AWAKE O NORTH WIND

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; 

blow upon my garden, that the spices 

thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come 

into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Song of Solomon 4:16

STAND FAST

Photograph provided by Cricket Green

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith 

Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled 

again with the yoke of bondage.

Galtians 5:1

NEW CREATION

Photo provided by Tara Cook Bruce

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a 

new creature: old things are passed away; 

behold, all things are become new.

I Corinthians 5:17

THE DESERT SHALL REJOICE AND BLOOM LIKE THE ROSE

Photographer - Geoff Fierce

 The wilderness and the solitary place shall 

be glad for them; and the desert shall 

rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall 

blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with 

joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall 

be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel 

and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the 

LORD, and the excellency of our God.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm 

the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a 

fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, 

your God will come with vengeance, even 

God with a recompence; he will come 

and save you.

Isaiah 35:1-2

STAY UPON HIS GOD

Photographer - Geoff Fierce

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, 

that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that 

walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let 

him trust in the name of the LORD, and 

stay upon his God.

ISAIAH 50:10

BREAK FORTH IN SINGING

Photographer Renie Brandow 

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break 

forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD 

hath comforted his people, and will have mercy 

upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The LORD 

hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten 

me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, 

that she should not have compassion on the 

son of her womb? yea, they may forget, 

yet will I not forget thee.  Behold, I have 

graven thee upon the palms of my 

hands; thy walls are continually before 

me.  Thy children shall make haste; thy 

destroyers and they that made thee waste 

shall go forth of thee. Lift up thine eyes 

round about, and behold: all these gather 

themselves together, and come to thee. As I 

live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe 

thee with them all, as with an ornament, and 

bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

Isaiah 49:13-18

LOOK TO ME

Photo provided by Steve / Donna Rogers 

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them 

take counsel together: who hath declared this 

from ancient time? who hath told it from that 

time? have not I the LORD? and there 

is no God else beside me; a just God and 

a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look 

unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of 

the earth: for I am God, and there is 

none else.

Isaiah 45:21-22

THE NAPKIN TELLS A STORY

…..and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.  John 20:7  

Today being Easter weekend we heard many songs and sermons about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is so easy to get caught up in purchasing new Easter clothing, coloring eggs, and planning a picnic with the family that we miss out on important things.

Have you ever thought about the napkin that was left folded inside the tomb?  

Have you ever wondered why the Savior of the world would come out of the burial cloths that were wound around his body and then take the time to stop and fold the napkin that covered his face? 

Does it matter what this piece of fabric looks like laying there?

Yes, it does matter.

Why not just leave the napkin laying on top of the heap of burial cloths already lying there?

Why not wad it up and throw it over into the corner?

Why not take it with him as he was leaving for later use?

Why fold it?

The Jewish boys that were being trained knew the meaning of this napkin being folded neatly and laid aside. 

Today we rush past everything in life toward the next event.  The Jewish people learned the symbolic meaning of everything and didn't live their lives in a haphazard way. 

As a Jewish boy was training he would learn that serving a master was a great privilege and the boy was to keep his eye on the master. As the master would sit to eat he would use his napkin and when he finished he would wipe his beard, face and hands with the napkin.  He would then lay it aside and when he laid the napkin on the table without a word being said the young boy knew his master had completed his meal and it was time for the boy to enter and clean the table up. 

The young Jewish boy was also trained to watch and if the master folded his napkin and laid it on the table, it meant the master was going to do something and would return, so the young boy was not to clean the table.  The boy was to leave the table as is.  For himself, he was to stay and watch until the master returned to complete his meal.  

When Jesus rose out of the burial clothes, he turned, picked up the napkin and took the time to fold it and lay it to the side.  

When he died on the cross, He said, "It is Finished."  but at this point he is telling us something very deep.  "My friend, I am coming back again so keep your eyes on the master." 

Where do you have your eyes fixed today?  

There are many who will miss the Master's message but the greatest m

The message for us to learn isn't where the golden egg is hidden but what has caused our eyes to be hidden from the truth of the gospel of Christ.  

He will return and he told us so in many ways!

Will you be watching and waiting for the master when he comes?

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.  Matthew 24-42-44

BEHOLD THE FATHER'S LOVE

Photo provided by Donna Long 

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath 

bestowed upon us, that we should be called 

the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth 

us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, 

now are we the sons of God, and it doth not 

yet appear what we shall be: but we know 

that, when he shall appear, we shall be like 

him; for we shall see him as he is. And 

every man that hath this hope in him 

purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

I John 3:1-3

HE PROMISED US ETERNAL LIFE

Photographer Geoff Fierce 

REMEMBERING WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED

Photo provided by Bettina Buch Booth

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same 

hath not the Father: (but) he that 

acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father 

also  Let that therefore abide in you, 

which ye have heard from the beginning. 

If that which ye have heard from the 

beginning shall remain in you, ye also 

shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

And this is the promise that he hath promised 

us, even eternal life. These things have I

 written unto you concerning them that seduce

 you. But the anointing which ye have received 

of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any 

man teach you: but as the same anointing 

teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is 

no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall

abide in him.  And now, little children, abide 

in him; that, when he shall appear, we may 

have confidence, and not be ashamed before 

him at his coming.

I John 2:23-28

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE

Photo provided by Leroy Ochoa 

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, 

that it might depart from me. And he said 

unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 

for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in 

my infirmities, that the power of Christ may

rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in

infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,

in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s 

sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

II Corinthians 12:8-10

PROSPERITY OF ADVERSITY

THE MIGHTY GOD HATH SPOKEN

Photo provided by Leroy Ochoa

The mighty God, even the 

LORD, hath spoken, and 

called the earth from the 

rising of the sun unto 

the going down thereof.

Psalm 50:1

THEY SHALL SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Photo provided by Leroy Ochoa 

The wilderness and the solitary place 

shall be glad for them; and the desert 

shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

t shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice

 even with joy and singing: the glory 

of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the

 excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they 

shall see the glory of the LORD, and 

the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye 

the weak hands, and confirm the feeble 

knees. Say to them that are of a fearful 

heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your 

God will come with vengeance, even 

God with a recompence; he will come 

and save you.  Then the eyes of the blind 

shall be opened, and the ears of the 

deaf shall be unstopped.  Then shall the 

lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue 

of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness 

shall waters break out, and streams in the 

desert.  And the parched ground shall 

become a pool, and the thirsty land springs 

of water: in the habitation of dragons, 

where each lay, shall be grass with reeds 

and rushes. And an highway shall be there, 

and a way, and it shall be called The way of 

holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; 

but it shall be for those: the wayfaring 

men, though fools, shall not err therein.  

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous 

beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be 

found there; but the redeemed shall 

walk there:  And the ransomed of the LORD 

shall return, and come to Zion with songs 

and everlasting joy upon their heads: they 

shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow 

and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:1-10

HE PREPARETH RAIN FOR THE EARTH

Photo provided by Kay Rowe

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; 

sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, 

who prepareth rain for the earth, 

who maketh grass to grow upon 

the mountains. He giveth to the beast 

his food, and to the young ravens which 

cry.  He delighteth not in the strength 

of the horse: he taketh not pleasure 

in the legs of a man.  The LORD taketh 

pleasure in them that fear him, in those 

that hope in his mercy.  Praise the LORD, 

O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

Psalm 147-6-12

WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM ME?

A question I have often heard from some people is: "God, what do you want from me?"

I have a concern about this question and it is this: Like rebellious teenagers, some people may be asking it because they seek their own independence; however, such independence is not possible. We will always be dependent upon our Creator. We might like to think we can get by just fine on our own but we can no more do so than a baby can provide for oneself, or a car can take care of its own maintenance. Some people say that if there is a God, they don't need him, but they do. Make sure that if you're asking this question that it's not out of a desire to divorce yourself from God's authority and oversight. We all really do need him. Jesus said, "Without me, you can do nothing."[i] If you are not relying on the Lord, you must be running from him.

You, however, may be asking “What does God want from me?” because you have a legitimate desire to know. There is nothing wrong with this. We should all care about what God wants, desires and requires. He is our Creator, Lord and Master. It is right for him to expect certain things of us. Surely the sincere seeker will want to know what those things are.

He Wants Us to Obey Him.

He wants us to: honor him and treat our fellow humans well and fairly.

He gave us the Ten Commandments to express this desire:
1. You shall have no other gods.
2. You shall not make graven images to worship.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD (Yahweh) your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbor's.[ii]

I am struck not only by how much God cares about how we respect him but also by how much he loves people so that he would set these guides upon our behavior toward each other. These commands encompass: 

· Our worship,
· Our finances,
· Our business dealings,
· Our social activities,
· Our speech,
· Our family lives and even
· Our thought processes.

He Wants Us to Love Him.

Jesus summed these things up with the attitude of our heart when he stated:

"'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.[iii]

The heart attitude God wants from us is the attitude of love.

The prophet Micah summed up all that God wants from us in these words:

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

This sounds very simple – basically doing what is right but showing mercy to those who come short of it, and then to be humble toward God. The big problem is that none of us can live up to any of these standards and/or commands. We all fall short of what God expects from us [iv].

Where does this leave us in relation to him? It leaves us alienated from him. God is holy and will not tolerate our rebellion and disobedience. Something must be done to reconcile us back to God! God has done just that!

He Wants Us to Trust Him.

God’s word in the book of Romans, tells us that even when we were “without strength,” … “ungodly,” … his “enemies,” and “still sinners,” that he “died for us,” “justified us,” “saved us,” and “reconciled us.”[v]

“How can I know if I’m saved?” you may ask. You can know you are saved if you believe in Jesus.[vi]

What does God want from me? He wants you and me to believe on him and to believe on his Son, Jesus Christ, whom he has sent – and, for those who do, he has freely provided for forgiveness for our coming short of obeying all he has said.

All the requirements that God has made upon our lives that we cannot live up to, he has met through the righteousness of his Son, Jesus Christ. Believe it!

[i] John 15.5
[ii] Exodus 20.1-17
[iii] Matthew 22.37-39
[iv] Romans 3.10
[v] Romans 5.6-10
[vi] John 6.47

WHAT RULES YOUR HEART?

Photo provided by Darry Poss

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to the which also ye are called in one body; 

and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ 

dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching 

and admonishing one another in psalms and 

hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace 

in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever 

ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of 

the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the 

Father by him.

Colossians 3:15-17

WHO IS THIS CHRIST?

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea 

Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, 

Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John

the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, 

or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, 

But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter 

answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the 

Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered 

and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon 

Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed 

it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, 

and upon this rock I will build my church; 

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 13:16-18