March 2

Speaking as God Helps Us
Bible in a Year :
Numbers 26–27
Mark 8:1–21
Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings.

Today's Scripture & Insight :

Ezekiel 1:22–28
One wouldn’t normally think of butterflies as being loud creatures: after all, the flapping of a single Monarch butterfly’s wings is practically inaudible. But in the Mexican rainforest, where many of them begin their short lives, their collective flapping is surprisingly loud. When millions of Monarchs flap their wings at the same time, it sounds like a rushing waterfall.

The same description is made when four very different winged creatures appear in Ezekiel’s vision. Though fewer than the number of butterflies, he likens the sound of their flapping wings to “the roar of rushing waters” (Ezekiel 1:24). When the creatures stood still and lowered their wings, Ezekiel heard the voice of God calling him to “speak [God’s] words to [the Israelites]” (2:7).

Ezekiel, like the other Old Testament prophets, was charged with the task of speaking truth to God’s people. Today, God asks us all to share the truth of His good work in our lives with those He puts around us (1 Peter 3:15). Sometimes we’ll be asked a direct question—an invitation to share that’s as “loud” as a waterfall. Other times, the invitation might be more of a whisper, such as seeing an unspoken need. Whether the invitation to share God’s love is as loud as a million butterflies or as quiet as just one, we must listen, as Ezekiel did, with ears tuned to hear what God wants us to say.

By: Kirsten Holmberg

Reflect & Pray
Who’s inviting you to speak into their lives—even if only faintly? How will you respond?

Thank You, Father, for inviting me to share about You. Amen.

Intricate Guide for February Birthstone Amethyst

The word Amethyst attained its origin from the word ''ametusthos,'' meaning not intoxicated. According to Greek legend, the purple gem has a link with the God of Wine, Bacchus. A royal Amethyst is the most stunning Quartz crystal in the world. It's the second most excellent crystal in the world, and one can spot it in many colors. It can display one or both secondary shades, red and blue. One can find Amethyst Purple Wonder from the corners of Siberia to the sultry rainforest of Brazil; its crystals and geodes one can find globally.
Visit: https://www.sagaciajewelry.com/blog/february_birthstone

October 16

Who Am I?
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 47–49
1 Thessalonians 4
God said, “I will be with you.”

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Exodus 4:1–5
Kizombo sat watching the campfire, pondering the great questions of his life. What have I accomplished? he thought. Too quickly the answer came back: Not much, really. He was back in the land of his birth, serving at the school his father had started deep in the rainforest. He was also trying to write his father’s powerful story of surviving two civil wars. Who am I to try to do all this?

Kizombo’s misgivings sound like those of Moses. God had just given Moses a mission: “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10). Moses replied, “Who am I?” (v. 11).

After some weak excuses from Moses, God asked him, “What is that in your hand?” It was a staff (4:2). At God’s direction, Moses threw it on the ground. The staff turned into a snake. Against his instincts, Moses picked it up. Again, it became a staff (v. 4). In God’s power, Moses could face Pharaoh. He literally had one of the “gods” of Egypt—a snake—in his hand. Egypt’s gods were no threat to the one true God.

Kizombo thought of Moses, and he sensed God’s answer: You have Me and My Word. He thought too of friends who encouraged him to write his father’s story so others would learn of God’s power in his life. He wasn’t alone.

On our own, our best efforts are inadequate. But we serve the God who says, “I will be with you” (3:12).

By: Tim Gustafson

Reflect & Pray
What do you have that God can use? How might it encourage you to consider what He might do with you?

Father, with You I lack nothing, no matter the situation. Amen.

“This black market is causing serious environmental problems, such as contributing to the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest to plant balsa and exploit it, so that communities living in the Amazon have been severely affected by the booming demand for such timber.” — Universidad de Navarra

#TheDefender

https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/amazon-deforestation-wind-energy-cola/

Darren Maung - Rate of Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest Falls in April:

https://www.visiontimes.com/2023/06/06/rate-of-deforestation-in-the-amazon-rainforest-falls-in-april.html

#Deforestation #AmazonRainforest #Rainforest #SatelliteImagery #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience