Be Ye Separate

August 27

God’s Plan—Our Responsibility

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.

Daniel 2:21

The word pictures in Isaiah 22 are so vivid. They begin with the judgment on Shebna. God would toss him like a ball into a far country. God was displeased with him for his correspondence with the Assyrians. Shebna thought he was secure in his office, but God removed him violently.

Eliakim, whose name means raised up by God, replaced Shebna as the treasurer under King Hezekiah. Isaiah gives us this word picture of Eliakim’s life. He says he is like a nail or peg in a sure place. Vessels of all shapes and sizes would be hung upon him. He would have much responsibility in Israel. God would decide when and how much responsibility to place on Eliakim, and God would also decide when to remove Eliakim from the scene.

God also has a plan for your life. He wants you to accept the responsibility He desires to place on you. Remember, He will not place on you more than you can bear. You may be a nail that will need to bear only a few vessels. Fulfill your duties faithfully. God may place upon you many vessels of all sizes. Be faithful and hold in there until God decides it is time to remove some or all of your responsibilities.

Jesus Christ is a nail that is sure and strong. Remember, He said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When we face our responsibilities with Christ, we are following God’s plan to be responsible.

Mark Webb, Aroda, VA

With God all things are possible.

Bible Reading: Isaiah 22:15–25

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

1 Corinthians 8

Psalms 132—135

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Phone: 877-488-0901

E-Mail: [cs@vision-publishers.com]

Daily Devotion 238

August 26

Fathers and Children

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

1 Peter 2:21

Do you realize what an influence you have on children? You do not have to be a father, as I am, but maybe a mother, uncle, aunt, older brother or sister. Fathers, especially, seem to be idolized by their younger children. They try to imitate Dad, and his word has authority to it.

Some time ago we had a snowstorm and received about sixteen inches of snow in one day. After a while some of the children and I went out to see what it was like. Walking out the driveway behind me, one of the children said, “Look, I’m following in Dad’s footsteps.”

This brought to me some sobering thoughts. Am I going where I want her to go? Is it safe for her to follow me? Do I allow things for myself that I do not want my children to have?

Recently I took my children to work with me. Two of the children were standing on the stepladder. The one who was old enough to read said, “This is all the higher we can go because on the next step it says, “Do not stand or sit.” The one who could not read said, “Yeah, but did Dad say so?”

The writing did not mean much to him, but Dad’s words did. We have much influence on our children. They know what is important to us. It is almost impossible to erase what is etched into their young minds. Whether they look to us as Dad or Mom, brother or sister, youth in church, or an acquaintance from elsewhere, we need to remember that they are following us. May we say with Paul, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Lord, help us to be positive influences on those who serve you following my example.

Freeman Miller, Auburn, KY

No matter where He leads or what it costs, the best thing we can do is follow Christ.

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

1 Corinthians 7:25–40

Psalms 128—131

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Phone: 877-488-0901

E-Mail: [cs@vision-publishers.com]

Patiently Planted

I have come to realize that we have been so very blessed by God to be living where we are. Not that I didn't know He brought us here and blessed us with what we needed, but I think I know WHY He brought us here on our journey toward self sustaining living as He has led us to strive for.

As you know we only rent here. Soujourners as it were. Strangers in a strange land. Our desire to own our own land and build our own things and rely on God to provide through the sweat of our brow, sometimes blinds us to the blessings along the way.

Our last place was "supposed to be the last" before we bought our land and were able to move to where we know the Lord is leading us. We began to save and downsize and all those things in preparation. Then suddenly, without warning, out we go.

It's a scarey thing when you are in need of a home right away, toting 50 some odd animals along with you. NO ONE wants to rent to folks with a dog and cat let alone ducks, chickens, goats etc. Prayerfully we saw one place after another. Each one "seemed" perfect until they found we had animals. The uncomfortable silence that always seems to go along with that little announcement told us volumes. We move on. ALL of those places had room. ALL of those places had barns, outbuildings, pens, sheds etc. Yet no one wanted it to be used for what it was built.

Then, one day, we walk into this place. The house is the perfect size. It's all on one level which is good for me and Brother Craig with our little aches and pains. Outbuildings, garden space, plenty of room for everything we needed. Perfect!

A pickup drives into the drive. We walk over to meet the agent...uh oh, it's not the agent! It's another possible renter! Not long after the agent shows up. We all walk through, looking at what is most important to each of us. The barn, outbuildings, fenced areas and kitchen mattered most to me. Brother Craig wandered through the garage, outbuildings, fence areas, and barn. The other gentleman? Sat on the porch after walking through the house and peeking out the back door.

We took an opportunity to say hey to him, take up friendly conversation. Then he says he has been looking for a place just like this. He has no need for any of the land or buildings but he does love old farmhouses. He lived in several haunted ones and was sure this one was too:S Now don't get me wrong I've seen my fair share of odd things in old houses but searching for a houses specifically for "spirit" purposes? Seemed scarey to me.

I don't know if there are such things as ghosts or not but I was certain of one thing. This place was filled with peace. My heart just ached at the thought of the peace being disturbed here. My husband was polite and made small talk then we went to the kitchen to discuss things with the agent. She gave us each applications and left us. The man left, we wandered around one more time and sent to the back by the river and prayed. Was this where God wanted us?

We felt that this was someplace that we could be happy until our final move so we filled the application out and dropped it off with the agent an hour later. We prayed on our way home that the Lords will be done. We waited. And waited. Almost a week later, after we figured we didn't get the house, we received a call from the agent telling us that she had done all the checks on us and if we were still interested the house was ours! I was so excited!

If you all remember, Brother Craig and the children and I were living apart due to his job being so far away. This house put us 15 minutes from his work! I phoned him to tell him the news and he was elated! We got straight to work and began packing.

Several months into our renting the agent informs us that a friend of the Landlord was going to take over the rental when they move here in June (I think it was June). Anyway, we were worried. Very uncomfortable that a complete stranger would have our private information. We prayed. And prayed. The law here in Oregon says that only an owner can manage their own property without the need for being a licensed manager. Were these folks? We had no idea. Pray and pray some more.

One afternoon, after I had paid the rent as I had not heard from anyone on where to send the rent, we recieved an email from the Landlords. They were taking over the management themselves (prayer answered). They had been seeing on our blog the things we were doing here and they were pleased (prayer answered). They were CHRISTIAN! (A MIGHTY PRAYER ANSWERED) God had overdone His blessing on us for certain this time:)

Over the last few months we have wondered about where we would go next, when we would be going and how we would do it. As all of you probably have done, we want what we want when we want it. We make plans, we decided where we will go and what we will do. Then God puts His mighty hand up and stops you and reminds you that no matter what we want, He's in control and like a good parent He isn't going to let us go off on our own without His divine guidance.

Just like our last place, we were concerned that we would have to move within the year. After all the Landlords want to retire here some day. They live out of state and we wondered how things would work out in the long run. We aren't ready to move unless the Lord makes it abundantly clear that we must. We prayed.

We have been putting away money in savings every month. We would like to purchase our land outright someday. Though we are anxious to get down to buying that land, we know that we simply aren't near enough in finances to do that yet. Realistically it is at least 2 years away or more. Unless we come into money, I just don't see that happening any time soon and I certainly don't want anyone to have to die for us to get it so we wait:)

Then just a few days ago we received another email from our Landlords. They WANT US TO STAY! We couldn't be more thrilled or feel more blessed at this time:) God has made it possible for us to stay put as we continue to save and prepare for our next adventure:) Our Landlords seem to be a true answer to prayer. They are wonderful and we look forward to getting to know them better as time permits:)

So for now, we are patiently planted by God here in our little haven on the river. Looking forward to our first Christmas here. Welcoming in the winter as it slowly approaches us. Knowing that we can relax and settle in here. Unpack those last boxes without the uncertainty. Blossoming as we continue to let the Lord guide us in His time:)

A Favorite Family Outing

Despite my aches and pains we went on a favorite family outing:) We do this many times a year but we hadn't taken any time at all since our move so we decided to pack it up and head for the coast:) To go CRABBING!:P

We arrived in Port of Alsea late morning. We normally start out at sunrise but this was our first time to Port of Alsea and so took our time getting there and getting set up.

We chose a nice place on the docks where we wouldn't be in anyone elses way (there are LOTS of crabbers), and set up our chairs, crab pots and cooler.

Sarah chooses a goot spot near us.

She casts the first pot...

And sets it on her mark...

It's important to pull and check pots often. Mary-Ann is checking her pot.

The crab she has in her pot is big enough to keep but sadly it was female so back into the water it goes:(

Pulling up my pot.

Sarah, untangles the crab and turns it over to check to see if it's male...IT IS! And it was big enough to keep so into the cooler it went:)

This one was big enough but it was female:(

We had such a great time:) Notice the sky? Here in Oregon, unlike California, our coast is more overcast and misty throughout most of the year. The day was very warm but windy. We wear a light coat or sweater to help against the winds. Sometimes the winds can be quite harsh. This day it was mild:) I also helps to have something over your neck to keep you from getting sunburned. And sunburn we did indeed:P We get sunburned worse on overcast days than in the direct sunlight. It just doesn't seem as sweltering that way:P

We recognize folks that aren't from around here by the clothing they wear:P Here in Oregon, short sleeve weather begins at around 60 degrees. My dear Sister visited us from Virginia last year and she was freezing:P Of course, she's used to the humidity and the sticky heat. We don't have that here. It's a dry heat and we tend to start melting around 50 and by 60 we are ready for the AC:P

It was a little sad that our boys are no longer home with us. But he girls had a good time and we had such fun just being together:) I sat most of the time to avoid making my ribs hurt worse. I admit I overdid just a little but it was worth it to spend such a sweet day with my husband and girls:)

I can't wait till next Wednesday. We'll be doing it again only earlier:) Crabbing season will be over come September so we want to get it in before it's too late:) Actually it's not really a "season" by the law, it's seasonal by the month. We don't do shellfish in months that end in R. Something to do with the mercury poisons or something like that. Anyway, we want to get a few more in before it's time to do some fishing:)

We will be setting our crawdad traps this weekend in the river behind the house and get some fishing in while we have some good fishing weather:) Usually we do better with the fishing come November but we live on a river so hey...why not?:P

The Shoes

My dear friend Carrie suggested I post a picture of my "prideful" shoes that caused my fall last week:P I don't know why I hadn't thought of it so I took a picture and here they are:P

I still like them:) Although I admit I'm a LOT more careful in them:)

Be Ye Separate

Daily Devotion 239

Daily Devotion 238

Patiently Planted

A Favorite Family Outing

The Shoes

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