JUNE 2009

Hi Friend:

This month is the fifth devotional in a series about the eagle (notice archived devotionals below). Are you tired and worn out? Do you lack power and strength? For the next several months, we will see what the Scripture says about the eagle, check out the eagle's characteristices and journey through life; then, consider how the eagle may compare to our Christian journey. I pray you will be encouraged, gain renewed srength and hope thorough God's Word. May you soar like an eagle as you journey on ahead through today, tomorrow and on into the future.

Excerpts from Proverbs 30:18-19a, Solomon writes:

"There are . . .things which are too wonderful to me,

for which I don't understand . . . the way of an eagle in the sky."

Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, yet, there were things he saw that were too wonderful (awesome) for even him to understand. Solomon admits the "eagle in the sky" is one of those things. WOW!

 

THE EAGLE'S DIET

 

An eagle has one of the longest lifespans of all the birds. The average lifespan of an eagle is 30 years, some eagles have been known to live up to 50 years. They will spend all day looking for the right kinds of food to eat in order to stay healthy. They avoid foods that other birds will eat, such as, decaying animals. Eagles will look for fresh food, such as, fish in shallow water; and live animals, such as, ducks, muskrats, turtles, rabbits and snakes. With great speed the eagle will swoop down and with its sharp talons pick up its prey. The prey can weigh up to half of the eagle's weight.

 

THE CHRISTIAN'S SPIRITUAL DIET

 

It is very important the kind of "diet" a Christian follows. I am not talking about the food we feed our body, but the "food" we feed our hearts and minds through what we watch and listen to (if you can hear). To be a healthy Christian we must have a healthy spiritual diet. We must be very careful to choose good "food" to feast our eyes upon when watching TV, DVDs, movies, or when on the computer, and when reading books and magazines.

 

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NCV), " Dear friends, we have these promises from God, so we should make ourselves pure&emdash;free from anything that makes body or soul unclean. We should try to become holy in the way we live, because we respect God."

 

God calls us to separate ourselves from unclean living. We are not to live like the non-Christian, but we are to follow God's ways. The eagle is wise and is very careful to choose the best food to eat for a healthy body. Christians should do the same thing and be as wise as an eagle in order to have a healthy spirit. Christians should be very C A R E F U L to CHOOSE what we watch and listen to. By choosing good "food" we honor God, plus we will soar like an eagle.

 

THE EAGLE'S NEST (HOME)

 

The location of the eagle's nest is usually in a very high place, such as, the tallest tree in an area or high upon a huge rock. The eagle's nest is unlike any other bird's nest. The eagle's nest provides protection and security. It has a good landing pad for soaring in and out of the nest. It is a place of rest.

 

The eagle starts building its nest from strong tree limbs (making a strong foundation). It continues building layer upon layer using branches and finally twigs. Then on the very top layer of the nest the eagle puts soft down feathers and leaves for comfort. An eagle's nest can range from 20' deep to 9 1/2' wide, weighing 1 to 2 tons (read that again) WOW! It takes the eagle a great deal of time and resources to build its nest, maintain its nest, and make the necessary repairs. Many eagles return to their nests year after year.

 

THE CHRISTIAN'S "NEST" (SPIRITUAL HOME)

 

Like an eagle, it is very important that the Christian has a "nest" (Spiritual Home). Where does the Christian find protection, security, and rest? Where does the Christian find a strong foundation? The answer is the Word of God! The Word of God is our Spiritual Home. It is important to read and study God's Word daily, digging deep into God's Word (as if we are digging for gold). Even one verse a day, meditating on that verse often, can bring hope to our souls. God's Word is unique because it is the truth. It provides a clear perspective of God's view.

 

Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, "It is written, man does not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

 

The world and everything the world has to offer will never fill us up. It is important to live by God's Word. With all that is going on in the world today, we need His Word now more than ever.

 

Psalm 119:114 reads, "You are my refuge and my shield; I put my hope in Your Word."

 

My friend, I pray you have put your hope in His Word. Is God's Word your "nest", your "Spritual Home"? Let's "move into" His Word today--open the Bible and read what God has to say to us.

 

 

SONG :

 

Through It All

Words and Music by Andrae Crouch

 

Proverbs 30:5

"Every word of God is pure:

he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."

 

I've had many tears and sorrows,

I've had questions for tomorrow,

there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.

But in every situation,

God gave me blessed consulation,

that my trials come to only make me strong.

 

CHORUS:

Through it all,

through it all,

I've learned to trust in Jesus,

I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all,

through it all,

I've learned to depend upon His Word.

 

I've been to lots of places,

I've seen a lot of faces,

there's been times I felt so all alone.

But in my lonely hours,

yes, those precious lonely hours,

Jesus lets me know that I was His own

 

CHORUS

 

I thank God for the mountains,

and I thank Him for the valleys,

I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

For if I'd never had a problem,

I wouldn't know God could solve them,

I'd never know what faith in God could do.

 

CHORUS

 

 

PRAYER

 

Jesus, help us all to depend on Your precious Word; Your truth that provides us with calm, our hiding place in You, so that we can soar like an eagle. In Your might Name. Amen.

 

ARCHIVES

2009

May "Learn to Fly"

April "Eternal Eyes"

March "Under the Shelter of His wings"

February "Mount up with wings like Eagles"

January "His Faithfulness"

 

2008

January "

December "Born to Die"

November "THANKSGIVING" acronym

October "Psalm 23" conclusion

September "Psalm 23:6"

August "Psalm 23:5"

July "True Liberty"

June: "Psalm 23:4b"

May: "Psalm 23:4a"

April: "Psalm 23:3b"

March: "Psalm 23:3a"

February: "Psalm 23:2"

January: "Psalm 23:1"

 

2007

December: "Born to Die" (by Gary Barrett)

November: "Thanksgiving-Give Thanks (acronym)"

October: "Discover the Peace that God Gives"

September: "The Heart of a Pilgrim"

August: "Abide"

July "True Liberty"

June "Knowing God's Deep, Deep Love"

May "Revive Us Again"

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