WATCHWORD:
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:11-12
Meditation:
God Moments
A few days ago, I experienced what I can only think of as a “God moment”. For years, my morning routine has always involved spending time reading devotionals, scripture passages, praying, and, then, sitting quietly, just listening to what God might say to me. I often come away from my time with God, with an inspiration that caused me to add to a manuscript I was writing, or an idea for a Watchword devotional.
On this particular morning, I had done a rare thing, instead of waking around 4 a.m., I slept until nearly 6, and woke up feeling rested and ready for the day. By the time I had finished my devotionals, I felt inspired to write Watchwords on several topics. A most inspired time with God. Wow, what a morning!
However, the next morning…nothing! Nothing, that is, until I read the Oswald Chambers devotional which started with this sentence: “We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God’s perspective and have wanted to stay there.” It seemed that God was telling me to relish that previous morning with my Lord and not compare it with anything.
I know that we all have those moments that we treasure, remembrances we call to mind and find that sense of amazement is still fresh. Maybe it was a sunset, or a special event in your life, an unexpected grace that just astounded you. Why is that?
I think I know, and so do you. Those special moments that you treasure, that amazing sunset, the hug from a grandchild, a refreshing night’s sleep, whatever touched you deeply, those are graces, those are gifts from the Lord. That sense of amazement or pure joy, That is the glory of our Heavenly Father touching you and me, directly. Each of those moments is a glimpse behind the curtain, a blink of the eye that reveals a tiny slice of Heaven. God saying to us, “Take a look at this. Feel that joy. This is part of your Home, your residence in eternity.” Those God moments are each a form of worship and and as we experience it, we say “Thank you, Jesus.”
The Beauty Displayed with Authority:
I’ll give you the gist of what was said.
It was about love and the sayer said it had nothing to do with receiving.
He said love was all about giving, plain and simple. You could tell this guy walked the talk.
He made it clear you must love yourself before you can begin to love another.
The guy reminded me of that lover from Galilee.
— Gary E. McCormick
Creator God, This is My Prayer:
For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise. This our prayer of grateful praise.
For the beauty of the hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light, Lord of all, to thee we raise. This our grateful prayer of praise.
For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild, Lord of all, to thee we raise. This our grateful prayer of praise. Amen.
