Where Are Your Leaves?

As I write this blog, it is almost tomorrow. I just came back from seeing the new movie 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green'. Warning: spoilers below! The movie involves a husband and wife who want more than anything to have a child, but can't. They begin to write down character traits for what they would want to see in their child, put them in a box, and bury it in their garden. That night a rain storm comes and through a miraculous event Timothy appears to them and becomes their son. They discover Timothy has an interesting "birthmark', leaves on his legs. Throughout the movie Timothy loses the leaves as he develops relationships with people, investing in their lives,  and self-sacrificing acts of service. Its not easy for him, as he has to let some experiences go in his life. I won't spoil the ending but it leaves you (no pun intended) with questions like "How can we make the most of the limited time we're given here on earth?" and "How can we build upon past relationships?"
As we read in Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:9, Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of what we did with the time and gifts we were given here on earth.
The judgment seat of Christ is not a place where the Lord will give out punishment for sins committed by the child of God. Rather, it is a place where rewards will be given or lost depending on how one has used his or her life for the Lord. 

God graciously supplies the means by which we may serve Him. He works in us both to will and to do as we volitionally appropriate His grace (Phil. 2:12-13), but the decision to serve, and the diligence employed in doing so, is our responsibility and contribution and God sees this as rewardable.

 We each are given gifts and abilities to serve our Redeemer and Creator here on earth. We are like the seeds in John 12:24 that must fall to the ground and die (to our selfish desires) in order to bear fruit. Invest in treasures that will last eternally: people. Have any leaves fallen off you today? 


Verses to meditate on: 

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Colossians 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

 

 

Flourish Like a Palm Tree

Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

King David tells us here that “the righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.” But we are far removed from the symbols and customs of this past age, so what is he really saying?

1. Palm trees grow to incredible heights (over 200 feet) and straight up. Their root structure is nourished that they fully support the height of the tree. While the storms and winds may cause the tree to bend and sway, when the storms subside the tree stands firm and tall once again having never been uprooted. In addition, they produce edible fruit yearly
2. Cedars of Lebanon can have a trunk base as wide as 8 ft. They are symbols of strength and dignity throughout the Middle East.
This is very applicable to us in that those who are “planted in the house of the Lord” (those who are saved through God’s grace and place their dependence on God, will flourish and grow despite storms, struggles, and age. Nothing in this world can keep them from growing straight and tall (looking to God), being fruitful (nourishing others with God’s love and grace), and growing strong (because His is their rock).
 Now is the time to rise up like the palm tree! 

Canary in a Coal Mine

 Life for a canary in a coal mine can be described in three words: "short but meaningful." Early coal mines did not have ventilation systems, so miners would bring in a caged canary since they are more sensitive to methane and carbon monoxide gas buildup than humans. As long as the bird kept singing, the miners knew their air supply was safe. When the canaries survived and flourished, their work was productive. When the canaries died it was time to evacuate the mine.

The phrase "living like a canary in a coal mine" can refer to someone who serves as a warning to others. The actual canary has little control over its life, but it continued to sing anyway, living without compromise.
And so it is with us, the future is unpredictable. There is much stress, fear, and uncertainty in many people’s heart. We do not know what tomorrow holds for us, but we know who knows everything and that is encouraging. Your life, your security and your future are in the hands of the living God. God is with us and he is in control.
Our past, our present and our future are in His hands. When we understand this truth there is nothing that we can be afraid of because we know who holds our life and future.
There are two ways to deal with your future: in faith or in fear. Remember what Jesus said: In this world, you will have trouble, but don’t be afraid, I have overcome the world.

That is what faith is. That is the assurance that we have. No matter how strong the storm, no matter how high the waves grow and toss us around on the ocean, we can stand firm secure to our Anchor  because he will get us where we need to go.
Once we realize this, each day we can choose to sing like the canary and bring relief to others around us.

Verses to meditate on:

2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Psalm 103:19  The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 31:15  My times are in your hand. 

Laying Down Tracks

Constructed between 1848 and 1854, with more than 20,000 workers, was the Semmering railway. This was an astronomical undertaking seeing this is a steep, treacherous part of the Alps, between Austria and Italy. Even more remarkable is the fact that during the time of laying down tracks there were no trains available yet. These men had a desire in their hearts to open up their community and reach out further than they had before. They built it in preparation knowing that someday the trains would come.

And so it is with us. During the mundane, routine times of life we also can choose to prepare for what may come. Too often the battle is lost in our mind even before we try. Our doubts, fears, and comparing our lives to others can quench the God given talents, gifts, and desires that we may have. Be honest with God. He already knows what is on your heart and has promised to direct your steps.

Now there is no guarantee that every dream or desire we have will happen but we can know that if we have trusted our Savior with keeping us in his hands for eternity, he knows what our daily needs are and will go with us in the journey. And sometimes the journey brings more joy than the destination.

Video: Jeremy Camp singing "My Desire"

Verses to meditate on

Proverbs 27:12 A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever

I Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

John 15:7-11

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.