God is Spirit, and God is love! You have just read  two very important holy Scriptures. Beauty speaks to every soul. Our Creator has marvelous plans for all. Our Father makes Himself visible in all that we see, smell, taste, or touch.  Everywhere we look, the Creator’s hand is clearly evidenced.  The sun, waters, fish, birds, color, and bloom.

Our Lord continues to provide for the needs of all of His kids.  Each morning, we delight in a quiet scene of what may fly into our view.   Many beautifully feathered friends perch high above our yard on an ancient tree that God planted just in front of our casa.  A variety of birds share its sprawling branches. Some build nests that dangle like ornaments. At the base of the deeply rooted giant, horses enjoy its shade and feed on its fruit.

In the fall, the tree is full of leaves and long bean pods.  Mike and I enjoy our coffee peering out the screened in front porch.  Our ever alert bird watching dog Rags wags his tail and lunges. He dances upright across the green. He thrills to play chase with visitors landing.

Above we may see a flock of parrots that screech across in a flight pattern just to tease Rags. Without knowing their scientific names, we have a high fence decorated with bright reds, perky blues, doves, and an occasional black bird. The church bells strike with a song at 6 am. The blooms open up for a hummer feeding as a large choir circles to sing to our souls. 

Chirping “good morning” an unpracticed dozen vibrate with a hum. Swooping in without an invitation, Hummers flutter in stillness to suck life from a crown of thorns, and draw a steady drink from the birds of paradise.  We delight to watch ourselves, and the garden change and grow.  The birds never worry about health or their Source of energy.  Reflecting on the variety of birds that crisscross the acre God gave us, we notice a flock of regular attenders in our church. Seasonal folks make our lifestyle flare with excitement. Father, who shall You send next? Me!

Short term visitors offer us fresh conversations. We expect that change is never ending.   People fly in from Canada, Europe, and the USA for a retreat from harsh weather.  Varied as the birds,  we welcome each visitor as a delightful gift.  We enjoy their fruit, and then off they go. Some stay for a few years, and others have seeds to sow in a far off soil. Some folks like to chatter, and others prefer to keep quiet and just observe in reserve.  In public, in church or privately, each person enjoys a wild variety.

Our Father also enjoys change. He created all 4 seasons. A time to plant, water, and grow us. Also, we have time to shed and drop more of our own thinking so we can align with His. Time will outlast what we now see. For now, we know that seasons change, but God never does. What is most important is that we feed on God’s Word no matter the hour, the day, or the season. 

We who believe, partake in private and in public.  Our Lord offers a full banquet. His Word tells us that Jesus is the Finisher of our faith.  The Holy Spirit teaches, leads, and gives us a deep understanding.  Our part  is to listen for what the Spirit is personally speaking to us.

Each pastor, priest, and every believer is a faithful slave who gladly feeds this starving generation. God feeds the birds extra just before winter. We feed our neighbors compassion, mercy, joy, and hospitality. Our Good Shepherd awakens us every sunrise.  “Have you considered your eternity?” Have you heard that Jesus is coming soon?  Be ready and pray for His forgiveness and everlasting love, grace and mercy!

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate.” Matthew 7 wisdom of ages.

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Found it! God is Spirit, God is Love, and Jesus is our Judge. A banquet with the finest wine awaits as God makes all things new. “Lay hold on eternal life.” 2 Timothy

Isaiah 43:1 “This is what the Lord says— He who created you…He who formed you… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Eternal life is a gift of God. It is imparted by the Spirit. Lay hold of the gift given and soak in the glorious promise of God.

The longer a tea bag sits in hot water, the water gets saturated by the content and becomes strong. The longer we sit quietly in the Presence of God, the more our spirit gets saturated by the Divine. As we soak in His rich content, our container fills with a most powerful blend of strength and courage. We then walk fortified with a force that cannot be overtaken. When life heats up, choose to be still and know that God is the strong drink you need in times of trouble. He will quench your thirst and satisfy all pressing needs.

The press preaches bad news. The Bible preaches truth and good news. So decide who shall fill you with Eternal hope and abundant life.  Fall in love with Jesus by embracing what He has done for you.  Sweeter is He who is in us, than any human.  Many believers seek a “word” from God, but don’t feed on what He has already given. Many agonize and need deliverance, but stiff arm Jesus? Many seek to be entertained without submitting?  God’s love heals, comforts, and gives us victory.  His unfailing love replaces drama with peace. There will always be drama and problems on earth, so God gives us freedom to choose Him and possess eternal life. Abandon all drama and choose to sing, begin the music now!  Accept the Mighty hand that changes discontent into His everlasting peace.