Things to Ponder

Jesus did not bring peace to the world. When he spoke to the rabbis and teachers of the day, He shook up their world. They grumbled against Him and about Him.

He only brought peace to the individual lives of the people who chose to follow and obey Him. People who chose to have a relationship with Him.

Today, many churches focus on bringing peace to the world and everyone living in harmony and unity. But when they do that, they begin to compromise the Word of God.

If we want to be like Jesus, we need to shake up the “norm” that is out there.

We need to bring peace to the individual lives of hurting people, not try to accomplish peace by accepting everything that comes our way.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a God that wants to see things happen, but only when we do it His way. He is a jealous God.

Let’s listen to Him today and bring peace into the lives of those around us. Speaking the Truth in love and bringing them into a closer relationship with the Living God.

Come Near to God

"His (God's) message was not, 'Come to God or you'll burn in hell.' His message was, 'God's kingdom has come near you and you can become a participant in it. You have a Father who loves you more than any other person ever has or ever will, and you can now discover what it means to have a daily relationship with Him. If you choose not to, then your own sin will destroy you utterly and completely." Wayne Jacobsen "He Loves Me"

This quote stuck out to me this morning as I was reading quietly before everyone woke up. It was a complete reminder of how much HE loves me. And confirmed the fact that I don’t love Him just for the gifts He gives me, I love Him because He first loved me!

Another line from the book a paragraph down says, “If you want His gifts without wanting Him, you cheat yourself out of the best portion.”

I love when my children run up to me and say, “I love you, Mommy” and don't expect anything in return. Just think how much more our Lord loves to hear us say, “I love you, Lord.”

Have you told the Lord lately that you love Him? Have you discovered the treasure that the Lord has for you – HIS love? What have you done to seek out that love?

Remember, He has drawn near to you, have you drawn near to Him?

Rose Horton

Rest, Refresh, Restore
A Well-Watered Garden
Isaiah 58:11

Birth Pains

I wrote this back in March, but the truth of it only continues to escalate as the birth pains continue to get closer and closer together...

The Bible lesson I taught my children the other day spoke about the greatness of God. It was asking the question, “How big is God?” It spoke of the verses that said the span of His hands could reach … And then it talked about how He could hold the water of the oceans in the palm of His hands. The children were blown away when I was talking about it. Their eyes got so big.

Then I told them that God’s arms could reach around and hug the world. They thought that was so neat, to think that God could HUG the world!

This morning (Tuesday, March 16, 2010) I was reflecting on it more. I read about the minor earthquake in LA. Just another reminder of the birth pains and signs that the 2^nd coming of our Messiah is getting closer and closer. As I thought about God’s arms around the earth giving it a hug, I saw Him squeezing the earth. As we all know, when someone squeezes us real tight – it can be painful!!! We also know that squeezing, tightening muscles (birth pains) is what brings forth a child.

The time is drawing near our friends. God is squeezing this earth – showing us His LOVE by hugging us soooo tight that we hurt a little, all to let us know that His Son is about ready to return. We need to be ready! We need to help others be ready!

Let Him water your garden today. Let Him help you grow into a mature plant that bears fruit.

Rose Horton

Rest, Refresh, Restore

A Well-Watered Garden

Isaiah 58:11