There was a time when I had some disappointing days and years.  Events I faced had not worked out well.  So during my devotional time with the Lord, I questioned Him.

“Lord,” I asked, “Am I really a sub-standard Christian, since these situations have robbed me of love, joy and peace?  After all, I am well aware that these are fruit of your Spirit.  I lack them.  I do.”

His reply, “Let me ask you a question.  “Are you experiencing long-suffering, meekness, faithfulness, kindness, and self control?”

“Well, of course. These things that have plagued me have forced them to take hold,” I asserted.

“What, my child, is sub-standard about that?” He comforted.  “Don’t forget that they are also fruit.  They may be less interesting or esteemed in your eyes than the others.  They may even be less sought after, but they are fruit of my Spirit.  You are still my child and I am still working.  Be secure and rest.”

This stopped some of the wrestling in my soul and brought a dimension of joy and peace that had evaded me for quite some time.

God works when we don’t even see it happening.

Galatians 5: 22, 23 (KJV)  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

photo credit: Lawrence OP via photo pin cc

Do  you remember your first love?  I am not just referring to your first romantic love, but how about the first love you had for your parents?

Do thoughts like these come to mind?

• “Where Mom is, that’s where I want to be,” or
• “If it’s  O.K. for my Dad, then it’s O.K.  for me.”

You may not recall being a mommy’s or daddy’s boy or girl, but in the lives of children we can see and remember the love and affection, the adoration, the imitation and, yes, even sometimes the submission that tells us that children think their parents are very special.

Jesus took children in His arms and blessed them.  He knew then how special and important they are.  Even though they are not mature and do not possess great understanding, He loves as He did then.

We are all children.  Our heavenly Father has nourished and taught us, protected and clothed us.  He has warmed, comforted and rescued us just like any loving, parent would.

He made us for His pleasure.  Believe it or not, He enjoys us.  Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that He even rejoices over us with singing.  Can you imagine a parent bursting with joy over his children?  I think we all can.

Is it so strange the He yearns for our love in return?

Ponder this message from what is written in Revelation 2:24.  Here God is speaking to one of His churches.

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance and how you cannot bear evil men…

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my Name’s sake and you have not grown weary.

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

Does that sound like He’s talking to you?  Have the years robbed you of the love and affection, the adoration, the imitation and, yes, even sometimes the submission that tells your heavenly Father that you love Him and think He is special?

Let Him know today that He is important to you.  He took pains in making you, caring for you and rescuing you.  He has shown that He thinks you are very special.  Today can be the day you return His love.

photo credit: Loyal O.A.K. via photopin cc
photo credit: Minarae via photopin cc

(Excerpt from oour book, Tales From Heritage Farm)

The Tabernacle was the specific spot where the Spirit of God would dwell among His people.  It was the place where Moses and Joshua retreated to be in God’s very presence.  It was there that they heard God speak to them and where He talked to them “face to face as a man with his friend” (Exodus 33:10-11).

God Himself made the plans and created the design.  Each task was given in great detail.  He communicated these instructions to Moses who in turn related the  project accurately to his craftsmen.

Building this special place with all of its contents was a fine work and a costly one.  It involved much intricate detail and expertise which required much  patience and planning.  It took time, materials, and diligence.  The end result was a beautiful work.

How does this story reach out and touch my life or,  perhaps, yours you may ask?  Let me explain.

Here I, too, am in the midst of a fine and costly work, a beautiful work.  He has given me the ability to do it.  In 2 Timothy 1:7 Scripture says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of love and of a sound mind.”  I need not shrink from the task in fear, but face it knowing that He, the Lord,  is the blessed Enabler.  I want to do the best work, the most significant work ever.  My whole heart is stirred for the job even as the hearts of Bezalel and Ohoiab were.   They prepared a place for the Spirit of God to dwell.

Similarly, I am preparing a place for His Spirit to live.  I am a mother working with the children with whom God has entrusted us.  The foundations were laid while He knit the babies in my womb.  He has provided the protective coverings over these dear children, the coverings of  parental authority and responsibility.  The building block are all around us–The Gospel, biblical values, the example of godly parents, family devotions and worship, Christian literature, church, education,  proper nutrition, and, of course, the spirit within each child.

The inner furnishings are in the process of being made.  They are things such as conscience, awareness of the God and the  parents who love him or her, trust, obedience, the knowledge of right from wrong, intellect, coordination, communication skill, responsibility, honesty, proper priorities and on and on.  It is taking time, lots of time.

Oh, Lord, help me to do this work well.  The job is tiring.  It is at times overwhelming.  Use me to make these little ones a proper dwelling place for your Son to make His home.  Our beloved children are so precious, and so are You.  I look to You to lead me gently as I work with these young.

God’s promise to us in Isaiah 40:11 reads, “[The Lord] will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”  Dear mother or mother-to-be, the Lord will gently lead you in this holy calling of motherhood.  Follow after Him.  He cares for your children and He cares for you.
photo credit: USACEpublicaffairs via photopin cc
photo credit: McBeth via photopin cc
photo credit: Roel Wijnants via photopin cc

(Excerpt from our book,  Tales from Heritage Farm)

Wood Carving

There are many famous and colorful characters mentioned in the Bible.  Several of them are well-known even to small children.  For example, there are Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Samson, King David, Queen Esther, and Simon Peter to name a few.  In the Bible, God has recorded their stories as a written lesson for those who will come after them.  They are intended to be an example for our learning.

So, who, you may ask, are Bezalel and Oholiab?  They also are members of this elite group of characters whose lives are recorded in the Bible.  Although their reputations have not become as well-known as the other aforementioned people, their lives, too, are patterns from which to learn.  Let us examine their story and learn a lesson that God wants us to discover from them.

Their interesting, though unlauded, story is recorded in chapters 35-39 of the Book of Exodus in the Holy Bible.  Now at face value, I will admit, it is not a narrative of intrigue, suspense or romance.  However, upon close examinaton, the story that is printed there supplies the pondering reader with some intriguing truths to consider.

Along with Moses, the main characters in this story are Bezalel and Oholiab.  They were excellent and successful craftsmen in their trades.

Embroidery

Moses was told by God to get skilled  people engaged in constructing His dwelling place called the Tabernacle.  Besides that, the artisans were to fashion the Ark of the Covenant and the funishings of the Tabernacle.  The job included the making of tables, the altar, and the curtains, the metal and the needlework which were to be used in the Tabernacle.  Because these furnishings were to be used solely in the worship of the Lord God, it was essential that the makers of such unique articles be superb in workmanship and in several artful skills including those of organization and management.  Since their responsibilities were to build such holy, consecrated items, it was appropriate and necessary to employ the services of extremely talented individuals.  Consequently, Moses chose Bezalel and Oholiab who were competent tor this undertaking.

Cut Stones in Setting

The scripture indicates in Exodus 35:30-34 (RSV) that Bezalel was “called by God and filled with the Spirit of God with ablility, with intelligence, with knowledge and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic design, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.”  Of Oholiab and Bezalel, Exodus 35:35 (RSV) states that they were both “inspired to teach…filled…with ability to do every sort of work done by a craftman or by a designer or  by an embroiderer…or by a weaver…”  They knew how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary.  The Lord made them able and had stirred their hearts to do the work (Exodus 36:1-2).
photo credit: keepps via photopin cc
photo credit: Lucia Schwery via photopin cc
photo credit: cliff1066™ via photopin cc

(Excerpt from our book, Tales from Heritage Farm)

Busyness can keep me running at full steam ahead.  The work can be satisfying, but the one thing that I require I do not find there.  I have the need for still, restful moments, when my mind can focus on the One who gave me the fine family for whom I work.

The Lord Jesus deserves my devotion 24 hours of every day.

I enjoyed some of those meaningful moments of quiet with Him as I read a portion of the Bible, Hebrews 4:11-16.  It began, “Let us, therefore, strive to enter that rest…”

“Oh, Lord, how did You know I long for rest?” I said.

He answered, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot.”

It had been too long since I sat still with my Savior and listened to Him, so He went on,  “And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

I cringed, “Yes, I know I’ve had so many things to do.  You see how life is for me, Lord, don’t you?  You know I love You, but I am not too gifted at scheduling things as important as quiet time with You.  I’m sorry.  Will you forgive me?”  I entreated.

“Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus Christ, the Son of God; let us hold fast our confession.”  He encouraged.  He went on, “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

My heart burst forth, “Oh, Lord, I am so glad you really understand and that you love me so.  I am comforted by your kind and thoughtful words.  Why don’t I always come to you first?  I want to; I need you so.”

With His love surrounding me, His Word said, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,  that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

“Oh, yes, Lord, I need to come to you more often.  I always have times of need,”  I responded.

Then, “Buzz!”  The buzzer rang.  The apple juice needed to come out of the canner and I was brought back to the busyness at hand.  I had had a time of peace and rest, visiting with my Lord in His “living and active” Word, the Holy Bible.

We were made for God.  We function best with exposure to His Word and a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Take time alone, away from your work, read the Bible, ask for that relationship with Him.  He will welcome  you with open arms.  He loves you dearly.
photo credit: M$$MO via photopin cc
photo credit: journeyguy via photopin cc

(Excerpt from Tales From Heritage Farm.)

“Busy, busy, busy!  There is so much to do and so little time.”  Are those familiar words or thoughts you ponder often?  Do they  bring certain images to your mind like the drone of the beehive or the rush of the noonday traffic?  Perhaps it sounds like  your life.  Could it be that you or I am too busy?  Let’s check the record.

At 7:30 AM , my daughter and I went to take photos of her beside an historical site for a school assignment.  We did this on our way to an 8:00 AM doctor’s appointment.  Next, I drove her to school.

Upon ariving home, eleven quarts of apple cider, four pints of grape jelly, and seven quarts of tomato soup were waiting for me to prepare and can them.  Besides that, there were three quarts of fresh broccoli asking to be frozen.  Several bunches of grapes were badly in need of processing, so I extracted three quarts of grape juice from them.  (This time of year has a lot of harvesting and preserving work to be done.)

I gave one haircut and have attempted to sit down three times to write this little entry in my diary (all without sufficient time to complete it).  Later in the day, I met my family for a local homecoming game.  I have not had much time to sit quietly.  I have been on the go.  My writing has had to wait.  It was shelved until the following day.

photo credit: Kumaravel via photopin cc