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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: nature

  • God sees the big picture

    small waterfall, a part of the big picture - a larger waterfall

    We spotted this lovely little waterfall a week or so ago on a drive down a local area forest service road. What you can’t see is the bigger picture. It’s a tiny section on the lower part of a waterfall that probably drops 150 feet or more.

    The area we traveled through has several reasonably large falls, and, because of the rain, dozens of beautiful seasonal falls of various sizes. I always find being near a set of falls relaxing, and seeing the water’s power reminds me of God’s power.

    Just as the image today shows a complete waterfall, but misses the big picture, so it is with our lives. We often live as if we are the center of the universe and if everything that happens is about us.

    In truth, while every one of us is loved by God, we are just one of billions of people alive today, and God only knows how many have come before us and will come after.  The thought that we are one of many shouldn’t cause us to despair.

    God created each and every one of us in his own image. Every single one of us is uniquely crafted and gifted by God. Each of us has a divine purpose to fulfill in bringing about God’s kingdom. Knowing that should bring us joy.

    The person we are today isn’t who we were in the past, and it’s not who we will be in the future. I’m not the man I was 10 or 20 years ago, nor will I be the same in 10 or 20 years from now.

    The big picture of who we are in God’s economy is something we can’t yet see. I hope it will be revealed in glory, but even if it isn’t, we will be able to rejoice in our fellowship with Him, and in the wonder that He chose to love us and adopt us as his children.

    We get a fresh start when we become believers

    “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.” I John 5:1

    …  since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; … 1 Peter 1 ESV

    The Lord will finish the work He started in us. The final big picture will be something more amazing than we can ever imagine, and as believers, we will get to see it.

    That’s a reason to celebrate.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Created and Being Shaped Into His Image
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  • Eye Catching – Whatever is…

    Eye Catching – Whatever is…

    Red Maple tree - whatever is beautiful

    I snapped this pic of a Japanese maple tree one day late this past fall. Everything around it was green, and the brilliant reds jwere eye catching. They seemed to pop out against the background foliage.

    The image isn’t quite centred properly, but the tree was far from symmetrical and defied my efforts to frame it better in the few moments I had to snap the shot.

    There are many things in the world that stand out for whatever reason and grab our attention. It could be something that grabs our eyes, a sound that catches us, or a concept that intrigues us. 

    It’s one thing to appreciate a moment of beauty; it’s quite another to be constantly distracted. Our thoughts are often easily diverted from thinking about or seeing the things of God.

    It’s why Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at women. The eyes can trap our minds into thoughts they should not have. It isn’t just lust that is a problem.  Many forms of distraction can draw us from God, sometimes even to good things, yet still leave us not focused on the Lord.

    That tendency battles our desire to become more Christlike. It’s part of why Paul wrote to the church in Philippi.

    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

    The maple prompted Kathy and me to remark on God’s incredible artistic skill. But distractions often pull us away from Him.

    I love Paul’s words, “What you have learned[and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

    I don’t know about you, but the thought of God and His peace being with me is very appealing and comforting. It’s something I want more of in my life all the time. I want to rejoice, and with Him, I have plenty to be joyful about.

    Just a quick prayer on the subject to close. I pray it mirrors your heart’s desires as well as my own.

    Lord, help keep me from being distracted. Teach me to keep my eyes, ears, mind, and heart aimed towards you. Be glorified in me. May I be pleasing to you. Amen.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Right belief or Right Living – which is more important?

    Some thoughts on finding a good church

    Find a good church

    Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.