Hello Friends,
The Take Me Deeper theme at His Kingdom Come for August is thankfulness. I did a little art in my bible with water colour pencils and Gelatos to highlight Week One's scripture portion. This kind of art is not really about the art. It is about me remembering how the Lord spoke to me through his word.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
It's interesting to me that just before Paul talks about not being anxious he says, "The Lord is near".
Why are those four little words so easy to miss? It reminds me of when my son made macaroni and cheese for the first time and it turned out a soupy mess.
I asked him, "Didn't you drain it?"
"Drain it?" he said, "It didn't say to drain it."
"Go and read the box." He left and then returned with the yellow and blue box in hand.
"One little word," he complained. "Just one little word."
One little word: Drain. Four little words: The Lord is near. Yet they are so easy to skip over.
I can easily become a soupy mess, a watered-down version of the victorious Jesus-follower I was designed to be, when I forget those four little words: The Lord is near.
At present we are without a vehicle and have been for over a month.
Where we live, having our own transportation is very important. But I am thankful for the wonderful neighbours the Lord has given to us - four different ones who allow us to borrow their cars or give us rides. I rejoice that our need has caused us to connect with people on our street in deeper friendship than previously. None of these people are church attenders, yet they are lending us their vehicles so we can get to church.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all."
It is easy to be cranky and irritable when I am feeling anxious, but sincere thankfulness is excellent soil from which gentleness can spring forth. It is all about the Peace that transcends human understanding. That is Gods part. When we rejoice, thank and trust, he guards our hearts and minds with supernatural peace.
"Do not be anxious about anything".
Our Father knows we need a vehicle. He is not anxious about it. But I believe he is enjoying this time and wants us to enjoy it too.
He is walking with us through our neighbourhood. He is sitting with us as we chat with our neighbours or as they help Terry with his home projects. Since he cant take impromtu trips into town, Terry is finding more things to do at home, out working in our garage. Two neighbours helped him to make a stand for our church which will hold our worship flags and scarves. Of course they asked him to explain what it is for.
Cars are important and God hasnt forgotten that we are in need of one, but people are more important. We have a need. The Lord is near and he will meet it. Our neighbours have needs. The Lord is near and he longs to meet their needs too. Receiving so many kindnesses from them has put that longing in our hearts as well. For that we are thankful. To see their needs met - for that, we will rejoice.
Four little words. Remember them.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I pray you know that the Lord is near to you. You are beautiful and you are loved.
Blessing hugs,
Teresa
Paint Party Friday - art
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes
His Kingdom Come - TMD August Week One
The Take Me Deeper theme at His Kingdom Come for August is thankfulness. I did a little art in my bible with water colour pencils and Gelatos to highlight Week One's scripture portion. This kind of art is not really about the art. It is about me remembering how the Lord spoke to me through his word.
It's interesting to me that just before Paul talks about not being anxious he says, "The Lord is near".
Why are those four little words so easy to miss? It reminds me of when my son made macaroni and cheese for the first time and it turned out a soupy mess.
I asked him, "Didn't you drain it?"
"Drain it?" he said, "It didn't say to drain it."
"Go and read the box." He left and then returned with the yellow and blue box in hand.
"One little word," he complained. "Just one little word."
One little word: Drain. Four little words: The Lord is near. Yet they are so easy to skip over.
I can easily become a soupy mess, a watered-down version of the victorious Jesus-follower I was designed to be, when I forget those four little words: The Lord is near.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all."
It is easy to be cranky and irritable when I am feeling anxious, but sincere thankfulness is excellent soil from which gentleness can spring forth. It is all about the Peace that transcends human understanding. That is Gods part. When we rejoice, thank and trust, he guards our hearts and minds with supernatural peace.
"Do not be anxious about anything".
Our Father knows we need a vehicle. He is not anxious about it. But I believe he is enjoying this time and wants us to enjoy it too.
He is walking with us through our neighbourhood. He is sitting with us as we chat with our neighbours or as they help Terry with his home projects. Since he cant take impromtu trips into town, Terry is finding more things to do at home, out working in our garage. Two neighbours helped him to make a stand for our church which will hold our worship flags and scarves. Of course they asked him to explain what it is for.
Four little words. Remember them.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I pray you know that the Lord is near to you. You are beautiful and you are loved.
Blessing hugs,
Teresa
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes
His Kingdom Come - TMD August Week One
7 comments:
Nice work Sweetie, hugs, Valerie
I love your thankfulness during your struggles. That is so amazing how God is providing for your needs through your neighbors, and friendships have been formed. Praise God!
Yup! It's too easy to miss God's words, especially when we've read the passages before! I like going through different versions. That really helps me NOT to miss those all important little words. Have a good Sunday! patsy
Hi Teresa, Your art journaling is beautiful, more beautiful are the promises in that passage of scripture, "The Lord is Near", I will remember those words today. I'm sorry about your car situation. What an example you are to so many, being strong and trusting in the midst of adversity. Thank you for sharing this devotion and beautiful page, praying the Lord will provide in His perfect timing. ~ Abby
Thank you, Teresa--what a lovely blog--what a beautiful drawing. :D Thank you so much sweet Friend.
So true, I've read those 4 words, but never reflected on them. You've done those words great justice here. It does seem God puts people in our lives when needed. Saying a prayer that God sends the things you need in your life as you do enjoy the here and now. What patience you show while needing a vehicle, and love how you're seeing the positive of meeting and getting to know the neighbors. I'm sure in turn, he is using you for their needs in their life and also helping them to get to know about Church. Great post.
Peabea, aka Patricia from HKC
Wonderful drawings and colors. I'm so happy you joined our Challenge last week and would like to invite you to join us again with our Challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday. Just want to share God's Word to you coming from 1 Peter 1:24-25 which says, "For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you."
Have a blessed day!
JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com
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