God's Unchanging GraceDid you wake up early
To see the morning light
Eager to jump out of bed
And see the new day bright?
Or did you at the mid-day tire
As rushing hours race
Before the dusk shuts down the day
And sunset takes its place
.
Then as darkness gently comes
Will your eyes begin to trace
Wondering at the silent stars
And God’s unchanging grace?
God's Unchanging Grace by Peter Caligiuri
copyright 2020 all rights reserved
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 KJV
And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52 ESV
It may surprise you to learn that I began Bible story telling, not with my special friends at nursing home, but with 5-8 year old boys at church. Royal Rangers was a program similar to the Boy Scouts, that our denomination offered and one day I came to sign our son up for class. Now I am not the parent who just drops his kiddo off, so I stayed to see what was going on. The man who leading the group was so delighted to have another adult around to help, that he disappeared on the third week and ta-da, I became their new leader!
Needless to say my transition from, hey I want to help, to “Whoot there it is!” you’re in charge, was rough. Kids climbed up walls, bounced off each other and in general made me crazy. But in the midst of the mayhem when I was getting ready to tear out my hair, God began to teach me how to get and keep their attention with stories. In today’s scripture, Jesus gives us the inside scoop on how to teach others about His kingdom, and He calls it giving away our treasure.
So what makes something our treasure, and who are those scribes instructed in the kingdom? Now, I’ve been to college and have a piece of paper somewhere that will prove it, but what I really treasure is those lessons learned from when God answered my cries for help in the storms of life. He seems to specialize in using our problems as His classroom and in each one He gives us a treasure of grace to share with others. Also notice that Jesus points out, we need both new and old treasures. So don’t get too comfortable where you are because life is rarely smooth sailing for long. The Biblical weather forecast is for new storms on our horizons because each one offers us a new gift of God’s grace. So whether you are trying to keep the attention of a classroom full of eight year old’s, or are having a zoom session with seniors who can’t seem to figure out where to click so they can see the video, God wants to use you in ways to spread His treasure around. So what is your story? I know there are lots of great teachers out there among my readers, so why not share one of your treasures with us today?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
This is the video version of my post from yesterday where I shared about my dad’s beauty shop. I do the video because once a week I prepare a devotional newsletter which I send in to two different nursing homes where I once visited and this video gives them some music to go along with their lesson. The newsletter version is usually shorter than what I post here because it all has to fit on one page in print large enough for my dear friends to read. I pray that you will also be blessed as I share a few songs along with the thought for the week. “Come to Jesus; just as you are” He is calling and waiting for you.
Here in the Tampa Bay area it is “Florida cold” but our family up North is having tons of fun shoveling white stuff which we don’t miss a bit! Have a blessed Tuesday wherever you are!
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