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WOODLAND SONG

Copyright 2014

WOODLAND SONG
The birds are returning to the woods. Their songs lift my spirits like poetry and their calls remind me to call on God through prayer. Isn't it true that what God created praises Him? Animals, to trees, to stones, to humans—the Bible tells us what they do.

Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and maidens,

old men and children.

Psalm 148:7-12

 Psalm 148 details an overview of creation praising God.

Animals: I think of the passage in Revelation of an eagle flying above, crying out "Woe!". It's one of the animals in the Bible that can talk....like Balaam's donkey. They seem to know the majesty of the Lord. And that special donkey and her colt which no one had ever ridden tied at Bethany for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem. They seemed to know they were reserved for a special purpose. The living creatures in Revelation are from the word "zoon", meaning animals. 

Trees: Oh, aren't there many wonderful verses about the trees? Psalm 96:12 and 1 Chronicles 16:33 write about all the trees of the forest will sing for joy. "The trees of the field will clap their hands" is found in Isaiah 55:12. Can you think of others?

Stones: Luke 19:40 tells us they will cry out if the disciples had not. Jesus tells the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 3:9 that God can raise up children for Abraham out of stones. Is that incredible? Of course it is, because our God is incredible! 

Humans: Oh, aren't there verses here of people gone on before us that have given praise to our maker? Where do I start? I think of Abraham, Hannah, Mary, David, Jabez, Elizabeth, Esther, Deborah, John, Paul, Peter, Lydia, the woman at the well. Songs have been recorded. Prayers have been remembered. Lives have portrayed praise. It's all there.

For by him all things were created:

things in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible,

whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;

all things were created by him and for him.

Colossians 1:16

What a privilege prayer is. Cast your cares on him who cares for you and happens to be the Creator. 

Sing a song of praise. 

And pray with hope.

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TRUTH IS LIKE A TRILLIUM

Copyright 2014

TRUTH IS LIKE A TRILLIUM
Prayer is like the bouquet on the table. It's the most attractive thing in the room.
It brightens, drawing eyes to it's colorful arrangement of heartfelt praises and concerns.

How important is prayer to you? What priority do you give it? Is it more important than ______?
Do you routinely pray? Do you look for God's blessings because of your sacrifice of time in prayer—your prayer practice?

But when you pray, go into your room,

close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

Hannah and Jabez prayed and God granted them what they requested. Elijah prayed earnestly. Esther fasted and prayed. Can you think of others?

Then those who feared the LORD

talked with each other, 

and the LORD listened and heard.

A scroll of remembrance was written 

in his presence concerning those who

feared the LORD and honored his name.

Malachi 3:16

Do you have prayer-warrior friends? Is prayer the centerpiece of like-minded fellowship?

Is it the focal point of a gathered Christian group? What benefits there are when prayer-believing friends make time to pray together!

This Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. Public Law 105-225 states:

     The president shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May

     as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer

     and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. 

The trillium takes time to bloom. It can take a while to learn how to pray. The disciples had asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Start with reverence. From your heart, talk with God. If you don't believe, it won't work. Offer thanksgiving, praise and worship. Present your petitions. Share your frustrations, concerns, burdens. Ask for help. Trust God. And in the name above all names, Jesus, conclude your talk with our Heavenly Father.

May churches across our land be praying this Thursday.

God listens to those who fear Him. 

Be like the people in Malachi.

Pray and hope.