One of my followers on Twitter is in need of assistance and I have pledged to donate half of the proceeds from the sales of my book myBook.to/ElevatedHijinks through Saturday.
I pray those who have a heart will purchase–just 0.99 and encourage others to do so as well.
Thanks for assisting in doing what Jesus would have us to do–help the needy.
If someone was to ascribe to you the attributes of a bird—which of these would it be?
Are you grounded, digging in the dirt for what you can find to eat, being manipulated by others to be “a tasty meal” for all to enjoy?
Are you a predator, always on the lookout for that “live one” who’ll be your next victim?
Are you flying above the fray of everyday life, looking down, seeing what’s going on, but not allowing the events to distract or deter you, knowing that sooner or later, the predators will leave behind a morsel that will meet your needs?
Think about these birds. The chicken is food for the hawk and the hawk could be food for the eagle, but the eagle—soaring in the sky—refusing to be caught up in the mundane—seeks elevation for safety, but can hone in on the details below and strike with efficiency—what is intended for them to have.
Which are you? The mediocre chicken—just waiting to be eaten; the hawk who preys upon its live victims or the eagle—who can wait for what is rightfully due them when they can see it from above?
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4 NLT)
Sometimes, The Word–all by itself–convicts us to the very core of our being. This entire chapter tells us everything we need to know about how our relationship with God works.
It is not enough to come to the cross and allow the blood of Jesus to wash us cleaner than snow; we have to remain there, soaking it up, always remembering the sacrifice He made. When we remain–staying put–in the arc of safety He provides, then we will be able to produce good fruit–help develop other believers by what they hear us say.
Whenever we get off track–attempting to promote our own version of the Gospel–God then prunes us, cuts off the dead leaves and branches that are no longer productive, so that the healthy part of us can thrive and we can bring others into the glorious light of Jesus Christ.
This is why we must speak God’s Truth and not our own.
This has never been made clearer to me than when I moved into a new house. There was a rose bush that had been tended by the previous owner, but it was being neglected. Since I am not overly fond of gardening, I simply cut back all the dead branches, thinking that would be the end of it. Within a few weeks, green growth sprouted and rosebuds appeared. Every time I cut off the old, spotted leaves, new ones grew. And even though, I keep thinking that bush is going to die, whenever it is pruned, it thrives.
I thank God for His constant pruning in my life–cutting away all the dead stuff that does not work or bring Him glory–and keeping me from receiving new insight from Him, giving me more to share with others that they, too can walk in the light and receive His many blessings.
Whenever new people start following my blog, I give thanks. I don’t always know why they are following me, but I do know that I will keep promoting The Gospel and sharing what God gives to me. So, the fruit that is being developed–is the act of someone deciding to follow me on social media and hopefully, they are developing a relationship with God and allowing Him to prune them, so they will also grow and be fruitful.
Lord Jesus, I thank You daily for speaking to my heart and allowing me to share what You give me. Bless all those who follow me as I follow You and create in them a heart to want to be pruned, so we may thrive to Your glory, producing more and more fruit!
“Take delight in the Lord (learn how to please Him) and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)
When we take pleasure in finding ways to please God, it gives Him great pleasure to give us the desires of our heart–even the hidden things we not vocalized.
When I look at the sky, the clouds, the birds and squirrels playing, the mountains that I love so much, and the water–no matter where you find it and peace–I am always amazed at God’s creations. When I hear about selfless acts that people do for others, I am equally grateful for our ability to have compassion for others. I delight in what I see God has already done for us collectively, and I am always humbled by His favor–every where I go.
I am delighted with His love for me and the life He has allowed me to have. I try at all times to do those things that I know will please Him, but I’m not perfect and I’m sure I don’t always make it, but I never stop trying.
Yesterday was a particularly delightful day for me when I was “under attack by unbelievers” online. What I realized is that the more I am doing right for God, the greater the attack by those the enemy has influenced. I did not get angry or belligerent, but thanked them for paying attention to me. I knew that God had to be pleased with the fact that I openly acknowledge Him at all times and the enemy was afraid of how my words might influence others to come to themselves and acknowledge God’s existence. I am also grateful that over 90% of my followers on Twitter are Believers! Hallelujah!
If you have not received your heart’s desires “yet”, think about what you’re doing. Are you spending your time pleasing God or pacifying “man”? Delight in all He has done, is doing and will do in your life and watch those desires–the ones you have not even voiced–come to pass!
maryhallrayford 