I asked one of our ladies, Louise Jones, to deliver the devotional Friday night at our spring book club meeting. I appreciate her willingness to share a few words with us and asked Louise if I could share her inspiring message with you here.
New Sides to Discover
by Louise Jones
When we read Savannah from Savannah by Denise Hildreth Jones, we were able to see Savannah see so many different sides of her mother. It probably reminded most of us of seeing different sides of our mothers. I think it’s only natural to start to see different sides of people as you grow, learn and mature.
I want us to think for a few minutes about seeing different sides of God.
When we are young, we are taught about God the Creator. Genesis tells us all about how God created the world, everything in it and all of us. We are also taught about God the victor. How many times did He lead the children of Israel to victory in the Old Testament? He made battles that seemed like they should have been lost, won! Just like the song says, there really is nothing my God cannot do!
When we are a little older, we see the loving and caring side of God. John 3:16 tells us that He gave His only begotten Son for you and me. We also learn more about God the judge. We learn a lot about God the judge in the Old Testament when God deals with the Israelites. However, in the New Testament, we learn about God as our judge, and we are told in Hebrews 9:27 that we will die and face a judgment. This causes my relationship with God to grow because I want to do better.
We are constantly growing, learning and maturing, so we are always going to be seeing more sides of God. We get to a point where we see God as a confidante. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to go to God and let it all out? You can pour your heart out to God, and the best part is that He wants to hear it. First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing! "All the time" means to tell God about every emotion we feel and thought that we think. How lovely, especially for ladies!
God the deliverer is also a side that you will see as you grow and mature. First Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” He can deliver us from temptation! And that is also assurance that we can do it! We can make it through the temptations that we face. What a wonderful God to give us the ability to overcome and also reassure us that we can!
God the Savior. Do we ever really fully understand that God is our Savior? Because of God we can look forward to a home in heaven ... a home and a place that we can’t even imagine! We can dream about what it will look like, but it’s going to be better than anything we can ever dream about. What a reward!
The book Savannah from Savannah doesn’t tell us much more about Savannah and how she grows, matures and learns. I can only imagine, though, that she went on to see many different sides of her mother -- many of which she might not have ever seen coming! I want to constantly challenge myself, and you, to constantly be growing and maturing in your relationship with God and to be looking for some sides of God that you have never seen before.
"Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with Thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count" (Psalm 40:5).
Stop in tomorrow for dessert and discussion of Savannah from Savannah
. Friday I will reveal our summer book club selection!
. Friday I will reveal our summer book club selection!
