Thoughts of Grace

This little viola has been growing and blooming
as a volunteer in this pot for at least four years.
I smile when I see it,
because it encourages me to keep trying to bloom
in the place where I am planted.

Good Morning

“Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up” Psalm 28:5.

The Bible asks, “What is man that Thou art mindful of him?”
The psalmist who penned the question found it too astounding
to grasp that so great a God would even notice,
let alone regard so lowly a creature as man.
Yet, even more astounding is this —
that so lowly a creature as man
would be of such a highminded opinion of himself
that he completely disregards so great a God as this!

The Hebrew verb for regard means
“to discern, to perceive, to observe, to pay attention to,
to be intelligent, to be discreet, to understand.”
It shows intentionality on the part of an individual w
ho is looking for what God is doing,
observing how He does it,
and seeking to understand what this may teach us about Him.

For those who will cultivate this attitude in their lives,
and explore their world with constant regard to the works of God,
and the operations of His hands,
a promise is made from heaven.
They will be built up.
This means God will construct their lives and keep them intact;
strengthened to withstand storms,
and blessed with bounty in life.

But the man who does not regard
the works of the Lord will be destroyed.
The Hebrew word here means
“to pull down, to break through, to overthrow, to destroy.”
This is the exact strategy of Satan against the soul of every man.
He seeks to pull down the defenses
which God has erected around your life,
and breakthrough into your inner world,
where he then may overthrow you — and destroy you.

“The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy,” Jesus said.

When any person disregards God,
they thereby unwittingly prescribe their own destruction;
for they open themselves up
to the invasive and corrosive power of sin,
and all the ensuing sorrow it can muster.

May I encourage you my friend to make sure
that the Lord does not become the Disregarded God?
You are far too worthy,
and your life has so much to offer
than for you to permit Satan to bring you to great ruin
through the prideful act of disregarding the Lord.
~~~Rylie

Be intentional . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

4th of July

Good Morning

“He was a burning and a shining light” John 5:35.

This lasting tribute was said of John the Baptist,
by none other than Jesus Himself.
Indeed, Jesus also said,

“I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”  Matthew 11:11.

This means that each one of us may,
like John, be a burning and shining light.
But there is a price to be paid.
Years ago I heard the great revival preacher, Leonard Ravenhill,
say, “The cost of shining is burning.”
Many want the glow without the heat,
but there can be no sparkle where there are not sparks;
and there can be no sparks where the hammer of God’s word
does not strike the anvil of our souls.

The cost of shining is burning.
The disciples said,

“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us along the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?”  Luke 24:32.

In yet another place the Bible asks,

“Does not My word burn like fire?” says the LORD.

“Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?”  Jeremiah 23:29.

As we open ourselves to the igniting power of God’s word,
all within us that is wood, hay or stubble
is consumed by its tireless flame.
And then, whatever yet remains
that is hardened and unresponsive deep in our hearts
is busted loose by the mighty blow of God’s hammer —
His living word unleashed in our yielded lives.

Will you let the truth of God’s unchanging Word
have its way in your life?
In your thoughts,
your hopes,
and your aspirations?
In your opinions,
your attitudes,
and your behavior?
In your family,
your friendships,
and your associations?

If you say yes,
you will become a burning and shining light;
and you will be counted great in the Kingdom of God.
~~~Rylie

Let God’s fire consume wood, hay and stubble. . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

African Daisy

Good Morning

Doesn’t someone owe you an apology?
A second chance?
An explanation?
A thank you?
A childhood?
A marriage?
Your parents should have been more protective.
Your children should have been more appreciative.
Your spouse should be more sensitive.
What are you going to do?
Few questions are more important.

Dealing with debt is at the heart of your happiness.
Jesus speaks of the grace we should share.

He says: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14).

It reminds me of the story of a huge grizzly bear
in the center of Yellowstone Park
feeding on discarded camp food.
No one dared draw near.
Except a skunk who walked toward the food
and took his place next to the grizzly.
The bear didn’t object.
He knew the high cost of getting even!
We’d be wise to learn the same thing.

Max Lucado ~~ The Great House of God

Let go and let God . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie