Birds Of The Air.

 This afternoon on my way home from work, I had to stop at a stop sign and wait for my turn to go. It so happened that I was sitting next to a little grass field. I noticed a whole bunch of birds flitting around and making a whole bunch of noise. There was so much commotion that I took a harder look at was going on. I noticed there was a Cardinal, Blue Jay, Robin, and a couple of other kinds of birds that I couldn't recognize. They were all chirping and singing, flying to and fro. Walking on the grass, dodging each other as they flew past one another. To me it looked like they were having a grand ole time!

It got me thinking about us. You know, humans. How come we can't be like that? Talk and laugh and joke around and just have good time with each other, no matter what we look like. Lift each other up, instead of tearing each other down, just because of their race or nationality! 

The birds didn't care that each of them were a different kind of bird. They were just enjoying themselves and each other.

Matthew 6:26 The Message

26 “ Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

If birds are free to be themselves in the care of God, how much more can we as the children of God. He cares about the birds, but He cares so much more about us.

Jesus is love, not hate. He wants us to love one another, no matter what nation or tribe we come from.

Romans 12:10 Amplified Bible

10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

We are all part of one big family. The family of God! He created one race, the human race! When I look at some of my coworkers who are different than me, I don't look at them as being African American, Hispanic, or any other race. I see them as Mr. Mrs. or Ms. My brothers and sisters in Christ!

Galatians 3:28 New Living Translation

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[a] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

So I encourage you tonight to be like the birds of the air. Be free with each other. Sing and dance. Goof around and be free to love each other. Have fun and enjoy each other. Life is too short to go around hating people just because of skin tone.

Remember, Jesus died for us all.

Pedal To The Metal.

 How many of us feel like our lives are like having the "pedal to the metal" lately? With things seeming to start to open up with the pandemic, it seems like we are busier than we have been in a long time. Work, meetings, games, practices. The list goes on and on. It seems like we cannot have one more thing added to our calendar or we just might go crazy. We run so fast and so far that we grow weary. We don't know when we'll be able to get some much deserved rest.

This is where Jesus comes in.

Matthew 11:28 English Standard Version

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

That's just it. Jesus doesn't want us to be weary or heavy burdened. He wants us to come to Him and rest in Him. He is the Prince Of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

It seems like the busier that we are, the less time we have for Jesus. To me the word busy is an acronym meaning, "Being Under Satan's Yoke". I think that is what the enemy wants, to distract us from time with our Savior. The less time we spend with Him, the more the enemy can tempt us into doing something not worthy of God.

Psalm 46:10 New Living Translation

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!

You see, He wants us to be still and spend time with Him. Not running to and from. Always on the go. We need to take time to refresh, rest and renew our strength. How do we do that. We read our Bibles. Spend time in prayer. Communicate with The Father! He longs to hear from us.

Isaiah 40:31 English Standard Version

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

So I encourage you to push the pause button every so often. Seek after and spend time with God and He will give you a new strength to keep going. Don't put Him on the back burner thinking that He is just another thing to do. He is the only thing that matters. We need to start acting like it.

I'm Not Rich, But I'm Not Broke Either.

 I saw this somewhere on Facebook the other day. It was a meme saying that the person was not rich, but not broke either. I don't live in a giant mansion, or drive the most fancy and expensive cars. Have vacation homes across the globe. Don't have a Maid or a butler to help take care of the home. What I do have is a family, house, car & job all provided by God. I don't have any of this on my own. He has provided for me and my family.

Matthew 6:26 New Living Translation

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

If this it what you consider being rich? Then yes I am. But I still have to work for it. God provided all the above, but He also provided me with a job to make sure that we don't go broke. I get up and go to work everyday, even when I don't feel like it. When I am totally exhausted or burned out, I still go.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 New Living Translation

10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

I don't know about you, but I like to eat. I like to buy things and do stuff. If I don't go to work, none of this will happen. It's a fact!

I've been lucky over the last 9 years of working where I am working. I have received a raise every year of employment. We have received bonuses and have never had our hours cut. In fact work has increased during this pandemic. I say lucky but what I really mean is blessed. It has been God doing this on my behalf. I turned this job over to Him from the very first day. 

Colossians 3:23 Amplified Bible

23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

So I want to encourage you today. If you have a roof over your head, a bed to lie on, food to eat & a family that loves you, you are a rich person! Don't compare yourself to what others have. They may have the fancy car and big house, but they may not also have a loving family. Or know the love of The Father!