry. Worry. Worry. In these times of layoffs and high gas prices we have a lot to worry about. If you're like me and you have little money saved up the thought of losing a job is enough to make my heart stop. No paycheck, no mortgage payment, no house, no home, then what? This can not happen, but it does happen. It happens all the time to people who never thought they would be in such a predicament. What do we do? It's hard to even think about helping others when our own lives are on the line. But what exactly is on the line? What is the most important thing in our lives? A house, a car, things and more things? No. God is the most important thing. Yes that's easy for me to say because I still have a roof over my head. I still have a job for the time being. But I must not forget my purpose. I am not on this earth to aqcuire things. I'm on this earth to serve and praise my Lord. I'd rather be a lamb of God than a slave of the devil. I thank God every day for the roof over my head and the job that provides the money to buy the groceries and pay the bills. The hard part is not worrying. To let it all go to God and know that He is in control. I give myself to Him so that He can guide my steps and I know that He will take care of me. I know this and yet still it's hard not to worry sometimes. Lord I pray that your grace will see me through. That no matter what life throws at me I have you to hold me up, to show me the way. I pray that I make the right decisions and follow your path. Ofcourse just praying isn't enough. I know that to live the life God wants for me I must study His word and live by His word. I pray that we all may study God's word and spend time in prayer to be able to know Him better and live the life that He Has mapped out for us. I pray that I may be like the lilies of the field and not worry about what's coming next, but know that my God is watching out for me. Amen. Oh yeah, just a side note, lilies of the field are now my favorite flowers. :)

Friday, March 18, 2011

In my Father's house.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

I love this verse because I associate it with the image of Howard Finster's poster titled "In My Father's House". You can find it in this link: http://www.finster.com/Message%20Posters.htm

I also love it because it reminds me that this world is only temporary. The house that I live in now will one day crumble and fall (hopefully not while I'm still in it). My true home is in Heaven in the presence of the Lord. It helps to keep things in perspective. I may not have exactly the house I want with all the rooms and the big yard full of magnolia trees but in Heaven I will not want for anything. I will be fully content. It reminds me that while I am on this earth I can also be content, because I know that I have a loving God that I will be united with in Heaven. Whatever trials I go through I can take solice in the fact that my Lord is with me. He never leaves my side. I praise Him for His glory.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Ultimate Creator

God is the greatest artist of all. He is the Ultimate Creator.

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees, and flowers, and clouds, and stars." -Martin Luther

I often think about the artist who inspire me. My top three (human) artist are Vincent Van Gogh, Howard Finster and Edward Gorey. These are the artist that I feel most in tune with. Each has a style completly different from the other. I love them all with a passion. My greatest inspiration however, comes from God. He is the ultimate creator.

"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all" -Cecil Frances Alexander

I am in awe of his creations. From the beauty in a sunset to the beauty in a flower to the amazingly intricate design of our own human bodies.

"The world of nature bears spectacular witness to the imaginative genius of our Creator." -Philip Yancey

I am blessed to live in a world created by our God.