AUTUMN

I read somewhere that Autumn is a celebration of nature!  Whether we live in a cool climate with changing leaves and such colorful beauty or not, we can always find God's creative hand, visible and inspiring at this time of year.  LOOK FOR IT - DON'T MISS IT!

Plumb Line

I love this question that Rick Warren asked in his daily devotion: Do your goals help you know God, grow in God, serve God, share God, love God, and tell others about God?  It makes me realize how important it is for us to honestly evaluate where we are headed in our Christian journey.  The above questions are a wonderful plumb line for us….whenever the answer is NO - the decision is made, DO NOT THINK IT, DO NOT DO IT, DO NOT SHARE IT!

The Holman Bible Dictionary defines a plumb line: A cord with a weight (usually metal or stone) attached to one end. The plumb line would be dangled beside a wall during its construction to assure vertical accuracy. The plumb line was sometimes used symbolically to mean that God was checking to see if his people were living righteously.

 I love God’s plumb lines because:

One – They were physically used during a building project. Spiritually speaking, they remind me that I am a construction project. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his  work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Two – The spiritual plumb lines I find in God’s Word, give me standards to live by and to evaluate my life’s actions.

Three – Plumb lines remind me that God is watching me and knows exactly who I am, what I’m thinking, and how I am living.

Four – Plumb lines leave nothing to chance. They take away all of my excuses. They give me a clear sense of direction.  I know exactly how God wants me to live.

Here are a few of my “Plumb-line” verses….verses that hold me to God’s standard for living:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)
⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Micah 6:8 (NLT)
⁸ No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

The above are just a few verses to use for evaluation – God’s Word is chocked full of such tools.  I want to thank you Lord for giving me standards and guidelines for my life. I need boundaries and I need goals – Your Word gives me both.

Joyfully,

Yvonne

FALL IS HERE!

Hi !

My pumpkins sit all in a row on my mantle; the fall fruit and gourds are displayed on my table; and I’m getting ready to plant crotons in my patio pots. What does all of this mean? FALL IS HERE!  I love fall! I love candy corn, apple cider, and spaghetti (who eats it during the summer?)  Here in southeast Texas we don’t have many trees changing color, but I enjoy looking at the exquisite pictures of fall leaves and feeling the cooler temperatures.   During this time of the year, I find myself singing,

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

This change of season leads me to appreciate God’s creativity and the truth of Who he is.  I am again reminded that He is in control of this beautiful world in which I live.

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

These verses from Colossians remind us of Jesus’ wonderful connection to Creation.  Paul reminds us of these truths:

He Created All Things -

Jesus is the Creator of all things. There is nothing in the created order that Jesus did not create .  John 1:3 (ESV) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

This really puts our world in perspective, doesn’t it? Because he is the Creator, Jesus has absolute authority and supremacy over all creation…all things in heaven and earth; visible and invisible. All things are under His command!  Since only God can be the Creator, this verse also makes it absolutely clear that Jesus is divine. Not only is he the perfect image of God, He is God!

All Things Exist for Him- Everything exists in Him, for Him, and through Him. Jesus Christ is the Sphere in which they exist, the Agent through which they came into being, and the One for whom they were made.(Warren Wiersbe). 

Creation exists for Him and here we see a glimpse into His heart. Oh, how He loves you and me!  Creation was formed so that Christ might : Love it – Bless it – Redeem it – Receive it – Save it – Exalt it !  As a part of His creation we owe Him praise and honor, worship and service.  We exist for Him, our Creator!

He Holds All Things Together – Jesus is eternally self-existent – this is an attribute only of God – no one created God. Because this is true, Jesus is before all things. Jesus sustains our universe.  Because of Him, all things hold together!  What hope and confidence we receive from this truth – we are not living in an out-of-control, chaotic world. Our world is in His hand – His hand keeps it going and continues it.

So, we have a wonderful opportunity during this time of year…every time we see the colors of Autumn…each time we sip hot apple cider…whenever we slip on a sweater or a cozy scarf… we can take a moment to praise our Jesus who made us who we are, who sustains us each day, and who chooses to spend eternity with us!  Lord of all, to thee we raise – These our grateful words of praise …and adoration. Set aside Fall as a special time of worship!

Joyfully,

Yvonne