Only God Can Make A Tree

And he (the blessed man) shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth
his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall
not wither; and whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3

My husband and I were driving home from church on a recent Sunday. A part of that trip is through an area of mountains. I made the comment that it's good seeing all of the trees with their green dresses on. During the winter, most of the trees on the mountains to me “go to sleep.” They lose their leaves and stand at gray attention for two or three months. I love when all of the varying shades of green return. I never cease being amazed at all of the shades of green God created, let alone all of the plants, weeds, trees, bushes and grass types that exhibits that color. I've always said that green must be God's favorite color because He created so much of it on this earth.

Scripture tells us a lot about trees and thought it would be interesting to see what some of the verses have to say. I will let the verses speak for themselves. I have put the “trees” words in bold print for emphasis.

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,
Of every tree of the garden thou mayest
freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof
thou shalt surely die.
Genesis 2:16

She (wisdom) is a tree of life to them that
lay hold upon her: and happy is every one
that retaineth her.
Proverbs 3:18

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that winneth souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit.
Matthew 7:17

...who His own self bare our sins in His own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed.
I Peter 2:24

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches;
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of
the tree of life, which is in the midst
of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:24

Just in those verses we find a variety of trees...knowledge of good and evil, tree of life, good/corrupt, and then we read of THE TREE. That tree was the one that made all the difference in the world for us all. Without that tree, the cross that Jesus died on, we would have no life, wouldn't know the difference between good, evil, pure or corrupt. Worse of all, without it, we would know nothing about that tree of life that we can eat of in Heaven.

Recently in one of our church bulletins, the following analogy was written. As I compared Psalm 1:3, with that little article about trees, I was very blessed. The tree planted by water and the benefits that come from being like that tree are enormous. As I read, I couldn't help but be blessed, especially as I find myself living in an area of trees that can only be counted in number by God.

Concerning Trees...and Us
Have deep roots,
Branch out,
Be flexible,
Keep growing on the inside,
Bloom often,
Show your colors,
Point your trunk upward,
Raise your limbs to heaven,
And bring forth good fruit,
As long as you live.

Father, we are so blessed by the various aspects of Your creative genius. A poet once wrote that only You can make a tree. Only You can change the human heart and I pray You will do Your work in mine. I want to be that “tree example” You would have me be that can be accomplished only in Your power. May it be so for Your glory. In Jesus' name....Amen

SPIRITUAL DEHYDRATION

Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of
the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst: but the water that I shall give
him shall be in him a well of water springing
up into everlasting life.
John 4:13

My husband and I were driving through a special mountain area and came to a trail we had hiked in the past and decided to hike the trail. We hadn't made preparations for this hike ahead of time...it was just a spur of the moment thing. The trail took us one mile UP to a cabin area. The UP part was rather steep and tiresome. We knew the trip down would be easier. Brian was wearing good shoes for hiking, but I was only in my moccasins...they were comfortable. I would find later that they weren't comfortable for a hike. Not only that, we had no bottles of water with us.

Hiking up to the cabin was about the most exhausting trek I had been on in a very long time. We took extra time to sit on the porch of the cabin and enjoyed the view and aromas that are present in such a setting. We headed back down the trail and I became so exhausted, I could hardly put one foot in front of the other, even going downhill. I knew immediately that I HAD to have water or I would probably pass out before we could get to the car. Fortunately, there was a beautiful, clear stream bouncing off of rocks...cool and clear...that I was able to drink from. I can hear you now, “You shouldn't do that.” I agree and would never recommend it unless you felt like I did at that time.

Our bodies will give us signals when we are depriving it of fluids. People have died from dehydration. Dehydration basically is when the human body doesn't have enough fluid to keep it functioning. It means that there is more water loss than water intake. At first, ones mouth or throat becomes uncomfortably dry so we simply get something to drink. If there is no water intake, we can be uncomfortable in general, headache may set in and even confusion can result. Death can eventually occur even in a matter of days if the human body is not hydrated. Dieters take water pills to help with losing weight. Not only is the body deprived of essential fluids in that process, but also of essential minerals. So under different circumstances, the body can be robbed of more than just fluids.

The Word of God speaks a lot about water. It speaks of the physical need of water. While in the wilderness, the Israelites found themselves without water. I would think that nothing could make people angrier than being in the middle of a desert area...hot and dry...having run out of water. Their approach to Moses was less than cordial and they demanded that Moses do something about the situation. Moses went to God for a solution and we read God's answer to the situation.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Ex. 17:6

In this time of desperate need for something as simple as water, God met that need. God still meets the physical needs of His people. He may not always provide our needs in usual ways. Who could have thought...water from a rock...but our God is full of love, compassion and surprises.

One of the most memorized portions of Scripture by many Christians is Psalm 23. It gives us so many sweet assurances regarding our Good Shepherd and how He wants to function in
in our lives. In verse 2, we read:

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

This is one of the most calming and reassuring verses we can find in Scripture. We see two things our Good Shepherd wants to do for us. Here we may move abit from physical water to a restful and secure place. I know of times God has “made” me to lie down. He will do that when we refuse to lay down and rest in Him. He has ways of getting our attention. Sheep won't drink from turbulent or dirty water and by the way, He doesn't want you or me to have to drink from that kind of spiritual water, the water of the world that can contaminate and infect us. He wants us to drink from the fresh, pure water of His Word. God knows what can happen to us when we get away from Him. Again:

For my people have committed two evils, they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13

Later in Israel's history, two unfortunate things happened and they were things of the people's own doing in that time of sin and turmoil. God's people would be and eventually were judged, found guilty and sent into exile for their sin. They turned their back on God, the provider of living waters....the very Fountain, Himself. They then compounded their sin by digging out cisterns, most being very fragile to hold whatever water they could catch from any source. That wouldn't even be water that would be usable. We too make choices. When we turn from the living God, we are bound to make follow-up choices that don't honor God and that can lead us in a downward spiral.

Jesus spoke with such encouragement to folks when He spoke of the last day and the great feast we Christians anticipate. In the meantime, Jesus gave a sweet assurance of His continual supply of spiritual water, as much as we want of it. We can have that spiritual water of His to the point that it will just overflow from our lives. It's not a water we can get from a stream or a faucet. This is available to those who have accepted Him as Savior.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37

A final promise from God and His Word looking to future days of which you and I are now a part:

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

May it be so...come Lord Jesus!

Unclaimed Blessings

Call unto Me, and I will answer
thee, and shew thee great and mighty
things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

“Unclaimed blessings” isn't a term I hear much anymore. Of course, it depends on how it is used. When growing up in our Baptist church in my home town, we had a wonderful single lady who was well past what folks referred to as the “marryin' age.” She loved children and worked with them whenever any opportunity presented itself. My Mother and another lady were speaking of this lady one day within my hearing. They weren't gossiping, but were speaking very complimentary of her. My Mother asked the other lady that she wondered why this lover of children had never married as she would seem to be a good catch for some guy and a terrific mom as well. Her friend commented that this must one of God's “unclaimed blessings.”

In some local newspapers, there are sometimes 1-3 pages listing people's names with an amount of money beside each name that hasn't been claimed by them.. This money is available to each person if they will make a certain official contact to get information on the circumstances of that money. Many of those people may be deceased where some of their funds, perhaps forgotten by them, sits in a bank somewhere. Their families probably don't even know of the accounts. After notification, those funds must be claimed by the people on the list or their legal representative in a certain amount of time or they will lose the money.

Having been a casemanager with foster children, I sometimes came across unclaimed children. Some of these children were throw away children whose parents for some strange reason didn't want to claim their own children....unclaimed children...who can imagine, but it happens.

There are some unclaimed things other than money, children, houses, or items in a pawn shop to be considered. One unclaimed blessing many people fail to claim is that of the salvation that is everyone's through the purchasing blood of Jesus Christ. It cannot be stressed how basic this is to everything else in our lives. People can seek everything they want and may even get it, but all is for nothing without claiming the salvation that is theirs through the death of Jesus for their sins. It took the shed blood of a sacrifice and Jesus was that sacrifice. Blood banks keep every type of blood for special emergency use for those who must have it to stay alive during surgery or after an accident. Our spiritual lives and eternity also depends on the shed blood of Jesus to maintain life now and for eternity. That blood isn't sitting in a cooler somewhere. it is within heart's reach.

Another unclaimed blessing very often is that of peace. In Philippians 4:6-7, we read that one source of peace that passes all understanding is by praying and turning our worries and concerns over to Jesus. Somehow, we have come to the conclusion that the more we worry, the more we are solving our concerns. We don't see the toll the lack of prayer and letting Jesus have control takes on us. So unfortunately, peace is often left on a shelf in our lives while Jesus stands ready to give us what we need or sometimes desire.

Although there are so many unclaimed blessings we leave to one side, I'll add only one more. I realize that God has promised that “I will never leave you or forsake you.” His presence is promised to you and me is based on His very word. However, many of us at times don't even give recognition of the Lord's presence in our lives. His presence is very real, but might as well not be if we don't recognize His presence and take advantage of that presence whether it be for fellowship or out of need. No one likes to be ignored. Brian and I were visiting a large church that he was considering when we made a move to another city. It was raining after the morning service so he went for the car. I found myself in the good sized vestibule, alone. with the pastor. It would seem that he too was waiting for someone's arrival. We were probably in that area for at least five minutes with no one else around. He didn't greet me, or try to start a conversation...he only paced with never a word. Needless to say, when Brian asked my input regarding further attendance at that church, I was negative on the subject. That was just two people in a church vestibule, where a pastor should have at least said hello to a visitor. How must our loving Father, God of the universe, Father of Jesus Christ feel when we walk around, living life never speaking to Him or seeking fellowship with Him.

So what does Scripture say about these three unclaimed blessings:

PURCHASED
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth
us from all sin.
I John 1:7

PEACE
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid.
John 14:27

PRESENCE
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19

How very sad for you and me when God has provided so many benefits and blessings to us that we don't care to claim. He makes these provisions out of His love for us. I'm sure it grieves Him when He wants to do so much for us and His blessings are left unclaimed. We are the ones who lose if we never read our Bibles, are lax in prayer, attend church only if we feel like it...all of which are sources of learning and nurturing our relationship with the One who has promised to be our all in all. Let's not leave a single blessing unclaimed that God has provided for us.

Thank You Father, for sending Jesus to shed His blood for my salvation. Thank You Jesus, for coming to die for me and everyone else. Through Your sacrifice, we have peace and the consistency of Your presence through Your Holy Spirit. I know You want good things in my life...you want to bless me. Forgive my ingratitude. Help me to be more appreciative and to gratefully accept Your goodness in my life. In Jesus' name...Amen

Don't Let Them Slip

Therefore we ought to give the more
earnest heed to the things which we
have heard, lest at any time we

should let them slip.
Hebrews 2:1

Most of my elementary school years, I had to walk up a bit of a hill to get to school. During that time, I lived in two different houses and had a hill either way to get to school. These hills weren't the size to be insurmountable. There was a sidewalk, but I can recall something that made for so much fun. Occasionally, in the winter, we would have an ice storm. It was such fun seeing everything outdoors covered and dropping with thick ice. In those days, there were no school cancellations. If you could get there, you went. The fun in the mornings was getting up those ice covered sidewalks. We walked, fell, crawled, fell, and really tried to walk as much as we could on the ice-covered concrete. We laughed all the way to school and were wet messes when we arrived in our classrooms. Those slippy-slidey days were such fun but for some folks, slipping isn't fun at all.

One of the greatest health risks to senior citizens in our country today is the problem of slipping and falling. Despite removing as many obstacles as possible, there are floors, showers, bath tubs and wet surfaces that cause slipping accidents that can either cause great disability or even death. Slipping accidents aren't just reserved for senior saints. How many skinned knees of children have we mother's cleaned up and bandaged. I've seen even professional ice skaters take some horrific falls on the ice and they are well acquainted with that surface and the dangers of falling on it.

To the Hebrew Christians, the author gave a spiritual warning that is relevant in our day just as it was then. He expressed a caution for Christians to pay attention to those things we have heard that are related to our faith. That's a huge caution. If we don't take notice, there is a danger and the author addresses that as well. He cautions that we mustn't let those things slip. What things? We have been exposed to a lot of preaching and teaching of the Word of God. We've been to seminars, retreats and have read not only our Bibles, but any number of other articles or books related to our faith. Let me ask us, “How much has stuck?” From all of the information regarding our faith, what do we actually retain and apply to our lives. You see, if there is nothing that has stayed with us, then there's nothing to let slip and that would be a tragedy.

What do we mean by the word “slip?” It may seem obvious in some ways but not in others. A combination of dictionaries have said things like:

loosing one's balance or footing
when footing is lost
a minor or careless mistake (“Slip of the tongue”)

The first three definitions have to do with one's footing. If we are to avoid slippage spiritually, we have to know where we stand. We often sing in church “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” If we are firmly standing on Jesus Christ and His Word, there will be no slippage. Spiritual slippage will never be God's fault. It will be of our own doing because we let it happen.

With our fourth definition, I'm not sure there is such a thing with sin that is a minor or careless mistake, but this will be the area where we really slip up. The retaining of God's input into our lives is our best defense against slipping (sinning.)

If we don't take heed the warnings regarding slipping away from the things of God, what can be some of the results? When I tried to get up that small icy hill on my way to school, usually walked 3 steps and would often fall and slide back 5 steps. Sin will do that to us as well. Our author of Hebrews also cautioned that at anytime, we could let the things of God slip. When we least expect it, we can slip on that icy hill. We mustn't be so prideful that we feel we can never fall. It can and does happen to any of us. We are to be cautious and careful because Satan doesn't play fair and we who love the Lord are all in his sights.

An icy heart can cause us to slip spiritually. May you and I stay warm toward the things of God. Hopefully we will stay so close to Jesus that not even a layer of sinful frost will be able to coat our hearts. We need desperately to stay armed and ready to defend the faith that is so precious to us.

In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us a list of the armor of God that is provided for us in fending off the wiles of the Devil. Different pieces of that armor are described in verses 14-17. Paul had been around Roman soldiers more than he cared to be and knew what their armor looked like. The feet of a soldier was important. They wore good sandals with special fittings on the bottom that kept them secure no matter the ground or rocks they had to walk or run across. Paul spoke of our feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. “This signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart to adhere to the gospel, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion.” ---Matthew Henry The feet of a soldier were important as was good footing. The same is true of us if we are to stand firm in our faith.

On those icy days, my Mother made me wear heavy, warm clothing and galoshes. Galoshes were of rubber to keep young feet warmer, water proofed and help with gripping icy sidewalks on the way to school. Our Heavenly Father has provided us with spiritual clothing (armor), His Word and a close spiritual family relationship to keep us safe, warm and solid ground for standing on where slipping can be avoided.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,
that my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:36

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my
footsteps slip not.
Psalm 17:5

AMEN and AMEN

M O M

...greatly desiring to see thee, being
mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled
with joy;
when I call to remembrance the
unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and
thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded
that in thee also.
II Timothy 1:4,5

Never can we underestimate the influence of Godly mothers and grandmothers. My children had a grandmother by the name of Lois. Every time I read the above verses and see that name, I think of her and thank the Lord for her Godly influence in the lives of our children and all of our family. She was a grandmother who faithfully prayed for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The mother and grandmother of Timothy had such a strong influence in his life as well so that Paul made note of it as he saw their influence in the ministry of a young Timothy who was of such help to Paul.

All of we moms have had some of the same desires for our children at times as we began the adventure of motherhood. God blessed me with three terrific children and each very different in her/his own right:
Jennie: our first baby (adopted at birth), brunette
Beverly: our first-born baby, blond
Johnny: our first boy, red hair

Each had different personalities and interests. Even though they may have wondered at times, I loved them dearly and still do. My frustration with motherhood was that I had no idea how to be a good mother. I wanted the same thing for my children that most mothers want for theirs: that they would grow healthy, educated, have healthy marriages and happy children. More than all of those frills of life, I like other Christian mothers desired more than anything that at the proper time, each of my children would come to know Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Along with that, I hoped they would grow to be strong Christians who delighted in a close and growing relationship with Jesus. I knew if they had that relationship, they would be equipt to meet life. They have given me every reason to be pleased with each of them.

I recently found the most beautiful bookmark at a Christian book store. I used resources from one of my children to purchase it. It has flowers and butterflies, some of which are in 3-D. On one side of the bookmark is a statement I like:

“A mother's love is a garden where the sun
always shines and the season is always spring.”

On the other side are two brief statements:

“Mothers hold a child's hand awhile
and their hearts forever?"

“Mothers plant the seeds of love that
help us bloom forever.”

On the bottom of each side of the bookmark is the word MOM. As I was sitting in church last Sunday and was turning to the Scripture that applied to the sermon, I took notice of something that made me smile. I had my lovely bookmark sticking out of my Bible, but it was upside down. There was the word MOM, but it suddenly had become a different word. On both sides of the bookmark, the upside down word read “WOW.” I know that wasn't the word that was intended, but I must admit that I forgot for the moment the Scripture I was to look up. I was suddenly finding myself thinking of the WOW it has been being a mom to my three children. I've had so many WOW moments that include first steps, candy corn rewards for successful potty training, school accomplishments, salvation and baptisms, graduations, surgeries (all three),courtships, marriages, birth of children and on and on it goes. It's the similar WOW moments other mothers have experienced just as I have.

My regrets have to do with my failures...raised voices, impatience, not listening as I should have, critical when not necessary, harsh with discipline and perhaps other mistakes made by parents everywhere. Somehow God allowed my children to survive me and to benefit from my mistakes, but that's because they are WOW children. There is no way they can ever know the prayers, lost sleep, tears, teaching, hopes and dreams as a MOM I had and continue to have for the three of them.

We often won't know some of the things that have stuck in the minds and hearts of our children as a result of their rearing process. My mother will never know what a couple of trips to the Smoky Mountain National Park meant to a very little girl who fell in love with the trees and streams of that place. Today it's where my husband and I live. There were other lasting things through the years she impressed on my mind and spirit. She was a WOW-MOM more often than she knew.

To those of you MOMs who read this, have the happiest of Mother's Days. You may or may not hear from your children, but rest in the fact that you've so often been that WOW person in their lives. God knows of your loving care and concern through the years and it's Him we all want to please. We also know that parenthood is for life, so let's continue to WOW those children of ours through our prayers, love and influence.

Happy Mother's Day !!!

Dear Father, You're the perfect parent setting always the perfect example for us to follow. More than anything, no matter what, You are consistent in Your love for us no matter how we mess up. You are our Abba Father and we thank You more than we can say. We love You!...in Jesus precious name....Amen