It was a long meeting filled with pages of numbers, budgets, requests for funds, and the unspoken implication: "Produce results now!" My reaction? Stress on top of stress. In my first conscious moments the next morning, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Let the peace of Christ rule your heart... live in peace... be thankful!" (Colossians 3;15) Don't you love it when God hands you a prescription for spiritual health? He reminds me that I have a choice in how I respond to the pressure of life, and urges me to choose to receive His peace.
Peace can be an elusive quality of life. Deadlines, pressures, conflicts, chaos, misunderstandings, disappointments; all conspire to give us knotted muscles, furrowed brows, and restless hearts. Most of us believe that peace is circumstantial- that if we could change our place, our position, or our resources - we would find peace.
The Bible tells that true peace transcends our present situation!In the book of Judges we learn that "the LORD is peace." Raiders from the neighboring country of Midian had overpowered the Israelis, driving them into the hills where they hid in caves. Desperation was everywhere! Gideon, who was a farmer, needed to feed his family in spite of the raids and attacks in Israel. So he ventured from the caves, down to the fields. Judges 6 tells that he was hiding out near a winepress, threshing grain, fearing for his life. Suddenly he is aware of a Presence and a voice! "The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!" {Judges 6:12 NLT} Gideon knowing only too well that he was anything but a mighty hero, that he was trying to avoid detection at that very moment, questions that assessment. "Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." (Judges 6:15, NIV) He goes further and questions God's messenger about the desperate times that his people are experiencing. But, when he saw the evidence of God's power and received the promise of God with faith, Gideon's heart changed. "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die." So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. (Yahweh Shalom)" {Judges 6:22-24 NIV} The OT word, "shalom" means more than the absence of conflict. Shalom indicates wholeness, restfulness, and satisfaction.
That quality of life is possible in any situation, as long as we are willing to choose to live in the Presence of God. His Spirit produces a serenity that allows us to rise above situations that cause others to panic, be to full of fear, or to fall apart. There are too many moments in my life when I choose to allow life's circumstances rob me of the peace of God. When I attempt to exert control over situations, when I try to impose a 'peace' of my own design, things usually get worse! But when I take time to re-center my soul, taking the offer of the peace of Christ by turning the challenges and problems over to Him with a request for His wisdom, peace follows. Often the situation remains exactly the same, but I am changed.
Don't misunderstand what God desires of you. His will is not that you detach yourself from reality, that you run away from life, or escape into denial. He wants us to be fully engaged with life, bringing order to chaos, healing to the broken, resisting evil wherever it makes its ugliness apparent. We can exhausted, yet serene! Endurance is demanded of us. "Endure hardship like a good soldier," Paul says. But our endurance is not simply borne of a stubborn refusal to retreat! We endure because He stands alongside of us to steady us, to quiet our fear. We are called to be people who live in His Peace!
Today, before you engage with life's challenges, go into the Presence of God. Meditate on His Word, commit yourself and your circumstances to Him. Invite the Spirit to use you as a agent of the Kingdom of Heaven wherever life takes you throughout this day. When you find yourself tensing up, feeling the pressure, breathe a prayer for peace-- "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 (NIV)_________________
In the presence of Your infinite might,
I'm so small and frail and weak;
When I see Your pow'r and wisdom, Lord,
I have no words left to speak.
And I cry holy, holy, holy God,
How awesome is Your name,
Holy, holy, holy God,
How majestic is Your reign;
And I am changed in the presence of a holy God.
In the presence of Your glory,
All my crowns lie in the dust;
You are righteous in Your judgments, Lord,
You are faithful, true, and just.
And I cry holy, holy, holy God,
How awesome is Your name,
Holy, holy, holy God,
How majestic is Your reign;
And I am changed in the presence of a holy God.
© 1989 Integrity's Praise! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) / PDIPraise (Admin. by Integrity's Praise! Music) CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Did you see the sparkle in that uncut diamond?
First impressions are a part of life. Behavioral experts tell us that within 3 seconds of meeting people make judgments about our social status, intelligence, and even our trustworthiness based on the flimsiest evidence; facial expression, posture, the fit of our clothing, grooming, and accessories! We all do it, even unconsciously. And here is something that is even more sobering; those first impressions are nearly indelible. Once made, they stick and are almost impossible to change. Of course, it is a good thing to be able to determine who we should trust, who we should invite into our lives, but not based on a 3 second look which only sees the image.
Believer, Christ in us wants to change us from being servants to image and impressions, both in how we attempt to make the right impression on others and about how we form our opinion of others. He does this by working deeply in us. He wants us to see people, not clothing; real human beings, not a haircut or the watch or ring! Think I'm wrong? Hear the Word. "For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (James 2:2-4, NKJV)
Even the most godly can fall into the trap of superficiality. Samuel was a prophet of God who knew the Lord's voice and lived in obedience. The Lord sent him on a mission to Bethlehem where we was to anoint a king for Israel. Led by the Spirit to the household of Jesse, the prophet spotted Eliab, the oldest son, who carried himself with authority and dignity. The Bible reveals his first impression: "Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!" (1 Samuel 16:6, NLT) But he was wrong! God's choice wasn't the son who looked like a king; it was the son with the heart of a king, David. The prophet learned a lesson that is still important today. God told Samuel, "Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, The Message)
The temptation to judge others based on our first impressions is something that the Lord wants to change in us, Believer. Will you let Him? Next time you find yourself forming an opinion about another person with no evidence other than his race, his body type, or his clothing - repent! Yes, that's right. Confess to the Lord that you have sinned in that moment. Ask for the gift of discernment and for the patience to take a second, a third, and even a fourth look with godly eyes. Pray for the love that lets you see the heart that God sees.
A diamond cutter takes a rough crystal in his hands. He looks at a rock and 'sees' the gem locked in it. With art and skill he cuts and shapes the stone until a sparkling gem of great value emerges. God calls us to see the potential sparkle that can be coaxed from others. Christ died for those who are filthy with sin, whose light is extinguished by depravity. He asks us to share the message of hope and renewal with them, not from arm's length, but in an embrace of love. Our goal is to release the gem from the rock!
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NIV)
Believer, Christ in us wants to change us from being servants to image and impressions, both in how we attempt to make the right impression on others and about how we form our opinion of others. He does this by working deeply in us. He wants us to see people, not clothing; real human beings, not a haircut or the watch or ring! Think I'm wrong? Hear the Word. "For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (James 2:2-4, NKJV)
Even the most godly can fall into the trap of superficiality. Samuel was a prophet of God who knew the Lord's voice and lived in obedience. The Lord sent him on a mission to Bethlehem where we was to anoint a king for Israel. Led by the Spirit to the household of Jesse, the prophet spotted Eliab, the oldest son, who carried himself with authority and dignity. The Bible reveals his first impression: "Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!" (1 Samuel 16:6, NLT) But he was wrong! God's choice wasn't the son who looked like a king; it was the son with the heart of a king, David. The prophet learned a lesson that is still important today. God told Samuel, "Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, The Message)
The temptation to judge others based on our first impressions is something that the Lord wants to change in us, Believer. Will you let Him? Next time you find yourself forming an opinion about another person with no evidence other than his race, his body type, or his clothing - repent! Yes, that's right. Confess to the Lord that you have sinned in that moment. Ask for the gift of discernment and for the patience to take a second, a third, and even a fourth look with godly eyes. Pray for the love that lets you see the heart that God sees.
A diamond cutter takes a rough crystal in his hands. He looks at a rock and 'sees' the gem locked in it. With art and skill he cuts and shapes the stone until a sparkling gem of great value emerges. God calls us to see the potential sparkle that can be coaxed from others. Christ died for those who are filthy with sin, whose light is extinguished by depravity. He asks us to share the message of hope and renewal with them, not from arm's length, but in an embrace of love. Our goal is to release the gem from the rock!
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NIV)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
No question of defeat!
Ever felt the shadowy presence of dark demons circling at the edge of your life like wolves circling a weakened animal waiting for the right moment to rush in for the kill? In those moments, temptation whispers seductively, "Escape into my arms." Despair reaches out trying to hide the light of hope. Fatigue settles in, making every step an effort, and the body aches. Small hills turn into mountains, minor irritations provoke eruptions of anger. There are many reasons that such times come; illness, conflict, spiritual attack- but a few. The Bible has an encouraging word for a Believer in that place. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? .... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NIV)
"More than conquerors" - what can that mean?
The phrase is actually a translation of a single compound word in the Biblical text, that literally could be translated - "super victor." The word conveys the meaning of winning so decisively that the defeated enemy is done, unable to retreat and regroup for another attack. God says that He will pour His strength into us so that we have no reason to question our ability to emerge from the fight in any other place than as a victor, a 'super victor' at that. The Holy Spirit stands ready to infuse us with insight and faith, helping us to see through the illusions of overwhelming and inevitable strength created by the world systems, the craving of our sinful nature, or the Evil One. Believer, He is greater than your trials, your tests, your difficulties.
In Sunday School I learned a little song that becomes even more true in my adulthood: Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong! When they are weak, He is strong! Never get down on yourself because you feel the pressure. Do not conclude that you are a 'poor excuse for a Christian' just because you are experiencing rough days, or because you are weary to the point of despair! None other than Paul came to that low point, too. He says, "We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9, NLT) The truth is that even the greatest foe of humanity, death, cannot defeat those whose lives are hidden in Christ! Should we die, we enter the Presence of the Lord, where troubles cannot come, temptation is without any power, and Light always shines brightly. "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV)
Are you tested today? Jesus is strong.
Are you troubled? He is peace.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that your bravado is the answer. Don't worry about saying 'the right words' to insure your success. In fact, don't focus on yourself, at all! Trials and troubles come, at least in part, to teach us the folly of self reliance so that we will "rely only on God!" Here's a word from the Word that shows us the right posture to adopt when the demons lurk near. "Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah" (Psalm 46:8-11, NIV)
"More than conquerors" - what can that mean?
The phrase is actually a translation of a single compound word in the Biblical text, that literally could be translated - "super victor." The word conveys the meaning of winning so decisively that the defeated enemy is done, unable to retreat and regroup for another attack. God says that He will pour His strength into us so that we have no reason to question our ability to emerge from the fight in any other place than as a victor, a 'super victor' at that. The Holy Spirit stands ready to infuse us with insight and faith, helping us to see through the illusions of overwhelming and inevitable strength created by the world systems, the craving of our sinful nature, or the Evil One. Believer, He is greater than your trials, your tests, your difficulties.
In Sunday School I learned a little song that becomes even more true in my adulthood: Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong! When they are weak, He is strong! Never get down on yourself because you feel the pressure. Do not conclude that you are a 'poor excuse for a Christian' just because you are experiencing rough days, or because you are weary to the point of despair! None other than Paul came to that low point, too. He says, "We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9, NLT) The truth is that even the greatest foe of humanity, death, cannot defeat those whose lives are hidden in Christ! Should we die, we enter the Presence of the Lord, where troubles cannot come, temptation is without any power, and Light always shines brightly. "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV)
Are you tested today? Jesus is strong.
Are you troubled? He is peace.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that your bravado is the answer. Don't worry about saying 'the right words' to insure your success. In fact, don't focus on yourself, at all! Trials and troubles come, at least in part, to teach us the folly of self reliance so that we will "rely only on God!" Here's a word from the Word that shows us the right posture to adopt when the demons lurk near. "Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah" (Psalm 46:8-11, NIV)
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The End of the World scheduled for 2011
Yes, my friend, yet another "Bible Teacher" has worked out the 'hidden meanings' of the Scripture and determined that God's Judgment Day is now set for 2011! In the run up to his conclusion, he sets aside the clear warning of Jesus about date setting for the Second Coming found in Acts 1:7 where we read: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority." (Acts 1:7, NIV) This same 'teacher,' by the way, publicly stated that Jesus' return would be in 1988, and later revised his conclusion to 1994! Here's why I get so irritated with those who try to figure out a date for the Second Coming or the Judgment or the Rapture of the Church: it diminishes the credibility and importance of the Truth.
Even among sincere Believers the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ has become something of a joke because of all the false date-setting and nonsense that sensational preachers wrap around the truth. What ought to be beacon that gives great hope and purpose to our lives becomes a forgotten byword, an obscure doctrine relegated to the back pages of our minds.
I believe that the Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ will return to earth and that He will establish the Kingdom of God visibly among us. It is a keystone doctrine of my Christian faith. For me, and all faithful Christians, the hope of Christ's return is the "Blessed Hope," as it ought to be. These are the Last Days. Yes, I said, it. Are you shocked? Are you asking, "Jerry, do you actually believe the 2011 prophets?" No, not at all. They are foolish and a terrible hindrance to the work of God right here, right now.
Jesus declared that He would come again and that His coming was 'soon.' That was 2 millennia past. Was He mistaken? Dumb question, isn't it? I believe that we are living in the Last Days for two reasons. The first is that history and prophecy for an eternal God looks very different than it does to us who live 'in the moment' and with a grasp on a very short window in time. Second, He knew that for each of us the 'last days' are a reality. Generations come and go so quickly. In our lives the opportunity to do God's work is now, for tomorrow may never come. In that sense, I believe that I am living in the last days.
The promise of the Second Coming is of great comfort, but adds no urgency to my life. If somehow I knew that Jesus would physically sit on a throne in Jerusalem in 2011, nothing about my life would change! I am doing His work right now, living for Him right now, trusting His Word right now, and obeying His will right now. And, that is as it should be. Jesus told a story of servants who were prepared for the return of the owner of the household. "Be ready and keep your lamps burning just like those servants who wait up for their master to return from a wedding feast. As soon as he comes and knocks, they open the door for him. Servants are fortunate if their master finds them awake and ready when he comes! I promise you that he will get ready and have his servants sit down so he can serve them." (Luke 12:35-37, CEV)
Believer, hold to the Promise of His return. There will come a moment when evil is defeated, suffering is ended; when the things we did not understand are made plain. A day of vindication of those who gave their lives and fortune for the cause of Christ will surely come. God promises us that. The great chapter of faith, Hebrews 11, begins with accounts of great triumphs and ends with these words about those who did not appear to live in victory. There we read that "Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us." (Hebrews 11:36-40, NLT) Their sacrifices await the Day of His Glorious Return when the jeers of the mockers will be silenced!
Believer, I hope that you are living in a way that would not need to change, in the least, regardless of the day of His appearing! Whether the trumpet announcing His return sounds today, in 2011, or in 3000 AD; may we be living faithfully, hopefully. Here is a word from the Word. Take it to heart today.
"Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion. "How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City." (Revelation 22:12-14, The Message)
_______________________________
Even among sincere Believers the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ has become something of a joke because of all the false date-setting and nonsense that sensational preachers wrap around the truth. What ought to be beacon that gives great hope and purpose to our lives becomes a forgotten byword, an obscure doctrine relegated to the back pages of our minds.
I believe that the Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ will return to earth and that He will establish the Kingdom of God visibly among us. It is a keystone doctrine of my Christian faith. For me, and all faithful Christians, the hope of Christ's return is the "Blessed Hope," as it ought to be. These are the Last Days. Yes, I said, it. Are you shocked? Are you asking, "Jerry, do you actually believe the 2011 prophets?" No, not at all. They are foolish and a terrible hindrance to the work of God right here, right now.
Jesus declared that He would come again and that His coming was 'soon.' That was 2 millennia past. Was He mistaken? Dumb question, isn't it? I believe that we are living in the Last Days for two reasons. The first is that history and prophecy for an eternal God looks very different than it does to us who live 'in the moment' and with a grasp on a very short window in time. Second, He knew that for each of us the 'last days' are a reality. Generations come and go so quickly. In our lives the opportunity to do God's work is now, for tomorrow may never come. In that sense, I believe that I am living in the last days.
The promise of the Second Coming is of great comfort, but adds no urgency to my life. If somehow I knew that Jesus would physically sit on a throne in Jerusalem in 2011, nothing about my life would change! I am doing His work right now, living for Him right now, trusting His Word right now, and obeying His will right now. And, that is as it should be. Jesus told a story of servants who were prepared for the return of the owner of the household. "Be ready and keep your lamps burning just like those servants who wait up for their master to return from a wedding feast. As soon as he comes and knocks, they open the door for him. Servants are fortunate if their master finds them awake and ready when he comes! I promise you that he will get ready and have his servants sit down so he can serve them." (Luke 12:35-37, CEV)
Believer, hold to the Promise of His return. There will come a moment when evil is defeated, suffering is ended; when the things we did not understand are made plain. A day of vindication of those who gave their lives and fortune for the cause of Christ will surely come. God promises us that. The great chapter of faith, Hebrews 11, begins with accounts of great triumphs and ends with these words about those who did not appear to live in victory. There we read that "Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us." (Hebrews 11:36-40, NLT) Their sacrifices await the Day of His Glorious Return when the jeers of the mockers will be silenced!
Believer, I hope that you are living in a way that would not need to change, in the least, regardless of the day of His appearing! Whether the trumpet announcing His return sounds today, in 2011, or in 3000 AD; may we be living faithfully, hopefully. Here is a word from the Word. Take it to heart today.
"Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion. "How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City." (Revelation 22:12-14, The Message)
_______________________________
Monday, June 02, 2008
Word Seed
One of the great gifts that my parents gave to me is the familiarity with Scripture that was created by my regular attendance at Sunday School and church, along with the reading of the Word in our home. My brain is full of passages from the Bible, stories of the Old Testament heroes and Jesus, and teaching about the Christian life from the letters of Paul. I understand and interpret the events of life and the world around me through the filter of the Word. Don't get me wrong. I still have questions. I despise the simplistic mindset reflected by the old line, "God said it! I believe it! That settles it!"
Life is very complex. Truth is not simple, answers are not always easy to find. Finding the way to bring the eternal wisdom of God to bear on the challenges of life is often an act of faith and requires discipline of mind and spirit. Then, too, I know that my heart is given to rebellion and seasons come when it presses hard to throw off His reins and run head-long after its own way! More than a few times in my adult life my way has been a long dark walk of faith not sight. In those times I cling desperately to what I believe God has said despite situations that seem to make His Word a lie.
Yet, I am comforted, corrected, and guided by the wisdom of the Word, which the Spirit brings to my consciousness again and again. Jesus says that it is like seed planted in in us! He told us this teaching story. "What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams." (Matthew 13:3-9, The Message) His friends came to Him later on and asked Him, "Why do you tell these stories? What does a story about a farmer planting seeds have to do with us?"
And He explained, "Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.
"The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.
"The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.
"The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams." (Matthew 13:18-23, The Message)
Will you open your heart and mind to the Word Seed?
Don't argue with God's wisdom because 'it just doesn't make sense.'
Don't hold Him at arm's length while you dispute His correction.
Don't refuse His comfort as you demand that He explain Himself.
Instead, give yourself to diligent study. Thank Him for the promises and the boundaries; the correction and the comfort. God is never offended by our honest questions, but we certainly sin when we allow our questions to become a root of bitterness or an excuse for rebellion. Be like Jeremiah who exclaimed: "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty." (Jeremiah 15:16, NIV)
Here's some Word Seed. Ask the Spirit to plant this prayerful passage deep in your mind and heart today. "With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word." (Psalm 119:10-16, NKJV)
______________________________
I've had many tears and sorrows.
I've had questions for tomorrow.
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials only come
To make me strong.
Through it all, through it all,
Oh, I've learned to trust in Jesus;
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.
I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys;
I thank Him for the storms
He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know that He could solve them;
I'd never know what faith in God could do.
Through It All
Andrae Crouch © 1971 Manna Music, Inc. ARR UBP of Manna Music, Inc. (35255 Brooten Road, Pacific City, OR 97135)CCLI License No. 810055
Life is very complex. Truth is not simple, answers are not always easy to find. Finding the way to bring the eternal wisdom of God to bear on the challenges of life is often an act of faith and requires discipline of mind and spirit. Then, too, I know that my heart is given to rebellion and seasons come when it presses hard to throw off His reins and run head-long after its own way! More than a few times in my adult life my way has been a long dark walk of faith not sight. In those times I cling desperately to what I believe God has said despite situations that seem to make His Word a lie.
Yet, I am comforted, corrected, and guided by the wisdom of the Word, which the Spirit brings to my consciousness again and again. Jesus says that it is like seed planted in in us! He told us this teaching story. "What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams." (Matthew 13:3-9, The Message) His friends came to Him later on and asked Him, "Why do you tell these stories? What does a story about a farmer planting seeds have to do with us?"
And He explained, "Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.
"The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.
"The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.
"The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams." (Matthew 13:18-23, The Message)
Will you open your heart and mind to the Word Seed?
Don't argue with God's wisdom because 'it just doesn't make sense.'
Don't hold Him at arm's length while you dispute His correction.
Don't refuse His comfort as you demand that He explain Himself.
Instead, give yourself to diligent study. Thank Him for the promises and the boundaries; the correction and the comfort. God is never offended by our honest questions, but we certainly sin when we allow our questions to become a root of bitterness or an excuse for rebellion. Be like Jeremiah who exclaimed: "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty." (Jeremiah 15:16, NIV)
Here's some Word Seed. Ask the Spirit to plant this prayerful passage deep in your mind and heart today. "With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word." (Psalm 119:10-16, NKJV)
______________________________
I've had many tears and sorrows.
I've had questions for tomorrow.
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials only come
To make me strong.
Through it all, through it all,
Oh, I've learned to trust in Jesus;
I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.
I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys;
I thank Him for the storms
He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know that He could solve them;
I'd never know what faith in God could do.
Through It All
Andrae Crouch © 1971 Manna Music, Inc. ARR UBP of Manna Music, Inc. (35255 Brooten Road, Pacific City, OR 97135)CCLI License No. 810055
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