Jonathan Moore
Deuteronomy 29:29
“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions."
Deuteronomy 30:19
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"
Faith and obedience go hand in hand. We have the ability to decide and to will our response to every situation in life. We might deflect responsibility for our actions, shift blame, or say "the devil made me do it!" However, God has entrusted to us the power to choose. It is a fearful yet wonderful thing. It is what makes us human. It is a power that can be creative and fulfilling or destructive and frustrating. We all wrestle with the consequences of our choices. That is why we are encouraged to choose wisely.
Prayer from First Presbyterian Church Grenada Heavenly Father, we know that wind, water, rain , sleet and snow àre yours. This Sabbath we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your protection and grace.
We pray you will place Your mighty hand over this storm and calm its force. Shield us from the fury of the wind, rain, snow and ice. Care for those in the grip of the storm and keep them from harm. We pray for the safety of every person, home, and community at risk. We lift up all rescue workers, police, firefighters, and utility crews, asking for clear minds, steady hands, and safe passage as they heroically assist others in dangerous situations. Calm the anxious thoughts and steady the restless hearts of those filled with fear. Remind them of Your constant presence, that even when life seems dark and stormy, You are with us, guiding us to safety. In the wake of the storm, we pray for swift recovery and restoration. Provide essentials like water, food, and adequate shelter, and inspire communities to come together in support and care for one another.
We trust in Your unfailing love and mercy, knowing You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen
🌾 Parable: The Seeds That Didn’t Sprout
A farmer planted two fields in early spring. One field sprouted quickly — bright green shoots covering the ground within days. The other field stayed bare. Week after week, nothing broke through the soil.
The farmer’s neighbors shook their heads. “Something went wrong,” they said. “Those seeds must have failed.”
But the farmer quietly replied, “Not every seed rises at the same time.”
He kept watering. He kept tending. He kept believing in what he could not yet see.
Then one morning — long after the first field was already growing tall — tiny green tips finally pushed through the soil of the second field. Slowly at first, then stronger, then fuller. By harvest time, the second field produced more grain than the first.
When the neighbors asked how that was possible, the farmer said, “Some seeds grow fast. Some grow deep. The ones that grow deep take longer to appear… but they are often the strongest.”
The lesson: Faith means trusting that God is working beneath the surface, even when nothing seems to be happening. Some blessings grow fast. Some grow deep. And God knows exactly when each one should rise.