{"id":1076,"date":"2021-08-10T09:20:52","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T21:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/?p=1076"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:30:58","modified_gmt":"2021-09-19T21:30:58","slug":"diamond-rings-and-bling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonbeamsandshadows.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/10\/diamond-rings-and-bling\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamond Rings and Bling I"},"content":{"rendered":"

For over a year, now, a lot of ministries within churches have been curtailed or stopped altogether because of Covid.\u00a0 So, it has been a blessing and a joy for me to restart our Ladies Meetings in our new church several months ago.\u00a0 I enjoy building the meetings around a particular theme and our theme for next month is, “Diamond Rings and Bling!”<\/em>.\u00a0 This may seem like a theme out of place since we are called to be humble!\u00a0 But, I have an unexpected twist on this which I will share further down!<\/p>\n

Traditionally, we think of diamonds often being associated with engagements and wedding bands.\u00a0 We can thank DeBeers Diamond Company for their successful, 1930’s marketing ploy!\u00a0 They coined the slogan, “Diamonds are forever!”.\u00a0 Diamonds are the hardest and most durable substance in the world. \u00a0 And, because of their durability, diamonds\u00a0are<\/u>\u00a0forever!\u00a0 The symbolism is that our marriages will also last forever.\u00a0 Sadly, that is not always true.\u00a0 My heart goes out to those caught up as the innocent party in divorces.\u00a0 And, while not always the case, many times, it is the “bling” that is the root of a broken marriage.\u00a0 The spouse is distracted by the bling of something that they perceive is better than the treasure they already have!<\/p>\n

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”\u00a0 Colossians 3:2<\/span><\/p>\n

Just like our sinful nature, a diamond does not start out being something of beauty.\u00a0 It is just a piece of ugly carbon that has been under fire and pressure through the abyss of time. \u00a0 Even as our righteousness is as filthy rags, a diamond has little value hidden in the dirty bowels of the earth.<\/p>\n

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”\u00a0 Isaiah 64:6<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Then, the miner discovers the glassy substance.\u00a0 In most cases, it is someone else who finds us and points us to our need of our Savior; whether it be the voice of a preacher, a compassionate Christian neighbor who is concerned for our salvation, a soul winner out to evangelize the masses, or perhaps just a simple, Gospel tract we came upon.\u00a0 But, just discovering our need of the Savior is not enough.<\/p>\n

This blob of carbon must go through the cutting and polishing of a trained professional. Jesus took our place and was beaten and bruised for our iniquity-for our sin!\u00a0 Once the diamond cutter has finished his chipping, grinding, and polishing to perfect the stone, it finally has real value.\u00a0 Once Jesus died on the cross for our salvation,\u00a0 it is a priceless gift given to us.\u00a0 Having confessed our sinful nature and accepting His sacrifice on the cross, we become like that polished diamond with inconceivable worth.<\/p>\n

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although a diamond is the hardest substance on earth, until it is put to the test, it has not proven itself to be so.\u00a0 It is the heat and pressure that makes a diamond strong.\u00a0 The more heat and pressure, the more beautiful and valuable the diamond.\u00a0 As a Christian, we will go through many fires and testings that will strengthen us and prove to others where our strength comes from.\u00a0 It is the heat and pressures in this life that makes a Christian strong.<\/p>\n

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”\u00a0 II Corinthians 12:10.<\/span><\/p>\n

What pressures have you endured?\u00a0 Did you take\u00a0pleasure\u00a0in them?\u00a0 Did it seem unfair that, while loving and trying to serve God to the best of your ability, you have had to endure more than others who were far from God?\u00a0 Just remember how much more valuable a diamond is when it has endured more pressure!\u00a0 When all seems to be against you and you are enduring the pressures of life, this is when our strength is magnified through God.<\/p>\n

Now, what about the “Bling”?\u00a0 I think about the tares and wheat.\u00a0 The tares came up with the wheat but, it was “just along for the ride”.\u00a0 It was eventually cut down!\u00a0 Fake, costume jewelry may look impressive but it will tarnish and the stones will become dull.\u00a0 It gets pushed back in a jewelry box or even discarded. Some people may blend in and enjoy the blessings of God for a while but their eyes and hearts are set on other things.\u00a0 They want it all and they want it right now!\u00a0 But, there is also a p\"\"rice to pay!<\/p>\n

Achan coveted the Babylonian garment, the gold, and the silver.\u00a0 His heart’s eyes were distracted by the shiny baubles!\u00a0 The bling didn’t last long and he and his family were stoned to death because of his disobedience.<\/p>\n

“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” Joshua 7:24-25.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rachel coveted the images and things in her father’s home.\u00a0 She was distracted by these beautiful things to take with her.\u00a0 Maybe it was to impress her new family and neighbors!\u00a0 In time, her covetousness led to her losing one of her dearest possessions, Jacob, who had to flee their home.\u00a0 Were her eyes on the “bling” rather than the future?<\/p>\n

“Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.” Genesis 31:34.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lot chose the well-watered plains.\u00a0 It had its price though!\u00a0 He was influenced by the “bling” of Sodom and Gomorrah.\u00a0 He lost his home and even his wife as she looked back and became a pillar of salt!\u00a0 The “bling” was not lasting!<\/p>\n

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.\u00a0 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.”\u00a0 Genesis 13:10-11.<\/span><\/p>\n

“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have been following a blog about living minimally.\u00a0 My original idea of minimalist living was living in a brick, warehouse loft with modern, cubic furniture and a few pieces of abstract art on the walls! \u00a0 Actually, it is all about living with the essentials and not being swayed by the “bling” of what the world thinks you need and keeping up with everyone else.\u00a0 “The one who dies with the most toys, wins”\u00a0 is NOT true!\u00a0 Real contentment comes with living a humble life with Christ as our objective.<\/p>\n

Diamond rings are expensive and if you have one, I am happy for you.\u00a0 However, let’s keep in mind that whatever we choose to have in our daily lives, has lasting and intricate value and not something that is just appealing to the flesh.<\/p>\n

I said at the beginning that the Ladies Meeting I was planning had a twist to it.\u00a0 The idea is not original but, if this devotional has been a blessing to you, please pray with me that it will also be a blessing to our ladies!\u00a0 Are you ready for it?<\/p>\n

Our decorations will be a bit “blingy”!\u00a0 –Sparkly tablecloths, plastic rhinestones glued to our cutlery, origami, paper diamonds scattered around, etc. At the end of our meeting, these “bling-y” things will be used up and discarded in the garbage can!<\/p>\n

But……As a reminder to our ladies to think about things eternal, things that are lasting, they will each be given a diamond ring!\u00a0 No, wait, not a “Diamond” ring, but a “dime ON a ring”!\u00a0 It is the little things in life that are the most lasti\"\"ng and eternal!\u00a0 Though a dime is only 10 pennies and may seem somewhat worthless, these dimes are sitting on a ring that has no end!\u00a0 This circle has no beginning and no ending.\u00a0 As a child of God, He picked us up out of the miry clay.\u00a0 One day, we will live with Him eternally!\u00a0 There will be no end!<\/p>\n

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”\u00a0 Psalm 40:2.<\/span><\/p>\n

My prayer is that everyone reading this, as well as the ladies attending our meeting from my church will all walk away, understanding first, how valuable you and they are to God, and second, about what is really important in life compared to eternity!\u00a0 Is your life focused on things everlasting?\u00a0 Will you be closer-drawn to God during the times of testing and pressure in your life?\u00a0 Or, are you just interested in the here and now and what “baubles of bling” you can acquire?<\/p>\n

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;\u00a0 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”\u00a0 I Corinthians 3:12-13.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only One Life
\nBy C.T. Studd<\/h4>\n

Two little lines I heard one day,
\nTraveling along life\u2019s busy way;
\nBringing conviction to my heart,
\nAnd from my mind would not depart;
\nOnly one life, \u2019twill soon be past,
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/p>\n

Only one life, yes only one,<\/span>
\nSoon will its fleeting hours be done;<\/span>
\nThen, in \u2018that day\u2019 my Lord to meet,<\/span>
\nAnd stand before His Judgement seat;<\/span>
\nOnly one life,\u2019twill soon be past,<\/span>
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only one life, the still small voice,
\nGently pleads for a better choice
\nBidding me selfish aims to leave,
\nAnd to God\u2019s holy will to cleave;
\nOnly one life, \u2019twill soon be past,
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/p>\n

Only one life, a few brief years,<\/span>
\nEach with its burdens, hopes, and fears;<\/span>
\nEach with its clays I must fulfill,<\/span>
\nliving for self or in His will;<\/span>
\nOnly one life, \u2019twill soon be past,<\/span>
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/span><\/p>\n

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
\nWhen Satan would a victory score;
\nWhen self would seek to have its way,
\nThen help me Lord with joy to say;
\nOnly one life, \u2019twill soon be past,
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/p>\n

Give me Father, a purpose deep,<\/span>
\nIn joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;<\/span>
\nFaithful and true what e\u2019er the strife,<\/span>
\nPleasing Thee in my daily life;<\/span>
\nOnly one life, \u2019twill soon be past,<\/span>
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
\nAnd from the world now let me turn;
\nLiving for Thee, and Thee alone,
\nBringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
\nOnly one life, \u2019twill soon be past,
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/p>\n

Only one life, yes only one,<\/span>
\nNow let me say,\u201dThy will be done\u201d;<\/span>
\nAnd when at last I\u2019ll hear the call,<\/span>
\nI know I\u2019ll say \u201ctwas worth it all\u201d;<\/span>
\nOnly one life,\u2019twill soon be past,<\/span>
\nOnly what\u2019s done for Christ will last.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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