The Past Is the Past

Going through my art files I found this watercolor I did some years ago.  It was a fun project layering colors over and over and over one another.  I used some masking techniques and splattering.  Each new layer was a surprise. The center of the piece was reserved for last, but it was also a part of the whole.

The piece reminded me of this scripture, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We do become new in Christ.  There is a refreshing, a washing, and a filling of God's spirit.  We can rise above our past and begin a new life.

But as time passes, we tend to forget the second part of this scripture, 'old things are passed away.' Too often we let our past beat us up.  Our flesh begins to think we can't possibly be freed from all that old lifestyle.  We must still have consequences to pay.  How can we be of service to God when we have the bitterness of our past?  We think we are unworthy.

But not in God's eyes.  He has waited for us to be at this place since the beginning of time.  He is ready to fill us with his gifts and purpose.  He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) and he remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12)  The past has shaped us into who we are, all the layers of life's events, trials, happiness, tears, successes, and yes, even sins.  But there is nothing to prevent us from being this new creature and being fruitful for the Lord (2 Peter 1:9).

With our face set toward the Son, we can become all things new.  You have many new layers to paint, and God holds the brush!

God Bless,
Laura

Come To The Garden

Wow!  I know I've read this verse before, but it did not sink in until today.  Here is the full context,   "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought,

and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, 

and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."  Isaiah 58:11

There are definitely times when we feel dry and parched and somewhat withered.  Whether it is in serving others, our family or the Lord.  Feeling as though we cannot meet one more demand, come up with one more fresh idea or be a vessel for service one more time.  

But oh, the refreshing that is found in the verse above!   God will guide us and lead us in those times of drought...he will enrich our bones and fill us with water.  Oh, thank you, Lord.  You are so faithful.

Although man was banned from His first perfect garden, He still brings us into the garden of His refreshing.   When we seek to be in His garden we are refreshed by the watering of His word (Ephesians 5:26), which fails not.  

Dear friends, I pray you come to His garden today and be renewed!

Laura

Illustration Note:  This is a watercolor painting of my granddaughters last summer.  It was a moment when your heart takes a picture!  They were drenched by the time we'd planted the flowers.  I know I've shared this pic before, but it seemed appropriate for this scripture.

Being Kind is Not Easy

Knowing what is the right thing to do is usually easy.  Doing it  is not so easy.

I often struggle with my flesh.  My inner child whines, "but I don't want to."  Yet in the first verse of this chapter we are told to present our bodies as 'living' sacrifices (The problem with that is a living sacrifice can choose to run away).

But - we are assured in Romans 12 that if we transform and renew our minds (v. 2) and don't conform to the world's standards we can present what is good and acceptable and in the perfect will of God.   God understands that it is not easy to 'prefer others' before ourselves. (Just ask my inner child.) But God provides a way to do it if we are willing servants.  The way is so simple,  "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."  (Galatians 5:16)
      Is there a time when someone showed a great kindness to you?  Share that blessing with us in the comments below.  
May you be blessed today!
     Laura