Rain the Bugs Away

Our bush got spider mites. I know very little about gardening, and even less about insect control (although I have since been told that a spider mite is not an insect, but technically an arachnid - some people know way too much about bugs). The best way to control spider mites, according to the University of Missouri extension office is - rain. A good soaking rain will wash the mites off the plant, and provide nourishment that will keep the bush strong. Fortunately, it rained before my bush died.

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses compares the teaching of God's word to a cleansing rain:

Deuteronomy 32:2

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

We all need the rain of God's word on our life. Sometimes the spider mites gather. God's word reveals not only what we need, but what we don't need - allowing God's power to wash it away and nourish our heart. Let the rain fall in your life - spend some time in God's word today.

I am the resurrection and the Life.

My lilies had finished blooming, but I hadn’t cut them back. The remaining green foliage still added color to the flower garden and filled the spots where lilies once bloomed. But eventually, I decided it really was time to cut them back--it was the end of August, and they had fulfilled their purpose.

While working in the quiet morning air, God spoke to me, telling me these lilies were much like my mother, who had died just days before. Her life here on earth was ‘done,’ but she yet still lives. I can’t see her anymore (like the blooms), but I WILL see her again one day. Just as something is going on below ground that I can’t see that will enable those flowers to burst forth again, things are going on in the spiritual realm I cannot see that are fulfilling God’s promises to us.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Cor. 2:9

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7 

Isn’t it wonderful how God uses the ordinary, everyday parts of life to show us His very extraordinary plans.  

 

Memories

As I gathered with my family to celebrate my mother's life and her faith in the Lord, I realized how extraordinarily blessed I have been with parents and family who believe in the Lord. I came to know Christ through the testimony and witness of my parents. It is hard for me to imagine what my life would have been without them pointing me to the Savior. This past week has reemphasized the significance of a Christian home. As a church, I pray our ministries will help parents and family continue their God-given calling to share the love of Christ with their children. Don't miss the blessing!

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NIV)

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Sonship

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)

Sonship--I've experienced this as a son, but never as a father.  So, this verse takes on a whole different meaning now.  

   Whatever happens in life, I don't ever want Meyer to be afraid to come to me.  Right now, it's hard trying to figure out what it is that he needs or wants, and I have to try my best to meet his needs.  But one thing that I'm noticing is that he's beginning to know who I am.  When I pick him up and say "Hey, little man, Daddy's here."  He seems to recognize my voice and calm down.  He's learning that his daddy is going to try his best to meet his needs.  And, just being near to me, he's learning what it means to be my child.  He's learning that he no longer has to be afraid of this strange and scary world when I pick him up.  Comfort is coming.  

   It's the same with your heavenly Father.  You don't have to be afraid of Him or of this strange and scary world.  But none of this is possible without the sweet moments of just spending time together.  The more time Meyer spends with me, the more he learns that I will try to bring comfort because he is my son and I am his father.  With you and your heavenly Father, the more you spend time with Him, the more His Spirit will testify with your spirit that you are His child, and comfort is coming.  

Oh my loving Father, thank You for making me Your child. Help me to know You, love You and live for You. I need You to guide my life. AMEN 

Supply List

While shopping for our backpack giveaway, I found the lists from school to school and grade to grade varied greatly. Some wanted glue sticks, some wanted no glue sticks; some wanted pink erasers, some wanted pencil-top erasers; some wanted any color dry-erase markers, some specified they wanted black ones. A quick look down the Walmart aisles could be overwhelming with the massive selection of the various folders, binders, pencils, etc. You could buy lots of supplies, and still be lacking. Without having the correct list, your child could show up at school woefully ill equipped.

Similarly, there are all sorts of religions and philosphies in the world. Some say you can become like God, some say you must have enough good works, some say you come BACK again to live on the earth after you die, and the list goes on....and on....and on! You could 'buy' into any number of ideas, but your soul would still be lacking and as stated above--woefully ill equipped.

Thankfully, God supplies us with the perfect list for what we need in His word. And His list is complete. Deuteronomy 4:2 states,  "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you." Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."

As I compared the lists to those I got last year, I saw that school supply lists change from year to year. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8, NIV).

Cool! All we need, never changing, and available to us anytime! It doesn't make sense to look any further!

School Days

Last night, NHBC welcomed over one hundred children to our annual Backpack Giveaway. This is always an exciting event, watching children excited to get ready for the start of school. As the new school years begins, pray for the teachers and administrators preparing classrooms for incoming students, for students as they ready themselves for a new year of learning, and parents as they participate in the process of education. At National Heights, we celebrate all of the good people who have dedicated themselves to the important task of teaching. May God give each of you wisdom and strength as you prepare for the new school year!

Excited for Christmas

A few weeks ago, one of my friends posted, “Six months until Christmas!” Last week, I heard that Hobby Lobby was putting out Christmas decorations. And, yesterday, I received our choir newsletter, notifying us that August 25 would be our “Christmas” party, where we would hear the Christmas music for the choir’s presentation. I love the Christmas season, but have always felt that rushing it too much takes away some of the specialness of it, and poor old Thanksgiving certainly gets left out.

However, yesterday when reading the choir newsletter, it made me smile. I was impacted by thoughts of how people in Bible times were looking forward and even longing for “Christmas.” They were looking forward to the REAL Christmas….the coming of the Messiah. They knew nothing of trees, tinsel, presents, “Black Friday” sales, or Christmas decorations. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if current-day people also  looked forward to seeing Jesus, believed He is coming, and spread the word.

Many people put a LOT of effort into preparation for Christmas…they shop, bake, decorate, sing, and look forward with anticipation. But we’re often neglectful to look forward to the second coming, and to put great effort into preparing for it, by sharing with others, preparing our hearts, and celebrating the true meaning of that day.

This year, whenever I see a Christmas sale, decoration, etc., rather than have the mindset of “NOT YET,” I hope I’m reminded of that other event that will one day happen…not just an anniversary of Christ’s coming, but His final coming….and most of all, I hope my spirit is quickened with the urgency to spread the news so that others will be able to share in that same victorious event.

        Revelation 22:20 (NIV): He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”


²⁰ He

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