The bird lesson

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:25-27

I was baffled and at the same time concerned about the bird laying her eggs out in the open, exposed to the elements. As you can see from the picture, it is such an odd spot for a bird's nest.

I was wondering why she chose the exposed location to lay her eggs. Why didn’t she hide her nest behind some plants or some sort of shelter? Wasn't she afraid of being attacked? How would she gather her food?  She would have to leave her eggs alone while she searched for food. Wasn't she concerned about that?

The bird didn't realise that she was teaching a massive lesson about worrying.

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.”

The bird wasn't worried about anything because our Heavenly Father feeds her.  The bird is a reminder that our Heavenly Father knows what we need and He will take care of it!

Trust in the powerful, limitless God because He is faithful.

Thank you Lord for the simple yet powerful message!

Fragrance of Christ

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” (New Living Translation)

This verse struck my attention this morning, in particular the first part, ‘For we are the aroma of Christ…..’

 

My mind associated the word aroma with a mental image of a burning incense or perfume being sprayed. The fragrance it gives out is pleasantly sweet. The sweetness attracts me to it and makes me want to ‘hang around’ it. The sweet fragrance will also drive or stimulate my curiosity to want to know the brand or the origin of the smell.

Just like the burning incense or the perfume, as we spend time with God, our knowledge of Him grows. We learn about who He is and who we are because of Him. As our knowledge grows, our lives, our behaviour changes. The old is gone and the new ways take over. Where ever we are whether at work or out in the community, we carry the fragrance of Christ. People will see who Christ is through our words and our actions. Our Christ-like aroma that is like a pleasantly sweet perfume will first attract people then cause them to seek the Source of the sweetness.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Sometimes it takes a mountain

"Sometimes it takes a mountain
Sometimes a troubled sea
Sometimes it takes a desert
To get a hold of me
Your Love is so much stronger
Then whatever troubles me
Sometimes it takes a mountain
To trust you and believe." 

 lyrics from Gaither Vocal Band


Thank you Jesus that your LOVE is so much stronger! I know that I can lean on You no matter the circumstances!

What a powerful Name it is.

Simply beautiful. What a powerful Name it is...the Name of Jesus.

Till we meet again

No one prepares you for the loss of a parent. It is deeply painful since they play a key role in providing continuous emotional support. Though they are no longer physically with us, memories of them linger in favourite places, food, stories, books, videos and photos!

We miss you Ta!

Our hearts still ache with sadness and many silent tears still flow.

We miss the sound of your laughter, the sound of your voice, your story telling and the wisdom in your advice.

We are reminded that grieving is a process, so we will allow ourselves to grieve and heal. 

We find comfort in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father, who knows us better than we know ourselves, understands our pain and is eager to grow us and give us His peace. 

His Word says that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalms 147:3), so we choose to lean on God who will continue the process of healing our broken hearts and in the future, replace our sorrow with never ending joy.

We hold you close within our hearts and will continue the legacy that you have set for us until we meet again.

Reflecting on the past

"When we reflect on the past, we can see God's faithfulness more clearly. We can remember how He's come through for us and how He's uniquely woven His plan into our lives." Chris Tomlin.

Your Measure of Faith

Romans 12:3

3… God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 

I've read this verse so many times but this morning I loved how Pastor Joseph Prince compared it to using your muscles.

 Quote: 

'Faith is like muscles. We are all born with a measure of muscles. But some of us develop our muscles better than others. Bodybuilders, for example, exercise their muscles very regularly to make them grow bigger and stronger.'

 The measure of faith we each receive, grows when we feed it and use it. How do I feed my faith? By hearing or reading the Word of God. When we speak or confess the Word of God and expect good things to happen, we are using it. The more we use it , the more our faith grows.

I am challenged this morning with the questions...What are you doing with your measure of faith? Are you feeding it daily? Is it being used?

As I use my faith, speaking it, confessing it and TOTALLY believing in God's Word, I draw on the inexhaustible power of a mighty, faithful and loving God! 

 

Mindsets-Fixed vs Growth

A psychologist friend of mine shared an article by James Clear on ‘Growth vs Fixed mindsets and how as an educator, it can be applied or promoted in any learning environment.

My takeaways from the article:

·     * You can have both a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. The difference is, having a fixed mindset can sometimes become a hindrance for our development or our growth. When I tell myself that I’m no good at something, I will avoid situations that would cause me to do it! However, with a growth mindset, I look at mistakes and setbacks as learning and growing opportunities. With a growth mindset, I allow room for growth, and confidence to bloom.

·      *“Your mind is a powerful thing. The stories you tell yourself and the things you believe about yourself affects your behaviour.” James Clear

All of this caused me to reflect on faith during my devotion this morning.  Am I so fixed in my ways that I do not allow room for change? My reading was from:

Galations 4: 6-7
Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child; God has made you also an heir.

Do I believe that I’m an heir through Christ? Do I believe that God has sent the Spirit of His Son to dwell in our hearts? What am I feeding my mind with? Am I feeding it with negativity and defeat? What stories am I telling myself?

My faith in His Word and His ability to perform His Words will determine my approach to challenges throughout life.


With God, my brain has no ceiling! Anything can happen! Will I choose a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?

At the cross

Just love this song. It reminds me of His love. There is nothing greater than His LOVE. Even though I may fail Him or I may stray from His presence, I know that He still loves me. Nothing can separate me from His love.

Happy New Year

2016 is upon us. New encounters, new adventures and new challenges.  Thank you Lord for this new year. I surrender everything into Your hands. 

Increase your standard of giving

Love this quote!

Mighty God