{"id":23456,"date":"2018-07-09T03:30:58","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T10:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=23456"},"modified":"2018-07-03T14:29:19","modified_gmt":"2018-07-03T21:29:19","slug":"july-9-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2018\/07\/09\/july-9-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"July 9, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.\u00a0Are you not much more valuable than they?”\u00a0<\/em>Matthew\u00a06:26<\/p>\n

Watching Over Me<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We seem to live in some kind of bird paradise. There are\u00a0so<\/u>\u00a0many birds in our area, and\u00a0so<\/u>\u00a0many different kinds.\u00a0Large ones, small ones and everything in between.\u00a0Very plain ones and incredibly colorful, beautiful ones.\u00a0I’m not particularly a bird lover, but you can’t help but notice them and be impressed.<\/p>\n

One morning I was looking out the window, and on the tree branch were five different kinds of birds.\u00a0It made me wonder how many kinds we have in our area.\u00a0I tried to research it, but couldn’t get a specific number.\u00a0But it’s\u00a0lots<\/u>!<\/p>\n

The thought immediately went through my mind that God knows\u00a0all<\/u>\u00a0these birds! He not only created them, but He’s aware of them on a daily basis.\u00a0His creation is valuable to Him.<\/p>\n

“What is the price of two sparrows\u2014one copper coin?\u00a0But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it”\u00a0<\/em>(Matthew\u00a010:29).<\/p>\n

If God is aware of each bird that falls to the ground, then He certainly knows what you and I are facing today! He loves us.\u00a0He knows every struggle we are dealing with.\u00a0He knows every hope, dream, pain, sorrow, and decision.\u00a0He is holding our right hand, and walking with us through each of these things.\u00a0And He isn’t going to let us fall.\u00a0He’ll catch us if we stumble!<\/p>\n

As I watch these winged creatures fluttering around, it reminds me of the Father’s care for me.\u00a0The concerns of my heart today for Floyd, for me, for our family, for our future\u2014God is mindful of all of them.\u00a0He’s continuing to help me navigate the maze, and lead me safely through it.<\/p>\n

“So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.<\/em>”\u00a0 Matthew\u00a010:31<\/p>\n

I don’t need to worry. I don’t need to be heavy hearted. I don’t need to agonize over what is ahead. My God is aware of every need, and is actively working on my behalf\u2014just as He is watching over every one of the birds I see flying around.<\/p>\n

I grew up listening to a song penned by Civilla D. Martin in 1905.\u00a0The words are powerful:<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0“Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely and long for Heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion?\u00a0My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u201c\u2018Let not your heart be troubled,\u2019 His tender word I hear, and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me….<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>“Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u201cFather, You are watching over me!\u00a0 What sweet assurance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

P.S.\u00a0 While I’ve been meditating the last few days about God’s care for the birds, I received a card from a friend in England of a lovely painting of birds in the field. It was a sweet confirmation to my heart of what God was saying to me.\u00a0 I wanted to share it with you.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>

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