One last flower bud greets the cold, sunny, autumn day. It's brilliant, flaming red color contrasts with the other buds, which succumbed to the dryness and frost. Life and death, all on the same twig. One side looking forward, the other side looking into the past. One stepping into glory, the other withering away.
The plant reflects our attitude towards life. We can choose to bloom and produce beauty despite the difficult circumstances around us, or we can give into the elements that drain us of life. It all depends on which way we are facing. When we fix our eyes on the Jesus Christ, the Creator of Life, He causes us to flourish. When we fix our eyes on the world, we are influenced by what is happening around us.
May the wonder working miracles of
God's amazing love bring a breakthrough in your life.
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What a pleasant surprise to open the front door and see a rabbit in my yard. As I watched, the bunny nibbled on a blade of grass and some weeds before hopping onto the sidewalk. Then it stopped and looked at me. Who was more curious? The rabbit or me? For a precious moment, we connected. Our eyes locked. It posed for a picture, then ran off.
This reminded me of the precious moments when I become aware of God. Am I more curious about Him or He about me? Scripture says that the Lord delights in His creation. He rejoices over His people with singing. When I look at Christ, I can picture our eyes locking, too. But I don't see the look of fear that the rabbit exhibited. I see goodness, joy and glory. I see acceptance, mercy and love.
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Excellent Artist, who paints the morning sky,
Master Songwriter, who sings from on high,
Greatest Instructor, who dances through the storm,
You navigate the waters to save and keep us warm.
Greatest Composer, Distributor of peace,
You override the darkness, You cause fear to cease.
Amazing Inventor who brings forth each day,
You mastermind creation and show us the Way.
Precious Jehovah, Great God Most High,
We sing you praises, we lift hands to the sky,
You are most holy, good, true, and just,
Faithful, compassionate, the One whom we trust.
Thank you for giving us eyes that start to see,
The beauty of Jesus Christ and your creativity,
In all of nature, in all that You do,
You are magnificent, and we do honor You.
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With a gentle calmness and quiet curiosity, the big fish swims to the end of the tank to greet the little boy. It does not swim off and hide like the other fish. It is not nervous, jittery or fearful, like its companions. It appears confident and unruffled, exhibiting a tranquility that seems uncommon to fish.
The boy stares eye-to-eye at the fish, then runs to the other side of the tank. The fish follows. The boy runs back again. The fish chases after the boy like a puppy chasing after its owner. The boy stops and looks intently at the fish. The fish stares back. The boy shows the water creature its new toy. The fish eyes the toy with interest. The boy talks to the fish. The fish listens intently.
The connection between the fish and the boy seems uncanny. While the other fish are consumed with self-preservation and staying close to protective crevices, the white fish appears to be more interested in things beyond itself. It shows no fear. It seems eager to connect with the outside world.
Just like this white fish, we need to learn to walk through life with a gentle curiosity about people, about creatures unlike ourselves, and about God. When artist Natalie Totire saw this photograph, she said, "There is just something admirable and attractive about animals that take an active interest in humans and what they're doing. It's almost an example of how we should act toward God."
May the Holy Spirit strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ and give you grace to take an active interest in what God the Father is doing today.
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A soft layer of snow fell gently upon the old shed, that was tucked away, in the corner of the backyard. The structure was often forgotten or ignored. Some paint was starting to peel off and part of the wood was beginning to rot. Year after year, attention was given to the rest of the yard where flowers grew, children played, and adults picked herbs.
But when the snow came, attention was drawn to the shed. Donned in its winter beauty of freshly fallen snow, the shed graced the landscape in a picturesque way. It was the first thing people's eyes turned to, when they stepped into the backyard. It became noticeable and gave people a reason to smile.
Sometimes we feel discarded, ignored or forgotten, like the old shed. But when we allow God's grace to cover us with His love, beauty starts to rise up from within. We begin to reflect His glory and His beauty. And people who are looking for God's light, take notice. They are drawn to us. They want what we have. They want Jesus Christ in their lives, too, so they can also shine in the winter moments of their lives.
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There are more than a billion stars in the universe. Some are clearly visible, some are hard to see, and others can only be viewed with a powerful telescope. Yet, God knows each one of them by name.
There are more than a billion people scattered across the planet. They have a variety of features, characteristics and skin colors. They speak different languages, wear different types of clothing, and have different customs. God knows each one of them by name, too.
There are more than a billion blessings that Jesus Christ pours out. The Lord God brings out the sun and waters the earth. He sets the moon and stars in place. He provides plants and animals for food, fiber and clothing. He strengthens, restores, and watches over those who seek Him. He shields, protects, and delivers those who cry out to Him. He teaches, guides, and equips those who ask for wisdom and walk in His ways. He walks with, talks to, and takes delight in those who love Him. He offers the gift of salvation to all who are willing to accept.
How awesome is our God who blesses in a billion different ways! How great is the Lord God Almighty!
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Walking along the brightly-lit path was a challenge for the blind man. He couldn't see the rocks in front of him or know the danger of the slippery slope on one side. He didn't notice the people who rushed past him, or recognize the boys who shoved him aside. But each time he fell down, he reached for the hand that helped him up, and continued walking.
Through wind and rain he trudged onward. Through snow and ice he kept moving until he reached the goal. When he stepped across the finish line, people cheered. His children hugged him. Friends patted him on the back.
A small child stood off to one side, watching. When the noise quieted down, she walked over to the blind man and took hold of his hand. Pulling him aside, she whispered something into His ear. The man smiled, and said, "Yes." Then the girl whispered something else. The man said, "Yes," again. The child giggled and skipped off to play.
A lady standing next to the man asked him what the child wanted. He replied, "She asked me if I knew Isaiah 42:16."
The woman pressed him for more information. "What is Isaiah 42:16?"
The man cleared his throat, and said, "The Lord said, 'I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.'"
"Oh," the lady replied. "What else did the child ask you?"
The man smiled. "She wanted to know if Jesus Christ was my Savior, and I told her that He was."
May you walk into the New Year with confidence that the Lord will lead you through the storms of life. May you know that Jesus Christ will never forsake you, no matter who you are, or what you did, or what situation you are in. Whether you are sick or healthy, rich or poor, blind or have good eyesight, the Lord will lead you onward and teach you His ways, so you can be filled with peace. And when you receive God's peace, you can bring peace to every situation, and watch God's glory overshadow the darkness.
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Unnoticed by the two squirrels chasing each around the yard, is a blue jay. From the top of the roof, the bird watches the squirrels run up and down several trees before racing race across the top of a fence. The gray squirrels leap into a neighboring yard, and wrestle each other in a pile of dried leaves. When they grow weary, the smaller squirrel scampers to the nearest tree and stretches itself across a wide branch. It's buddy disappears around the corner of the house.
A moments later, the blue jay flies to the squirrel's nest. The bird starts pecking the carefully woven leaves and twigs, pulling out seeds and nuts. Then the bird pokes its head out of the nest and looks around. The squirrels still haven't noticed, so the blue jay hops to a lower branch and begins extracting food from the sides and the bottom of the nest. A second blue jay arrives. Together, the two birds feast on the banquet they found.
It is easy to understand the importance of guarding our valuables, but sometimes we forget to guard the treasures in our hearts. Let us work hard to hang onto these precious gifts of joy and peace from Jesus Christ, and be alert to things that try to rob them from us.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant peace and joy that Jesus Christ has for you. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Yesterday, the wind blew harshly against the bare trees. Branches creaked back and forth, under the gloomy, gray sky. Some of the weaker ones fell off, barely missing the small birds and animals looking for shelter. Today, the wind is gone, the cloudless sky is a beautiful shade of deep blue, and young squirrels leap from branch to branch. Even the chickadees are pecking at trees to find insects, while the mourning doves rest upon on the high branches to bask in the warm sun.
I am so thankful that change happens, storms pass, seasons come to an end, and new days can begin with hope and expectation. I am so grateful that the way things are today, they don't have to be tomorrow, that blue skies lie beyond the dark clouds, and that the sun is always shining somewhere.
The wind still blows harshly in my life. The things I try to do still come apart at the seams. Passing clouds still try to obscure my vision. But I have hope — hope in the promises of God, hope in the plans He has for my future, and hope that He will get me where I need to be. And because of this hope, when I fall down, I can get up again. When I fail, I'm one step closer to success. And whether the sun comes out or the clouds cover the sky, I can still scamper with delight up to the Tree of Life, and celebrate Jesus Christ.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant life that Jesus Christ has for you. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Standing leafless under the overcast sky, the maple tree looks stark and bare. It appears to be stripped of all beauty as it enters its winter sleep. Yet in a hidden, secret place beneath the fertile soil, rich growth begins to take place in the tree's roots.
Just like the maple in winter, our outward appearance doesn't always reflect the inner transformation that is taking place. God meets us in the hidden, secret place of our heart, to prepare us for new growth. And like the tree, we need to rest during this process, except our rest is in Jesus Christ, who covers us with His love.
Do not try to determine the outcome of what you see around you with your naked eyes. It's in the dark times, when everything looks stark and barren, deep inner growth is taking place. You cannot see it. Others are not showing it. You many wonder if anybody can do anything about the problems all around us. But do not despair. Fix your eyes on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. And when that new growth in Jesus Christ is ready to spring forth, nothing can stop it.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant life that Jesus Christ has for you. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
As we climb the hard, rocky steps of life, we discover that Jesus Christ provides shelter and rest along the way. Through our weary eyes, the road often looks gloomy, gray and barren. But as we learn to rest in the love of God, we begin to see things from a different perspective. We begin to realize that He turns the barren wastelands into blooming gardens. And as we stand more on His Word, we begin to see His promise of abundant life for us.
Enable us, Holy Spirit, to stand on Christ's promises and replace our negative thinking with the truth of your Word. Help us, Lord God Almighty, to remember that it's not what our physical eyes see, but what your Word says, and the truth that You speak into our hearts, that brings us victory. May the truth, that we are your beloved, and the promise that through Jesus Christ we have victory and are overcomers, replace every the doubt, negative thought, and fear that arises in our heart. For as we stand on your Word, and align our thoughts with your promises, our heart becomes open to the abundance of Your blessings.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant life that Jesus Christ has for you. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Stained with streaks of sulfur and iron, the rocky cliff appeared to be void of life. No plants grew between its tiny cracks. No small rodents scurried along the narrow ledges. No reptiles poked their heads out of the weather-carved holes. But as my eyes moved upward, numerous trees, colored in their fall glory, graced the top of the cliff. How surprising to see an abundance of foliage with trunks well-rooted in the rock below.
Seeing these trees gave me a clearer image of what "building a foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ" means. It means that I can grow, flourish and stand tall like these trees. It means that my roots can go deep down into the Word of God. It means that there is something solid and dependable that is holding me up and keeping me from toppling over. It means that I should endure because there will be abundant growth at the end of the rugged, barren-like journey.
How amazing is the Lord God Almighty, that He illustrates His scriptural truths in nature and in the way He shapes the earth. How delightful it is to discover a visual example of His teaching. Highest praises to the Lord God Most High. Highest praises to Jehovah.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from enjoying the splendor and love of Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Only a few leaves remain on the poplar tree, but they glisten in the sunlight and dance delightfully in the wind. They are more jubilant than the surrounding maple trees that still have most of their foliage. What causes one tree to clap its hands with excitement while the other trees sway casually in the breeze? Is it the way the leaves are attached to the branches that enable them to be more attuned to the breeze?
Attach me to You, Lord Jesus Christ, in a way that causes my spirit to soar. I want to dance in the wind of your Holy Spirit and praise You with zeal and excitement, like the tree outside my window. Thank you for the light of your awesome love that causes my heart to want to stand up and cheer for You.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from dancing in the wind of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the joy of Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
The early morning sun shines on the huge maple tree, highlighting the tips of its branches that are turning yellow. Joy rises up in my heart at the beautiful sight. Not only does the tree look illuminated in the sun's rays, but it also appears to be standing in quiet reverence. Not a single leaf is moving under the clear, blue sky.
A hush comes upon me. I can feel the love of God. The magnificent sight of the maple in light is an invitation to bask in the light of Jesus Christ. I feel a nudge to quiet my anxious thoughts and be still — to be still and know that God is God. How refreshing it feels to be still in the light of the Lord. Thank you, Lord God Almighty, for this morning gift of refreshing.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from feeling the love of God and receiving the refreshing of Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
The hard-working ant searched diligently for food, climbing over grass, under leaves, and across the wooden fence. Food was scarce, the day grew long, and the ant traveled too far. It became confused, frightened and lost. A gentle breeze began to blow. The ant felt the power of the wind on its body and watched the dried leaves scatter across the lawn. The ant decided to speak to the wind as best as it could. It climbed on top of a brown leaf and looked towards the sky. Somehow, the wind understood, and gently lifted the brown leaf into the air. The leaf swirled round and round, and up and down. At first, the ant became dizzy and disoriented, but soon adjusted the thrill of sailing on the wind. After a while, it began to feel tired, closed its eyes, and fell asleep. When the ant woke up, it was back home, surrounded by its family.
Like the ant, we sometimes loose our way. We become tired, confused and disoriented when resources shrink and opportunities diminish. Then we remember God's scriptural promises, and the ability of Jesus Christ to lift us up. We remember the power of the Holy Spirit, and the ways God can turn every situation into an opportunity to strengthen our faith and our trust in Him. And as our hearts shift from the negative around us to the excitement of sailing on the wind of God's Holy Spirit, the Lord lifts us up. We begin to see life from a different perspective, and hope enters our hearts.
May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from enjoying the splendor and love of Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
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
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
Droplets of water cling to the pine needles. Tiny bubbles of moisture sparkle in the morning sun. The tree branches look clean and new. All is well in the world around the pine tree.
All starts to become well in my world, when I take my eyes off the huge "to do" list and begin to rest in God's love. Refreshing are the showers of His grace that cleanse my tired soul. Beautiful is the assurance that Jesus Christ loves and cares for me. Mighty are the arms of the Lord that quiet my anxious thoughts. God cares for His people, He cares for you, and He cares for me.
May you breakthrough the barriers in your life that are keeping you from basking in the peace of the Lord. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
The early morning rain left the flowers looking like I sometimes feel — droopy and drenched. This feeling happens when too much weight is on my shoulders. Even good things can become weighty when they happen all at once and place too many demands on my schedule.
There are times in life when we must carry burdens, like caring for children, helping our elderly parents, dealing with employment issues, or paying the bills. The trick is to turn these burdens into delightful challenges. And the place to start is by knowing we don't have to carry the heavy weights all by ourselves. Jesus Christ stands ready and waiting to straighten up our drooping shoulders, to turn the rain into sunshine, and to carry our burdens for us. The question for me is, "Am I willing to let go?"
I want to be like the happy flowers that blossom in the light of God the Father, that bask in the joy of the Lord, and that bloom for the King of Kings. I want to go through life, free and unburdened, singing in both the rain and the sunshine, dancing through the storms and celebrating happy occasions. I want to be unburdened by the problems around me and the issues within me. I want to face every day with the strength of God and the power of living in Jesus Christ. This is my heart's desire. O Lord God, let this be so.
May you breakthrough the barriers in your life that are keeping your inner beauty hidden. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
A quiet morning,
A cloud-covered sky,
A sweet softness,
I wonder why?Birds singing softly,Clouds standing still,
There's a hush over nature,What is God's will?
A breeze stirs the treetops,
It rustles the leaves,
Which clap for a moment,
What does God see?
Great joy in His Creation,
Musicians with new songs,
Artists painting pictures,
Praising Him all day long.Believers are arising,
With a dance in their feet,
Giving glory to Jesus,Glowing as they meet......The Lord of Creation,
The Savior of the Earth,
Who walks with us daily,
And shows us our worth.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for showing us how valuable we are to You. Thank you for showing us that we are a treasure in your kingdom. You love us, and You reunite with our Heavenly Father. Thank you for atoning for our sins to make this possible.
For more encouragement and breakthrough inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
