Someone, wiser than most, wrote, “Stretching out his hand to catch the stars—man forgets the flowers at his feet–so beautiful, so fragrant, so multitudious and so various”. That writer was smart enough to realize that great joy can be found in the simple things of life– if we but focus on them.

The problem is that the stars twinkle, gold glitters, praise feeds our ego, and these things can distract us from “the flowers at our feet”. That’s why so many are attracted to the “greener grass” on the other side of the fence. We would be better off to consider what God has placed at our feet— gifts to make us glad.

Dear friend, there are blessing all around us, precious treasures, priceless gifts from God–ignore them not! The patter of little feet running through the house, the embrace of a loved one, the kiss from your spouse, the smile of a friend, a beautiful sunset, these are common, but of great value. Life wouldn’t be the same without them. Slow down, look around, learn to enjoy the flowers at your feet.

Several years ago, after I conducted the funeral service of a teenage boy killed in a car wreck, we met at the parents home for a meal. After we had eaten the father asked me to take a walk with him. As we walked around the farm he started crying and said, “Bro. Stone I’ve been so busy making a living that I never took time to enjoy what I had and now it’s too late. I’m going to stop and smell the roses from now on.” We all need to do that. Paul said, “God—giveth us richly all things to enjoy”(1 Tim. 6:17). Learn to enjoy the flowers at your feet and you’ll never be unhappy a day of your life.

Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching– Hebrews 10:24-25

Instead of complaining about the faults of others we should do something that will “provoke unto love and to good works”. Our contact with them should result in them changing for the better. The daily devotional “A Good Thing” says:

The Christian life is not one of isolation but of involvement with others.  There is to be a separation from the world and its influences while at the same time maintaining a Christ-honoring interaction with every person we meet.

In this verse we are encouraged to positive action. We must not be just an observer of what is happening around us, but working to encourage and stimulate others to love and good works.

If we are provoking others to love then we must display a loving sprit ourselves. Love is to be more than just a verbal expression — we are to love in deed and in truth.  Love will move us with compassion for those who suffer, with patience toward those who are difficult, and with generosity to those who are in need.

Love will also move us to consider others with regard to attending the assembly of saints. Too often thoughts are centered only on how we feel or what we expect to receive. But we are told that our very presence in the assembly can be a blessing to others and provides the opportunity to encourage them in their service of love.  It’s human nature to think about self, but let us pray for grace to grow in our effort to “consider one another.”

—the Lord delighteth in thee. – Isaiah 62:4
We often preach about our need to delight ourselves in the Lord, but a more delightful thought is for Him to delight in us. It is great that we delight in Him. It is glorious that He would delight in us. James Smith addressed this subject many years ago like this:

And is it possible, that such poor, depraved, unworthy creatures, can be the objects of Jehovah’s delight? Yes: the infinite love of God has been fixed upon us from eternity: because He loved us, He sent His only-begotten Son to die for us; He sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts; and gave us a good hope through grace.

Hear the Apostle: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His GREAT LOVE wherewith He loved us, even when we were DEAD IN SINS, hath quickened us together with Christ: by whose grace ye are saved.” Jehovah views us in Jesus, and loves us with an infinite love.

Yea, He has loved us, as He has loved Him. Every believer, though his faith may be weak, his fears many, his corruptions strong, his trouble great, and his temptations sore, is the object of Jehovah’s delight.

Let us therefore endeavour to pass through this day, yea, and every day, believing and realizing, “I am Jehovah’s delight; the object of His highest love; the subject of His sweetest thoughts; and His portion for evermore.” O incomparable privilege! Source of comfort, holiness, and love! Thou hast more cause for gratitude than an angel.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended , and the floods came , and the winds blew , and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. –Matt. 7:24-25

An article in Senior Living says, On November 25, 1895, a cornerstone of ice was laid in Leadville, Colorado—the beginning of the largest ice palace ever built in America. In an effort to bolster the town’s sagging economy, the citizens staged a winter carnival. On New Year’s Day of 1896, the town turned out for the grand opening.

The immense palace measured 450 x 320 feet. The towers that flanked the entrance were 90 feet high. Inside was a 16,000-square-foot skating rink. But by the end of March, the palace was melting away, along with the hopes of Leadville. You see, the tens of thousands of visitors who were anticipated to come did not, and those who did come spent very little, leaving the town’s economy in shambles.

Many Christians today also build their own “ice palaces” that eventually melt away. Perhaps they’ve trusted in money for their security. Maybe they’ve become codependent with another person to the point where they trust in them for everything. Or, it’s possible they’ve allowed their possessions—their home, their car, or their “toys”—to become their idols.

Each of these things will melt away when summer comes. Money won’t last forever; people will let you down; and your possessions won’t follow you to heaven! So instead of building castles of ice, build your life on the rock of Jesus Christ so that when summer comes, you’ll be standing strong! 

Ask God to reveal to you things you’ve built your life on that have no eternal significance.

Why art thou cast down , O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.–Psalm 42:11

However gloomy the day, however strange the trials, however distressing the visitation, hope thou in God. He is with you, He is your God, He hath promised to befriend you, He is the faithful God.

He will turn darkness into light, make crooked things straight, and make all grace abound towards you, so that you, having all sufficiency, may abound to every good work. The changes that affect you, cannot affect Him. You cannot rely too simply upon Him, or expect too much from Him. If all, within and without, seem to conspire to distress you, still say, “I will hope in God.”

Expect Him to be to you all a gracious and powerful God can be: expect Him to do all a loving Father and infinite God can do.
Hope for light in darkness, for relief in distress, for strength in weakness, for joy in sorrow, for deliverance when sinking beneath the wave, and for life in death. Hope for all you need, and for all God has promised. Hope thou in God, and in God alone. Hope because God has spoken, because He is true and faithful, and you cannot hope in vain. The foundation of your hope is laid in the blood of Jesus and the oath of God.

Hope in the Lord, whose mighty hand
Can all thy woes remove;
For thou shalt yet before Him stand,
And sing restoring love.—-  By James Smith