As the rain and snow

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:3-14

Paul understands that his calling was divine and tucked into the perfect will of His heavenly Father. He understands that his salvation was wholly by grace for the glory of God. For all this abundance he blesses God the Source. And he wants the saints at Ephesus to know the fullness of His Son, comprehend their spiritual blessings, and realize their eternal purpose to His glory. To this end he writes, teaches, and prays with gratitude and confidence.

In the temporal world with frenzy and business and limits, it is hard to think or see beyond. Demands are urgent, responsibilities stressful, emotions unpredictable, longings fleeting. The palpable and pressing take natural precedence over deeper meanings and eternal purpose. My will trumps God’s will because it is all I understand and can manage by responsibility and agency.

But when we enter Christ’s loving fold by faith, a whole new world of spiritual blessing opens to us, unseen and very real. It is a part of our sanctification to take hold of it. The process of comprehending and apprehending actually fulfills God’s purpose by folding us into His wide and perfect will, causing us to flourish, and prepares us for our future sure inheritance.

Our call is to look and rise up out of the lowlands. Blessed be God who has known us from eternity past and adopted us as His beloved children, destined for Christ-likeness! Would we memorize our lavish riches in Christ from first to last?

How well do we know and avail ourselves of His abounding wealth? How aware of and earnest are we about God’s eternal purpose for our lives? What spiritual blessings guide and guard our days? How are we presently acquiring, enjoying, and implementing possession of our inheritance in Christ?

Oh Lord, You have given so much. Make me a faithful, ever-grateful child who thrives to the praise of Your glory.

“And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. He became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.”

“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time...

“Eleazar rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword…

“Next to him was Shammah…He took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.

“And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam… They broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David…

“Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three… 

“Benaiah was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.” 1 Samuel 22:2; 2 Samuel 23:8,10-13a,16,18,20

The mighty men of David were renowned by name and great deeds. But they did not start that way. The motley crew of indebted, depressed, discontented men gathered to the hunted David out of desperation. He himself had grown skills and courage through challenge and hardship. These men were transformed by the honing of God in strain, through grueling opposition, and under the strong, humble, honest leadership of David. (1 Samuel 17:32-37; 2 Samuel 23:23-29)

The God who calls the dead to life and makes all things new is in the constant business of transforming His people. He trains us in the trenches of life circumstances by chipping away at fear and weakness to instill confidence, hone boldness, and fulfill our personalities. He does not relent until we have become all He intends. (Romans 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6)

What God-assigned trenches do we resist? Do we freeze in fear at stressful opposition or hard assignments? To what dreaded but transformative training need we submit? What can we learn from godly leaders who have endured with joy? What will we ask God to develop in us so we can fulfill His bidding triumphantly? (Psalm 71:20-21)

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~R. Keen (1787)

Lord, teach me through every difficulty to be more like You, to Your glory.

“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
    incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
    that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

He established a testimony in Jacob
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
    to teach to their children,
that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
   so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;
and that they should not be like their fathers,
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
    whose spirit was not faithful to God.

The Ephraimites, armed with the bow,
    turned back on the day of battle.
They did not keep God’s covenant,
    but refused to walk according to his law.
They forgot his works
    and the wonders that he had shown them…
They tested God in their heart
    by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God…

Yet he, being compassionate,
    atoned for their iniquity
    and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often
    and did not stir up all his wrath.
He remembered that they were but flesh,
    a wind that passes and comes not again.
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
    and grieved him in the desert!
They tested God again and again
    and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
They did not remember his power
    or the day when he redeemed them from the foe…
Then he led out his people like sheep
    and guided them in the wilderness like a flock…

Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God
    and did not keep his testimonies,
but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
    they twisted like a deceitful bow.” Psalm 78:1-11,18-19a,38-42,52,56-57

The psalmist grabs attention: Listen! And from the start, his intentions are clear: to convey what he has heard and known, so his hearers would set their hope in God. There is no pompous boasting, no litany of accomplishments or plans or even personal musings. His focus is time-held truths that reveal and exalt God and His deeds, that expose folly and inspire faithful adherence to God’s Word.

Daily we have many chances for oratory, to be heard in conversation and what we communicate in other ways. Whether we call attention to our words or not, they convey a particular message that elicit reaction. We can choose words that highlight our actions, or those that point to the Lord and His. We can choose to expose or denigrate others, or to magnify God. What will it be?

Thoughtfulness before we speak helps to clarify our aim. What is my intention? To whom am I speaking, for what response am I hoping? How can my words rise from the temporal to the eternal? How can I best convey God’s glorious deeds and the importance of embracing Him? How can I lift high His name and praise so generations will know and want to know Him? (Isaiah 41:20)

Lord, may I deflect self-attention and always reflect Your grace and greatness so others see and hope in You.

“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and his multitude:

‘Whom are you like in your greatness?
    Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,
with beautiful branches and forest shade,
    and of towering height,
    its top among the clouds.
The waters nourished it;
    the deep made it grow tall,
making its rivers flow
    around the place of its planting,
sending forth its streams
    to all the trees of the field.
So it towered high
    above all the trees of the field;
its boughs grew large
    and its branches long
    from abundant water in its shoots.
All the birds of the heavens
    made their nests in its boughs;
under its branches all the beasts of the field
    gave birth to their young,
and under its shadow
    lived all great nations.
It was beautiful in its greatness,
    in the length of its branches;
for its roots went down
    to abundant waters.
The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it,
    nor the fir trees equal its boughs;
neither were the plane trees
    like its branches;
no tree in the garden of God
    was its equal in beauty.
I made it beautiful
    in the mass of its branches,
and all the trees of Eden envied it,
    that were in the garden of God.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out… 

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below.” Ezekiel 31:2-11,18

Beauty, majesty, strength. The lofty trees described as Assyria had no match for their renown, influence, or regal spread and shade. Yet, impermeable, immovable, impossible to conquer? No! Egypt be warned: The God most High would not compete with nations arrogant with pride. He is God and may use their glory temporarily for His purposes, but He limits their power and brings low all who attempt to take His place. (Ezekiel 31:12-17)

There is an alluring thrill that surges when being used by God. He inspires our gifts and vitality, and might give glimpses of the effectiveness of our influence or success. But the Lord cautions His own never to become smug in strength, never haughty about our resources or fame, never to touch His glory. (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11; 1 Corinthians 4:7)

Have we any measure of success in work or ministry? If so, daily recount the Lord’s goodness and favor, and thank Him. Spend time adoring His vast majesty, endless creativity, and infinite wisdom. Marvel that He has appointed our place and blessed His work through our applied dominion. Rejoice in His faithfulness to His plans. (1 Chronicles 29:10-14; Psalm 8:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Where are we tempted to vaunt our abilities, successes, or accolades? How have we slipped up onto the throne of our lives, or domain of authority? When will we relinquish all smack of pride and pomp and bow in humble praise?

Lord, help me yield daily to Your throne to exalt Your high name and purposes.

“I cry aloud to God,
    aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
    in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
    my soul refuses to be comforted.
When I remember God, I moan;
    when I meditate, my spirit faints. 

You hold my eyelids open;
    I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old,
    the years long ago.
I said, ‘Let me remember my song in the night;
    let me meditate in my heart.’
    Then my spirit made a diligent search:
‘Will the Lord spurn forever,
    and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
    Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?’

Then I said, ‘I will appeal to this,
    to the years of the right hand of the Most High.^‘

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people…

When the waters saw you, O God,..
    they were afraid.
The clouds poured out water;
    the skies gave forth thunder…
The earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
    your path through the great waters;
    yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock.” Psalm 77:1-20

The day of trouble brought nights of tossing and sleeplessness. Moaning, mired in despair, bereft of hope, the psalmist asks if there is any relief, and comfort of presence and palpable love. His answer comes in meditation, remembrance of years of wondrous works by his Most High. He needed no audible response, but to consider God’s goodness and power. To remember God Himself.

Life circumstances can press hard. Challenges at work, at home, in battling thoughts and flesh might seem endless, enough to disrupt sleep, and peace. We ask for answers, why and how long and please relief. Stewing in the troubles will never bring hope, but turning attention to the Sovereign One will.

When was the last time we appealed to God’s years, considering His infinite knowledge, might, and plans spoken and fulfilled? How well do we know the Scriptures to marvel at His ways with men and kingdoms, weather and events and transformation of the human heart? How often do we trace and marvel at His hand in our own lives, through years of abiding, protecting, guiding, providing, sanctifying? How has He saved us, met us in difficult seasons, healed brokenness, redeemed lost years? Do we readily thank Him for His training, delivering, comforting, interceding? (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Answers for us come in the attributes and actions of God. Will we trust Him in our turmoil and go forth accordingly? We can act in confidence because He acts on our behalf. He who led His people like a flock through the sea is faithful to lead and love His people still today.

Father, help me meet troubles with the strength and assurance You exhibit and impart.

“A man of Bethlehem, Elimelech and… his wife Naomi, and… his sons Mahlon and Chilion… went into the country of Moab. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives: Orpah and… Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so the woman was left without her sons and husband.

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from Moab, for she had heard… that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. So she set out.., and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. Naomi said to her daughters-in-law, ‘Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!’ Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept… and said to her, ‘No, we will return with you to your people…^‘ Then they… wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

“She said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.^‘ Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

“So the two of them went on.” Ruth 1:1-19,14-19

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The desire and willingness of Ruth to remain alongside her mother-in-law Naomi is nothing other than unusual, and divine. Yes, Naomi was the mother of her foreign husband, but he had died, and if she was returning without husband or sons to her home country that would mean a large and lonely change for this young woman. It was her God who drew Ruth to commit to uprooting, traveling, and relocating to Bethlehem. Her pledge is firm and far-reaching.

We meet many similar heartaches in this life: famine of finances, friendship, hope, soul. We lose people we love, and have our plans upended in ways we would never expect. Yet the Lord in His Body provides people to come alongside, to stand by us, walk with us, encourage us to keep on. He calls us to do the same for those who hurt, grieve, and need companionship whether they are aware or not.

Whom has the Lord provided to stand by me when I most needed it? How am I bearing in love and faithfulness with others? What have I learned from my own sorrows or hardships that enables me to care and sacrifice for another’s help or encouragement? How might I come alongside a brother or sister today? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Father, help me readily, joyfully, sacrificially, faithfully serve others as You have me.

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means.., and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints..— they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.  We urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. As you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

In the middle of a stark contrast between extreme poverty and an overwhelming flow of generosity sits grace- pure, shiny, and effervescent. Paul informs the Corinthians of this loving act by the Macedonians to incite gratitude and wonder at God’s grace at work, and hopefully a similar free flow of giving on their part for the needs of others. Love for Christ will mimic His sacrificial expression of love at Calvary.

When the child of God makes a donation, it may be from duty or habit, possibly even peer pressure or guilt. Often it is more rote than thoughtful, a particular instead of prayed-over amount. The Lord calls us higher, to give cheerfully as an expression of delight and thankfulness for His bounty, and willingly from what we have, whether we think we can or not. (2 Corinthians 9:5-10,13)

When we’re in a place of financial comfort, do we treat it as all ours? Does gratitude to morph into desert, the gift graciously given into a selfish right earned? When was the last time we gave time or prayer or resources compelled by God’s grace, in gratitude to Him? Do we give to people or a ministry measured by what we perceive we have, or considering what we could live without? Contemplating God’s abounding grace will adjust my attitude toward the abundance He’s entrusted to me. (Luke 21:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 8:10-16; James 1:17)

When we give ourselves first to God, grace seeps in and is celebrated as it is absorbed and expressed. Loving Him, we cannot help gut give according to the bounty we’ve received, and this multiplies in wide thanksgiving and glorifies God. Grace that has brought us this far will surely lead us onward in lives of hearty gratitude and eager generosity. (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:19-21)

“The ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12

Lord, continually tap me on the shoulder with Your grace, and prompt joyful, generous giving in response, to Your ends and honor.

“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’  And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’  Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’  And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.  Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.'” Matthew 26:36-46

The postures in Gethsemane tell much about the will of its cast: Jesus and His disciples. The garden was a natural place of quiet, an invitation to be still and ponder, commune with the King of creation, and pour out deepest needs. This night it was darkened by a shroud of ignorant confusion and drowsiness on the part of the disciples, and looming dread and agonizing sorrow for the Messiah. The will of the disciples was lulled by temporal need, and that of Jesus by His eternal purpose folded into the will of His Father.

How we face any temptation, conundrum, or difficult acceptance or surrender is determined by our mental and spiritual resoluteness. Caught up in the flesh and its temporary demands and impulses, we will succumb to its sway in most circumstances, eschewing God’s higher call. However, when we are focused on pleasing the Father and trusting Him for resolve and resilience in the face of challenge, we will persevere in His strength. We may agonize in letting go of control, or accepting the hard road, but we will have faith to entrust ourselves to God’s high sovereignty.

Do we struggle with spiritual somnolence, choosing to indulge in a bombardment of distractions and opinions and pleasures of the flesh, numb to the devil’s wiles? Are we spiritually ignorant or apathetic, asleep to the Spirit’s convictions and warnings? When was the last time we battled, on our knees, in prayer, and ended with true release, “not my will but Your will be done”? To sit with sinners or slouch in temptation works against a strong stance in God’s good will. (Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 22:31-32,42; 1 Peter 5:8)

Lord, keep me spiritually alert and entwine my will wholly with Yours, that Your purposes and name are exalted.

“Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:10-18a

Paul depicts the two realities of every child of God: flesh and spirit. His words warn of the unseen battle in the heavenly realm that breathes its fire on every creature here below. If we fret in the domain of color and conflict that cajole and confuse, and fail to recognize the black and white of evil and good, we can be trampled by the enemy. Beware, take every thought captive to Christ and His truth, and wage war with divine armor in the strength of His might.

The reason we can be so ineffective at fighting sin, the devil, and the world is that we either rely on our own wits and will, or we ignore the power and vitriol of the unseen forces against us. We cannot fight spirit with flesh. When we deem ourselves God, in attitude and attempt, the Lord will put us in our place to expose our futility. (Ezekiel 28: 1-9)

How seriously do we take the vicious spiritual battle about us? Where does the culture taunt our convictions and rattle our resolve? How has the devil provoked us with the ruse of moral laxitude, justified dishonesty, or esteem of self? What strongholds of shame, resentment, unforgiveness, entrap our souls? Will we, by immersion in the Word and focused prayer, submit ourselves to God and His armor?

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tow’r;
Raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” ~8th century Irish

Lord, keep me aware and not afraid of spiritual battle, trusting Your Spirit’s victory.

“Thus says the Lord God: ‘I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.  On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.  And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 17:22-24

The Lord through His prophet described His activity with Israel, expressing warning as well as hope of restoration. His interaction with His people was always purposeful, achieving His ends as well as showcasing His attributes. The aim in His messages was that all would recognize His divine majesty and omniscient power, and know He is the LORD.

Not only has God created all things, but He is intimately involved in their growth and livelihood. While the prophet’s message is analogous for His people Israel, the illustration of choosing a sprig from a perch known only to His Highness and planting it to bear fruit beckons all to robust living. The selecting, establishing, and filling with holy purpose are His way and gift. As His people grow noble and spiritually wise and productive, many will be drawn to rest in His shade of grace.

Where do we fit in to this picture? From where did He pluck us to be His child? Where has He planted us as His tree in a dark world forest- at home, work, or community- to stand for Him? How is He providing, through teaching or encouragement of friends or specific opportunity, for us to flourish and spread our branches of service and love?

How hearty have we grown? What nourishment do we daily take to remain strong in Him? What about our lives gives evidence to His life and causes others to know He is Lord, of us and of the world? The more we entrust to Him our every twig to take and strengthen and use as He wills, the wider will be His reach through us, and the more He’ll be magnified and adored.

“This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!” ~Maltbie Babcock (1901)

Lord, I entrust to You every twig of ability, desire, and energy to become a spreading branch of grace and love that magnifies Your name and saving power.