Christ's Powerful Vision Grows a Harvest of Blossoms to Our Souls

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Spring has arrived in all the glory of blooms and blossoms. Somehow the weather isn't convinced as we have suffered through cold fronts that have forced us to bring plants inside and unhook water hoses. 

But spring also reminds us of new life. The plants push through the ground with sprouts of green and flowers stems boast new petals of color. 

God set the earth into motion after He created the world. The seedtime and harvest cycle has never ceased.

Our lives are the a cycle of seedtime and harvest also. We sow seeds without our awareness when thoughts enter our minds if we allow them to stay. Some are good and some not so good. Our goal is to uproot the ones that have destructive intent.

Here are some springtime memes you can share if you wish. Hopefully, they can remind you of the Lord's blessings to you through the power of His Word. As we let the light of Christ shine, His powerful vision can grow a harvest of beautiful blossoms to our souls. (click to tweet)

Psalm 17:6

Isaiah 40:8

What Scriptures remind you of Spring and new life? Please feel free to share your thoughts. 

How Can Christ be Both the Lion and the Lamb?

 by Barbara Latta

I have enjoyed the recent days of unseasonably warm February weather. In Georgia, we never know what we will see each day. Winter in the south can feel like that season only lasts a few days while some years the cold doesn’t want to end. Lately the wonderful upper 70’s and sunshine has spoiled me thinking spring is really here.

But according the Farmer’s Almanac, our last frost date is around March 30 so I know cold air is still in my future.

All my life I have heard the saying, “If March comes in like a lamb it will go out like a lion.” Wind and storms are in the forecast for the next few days so this must mean March of 2023 will arrive like a roaring lion of unpredictable weather.

This analogy reminds me of how Christ is the Lamb of God and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. How can He be both?

What Does Perfect Love Mean?

 

by Barbara Latta

We see many examples of sacrificial love from unselfish people. Men and women have died defending others. Parents have given up comforts, financial security, and their lives for their children.

But this human devotion still is not the perfect love 1 John 4:18 speaks of. Because no matter how much a person does for another one, that love can’t cast out fear.

The Real Face of Love

 

by Barbara Latta 

The Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek, languages more precise than the English most of us are familiar with. Scripture uses a variety of words to indicate different relationships, whereas we throw around several uses of love, sometimes flippantly, and the word loses the impact we intend.

We love chocolate.

We love our spouse.

We love our dog.

We love our car.

We love a certain book or movie.

We love God.

We use this same word to indicate a variety of emotions and attachments. We don’t (or shouldn’t!) love chocolate with the same feelings we have for our spouse.

God of Wisdom

 

This week we are privileged to hear from Lori Hatcher as she shares an excerpt from her recent book, Refresh Your Hope, 60 Devotions for Trusting God With All Your Heart. The link to this book is at the end of the post and I know you will be blessed by ordering and reading this amazing devotional. Here's Lori:

God of Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

I suspect if someone asked, “Who’d like to be mature and complete in your faith,” most of us would wave our hands wildly and yell, “I do! I do!”

But when we discover the route to maturity winds through the wilderness of trial? “Uh, no. Never mind. Maturity’s overrated.”

How to Change Your Life Without New Year's Resolutions

 

by Barbara Latta

New Year’s resolutions can build stress. We feel pressured to make them, then condemned by our own minds when we don’t complete any of these tasks.

A tradition started by a lot of people has been to choose a word for the year to focus on. This habit releases us from the stress of attempting unobtainable goals and instead gives our minds a daily dose of health to meditate upon. Once we do this, we can find that we can change our lives without New Year’s Resolutions.

7 Promises From God for the New Year

 

by Barbara Latta

Our inboxes and news headlines are filled right now will different aspects of setting goals for another year. Rather than inundate ourselves with more than we can comprehend or do, an alternative would be to concentrate on the promises God gives us in His Word. These life-giving assurances are not only for the beginning of another calendar but will fulfill us every day.

Here are 7 promises from God for the New Year for us to meditate upon.

1. Freedom from loneliness and fear. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

2. Freedom from guilt and condemnation. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

3. Freedom from spiritual and soulish emptiness. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

4. Freedom from worry and anxiety. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

5. Peace – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

6. Provision – As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (1 Peter 1:3)

7. Protection – Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. (Psalm 91:9-10)

His promises are always yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). He never fails and we know we can always depend upon the truth of His Word to work in our lives.

What encouragement can you add to this list?

7 promises from God for the New Year(click to tweet)