[The Mayor]

March 5, 2005

The Plantings Of Grace

Read:
Isaiah 55:6-13

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree. —Isaiah 55:13

Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 17-19

Today's text states that God causes the cypress tree and the myrtle tree to flourish where once thorns and briers encumbered the ground. This analogy reminds us that God can bring forth beauty and grace where evil once flourished.

Where cynicism once grew, hope and optimism can begin to emerge. Where sarcasm thrived, gentle words of healing can appear. Where lust grew rampant and unrestrained, pure love can spring up. This—a transformed life—is the living and lasting sign of God's work, the memorial He seeks (Isaiah 55:13).

Do you long for this kind of transformation in your life? Then "seek the Lord while He may be found" (v.6). There are moments when we grow tired of the evil within us, and our heart aches for holiness. This is God calling, reminding us that He is near. At such times we must sink our roots deep into God's Word and ask Him to conform us to His likeness. He says that "as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and . . . water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, . . . so shall [His] word be that goes forth from [His] mouth" (vv.10-11).

Seek the Lord while He may be found. Plantings of grace can replace the thorns of our sinful nature. —David Roper

Sift the substance of my life,
Filter out the sin and strife;
Leave me, Lord, a purer soul,
Cleansed and sanctified and whole. —Lemon

God can transform a sin-stained soul into a masterpiece of grace.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
David & Manasseh: Overcoming Failure
Self-Esteem: What Does The Bible Say?

[MoJo2001]

You're 1st! WooHoo!
Congrats Mayor!!
How've you been?
Thank you for the Daily Devotionals.
*HUGS*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Refreshingly......

[LadyPilgrim]

Thank you so much for the wonderful Bible studies! They are an encouragement to me.
Praise the Lord for His Word!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, TM, for the coffee and inspiration each day.

[stand watie]

GA, all ya'll!

free dixie HUGS,duckie/sw

[KiloLima]

What a wondrous reading today! I planted some flower seeds this morning, then came in and read this devotional in my little book from RBC. And it's so great to read it here and talk about it.

This speaks to me in this time, in this moment:

There are moments when we grow tired of the evil within us, and our heart aches for holiness.

Amen! What a good God we have! What a loving Father! Praise the Lord!