Random Devotional Thoughts

How Much Rubbish do you Have?

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     We were staying on a friend’s property in our caravan once. This place had high hedges around the paddock edges. Our friend had taken his hedge trimming machine into these paddocks to cut and trim back the tall trees that were keeping the sun from getting in. This had only made a worse mess than ever. The branches and cut pieces of the trees all fell on the ground beneath as they were cut off. There was no way the grass could grow up fresh and sweet there.     We went home and then came back the following week. By this time he had taken his tractor into the paddock again, and had pushed all the scraps and branches into large heaps ready for burning when the weather was right. It was surprising what a large area was now clear right up to the tree trunks, enabling the grass to grow there as extra feed for the cattle.

   It made me think how this is a lot like our lives. We allow things to creep in and crowd out what is helpful to others. Our time is taken up with things of no real value, and we have no time for the things that matter.      Sometimes the things that we do are creative and beautiful, but if we can’t give them away to someone who appreciates them, we are really just wasting our time. Other things are  frivolous time fillers just to keep us occupied.

    These are the things that need to be cut off in our lives and let fall to the ground, and then pushed up into piles and burned. What is taking up all our thoughts and time? Let’s make sure that we clean up around the edges of our lives, and give ourselves more time and space to do things for others.

   The Bible talks about building our lives with wood, hay and stubble, and how these things are easily burned, whereas if we build with valuable metals these only get refined if a fire goes through them  (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). So we need to take stock of our lives, and see what should be taken away NOW, as it will all go through the refining fires of our Master in a time to come….and then what will be left?

Life Lessons

The Storms of Life (continued)

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        Sometimes when we are faced with several choices to make with quite monumental results, we hesitate and think things through, weighing up the possible results carefully. Then we make our decision in the light of our research. This is especially true for those who believe that God can and will direct their paths.

    Take the time that the disciples  crossed the vast lake at the command of the Lord Jesus, and ran into one of the worst storms they had ever experienced. They were experienced fishermen who could read the weather signs and knew how to handle these sudden storms that whipped up the lake surface into a frenzy. Jesus knew all this, and He knew a storm was coming up that would test them to the maximum.  They hadn’t made a mistake that brought this upon them, they were there for a purpose.

     Remember this….Jesus Christ knows the storm we are in at any given time. He could have stopped the storm coming to the disciples, but He wanted to show them His power. We don’t encounter these storms because we have made a mistake, we have to go through them to learn more about Him. He knows the storm that I may be in right now, but He wants me to go through it so He can show me His power and refine the dross out of my life and strengthen the faith I have in Him.

The Lord speaks to us in these three ways …. In the storm….He comes to us through the storm, walking on the water…”I will never leave you”, He says. (Read Matthew 14: 22-26) Through the storm… He reminds us that He is there with us…”don’t be afraid”, He says, “trust Me”. (Read Mark 4: 35-39) The storm within you….often when these storms come, they attack us from the inside. We get in a turmoil because of circumstances beyond our control, and wonder where we are going to turn next. A man named Nicodemus was like this, and he went to Jesus to ask for help. It seems that he was a man in turmoil, not knowing which way to turn. But Jesus went straight to the root of his problem, and told him he needed to have a whole new way of life, and how to get it….we read about this in John chapter three.

Don’t be afraid of being afraid….storms always have an end. There will be a period of calm when it is over and then another one may come but because we have proved our Lord’s help with the first one, we have confidence within the next one. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

We cannot build the house during the storm, we must have it built before it comes! Remember….He is the Lord of all our storms.      Transitions in life come to all of us, and how will we handle them?  Will we go through them kicking and wrestling as it were, or will we just trust  God to work things out? Transitions are never peaceful, they are a time of turmoil. Take the birth of a child….a time of labour for the mother and time of turmoil for the child leaving the womb to enter this world.      So many things in our lives are a transition….a new baby brings a whole new way of life to a couple; a move to a new area is a period of turmoil until settled in; children reaching the teenage years bring a transition for both themselves and their parents.     Then again there is the transition into the empty nest syndrome and finally into retirement. But that is not the end….what about the transition into the retirement village and then the rest home? What about the transition of the loss of a spouse? It seems that the whole of life is a series of transitions. We need the Lord’s help in each of these transitions in life. Nothing remains static…change is the essence of life. Let’s make sure that we approach each of these transitions with the peace of God in our heart and mind. Let’s remember the verse in the  Bible that says….    Be anxious about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Life Lessons

The Storms of Life.

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        We have been trying to track down where the different boats (launches and yachts) that we have owned over the years, are now. This brought back many memories, not the least the very first trip up the coast from where we had bought it, to our home port. At this time we knew very little about sailing, so it was a great learning curve for us. Not only that, but that very first trip brought us a whole range of different types of weather that could ever be found on the sea!

    Leaving port early on the morning of that first trip, we found the whole area blanketed in a heavy fog. Horrors, what were we to do? But we had someone with us who could read a chart, and he was able to guide us through the fog from buoy to buoy marking the channel. This made me think of how we all need a chart to guide us through the intricacies of life. There is no-one apart from Jesus Christ who can do this for us. The main thing is that we have to trust his leading, even when we can’t see the reasons why.     Finally the fog lifted, and we could see where we were after all…..we were right on course after all. Our guide had made no mistakes, and in the same way we can have complete confidence in our Heavenly Guide to keep us in the right way. We had a great sail the rest of the afternoon with a gentle breeze to the island where there was safe harbour to spend the night.  

     After this time of plain and pleasant sailing, we settled down for the night very pleased with our trip thus far.  The next morning however, was a different story. The wind had gone around and was coming right in from the sea with lowering skies, and the weather looked decidedly ominous. We had no option but to carry on, as the crew wanted to get back to work the following day.       It wasn’t long after we set off, that the wind began to rise, and continued to do so until it was reaching almost gale force. After battling this for a couple of hours, our guide said, “This is the last chance we have of getting some shelter before having about three hours of open sea to cross…..what do you think?“     The yacht gave a sudden lurch just then, and fell down a particularly steep wave, deciding us to make for shelter. In the storms of life, we find that things will get almost out of hand before we decide to take the shelter that God offers us. The sudden peace that such a course gives is past understanding! To hear the wind still howling in the trees on the headland while we sat in peace and quiet behind it, was wonderful! So it is as we take a course in life to escape the full force of the wind of trials and troubles to shelter in the promises of God. We can still hear the wind howling above us, but we remain untouched.

    One thing about storms, is that they never last for ever! So on this trip, after a couple of hours, the front passed over, and the wind went around with the sea dropping enough to  enable  us to carry on with our voyage. There was still a strong wind blowing, but it was a kind wind to send us on our way, not a vicious one set on hindering our trip.     This is what we will find during life….after the storms that beset us, there will come a time of relative peace. What we have learned through the storm, helps us to appreciate this wind that takes us along with a good speed, and to make the most of it.    We may wonder what the purpose of this rough weather was, but it may not be for ourselves, as it all goes to make for  experiences that we can encourage others by. Platitudes may not be much help to others, but the experiences that we have been through speak volumes to others in need.

     Darkness began to fall by the time we reached the harbour we were aiming for. But the buoys here were well lit, marking the channel as we made our way to the mooring. Once again, the chart had it all well marked, and we made our way up the channel with full confidence. So as we follow the words in the Bible daily, we don’t need to be groping our way through our life hoping for the best. We just need to remember to profit by the storms we experience, and to encourage others in their walk as well. No one can argue with a real life experience!

Life Lessons

Curiosity Killed the Cat!

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    I grew up in a small country community where everyone knew everyone else’s business, and what they couldn’t find out, they made it up instead! So I always like to find out the whys and wheres when something unusual is seen.

    This time, we had made our usual summer trek north to our holiday area, and what should we see as we came around the bend in the road by the big local river, but a house sitting on the edge of the river bank among the mangrove trees. Not only one house, but behind it was a second house! There was no real road  in to these houses, and they looked as though they had been dumped there from the river itself. Visiting friends a couple of days later, I saw a newspaper clipping about these two houses which solved the problem of how they had got there. They had been shipped on a barge from the big city over  two hundred miles south, and a description of the voyage north was given beside the picture. Their final destination was a few miles further up the river where they were going to be transported by truck the final few miles. So that solved the puzzle of the houses sitting in the mangroves on the edge of the river!

    It seems strange to me, that something like this makes the news, when really it is no-one else’s business but the people who bought them, while the more important things of life that concern every single person are completely ignored. It’s obvious that these houses will be eventually lived in somewhere, but no-one is really concerned with where their soul is going to live for eternity. We make all sorts of preparations for a big trip we may be going to take overseas, but pay very little attention to the most lasting trip of all which every person is going to take eventually. Surely this is the most important thing to be curious about, and the most important trip to prepare for!

Morning Musings

What do You Remember?

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    It’s always good to remember the good times, but not so nice remembering the bad times! I’ve been reminded this past week about some of the boats we’ve owned down through the years, and thought of the first big launch we owned back in 1966-1972.          Then again there is the run-about that has been our last venture out on the water. She is being taken away today to her new home, and we are sad to see her go….it is the end of an era for us, as until now, we have always had a boat of some sort. But we still have the photos and memories of those good (and bad!) times out on the sea.

    It reminded me of how memory is a gift from God to remind us and teach us things that would otherwise be completely forgotten. That is why we are told in Bible to get together with other believers regularly and remember what He has done for us, especially in sending His Son into this world 2025 years ago.  God knows how weak our memories really are, and that is why He has seen to it that His Word is written down for us to read.

   Did you know that God has books in Heaven as well? In these books is a record of every single person who has ever lived, and the things they did and said while they were alive. The Bible tells us that one day, these books are going to be opened and we will have to give an account of ourselves before Him! Our memories at that time will be crystal clear…..no-one else is going to say what we did or said or accuse us in any way, it is each one of us who will give an account of ourselves then!     Then there is another book that will be opened then, and that is called the Book of Life.  In this book is written the names of all those who have come to know God in a personal way in this life. This is the guarantee that they will have a place in God’s home when they leave this world. But for anyone whose name is not in that book, they will be separated from God and all that is good and right and beautiful for ever. We read about that in Revelation chapter twenty, verses eleven to fifteen.

    But there is still time now, to get right with God and have your name written in that Book of Life!

Adult Testimonies

What Are Your Seasons?

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    A good friend of ours passed away a couple of weeks ago, and the funeral was hel at local chapel where she fellowshipped.  When we walked into the hall on the funeral day, there was a plain wooden coffin with paintings of horses all over it and about half a dozen winning ribbons draped over it. It seemed strange to say the least! But we had only known her as an old lady, and that was only a fraction of what she had been and done in her life time! When the Eulogy was given by her daughter, we learned how she had been involved in competitive horse riding for a good part of her life.

    I couldn’t help thinking how we all have seasons in our lives, and those who have only known us for a few years have no idea of what we used to be like. What we are as old people, is only half of what we were or are! I had no idea that Julie had ever been into horses or competitive horse riding! Her daughter said she had drawers full of winning ribbons from her competitions.

     When we were younger, my brother and sister-in-law had a farm next door to ours and we used to do all our big jobs together as a team. I remembered when my sister-in-law died, of this season of our lives and how we used to work and play together. Our children grew up together as one big family, and got into all sorts of mischief.       I thought of her grand-daughters who had only known her as an older lady, so I sat down and wrote them a letter of the things she used to do when she was younger on the farm, how we all worked together, especially at times like hay making or cattle mustering. Then there was all the work she did as a Bible in Schools teacher, and how we worked together in the camp work at the local Christian Youth Camp. Then there were the sailing days on the harbour, when we would all go out together and have such fun on the water. Then there were the trips that she and her husband used to do as well…. the big one going to England and Europe for five months, as well as several around the South Island. Now there are only a few photos and all the memories that go with them.

    So her grand-daughters thought she belonged to them as an old lady, but hadn’t known that she had had another life when she was a young mother, helping in the general farm work when needed and in her church life as well. It is only at someone’s funeral that we learn of these other seasons in their life that have gone to shape them into the older person that those present knew. Let us see to it that those who attend our funeral when the time comes, will have worthwhile memories of us and that we may be an inspiration in some way to those who know us!

Random Devotional Thoughts

What Are your Little Foxes?

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      The preacher at church last Sunday gave us some good points to think about, that are worth passing on. He read from the book of Song of Solomon in the Old Testament part of the Bible,  these verses….

Song of Solomon 2:13-15….

The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!   14“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet,  And your face is lovely.” 15  Catch us  the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes…..

The Gardener has planted his crops and is now waiting to see them grow, and ultimately to fruit, BUT….there are foxes waiting to spoil the beauty!

This is just like us….we could say that God has planted us and given us all that we need to grow in the things of Himself, but there are things that distract us and take our minds and thoughts off Him…how do we react to these “little foxes”?

In our Environment….perhaps there are worries about our job, or we want a change of circumstances. There are other things that annoy us that we can’t change, and maybe they get us down.

In Our Relationships…. In our friendships with others, there maybe jealousy or competitiveness that grates….can we continue without holding grudges or being unforgiving?  Remember that unforgiveness only hurts you in the long run….the other person may be totally unaware of the matter!

In the Workplace….is there someone there that grates on you? Remember that the Lord has said He will bear all our burdens, so take it to Him…there is no need for two of you to carry it!

In Our General Health….do we always feel tired? Perhaps it warrants a visit to the doctor. Do we have continual colds and other aches and pains? Again, check out your health…do you need some supplements to build you up?

In Our Homes….Are there disappointments with family members, or other concerns? Are there differences of opinions? Remember that we just might not always be right!! I remember reading a book many years ago called “Lord, Change Me!” Perhaps we are the ones who need to change….our attitudes and feelings. To say nothing of our opinions!

In Our Relationship with the Lord…..Are we holding grudges? Do we neglect our daily time with Him? Do we remember to take all these things to God in prayer?

    These are all things that are “little foxes”  in the gardens of our lives waiting to spoil the fruit that God desires to see in each of us. Let us be full of courage  and take it all to the Lord in prayer. He will take over and enable us to be what we ought to be!!

Life Lessons

Lessons to Learn

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    There are many lessons we can learn as we go through life. No more so than in the garden! I like gardening and as I  tie and snip at the different plants, I think how much these things must hurt that plant. But it is all for their own good!

     The tomato plants tend grow rather rampantly if left on their own. But they must be staked, and then tied up to that stake so they won’t fall over and get untidy. Not only that, but there are extra shoots growing that need to be taken off regularly. The plant is firmly rooted in the ground before it can grow and that reminds me how that each one of us needs to be firmly “rooted” in our Lord Jesus Christ before we can yield the sort of fruit that He is looking for in our lives.

     Then again I grow a variety of rose that, if left to itself, will grow very rampantly all over the ground. So much so, that it is called a “Carpet Rose”. They send up long shoots from the ground, and I always cut these off and then tie the plant to a stake, and pick off any side shoots. If there is another strong looking shoot coming off the main stalk, then that gets tied in an upright position onto the stake as well. The plant probably doesn’t like being tied firmly like this, but it adjusts, and in time grows into a nicely shaped bush that shows off its flowers to best advantage. Not only that, but it is forced to look up, and ultimately to grow up!

    So it is with us….as troubles come into our lives, we are forced to look up to the Master Gardener, Who is growing us as He pleases. The plant may not like where it is put, but it has no option, it must stay there, and flower where it is. There are times when we don’t like where we are, or our position in life, but as we remember that God is over all, we can learn to be satisfied and give Him thanks. This is like the tomatoes growing on the vine, or the rose flowering tied to the stake.

     As we look around, we see those who are less fortunate than ourselves…..one lady I know is very short sighted and there is nothing that can be done to improve her eyesight. There have been many times when she thinks “Why me?” Another friend has had sudden hearing loss, and again might well be thinking, “Why me?” But these things are sent to grow us into being the sort of person God wants us to be….thankful in all things for the blessings we DO have. May we each one find that this is so.

See what God has to say to YOU.