These beautiful flowers are growing right now in profusion. We drive by them whenever we go out to orchestra and band practice, or just running errands. I have been meaning to get some pictures of them for a few weeks now, and a few nights ago, I finally got my chance! The lighting was a little low as it was late afternoon, so the pictures turned out soft and muted, but I rather like the effect.
I have been reading in James lately and a few verses talk about the rich man being as the flower that fades. (James 1:9-11) There is also a passage in James 4:14-15 that talks about how we plan our lives and we don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What folly! Instead we should say, Lord Willing, I will do this or that. It was a good reminder to me, that I can't and don't need to try to control circumstances. The Lord has everything in His perfect control.
"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
~James 4:13-15
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
~1 Corinthians 1:18-25
We are called to be salt and light in this world of turmoil and pain. A great CD that I have enjoyed listening to is called "Salt and Light" by the Bontrager Family Singers.
Christianity today is being attacked in all corners of the globe. Christians in North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, The Maldives, Uzbekistan, Africa, and China are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. These are only a few countries. Go here for a complete list of countries hostile to Christianity.
So my final thoughts are these:
As Christians we should be salt and light.
We should share the Gospel through words and our lives.
We don't know what will happen tomorrow.
We shouldn't try to plan our lives without asking the Lord's guidance.
There are many "wise" in earthly things, in this age of technology,
but not many wise in the things of eternal matters.
Our souls will live forever, do we as Christians live in light of eternity?
Do we care enough for the lost to tell them about the Savior, who loves them and died for them?
I encourage you to be bold, courageous and faithful in proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ. (I am speaking to myself also here.)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
"The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”
But the word of our God stands forever.”
~Isaiah 40:8
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