I have read and heard a few stories recently of a friend often sharing a friend’s story. It usually goes something like this ‘He told the truth then! Now, he is caught in a trap. An almost dead rat!’ Poor man.
So often we as humans get rejected, hurt and wounded. We harbor this in our inner being until we become a part of the wound. Hebrews 12:15 used the term “root of bitterness” emphasizes the need to address and remove the source of bitterness to avoid negative effects.
Jesus came to earth to teach humans how to forgive and walk in healing. He taught us by forgiving we reject others that lie and deceive and then we enjoy the life of freedom of our minds and souls so we can enjoy the beauty and nature of the earth He created for us.
We don’t need our name carved in or on a stone as we are one with the stone. Our names are carved in the (a)*Rock and He is the creator of all things.
Even thou people and things fall all around us the truth will never fall. We may not have all truth yet but we should daily seek truth! Truth will set us free! I choose to seek and find truth and enjoy the beauty of nature. All humans have been given this gift but often we want to be a part of the golden calf rather than enjoy the golden stars, moon and sun and the blessing of peace, joy and love given by the Creator.
I pray ‘this poor man’ along with all humans will seek truth and walk in truth before we become part of the wound of destruction.
Many celebrate lent and Easter around this time each year. Often if we be willing many of us will find our way back to life and living in hope and wonder of the creator and realize we are NOT the Creator. We are created in His image.
Always seek truth! “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
“… You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:3)
(a)Corinthians 10:4 states, “For they all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
(a)Psalm 18:2 states, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation.”
thedailylily.com 
As I read the three scriptures, Sara, and their context, I had some thoughts that the focus seemed to be on Jesus, Savior of the world and the only Way to the Father.
“… You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:3)”
Here in Matthew 16, I read that Jesus was talking to people (Sadducees and Pharisees) who thought they were spiritual and knew God. Yet, God, Jesus, was standing right before them and they did not recognize or regard Him as God or see “the signs of the times”; instead, they demanded a sign. Jesus called them evil and adulterous.
And here on this blog we have a photo of a dramatic sky filled with unusual clouds and colors illustrating the scripture and painting a picture…maybe signs of these current times…Revelation 1:7-9 does say, “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!”
“(a)Corinthians 10:4, you state, “For they all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
Vs 1 in I Corinthians 10 says: “I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.” Sounds like a cloud was influential in their lives and brought their focus to the Rock, Jesus.
“(a)Psalm 18:2, you state, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation.”
Further on in this Psalm (vs 9-12) I read that clouds are mentioned again…”He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.” Amidst the “floods of destruction” and the “distress” that David was going through and expressing in this Psalm, God, the Rock/Jesus comes to the rescue to guide and strengthen.
I think we (at least I do) need to pay attention to your blog photo and scriptures you posted, Sara, so I don’t miss Jesus standing right in front of me telling me something that I need to hear…thank you for all this.
Thanks Debi for bringing our thoughts wrapped in Hope and Expectation of remembering to LOOK at the clouds of heaven!
Revelation 1:7-9 does say, “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!”
There is so much in this blog to consider and think on and heed.
Sara, you said above, “Truth will set us free! I choose to seek and find truth and enjoy the beauty of nature. All humans have been given this gift but often we want to be a part of the golden calf rather than enjoy the golden stars, moon and sun and the blessing of peace, joy and love given by the Creator.”
Sara, it is a real blessing and ‘Rock’ to find Truth posted here and on all your blogs on the Lily. For me, it is a place to seek and find truth and even “enjoy the golden stars, moon and sun and the blessing of peace, joy and love given by the Creator” by gazing at the photos you share in which you so often capture something of God’s creation. Thank you for encouraging us and reminding us of Truth and the need for it so we don’t “become part of the wound of destruction.”
Debi, after reading your comment I read Romans 1 where Paul’s writings depict a perfect photo of our study. Thanks for sharing and prayers as we study together.
I love how Paul blessed our reading and studying together from Romans 1.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6-7 NKJV
The words are by Cecil Frances Alexander and were first published in her Hymns for Little Children of 1848.
Alexander’s text reads:[13]
1.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
2.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
All things bright …
3.
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
All things bright …
4.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky.
All things bright …
5.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,−
He made them every one:
All things bright …
6.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;−
All things bright …
7.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
All things bright …
(Amen)
The United Church of Canada includes a fourth verse:[14]
The rocky mountain splendour,
the lone wolf’s haunting call,
the Great Lakes and the prairies,
the forest in the fall.
Sara, you wrote, “I love how Paul blessed our reading and studying together from Romans 1. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:6-7 NKJV“
What a wonderful and encouraging blessing to receive!
I went on to read Romans 1 and saw a verse (vs. 20) that goes right along with what you wrote above: “…enjoy the golden stars, moon and sun and the blessing of peace, joy and love given by the Creator.” The verse states, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
I love the song you quoted. The hymn writer sure must have clearly seen His attributes/qualities and observed His creation which enabled her to write all about it so that all of us, from youngest to oldest, could understand also.
I agree with Debi that there is a lot in this blog to think on and heed. I was looking at the title of this blog and began to think about the word, seek. Seek, (verb), an attempt to find (something). I am not a teacher, I’m a nurse, but I believe I learned in grammar school that a verb is an action word. Is it correct to say that to find truth it requires some “action” on our part? If this is correct, it seems we have a lot of “action” in the words and Scriptures shared here.🙏
You are so right Tammy with your word study. We might just start with a few very familiar scriptures that gives us a directive on SEEK;
Tammy, I’m thinking you have made a chess move with Seek. Seems if I Seek God I will find God without a doubt. Now my move what will I do with God after I find Him. What will be my next move?
Sara has asked, “ Now my move what will I do with God after I find Him. What will be my next move?”
I believe the next move would be…. Get to know who God is by reading His Word. Now, I have no idea how to play chess, but I know the goal is to win! Seeking God, finding Him, and getting to know Him through His Word is a great way to set yourself up for a win, wouldn’t you agree? What is the next move Sara? Or please help with this struggling chess player that knows nothing about how to play it? ♟️ ♟️ ♟️
beautiful photo shared above
Tammy, I don’t play Chess either but my sons do so I enjoy watching and hearing with limited understanding their study, move and verbal language. For instance in chess…
“Verbal description: Use clear language to describe the move, including the piece, starting square, and destination square.”You have described your move beautifully My move would be; Believe!
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)“
To confess Jesus as Lord means to publicly declare with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is the rightful ruler and savior of your life. It’s a declaration of faith, a turning to him as the Lord, and a commitment to follow his teachings and way of life.”
Your move!
Sara, my sons know how to play chess also, but their mom never learned 🤣. Debi sure made a great move with ….”follow”. I think my move may be 🤔…………”repent”?
Tammy, this scripture is so encouraging as it sure gives a Win when we repent. “The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?” . . . Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.”
—John 8:3-5, 6 (CEB)
And, catch wisdom on this one, “She said, (to Jesus) “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.””
John 8:11 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.8.11.NKJV
I am going to jump in the chess game even though I don’t know how to play either. Someone tried to teach me how to play many years ago and said I was playing defensively but needed to think and play offensively. So, after Tammy’s move of ‘seek’ and Sara’s move of ‘believe’, I am thinking some action is needed.
I was reminded of a teaching from Sara’s retreat book, “Dressing for His Glory”, Lesson 4: The Garden of the Lord.” The graphics of 8 pairs of black footprints moving forward are indelibly etched in my mind. Sara’s description for this graphic reads: “John 12:24-26 and Luke 9:23-24 records the words of our Lord, giving us steps into the Garden. Can you take these steps? Deny Yourself, take up your cross, follow me…”
So my move would be ‘follow’.
WOW Debi! You must have made a move that calls for a lot of thought!
I noticed when my son plays online chess the players agree to a time like day, week to make their next move.
Your move Follow! First deny my way of thinking and follow another’s. Hum!
.Deny…To declare (my thinking) untrue: “This is the most common meaning of “deny.” It means to state that something is not true, often in the context of an accusation or claim.”
That calls for a thoughtful decision dosent it?
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-for-life-daily-program/id91473880?i=1000704100626
Thank you for sharing this sermon, Sara! It was a refreshing pleasure to listen to the clear Truth and teaching about Easter. It certainly went along with all you wrote in this blog, including, “Always seek truth! “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)”.
He is risen, just as He said! Thank you for sharing the above sermon Sara.
Tammy, In hearing a sermon like this I’m often reminded of your Grandmother Furlough. She was in Edenton hospital having live out most of her earth life and preparing for her eternal home. I knew her as a loving, caring, hardworking praying lady. I’m not aware she ever travelled far from her home. Yet, her love for her Lord and Savior took her many places. I was visiting her one evening when she told me her story of which this was the main part. When she prayed she looked up into the heavens and she would see children from all around the world of all colors, cultures and faiths. She prayed for them from a heart of love. She knew many needed food and water. She knew all of us needed to know about Jesus. She knew we all needed to love one another. She knew our special song, Jesus loves the Little children of the world. Often I think those very children might be adults living around the world and could be a world leader, a priest, a lawyer, a farmer, like her. How are we treating them? Getting along with them? In this sermon Pastor Begg speaks of what it might be like inside our churches. Pastor says, decisions we must make. 🙏🏼
”A loving, caring, hardworking, praying lady”, is certainly adjectives I feel correctly describe my precious grandmother, Sara. I don’t think I ever had a conversation with her without her Heavenly Father or His Word wasn’t mentioned at some point? I treasured the things she would share with me. I pray that I can be half the grandmother she was to me🙏💙