Jesus Challenges Us to See a New Reality

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The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.  Matthew13:45-46 (NIV)

We pay dearly for all we invest our time and money into.  But when everything is said and done, what’s of greatest value to you?  If you found your pearl of great price, would you sell everything you had to buy it?  That's no easy question.  How dare I ask it?  But Jesus himself drew the comparison.

I read a story last week which sparked my imagination.  I thought of the parable of the pearl of great price.

In June, Carole Ryan returned home from Prague to find her Arizona home and many of her pets destroyed by wildfire.  This 65-year-old’s home had burnt to the ground. 

Observers said that she was “remarkably upbeat.”  Her daughter who lived with her was safe.

Ms. Ryan explained.   “I owned too much stuff. . . .  In a way, the fire set me free to start all over again.”  Then, she received an unexpected joy.

While sifting through the debris, with a sifter provided to her by Red Cross workers, she was astonished to find her most prized possession, her mother’s wedding ring.

That’s the moment I thought of the parable.  It was as if she had just found her pearl of great price.

I thought --what is my most prized possession? 

I daresay that we are often deceived by the things of this world, and focus our attention on and set our affections on counterfeit pearls.

In this parable, Jesus is showing us a truth about the kingdom of heaven.

He challenges us to see a new reality.  By using this comparison of the merchant finding a pearl and selling all that he has to buy it, He is showing us the great and true worth of the kingdom of heaven.   This challenges us to look at our attitudes about what we value and see this new reality—the reality of the kingdom of heaven—more precious than all that we own.

Jesus Christ is a pearl of great price and when we have Him as our Lord and Savior, we have enough of true worth to bring us satisfaction and joy in this life and for eternity. 

Might we abandon all that stands in the way of our discipleship? 

 

Amazing photo courtesy of Aaron Baron

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Thank you all for visiting Write Moments with God.  I appreciate you so much.  Feel free to share your thoughts below.  May God's grace be with you and keep you safe.

Have You Ever Heard of the Street Called 'Straight'?

Waze icon courtesy of Google images

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’. Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) 

I have a new friend.  She always has a smiley face. She causes me to sing… “I can go anywhere . . . .”  Her name is Waze.  Maybe you’ve met?  She’s the  navigation system on my iPhone. (And I never yell at her the way my friend Janie yells at hers.)

I just want to say. . . I have so much more confidence now when I travel unknown routes.  I don’t even mind traveling alone because Waze promises I’m “never alone on the road anymore”.   Waze gives me confidence because I trust her guidance.  We're so blessed with these savvy gadgets.

Hello! God has always been into “guidance”.  And He never leaves His children  alone.  It's good to remind ourselves of this.  God is a marvelous God!

Abraham and Moses were guided by God to new lands; Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness; Ananias was directed to go into Damascus to the very street called “Straight” to find Saul.  (I just love that story.)

The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas.  When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul.  He is praying to me right now.  Acts 9:11 (N LT)

Awesome.  And He even knew that Saul was praying! 

If we seek Him, God will guide us too.  We can have faith that He knows the way that we should take, and He wants to lead us. 

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.  John 14:6 (NLT)

Yes, Satan will try to get us lost on some side streets.  And sometimes something flashy (worldly) will catch our eye and cause us to change course.   It’s often necessary to turn around and get back on the right path.

If we’ll listen to the still small voice of conscience, the Holy Spirit within, or the faithful guidance of Christian friends, and follow God’s Holy Word, we can stay on the right way.

If we’d let God have control, we’ll arrive safely at our destinations time and time again.

There’s no need to worry.  God knows the beginning to the end.  He knows the way.

 

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques ~ Collage of Life

Thank you all for visiting Write Moments with God, and thank you for bearing with my little tongue in cheek.  We have a marvelous God—He thought of everything we’d ever need ages ago.  I pray you’ll allow Him to direct your steps today.

And now to announce the winner of  Tracy Krauss' Wind over Marshdale!

Congratulations to Deborah Heal.  You'll be receiving your own personal copy. Enjoy!

Thanks to all of you who visited and participated.  Tracy and I really appreciate your kind words.  And don't forget the first Monday of every month, I feature a guest author and we give away a book.  Blessings!

Tracy Krauss Featured Author ~ plus book give-away

It is my pleasure to introduce to you author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher, Tracy Krauss. Before she gets back into school for the year, I wanted to ask her a few questions about herself.  Originally from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Saskatchewan.  She has lived in many places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They currently live in Tumbler Ridge, BC.  I think you'll enjoy meeting her as much as I did.

 

 

Tell us a little about yourself, Tracy.

 

I’m all about the creative process, so everything I do has that bent to it. When I’m ‘making’ something – be it a painting, directing my vision for a play on the stage, playing an instrument, or writing a book – I feel energized. Sometimes I tend to burn myself out because I take on too much, but I like to be busy and I love all my creative pursuits, so it’s hard to drop anything.

 

I'd like to know more about your most recent book, since you will be giving away a copy to one lucky reader.

 

WIND OVER MARSHDALE takes place in a small prairie town where, on the surface, everything seems quaint and happy. Underneath there are some serious issues, especially with racism, sexual promiscuity, and the occult. Thomas Lone Wolf is a Cree man on a mission to build a heritage site near the town based on some ancient archaeological evidence. He and his children aren’t prepared for the level of prejudice they begin to face. Rachel Bosworth is the new kindergarten teacher, fresh from the big city and running away from a hurtful past. Con McKinley is a local farmer, who also happens to be single and good looking. A love triangle of sorts develops, with the two men unwitting participants. As well, eccentric twin sisters bombard the town; one with her legalistic religious views and the other as a practicing witch. The local pastor has little effect trying to keep his parishioners in line since he is involved in some unsavory business of his own. The lives of these and many other unusual characters weave together into a surprising climax.  Beneath it all is a thread linking everyone’s problems to the spirit realm; an ancient curse from the past that must be dealt with once and for all. 

 

 

What was your journey to publication like?

 

 

I first started writing when my eldest was just a baby. I could hardly wait for her to go down for her nap so that I could pound away at my mother’s old typewriter. That was more than a quarter century ago. Four kids, plus homeschooling for nine years, plus going back to work as a public school teacher full time, and I finally signed my first contract in 2008. So far I’ve got four novels and five stage plays published, but I’m also working on a children’s book, a devotional, and I’ve got three manuscripts with my agent.

 

 

What advice would you give writers who are on their own journey to publication?

 

Be patient. If you are going the traditional route, expect and even embrace rejection. Take the time necessary to get feedback from critique partners and get professional editing. Even if you decide to self publish, don’t rush publication. I still see many things I’d like to change in my books, but once a contract is signed, you can’t go back.

 

Where can we find you on the web?

 

Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com

Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com

FB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TracyKrauss

Amazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com

 

 

 

Tracy's published works include four romantic suspense novels: AND THE BEAT GOES ON, where archeological evidence for creation comes at a heavy cost; MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, the story of a ‘cougar’ who takes on more than she can handle; PLAY IT AGAIN, about an unlikely match during the 1980s rock n’ roll scene; and WIND OVER MARSHDALE, where strong spiritual forces rock a seemingly peaceful prairie town. She also has several stage plays in print, including Ebenezer’s Christmas Carol; Dorothy’s Road Trip; The Western Tale; A Midterm Eve’s Phantasm; and Little Red In the Hood. If you'd like to know about Tracy and her work, visit her website for more details. http://www.tracykrauss.com

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.  Colossians 3:23 NKJV

I enjoy first Monday's so much because I get to introduce another Christian author and we give away a book.  I hope you'll participate.

To qualify for the random drawing in 3 easy steps:

1. Leave a comment below with your email address so we can contact you if you win.

2.  Share the link to this blog post on FACEBOOK, and tell your friends about it.  It's easy to share this on Facebook and tweet this by clicking the links at the bottom of the page.

3.  Become a follower of this website. I appreciate you.
Please do this by Saturday, Sept 7.  The winner will be announced on Monday, September 9th.

God bless you and keep you safe. Thank you so much for visiting.

Let Us Not Be Weary

Google image ~ reminds me of my daddy plowing the fields

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

 

A close childhood friend came for a visit last weekend.  We’ve known each other for over forty years, but seen each other rarely over the last twenty-five.  As we shared memories, stories about our families, and our jobs, decades of personal history lived anew with brilliant fresh meaning.  Childhood dreams might not have been realized, yet life has been rich. Our reunion was particularly refreshing due to this unexpected perk: I could see that perseverance and patience had paid off.  Our labors had not been in vain.

We all get weary.  Sometimes we are physically exhausted; sometimes we are mentally exhausted and rather frustrated with the way our lives are going.  Maybe the daily routine has become a drudgery which never seems to lighten up, getting harder with each passing day.  In a career where we once felt inspired and dedicated to doing good, maybe now we are feeling used up. I was battling such feelings when my friend came to visit.  But as we talked about raising our children, our struggles and our accomplishments, the precious fruits of our labors came into focus.

 Even when we are connected to meaningful relationships and endeavors, many circumstances and outcomes are not what we want them to be, and our patience is tested.  In retrospect, it’s easier to see that, in spite of life’s struggles and pains, we can have confidence in God’s promises.     

A farmer labors and hopes for an abundant harvest in a season.  In a matter of months, he gathers the fruits of his labors.  Believers labor and hope for an abundant harvest as well.  Fortunately, we see some fruits in this lifetime; others we will see in Eternity. 

God has promised in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we live each day, doing those things that we know we need to do, our confidence can be in the integrity of His word. Our labors are not in vain.

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15: 58

 

 

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God. I really appreciate you. 

Today's devotional is an excerpt from my devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea:  Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.  I hope it was a blessing to you. 

 Please feel free to share your thoughts below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God's Solution for Let-Me-Tell-You-What-He/She-Did Moments

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques ~ Collage of Life

Fret not thyself because of evildoers…. Psalm 37:1

My daughter called.  In an exasperated voice, she started the conversation with “let me tell you what he did."   I listened and gave my advice, which amounted to “don’t worry—don’t you fret because of evildoers. God is in control.” 

Now, that would be all well and good if I myself had not just had my own let me tell you what he/she did moment.  Boy, did I feel convicted.  The truth is, we will always have to deal with fiery darts from the evil one.   I don’t think there is any way to totally avoid it.  Direct attacks come to us or we suffer the fall-out as we try to help others deal with someone else's evildoing.  Sometimes it’s to be expected—the saying hurting people hurt others comes to mind--and sometimes it catches us totally off guard from unexpected sources.

Fret not.  This is basically a commandment.  Fret not.  This  should  be our reality.

Webster’s defines fret as “to be peevish, unhappy, or discontented; worry." In Psalm 37, David shares wisdom gleaned from his lifetime of experience walking with God and his experience with evildoers.  In this beautiful Psalm, he tells us three times “fret not…”  He gives comforting explanations and instructs us in a better way to be.

Fret not…

Trust in the Lord

Delight in the Lord

Commit your way to Him

Rest in Him

Cease from anger

Depart from evil

Wait on the Lord

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalm37:37

Such encouragement!  Let our confidence be totally in God and trust Him completely.  

So, the next time you suffer from someone else’s evil deed, and you have a “let me tell you what he/she did” moment, stop and recall David’s words.  And what’s more, Jesus said,

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  John 14:1 (NIV)

Some of my favorite things ~ courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you.  If you'd like you can share your thoughts below.  I love to hear from you.

May God bless you and encourage you today with His love and peace.

Be of Good Courage: He Will Strengthen Your Heart

My grandson Gabriel

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and

heard my cry.  Psalm 40:1

A friend asked for prayer for her elderly father, who had undergone exploratory surgery.  She was awaiting the diagnosis.  My heart goes out to her.  I know it is hard to wait, especially under those circumstances.  But waiting is part and parcel with living. 

Wait on the cake to bake, and the soup to cool; wait on the paint to dry and the crops to grow.  Wait on a diagnosis.   Wait on the baby to be born.  We’re all in God’s waiting room.  We trust we will see His goodness because we trust in God's love and infinite wisdom.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Psalm 27: 13 (KJV)

Our human frailty gets the best of us too often, and we wait impatiently, worrying over the outcome, with doubts and fears, practically having a tug of war of wills with God.  His timing seldom matches up with our own.   His ways are not our ways.  But we know it’s a waste of time and strength to run ahead of God or try to force His hand.  In our heart of hearts, we desire His will for our lives.

Don’t lose heart or hope.  Be encouraged.  Submit to God’s will and His perfect timing.  Paul told believers “having done all stand”.  (See Ephesians 6:13)  God’s promises are true and we can trust in His perfect love. 

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the

LORD. Psalm 27: 14 (KJV)

 

 Baby Gabriel this July at the beach

 

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God today.  Whatever you are waiting on today, I pray that His grace and peace will be with you.   

 You are welcome to leave your comments below.  I always love to hear from you.

Compassions New Every Morning and Mercies Never Failing

Photo courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

During my walk this morning, my thoughts were marching right along with my steps.  I’d prayed about many things, and now different concerns were coming to mind.  Not unlike the day before, and the day before that.

Life is a moment by moment on-going process, and the Christian’s walk is a moment by moment choice to take God at His Word. 

Whether today’s struggle is with laundry, or paying the bills, or my waistline, or something much more serious--no matter what today’s struggles--chances are tomorrow will have more concerns and struggles, and maybe many of the same.  There’s nothing new about that.  But, praise God, His compassions are new every morning.

As a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and a child of God, I can trust God.  He is faithful.  I can count on Him for never failing mercy.   I need to reach out to Him and take advantage of all that He has provided.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23 (KJV)

His compassions are new every morning because we need a fresh supply every day.  Like the manna in the desert, God knows it’s a daily necessity for His children.  He understands our hearts, and our minds, and all our concerns and our needs, great and small.

Moment by moment, step by step, He is faithful.  Walk with Him.

Great is thy Faithfulness by William M. Runyan is a beautiful hymn made popular in years past by the Billy Graham crusades.   I hope you’ll enjoy reading this faith-filled affirmation of God’s faithfulness. 

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!“

  Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

  “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! 

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/19#ixzz2blKtUiAU

Photo courtesy of Eva Marie Everson

 

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  Praise God for His faithfulness as you walk with Him through this day.  You are welcome to leave a comment below.  I always love to hear from you.