Why Is There Color?

I read a great devotion in My Daily Bread the other day. Psalm 19:1-6

Why do some trees turn into a collage of radiant maroon, red, orange, and yellow colors in the fall? Trees are green in the summer cause chlorophyll, a green pigment in the leaves, absorbs red and blue light from the sun. The light reflected from the leaves appears green to our eyes.

Chlorophyll is an unstable substance, and bright sunlight causes it to decompose rapidly. Therefore, plants must continuously synthesize and regenerate it. The shortening days and cool nights of autumn, however, interfere with the process. As chlorophyll breaks down, the green colors of the leaves begin to fade. Some trees change from green to bright yellow as the chlorophyll degrades. In others, the action of sugar in the leaves creates a red pigment, causing the leaves to turn maroon, purple, and bright red as the chlorophyll fades.

But why do we have color? It seems to serve no practical purpose - at least none that scientists can discern. And why are there photoreceptors in our eyes that enable us to see it?

I believe that God's goodness is the point of His creation. He is "good to all, and His tender mercies are over all his works" (Ps. 145:9). He colored the world for our childlike delight. He's like that, you know. - David Roper

What an awesome God we serve - He gives us color just for our pleasure. Enjoy the beauty of Fall and the creation given to us.

Pure Heart, Holy Life.

Today's devotion from my Women's Devotional Bible is 1 Chronicles 28:1-10 - Pure Heart, Holy Life.

If our hearts are pure, the rest of our lives will be pure also. We will be humble not only in our actions but also in our thoughts. Our contentment will be exhibited in our speech as well as felt in our inner desires. Our compassion will not only be godly in the deeds themselves but also in the motives behind the acts. Our diligence in detail will be mirrored by the care we take of the hiddden places of hearts. The wisdom that we offer others will be lived out in our relationships with the members of our own families.

The world is filled with troubled people - people with so much hurt, turmoil, and sin beneath the thin veneer of their lives that they spread chaos and pain wherever they go. The woman of godly character stands in contrast, a balm to the wounds of the world and a source of strength and encouragement to all who come her way.

She knows that "the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thought" (1 Chronicles 28:9) but she is not afraid. For she trusts, not in her own holiness, but in the Lord, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus " (Philippians 1:6)

Have a blessed day.

Who is making your choices?

The Daily Bread devotion this morning is about making choices. In Gen. 13:9-13, we read that Abraham and Lot needed to part ways because the land could not support both of them. Abraham gave Lot the choice. Lot made it based on physical attractiveness, etc. The Bible does not record that he went to God for guidance. Lot ended up losing everything - family, possessions, respect.

We know how God rewarded Abraham's faithfulness!

Who makes your choices? God is the author of creation...He knows time from the beginning to the end (not that there is a beginning or end!). He knows the future. We are wise when we go to Him for direction in all our choices.

Have an awesome day.

For This I have Jesus

Daily Bread devotion from yesterday: Read Psalm 66:1-15

In an evangelistic meeting in Ireland the speaker was explaining what it means to abide in Christ and to trust Him completely in every trial. Concluding his message, he repeated several times, "It means that in every circumstance you can keep on saying, 'For this I have Jesus'".

The meeting was then opened for testimonies. One young woman said, "Just a few minutes ago I was handed this telegram. It reads, "Mother is very ill; take train home immediately." When I saw those words. I knew that tonight's message was meant just for me. My heart looked up and said, 'for this I have Jesus.' Instantly a peace and strength flooded my soul."

Three or four weeks later the evangelist received a letter from this woman. It read, "Thank you again for the message you gave that day. Life has become an uninterrupted psalm of victory, for I have come to realize that no matter what life brings, for this I have Jesus."

That believer in Christ had found in her Savior the One who would be with her "through fire and through water" and who would bring her "out to rich fulfillment" (Ps 66:12).

If you are enduring a great trial of affliction, remember - for this you have Jesus! - Henry G. Bosch.

If every circmstance finds us abiding in Christ, we will find Christ abiding with us in every circumstance.

Heb 13:5 - I will never leave you nor forsake you.


I hope this brings encouragement to you today.

Happy Easter

Today is the day we celebrate Easter. For many people it is about eggs and bunnies and chocolate :) and chicks and hunts and Spring.

Today is the day we celebrate the risen Savior. He died in our place...He paid the price for our sin...He suffered separation from the Father for us. But the glorious truth is that He rose from the dead. We can't have the rising without the death. We can't celebrate the rising without appreciating the suffering - and understanding why He did it, why He had to do it.

Our sin has separated us from God. The only way to restore our relationship with Him (and allowing us to spend eternity with Him) is death. Our deaths would not be enough. Jesus died in our place as a sacrifice. He laid His life down and allowed all the sin of the world - past, present and future - to be laid upon Him, so He could purchase our salvation. Such a dear price to pay for each and every person in the world - and then to have so many reject His precious gift.

So, while you enjoy the bunnies, the baskets, the hunts, and the chocolate, remember the Savior and His desire for a personal, love relationship with you.

Blessed Easter to each and every one. Father sends His love.

the Prodigal Son

I was reading my Daily Bread devotion the other morning based Luke 15:11-24, and it reads in part:

We have all been like the son in this story, who had other plans for his life than what is father had for him. We have all runaway from our heavenly Father (Rom 3:10-12). But He welcomes us when we come to Him.

You too will see the beauty of forgiveness in your heavenly Father's face when you cry out to Him, "Father, I have sinned..." (Luke 14:18). If you're away from Him, head home now and experience His love.

What a perfect time of year to come to the Father. May you all have a blessed Easter.

Rescued by John Bevere & Mark Andrew Olsen

I just finished reading this book for book club. Wow...it opened my eyes.

I was so upset with the main character and his church that halfway through the book, I almost put it down and refuse to finish it. But I knew the person who recommended it wouldn't ask us to read something that wouldn't give God glory. So I pushed through.

My eyes have been opened. My heart has been stirred. My life has to change.

I don't want to go into detail because I don't want to spoil the ending for any of my book clubbers who haven't finished it yet. But any one who is lethargic or distant in their relationship with God should read this book.

The Funnel concept

Josh McDowell, renown youth speaker, was at church Sunday along with a woman from Relationships Under Construction. She gave an illustration that I wanted to share.

When we live life on the wide road, it's like living on the wide end of the funnel. Everything is wide-open for us. However, our poor decisions will funnel us down to very few choices and a narrow quality of life.

However, when we live life on the narrow way - its like living on the narrow end of funnel. As you move through life, the choices and rewards you have become wide open.

God's blessings comes to us when we live according to His plan. If you'd like to hear the actual message, because she explains it much better than I did hear, go to
http://www.grovecitynazarene.org/interact/vondemand/on-demand.html
and choose the video from 2-14-10. Josh McDowell gave an awesome talk as well.

for all live unto Him

Today's Bible verse is
He is not a God of the dead but of the living, for all live unto Him. (Luke 20:38)

The line "for all live unto Him" (KJV) is what intrigues me today. In other translations it says "for they are all alive to him" (NLT) and "for to him all are alive" (NIV).

I read the verse in context so I'm sure some will disagree with my line of thought today but this is what I hear...

All men are alive to God. All men are able to come to God. God does not see others as we do. As people we deem those worthy of our attention or our love or our time. God sees everyone as worthy. He sees all men as alive and able to make the commitment to Him that He so richly desires. We were created for fellowship with Father.

Listen for God to call to you. He loves you and you are alive to Him.

Are you worrying or praying?

When the Future seems Uncertain - Purpose Driven Life devotion Posted by Rick Warren

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans ... to give you a future and a hope ... You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest." Jeremiah 29:11, 13 (LB)

No matter what the pollsters, pundits, and prognosticators claim, no one can accurately predict all that is going to happen this year, let alone in the next few weeks. Our best forecasts are just educated guesses.

Change is not only increasing in speed and intensity, but also in unpredictability.

The Bible suggests three timeless principles for facing an uncertain future:

Set goals according to God's directionIt's foolish to make plans without first consulting God. He's the only one who DOES know the future - and he's eager to guide you through it.

The Bible says, "We may make our plans, but God has the last word." (Proverbs 16:1) In other words, planning without praying is presumption. Start by praying, "God, what do YOU want me to do in 2010?"

Live one day at a time -- While you can plan for tomorrow, you can't live it until it arrives. Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they have no time to enjoy today!

John Lennon once wrote, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Decide to make the most of each moment this year. Jesus said, "Don't be anxious about tomorrow - God will take care of your tomorrows. Live one day at a time." (Matthew 6:34)

Don't procrtatsinate - DO IT NOW! - "Don't boast about what you're going to do tomorrow, for you don't know what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)

Procrastinating is a subtle trap. It wastes today by postponing things until tomorrow. You promise yourself that you'll do it "one of these days." But "one of these days" is usually "none of these days."

What did you plan to get done last year that you didn't do? When do you intend to start working on it?

Are you lost?

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost. (Luke 19:10)

If you are lost, God is seeking you. Actually, He knows right where you are, He wants you to seek Him.

Went to COSI planetarium and watched the "universe" program (my niece narrated it). The program obviously comes from the "big-bang" theory - talking about the creation of our universe out of chaos. All this intricate design - cells in our bodies, flowers of multitude colors and design, animals, bugs, etc - all this complicated process out of chaos and by chance.

I sat there and was overwhelmed again about how awesome God really is. How He must smile at our feeble attempts to explain His incredible design.

taken from Nasa's Hubble Telescope

If you are going thru hell...

I just heard this country song - if you're goin thru hell, just keep on going...face the fight...keep on movin.

I thought about this and realize that it is correct. If your life is going crazy or your going through some tough times or the world is falling apart - KEEP GOING. Don't stop. Keep fighting. And most importantly, keep your eyes focused on the Father.

Wishing you all a most blessed New Year.

My devotion today started with 1 Thes 5:24 - He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

C.H. Spurgeon (who wrote the devotion) said: God is faithful and thus is His Word. Millions have proven His promises to be true; none have proven them otherwise.

I never thought of it that way. I'm so thankful that He is faithful and we can count on Him no matter what.

Looking forward to scrapping tonight (and tomorrow night!).