A few days ago I was running in from the front porch of my sister-in-law's house in Tennessee. I was trying to avoid letting the pesky moths into her home which were attracted to the indoor lights. Just last night too at my home back in England I was hitting one with a tea towel trying to escort it back out the back door. 

Moths remind me of two things:

1. Most things around me are subject to corrosion and will not last forever. 

2. Two precious things are eternal in life: people's souls and the Word of God (the Bible.)

As important as it is to be good stewards of our things and to take good care of them we must remember to place the emphasis where God places the emphasis - on people and on the Bible. 

So although the pesky little moth annoys me at times (with the thought that he might eat holes in my things) I'm glad he is there to remind me that this world is not my true home and that eternal souls are what really matter. Time and things are fleeting but our eternal home is soon to come! :)

Jesus - “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ~ Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬ ‭

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” ~ Psalm 119:89‬ ‭

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” ~ Titus‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭

“For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” ~ Hebrews‬ ‭11:10‬ ‭

"For what saith the scripture?"

The following verses are taken from the Gospel of John in the New Testament...

3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

6:39  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

6:51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

6:58  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

8:51  Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

17:2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It has been so lovely to enjoy God's creation in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this past week. Being here to celebrate my brother-in-law's wedding to his beautiful wife Lauren has been such a treat! 

Just two days ago my husband's family & I got to explore Fish Creek Falls. It was fun being able to enjoy the great outdoors and walk up and down the rocks at the Falls. Some of us went way to the top while others like myself chilled and watched near the bottom to middle area. It was lovely to watch my husband Jonathan hop from rock to rock and even balance himself walking on a log. As I sat there and watched him it brought to mind many things I had faced in my Christian walk of 20 years this year. The times when (like many others) I had to walk by faith and not by sight. The times when as a young Christian God was teaching my heart truths from His Word the Bible and aiding me to trust Him. 

I remember the times at senior school when feeling misunderstood about my faith and not always knowing the words to articulate what I wanted to express. He was there for me.  

I remember going off to Bible College not knowing what lay beyond my desire to learn the Bible more so I could help others. I remember how God provided jobs that would accommodate my studies. He provided for me.

I remember how God brought my best friend into my life (my husband of 8 years.) I remember how God has taken care of our needs and led us in the way He would have us to go in ministry. God guided us.

God has given us homes over the years and friendships that have encouraged and strengthened our hearts. God has nurtured us.

So just like Jonathan and me jumping out to the next rock at the Falls, not knowing how we would land (whether the rock was in a good position or not to catch us) I can honestly say God has been a firm Rock catching me and my hubby at each step of faith we have taken in our walk with Him. He is reliable, constant, trustworthy and will provide for all your needs as you look to Him in this amazing journey called life.

I know that my bro-in-law and new sister-in-law have already found God faithful and true. We wish them every happiness as they embark on their new adventures as a married couple and continue to discover His faithful guidance, wisdom, and strength.

“And I (God) will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” ~ Isaiah‬ ‭42:16‬ ‭

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” ~ Deuteronomy‬ ‭32:4‬ ‭

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...” ~ Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬a

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” ~ Psalm 18:2‬ ‭

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” ~ Isaiah‬ ‭43:1-2‬ ‭

Tomorrow (14th August) our little tinkers will be one year old. I remember the day we brought them home. They were so tiny & ridiculously cute. I have really enjoyed getting used to their little personalities and loving on them.

Let's pretend for just one moment that when we had brought them home we had given them the fanciest toys, most luxurious bedding, poshest eating bowls and the funkiest scratching posts. It would be pretty easy to observe that the kitties "had it made." But what if amongst all those things we insisted on not feeding our cats. Not providing them with good nutritious food (or allowing them outside to eventually hunt.) It wouldn't be too long before they would get very weak and mopey. And if we harshly pursued that course of action the inevitable would take place and the poor cats would die.

You see, it doesn't matter what we as Christians fill our lives with if we are not getting fed spiritually. Yes, we may pursue lots of activities and have the fanciest toys. We may even read lots of books (Christian and non- Christian books alike), but if we are NOT feeding on God's Word - the Bible, we will get weak. Our walk with the Lord may get shallow. Our discernment to make wise choices may grow weak. 

As spiritual beings we NEED spiritual FOOD.  

Activities, possessions, hobbies, jobs, careers, etc. are not bad for us in their rightful place but if they take the place of our much needed spiritual food problems will arise and our hearts will grow faint. 

As God's children we need to keep the MAIN thing the MAIN thing. And that means keeping God's Word ever before our eyes, mind and heart. 

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

‭‭~ Matthew‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

‭‭~ Luke‬ ‭10:42‬ ‭

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

‭‭~ Ephesians‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

‭‭~ Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭

“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”~ 1 Peter‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” ~ Psalm‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭

Sometimes we miss out on hearing something special because our volume button is broken. 

I have a confession to make...a few months ago while at a friend's house (as I walked into the bathroom swinging my arms) I dropped my phone down the toilet! Yep, the toilet of all places! 

I stood there and stared for what felt like the longest 3 seconds of my life...I was in denial to what just happened. Once the denial passed though, my hand was in there like a shot fishing it out. Frantically patting it on the toilet roll I had just unscrambled I said, "Please God, let it not be broken." Thankfully I had an Otter Box on the phone which seemed to take the brunt of the water dive.

Unfortunately though, the speaker of the phone only randomly works (not the end of the world by a long shot) but at times frustrating. 

Whether it's a friend posting a funny dubsmash video, a beautiful scene from a wedding or a lovely song being sung etc. - I just can't hear it. 

Tonight about 5 really fun videos went down my Facebook newsfeed. I pressed on them with the hope of it randomly working. Nothing. Nothing again. And nothing again.

The muted videos reminded me of the times I have been spiritually deaf; and of the times I have witnessed other Christians being spiritually deaf too. 

Indifference, bad attitudes, critical outlooks are just a few of the symptoms that expose our deafness to God's leading in situations. Sometimes we miss viewing what God is doing in the spiritual realm because of our preoccupation with the physical.

As Christians we need to get our minds off the trivial and on the bigger "spiritual" picture. On the things that really matter. Let's pray and ask God to open our "spiritual" ears and our "spiritual" discernment.

Videos are so much more fun to watch with the volume. The Christian life is so much better with our minds tuned in to God's leading and direction :)

"Open my ears, that I may hear

Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;

And while the wave-notes fall on my ear, 

Everything false will disappear. 

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my ears, illumine me,

Spirit divine!"

Clara Scott. Song: Open my Eyes.

“The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.”‭‭ ~ Isaiah‬ ‭50:5‬ ‭