There are a few go-to verses I have, but there is one that stands out as my number one verse. When I am unsure; when I am clueless; when I am at the end of my rope-- there is one verse that I bring to mind.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Melissa - My heart
I see dandelions in the morning and all of their little heads are turned towards the sun taking it in; just like we should be. Turned towards the Son and taking it all in. Dandelions may be useless and a nuisance in the world’s eyes, but God made them and in their own little way they reflect His glory and point towards Him.
I would rather be a dandelion always looking towards and reflecting the Son than the prettiest rose hiding in the shade. I have two little, bitty rose stems that grow by my front porch. Don’t know how they got there. They just started growing. They both put out one single yellow rose twice a year. I love yellow roses because they remind me of my earthly daddy. But the homely dandelion always reminds me of my heavenly Father. I am that homely dandelion. I get in people’s way. I feel pretty useless sometimes- like I am just taking up space on terra firma. But God (don’t you love those two words?) doesn’t see me that way. I guess I could choose to look at dandelions as weeds, but I don’t. They are a beautiful reminder of a Father who cares for all, regardless of how people may label them.
I love the book Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. I think a fan of Jesus probably looks nice and will give God credit for how nice she looks and for what she does at church. But a Follower of Jesus not only gives God the credit for any good in herself and her life, but always reflects any glory back to God. We, in ourselves, are not capable of any lasting good. In Romans 7:19, Paul is lamenting on how he keeps doing the very same bad things that he doesn’t want to do over and over. The APOSTLE PAUL! If he can’t get it right, who can? We can. But only through God and a daily denying of self and surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s work in our life. You see, dandelions don’t need any outside help to be beautiful. Nobody fertilizes them, at least not on purpose. Nobody sets the timer on their sprinklers to make sure that their dandelions receive the correct amount of water each week. God takes care of them. All of their sustenance and care comes from Him and in return, they bloom each morning and shine their little faces up toward Him in appreciation.
Until next month, may “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Until next month, may “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Melissa - my favorite verse
My favorite verse from the Bible is Psalm 18:19b, but I’ve already written about that one in a previous post. I have so many second favorites that it was hard to pick just one.
Isaiah 43:18-19 is so encouraging to me. (I know it’s two verses, but they go together) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams of the wasteland.” I have many regrets from my past. Things that I wish I could change, but, of course, never can. As I’ve written about before, I have fought, and actually still do on occasion, depression (bi-polar to be exact, but not the kind you typically think of). Because of the severity of it in my past, I missed a good many years of my children’s childhood (to the point that I have absolutely no memory of long periods of time). I stood by them and was somewhat present for those early years, but I was emotionally distant and did not find joy in being a mom. I am so ashamed of my behavior during those difficult years. But, my God has shown His mercy and His grace to me by giving me double love for my children now. I have been forgiven for those past mistakes.
Of course, being human, I will sometimes go to the place of guilt and condemnation for the things I cannot change. I go into that miserable place as if it is an open jail cell and slam the door shut to carry out my self-proclaimed sentence of shame, guilt and sadness. I sit and wallow in that cell as if somehow reliving the past could pay the price for my sins. That will never pay the price. It will only prolong the agony of regret. God is the only one who forgives sin and He has forgiven me and not only that, but He was the one who unlocked that jail cell and set me free from that pain. He tells me to leave those things behind and not to go back there and relive that time. He says that He is working in me to create a new person every day. I am fertile ground and refreshing water, not a wasteland of depression and guilt.
Note to Reader: I do take medication for the bi-polar disease, but not nearly as much as in the past. It is a medical necessity in many cases. I have learned, however, with intense Biblical Counseling (http://www.biblicalcounseling.com/), that I did/do not rely on God and did/do not speak truth to myself. (notice I still do those things) Both good truth and bad truth. I am a sinner and I do sinful things, but I am also a child of God and He loves me in a way I will never ever be able to comprehend this side of heaven. Once I confess my sin and ask His forgiveness, He is faithful and just and forgives me. He has provided a way for me to escape the temptations that once held me captive. I don’t always choose to use that escape, but it is there none-the-less.
Yvonne - my favorite verse
John 3:16 is the most well known verse in the Bible. It truly sums up the message of the Bible too.
Jamie - my favorite verse
Be
Still
We used to have a dog named Honey. Among other things, she never learned to walk
properly on the leash.
Grace - My favorite verse
Psalm 42:1 "As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, God."
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