4Ds to Pruning

     While watching a video on pruning crape myrtles, the instructor said to remember the 4Ds to pruning.  They are: diseased, decayed, damaged, dead.  Those are the limbs that need to be cut off.
     I believe the “4D Rule” could apply to everyone's life as well.
     If we harbor resentment and hate, our hearts will become diseased.  If we look at the lives of others and dwell on their accomplishments and possessions rather than being thankful for our own blessings, we are allowing jealousy to decay our outlook on life and remove our joy.  When we allow deceit, falsehood, envy, drugs, and addictions to invade our hearts and bodies we become damaged.  When we ignore God, His Word, and His ways we become dead in heart, soul, and mind.
     In Luke 11, Jesus told those who ridiculed Him “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed.   A family splintered by feuding will fall apart….Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and who isn’t working with me will fall apart.”
     In my opinion, diseased, damaged, decayed, and dead limbs, whether within our nation or within the individual body, will get sick and die; they work against God.  They need to be pruned to allow growth and unity in the right direction; God's direction.

 

Prayer

     There is much that can be said about prayer; how it makes us feel, and what can be achieved.  Personally, when I miss my prayer time in "A Friendly Shade," I often feel lonely, like something is missing in my life.  Actually something is missing; the guidance of my heavenly Father, because I have not asked. 
     You know, even Jesus prayed during His life on earth.  He prayed with strong crying and tears and was heard. 

Hebrews 5:7 "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared."

     Prayers can be given at any point in time during the day.  We find one timely example in Mark 1:35.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."   

      Another time, after the crowd that Jesus had been  ministering to was dismissed, Jesus needed a time of rest, just as we often need a time of rest after a long, stressful day at work.  What better way to refresh our souls and bodies than to spend time with the Lord?

 Matthew 14:23 "After he had dismissed them, he went up on  a mountainside by himself to pray.  When evening came, he was there alone."   

     Again, as the Son of God was teaching, healing, and being accused wrongfully by those seeking to find fault,  Jesus found He needed a time of prayer.

 Luke 6:12 "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into  a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

      We are even given an example of how and where to pray.  Most refer to this as the Lord's Prayers. 

 Matthew 6:9-13 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen   

      Notice here, that we are to have a quiet, solitary place to pray, and we are to start off by praising God and although we make requests, ask for His will to be done in all things.

     Scriptures let us know that throughout Jesus' walk on earth He prayed.   He needed the closeness of His Father who heard Him at all times just as He hears us today. 
     In prayer, we find rest for our souls, peace, comfort, and God's will for our lives.  However, the best answers to our prayers come when we let our hearts truly forgive others.

 Mark 11:25 "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. 

Matthew 6:14, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."     

     Jesus did not fail to leave us an example of this type of forgiveness.  In Luke 23:34 as He was on the Cross dying for our sins He prayed.

 "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  

  

       

Mother's Day

     I am a little late posting about Mother's day, but every day is a day in which a mother's heart is filled to overflowing with pride toward her child, so I do not think it is too late to write a tribute to Mothers.
      As I was reading in Luke about the birth of Jesus, I thought about Mary.  The Bible tells us that all who heard the Shepherd's story about the birth of Jesus was astonished, but His mother,  "Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often."  Isn't that what most mothers do?  We mothers remember the birth of our children.  Their instant presence in birth fills our hearts, and we can only imagine the pain of the death of a child.  In Mary's case, as Jesus was hanging on the cross, I am sure her heart felt as a "sword piercing the soul."
     Further in scripture, I read of the missing twelve-year-old child when Jesus' parents were returning home from the Passover festival.  It took them three days to find Jesus.  When found His mother asked, "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."  Again, as a Mother with a missing child, Mary wanted to scold Him, but more than that, she wanted to hug and hold Him close.  During the time Jesus was missing  I am sure Mary was frantic with worry and her heart felt as a "sword piercing the soul."
     When Jesus responded that He was about His father's business, Mary although she did not fully understand, was filled with pride and "kept all these sayings in her heart."   In other words, she was probably like most mothers who keep a scrapbook of happenings and images of our children. 
     Mothers represent love and most want nothing more than to see their children safe, well, and happy and, in turn, most children want the same for their mothers.   
     To take this theme a step further, as much as mothers love their children, Jesus' love is so much greater.  He freely died on the cross for us all, but He made sure his mother was taken care of as he was hanging on the cross, "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother...When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."   
     The link between a Mother and her child is profound, but more than that is the link we have with Jesus when we accept Him as our Savior.  

 

 

    

    

 

A New Song

     Chapter 11 in Mark tells us a story of when Jesus and His disciples were approaching Jerusalem.   Jesus sent two of the disciples ahead to borrow a donkey which Jesus used to ride into the crowd.  The crowd spread garments on the road as well as leafy branches cut from the field.  Jesus was the center of the procession and the people were shouting:
     "Praise God!   Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
     Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our Ancestor David!
     Praise God in highest heaven."

     What an example of praise this is!  So often we forget to give God the praise He deserves on a daily basis.  The following is a brief praise and song from my heart. 

       A New Song

I sing because I love Him;

I sing a heartfelt hymn.
  Praise God who loves me so;
  Praise the Savior, who I know.
I sing because He walks with me;
I sing because I'm free.
  Praise Him upon the throne,
  Praise Him, and Him alone.
I sing because I love Him,
I sing a heartfelt hymn.
  Praise Him! The Savior arose.
  Praise Him!  I'm a child He chose.
I sing because He loves me;
I sing because I'm free.
  Praise the mighty, wondrous King;
  He's the reason I can sing.