The Lord Will Clothe You

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

                                                                                        (Luke 12:27-28 KJV)

The wild roses in the photo were yellow last year. The bush has not bloomed yet; but, the buds are showing pink. I have no control over what color they will display each year. But, no matter the color, they are always beautiful.

Before I left for Florida last summer, I clipped away some of the dead branches. Other than that, I do nothing to help them grow. They are flowers so they can do nothing themselves to flourish. Likewise, there are things in this world that we do not have to interfere with in order for them to come to fruition.  There are many things that we worry about that we don't have to fret about. Our faith tells us that God will take care of them. 

God has called each of us to serve Him and our fellowmen. He has not called us to worry about things that are out of our control or things that are meant to only please our senses. There is no sense in worrying about the little things; like what we will wear. It's a lot of worry over nothing important. It's a lot of worry to satisfy our egos.

Flowers are beautiful to behold. Yet, they do nothing to add to their own beauty. God, Himself, clothes them. Trust Him to clothe you in the righteousness of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Care For Your Children!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalm 127:3 KJV)

For at least a couple of generations now, I have witnessed children being neglected and some abused. Sure, most, but not all, have adequate food, shelter, clothing, etc.. Most of the children are physically provided for. But, not all of them. This morning, the neglect that I'm thinking of isn't due to lack of caring for physical needs. The neglect that I'm thinking of is when love is withheld and abuse is allowed to occur. Parents will cover for each other to save face. Some children are even left to, in effect, raise their parents because their parents put themselves before all others. They put themselves before God. They put themselves before their children. Sometimes, they have a lot of fun with their children. They horse around and play with them because that makes the parents feel good for the moment and then they are off to do their own thing.

There are some who say that there are many children raising children. Sadly, in many cases it has gone beyond that. The children are raising their parents and they are not equipped. I am not saying that the whole world or all parents are being raised by their children. But, way too many are. It really is up to the parent to raise up a child in the way that they should go. It is not up to the child to take care of the parents needs and desires. It is not up to the child to take the fall for a parent who cares only about their own future.

"Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Eph 5:14)

Wake up, as they say, and smell the roses. Your children are a gift from God. Care for them, guide them, teach them, love them as God loves you. Do what is right by your children and love them even as they love you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Lord Provides!

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!" (Luke 12:27-28)

The Lord provides! He finds many ways and many people to do this. Sometimes, it is through grandparents. Sometimes, it is through others. But, for those of us with even a little faith, He does provide.

It has always kind of amazed me that often those with very little feel abundantly blessed and those with an abundance sometimes feel and act like they live in poverty. They do not recognize the gifts that God has already given them. They do not treasure what they already have.

Jesus reminds us that God clothes even the grass of the feel with beautiful flowers; He will also clothe us - we who have such little faith. Trust in the Lord and give thanks for all that He has done!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Laying Down One's Life For Others

A few of the members who put red roses (a symbol of love) on the Veteran's graves at Craig Flagler Palms Cemetery.

(some are missing from the photo)

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV) 

Today is a day of remembrance. Today we remember those Veterans who have given their lives in service to this country. They have given their all not just for the sakes of the people of the United States. They have served to protect freedom and for the sake of justice around the world.

Jesus said that there is no greater love than the love which would motivate one to lay down their life for others. Today we pause to remember those men and women. But, let it not be just for today. Let us always remember the love they had for others that they were willing to risk their lives for us; not just for their friends; but, for all people, friends and strangers alike.

Every Saturday before Memorial Day, members of Christ Lutheran Church, put red roses next to the flags on the graves of Veterans at our local cemetery as a token of our love and appreciation of the sacrifice they have made for the sake of others.

The prime example of one who was willing to die so that others might live is Jesus. May God help us all to follow his example and the example of others putting others before ourselves in love.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy