Welcome to the growing season!
June
Many things are now complete, graduations,
moving up ceremonies, recitals and rites of passages,
all of which point to new beginnings.
Summer
The door or passageway to new things.
Projects that waited all winter.
A garden perhaps that "grew" as idea all winter long.
There is something to how, when you plant a seed, God changes
the nature of that seed so that it becomes a plant.
It is the power of God that surges into that tender young plant,
pushing it upward. Strengthening it till it stands on its own.
I may not be the gardener as many of you might be,
but I love to cook . . .
Growing season is a time for us to redirect our energy.
Let's take time to "grow" ourselves.
Here is a nice way to put a little snap in your lemonade
straight from the garden. I saw this in Martha Stewart.
Blackberry Sage Lemonade
Your "favorite" Lemonade
(just before serving)
add
1/2 cup blackberries
4 "cracked" sage leaves (more if you like)
Pour over ice, serve and enjoy!
2 Peter 3:18a
. . . but grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now and forever.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
17: A Woman of Eternal Significance
Proverbs 31
She seeks wool and flax
And willingly works with her hands. vs. 13
She is not afraid of snow for her household
For all her household is clothed with scarlet. vs. 21
Strength and honor are her clothing. vs. 25
She watches over the ways of her household
And does not eat the bread of idleness. vs. 27
A virtuous woman not only cares physically for her home,
but she is also a "watchman" over the emotional and spiritual condition
of her family. vs. 25
She works willingly with her hands, this is mentioned in two ways here
in Proverbs 31. One way is with upturned hands extended in prayer vs. 13
another is as she ministers or serves. vs.20
Confident in the God to whom she prays, the effective woman knows she
has eternal significance.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
This is the last of this series of Women in Gods Design.
I hope you have been encouraged to seek a closer walk with our heavenly Father.
And find that place were He wants you to serve.
My prayer is that you all will be in the place where His blessings will over flow,
to you and your family.
Thank-you
Lavaida
* The new study for summer 2008 will begin next week.
She seeks wool and flax
And willingly works with her hands. vs. 13
She is not afraid of snow for her household
For all her household is clothed with scarlet. vs. 21
Strength and honor are her clothing. vs. 25
She watches over the ways of her household
And does not eat the bread of idleness. vs. 27
A virtuous woman not only cares physically for her home,
but she is also a "watchman" over the emotional and spiritual condition
of her family. vs. 25
She works willingly with her hands, this is mentioned in two ways here
in Proverbs 31. One way is with upturned hands extended in prayer vs. 13
another is as she ministers or serves. vs.20
Confident in the God to whom she prays, the effective woman knows she
has eternal significance.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
This is the last of this series of Women in Gods Design.
I hope you have been encouraged to seek a closer walk with our heavenly Father.
And find that place were He wants you to serve.
My prayer is that you all will be in the place where His blessings will over flow,
to you and your family.
Thank-you
Lavaida
* The new study for summer 2008 will begin next week.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
16 : Esther - A Woman of Courage
Esther 4:13-16
Through the instruction of Mordecai, Esther realized
that her life had far greater purpose than merely maintaining
her own immediate comfort and status quo.
Mordecai's words pierced her heart; and at a great risk, she
committed herself to follow his advice.
Esther's heart was turned from her own interests to the plans
and purposes of God.
Ultimately, not only did the king receive her, but he offered her
co-rulership with himself. (5:3), and later awarded her his
signet ring. This symbolized a new level of authority in her life.
Her courage resulted in a great deliverance of God's people.
Truly effective women are those who are turned from their
own short-sighted agenda to God's eternal purposes.
May we, by our actions and purpose of heart, not miss any
opportunity, purpose and privilege for being where God has put us.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Through the instruction of Mordecai, Esther realized
that her life had far greater purpose than merely maintaining
her own immediate comfort and status quo.
Mordecai's words pierced her heart; and at a great risk, she
committed herself to follow his advice.
Esther's heart was turned from her own interests to the plans
and purposes of God.
Ultimately, not only did the king receive her, but he offered her
co-rulership with himself. (5:3), and later awarded her his
signet ring. This symbolized a new level of authority in her life.
Her courage resulted in a great deliverance of God's people.
Truly effective women are those who are turned from their
own short-sighted agenda to God's eternal purposes.
May we, by our actions and purpose of heart, not miss any
opportunity, purpose and privilege for being where God has put us.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
15 : Esther - Myrtle - Never Waning
Esther 4:1
Esther was a Jewish orphan - raised by her cousin Mordecai.
The account contained in this book unfolds as God prepares the
way for Esther and for all who will keep His priorities.
In the presence of recognition, success, wealth, and luxury - an
environment many may covet, but proves to destructive to spiritual
commitment -Esther retained her sense of perspective and integrity.
Esther's Hebrew name was "Hadassah", which means "Myrtle",
the well-known beautiful evergreen shrub. Just like an evergreen,
which never wanes in color, her courage and obedience was the
same never waning, even when she was faced with death!
"Esther" in Persian means "star".
Her beauty, grace and character shone bright and unwavering against the
darkness threatening the Jewish people.
It is noted for our growth to see how quietly she served the living God.
1) Her response to Mordecai's call, to recognize God's providence in her
placement on the throne, was belief that God had put her there. (4:14)
2) Her respect for the power of prayer and fasting was evident as she saw
the reality of the spiritual realm and the Holy Spirit. (v.16).
3) Her unswerving will to lay down her own life for others and her
practical good sense and patience in pursuing the call God placed upon her life.
May it be that we can heed the call God has placed upon our lives and
walk as Esther did, with integrity, beauty and grace, that we too would
shine brightly in the darkness of the world.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity
Esther was a Jewish orphan - raised by her cousin Mordecai.
The account contained in this book unfolds as God prepares the
way for Esther and for all who will keep His priorities.
In the presence of recognition, success, wealth, and luxury - an
environment many may covet, but proves to destructive to spiritual
commitment -Esther retained her sense of perspective and integrity.
Esther's Hebrew name was "Hadassah", which means "Myrtle",
the well-known beautiful evergreen shrub. Just like an evergreen,
which never wanes in color, her courage and obedience was the
same never waning, even when she was faced with death!
"Esther" in Persian means "star".
Her beauty, grace and character shone bright and unwavering against the
darkness threatening the Jewish people.
It is noted for our growth to see how quietly she served the living God.
1) Her response to Mordecai's call, to recognize God's providence in her
placement on the throne, was belief that God had put her there. (4:14)
2) Her respect for the power of prayer and fasting was evident as she saw
the reality of the spiritual realm and the Holy Spirit. (v.16).
3) Her unswerving will to lay down her own life for others and her
practical good sense and patience in pursuing the call God placed upon her life.
May it be that we can heed the call God has placed upon our lives and
walk as Esther did, with integrity, beauty and grace, that we too would
shine brightly in the darkness of the world.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
14 : Abigail - A Woman of Understanding
1 Samuel 25:2-35
Abigail's life was difficult.
Her husband was" harsh and evil in his doings".
Yet Abigail was a "woman of good understanding" (vs. 3).
She was wise and respectful, and obviously kept her heart right before the Lord.
When her husband Nabal played the fool (vs.25), she did not
try to change his behavior, but she did intervene. She went directly to
David and he interceded for the lives of her people.
So struck by her courage and wisdom, David not only spared her people
but with great respect he also heeded her counsel, which had eternal consequences for his own life. (vs 32-35).
Abigail knew and trusted God and His ways.
As a result, God could use her to powerfully influence others - even a king.
This is one of several instances in Scripture where women who where called of God
are used by God in crucial situations.
Abigail shows herself worthy to be a queen.
Understanding, wisdom, respectful, courageous, heart right before the Lord, are these characteristic ones that describe the life we have before our lord?
May it be that we strive toward serving our Lord as Abigail - a powerful influence to those around us.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity together.
Abigail's life was difficult.
Her husband was" harsh and evil in his doings".
Yet Abigail was a "woman of good understanding" (vs. 3).
She was wise and respectful, and obviously kept her heart right before the Lord.
When her husband Nabal played the fool (vs.25), she did not
try to change his behavior, but she did intervene. She went directly to
David and he interceded for the lives of her people.
So struck by her courage and wisdom, David not only spared her people
but with great respect he also heeded her counsel, which had eternal consequences for his own life. (vs 32-35).
Abigail knew and trusted God and His ways.
As a result, God could use her to powerfully influence others - even a king.
This is one of several instances in Scripture where women who where called of God
are used by God in crucial situations.
Abigail shows herself worthy to be a queen.
Understanding, wisdom, respectful, courageous, heart right before the Lord, are these characteristic ones that describe the life we have before our lord?
May it be that we strive toward serving our Lord as Abigail - a powerful influence to those around us.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity together.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
13: The Woman The Lord Remembered Hannah
1Samuel 1:19
Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord,
and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew
his wife and the Lord remembered her.
The Lord remembered does not imply the He has forgotten, but that He
is now going to bring His answer to Hannah's prayer and unfold His purposes.
Barrenness was the ultimate tragedy for a married Hebrew woman.
The inability to perpetuate the name of her husband and secure the
orderly transfer of his estate upon his death ( Gen 15: 1-4 )
often resulted in insecurity and humiliation.
Hannah's prayer ( 1Sam 1:10,11 ) as we saw last time, demonstrated the
proper way to handle situations over which we have no control.
She sought God for something only He could do. ( Ps. 34: 15 )
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
(James 5:16 ). Hannah's repetition during her prayer, stating
her position as a maidservant, exemplifies her humility and
dependence on God.
Firm in her conviction she worshiped , and the Lord remembered her.
This brought fruitfulness to her womb and removed the social disgrace
associated at that time with infertility.
Full, complete and final . . . when God does His work.
May we know this fervency, conviction and humility which moves us to be remembered by the Lord.
Be blessed this day!
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord,
and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew
his wife and the Lord remembered her.
The Lord remembered does not imply the He has forgotten, but that He
is now going to bring His answer to Hannah's prayer and unfold His purposes.
Barrenness was the ultimate tragedy for a married Hebrew woman.
The inability to perpetuate the name of her husband and secure the
orderly transfer of his estate upon his death ( Gen 15: 1-4 )
often resulted in insecurity and humiliation.
Hannah's prayer ( 1Sam 1:10,11 ) as we saw last time, demonstrated the
proper way to handle situations over which we have no control.
She sought God for something only He could do. ( Ps. 34: 15 )
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
(James 5:16 ). Hannah's repetition during her prayer, stating
her position as a maidservant, exemplifies her humility and
dependence on God.
Firm in her conviction she worshiped , and the Lord remembered her.
This brought fruitfulness to her womb and removed the social disgrace
associated at that time with infertility.
Full, complete and final . . . when God does His work.
May we know this fervency, conviction and humility which moves us to be remembered by the Lord.
Be blessed this day!
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1 Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
12 : A Woman of Surprising Purpose Hannah
Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said," O Lord of hosts
if you will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and
remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your
maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days
of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.
God uses the burden of Hannah's heart to bring a surprisingly larger
solution to a desire of His own heart.
Barrenness was not only Hannah's condition, but Israel's as well, it was a
season of spiritual need and with little prophetic activity, (Samuel 3:1 )
God sought a voice to speak to His people.
Hannah could not have known that her intense intercession for a child was
moving in concert with God bringing her a son, but also bringing forth the
will and blessing of God for a whole nation.
As she entrusted the longings of her heart to God, He moved on her behalf, but also
advanced His larger plan through her a the same time.
Intercession :
reaching God with a urgent request Jer. 27:18
plead on behalf of another Heb. 7:25
With such a great calling, we,through our prayers for our child or even the intercession for other can be used mightily in God's kingdom.
This might inspire us to think on our families, health issues and other concerns that weight heavy on us. Take all your cares to Him, for cares for you.
A little concerned about how to pray or what to say, may our encouragement come from Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
if you will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and
remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your
maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days
of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.
God uses the burden of Hannah's heart to bring a surprisingly larger
solution to a desire of His own heart.
Barrenness was not only Hannah's condition, but Israel's as well, it was a
season of spiritual need and with little prophetic activity, (Samuel 3:1 )
God sought a voice to speak to His people.
Hannah could not have known that her intense intercession for a child was
moving in concert with God bringing her a son, but also bringing forth the
will and blessing of God for a whole nation.
As she entrusted the longings of her heart to God, He moved on her behalf, but also
advanced His larger plan through her a the same time.
Intercession :
reaching God with a urgent request Jer. 27:18
plead on behalf of another Heb. 7:25
With such a great calling, we,through our prayers for our child or even the intercession for other can be used mightily in God's kingdom.
This might inspire us to think on our families, health issues and other concerns that weight heavy on us. Take all your cares to Him, for cares for you.
A little concerned about how to pray or what to say, may our encouragement come from Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
God's blessing be upon our unity!
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
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