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

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

Food For Thought

Food for thought–words of wisdom.

I don’t know about you, but I love to eat–especially the foods that don’t have as much nutrition but taste ever so good! We have often heard that “you are what you eat”–if we eat the right foods that our body needs, then we will feel healthy and strong. But if we eat the wrong foods, then we become unhealthy. But what about our thoughts? Do we fill our minds with thoughts that are encouraging and uplifting or do we fill our minds with thoughts that are defeating and uninspiring?

Recently, I came across a site that talks about “The Other Serenity Prayer”–cPTSD and Me–which I would like to share with all of you:

The Other Serenity Prayer

Please grant me the serenity to stop beating myself up for not doing things perfectly,

The courage to forgive myself because I always try my best,

And the wisdom to know that I am a good person with a kind heart.

So many times we think unpleasant thoughts that cause us to react in negative ways–someone says something that hurts our feelings, etc. Instead of reacting negatively, think positively. Don’t beat yourself up over it; we are only human–we make mistakes–and we are not perfect. Always forgive yourself when you have done your best and feed yourself positive thoughts. We need to be kind to ourselves so that we will be kind to others.

Another food for thought that I found was on “Truthseekers” and it says:

Judas Had

…the best pastor

…the best leader

…the best adviser

…the best counselor

YET he failed.

The problem is not the leadership or the church you go to. If your attitude or character doesn’t change or your heart doesn’t transform, you will always be the same. Apparently, even though Judas knew Jesus, he really didn’t know Him. His heart was not transformed “by the renewing of his mind” and getting to know Him in a real life-changing way. Judas needed to open his mind and heart to Jesus but he allowed sin to take over instead.

The next “food for thought” is taken from a site entitled “WOW I love Christian music.”

10 Ways To Love

  • Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18)
  • Speak without accusing (James 1:19)
  • Give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26)
  • Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9)
  • Answer without arguing (Proverbs 17:1)
  • Share without pretending (Ephesians 4:15)
  • Enjoy without complaint (Philippians 2:14)
  • Trust without wavering (I Corinthians 13:7)
  • Forgive without punishing (Colossians 3:13)
  • Promise without forgetting (Proverbs 13:12)

How do we do this? Through prayer and seeking the change necessary. By asking God to help us be used as “an instrument of His peace.” Colossians 1:9 says we are to “pray without ceasing”–not only for ourselves but for others. God can change our attitudes and hearts by trusting in His Word and believing that “all things work together for our good.”

We praise the One who is our Good Shepherd, helper, and friend who is loving and compassionate and gives us the desires of our hearts when we follow Him and listen to and follow His commands.

May the Lord bless you and help all of us to continue to read His Word–our guide, our strength, comfort, and shield–as we follow Him daily.

Blessings,

Yvonne

A Letter to God

The Spirit of the Lord

A few years ago my husband was a part time pastor in PA and had decided to extend a spiritual learning challenge to members of our congregation. He handed each person an envelope. There were two things inside: a letter from God and $10. They were instructed to find someone that week who they thought needed their help in some way by using the money that they were given and to report their results back to the congregation the following Sunday.

Many used the money to purchase items such as groceries, hats/gloves, a meal for a homeless person, or gave a donation to a worthy charitable cause. Many were touched by their generosity and blessed by their outpouring of love. They had made a difference in someone’s life that week.

The letter inside the envelope began with “My Child,” and contained many scripture verses taken from the promises of God in His Word. It was signed “Love, Your Dad–Almighty God.” This reminder of God’s love blessed not only me, but members of the congregation as well who read it and claimed God’s promises.

It was because of this letter that I wanted to write a letter back to God to thank Him for His promises. My letter is as follows:

“Dear Father God,

Before the world began, you knew me. You created the world one day at a time and then you formed me in my mother’s womb at just the right moment so that I could become your child.

You gave me a purpose and a direction to follow, as well as strength to go through any unwanted circumstances that came my way. I was not alone. You walked by my side and continue to walk with me every day. My life has been changed because you love me unconditionally.

Your love reaches higher than I could ever imagine and your Spirit lives within me to continually guide me in the knowledge and wisdom from above. Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ….”

Thank you for saving me, and allowing your Son to die for me, so that one day I will be able to meet you face to face and spend eternity with you.

Your Grateful…Thankful…and Blessed Child”

What a wonderful privilege we have as Christians to serve a mighty God who tells us throughout His Word that He does care about us more than we could possibly imagine, and that it is important that we share that love with others and “make a difference in Jesus Name to all those who are hurting and who are unaware that they matter to God”. Let us make a difference in someone’s life today.

May the Lord bless you, keep you, and make His face to shine upon you forevermore.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Nana’s Corner: Christmas 2016

Crosscards.com

This is officially Christmas week and it is half over. Today my daughter, along with her dad and I, took the two grandsons off to Woodbridge, VA where we ate at a Denny’s Restaurant and then stopped by Hobby Lobby for some last minute gifts.

There were numerous cars on the road and even Denny’s was very busy. In fact, it took a lot longer to get our meals than normal. Guess everyone was out shopping and got hungry so they all stopped to eat as well!

It was a fun morning and Gryphon, and I got to watch the movie, “Minions”, in the car on the way up and on the way back. We also enjoyed the Christmas decorations and lights that adorned outside houses and businesses. The baby slept most of the time on the way up, in the restaurant, and on the way home. Gryphon fell asleep just before we got home but awoke after we went inside, and he didn’t want Nana or Pap (as he calls Roger) to leave either. So sweet to watch him interacting with his Pap!

In the hustle and bustle between shopping, parties/dinners, and additional church services this week, it is easy to forget that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Does Christmas come but once a year? Technically, it does to many people during this time of year. But let us not forget to celebrate and be giving throughout the entire year as well. We need to support and encourage each other all year long and not just during one week in December.

Let us continue to show the love that God has shown us not only to our friends and family in the new year, but may we also be made aware of the needs of those around us and show them love and kindness throughout 2017 as well. May you feel blessed as you open up your hearts to others. Jesus taught us to “love one another as He loved us” and may we also do the same.

Blessings,
Yvonne