Hope!

My one and only rosebud began to open up last week. I took pictures of it every day until Sunday when we had to leave on a trip. I'm looking forward to seeing the full potential of this beauty as she fully opens up while I'm gone and made my next-door neighbor daughter promise to take pics of it every day! These photos show the development of growth and HOPE.

(click on pictures to enlarge them)

(4 days later) Here is a postscript photo:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device nor creed;

I trust the Ever-living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea;

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

                                                                                                                                                                       

My heart is leaning on the Word,

The written Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior's name,

Salvation through His blood.

My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

                          -Eliza Hewitt

      

                        

"For we which have believed do enter into rest." (Hebrews 4:3)

(As I finished writing this post, this very song began to play on my online radio, Abiding Radio. Talk about emotion! I believe the Lord was giving not only His approval but also reinforcing the truth of His Word in which I have rested my faith.)

Scene Through An Open Door

It caught my attention every time I glanced that way...the pot of sunflowers that I could see from where I sat in church. At that morning hour the sun was usually shining through the window, so it enhanced the beauty of the flowers...
Seeing them through the slightly opened door seemed to add to their beauty. It was as if the Lord was saying "Look through those open doors of opportunity, I have beautiful things waiting for you. Trust Me."

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit..." (I Corinthians 2:10,11)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Prayer

As I was talking to the Lord yesterday concerning a certain problem, I was reminded for the umpteenth time in my life about the importance of prayer. As the beloved hymn says, "What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer".

I'll be the first to admit that my prayer life isn't as strong as it should be. But, oh, how precious is this privilege! It isn't something to take for granted or to "use" just when we're in trouble. Prayer is an intimate form of communion with our Saviour and Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ. How He waits and longs to have us come to Him. "Talk to Me", I often hear Him say, "I want some time alone with you".

We do not have to have an image in front of us, or something in our hands, or talk to some saint in hopes that they will relay our message. No, NO! We can boldly and confidently go into His presence and bare our hearts before Him. And Who better than the Holy Spirit to intercede for us?! We have no other, we need no other, there IS no other that can hear us and meet our needs...than the Lord. I'll have you know that that's grounds for gettin' excited!

 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Pruning

This morning I decided that it was a good time, with the blue sky and sunshine, to prune a couple of my plants, especially the Rose of Sharon, which had gotten a little too tall and out of shape for her own good. With pruning shears in hand, I clipped the tip, and sometimes alot more, of every big and little branch, not worried at all that perhaps I was being too drastic. Must've learned that from my pruning-happy husband...although I've been known to fuss at him for pruning (what I thought was) way too much! Anyway...I know that, come Spring in 3 or 4 months, she will begin to reward me with all of her beauty! I'll try to remember to send you a photo of that later on.

 I don't know whether pruning is painful to a plant but I do know that it leaves it quite ugly...but only for a short time. Pruning in the form of discipline from God in our lives is definitely painful and, temporarily, is an ugly thing-from our point of view. But wait awhile and we will certainly see the beauty that results from the drastic measures He has to sometimes take. He cuts off branches and buds that are dead, useless, way too big for our own good and detrimental to our health, growth and development. But He does it in love, knowing the beauty that will unfold, a beauty that will bring glory to Him and make Him smile for joy. All because He loves us!

 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11)