Corona Devo 1935

As I looked out my back door this morning, a new bird caught my eye,.  A gorgeous, eye-catching bird. 

Tan with dark brown "V's" going down her back and wings, and a bright red "V" christening the back of her neck.  I don't recall ever seeing a Northern Flicker before, but I loved seeing one today. 

I didn't just do a double take, I stopped and stared.  Her markings and the jolt of red "V" on her neck was so startling that I had to stare.  She: her appearance, her presence...her: she drew my attention and my affinity all at once.

Common(?), or was this a rare bird?  I found out that the Northern Flicker is a common bird in my area, but not to me.  And I could not help but notice this lovely (feathered) lady today.  She stood out.

~~~  

Brothers and Sisters in Christ: although we are common and there is nothing special or stand-outish about us...the fact that we know Jesus and love God separates us.  This distinguishes us and following Jesus should distinguish our thoughts, our behavior, our choices and our responses.  

Our lives as followers-of-Jesus should turn people's heads.  Our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control (Fruits of the Spirit/Galatians 5:22-23) should cause people to do a double take, and possibly even stop and stare.  Not at us, but at God in us.  

Our holy Father and His light shining within our hearts should make us gorgeous and eye-catching to others.  When we spend time with God and read and study the Bible...we should be changed: from the inside out, and it will be noticed by others.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. (30) When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. (31) But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. (32) Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.  

(33) When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. (34) But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, (35) they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.  ~Exodus 34:29-34

Are we radiant because we have spent time recently with our Lord?

Be radiant for Christ today.  Let's live for our Savior and in awareness (and gratitude) of all that He has done for us.  

We have free will in choosing to follow Jesus, but just as God adorned the Northern Flicker with breathtaking feathers, our Creator has clothed us in His royal robes.  May we choose purity and righteousness over sin and self today.  

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.  ~I Peter 2:9

~~~

The "markings" of our faith in God should be apparent to others, and so should the effect that we have on them in God's name.  

Love.  

May we reveal, share, preach, and live God's love and truth to a world that is desperate to be loved, and may we shock others with our display of God's love.  

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (35) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  ~Joh n 13:34-35

And what if we treated/loved/befriended/shared Christ in such a way that others couldn't resist (God or us)?  What if we exuded Christ and (in His Name), drew the attention and affinity of others all at once?

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  ~2 Corinthians 2:15

Is it common to love the Lord or are we rare birds as we serve Christ? 

The answer is debatable, but regardless, we can stand out as we serve the Lord today.  We can be eye-catching and gorgeous for God today: in word, deed, and attitude.

May our hearts (and lives) be for God, and Lord, help us to draw attention and affinity to You all at once.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (2) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  ~Romans 12:1-2


Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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