Growing in Christ
Growing in Christ
When I read Esther’s story in the Bible I can relate to a question her guardian, Mordecai, posed concerning her destiny. He asked her, “…who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NKJV) In the same way, I must accept such times as this in which I am called by God to fulfill my destiny. That is, if I want to succeed! This applies even to the details of daily living. Let me explain myself—today, in 2024, I’ve had to face the fact I cannot long for the technologically simpler times of the 20th century! This day, this year, is the time God has chosen to place me, to place us all. We are here for a reason. When we accept the times we’re living in, we can celebrate them, challenges and all.
“WHAT IS TRUTH?” This was the question Pilate asked Jesus 2,000 years ago when he delivered Him to the people to be crucified. Was this a rhetorical question or is there something for which he earnestly needed an answer? As the Roman governor of the day, we might consider him an intelligent man. I wonder if he thought he knew. Or better -- if he hoped Jesus might be able to inform him of the answer. Pilate’s simple question is, in my opinion, deeply profound.
Back in the beginning, God created us as His children to be fruitful. He wants a huge family, so He commanded us to be fruitful and multiply! “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish…27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…”
About 3,000 years ago, David, the shepherd king of Israel equated God’s Word as food even sweeter than honey. He states in Psalm 119:103, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" I have found this to be so! Never before in my Christian journey has God's Word been so dear to me as now. It (Jesus) has uplifted me and encouraged me like nothing else—a necessity to my health physically and emotionally, as well as spiritually.
Imagine for a moment, you're a dog......wouldn’t it be great to just flop down on your back in the cool green grass and get a dog's perspective on life? Just take a little time out from your busy days and enjoy simply being alive!!
Did you know there are a few simple and very effective ways to kill germs? Primarily I’m referring to germs we pick up on our skin. Back in 2020, when we were all dealing with the global pandemic, I discovered a secret…I quickly realized I didn’t need to carry a package of wipes everywhere I went. Or keep a huge bottle of sanitizer in my car or on my kitchen countertop! I just never felt the need. Mostly it’s because I’m always a bit leery of chemicals and artificial products. But more so, it’s because I’ve always believed simple is best. And whatever is closest to nature. Since those days, I’ve been committed to using extremely simple methods to kill germs that don’t cost a dime! May I share?
