Category Archives: Nature

Jan31

The Sunrise in Your Soul

Posted on by
Standard

IMG_2628

Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God’s Sunrise will break in upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those living in the shadow of death, then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of Peace.

Luke 1:78 – 79

Watching a sunrise is one of the most peaceful experiences on earth. As the newborn day peeks out of its cradle, an ever-changing palette of soft pastels paints the sky ‘s fresh canvas. While fringes of the sun’s light become more visible, the silence of dawn is softly interrupted by morning songs of birds – blending harmoniously together in a cheerful symphony of praises to their Creator. The cool morning air gives way to the warmth of the majestic solar glow.

In the few minutes it takes to pause and watch the sun pull itself up over the horizon, there’s a perpetual feast for the senses that can transform your spirit and set the tone for your day.

Jesus came into the world as “God’s Sunrise.” (Luke 1:78) His dazzling light shines brightly on the darkest caverns of our hearts and illuminates the path to peace – the path to the One true God.

Starting each day basking in the light of His Word, will refresh your soul and provide you with hope, guidance, and perspective for any circumstance you face throughout the day.  Trust Him to take your hand and guide you – one foot at a time – down the path to perfect peace.

Take time to pause in His presence, and be transformed by His Son-rise in your Soul!

Related Verse:

With every sun’s rising surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness. Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive. Psalm 90:14

May16

Creation Points Us To the Creator

Posted on by
Standard

IMG_5421

As you do not know the path of the wind,
    or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
    the Maker of all things.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)

Each tiny piece of God’s beautiful creation exemplifies the work of a master artisan. Take a few moments today to get outside and observe some of the intricate details in nature, and you’ll be amazed at the magnificent workmanship of God ~ The Maker of all Things.  There are so many awe-inspiring mysteries in nature that we will never fully comprehend ~ like how a baby’s body is formed in a mother’s womb or how a caterpillar metamorphosizes within a cocoon into a beautiful butterfly. Nature plays a very important role in God’s grand plan.  In fact the very first verse of the Bible tells us that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1 (NIV)  And since the very beginning, He has used the creation to point us to the Creator.

“For ever since the creation of the world, His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks).”  Romans 1:20 (AMP)

The marvelous creation not only teaches us about God’s divine nature and infinite wisdom, but it also glorifies God on its own.  That fact should inspire us to do the same through worship and praise of our Heavenly Father.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness.  There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard.  Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber; like a strong man it enjoys running its course. It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat.” (Psalm 19:1 – 6)

The Creator takes great care in watching over His creation, yet nothing in all of creation is more valuable to Him than you.  He designed you as a one-of-a-kind original, and He knows each detail of your life…including your name and number of hairs on your head!  Never doubt that God loves you dearly and  is watching over each moment of your life.

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.  (Matthew 10:29 – 31) 

Jun12

He Calls the Stars by Name

Posted on by
Standard

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens;

Who created all these things?

He who brings out the starry host one by one

And calls them each by name;

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

Not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 40:26

God is almighty and all-powerful. No one can even begin to understand or comprehend the breadth of his infinite knowledge, and no person or thing can be compared to Him. We are limited to our understanding of God by what we experience of Him on earth. There aren’t enough words on our planet to allow us to adequately describe His boundless capabilities.

The same God who created the stars and calls them each by name is the same God who created you.  He knows you by name and fashioned you with a unique and special purpose. No one else on the planet is just like you, and no one else can carry out the plan He has in mind for your life. He cares for you personally.

He loved you before the beginning of time…before He placed the stars in the sky.

All around the earth are reminders to you of God’s character and capabilities. Ask Him to open your eyes to His marvelous wonders, and invite Him to show you the unending depth and breadth of His love for you. Just like the stars…He calls you by name, and you are never missing from His sight.

He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.

Psalm 147: 4 – 5

Jun9

A Forever Love

Posted on by
Standard

He who builds his lofty palace in the heavens
   and sets its foundation on the earth,
Who calls for the waters of the sea
   and pours them out over the face of the land—
   the LORD is his name.

Amos 9:6

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” (Ephesians 1: 3 – 6 MSG)

You are God’s beloved child. He knew you ~ and loved you ~ before He created the world. Despite any mistakes you might have made, He still considers you to be His treasured possession. Take time today to thank Him for His unchangeable, unending and unfathomable love for you.

Jun8

The Master Gardener

Posted on by
Standard

30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers

That are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

He will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry …

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

33 Seek the Kingdom of God
~above all else~ and live righteously,

And he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:30-33 (NLT)

 

Profuse blossoms of wildflowers artfully color the median along many Georgia highways. In some spots, their gorgeous display resembles a beautiful impressionist painting. I am amazed to see how they flourish there in the scorching southern heat, bordered by two expanses of asphalt, absent of any gardener or sprinkler system. If I try to produce the same effect in my own yard, I always come up disappointed.

The wildflower display is the handiwork of the Master Gardener, and it reminds me of His tender and unfathomable care for His children. Our Heavenly Father masterfully tends the garden of our lives. In the fertile soil of our hearts, He plants seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, and faithfulness. The light of His presence sprinkled with a daily dose of His Word creates the perfect environment for a fruitful and abundant life. As the tender sprouts take root, He is there to pull up the weeds of doubt, pride, selfishness…and worry. The more time we spend in His presence, the better the garden of our hearts can flourish and the more fruitful our lives become. The less time we spend with Him, the more cluttered our hearts become with unfruitful weeds, which choke out the blessings He has planted there.

By seeking God ~ above all else ~ we are tapping into the source by whom our most basic needs are met. Entrust the Master Gardener to care for your life. Place your faith in Him, and do not worry. Believe His promises. If you diligently seek God and commit your ways to Him, He will faithfully provide for your needs.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and

He will give you the desires of your heart.”

(Psalm 37:4)


 

Jun4

The Majesty of God

Posted on by
Standard


 

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power

And the glory and the majesty

And the splendor,

For everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;

You are exalted as head over all.

1 Chronicles 29:11

 

 

All around us there are reminders of God’s glory and greatness. If we purposefully view His creation with the Creator in mind, praise and awe are the natural responses. The miracle of a newborn baby, the intricacies flower blooms, the delicacies of butterfly wings, and the glory of a painted sunset are all the handiwork of our Lord. No matter what you are going through right now, when you change your focus to God’s greatness, the burdens of life seem to melt in comparison. The same God who crafted the earth and everything in it, created you. He is big enough to handle any difficulty you may be experiencing. Soak in the scenery He has provided, and allow it to change your perspective. Take time today to acknowledge God’s majesty and splendor through His creation.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Feb20

God’s Artwork

Posted on by
Standard

 

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1(Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
       he suspends the earth over nothing…

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
       for a boundary between light and darkness…

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
       how faint the whisper
we hear of him!
       Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Job 26:7, 10, 14 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
   the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

 

Take time today to view the work of God’s hands. Listen for His whispers of love to you as you look upon His creation. Reflect on His glory and His unfathomable wisdom. Be reminded that the same God who created the ends of the earth also hand crafted you and loves you beyond measure. Set aside a time of quiet solitude to simply meditate upon this directive:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)