Garden Moments

Psalm 91:1 – Secret Places

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

A classic.
A favorite.

I love “secret place of the Most High.” in Hebrew, it is the MISTAR ELYON (intimate location), a place where barriers are removed, where distractions are minimized, where nothing else matters.

That the CREATOR of everything would join me in such a place is mind-blowing.

It could be a closet, a chair, a particular park bench… or a place within. Someplace it is just YOU and GOD.

We are told that those who spend time there enjoy the “shadow of the All Mighty.”
Protection.
Comfort.
Security.

Looking to abide in the SHADOW OF THE ALL MIGHTY.

Isiah 54:13 – Father’s Day

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Happy Father’s Day!

Isiah 54:13
“All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-be ing of your sons will be great.

I’m a dad of two great boys.
I embrace and delight in that role.

I never really “got” this until I was a dad myself.

But bottom line, I’m glad there is a Great Teacher/ Abba:

  • Who loves my kids…
  • Who draws them to Himself…
  • Who nurtures and protects them…

It’s my nightly prayer
It’s my comfort and hope.

Philippians 3:20,21 – Citizenship

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Philippians 3:20,21
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Sometimes I read “THESE VILE BODIES” (KJV), and I smile and think I’m certainly Biblical in that respect…true enough.

But the question is, do I get the CITIZENS OF HEAVEN part?

It’s easy to act like this goofy, Chicken Little world is all there is, like the scandal de jour is reality.

But it isn’t. This is but a wisp of vapor in the grand scheme of things.

This verse is saying: REALITY is what’s eternal… and you are a part of it now.

Looking to live in light of
WHATS ETERNAL.

Hebrews 4:13 – Draw Near

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Hebrews 4:16
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Draw near…. to the THRONE of GRACE

Another great word image.

It is also a great reminder that He rules from the position of mercy…
AND
we can be certain of that… Certain enough to approach Him boldly.

He WANTS us near Him.
He WANTS to provide mercy and grace.

Don’t know which is harder to grasp.
Grateful for both.

Ephesians 4:15 – Grow

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

We Grow.

Everything grows.

Paul is explaining what direction we are to grow: Into HIM.

Into Christ.

In ALL aspects of our lives; even the aspects that no one ever sees.

It is fascinating to me that this growth is tied to speaking the truth…. IN LOVE. As we mature, being right isn’t the goal… it is about the truth itself.

Working to defend the truth,
and not being right.

1 Corinthians 16:13 – Act Like Men

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Father’s Day is coming…

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

There are many out there who see this verse and it’s sentiment as toxic.

I think that’s mainly because men have not taken up the charge to act like men, and that has been the root cause of many problems we face in the world today.

Men not manning up…

  • As fathers
  • As husbands
  • As just plain Godly.

When men are men,
society benefits.

1 Peter 2:11 – Outsiders

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you as ALIENS and STRANGERS to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

Sometimes I feel like a stranger in my own culture.

Turns out there’s a reason for that.

That’s how a Christian is SUPPOSED to feel, and for a very good reason.

We are NOT of this world.

We are citizens of heaven on temporary assignment here. We are called to live exemplary lives in the here and now, but never to lose sight of eternity.

We’re not at home yet. As the song goes, we’re “just passin’ through”.

Looking to live
in light of eternity.

Hebrews 4:12 – ALIVE

by northwestjim, posted in Thought For The Day

Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

This is a very old and trusted friend.

It is one of the first verses that my mom made me memorize… and one that I am working to transfer to my kids.
(Something I want them to know and trust)

I want them to know that the Bible isn’t some quaint collection of pious platitudes.

  • It’s ALIVE and vibrant.
  • It’s DANGEROUS and comfortable.
  • It KNOWS YOU (better than you know yourself.)

My advice to them?
Spend TIME with it.
KNOW it.
VALUE IT.
USE it.

Isaiah 43:1 – HIS

by northwestjim, posted in Garden Moments

Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!

God’s claim on His children is neither casual nor accidental.

By His plan, we are:
Created
+
Shaped
+
Redeemed
+
Called
=
You are MINE.

I know I said there would be no math, but… Clear enough?
HIS