Author’s Note: This is part of a 40 Day Lenten & Easter YWAP Devotional that explores self-sacrifice as it relates to the death and resurrection of Christ.
DO YOU HAVE A LONG NECK & A BIG HEART?
The huge giraffe took the leaves from my wife's hand, but wasn't satisfied. Looking for more, he swung his humongous neck around for a second pass at her. This time his long tongue passed over her face causing Linda to scream and laugh simultaneously. My wife now has a fond memory of having her face licked by the tallest animal on earth. Everything about that giraffe spoke of the largeness of God's creation.
Growing as tall as 18 feet, the giraffe has a very expansive view of its surroundings. Its neck alone is a about six feet and stretches high into the sky. There are several benefits that come to mind when thinking of being 18 feet tall. Number one, a greater view would enable you to see your enemies coming when they're still far away. Number two, if you're that tall, you can see more opportunities at greater distances.
Giraffes don't stay in one place, they move around a lot. Sometimes folks who follow Christ get wrapped up in church activities that consume much of their free time. It's like huddling in the safety of the herd. That's not a bad thing for a season, but we can't be God's Light in a dark world if we stay in our comfort zone. The giraffe has enemies and many of the calves born to them die young. Lions will attack and kill to make this huge animal into a big meal for their family. Sometimes lions wait until a giraffe is in the vulnerable position of bending down to get a drink. Ironically, even with a six foot neck, a giraffe has to bend its knees and almost squat to get a drink. In His mercy, God created the huge animal with the ability to obtain water through the vegetation that it eats thereby minimizing the need to bend down at the watering hole. They only have to drink every few days. Staying high and alert for danger helps the giraffe survive.
To support the massive size of the giraffe, God created this beautiful animal with a gigantic heart. The giraffe's heart is about two feet long and weighs about 25 pounds. So the giraffe has a big heart and stands tall with the ability to see danger and opportunity from far away. There's a connection between eyesight and the heart. Both danger and opportunity require heart action whether running from danger or running to opportunity. “My son, give me your heart
And let your eyes delight in my ways,” Proverbs 23:26 (AMP)
Your protection from danger is determined by how much time you spend in God's Protection Manual - the Bible. He has a plan of protection against dark powers of this world that will steal, kill and destroy. As believers in Christ we are called to stand tall and have a heart for folks in need. Let your heart beat for opportunities to be compassionate as you stay alert to temptations that will drag you don.
DAY 12 WORD
“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers,”
Romans 8:38 (AMP)
“Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”
Ephesians 6:1 (TPT)
“Above all, have [a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].”
1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)
HEART THOUGHTS
What animals have habits that you can apply to a Bible teaching?
HEART REFLECTIONS
Write a short lesson for children about God teaching His Word through animals and teach it to an adult..
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
Growing as tall as 18 feet, the giraffe has a very expansive view of its surroundings. Its neck alone is a about six feet and stretches high into the sky. There are several benefits that come to mind when thinking of being 18 feet tall. Number one, a greater view would enable you to see your enemies coming when they're still far away. Number two, if you're that tall, you can see more opportunities at greater distances.
Giraffes don't stay in one place, they move around a lot. Sometimes folks who follow Christ get wrapped up in church activities that consume much of their free time. It's like huddling in the safety of the herd. That's not a bad thing for a season, but we can't be God's Light in a dark world if we stay in our comfort zone. The giraffe has enemies and many of the calves born to them die young. Lions will attack and kill to make this huge animal into a big meal for their family. Sometimes lions wait until a giraffe is in the vulnerable position of bending down to get a drink. Ironically, even with a six foot neck, a giraffe has to bend its knees and almost squat to get a drink. In His mercy, God created the huge animal with the ability to obtain water through the vegetation that it eats thereby minimizing the need to bend down at the watering hole. They only have to drink every few days. Staying high and alert for danger helps the giraffe survive.
To support the massive size of the giraffe, God created this beautiful animal with a gigantic heart. The giraffe's heart is about two feet long and weighs about 25 pounds. So the giraffe has a big heart and stands tall with the ability to see danger and opportunity from far away. There's a connection between eyesight and the heart. Both danger and opportunity require heart action whether running from danger or running to opportunity. “My son, give me your heart
And let your eyes delight in my ways,” Proverbs 23:26 (AMP)
Your protection from danger is determined by how much time you spend in God's Protection Manual - the Bible. He has a plan of protection against dark powers of this world that will steal, kill and destroy. As believers in Christ we are called to stand tall and have a heart for folks in need. Let your heart beat for opportunities to be compassionate as you stay alert to temptations that will drag you don.
DAY 12 WORD
“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers,”
Romans 8:38 (AMP)
“Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”
Ephesians 6:1 (TPT)
“Above all, have [a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].”
1 Peter 4:8 (AMP)
HEART THOUGHTS
What animals have habits that you can apply to a Bible teaching?
HEART REFLECTIONS
Write a short lesson for children about God teaching His Word through animals and teach it to an adult..
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
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