Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
I have a few question concerning this popular unity rule. (See scripture rule below)
1) Am I to be filled with the Spirit before I speak? 2) Or, do I speak and thereby become filled with the Spirit?
“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:18-19 (NIV)
“Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides that are used widely on farms, as well as around our homes, schools, and city landscapes. Used to protect against sap-sucking and leaf-chewing insects, neonicotinoids are systemic, which means they are absorbed by the plant tissues and expressed in all parts, including nectar and pollen. Unfortunately, bees, butterflies, and other flower-visiting insects are harmed by the residues. Extremely concerning is the prolific inclusion of these insecticides in home garden products. Home garden products containing neonicotinoids can legally be applied in far greater concentrations in gardens than they can be on farms – sometimes at concentrations as much as 120 times as great which increases the risk to pollinators. As a gardener, you have an unique opportunity to help protect pollinators by avoiding the use of these insecticides, asking your local nursery or garden center if plants have been treated with neonicotinoids, and encouraging your city or park district to use alternatives to neonicotinoids on plants that are visited by bees or are bee-pollinated.”
http://www.xerces.org/wings-magazine/neonicotinoids-in-your-garden/
Psalm 43:1 “Vindicate me, my God. And plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.” I find these words biting fighting words. My mind goes into a hail storm. Bounce, bounce, yes, no, and how could this be in such a nation as mine, the world’s greatest? I turn on the fighting arrogant news against almost every Bibical imaginable precept, concept and eternal truths recorded from God’s point of view and the hail storm returns to my head. The news anchors read and quote from the source fed to them like rat poison and they read on and think they are clever and deep thinkers. If anyone disagrees with their point of view they go into angry rage while their pride and arrogance looks like the reverse tail of Einsteins out of control hair.
What must one do? Read on, follow the perfect pattern of Psalm 43:2-5 God can be our stronghold, a safe shelter. In trying to navigate through this brutal Presidential election in my nation I sure need a stronghold. A safe shelter.
The other night I read a chapter in a book called Tozer: Mystery of the Holy Spirit by A.W. Tozer. This book is a collection of his sermons preached over 60 years ago. I think they are very relevant for today and particularly food for thought for this Easter season. The chapter I read and would like to share thoughts from is entitled, “The Dove of Noah’s Ark”. In it he contrast the hearts of the two different birds that Noah sent out of the ark at different times to illustrate to the church he was apparently preaching the sermon to why they were not filled with the Holy Spirit.🕊
Tozer writes that God in His kindness had to judge mankind because of their total depravity. So he sent a flood on the earth in Noah’s day to destroy, sparing only a few so that all the human race would not perish. In describing the scene of this judgement, Tozer paints a picture of the ‘devastation’ of this judgement that the raven that Noah sent out when the ark finally came to rest on Ararat, encountered. This desolation was not something I had really thought on before, a vast sea filled with floating, rotting corpses of all kinds of creatures. The raven, Tozer says, had a ‘dark heart’ and “felt at home there for he was a flesh eater”. What should or would have repulsed others did not have the same effect on the raven. The raven was very happy to go out into this sea of horror, loving it as he feasted on the dead flesh because that was who he was. Tozer writes, “Something in his dark heart loved it because he lived on it.” That raven never even wanted to come back to the ark. As I read on in the chapter, I saw that Tozer compared this illustration of the raven with man’s love of and comfortableness with sin. God has sent His judgement on humanity but man isn’t affected by it …man is right at home in this world just like the raven, loving it. He warns that “unless we repent, we shall all perish and all the nations of the world shall be turned into hell.”
Then Tozer contrasts the illustration of the raven with the dove that Noah sent out, a type of the Holy Spirit. This pure dove hated what she saw and did not even want to look at the filth, so she came back to Noah and the ark. She did not want to put her feet on anything dirty. What a vivid contrast of two types of birds, two types of loves and two types of hearts. Much to think on. 💜
As I understood it, Tozer sums it by referring to the Holy Spirit and indicating how He wants to come down into men’s hearts and lives but because of “plain sins which nobody can deny…” (and that God hates)…”the dove will not come down”.🕊
MICE & CHEESE APPETIZER….this is so adorable! The mice are made from eggs, chives for the tails, peppercorn eyes & radish ears. Just so squeekin’ cute!! via Party Pinching
How do you answer God’s question, “Where are you?”
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”….Philippians 2:5, NRSV
When I read the above scripture I admit it kinda of blocks my mind from my thinking. Hey, I’m glad, I think! I’m hoping this excitement has come into my thinking;
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8 NLT
We have been hearing a lot lately about mind, thinking, change, embrace, and even thoughts like, “suck it up”. I really would just love to have a dialogue here about experiences about having the mind of Christ vs. just mind! Am I the only one thinking this is a major mystery story and takes spiritual spy minds to develop and bring scenario of into existence.
“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” (Psalm 77:11–12, NLT)
“God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart.” – Psalm 46:1-2 (CEB)
My prayers today are for the Supreme Court of the USA. The selection and confirmation of a new justice in God’s timing only and His choice for the good of all.
The candidates running for the next President of the USA to have their hearts enlightened with God’s glory. And, the peoples’ listening ear, seeing eye and voting voice to be guided by the hand of the Living God.
And, of no less importance, for your needs and personal concerns to be at the top of the Holy Triune’s decisions for each day. In His Holy Name, I pray!
“The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9 (ESV)
thedailylily.com 