Thoughts About Spring #3

Well, we have thought about rain and rebirth. To finish out this week's blogs, let us stop and praise God for the beauty and wonder of Springtime. It is our privilege as part of God's Creation to worship and praise Him.  This morning the Sun is shining brightly, the birds are singing and eating at my bird-feeder (which we have named Doc's Diner), and the squirrels are playing. The flowers and tress are budding and blooming, the sky has not a cloud. We woke up (otherwise you wouldn't be reading this) and so - LET'S JUST PRAISE THE LORD! Today, have a great day - and continue to praise Him for it!

Thoughts About Spring #2

Today at 12:57 pm, we celebrate the official start of Spring. Ah, spring! This season brings increasing daylight, warming temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna. It is officially designated as the Vernal Equinox.

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” Days and nights are approximately equal everywhere and the Sun rises and sets due east and west. At the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero, which means that Earth’s axis neither points toward nor away from the Sun. (However, the tilt of Earth relative to its plane of orbit, called the ecliptic plane, is always about 23.5 degrees.)

Spring is also the time when worms begin to emerge from the earth, ladybugs land on screen doors, green buds appear, birds chirp, and flowers begin to bloom. The vernal, or spring, equinox signals the beginning of nature’s renewal in the Northern Hemisphere.

Yesterday, I spoke about rain. Today, I want to talk about rebirth. As we watch the trees, grass, and flowers come back to life, it looks like they are reborn into this world. The Bible speaks about man needing a rebirth - or the need to be born again. Consider as a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, what takes place. To understand the truth of this matter, we must understand that "It's in the Bible!"

1. The entrance requirement for God's kingdom is a new birth. It's in the Bible, John 3:3-8.
2. Eternal life begins at the moment of spiritual rebirth. It's in the Bible, John 3:36.
3. When we receive Christ, we are reborn. It's in the Bible, John 1:12-13.
4. Spiritual rebirth brings changes in our lives and goals. It's in the Bible, I John 3:9.
5. In Christ, we are newly created. It's in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
6. By the Holy Spirit we are reborn and adopted by God. It's in the Bible, Romans 8:15-17.
7. With God as our Father, by faith we can overcome the world. It's in the Bible, 1 John 5:4.

So, if the facts are in the Bible, and we see these 8 great facts about the new birth, I must ask you today - do you know for certain that you have the New Birth? Have you moved into the springtime of life - a rebirth that will give you eternal life and a hope and a future with God? You can. What's stopping you?

Thoughts about Spring #1

"Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field." Zechariah 10:1 (ESV)

 Tomorrow on the calendar is the first official day of Spring.For a number of days now, I have been enjoying the trees budding and blooming, the Daffodils with their beautiful yellow heads standing up and showing forth that the time of year is one of renewal.

Living now in the south, my grass stays a dull tan all winter long. with the buds and blooms starting to show, I know in the near future my lawn will once again be a beautiful apple-green. What has looked as dead for months now, will take on the appearance of life. And, actually, not just the appearance, but full bodied life. The birds have been returning to my feeders. The Finches and Wrens are eating and preparing their nests. The Robins are back. As I work in my Study, I am able to leave the Patio doors open, and enjoy the sound of the breeze, birds, and bright, happy people as they enjoy the coming warmth.

We have been blessed with some rain recently, and as the prophet above speaks, this is from God to help the vegetation blossom and provide for us. Without rain, we would not see the vegetation "green up" around us.  Without rain the animals would soon be seeking water in dried up streams. Without rain, the beauty of God's creation would look like a winter/desert scene all the time.

So, even though at times we consider the rain as a nuisance (if we have planned a picnic, for example) we can see that in God's great plan, rain is necessary. I have a note on my desk that reads, "If you pray for rain, be ready for the mud." It reminds me that often when I am praying for that which will bless and I will enjoy, that the "mud" of life comes with it. It is all how I chose to look atit - a blessing, or a bust.

Today, whatever your "weather," consider how that God can and will use it for your good. See how many ways you can link to His blessings.