I'll Stand

          Came across Psalm 20:8 early this morning.  "They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright."  It reminded me of my old Bible where I had kept track in my reading of all the times "stand" was used.  Hundreds of times this word shed much light upon God's desire for us to rise and stand in His light in order to be light.  This calla lily this morning reminded me of God's design to beautify us when we stand for Him in a dark and messy world.  Just look at the elegant lines and  simple design of this lovely flower!  Soft green dissolves into pure white as this flower unfolds.  It is hard to really describe the beauty of this elegant flower.  

          One of the amazing thoughts this calla lily brings to mind is that it is just what God asks of us:  to quietly just stand before Him reflecting His beauty and light.   This lily stands right outside our window so I can admire it.  God admires His work in us, too.   Isn't Jesus gracious to give us this incredible privilege!! It is not anything of our own power or work.  We just reflect His work.  Psalm 30:7 says, "Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong...."   His power, His work, His clothes, His strength, His favor, His Spirit, His beauty......  that is what makes us stand.  And He tells us for protection to just stand.  I Peter 5:9 tells us to resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  In the original, to resist is to stand against.  Just stand, clothed in the humility of Jesus Christ.  Our Savior is awesome!  So stand for Him!                 K.C.

          

Spring Beauties

       

          

          Something about this time of year - new beginnings - freshness - anticipation - the beauty of God's marvelous works in creating such luxurious flowers - brings hope to my tired soul.  Knowing that God has such creative skill and such knowledge of great detail in creating flowers gives me strength in trusting Him for the needs of my life.    Jesus tells us that we are clothed with more beauty than the lilies of the field.  Now that is hard to believe!  He is at work in my life and yours making us more beautiful than these lovely flowers!  What God creates reflects His character.  Just as each of these flowers reflect His beauty and skill,  I reflect Him in a way no one else can.  Just as lilacs are a different beauty than forsythia, each of us are different beauties to the Lord.  My praise to God cannot take the place of yours.  My service to the Lord is not like yours.  It is not a competitive race we are in, but a relationship with Jesus to reflect Him and bring His glory to this world.    He desires us to grow in beauty and character the more we learn to know and study Him.  It is not that I decide to be a rose or a tulip and work at it.  Way more simple - it is focusing on Jesus and letting Him decide what He wants me to be.  He teaches me and molds me by sending different people, experiences, trials, and tests to my life in just the right way.  It sure brings a freedom to my tired soul to know that Jesus is at work for me, in me, and through me.  He refreshes and restores and remakes me in His own way.  He clothes me, it is His work, and His way is always perfect to form me into His beauty.   

             

                    "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;

                      for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered

                      me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with

                      ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  For as the

                      earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown

                      in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

                      to spring forth before all the nations."   Isaiah 61:10 - 11         

                                                                                                                                                      K.C.