A Mother's Legacy

In church on Mother's Day we celebrated mothers and of course heard about different mothers in the Bible. Mothers such as: Hannah, Jochebed, Mary, Elizabeth, Lois, and Eunice. These ladies not only just mothers of famous God-fearing men. They are women who left a legacy that is to be followed by us today.

Hannah, mother of Samuel, couldn't bare children. She offered to God her child if he would bless her with one. God blessed Hannah with a son. To long for a child only to give him up after 3 or so years had to be so hard for her. But Hannah was not giving him up in vain, she knew she was giving him to God for God's service. Total sacrifice to God on Hannah's part produced more good fruit; 1: Samuel grew up to be a Godly man. 2: Hannah was then blessed with more children.

Jochebed, mother of Moses, also made a great sacrifice for her child. When Moses was born all baby boys were being murdered. His mother and father, for the sake of their son, hid Moses in the bulrushes of the river. Pharaoh's daughter found him and adopted him. Not knowing Jochebed to be his mother, the princess hired her to be Moses's nurse until he was old enough to not need her. Though Jochebed still got to spend time nursing Moses, she had to return him to Pharaoh's daughter. The faith Jochebed had to give up her son, knowing God would take care of him is powerful. It is recorded in Hebrews 11 that Moses's parents saw he was a proper child and were not afraid or the king's commandment. Their faith was strong.

Mary, mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, mother of John, were the mothers to two boys who became influential men, and one the Savior of the world. Both women had a great joy within their hearts as they carried their babies for 9 months. I'm sure they still had their struggles but deep in their hearts, knowing their boys were special, they had a love and a joy no one could steal.

Lois and Eunice, grandmother and mother of Timothy. These women were very important in the life of Timothy. They taught him faith in Jesus. Timothy did not have 1st generation Christian parents, he had a background of a faith-based family. If you are blessed with a background of a faith-based family you know those blessings of seeing Christ work in generation after generation. If your family is newer to the faith or you are the only Christian in your family, build that faith-based family. Show your children what God is all about that they may pass it on and you may become a legend for Christ.

There is something these mothers all had in common. Whether they raised their children for many years or only a few years, each mother was full of God so much that it spilled over into their children. A mother has a bond with her child that goes farther than any other bond. A mother invests in her child, prays for her child, cares and loves for her child. But the real challenge is to teach them a love for God that goes as deep as the mother/child bond. A mother's impression on her child will be the one that sticks the most.

I was blessed to spend the day with my Great Grandma on my father's side for a day. Her hands shook as she pulled her wore Bible off the end table. She could have read anything, watched something, but instead she chose to read her Bible. My Great Grandmother has been through a lot in her lifetime, but God has always been faithful and he continues to show that by providing for her and loving her. That is a testimony to me to always have faith in God. He will provide for u and take care of us. A few years ago my family visited Virginia for a wedding. My Great Grandparents on my mother's side were well known in that area so we had some connection to it. On the way home my mother made a comment about how everyone knew Great Grandpa's. But even though they talked about my Great Grandpa who was a minister, they really remembered my Great Grandmother. She worked quietly behind the scenes with a meek and gentle spirit and that's what people remember more than the sermons my Grandpa preached. The women of the Bible and the women in my life inspire me to be a better woman in Christ, whether I ever get married or not, I want t strive to be like these women in my daily life.

Be a Sidekick!

I babysit for 3 girls twice a week. On Monday the 4 year old and I went outside and jumped on the trampoline. As little girls do she began to be silly and asked what song she should sing. So I gave her a few suggestions. Among others I suggested If You're Happy and You Know It. The first two verses she sang just fine.

Then we got to the last verse and this is what she sang, "If you're happy and you know it touch your head. If you're happy and you know it wave your hands in the air. If your happy and you know it be a superhero. If you're happy and you know it then your life will surely show it. If you're happy and you know it be a superhero."

As cute as it was I wondered about being a superhero. Moms and Dads are superheroes to their children. Moms clean up messes, do laundry, keep everything in order and seem to never wear out (though they really do!). Dads go to work everyday and come home in time to play and then fight off the monsters under the bed. Can someone like me, average Jane who doesn't have a family yet, be a superhero to someone?

The definition of superhero is a very heroic person. So to a child I may make my superhero debut by killing a spider or catching a drink before it spills. But can I be a superhero to someone I've never met before? As I thought about this I thought about MY favorite superhero, Jesus Christ. Died to save my sins that I may go free. There are many fictional superheroes who save the world everyday from bad guys. My superhero saved the world once but saves me everyday. In reality I'm just the sidekick. I stay by Jesus's side, taking the Word to the people but letting Him do the real saving. I don't have the power that He has. The Bible actually talks about sidekicks, it calls them disciples.

 And I can do my job as a sidekick by telling a stranger about the one and only true Superhero who has the power to save them. Telling them that God has saved them from their sins, that they don't need to live in darkness. Telling them God loves them because they are His child. Then Jesus comes in and takes care of the rest.

The Journey of the Clay

I would like to again tell you about the sermon we heard this past Sunday. It was very well done by Bro. Bob, talking about The Journey of the Clay. Here is a beautiful illustration of how we truly are clay in the Fathers hands.


Jeremiah 18:2-6
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Isral

When Bob was a teenager he worked at a tile mill, where farm tile was made. Here is the process the clay went through before becoming tile.

Gen. 1 says man was made from the earth and just as man, clay is dug up from the earths ground.
Then the clay goes into the washing room. In big tubs of water the clay is washed and impurities like sand are separated from the clay making it more pure. When we accept Jesus into our lives He washes us with his blood making us more pure also.
The clay is then put outside to dry and once it is dry it goes through the crushers. The crushers crush the clay and not only break the large hard clumps of clay but the process makes rocks and other impurities that didn't come out during the washing process, come to the surface and leave the clay. Similarly, we often go through hard times and our spirit may be crushed but its all in God's plan and what we don't know is that we are one step closer and purer to Him.
Then the clay enters the "tub", a big vat with augers turning and mixing the clay and another big auger in the bottom pulling the clay out of the vat. A man then will stand above the tub and spray in water so it becomes the correct consistency to be able to be formed. We also again go through things in our lives that turn us and mix us so that we become more aware of who God is and how he will use us. He is preparing us to be used for his glory.
After the clay leaves the vat it then goes to the molds and is shaped. The clay runs on conveyor belts and is in one long string of tile. As it goes down the conveyor belt it is cut into the lengths needed for the tile orders, then it is separated. Bob likened this to when the disciples are called to be sent out. We aren't always made to stay with those we love. We may be called to go somewhere far away.
Bob worked as one of the runners. Runners would take the cut tile to train cars that were waiting to be filed with the tile. If a runner could tell the tile was too soft and not going to be useful he let it go on the conveyor belt and it went back around to the tub again to be remade, just like in verse 4 of Jeremiah: And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Sometimes we need to be remade and start over with God, being re-refined and being re-shaped in his image.
If the tile was good and fine, it was put on the train car. When the train was full it went down the track headed for the kiln. The kilns are extremely hot so that the tile dries fast and hardens. If the tile went directly from the conveyor belt, still soft, to the kiln it would bubble and be distorted. So the train goes through a tunnel of low heat driers. This allows the clay to dry somewhat before going to the kiln. God doesn't give us more than we can bare. If we aren't ready for something as big as the kiln, he wont give it to us.
Once the clay is ready for the kiln, it goes through and after it comes out there is a man who has a hammer and taps each piece of tile. Even if there is a hairline crack it will sound different. These pieces are then thrown on a pile and later crushed and used for things like driveway gravel. We will have many testings in our life. And my prayer for each of you is that you pass them and stay true to the One and Only, Jesus Christ!!
Blessings,
Savannah

The Other Half of the World

{The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.}
~2nd Peter 2:9

Do you ever struggle with thoughts like "Why does that person have a nice house and they don't know God?" "They have to be the worst sinners ever and yet they have everything nice." "It's not fair, I go to church and believe in God and love Him and yet I don't have near as much as they do and the despise God!"

Well besides the obvious "Sorry Honey, life isn't fair." Why is life like this? Sometimes I've struggled with thoughts like this. In my devotions I read this verse and I realized maybe for some people God is just waiting to give His punishment. I may never see it while they are here on earth but someday they'll get it.

We can't be judgmental of others...I don't know what's in their heart, do you? God is probably either working or trying to work, and maybe He is simply trying to knock.

Thinking about all this brought my thoughts back to a movie I had seen, God's Not Dead. (Its a wonderful movie and I really recommend you see it by the way). The scene was that of a son visiting his aged mother dying of dementia. By the tone of his voice and look on his face you could easily guess he was living a life displeasing to God. The conversation goes as follows.

Son: "You prayed and believed your whole life. Never done anything wrong. And here you are. You're the nicest person I know. I am the meanest. You have dementia. My life is perfect. Explain that to me!"

Mother: "Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn't seem to be any reason to leave. The door's wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it's too late."

Do those last words shock you? "Time runs out...suddenly it's too late." Has Satan allowed your life to be perfect? Are you successful? But perhaps far from God because you have no need for Him? It's easy to call on God when we are in trouble, but when everything goes well for us, does God still receive the glory?

We don't know how God is working in everyone's lives. The only thing we can do is know that God has a seat for them and one for me and if I'm not saved or right with God in my heart then they may take the seat I have and I'll be the one to burn. Or maybe they will join me in the seat next to mine! What a glorious thought.

Blessings
~Savannah

Power Through God

I received this encouragement from a friend and I want to share it with you!
Blessings~ Savannah

In Psalm 51 David cries out to God to cleanse him from all his dirty sin...to wash away all his guilt and to make him pure. David felt the dirtiness that we feel when we as humans sin against God. For me personally when I commit a sin against God, the whole day becomes drear and I feel in hopeless despair. This is when Satan attacks. "You sinned today already, why don't you just make the best of it And do all the sinful things you want. Tomorrow will be a new day then you may begin fighting to be pure before God again." And when I hear those temptations I feel all hope is lost. I just want to give up! But let me tell you something for encouragement. By being tempted, that means you have a stronghold in Christ. Satan may feel like he is losing his grip on a certain area of your life. Whether it be anger towards people, being judgmental of others, or the most powerful one that has torn down our nation today, sexual sin. If you are facing fierce strong temptations then I encourage you to look up at God with tears in your eyes and a glorious smile on your face and say, God thank you so much for giving me this struggle! When I overcome I know I will be stronger then ever before. And I also know that the very fact that I am struggling means u r still in my life. I want to win God but I need your help. Will you please help me to escape this temptation right now before I sin?" If you sincerely ask God to help you, He WILL be faithful as he promises in His word. I by no means have authority to tell you all these things. I get knocked flat often, but I have a Great Big Powerful God who is well able to help me conquer any battles I may face. It is all a matter of building a relationship with Him. So often we set all kinds of rules for ourselves and we can't figure out why they don't work. Its because nothing will work without a better relationship with Jesus Christ! If we pursue that, He will give us the strength to abide by our own rules to overcome struggles. We can't do this on our own. God designed us to look to HIM as our creator and lover to live a life of holiness!

Do Your Leaves Change Color?

Another lesson from nature!

In church, for a devotional, our brother talked about trees! He talked on how they change their leaves in the fall. If you don't know or have forgotten, when leaves receive less sunlight the chlorophyll breaks down. Chlorophyll is what gives the leaf its green color. So without chlorophyll the leaf starts to show the color underneath and that is how we get beautiful fall colors. The point of the devotional was, are we always focused on God that we stay green and don't die. I loved what he said and he then went on to give ways that we can stay green, it was a good life application. But I want to take it in a different direction. 

As Christians we need the Sonlight to be able to live. We need constant communion with God to be able to shine for Him and to show others His glory. Here's just some of my thoughts. When we don't have that communion with God, we don't have personal devotions with Him, we skip Weds night service, we don't guard our hearts and minds of impure thoughts or words, we start to let the "chlorophyll" break down. We begin to let our colors change. 

I know some people who put facades on and lived their life looking like a beautiful green tree. When they started to walk away their 'leaves' began to lose their color. When I began to see their true heart, their 'leaves' or outside appearance began to change and become ugly. Eventually these people become dead, bare trees with nothing to shine forth. If we are true and our hearts are pure then there will never be a time where our leaves begin to change. When we love God and focus on Him our bright green leaves shine out for people to see. When you go down the road what do you notice? A beautiful green tree or a dead tree?

How do you stay green? For me it's those daily devotions, prayer at anytime of the day, guarding my eyes and ears of profanity (a hard one to do in this society). Having your focus completely on God is not always an easy task. I fail every day with trying to keep myself pure and right with God. There are days that some of my leaves change color and I have to take care of that and fix that area in my heart so that I can shine forth again. Sometimes in my Spiritual walk I die. I go all out to do anything but what God wants. But thank Jesus, He is able to forgive and restore dead trees when they come back and ask Him to. He gives me new life that I am eternally grateful for.

We are all human, at one point or another our "leaves" will change color. I pray that you will have the strength and courage to go to God and ask for forgiveness and get that area and those problems fixed and that God would restore your soul unto Him.
Blessings~ Savannah

Growing in your Jungle

Something I have observed, I don't think there is any life truth we learn that cannot be learned through nature.

A brother in our church had devotions and he said that he and his son went hunting on a new property. He said there was a tree that was on one side of a fence that ran along the property. It grew up the height of the fence and then curved over top of the fence, ran parallel to the ground only a few feet off the ground and then at a 90* angle and shot straight up towards the sun. He asked "What are we willing to do to reach the light of God?" How far are we willing to go to reach God's love and grace? Are we willing to bend and and twist and go in any direction to grow and stretch? Do we climb over 'fences' so that we can hear what God has to say to us through His Word and others? 

I am guilty of not doing all I can to receive what God has for me. I need to be willing to do whatever I can to get to the light. Hard times, valleys, struggles, they aren't easy. It's just like that tree going along the ground to get to the light. Sometimes I have to go down and I struggle that it makes the light so much more enjoyable. Struggling through something is not easy at all. It is hard and difficult. We look ahead and see a steep mountain, stress, headache, financial crunching, whatever it is and we don't want to face it. But if you look behind you, you will see a row of mountains. That's where you've came from. Those are the things God has helped you through to overcome. He WILL get you through this and back again in the light!

Seeds fall in a jungle, they land in the dirt and they begin to grow. It's how we get new trees and bushes. Sometimes the already mature trees and plants are so big and overpowering that they block the sunlight and all the factors that the seed needs to be able to grow. When this happens that seed will either die, or it will struggle to survive. That is how we get cool and neat looking trees that grow at weird angles because they need to get to the light. Are you going to die or live in your current jungle? Stretch, reach and make it to the top and see what all you've overcome to get here or wither and die without even trying? God wants us to live, to stretch and to grow for Him. Prayer, Bible reading, fellowship with other believers, these are the keys to having that life for God. 

I pray that whatever you are struggling with, you would look to God and reach and stretch to find His grace and love!

Blessings~ Savannah