WHERE THE LEAVES DANCE

A soft breeze, a gentle sigh,

I’ll be where the leaves dance.

I’ll look up through at skies of blue

and fall within a trance.

In relaxed state, I’ll contemplate

and hear the wood thrush echoing.

His gorgeous tune releases me,

a distant place is beckoning.

How could God make these woods so fine?

All worries are asunder.

I’ll close my eyes and take it in,

this quiet place of wonder.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

WHERE THE LEAVES DANCE

As we lean back in our outdoor chairs and look up through the branches of maple trees here in Veery Glade, our hearts are filled with the peace given only by Jesus. In gratitude, we remember to pray for better self-control, that ninth fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we have difficulties, we ask for deliverance. It’s not about what we can’t do. It’s what we can do. Abraham, Elijah, Hannah, Esther and others praised God and pleaded with God in prayer. Prayer warriors lived before us and they live among us today.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:8

Where the leaves dance, remember Christ’s temperance. By the Spirit, grow in good temperance. Because of Jesus’ love shed abroad in our hearts, love others and forgive them. There is help for today’s problems. There is reason for joy. There is reason to be gracious as Christ has been gracious to us.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26

Resting here in Veery Glade, meditate on the words of Jesus Christ. God’s enabling Holy Spirit enters into the person of faith, the person who makes the decision to believe in Jesus and that God’s Word is true. The Spirit is a deposit within the heart of the believer of the inheritance yet to be received. (Ephesians 1:13-14)  He can shape us into being more controlling of our thoughts and actions. He works on us—we works-in-progress—to be more like Him.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1-2

Live to sit under the tree that yields. We have great joy for the peace Christ gives, which is not the same peace that the world gives. Like a beautiful pearl, the place Jesus is preparing for us lacks nothing. Like the rarest blue diamond, Heaven sparkles with kindness, joy, and temperance. Nothing that defiles can sneak into Heaven. No one who works abominations will be able to squeeze through a crack in the foundation of Heaven because cracks don’t exist, not in the foundation of the One who knows how to make foundations very well. (That would be Creator, Almighty God, as you know!)

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 21:27

Contrary to some beliefs that Hell is not real, Hell is a real place and people go there every day among the weeping and gnashing of teeth as God’s Word says. It is because some people have fallen out of reading the Word of God and believing it.

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Proverbs 24:19-20

God’s all-powerful Word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When He announces evil will be destroyed, we know He will follow through with His announcement. When He declares the candle of wicked people will be put out, we know His Word will come to pass. His Word is full of promises, for the good, or for the ruin, of souls. We make the choice. So I encourage you, the reader, to make the right choice if you haven’t already.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:5

Looking up through the trees, the wind reminds us that entrance into the kingdom of God is only by believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. If everyone gained access into Heaven no matter what they believed, there would have been no reason for God to have sent His Son who willingly died on the cross for our sins. His shed blood alone has the only power to make our sins as white as snow! As in the day of the Passover, blood on the doorposts of our hearts has the power to prevent the destroyer from destroying.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 3: 6-7

The wind separates the wheat grain from the chaff, the good from the bad. The Holy Spirit gives the admittance ticket into Heaven. The risen Jesus Christ—God’s Anointed and the King of kings—knows the sheep from the goats and has been given all authority to make the separation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Therefore, since we have been made right

in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God

because of what Jesus Christ our Lord

has done for us.

Romans 5:1

Fellow forest dwellers, we know Jesus is God’s remedy for all of life’s problems. Earnestly pray for what weighs heavy on your heart. Pray again today for the salvation of lost loved ones. Keep a prayerful vigil through these dark days for reliance on God’s Word. Be a prayer warrior today like many before us.

The leaves dancing in the wind remind us to maintain our self-control. Rest in Jesus Christ who gives strength to those who put their trust in Him. The joy of knowing God’s Son equals being born of the Spirit, which leads to the beautiful promise of everlasting life. God’s promises always come true.

…where the wind lists,

where the Spirit resides,

where the tree yields.

May you be encouraged to practice the ninth attribute—self-control.