Leviticus 4; Psalm 1, 2; Proverbs 19; Colossians 2

Hiking in the woods, near a stream, is one of my favorite things to do. The closer you get to creation, the closer you get to The Creator. His very character is embedded in nature – and it is no coincidence. Just as you can learn much about an artist, as you see a painting, natural settings cry out about God. The words of Psalm 1 came to life as I read them:

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:3 NIV

Tree planted by streams of water

In Psalm 1, a person who meditates on God’s word day and night is equated to a tree planted by a stream – it grows, bears fruit and prospers. The trees roots are immersed in the water, soaking up the goodness that makes it thrive. Even if there are rocks, as in the picture above, the tree finds a way to get those roots in the water. Jesus is our Living Water. It is only through constant immersion in Him, that we can grow and bear fruit.

In Leviticus 4, it discusses all the types of sacrifices that had to be made to make things right with God. Yet, because of Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, we can come to God, clean, anytime we want. What a blessing to have the Living Water covering us, bathing us.

A couple years ago, I got to see the Redwoods for the very first time. It was far beyond my wildest imagination. When I inquired what made them so big, the answer was that the conditions of the rain  and the mist make it ideal for them to grow. We have control over our conditions. Consider that – as our roots our bathed in Living Water and our leaves are covered with the Holy Spirit, The Word, and Fellowship, etc. we too can grow. Wow!

Lord, I want to be like a redwood. Help me to grow roots that soak up your goodnes. Help me to immerse myself in you. Thank you for your provision and your availability.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

There it is again….rooted and built up in Him. I love how God reveals himself in tangible things that surround us. I encourge you to get outside and see Him. He is everywhere.

Ann (naturelady)

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Num. 2; Ps. 36; Eccles. 12; Philemon 1

I was talking to another mom yesterday about a situation in her life, and I asked her if she prayed about it. I admitted that I don’t always pray about the things in my life; and I wondered if I thought my stuff was too big for God–like a situation seemed so impossible or complex, there was no hope. I think that’s where the enemy wants us–feeling powerless and hopeless. It seemed silly to consider that–especially when I looked all around me and all that I saw GOD CREATED. Was there ever anything too complex for him?

Numbers 2–tribes lined underneath family banners, and the last paragraph is a refrain: exactly as the Lord instructed; as the Lord commanded; as the Lord commanded.

Psalm 36–glimpsing into the heart of evil; conceit; no fear of God; they can’t see who they really are; plotting; and no attempt to turn from evil. I almost get lost in what seems hopeless, until these words direct me higher:

⁵ Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
    your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
⁷     How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
    in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
    letting them drink from your river of delights.
⁹ For you are the fountain of life,
    the light by which we see. Psalm 36:5-9 NLT

Mighty God. Unfailing, faithful, righteous and just, caring, sheltering, providing, life and light. Is there really anything so complex you can’t handle?

Ecclesiastes tells me again and again, to honor God and remember him.

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” ² Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. ³ Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

⁴ Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

⁵ Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

⁶ Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. ⁷ For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 NLT.

Lord, I want to enter each day remembering you–not only for what you have done, but for who you are and what you can do. My problems and concerns are not too great for you. I want to walk confidently in the plan you have for me, because I trust you and I know that you love me. You are faithful.

Courtney (66books365)

Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 105; Isaiah 45; Revelation 15

Sometimes it is really easy to take things for granted.  I get into a groove, kind of like auto-pilot, and just expect things to fall into place.  Then all of the sudden, there’s a malfunction and I am knocked back into reality.  I pause and get myself back on track, focused and attentive.  It’s not like I forget things; it is more of an issue of shifting my attention to things other than my goal.  Reading Isaiah 45 today was kind of like a “friendly reminder” to me!

“I am Yahweh, and there is no other; there is no God but Me.” (v.5)

“So that all may know from the rising of the sun to the setting that there is no one but Me.  I am Yahweh, and there is no other.”(v.6)

“I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster, I, Yahweh, do all these things.” (v.7)

Throughout this entire passage, God reminds me that He is God and that there is no other.  He establishes His sovereignty and His power.  His acts of greatness, mercy, and justice are discussed.  He is the Creator, the Source, the Redeemer, and my Holy God.  He has the whole world in His hands.  The sun rises and sets because He has ordered it.  God is the Master Planner of the earth.  And I am so small in comparison.  Yet He loves me so much — so much that He says, “I, Yahweh, the God of Israel call you by your name” (v. 3).  My Great God calls me by name.  How amazing that His works are so glorious and yet He is so personal that He calls me by my name.

I am humbled.  Living life on auto-pilot is not only exhausting, it is actually boring.  I want my eyes to be on Him, the Author and Finisher of my faith.  I want to live in full commune with Him, with an extreme awareness of His glory.  I want to watch the sun rise with new eyes… eyes that see His marvelous works and cause me to fall to my knees in worship and in awe.  I don’t want to take things for granted anymore.

God, I pray for a renewed sense of appreciation, an awareness of Your amazingly good deeds.  Lord, I desire to walk in step with You, allowing You to guide me and lead me down the path that You have chosen for me.  I want to participate on this adventure with You.  I pray that You would help me to focus on who You are, remembering and worshipping You because You deserve it.

Psalm 105:1-11

 ¹ Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; 
   make known among the nations what he has done. 
² Sing to him, sing praise to him; 
   tell of all his wonderful acts. 
³ Glory in his holy name; 
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 
⁴ Look to the LORD and his strength; 
   seek his face always.

 ⁵ Remember the wonders he has done, 
   his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 
⁶ you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, 
   his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. 
⁷ He is the LORD our God; 
   his judgments are in all the earth.

 ⁸ He remembers his covenant forever, 
   the promise he made, for a thousand generations, 
⁹ the covenant he made with Abraham, 
   the oath he swore to Isaac. 
¹⁰ He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, 
   to Israel as an everlasting covenant: 
¹¹ “To you I will give the land of Canaan 
   as the portion you will inherit.”

Suzie (suzielawyer)