Good measure,Pressed Down, Shaken Together and Running Over: Sunrise Options

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Sunrise Options

As the sun rises after the dark of night, so too, is man’s spirit uplifted after a period of trials. He can choose to go back to sleep in darkness or wake up to face the morning light. The better of the two options would be for him to thank God for a new day and the ability to rise again, and then, let praise and glory to God be the first fruits of his lips.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).

Thank God for a new day, rain or shine; to hear the early birds chirping praises to God; to espy petals and leaves bejeweled by dew drops; to enjoy the feel of a cool morning breeze as it caresses your skin. Does one realize how blessed he is to rise out of darkness into the light every morning?

Thank God for eyes to see His beautiful creation, to see squirrels erratically scrambling around for nuts never remembering where they hid the last one; to inhale the scents of damp earth, and honeysuckle in the air; to see, with clarity, God’s plan for you each day.

Thank God for ears to hear the voice of God; to hear the whisper of angels as the wind rustles through trees; or the cock crowing out his morning alarm bringing to mind, Peter’s denial of Jesus and reminding man to be faithful to God.

Thank God for hands, even as the skin ages and spidery veins appear, to touch a new bud,embrace a loved one; comfort another, shake hands with an acquaintance, rub an aching back or feed the hungry. The work of hands never ends.

Thank God for feet to take the first step in a mile, to run with a grandchild and kick his football,putting a grin on his face, to walk with confidence in the Way.

Thank God for each spectacular sunrise, His guiding Light, that sends a kaleidoscope of colors across the morning sky, dispersing darkness and illuminating the spirit of man.

Thank God for all that you are and have. Thank Him for His abiding love and His readiness to forgive, for all His creation, which He made for His children to enjoy, and appreciate. Raise your face to the sun, His Divine Light; lift your voice and join the Heavenly Hosts in praise and glory to the Sovereign Lord.

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Good measure,pressed down,shaken together and running over

This heading brings to mind the story of Ruth and Naomi. (Ruth 1 -4). Naomi was a resident of Bethlehem, also nicknamed the House of Bread, because the inhabitants grew wheat and barley grains used for making bread. Bethlehem was the nation’s main producer of these grains. Despite their successful enterprise, there came a time of great famine. The abundant supply of grain came to a standstill. As a result, Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their sons Mahlon and Kilion left Bethlehem in search of greener pastures. This is what we do even today. We imagine that the grass is greener on the other side. They relocated to Moab. This was a pagan land. As time went by, their sons married pagan women and their lifestyles changed. They were tolerant of and even influenced by some of the pagan practices.Needless to say, everything went downhill from there. Elimelech suddenly died. Naomi's sorrow did not end there. Both sons died soon afterwards. Naomi was left a bereaved widow in Moab. When she learned that the famine in Bethlehem had ended, she decided to return to her home. Ruth, one of Naomi’s daughters-in-law wished to remain with Naomi to care for her. They both traveled back to Bethlehem. The other daughter-in-law, Orpah, remained with her people.Through her grief, Naomi couldn't see that God was guiding them to a more perfect fulfillment of His spiritual plan. He had already started setting His plan in motion. In choosing to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem, Ruth began to follow God’s principle of progression.Her love for Naomi and willingness to give up any future plans for herself but to serve Naomi, was all part of God's plan. She did not consider the risks of being a Moabite woman in a Jewish land. She hoped that all would go well for Naomi. In fact, she believed that it would. Ruth, had as it were, sowed the seed. Will she reap a bountiful harvest? We know what happened when they arrived in Bethlehem. Naomi met her kinsfolk and introduced Ruth. Imagine the people's surprise when they learned that a Moabite woman, a pagan, had decided to journey to Jerusalem to dwell there with her Jewish mother-in law. This was cause for a scandal. Remember, however, that this is God’s plan. Naomi guided Ruth into prudent interaction with Boaz.This liaison led to a marriage between Ruth and Boaz, a wealthy landowner of many fields and kin to Naomi’s deceased husband, Elimelech. Therefore, Ruth became a wealthy and respected woman in Bethlehem and took care of her mother –in-law, Naomi. She had followed through on God’s plan. As a reward for her selfless acts, God rewarded her with ‘good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” Besides the material blessings, Ruth, converted to Judaism and also became an ancestor of Jesus. Her son Obed was the grandfather of King David. God has a plan for each of His children. Endeavor to live according to His plan. Be ready to listen for His voice and obey His directives, promptly. Avoid anything that would interrupt God’s Divine plan for you. Naomi experienced a physical famine in Bethlehem. However, there is also spiritual famine. Do not encourage dissension in the ranks,-- avoid quarrels, jealousy, anger, hatred, nagging etc, in your daily life. Do not entertain negativity around you. Opt to make a change in your life and encourage others to aim for a Kingdom Connection. Let God work in and through you, uninterrupted. Avoid a spiritual famine in your life and aim for a heavenly reward of one hundredfold.