Sunshine and Rain

Just as the sunshine and rain are part of the changing seasons of nature on the earth. They too are apart of the changing seasons in our spiritual dwelling.
The sunshine and rain work together bringing growth in the natural and spiritual. When there is too much rain, it drowns the crops, causing them to die.Psalm 147:8 "Who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains."  In like manner when exposed to too much sun the crop becomes scorched, wither and die. Praise God! for his providing proper balance of both. In this we learn to appreciate the sunshine and rain.
If things always went well just as you planned for your life. You would more than likely become very comfortable and complacent with your situations, not having need or desire for anything more, giving no thought to God. As the saying goes "out of sight, out of mind." The truth is, God is never really out of sight. It is simply that you ignore his presence. Romans 1:20 & 21 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21)because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
It is often life's storms with the pouring of rain which send you crying out and running to God for shelter and safety, just as a young child seeking the safety of it's parent(s)  Proverbs 18 :10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."   If not the rainy storms of life, then the extreme intense heat that sends you seeking refuge from  exhausting, extreme discomfort, which drains your life, leaving you dry, unproductive, and as a corpse. Matthews 13:6 "but when the sun was us they were scorched, and because they had not root they withered away."  Hopefully this will shift your perspective regarding the weather changes you endure. Leaving you to appreciate more the changing weather conditions, praising God for the sunshine and the rain in both natural and spiritual seasons.

The Body of Christ

Has the world really seen Christ in the earth? He was crucified and there were not a bone broken in his body. He hung his head and gave up his spirit and had not been decapitated. He was laid in the tomb and on the third day he arose. Those who went to the tomb the third day did not see the body of Christ because he got up. You are only able to get up if you are not dead. Christ is not dead and lives here in the eath, the question is, has the world seen him?  Yes his disciples saw him after his resurrection and before he ascended into heaven, but has the world today seen Christ in the earth as he still lives.
He commanded his disciples before ascending into heaven in Matthew 28:19 & 20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  
 Christ is alive and dwells not simply among us but in us, however, has the world seen him?  We are his body and he is the head of this body, as the head leads the body is to follow. If we are indeed the body we should be following the head from which we receive instructions and direction. The head has instructed it's body to love one another as he has loved us,  not growing weary in weIl doing. We are to be holy as he the head is holy, for as he is in the earth so are we. We have not been instructed in anything which Christ our Lord had not done walking the earth clothed in flesh. It is because of his expamples to us and his spirit alive  in us that we are inabled to do all that he commands.  He is forever faithful, continually doing just as he promised, to be with us always. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Sprit who dwells in you."  We are the body of Christ, and we shall follow as he, the head leads.

Easily Distracted

I believe we all become easily distracted by so many things that get our eyes off of God and on to the distraction.
Distractions present themselves in so many ways; jobs, relationships, emotions, addictions, projects, dreams and aspirations, self-gratification, so many things that make us loose focus.
Once distracted, it can become very difficult to refocus, get on track, have peace. Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Could that shift of focus have diverted us to trusting ourselves or another limited being? Is it our focus, that's now on our money situation, over our God, that has shifted our expectation and trust towards ourselves, our employers, our employment, or our government to provide?  Philippians 4:19 says "And God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Has that new diagnosis given by the doctor distracted us from God's word that says in Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed." have our expectations and trust shift from the almighty great physician, to our physician doctor_____ and the medicines he prescribes? Have we become distracted by the short skirts, or the bulging biceps through muscle shirts, promising to always stand by us and love us like no one else has, can or ever will? forgetting, Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God he is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." or  Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord has appeared of old to me saying ""Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you."" 
Let us be on the alert, for the enemy desires nothing more than to catch us off guard, and to distract us with all manner of distractions, so that he may still, kill and destroy the life plans which the Lord has for us. Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life..."
Let us work to be more careful, so that we are not easily distracted.

All Too Casual

As I pondered my relatioship with the Lord, I hadn't before realized I had become all too casual with him. In our spending much time togther, He knowing me so very well and I learning and desiring to know him more, had somehow, somewhere in the midst of it all become laxed. Had I not taken to heart whose presence I was in?  One so awesome in quality and character, the absolute image of perfection, great in glory and majesty. How could I have allowed myself to become all too casual?  Did I lose sight that I was created by him, in his image and likeness, not giving much thought to Psalm 139:14 "... I am fearfully and wonderfully made, the marvelous work of his hand..." surely my soul does not it full well, that I should permit myself to forget the truth right in front of me.  Had I forgotten the magnitude of his greatness written in Genesis 1:3 "...Let there be light, and there was light." how he spoke creation into existence.  Did the biblical truths of his miraculous power escape me? such as that written in Exodus 15:8 "And with the blast of your nostrils, the waters were gathered together. The floods stood upright like a heap..." this and countless other stories reflective of his greatness and power.
Not to mention that of my own testimony of his life transforming goodness, mercy grace and power.
How could the magnitude of his humility escape me?  Philippians 2:7-8 " making himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8) And being found in appearance as a man. He humbled himself and become obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
 I will take this moment to put away my all too casual and behold the Lord my God, who is worthy of all glory, honour and the highest praise. Hallelujah to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Almighty God, who was, who is and shall always be forever more. For there is nothing casual about the Lord our God.