Love is the word of the month.

Hallmark channel has even called February “Loveuary” so they can do romance movies all month long. 

We have a greater love than what the movie industry can produce.  According to Deuteronomy 6:4, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  He is the only One who deserves our complete love and adoration.  We are commanded to love Him with ALL of our heart, soul and might. 

In the Gospels, it adds with all our mind. 

Begs the question – who is the object of your love?  It is a challenge to us each day to put God first in everything we do and that includes giving Him our complete love. 

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Have you ever heard:

You are so organized!  Would you…

   (Me:  I’ll never get everything done today. Why did I volunteer to make cupcakes?)

You are such a strong person!  How can you always be so positive?

   (Me:  I have a splitting headache because I fell asleep crying last night.)

You are so meticulous.  Everything you do is perfect!

   (Me:  I’m terrified that I will write this report incorrectly!)

You are always so put together.  I love your outfit! 

   (Me:  Got up early to get ready and this is the fourth outfit I tried on.)

I’m in such pain.  You have no idea what it’s like to hurt!

   (Me:  I stand up and stand still for a moment, so that I can walk without people    

   realizing how much pain I’m in.)

 

On the inside, people are all the same. 

Physically we all have the same chemicals, organs, nerves; just scrambled up a bit to make us unique. 

Emotionally, we all have joys, needs, wants, concerns, sometimes panic, some stronger than others, but still there.

 

On the outside, we present a look to show people what we want them to see.

But, it might not always be the truth!  We want to appear organized, strong, perfect, attractive, in control. 

 

Truth be told, we aren’t any of those things on our own. 

Thankfully we have a God who is always in control. 

 

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  1 Chron 29:12

 

Every anxious thought that steals my breath

It’s a heavy weight upon my chest

As I lie awake and wonder what the future will hold

Help me to remember that You’re in control

No power can come against me ’cause You have overcome

No darkness can overwhelm me ’cause You’ve already won

You’re my courage when I worry in the dead of night

You’re my strength ’cause I’m not strong enough to win this fight

You are greater than the battle raging in my mind

I will trust You Lord, I will fear no more

The Afters

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Patty Bendorf

Today is trash day in my neighborhood, and I have to admit that as I drive through, I’m on the lookout for that one thing that I can upcycle. Reduce, reuse, renew, recreate!  I’m hooked! 

We found 2 dressers once, both of which had problems.  My husband Tom, took them apart, refinished them, and put the best parts back together to create a one-of-a-kind dresser for my granddaughter.  It’s beautiful! 

Rebuilding something out of junk. 

Recreating.

That’s easy!

CREATION is where the power is.  And only God can do that.

Think about it—In 7 days–God created man out of nothing. That’s POWER!

He created man pure, unblemished, totally devoted to the worship of the Creator.  But along the way, sin entered and messed everything up. 

The good part is, THAT’S NOT THE END!

When we turn back to God, He, the creator can make us a new creation.  He forgives the past—the old junk—and he renews, rebuilds, recreates us to be someone to walk with Him and worship Him. 

Be “UPCYCLED TODAY!  Let Jesus work His creative power in you.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing.”

That is the beginning of a song that we sing in Explorer Girls.  I can truly say that singing is a big part of this ministry.  The Bible is full of instructions to make a joyful noise to God.  He loves it when we spend time praising Him and telling Him how thankful we are for all that He has given to us.  Just look around you. 

Did you get up this morning—then sing! 

Do you have food in your house—then sing! 

Do you have clothes to wear—then sing! 

In Matthew 6, we are told that God even takes care of the birds of the field so how much more will He provide for us. 

Each of the things you have right now is a gift from God and the evidence that He does exist and He does provide His mercies for you every day. 

So, go ahead—sing praise to God for the wonderful gifts that He has given to you. 

But always remember that He is the greatest gift we could ever receive.

JK Williams

Psalm 89:1

Photo:  Dale Szalanczy

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