by Stephanie Neibarger
This Week's Verse: Isaiah 43:19, "For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" (NLT)
Devotion:
Once again, Joel is my inspiration for this devotion. Today I was watching his program on TV and he was talking about what has been on my mind the past few days. He was talking about staying positive during some of the tough times in our life. Let me explain:
Each morning I walk my dogs and lately I’ve been noticing the changing of the trees, flowers and other things coming to life. I thought How beautiful, God! I love the spring season because of all the beauty it provides. I love the smell of the honeysuckle and lilac. The beautiful dogwood trees are blooming. And then I thought, Gee, these are the same trees that were here in the winter, only I didn’t find them as beautiful because I couldn’t see it.
I thought how much that was like on our own lives. Sometimes in our life we go through seasons. We have our winter and our spring seasons. Maybe you are going through a winter season. Maybe you are not seeing anything changing. Just like the trees, the beauty is there, but God is waiting for the perfect time for you to ‘bloom.’ Don’t give up. At the right time, God will cause things to turn around in your life. Your spring season is just around the corner.
Father, we know that you are in complete control over our lives. Thank you for being there during each of the seasons in our lives, even though we may not always see or feel you. Help us to see Your beauty in each day. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Application:
If you are having a trouble seeing God working in your life, go out and admire all the beauty He has for you in the trees, the flowers and the birds. The same beauty He brings about in nature He will do for you as well.
Power Verses:
Eccles. 3:1, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” (NJKV)
Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (NKJV)
Romans 8:28, “We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.” (NLV)
Psalm 54:7a, “You have rescued me from all of my troubles.” (CEV)
4 comments:
Steph, I LOVE this! That Isaiah 43verse has been pivotal for Shane and me the past several years. And how awesome to think that behind plain or even dead-looking aspects of our lives, there lies a vibrant bloom just waiting for God to bring it out in its due season. BEAUTIFUL!
good stuff ... i sent this to a lot of friends ... it seems as though everyone is going through difficult times ... sometimes we just need a word of hope and encouragement!
Arlene
good stuff ... i sent this to a lot of friends ... it seems as though everyone is going through difficult times ... sometimes we just need a word of hope and encouragement!
Arlene
I also sent this along to a friend. I love the part about our personal 'spring season being just around the corner'. Thank you for your timing. This is going to touch a lot of people!
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