Apron Strings Devotional for1/19/2000

1/5/00

Good Morning....
Jesus loves You!!

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Lord, Thou dost know my truest need
And all that means for me the best
And so I pray Thy hand to lead
And in Thy will that I may rest.
-Author Unknown-

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Hi Dear Friends!!

I pray this finds you doing well in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! What's that you say? Having trouble "handling things" these days? Weellll, have I got a devo for you! No peeking, and see you at the..( you know! ) God Bless You! ( Big ole smile )

Jer 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct
his steps.

A new Christian was walking with a more mature friend in a garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about God's will for his life, he inquired what he should do. His friend walked up to a rosebush, handed him a rosebud, and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The new Christian looked in disbelief at his friend and tried to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life But because of his high respect for his friend proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible it was to do so.

Noticing the younger Christian's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, his friend began to recite the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of GOD's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of GOD's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

"UNFOLDING THE ROSE"
-Author Unknown_
Submitted by: janv7@juno.com
Thanks Jan!

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Your brokenness is a sweet-smelling savor to God. He collects every tear that drips from your chin and flows from the corners of your eyes. The Bible says that He has a bottle of memories to hold every tear you've ever shed. He loves you, so steal away to your secret prayer place and pull out that "alabaster box" of precious anointing you've been saving for such a time as this. Break it at His feet and say, "Jesus, I love you more than anything. I'll give up anything; I'll go anywhere. I just want you, Lord."

-From: The God Chasers-
-By: Tommy Tenney -

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Prov 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

I remember when I was about 7 or 8 years old I did something really stupid. Let me lay out a visual background for you: I grew up with four older brothers and most of the time I wore their hand-me-downs. As mom could swing it, she would pay this lady to make dresses for me, but you know, I kinda grew to like those grubby jeans and T-shirts.

I think if I could stereotype myself as a young'un, I would size myself up as "Scout" on "To Kill a Mockingbird." Remember that movie? I could easily identify with the way Scout tugged at her dress collar and made her discomfort well known. I was the same way. Still am, I think! ( laughing ) Maybe that is why God blessed me with four beautiful boys. He knew that I would know exactly how to dress them!

Anyway, about that something stupid thing I did. ( I do like to take bunny trails, don't I? ) It was a hot summer day in Alabama and the "Scout Double" had no shorts to wear! So, I found a pair of jeans that were inherited about three times and I decided to "downsize 'em." Only problem was, I couldn't find a pair of scissors. What I did find was a nice sharp razor blade. I figured I could make me some shorts with that thang jest fine! So, what did I do? I sat on the bed and laid the jeans across my lap. ( Gulp! ) Yep, you guessed it. As soon as I swiped that blade across the leg of those jeans deep enough, I caught another leg in the process. It was mine! And it hurt! I cut it pretty deep, about two inches above my ankle on the inside of my right leg. Well, I surveyed it, cleaned it up as best I could, wrapped it up, finished the shorts ( umm..minus the lumpy table ) and went outside to play.

Now, a few days went by and something unexpected began to happen to me. Please make note that I never mentioned it to anyone. I'm not sure why. There were a lot of us in our family, and the only reason I can think of is perhaps I thought mom and dad were too busy to deal with it. Or maybe I was so independent that I thought, "I can handle this!" Ding! Ding! I think the latter conclusion wins the prize! ( And what does she get, Johnny? A lifetime supply of Rice-a- Roni! )

Anyway the unexpected something was, it became infected. Very infected. It swelled up about the size of a Slocomb tomato. ( Only the Alabamians will get that one ) I hobbled around, STILL not mentioning this to anyone, and one day, my dad noticed my limp. He said, "What's the matter?" I fessed up as he noticed the tomato attached to my skinny little leg. Upon closer examination he got real wide-eyed. He then began to get to work. For the next several days, this man pickled my leg in hydrogen peroxide and antibiotics. In time, the swelling went down and my leg healed.

Ready for the spiritual application? Well, just hold on to your britches and don't try to cut 'em on your lap wif a razor blade! Believe me, it feels like 500 paper cuts all rolled up in one!

It is obvious that I should've gone to my parents the moment it happened, but I didn't. As we concluded earlier, that independent streak took hold of the reins and led me straight into the arms of "Infection City." That place was no fun. You see, when I handled it myself the pain only increased. And the more I hid it the bigger it got. You remember the scripture that says our righteousness is as filthy rags? As I reflect, that's what I think I did. I tried to "fix" this with my righteousness.

Maybe that's the focus of where I am going. "Handling it ourselves." Without any help from God. Now, we go to Him when things are obviously too big for us or beyond *our* ability to fix. But if we see that we can "bandage" certain situations and go on our merry way, then that independent streak is still holding the reins.

Is it possible to go to God regarding every single jot and tittle of our lives? I think so. What does it require? Do you really want to know? Picture yourself flinging your whole being at the foot of the cross, completely broken away from that independent streak, saying, "Here, Lord!! Take me! I am yours and I can do NOTHING without you!"

John 15:5
...for without me ye can do nothing. ( Jesus speaking )

Isn't it true that we often tend to give "select stuff" to God, and then
handle other decisions ourselves without considering His input? Yes, he did equip us with a brain and give us common sense, but I assure you, if that brain chooses to do this, then we will be that much closer to His heart and His ways:

Prov 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Too many times we "confer with flesh and blood" about situations that truly need spiritual insight. Let's go back to my wound for a second. Parallel that with a situation in your life that needs a solution. Perhaps yours is a "wound of sorts" and needs attention. It needs a solution, and in some cases, rather quick. What do you do? Do you start looking for quick "fix it" solutions?

Do you grab the nearest rag and bandage it up or do you go to Dad and put it in His Hands, trusting that His caring ways will provide ultimate healing? Truly I say unto you, that the moment I released this wound into my dad's care, He nurtured it with the utmost care. Everything else ceased it's place of priority because his child was in pain.

Let's suppose that you have an infected wound as a result of an "independent streak" and let's suppose your wound is the size of a Slocomb tomato. ( Hey, those dudes are huge! ) God can STILL heal you. God can STILL restore you. Have you heard a still small voice asking, "What's the matter?" You see, He already knows what the matter is. He's just waiting for you to allow Him to pour His healing balm over your wound.

Sometimes we try to foresee end results with our natural eyes, but the truth is, once we do give it to Father God the scenery changes immediately. I don't mean that everything is instantly "fixed." I said, "The scenery changes immediately." What do you view the scenery with? Your eyes. Once you fling yourself at the foot of the cross, and "let go" you'll not get up the same. Your view changes because you have yielded the eyes of your heart to the spiritual realm and that view is quite different. Meanwhile, as a result of your yielded heart, the Spirit of God is free to move behind the scenes on your behalf, causing all things to work together FOR GOOD!!

I guess if I had continued with the independent streak in that situation much longer I might've lost my leg. I am thankful for a father who cared enough to notice my limp and then do everything within his power to heal my wound. How much more will our Heavenly Father do for His children?

God Bless You All!!
And remember..
Jesus loves you and I do too!
In Christ!!
Carol
Justaservn@aol.com

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