As you know this devotional parallels God's love and the Christian life to the words of the song, The Rose written by Amanda McBroom and performed by Conway Twitty and Bette Midler. Here are the lyrics...
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless, aching need
I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed
It’s the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying, that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose
This excerpt is from verse 4....I say love, it is a flower, and
you its only seed...
Faith is a seed that blossoms into
flowers of hope and joy. The Bible says that, "God's word will not come
back void."
We are told to plant seeds of faith,
water them with prayer, fertilize them with hope and watch with joy as they
blossom into flowers of blessing.
Matthew 17:20 tells us that if we have faith as a mustard seed we
can move mountains.
Galatians 3:29 says that if we are Christ’s, then we are Abraham’s
seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Therefore, no prayer goes unheard
or unanswered. What we must realize is that God's answer may not always be what
we think it should be.
When we get intimate with the Lord
and learn His ways, we'll see our seeds of faith blossom and grow into rose
gardens of blessings because when we're intimate with Him and know His ways,
our prayers will be in alignment with His will for our lives.
God is happy to grant our prayers
and bless our lives if we "ask in faith
and believe that you receive." But remember God will give "good things to those who ask"
He will not grant you something you think would be a blessing but would
ultimately be for your ruin!
Some wise soul once said, "Sometimes God withholds our answer
until we have gained the knowledge, acquired the wisdom, or formed the
character to appreciate what He has chosen to bless us with."
Think about it! Would you rather get what you
"want" or what He wants for you?
Knowing God as the generous,
loving, Father He is, it is more prudent to have what He gives because only He
knows what's best for us, and when we understand this our lives will be simpler
and much more peaceful.
Many of us have a dream of where
we’ll go and what we’ll do when we get the perfect job, retire, or hit the big
jackpot, thinking life will be better “once I get there.” God calls us to
“bloom where we’re planted.” Believing something else, or someone new, or some
other place will make us happy, will only lead to discontent.
Happiness comes from within and one of the quickest ways to true bliss is
to get over yourself and sow joy and happiness into someone else’s life! This
is such a simple thing…a phone call, email, note, letter or card. Even a simple
smile can brighten someone’s day. Make sharing love, peace and joy a priority
in your life and watch dreams become reality and miracles happen.
Seeds to ponder: God is love. If love is a flower, and you its
only seed—how can you plant seeds of love and faith into the lives of others?
Prayer: Dear Lord, You said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as
you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” AND
“Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it
to Me.” Please help me to see the good I do and that which I don’t and to
strive in all things to show Your love, mercy and grace unto the least of my
brethren.
Love is a Rose is available in print with pages for reflection for only $5.99 and for Kindle, Nook and @ Smashwords for only $0.99!
As you remember those you love this Valentine's Day....let's not forget the ONE who loved us first and most...
PamT
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