FOREST WINDS

The September winds are kicking up,

and the poplars, all so grandy,

along the road are saying, “Turn!

Your way is not too dandy!”

Their silvery leaves are showing me,

as the sun falls in, and merry,

that the way I go is not that good,

and I’d best let someone carry—

Carry me to where the birches dance,

and the ferns, on a wind a-borning,

do swirl and twirl, as I listen well,

to their end-of-summer warning—

Warning of the way that I think’s right,

which is not, to be contrary,

for there are commandments to obey,

and they’re anything but airy!

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, 

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12

FOREST WINDS

The September winds are kicking up. I am so glad this year. This past summer has been muggy, buggy, humid and crummy. “Crummer”. We look forward to the cooler, crisper days of Autumn. A yellow hue is appearing on the trees and some leaves are already orange and red. Autumn has begun, here in Veery Glade.

Have you noticed how the wind moves the ferns and branches? Sometimes, a whole bunch of trees sway from the wind and other times, one lone fern has caught a windy swirl while other ferns around it are motionless. It looks as if it’s waving.

The Word of God is the standard by which to live. It is the authority by which all creation is measured. It contains warnings, supported in creation. Just because something feels right doesn’t mean it is.

Know ye not, 

that to whom ye yield

yourselves servants to obey,

his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the

servants of sin, but ye have obeyed 

from the heart that form of doctrine which

was delivered you. Being then made free

from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:16-18

What we obey is what we are a servant to. A person can be a servant of sin which leads to death or a servant of obedience which leads to righteousness. The devil is fighting against the winds of obedience. Don’t be listening to him!

When we read about the prodigal son in Luke 15, we learn of poor choices and reckless attitude, squandered inheritance and wayward direction. It seemed right at the time. But one day, the prodigal son came to his senses and returned to his loving, patient father.

Pray to come to our senses!

Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,

nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, 

nor revilers, nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you: But ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Washed. Sanctified. Justified. These are the words for the righteous, for those who experience God’s wonderful mercy. These are the words for people who made a u-turn, for children of God. 

Why did they make a u-turn? What made them make a u-turn?

Then he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Matthew 26:38-39

The Son of God died on the cross for us because He loves us and was obedient to His Father, praying, “Thy will be done.” Our faith in God’s provided perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, equals being washed, sanctified and justified. People make u-turns because of their faith. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life live forever. Live to be there!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

All unrighteousness is forgiven. Only Jesus is able to make this happen! No one else can forgive any sin. That’s because Jesus Christ bore all sin on the cross. No one else bore sin! He alone is faithful. This verse rings true if we confess our sins. To do that, we must own up to our sin. It is realizing personal efforts towards justification fall short. It is acknowledging self-centered seemingly right ideas and traditions not relying on Christ lead to death. It is realizing there is no other way.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

Because of a grateful heart for Jesus, we strive to obey commands. Because of Jesus, we can try to pray ‘Thy will be done.’ 

Because of Jesus, we can be kind and live under grace.

And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:16-17

God’s mercies are new every morning. He wants a relationship with us. God is the God of second chances. Pray today and call on Him.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.

Matthew 6: 9-13

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

There must be glorious forests in Heaven waiting for us to walk among them. May forest winds guide you to them in kindness.