He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Dear Friend:

Do you remember when you were younger and use to pick a flower and pull the petals off saying “He loves me, He loves me not?” Remember when you got to the last petal and you either stopped on He loves me or loves me not. I always loved it of course when I had a boy in mind, especially Donny Osmond and it landed on “He loves me.” LOL!

I was thinking about this when I was going for a walk the other day and passed a blossoming tree that smelled so beautiful. I picked a flower and remembered the saying “He loves me, He loves me not.” Then my mind wandered to Jesus and how much he loves me. When I was young I don’t think I understood Jesus love. I think when I was young I looked for true love by trying to find a person who could love like Jesus. As I know now nothing can compare to Jesus love.

Jer 31:3 - The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

The word of the Lord soothes my soul. The word everlasting is remarkable, don’t you think? I pray that you take a walk and see a blossom or flower and remember “Jesus loves you.” I have attached a music video that is going around on e-mails. It shows the greatest act of love for all times. View it and see what you think. You can click below.

Let’s pray: Father in Heaven. My flower always stops on “LOVES ME” because you do love me. I love you too! Bless me and my family today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

HE LOVES ME,

Elaine

Shark

Dear Friend:

I was on the beach this past week in Florida for Spring break. Yes, it was beautiful! My husband and his friends were so in to fishing this year. Can you believe that they caught two 6 foot sharks? It was after 10pm at night and many people that were on the beach stopped to watch the 10 or 15 minutes it took to get the big shark in on the beach. The adrenaline rush for the fishermen was so awesome. At first they had many sharks bite their bait and then break the line and get away. My husband got information from the locals and they talked about what kind of line and hooks he would need to keep the shark on the line to bring it in. After successfully making, I think 9 hooks; they had a plan and were ready to do some serious shark fishing. They did not keep the sharks. They just cut the line and let them swim back out.

There were many times that Jesus helped the apostles catch fish. Maybe you remember the stories. (You can find the stories in John 21, Luke 5, and John 6) Jesus used fish to teach of His deity. He did this by multiplying the fish for food for large crowds to eat. He demonstrated to the Apostles that they were sinful men and with Jesus they will not only catch fish, but catch men. When Jesus returned to the earth after His death the Apostles were going back fishing , which is what they were doing before Jesus. But they did not catch anything until Jesus appears and fills their nets with 153 fish.

I was on the beach and felt led to read Psalm 78. It starts out by saying “oh my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old- what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the NEXT GENERATION the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. To teach their children, so the NEXT GENERATION would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. “(Please read Psalm 78)

We will probably pass these Shark pictures down and tell of the great stories of how they were caught. How much fun! But I guess I want to ask you , do you do the same thing with the word of God and the stories of Jesus' life? There are so many times in the bible when the Israelites found the book of God had been buried and full of dust in their churches. Our responsibility is not to let it depart from our mouths. Will you read and renew your mind with the life of Jesus and pass it on? Do you rely too much on the church to do this rather than yourself?

Here is another thought I had. The Psalmist wrote this many years before Jesus even came to earth. He was well known for telling parables to teach. God was already at work telling His people how they would learn from Jesus.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven thank you for Jesus and what he did on the cross. Thank you that he came to give us life and give it to us abundantly. Please let me remember and pass it on to the NEXT GENERATION. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Passing the message on,

Elaine

Eagles Wings

Dear Friend:

I have been meditating on all of the bible verses that pertain to eagles and their wings. It all started about one month ago when I saw several verses from devotions all about eagles. When you see things multiple times, do you think God is trying to tell you something? I believe! I have also noticed when this happens that I learn and then I also get many chances to share or comfort others with that message.

I have been working at the hospital visiting patients. There is no better place to bring the message of God and how He speaks to us about covering us with His wings like an eagle. How comforting that is, don’t you think? The verses below make you think of God as an eagle.

I have even a better picture. Have you seen a eagle flying? I have been to Canada many times and have seen the eagle command the sky when they are around. Did you know they are off the endangered species list? In Canada I would look up to the highest trees and that is where I find the eagles. When the eagles swoop down and land in a tree I hear the branches crackle. They are so powerful. Birds actually give up their prey to the eagle with no fights. Birds just know not to mess with the eagle.

Ps 17:8 - Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Ps 36:7 - How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Ps 57:1 - Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

Ps 91:4 - He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Isa 40:31 -but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Mal 4:2 - But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Let’s pray: Dear Father in Heaven. I thank you for always being here to comfort, shield, renew my strength, provide refuge, love, have mercy and heal. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Soaring with God,

Elaine

Salty or Light

Dear Friend:

Has anyone every told you that you are “salty” or “light?” You are probably asking “Elaine, isn’t that a little odd?”

In the gospel of Matthew I was reading today that when you know who Jesus is and try to live your life according to His ways you are called “salty” or full of “light.” In the version of the Bible called the Message it says this in Matthew 5:13=15:

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Being “Salt” or “Light” is something that flows out of you when you are full of the Spirit of God. Do all people recognize or like that God part of you? No. Persecution happens. In Jesus time there were many that rejected him and what that meant was that the truth got too close for their comfort and they were uncomfortable. In that same chapter of Matthew it says “you can be glad when that happens-give a cheer, even!-for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”

I want to pray for you today because I know that it is not popular to speak out for Jesus and maybe sometimes you feel defeated because of the reaction you get from others. You may say “I won’t be doing that again.” DON’T LOOSE YOUR “SALT” OR “LIGHT” BECAUSE OF THAT ONE REACTION! Jesus (thank God) did not give up! If he had there would be no Easter. Use this Easter time to tell others what Jesus did on the cross for you.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven I ask in the name of Jesus that you renew the Spirit of this child. Give them all the “salt” and “light” they need to proclaim your name. Do not allow the enemy to discourage them. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Salty,

Elaine