The Color Purple

We have only just begun

As our eyes behold God’s creation, we see magnificent color. Color is essential In a designers’ world. Understanding color can help us gain a deeper understanding of the beauty in God’s design. Let’s take the colors blue and red, together they make a majestic purple.

The color red is an intense color. It represents blood, fire, love, just to name a few. Red pigment made from ochre (a natural clay) was one of the first colors used in prehistoric art.

The color blue by way of example, represents the seas, the sky and peace. Of all the colors, it is not only favored by both men and women, but even so, beyond half of the countries on earth have blue in their national flags.

The color purple presents a great deal of prestige and brings forth a powerful history. It was the most expensive dye in the Bible. A well known pigment of choice for those of noble or royal birth. It holds the most intimate secrets of the Bolinus brandaris, (a medium-sized predatory sea snail) found on the beaches of the eastern Mediterranean, to the emergence of synthetic dye. What once serviced only emperors and Popes now service of all humanity.

I believe there is an even deeper lesson here for our times as well. As a people, our history defines who and what we are. As an individual, we are known by our actions. Just as blue and red, together make a purple; genetics, environment and attitude are some of the main ingredients that make a single human being. As each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses, what we choose to do with those strengths and weaknesses, are up to us. God’s word is known as the Living Word that provides us with the essential, “basic instructions before leaving earth.’ Take the first letter of each of these words, it conveniently spells out, BIBLE.

As each of us has a personal responsibility toward God, and all He has given us; our free will gives us the capability to choose between different courses of action. As in all good decorating jobs, a conversation with the decorator is indispensable, as is our dialogue with God. Saying YES to God is the most important choice we will ever make. This is where the beautiful accessories come in; out of living the life we have been given, even if it may not seem as though it is so lovely sometimes. God waits for our permission to unfold His incredible plan in our lives. We have great value because each of us is made in God’s image and likeness.

“For each will have to bear his own load.” [Galatians 6:5]

From our personality, inherited characteristics to our physical appearance, genetics, set the stage. As it takes a village to raise a child, our environment, is the stepping stone, that help us share stories that echo to one another, God’s gift of love. Attitude, seals the deal; that little thing that makes all the difference.

By the grace of Christ, here are some tools for our shed: * Overcome evil with good.” [Romans 12:21] * Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [Proverbs 3:5] * Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” [Ephesians 4:32]

Words of Love: * God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. [Genesis 1:27] * I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. [John 10:10] * Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” [Genesis 1:31]

Our Lord, our God, Our living King, how merciful and kind is He! His word tells us that, He is the Vine and we are the branches. [John 15] ~ The branch produces fruit, but it is the vine that nourishes the branch. Without the vine and the branches dead but being one with the Vine it is nourished. How do we begin to thank God for the privilege to be nourished in Him, by His beautiful and Holy Word. How do we thank the Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit, as He so desires to come into our lives. Let us pray that God will continue to teach us, nourish us and be with us in all we do.

Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” [ Luke 13:6-9]

From the history of the color purple, to the mystery of the fig tree, we have only just begun to discover and experience some of the incredible hidden treasures, in the breathtaking agape love of God.

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Let us ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, to open our eyes, ears and hearts, so that we may see His reflection and peaceful harmony, in all that He has created for us!

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Photo by ~ Deanna Danielle ~ Purple Rain

The Power of Prayer

A snowflake is one of God’s most fragile creations. A drop of water is gentle and mild. However, when many of them come down together, look what they can do, from closing down towns, to wiping out villages.

As we returned to class after being off for a month due to the snow and freezing rain, this was definitely a topic to discuss. It was a great lead-in to teaching about the power of prayer. Matthew 18:19 says, “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

It was a shout of prayer that brought the walls of Jericho down. When Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, the prison they were in was shaken; the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains loosened. Throughout time, prayer has brought great victory, peace, healing and joy.

As my class wrote journals, they wrote prayers, their love for God, and God’s love for them. It always brings a smile to my face when I read what’s in their hearts. Alessia mentioned our class lesson; how a rock in water remains dry on the inside. However, a sponge in water, when lifted up, pours out an abundance.

Matthew 28:19-20  says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Let us join in prayer for our families, friends, and all God’s children all over the world. May there be peace, happiness, and great health for all. For in union there is great strength.

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12