A Tree Planted By The Water

A tree planted by the water

For quite some time, I have pondered over what it actually means to be a “tree planted by the water”. The first thing I asked myself is why trees normally gravitate to the water (river, stream, or lake). Trees that are planted by the water have a regular supply of nourishment and refreshment. They can be easily sustained and thrive. Being planted by the water is to have a regular supply of “life.” The tree will grow strong and sturdy because they will have a strong root system. It will constantly bear fruit. A well-watered tree can provide shade and rest to anyone who needs it.

Psalms 1:1-3 says: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (NIV)

When we meditate on God’s Word, we will be like the tree who receives a constant “supply of nourishment and refreshment.” God’s Word is our water of life which keeps us firmly rooted and grounded in the teachings of Jesus and His wonderful promises. When we neglect reading His Word, we will wither and die from the lack of living water that He provides.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 says: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit.” (NIV)

I am reminded of the song, “I Shall Not Be Moved”, an African American spiritual, which tells us that if we are like a tree planted by the waters and anchored in Jesus, we will have total confidence in Him to see us through any trial or heavy burden that may be thrown our way because we will have a strong and sturdy “root system” that will not rot or decay or crumble when the winds or storms try to knock us down. We will have a strong foundation in Jesus Christ–our Rock, our fortress, and deliverer.

May the Lord help us continue to trust, believe, and anchor ourselves in His powerful love.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Suggested Reading: “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God and Walk in Faith” by Lysa Terkeurst; “Focus: How One Word A Week Will Transform Your Life” by Cleere Cherry Reaves

One Day At A Time

Take one day at a time…just breathe

Since the beginning of the New Year 2024, many of us have begun to make a new “to do list” or as others call it: New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of making a list for the coming year, I decided it was important for me personally to begin “taking one day at a time.”

Matthew 6:25-27 tells us that we are not to worry about what we eat, drink, or the clothes we wear and that our lives are more important than food and the body is more important than clothes. Many people wonder “how can this be” because food and clothing are the essence of our everyday living. Jesus then tells his disciples to “look at the birds of the air” who neither sow or reap yet your heavenly Father feeds them. How much more valuable are we than them–when we worry can it add a single hour to our life?

Matthew 6:33 sums up the chapter by telling us to “seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Worrying seems to be a part of our human nature. Just look around at what is happening in the world–it would make anyone worry for the future. But Jesus is telling us that if we stop our worrying and begin trusting in God our Father, He will provide for all our needs.

Philippians 4:6-7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi to encourage them and give them some practical advice on how to live the Christian life, and to rejoice in the Lord always and be content no matter what the circumstances.

Remembering to take one day at a time is a way of reflecting on and being in the present–one moment/day at a time–and meditating on all the promises that God offers us to live our best life for Him. It doesn’t mean that my mind doesn’t wander and try to think about the next day, but as I concentrate on just one day at a time, the day has become more meaningful because I am not thinking about what I “have to do” tomorrow or next week. I am living “in the moment” and enjoying what each day brings and trusting in God’s provision for that day.

If I am living one day at a time, I keep myself from worrying about what is going to happen the next day and so forth. I am living in the present of God’s grace and mercy. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” If we are living for the future, we are not able to be still to listen to all the wonderful things that God wants to bless us with. Try taking one day at a time and begin living your life in this wonderful brand New Year 2024.

Blessings,

Yvonne

QUOTE for the Day: “Our adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness,’ he will rest satisfied.” Richard J. Foster

A New Year…A New Beginning

New Year’s Eve 2023

Tonight when the clock strikes midnight and the gigantic, glimmering ball drops in Time’s Square in New York City, 2024 will begin around the world. The million people crowding Time’s Square will begin to sing “Auld Lang Syne” and grab the person’s hand next to them as they usher in another year.

I love “new beginnings”. They give us a fresh start of what is to come and not about we have left behind. It is a time to move forward from the reminder of all the unexpected things that have happened in 2023. Those who have lost loved ones and those who were given a life-threatening physical diagnosis (and who have had a hard time moving from their despair) can find consolation and strength in moving forward one day at a time with the help of friends and family and leaning on the One who is our “strength and shield.”

Whatever our situation has been in 2023, we can trust God with the unknown and the new. II Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” We can look to the beginning of 2024 with a new sense of anticipation in all that God will and can continue to do in our lives as long as we rely on and trust His promises that “all things work together for good to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”

May you find his strength, guidance, and rely on the assurances of God’s promises in the coming New Year 2024.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Reading: “Be Still: 90 Devotions for the Hopeful Heart” by Cleere Cherry.

JANUARY 2023 POEM: HIS GUIDING HAND

Trust in His guiding Hand.
Trust in His guiding Hand by walking in Faith.

A few nights ago, I woke up with a poem that I knew the Lord had given me to share. Oftentimes, in the still of the night, calmness, and quietness, God will speak to our hearts and reassure us that He is there no matter what our circumstances.

As simple as this poem may appear to be, it spoke volumes to me when I needed His reassurance of His care and direction for my life. My prayer is that you would open your hearts and continue to live by Faith and not by what is supposed to be happening–we do not always see God at work at the time we are going through something–but He is always there.

HIS GUIDING HAND

“His guiding hand, His guiding light

Is in my heart, Day and Night.

So I will trust in His Love

I will trust in His Light…

And In His Loving Arms to hold me tight…

Through hurt and fear, because He promised to be near.”

I continue to read “One Word a week” using the book “Focus” by Cleere Cherry Reaves and every time I re-read the word for the week, I learn something new about “not losing another day to distraction” but allowing God to speak to my heart in all aspects of my life for that day.

Just remember that:

“Everything that happens to you has meaning. Every moment of life has purpose. And God doesn’t step away from you for a single second of the journey.” Dayspring: “God In Every Moment” by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

May the Lord be with you in this New Year 2023 and may His blessings be many and your faith be increased.

Blessings,

Yvonne

CHRISTMAS 2022

The lighting of the advent candles through Christmas
Four weeks of lighting the Advent wreath candles leading up to the birth of Christ candle.

The gifts are wrapped and the decorations and food are ready to welcome family, friends, and loved ones during this blessed time of year–the birth of Christ. Families have traveled by plane, train, or car to be with one another during this “wonderful time of year” and to renew and rekindle their relationships.

Recently, while talking to a new acquaintance, he mentioned that he had five children–all adults now but living in different states–who would all be together for the first time in many years. Distance and time were the biggest factors that were keeping his family from getting together every year during the holidays. Even though they all talked on the telephone throughout the year, visiting family and friends in person would be so much more fulfilling. You could see the person’s face, hear their voice, and see their emotional reactions on certain topics.

As we all celebrate the birth of Christ together (via in person, on the phone, text, email), let us remember “the reason for the season” and that as Christians we can celebrate the hope, joy, peace and love that this time of year brings to each and every one of us.

“Hope keeps the heart open to possibility, steady through change, and courageous in challenges ahead. It stands on faith…and that’s the strongest foundation of all.” –“God in Every Moment” by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

Merry Christmas and a very happy, blessed New Year.

Yvonne