Corona Devo 937

Can we see any resemblance between these pearls and us? 

We were in the mood for an old-fashioned, comfort dessert, and today was the day for large pearl tapioca pudding.  

Ever compare yourself to large pearl tapioca?  Today I realized that (as Believers) we can.  

We're not so different from those little orbs.  They start off hardened and individual.  No cohesion and not very productive or conducive on their own.

But smother them in some milk, add some sugar and a little vanilla, and then let them soak in it, absorb the milk-mixture, and just stew for quite a while, and the pearls of tapioca make some changes.  

They leave their hardened state by absorbing and being filled with the milk, and in time, the hard pellets in a pot disappear and something new emerges: a completely new form and outcome of tapioca pudding.  Gone are the solitary orbs, and behold(!) a united, cohesive, luscious, yummy, comforting dessert now exists in their place.  It's difficult to separate a pearl from the pudding surrounding it, but who would want to--all of it is served best together.

Ever looked at our journey-as-Believers in comparison to large pearl tapioca?

We (too) start off selfish, self-focused, hardened and individual.  It's sinfully-natural to seek to satisfy only ourselves, but that brings no cohesion with others and our relationships and Godly-potential cannot reach full productivity when we are living for only ourselves. 

But in walks Jesus.  His Word, His people, His grace, His hope and His salvation reaches into our hardness and touches us.  Covers us.  Saves us, and we start to change.

Smother yourself in God's ways and His Word today.  Soak in it, absorb His Word and His Law...and the peace that comes from living them.  Let His peace enter into us.  Absorb and mesh-with His love for others.  Be drenched in His love for us.  

Be smothered in God's word today:

• Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  ~Joshua 1:8

• My child, never forget the things I have taught you.  Store my commands in your heart.  (2) If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.  (3) Never let loyalty and   kindness leave you!  Tie them around your neck as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart.  ~Proverbs 3:1-3  

• I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  (16) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.  ~Psalm 119:15-16 

• Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds... (19) Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  (20) Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates... (22) If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him—(23) then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you.   ~Deuteronomy 11:18-20, 22-23

After we study the Bible and soak in the Bible, and spend time and days and years with the Lord...we change...just like the hard tapioca pearls did.

In Christ, and with Christ, Believers leave their hardened self-focused-state by absorbing and being filled with Him.  Our selfishness, hardness and singularity begins to disappear and a unity emerges.  We are connected-to and encouraged by other Believers and it brings a new fullness, understanding and purpose to our lives.  Gone are old "us" as solitary orbs, and behold(!) a united, cohesive, group-of-God's-people now exist where there was once only individuals striving.  And life serving God is better together. 

• How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!  ~Psalm 133:1

• For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  ~Romans 12:4-5

• Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ~Romans 15:6  

• Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (25) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  ~Hebrews 10:24-25  

• For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”  ~Matthew 18:20  

• So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  ~John 13:34-35  

~~~

Ever compare yourself to large pearl tapioca?  We actually have quite a bit in common.

If we are in the mood for being transformed by Christ and used by God, the process begins by soaking in His Word and absorbing His ways.  It's a transforming process, and our personal/spiritual/emotional outcome is much more desirable and appetizing than where we started.

And today's the day.

In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  ~Psalm 16:11  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com