God sees the sparrow fall.
When Jesus said "You are of more value than many sparrows" it brought the question of our personal worth into a clear perspective.
I remember waiting for Pauline outside a Rodeo Drive boutique in Los Angeles.
(She was being escorted round by one of our wealthy California friends)
I was thinking of the astronomical price tags on the items in the window when my eye fell upon a dead sparrow on the curb side.
Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said:
"The true value is in the man not the clothes he wears"
Think of that: a dead sparrow on the sidewalk outside the richest clothing store in America, and a lesson for life.
Take heart. This year you may have to shop from Goodwill. If you do, remember that your true value is the price tag that God puts on YOU, not on the dress or suit you may be buying.
Jubilate.
Ian
P.S. I've had some great bargains from Goodwill. One of my favourite places.
Wonderful words from Psalm 37:4 penned by King David 3000 years ago.
His son Solomon got the verse back to front and followed the devices and desires of his OWN heart.
At the end of his life he totted up the list of his acquisitions, stocks, shares, wives, concubines and palaces and then, like some jaded Hollywood celebrity, said:
"The whole lot is VANITY."
All was vanity instead of all being VICTORY..
Want a New Year's resolution? Lift up your heart to Heaven and say:
"Lord Jesus, this year I will DELIGHT MYSELF IN YOU. You know my heart; it's hopes, its dreams and its aspirations.
I choose to delight myself in You, fulfill Your will in Me that my life might reflect the victory of your cross."
Jubilate
Ian
How about these words from the Book of Jeremiah:
"I know the plans I have for you(in 2013); thoughts of good and not of evil"
Penned 2400 years ago and still good until this very day.
My wife, Pauline, has claimed these words of assurance for this year and has asked me to include them in this week's series.
'Well,' you may say, ' God knows the plans He has for me but how do I get know them?'
Well here are His plans for Pauline:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Five wonderful things and she has to sign up for them without even knowing what they are. Here is her signature.
What good is that you may ask?
Well my friend, we are asked to enter into His plans and purposes BY FAITH. He gives us the blank page and we sign up knowing that His thoughts towards us are GOOD not evil. As you walk into 2013 with the Lord you will be amazed how things will work out for it is God who is bringing them to pass.
Jubilate.
Ian
"Fear Not" That's an order!
"For I am WITH you." That's the reason.
David Livingstone, the great pioneer missionary was found dead upon his knees. He was in his tent in the heart of Africa. He had circled the verse in his Bible "For LO I AM WITH YOU even to the end of the world"
Scribbled in the margin next to this promise of Jesus Christ was his last notation.
"THE WORDS OF A GENTLEMAN"
"I am with you" Take this promise with you into 2013, I can guarantee that you will need it.
A couple of years ago I found myself miles from anywhere stuck in my car in Death Valley, California. How I got into this jam is another story (Silly me).
Suffice it to say it was by trusting in this sure promise that I survived to tell the story.
Yes, He is WITH you, but stay away from Evan's Salt Lake whatever you do.
Jubilate.
Ian
Could there be a better word than the most repeated phrase in the Bible, "FEAR NOT".
As the inscription reminds us, in one form or another, it is there 365 times.
So go forth into 2013 and begin each day with a "FEAR NOT" from Jesus.
They will last from today until December 31st.
Take "Fear Not" into your job interview; take "Fear Not" into the operating room; take "Fear Not" when you board that long haul flight; take "Fear Not" when you look at your accounts for this month; take "Fear Not" when you ask that dear young lady to marry you; take "Fear Not" when you have bad news from your physician........
Take it with you wherever you go and to whomsoever you meet and let me know next New Year's Eve that 2013 was the best year ever.
Jubilate and success in all your endeavours for the Lord.
Ian
