“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16
Our Heavenly Father has given us some pretty awesome things to appreciate while living on this planet. Watching your children taking their initial breath is truly special. Standing in awe of the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, the autumn colors in the Niobrara River valley and watching the waves of the ocean crashing on the beach are memorable sights. Simple things like watching a colorful sun dropping into the horizon in the evening or getting up early to catch the sun rising in the morning are also treasures to be held with awe. The attached photo was taken just after sunrise in the Arcahaie District one quiet morning in 2002 and it reminded me of God giving me another day to serve Him. With every coming day, He has given each of us another opportunity to spend time here dwelling within His creation serving Him with the gifts and talents He has provided to each of us; even on this Saturday morning. As the sun rises in North America it is also rising in Haiti and children attending Christian schools are offering up prayers of thanks for Him and for you and for the Morning Star who is the Savior of this world.
The hymn ‘How Lovely Shines the Morning Star’ was written by Philipp Nicolai in 1597 and verses 1, 6, 7 are a wonderful way to close this morning.
“How lovely shines the Morning Star! The nations see and hail afar the light in Judah shining. Thou David's Son of Jacob's race, my Bridegroom and my King of Grace, for Thee my heart is pining. Lowly, Holy, great and glorious, Thou victorious Prince of graces; filling all the heavenly places. Lift up the voice and strike the string. Let all glad sounds of music ring in God's high praises blended. Christ will be with me all the way, today, tomorrow, every day, till traveling days be ended. Sing out, ring out triumph glorious, O victorious, chosen nation; praise the God of your salvation. Oh, joy to know that Thou, my Friend, art Lord, beginning without end, the First and Last, Eternal! And Thou at length O glorious grace! Wilt take me to that holy place, the home of joys supernal. Amen, Amen!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay