Changed By Love

Consider the Lilies

Mar.22,2011

Why did God make flowers?

For us to use!

I’ve been buying flowers for us. Reading The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer helped me realize the importance of adding little touches of beauty to our home and table. I notice that I feel better when I see a spot of color on our table. It gives me a sense of well-being and a lift to my spirit. My children enjoy them, too. They notice them when I first bring them home, and they help me take care of them. Flowers add joy to the atmosphere of our home.

I’ve been buying flowers for friends and family. I have felt led by the Lord to buy flowers recently for my mom, for my sister and for my friend. They had all gone through trying times, and I just knew that I was supposed to send them flowers. They each called me to thank me and were in tears because of the joy that the flowers and the sentiment brought them. They felt loved and cared for. I knew that God sent those flowers to them. He just used me to get them to them.

Flowers are extra special because of the message they bring to us.

²⁶ If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
(Luke 12:26-28, New King James Version)

We are worth more than these flowers of the field. You and I are created in the very image of God. We are His children. The flowers are adorned and cared for by their Maker. How much more so are we?

All of the pictures of flowers I chose for this post, they’re all LILIES. All different types of lilies: Easter Lilies, Lily of the Valley, Water Lilies, Day Lilies and – TA-DAH!!! our own Wander Lilies from Kansas City:

And Easter Lilies that Kelsey wanted to buy while we lived in Belleville:

With all of this variety and concern and attention to detail that God pours into flowers that will only last a few weeks or a season and which have no soul or spirit, can we begin to imagine how He feels about us – the crown of His Creation – the ones He gave His life for?!!!

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

I hope you are now inspired to spread joy and cheer to someone you love through flowers!

Pregnancy Help Centers Offer Help and Hope

Mar.22,2011

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REFLECTION by Rev. John Ensor, Heartbeat International
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“You have twins. That will be another $350.” She did
not speak English. But she finally understood that
they were telling her to go get more money and return
for her abortion.

She had already given them her rent money. But they
were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They
told her to get dressed and return with more cash.

A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her.
They brought her to their local pregnancy help center.

The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances
were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need
direct and ongoing help from local Christians and
churches. They started making calls.

Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only
one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless
mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she
was told. Who would know? Who would care?

God calls us to “Rescue the weak and the needy; and
deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4).

When you provide an alternative to abortion you are
not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering
mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the
shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue
and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.

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PRAYER
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Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from
the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses
and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from
evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand
of provision.

Fear the Lord = Kiss the Son

Mar.21,2011

Psalm 2 (a Messianic Psalm that hints of God’s Trinitarian nature) shows us that the fear of the Lord is best understood as the opportunity to: “Kiss the Son!” (verse 12). Oh, if only we’d see how precious the Lord is! We would take great care not to offend him in any way. We’d delight in him with affection always. This is a healthy, mature fear of the Lord. Truly, “Perfect love removes all fear” (1 John 4:18).

My prayer inspired by Psalm 2 will help you to appreciate how precious Jesus is:

A Prayer to Kiss the Son of God

O Jesus, I see you smile at me! I see your arms open to me! In my excitement I run to you. I throw myself into your arms. I kiss your cheeks again and again. I burrow my head in your chest.

Jesus! Jesus! Sweet Jesus! Your name is honey on my lips. Your Spirit is water to my thirsty soul. Your Word is the bread of heaven for me to I live off of every day.

Jesus, you are most dear to me. You are the One I delight in. You capture my interest like no one or nothing else. To be near you in your kingdom is heaven on earth. How could I be so privileged and honored as to be welcomed into your arms of love?

All my worries are put to rest when I simply speak your name: Jesus! All my hurts are comforted when I embrace you. All my ambitions mean nothing next to you. Temptations have no appeal when I look into your lovely face. When I fail and when I succeed all that matters is your grace.

When people criticize me I remember your cross, O Christ. When they praise me I remember to give glory to you. Whether they support me or disappoint me I give thanks for your faithful love.

Jesus, you alone are my Refuge, my Safe Place, my Hiding Place. You are my Secret Soul Mate, my One Essential Friend – I love to carry on conversation with you all day long!

I am the most blessed person on earth to kiss the Son of God!

Making Jesus the desire of your heart always puts all of your life in proper perspective and is the answer to all of your problems. Probably you won’t hear many Christian psychologists say that, but I have found it to be true for myself and many people I help.

Taken from an article by Bill Gaultiere at CBN.com. Here’s the link to read the whole article.