Rise Up and Release Your Talents

Rise up, O child of the Living God.

Rise up in Jesus Christ.

Rise up and praise God, who loves you with an everlasting love.

The Great I AM is with you.

The Great I AM is for you.

The Great I AM blesses and strengthens you.

Rise up. Rejoice. And be glad!

Picture yourself bending and swaying joyfully in the wind, like the leaves and branches on a tree. God is with you and He is for you. He blesses you and strengthens you.

Special Event:

Let the Holy Spirit enhance your creativity at this upcoming event:

Art & Writing Seminar and Workshops

Saturday, October 8, 2011

"Release Your Talents"

Workshops in sketching, self-publishing a paperback or E-book, and creating art with paper and fabric. For more details go to: www.promisegarden.com

May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from rising up in the mighty love of Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com

Two Evergreen Trees

The spruce and the pine tree grow side by side. Healthy, new growth can be seen at the end branches of both trees. The new growth differs from the rest of the evergreen. On the pine tree, the new growth is a vibrant, dark green, while the older needles are fading into a yellow green. On the blue spruce tree, the new growth is a silver-like blue-green, while the rest of the needles are a dark, forest green. The older needles on the pine tree will start to fall off during the winter. The older needles on the spruce tree will remain on the branches, adding to the fullness and beauty of the tree.

Sometimes we need to be like the pine tree that lets go of the old to make room for the new. We need to drop our old ways to embrace the newness of what Jesus Christ is doing in our lives. Other times we need to be like the blue spruce that needs the maturity, the experience, the strength, or the wisdom of the old to add fullness to the new. The beauty of a tall building exists because of the many floors and the solid foundation under it. When we build upon what the Lord has already given us, we become stronger and are better prepared to help others.

As we go through life, we need wisdom from the Lord to know when to let go and when to retain. We need to know when our branches will become weak if we do not drop what we cling to, and when are branches will become stronger if we build upon what is already there.

May we breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping us embracing the wisdom that our Heavenly Father so eagerly offers us. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com

Sunrise on the Edge of a Hurricane

The sun rises on the edge of hurricane Lee. In life, the beautiful and the terrible often walk side by side. Too many Pennsylvania rivers overflowed their banks; too many people were evacuated from their homes; too many valuables were washed away. During the days of high winds and the intense flooding that followed, babies were born, a wedding took place, surgery was performed, cancer removed, and friends reunited. There were laughter and tears, joy and sorrow, celebrations and devastation.

Yet in the middle of these two extremes, the love of Jesus Christ was found by those who looked for God. He was the One who watched over and protected the children when their schools were evacuated. He was the One who could see the road when the pouring rain and the passing trucks made visibility impossible. He was the One who sent His angels to watch over people in surgery. Highest praises to the Lord God Almighty, who is with us in both the good times and the bad.

May we breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping us embracing the comfort and the love of Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com

Roaring Power

The neighborhood was relatively quiet. It was a peaceful afternoon, with a warm breeze and plenty of sunshine. Out of nowhere came the increasing rumble of a freight train. It tooted its whistle and rushed by like a roaring wind, shaking everything in its path. Then it was gone.

Though the passing train lasted only a few minutes, the impression it left on me lingered for quite some time. My life was interrupted by its powerful approach, I was awakened by its thunder-like rumble, and stirred by its tremendous strength. There was no way that I could have not noticed the change in atmosphere.

Then a question came to mind. Will I let God's mighty love interrupt my every thought and every action? Jesus Christ wants His people to see the powerful positive effects of His love. He wants to interrupt our lives to radically change us so we will never desire our old ways again. Do I want a radical change? Am I willing to embrace Jesus Christ and His Kingdom in every thought, word and action? Will I be willing to be like the mighty freight train, interrupting the quiet, little world of the folks around me with the mighty power of God's amazing love?

May all of us breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping us from entering into the splendor of God's majesty. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com

Opportunities

Yesterday, the poplar tree was shining in its golden glory. Today, most of the leaves have fallen to the ground. It's one day of splendor came and went as the tree gave up its gold to cloth the earth in a protective covering of leaves.

Opportunities to see glorious things, like the tall tree shining in its brilliant colors, come and go quickly. Many times we miss out on the radiant joy of being in awe of what Jesus Christ does or the splendor that comes with getting to know Him better. Our schedules get over-booked, we decide we're not ready, or are afraid to seek more of the Lord. But what would happen if we choose to stand in the brilliance of God's glory, not just once in a while, but everyday?

Heavenly Father, open our hearts up to the magnificence of who You are, to the splendor of your glory, and to the riches of your Kingdom. Help us to enter into the beauty of your ways and the awesomeness of your days.

May you breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping you from entering into the splendor of God's majesty. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com

Suddenly

Overnight, the foliage on the huge tree across the street turned yellow-orange. This morning, its leaves glisten like gold in the awakening sun. What a beautiful sight to see! Yesterday, all the trees on the street were green. But today, the largest one stands tall in the splendor of its new color.

Change happens. And it can happen suddenly. Many times we grow weary in waiting for problems and issues to be resolved. Sometimes they seem to go on and on, like the long, hot summer, with no end in sight. But as we continue to trust in Jesus Christ, we discover there is a season for everything. We come to understand that God is a God of suddenlies. And when the time is right, the Lord God will suddenly change the our situation, like He did to the tree across the street, and bring us into a time of splendor and glory, as we shine in the light of His mighty love.

May you breakthrough the obstacles that are keeping you from basking in the light of Christ's love. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com