Weekly Devo: The Leaves are changing, how about you?

 Isaiah 43:19

“See, God is doing a new thing.”

Autumn leaves are so beautiful. I was curious to learn how many different factors actually make the leaves change from their deep green to their beautiful colors during the autumn season. In a short amount of time I had the answer after a quick Internet search on the subject. The websites referred to the fact that chlorophyll in the leaves, slows down as the nights lengthen in the autumn season and then eventually is destroyed. The article also mentioned that temperature and moisture are main factors. When the chlorophyll is gone the new colors begin to appear.

A warm wet spring, favorable summer weather, and warm sunny fall days with cool nights should produce the most brilliant autumn colors of red, golden yellow, orange, bronze and more.

My family loved to take Sunday drives through the countryside and find the trees that were full of bright colors!!! We have such great memories to hold on to.

If you are living in an area of the country where the trees turn colors for the fall months you are blessed. Take the time to enjoy the wonder of God’s hand as He paints your scenery with the autumn colors.

On a personal note, no one likes change. We dread any kind of personal change. I can get caught up in my own grumbling spirit when I’m changing closets in my home from summer to winter clothes or moving and changing my home address or the kids’ school.

I’ve learned the hard way that change may be difficult but if I look for God in every situation, He will make it into something good. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

It’s hard to overlook how God allows the chlorophyll to be completely destroyed and taken away before the new beautiful colors begin to shine through.

Here is the question for all of us. What sin is in our lives that hinder us from shining for the Lord? Why aren’t you shining in bright and brilliant colors for others to be blessed with your walk and talk? Could it be selfishness, bitterness, discontentment, jealousy, adultery, greed, resentment or ______________? You fill in the blank.

It doesn’t have to be anything huge. As a matter of fact, the devil loves to hinder our prayer life and our walk with God on the little things. The little things eventually grow into Big Things and before we know it we are destroyed and everyone around us is affected.

This week let’s work on changing permanently into the godly person we were created by God to be. Start today and change your outlook for life. People will notice the change!

Daily Application:

Day 1:Start every morning this week with a prayer that sounds something like this,

” Lord, I know I am a sinner, help me today to be mindful of You and Your ways.”

Day 2: Start the morning with your Help me Lord prayer and today add a new prayer at lunchtime,

 ”Lord, give me a heart like Yours.”

Day 3: Start today with the morning prayer, then the lunch prayer and now add Ps. 16:2 as a memory verse. Grab your Bible and read this entire Psalm 16.(YES! YOU CAN MEMORIZE. DO NOT SAY I CAN’T) WRITE IT ON AN INDEX CARD IF YOU HAVE TO AND PLACE IT IN YOUR POCKET.

Psalm 16:2

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Day 4: Repeat Day 3 and add one action: intentionally encourage one person at home or at work.

Day 5: Repeat Day 4 and add your smile at the end of every conversation you have with others. Even try to smile while you talk.

Day 6: Repeat Day 5 and ask God to send you a clown somewhere, somehow to give you a good laugh that starts from the gut.

Day 7: Attend a Worship Service and sing and praise the Lord with Thanksgiving in your heart. Expect God to speak to you as you change your heart and draw near to Him.