Yesterday, fresh, crisp, cool air rose above the morning dew. Clusters of songbirds resting in the colorful trees, joyfully graced the neighborhood with their music. Leaves sailed delightfully to the ground in their last dance of glory. All around, the earth was transitioning into a season of harvest, gathering and celebration of God's love.
The gorgeous colors of fall and the excitement of the birds led to a few questions. Has my harvest been fruitful? Am I gathering with others and celebrating God's love? Am I happy in my heart? Out of the overflow of my heart comes joy and enthusiasm, if it's in my heart. If joy is not there, then I need to ask for it. If excitement is barely visible, then I need to pray for more. If I smile only once in a while, then I need an increase in smiles. The Lord is eager to grant these requests. For when I ask Jesus Christ for more of Him, He pours out joy, peace, and an excitement for life, in abundance!
May the wonder working miracles of
God's amazing love bring a breakthrough in your life.
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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
The sound of the traffic zooming down the highway filters through the open window. The world is waking up and the sound of people commuting to work has already begun. Despite the loud noise, one songbird chirps its song. It sings loud, lovely and cheerfully.
My ear is drawn to the bird's music. I listen closely as the bird sings a few notes, stops, and then repeats the pattern. It does this again and again. Time does not deter the bird, nor does the racing traffic. Listening to the bird's singing becomes more important to me than the commuting cars. So my mind fades the highway noises into the background. After a while, my ear tunes into something new -- the faint sound of a second bird, answering each of the first bird's calls.
The bird is teaching me how to tune into God's voice. If I take time to sing out songs of gratitude and praises, despite the busyness and interruptions all around me, my focus changes. I become more aware of the delightful sound of Jesus Christ whispering His love to me than the stressful noises that the world is shouting at me. And if I persevere in my songs of prayer and praise, I begin to hear the soft voice of the Lord through the peace that quietly seeps into my room. And this is where the conversation between the Divine and the natural begins.
May you breakthrough the barriers in your life that are keeping your beauty hidden. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
Early every morning, the birds sing cheerfully outside my window, but today, one song resonated high above all the others. It was the song of the robin. He was singing so sweetly, so powerfully, and so joyfully, I had to stop and listen. His voice was clear and crisp. It had a boldness to it. It echoed confidence. The bird had a song to sing and it sang it loud and clear.The robin reminded me that I have a song, too — a song of praise to the Lord. My voice is not beautiful, like the robin's, but that doesn't matter. The question is, "Will I be willing to join in with the birds in praising God?" As I pondered this thought, a pee wee joined the chorus. Other birds added their songs, too. Some high, some low. Some reverberating, others with quick stops and starts. It was an orchestra of praise to the Creator of the Universe.
A tinge of excitement seeped into my heart at the thought of singing with the birds. I couldn't resist any longer, and entered in with a melody of thanksgiving. Afterwards, a stillness came upon me. And with it, a lovely peace. So I sat quietly, while the birds continued their symphony. As I abided in Jesus Christ, a sweet calmness filled my whole being. It was a lovely rest, a welcomed respite, and a much needed time of tranquility. By God's grace, I was strengthened and refreshed for the busy day.
For more encouragement by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to www.promisegarden.com
