Saturday, March 14th, 2020

REMEMBER

The Israelites struggled with resting on the Sabbath and lacked faith in God to provide for their basic food needs. God had given specific instructions on collecting food on Saturday but in Exodus 16:27, we read that on the seventh day some people went out to gather and found none. Rev. Sam offers, what I believe to be a great observation. The Israelites had been captives and slaves for over 400 years in Egypt. They were most likely made to work every day and for long hours building for the Pharaohs. Perhaps, they were unfamiliar with “resting” on the Sabbath in a practical manner. Old habits are hard to break.

We can learn and apply lessons from this passage as well, especially given the current global circumstances we are facing with COVID-19. I saw first hand yesterday some of the devastation caused in the local grocery store near me. I simply wanted to purchase some bologna, chips and buns for to my lunch intake to work. I found the aisles practically empty, the luncheon meat choices I had were 2, neither were bologna. I settled for pickle loaf. It is truly sad how people are reacting to this situation. I will admit the media has not helped to calm the masses and people are simply not listening to sound advice. People are living in fear! Following the basic instruction of the CDC and local health officials is vital. Many people will have the virus and show little to no signs based upon their health and immune system. Taking safety precautions such as washing your hands frequently and not touching your face will increase your protection as well as limiting your physical contact with others through hand shaking and hugging. If you are feeling ill, do not go out into densely populated public areas or to work. These simply guidelines will assist you and protect others. Use cell phones for staying in touch with friends and loved ones. Go old school, hand write some letters, journal, rest and relax by watching movies, reading a book, and investing in you!

Practice:

Pick a full day or half day when you can practice resting and not working. 🙏🏻💤🌙☀️🌺😊🌸💙

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.abingdonpress.com/

Saturday, March 14th, 2020

The photo word for today is RIPE.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

• fully grown and developed

• mature

• having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment

Today’s word seemed difficult for me to grasp at first. The first and only thoughts that came to mind regarding, “ripe” was food items that have grown and are ready to be harvested. So I did what I typically do for inspiration, I googled images of RIPE. That’s where I got the idea of pictures of fall with leaves turning for the end of the growing cycle. Trees and leaves entering the final stage of their growth pattern and preparing for shedding, hibernation and renewal.

I still wasn’t completely satisfied so I continued my search and found a correlation that made sense to me. I hope you see the connection as well. The Bible offers many verses that speak about bearing fruit, being fruitful, being know by our fruits, and that one reaps, what is sewn I found a helpful article at: https://pcg.church/articles/2188/how-ripe-is-your-fruit

We read the words of Jesus in the verses below:

Matthew 7:16-20

“You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.

John 15:8

“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

The Apostle Paul shares these words with us:

Galatians 6:7-9

“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”

Galatians 5:22-23

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

Right now is our time to become ripe and mature, just as fruit does so we can be the individuals God created us to be. Each day, moment by moment we are to be learning, growing and maturing. We are meant to ripen!

Matthew 7:16-20

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring
forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits
ye shall know them.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

https://poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com/tag/matthew-716-20/

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

https://pcg.church/articles/2188/how-ripe-is-your-fruit

https://poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com/tag/matthew-716-20/