Reflections on Fruit-bearing
Lord, this morning I’m reflecting on Betsy Creswell’s memorial service, which was held on Friday. Betsy was such a godly woman, a genuine example of one finishing well, faithfully following You to the end of her days. That’s how I want to live…
The time she had spent praying, pondering and preparing her own celebration of life and passing, led her to desire Your glory…that each detail would be filled with joy that pointed to Your goodness and blessing. When I agreed so many months ago to sing at her memorial service, it was an honor to be asked, and I asked You to make Your will known…if I should accept. You did…and I did.
And Your name was glorified on Friday, these many months later.
My fears that the sun’s intense heat would melt my ability to sing…stand…even move, were real. But You ARE greater…stronger…and You showed Yourself AGAIN as God Almighty, Lord of all creation.
You did not remove my limitations. Instead, Your strength was made perfect in my weakness. Whether I sang clearly was entirely in Your hands. Obeying, trusting and singing with conviction was all I could do…and I offered You all of myself.
You multiplied what I offered, just like the loaves and fish.
To my ears I did not sound my best; to the ears of those who heard, Your Spirit made each note more sweet and lovely than what I thought they were. For they were offered from a heart desiring Your glory above all else.
You caused fruit to be born from lips that sang Your praises…and will continue to sing Your praise until my dying day. Thank You for the honor of being a vessel bringing glory to Your name!
John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit.”
Hebrews 13:15 “Through (Jesus) then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to his name.”
THE SUN WILL NOT HARM YOU BY DAY…Psalm 121:6
Why am I fooled by the fallacy of fear, when my purpose is to stand strong in the promise of the Prince of Peace?
Why do I keep my eyes peeled for pain, when I should fix them on the One who provides for all my needs?
The lion’s “Modus Operandi” is to roar so loudly that its prey is paralyzed by fear. Why, then, if I’ve been told my enemy is like a roaring lion, do I fall victim to his fear and allow myself to become his prey?
For my God, who is in me, is greater than he!
Is not my God called Almighty…Faithful…True…All-knowing…LORD…Never Failing…Ever present…Creator…Giver of Life…Strength of my heart?
If these and so many other names are true, why would He not be LORD of all creation, which came into being by His word? “He who holds the stars, who calls them each by name will surely keep His promises…”
For what can a little heat and humidity do to me, when He controls my life…the world and all that is in it…the stars…the moon…the sun?
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (ESV)
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (ESV)
Were you wondering?
So this is where I sit & rest, reading God’s word…listening for His voice. This is where my heart grows grateful for all of His blessings.
