Tag Archives: Life Lessons

Feb24

Bloom Where You’re Planted!

Posted on February 24, 2013 by sagescenery

We’re all different, but we’re all beautiful!

“The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
…they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.”

Isaiah 35:1-2 NIV

“…Who knows but that you were brought to the kingdom for a time like this?”

Esther 4:14 ISV

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body,

every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.”

1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”

Psalm 1:3 NIV

“I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
The Lord does whatever pleases Him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.”

Psalm 135:5-6 NIV

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright;

He is my Rock…'”

Psalm 92:12-15 NIV

“Nevertheless,

each person should live as a believer

in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them,

just as God has called them…”

1 Corinthians 7:17 NIV

“There are different kinds of gifts,

but the same Spirit distributes them.

There are different kinds of service,

but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working,

but in all of them and in everyone

it is the same God at work.”

1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,

and He distributes them to each one,

just as He determines.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV

“Just as a body, though one,

has many parts,

but all its many parts form one body,

so it is with Christ.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body

—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—

and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

1 Corinthians 12: 12-14 NIV

“Now you are the body of Christ,

and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12: 27 NIV

“And over all these virtues put on love,

which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called to peace.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach

and admonish one another with all wisdom,

and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:14-16 NIV

We’re all needed in the Kingdom!

So…Bloom!

Present yourself to the King!

“See how the lilies of the field grow.

They do not labor or spin.”

Matthew 6:28 NIV

Take a stand!

Be confident!

“Yet I tell you that not even Solomon

in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Matthew 6:29 NIV

Don’t remain silent!

It’s your time!

Live loud for Christ!

Persevere!

Obedience always brings blessing!

God is working through His people!

He will accomplish His purpose!

Let Him use you!

Stay faithful!

And…Bloom!!

“Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime;

it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.”

Zechariah 10:1 NIV

Feb21

The Battle’s Already Won!

Posted on February 21, 2013 by sagescenery

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Even the battle for your mind!

No!

I’m not giving up now…

I’m claiming victory!

I’m not giving in now…

The war’s already won!

The struggle’s between God and the devil…

Love against the enemy!

No!

I’m not giving up now…

The war’s already been won for me!!

Amen!

I just read an article by Joyce Meyer, entitled,

“Are Your Thoughts Powerful or Pitiful?

Taking Battlefield of the Mind to a New Level”

Joyce Meyer Ministries

publishes

“Enjoying Everyday Life” Magazine.

In this Special Edition issue article,

She shares “Power Thoughts” from Scripture…

To encourage you to bring your thinking into agreement with God,

So you can enjoy Him…

And His good plan for you.

Here are three “Power Thoughts” she mentions:

Power Thought #1:

God Loves Me Unconditionally!

Psalm 139:14

We are “…fearfully and wonderfully made.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here.”

Power Thought #2:

I will Not Live In Fear!

“This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Each morning, she says to herself,

“I will enjoy this day

and I will not live in fear.”

Power Thought #3:

I Am Difficult To Offend

“Whoever is slow to anger

is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit

than he who takes a city.”

Proverbs 16:32

Win the battle for your mind!!

The war’s already won!

Feb20

“This Is The Stuff…”

Posted on February 20, 2013 by sagescenery

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Oh, Yeah!

This is the stuff!!

That drives me crazy!!

Lord, is this the stuff You really use???

Impatience???

Frustrations???

Seems like the end of the world…

Lord, save me…

Soooo…

What’s gettin’ to you lately????

Ha!

In the middle of your little mess…

Trust!

And try to remember how BIG you’re blessed!

Feb18

“Orange” You Glad You Know Jesus!?

Posted on February 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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Sorry! Couldn’t resist this title!

Kids,

Click below for a crazy worship song we do in our Kids Church about…

The Fruit Of The Spirit!

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

“…for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true…”

Ephesians 5: 9 ESV

LOVE

“Love the Lord your God

with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

JOY

“May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow

with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

PEACE

“You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

PATIENCE

“And so after waiting patiently,

Abraham received what was promised.”

Hebrews 6:15 NIV

KINDNESS

“But love your enemies,

do good to them,

and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

Then your reward will be great,

and you will be children of the Most High,

because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Luke 6:35 NIV

GOODNESS

“Our people must learn

to devote themselves to doing what is good,

in order to provide for urgent needs

and not live unproductive lives.”

Titus 3:14 NIV

FAITHFULNESS

“For we live by faith,

not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

GENTLENESS

“Take My yoke upon you

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:29 NIV

SELF-CONTROL

“For we do not have

a high priest who is unable

to empathize with our weaknesses,

but we have One

who has been tempted in every way,

just as we are—

yet He did not sin.”

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

Know Jesus!

Bear Fruit!

Walk in the Fruit of the Spirit…

Display the Fruit of the Spirit to others!

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…

It’s not easy all the time!

But produce good fruit!

Not rotten fruit!

Dried up fruit…

Useless fruit…

Or no fruit at all!

Be a juicy piece of fruit!

Big and flavorful!

Yum!

Feb18

Don’t Fall For The Counterfeit!!

Posted on February 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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Beautiful statues!

“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.”

Matthew 13:19 NIV

But nothing like the real thing!

“Jesus turned and said to Peter,

‘Get behind me, Satan!

You are a stumbling block to me;

you do not have in mind the things of God,

but the things of men.'”

Matthew 16:23 NIV

“And no wonder,

for Satan himself masquerades

as an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then,

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7 NIV

“The God of peace

will soon crush Satan under your feet.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Romans 16:20 NIV

“So the great dragon was cast out,

that serpent of old,

called the Devil and Satan,

who deceives the whole world;

he was cast to the earth,

and his angels were cast out with him”

Revelation 12:9 KJV

“Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”

1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV

“Satan, who is the god of this world,

has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.

They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.

They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ,

who is the exact likeness of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

Hold Fast!!

Don’t fall for the counterfeit…

from the father of lies!!

Feb16

Oh, Go Ahead…Let Go!

Posted on February 16, 2013 by sagescenery

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And Let God!

Keep letting go of things…your plans…your way…

and as they fall away, you’ll look more like Jesus every day!

He’s trimming, pruning, chiseling, and fine tuning…

Let Go and Let Him!

Yeah, go ahead, give in!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths”

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

“For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

“Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth,

do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV

“Casting all your anxieties on him,

because He cares for you.”

I Peter 5:7 ESV

Feb16

“All This Time”

Posted on February 16, 2013 by sagescenery

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Keep walking with me, Lord!

Footprints In The Sand

A Poem About Jesus

-Author Unknown

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:

one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,

he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life

there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You,

You’d walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,

there is only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why when I needed You most You would leave me.”

The Lord replied,

“My son, My precious child,

I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering,

when you see only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you.”

All this time!

Feb14

“Fishing? Anyone???”

Posted on February 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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“Fishing for men, that is!”

Love, Jesus

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:19 NIV

Let’s go fishing!!

“Simon Peter said to them,

‘I am going fishing.’

They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’

They went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.”

John 21:3 ESV

“And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon,

‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’

And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!

But at your word I will let down the nets.’

And when they had done this,

they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.”

Luke 5:4-6 ESV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea

and gathered fish of every kind.”

Matthew 13:47 ESV

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;

the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;

or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you;

and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Job 12:7-10 ESV

“And wherever the river goes,

every living creature that swarms will live,

and there will be very many fish.

For this water goes there,

that the waters of the sea may become fresh;

so everything will live where the river goes.”

Ezekiel 47:9 ESV

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to His disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.

It happened this way:

Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them,

and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’

‘No,’ they answered.

He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’

When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter,

‘It is the Lord!’

As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’

he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off)

and jumped into the water.

The other disciples followed in the boat,

towing the net full of fish,

for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

When they landed,

they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them,

‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’

So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat

and dragged the net ashore.

It was full of large fish, 153,

but even with so many the net was not torn.”

John 21:1-11 NIV

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

“It is the Lord.”

“Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

So…did you bring any fish home???

“I’m going out to fish.”

“We’ll go with you.”

Yes, that’s the way to fish!

Love, Jesus

Feb1

Sniff It Out!

Posted on February 1, 2013 by sagescenery

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What’s that smell???

My Crazy Siberian has a very keen sense of smell!! She always knows when something smells “fishy!” Ha!

If it seems out of the ordinary…she perks up…and is at full attention…until she can figure it out!

When she was an immature puppy…her senses were not mature yet…so she would ingest anything and everything!

Socks (dirty or clean!), rubber bands, plastic bottle caps, plastic beach shoes, dust bunnies, etc., etc., etc.

You know dogs even (YUK!!!!!!!) eat their own vomit…they’re so disgusting!

They sniff out everything (including their poop!!! YUK, again!!), and are certainly not too discerning at all!!

Once, she ate the entire black substance inside a tennis ball/bar bell-looking toy we got for her at Walmart…

And threw it up for days!

So knowing this history of our crazy dog…I don’t expect too much from her…

However, I was surprised yesterday, when I realized I left the dryer lint where she could reach it in the laundry room…

AND IT WAS STILL THERE!!

An “AHHHHHH HAAAAAA!” moment, for sure…

My precious, little, 6-year-old girl is growing up!

She’s making better decisions!

She sniffed it out…and decided it was not worth ingesting!

She still eats questionable things for a healthy dog to eat, but seems to be restricting her intake to food items!

She still chooses peanut butter, cheese, burgers, and anything else we’re eating over her own food…

But, I say she is maturing in the area of what she will put inside herself!

Hallelujah!

Hey everybody!! God feels this way about us, too!

We need to grow up!!

Sniff it out, first…

BEFORE you ingest it into…Your Body…Your Mind…Your Heart…

If it stinks…Don’t eat it!

“Stinkin’ Thinkin'” isn’t good for us!

That’s for babies!

Don’t be a baby!!

As a mature Christian, be discerning!

Sniff it out…whatever you see, read, hear, think, say…

If it doesn’t smell good, according to God’s Word…

Don’t put it in, and don’t let it live in you!

Throw it out!

Philippians 4:8 NIV

“Finally, brothers and sisters…

Whatever is true…Whatever is noble…

Whatever is right…Whatever is pure…

Whatever is lovely…Whatever is admirable…

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy…

Think about such things!

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me…

Or seen in me…put it into practice…

And the God of peace will be with you!”

Amen!

Sniff! Sniff!

Jan31

Hiding From God???

Posted on January 31, 2013 by sagescenery

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You Can’t!

So Don’t Try!!

You can run, but you can’t hide!

He’s everywhere!

That’s bad for you if you’re trying to hide from Him,

But good, because you can be assured that He’s always there!

He’s already found you…

Now stop, turn around, look up, and there He is!

He loves you!

It’s like “Lost and Found” to Him!

His love embraces you…

Wraps around your hurts, your pain, your despair, your scars, your mistakes…

It wraps around everything!

“…because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 NLT

Come out of hiding…

If He loves even me…

He can love even you, too!

What are you hiding behind???

Your job? Your family? Your health? Your money?

Your wants and desires? Your reputation?

I assure you, He knows who you are and where you are!

Look up!

Or, if you knew Him in the past…

Look inside!

To that place in your heart that can only be filled with God’s Holy Spirit…

Where it can be refilled…

And ready to overflow again with His Joy…

Even in life’s difficult situations with your job, family etc.!

Adam and Eve tried to hide, too!

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God…

As He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day…

And they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’

He answered,

‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked;

So I hid.’”

Genesis 8-10 NIV

In Bible study, while watching the DVD series called Frequency by Robert Morris…

Pastor Morris talked about God feeling sad when Adam said…

“I heard your voice and I was afraid.”

God created Adam and Eve to have a relationship with Him in Paradise…

He did things with them…

He walked with them in the garden…

He was always anxious to spend the day with them…

But, one morning, He finds them hiding…

They’re afraid of Him…

How it saddened God…

To lose that close intimate relationship…

Their sin had separated them from their God!

Jesus can restore the relationship…

Between you and God!

Don’t hide from God…

Even when going through a difficulty…

Come back…

Ask for forgiveness…

Do what it takes to be in a right place to hear His voice…

Don’t fear God’s voice…

Draw near to God!

You’re perfect together!

Psalm 139:1-18 NIV

“You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.”