FLORIDA : PLANTSCAPES
PLANT 1 | PLANT 2 | PLANT 3 | PLANT 4 | PLANT 5
When I visit Florida aside from the ocean, I am completely mesmerized by Florida's agriculture being able to see how God created so many different colors, plants, trees, and atmospheres. I am always so amazed how in just two hours I went from a dark cold day to a warm sunny day! God completely takes my breath away.
This past week our Pastor reminded us of Christ's amazing love for his people. So often we hear and read about His love, but what does that truly mean to us? I couldn't help but be convicted and examine my heart at how often I put so many things before Him. I am thankful for times like these were I can examine myself, deny myself and take up my cross. I pray that we may continue to keep our eyes focused on Christ, living our lives according to His will. ♡ below is what our pastor shared with us.
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23 Every Christian must be a cross-bearer. There is no escaping this. "Whoever does not carry his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:27 We must be willing to suffer for Christ's sake; we must crucify self and the flesh; we must be willing to perform unpleasant duties, and make sacrifices of things we might like to retain.
Our religion must cost us something!
Sloth, and ease, and self-indulgence, and a worldly spirit must be cut up by the roots! We must be most careful over the employment of our time. It is our greatest talent, and we must throw none of it away. Every hour, every moment must be spent as under the eye of our gracious Master. We are told the gold sweepings at the mint last year amounted in value to many thousands of dollars. Our fragments of time are gold dust; and we must not throw them aside as worthless, but gather them up that none may be lost.
I would entreat you, dear reader, to rise above the common standard--and strive, by God's grace, to live a very holy, devoted, self-denying life. I beseech all Christians to set before you the life of Christ as your pattern. Walk as He walked--live as He lived! And, doing this, expect to receive day by day a large supply of His grace.