During a conversation about a teenager who was wandering from the Way, getting involved in things that were both damaging to her life and sinful in the eyes of God, her Dad suggested that the answer was to preach more hellfire and damnation! I disagree. Can we really be ‘scared straight?’ 20 years ago, the state of NJ started a program by that name that lets juvenile delinquents experience real prison life up close, with the intent that it will let them catch a glimpse of what’s waiting for them if they refuse to stay out of trouble. Some churches, usually around Halloween, do something that is similar, called “Hell House.” In dramatic sketches, teens are told that Hell awaits if they persist in their sinfulness.
I do believe that the Bible is clear about the reality of an eternal place of separation from God, too horrible to contemplate. Jesus used the garbage dump of Jerusalem as a metaphor for that place. It is the refuse heap of eternity, a place where the presence of God and good is not known, where hope is lost. While it is not our right to determine who goes there, we must not deny what the Scripture plainly teaches. However, I am convinced that preaching the grace and love of the Father, shown to us through Christ Jesus, is a much more powerful message for life-change than a fear-based message about Hell!
In the opening chapters of Romans, Paul presents the truth about God’s efforts to restore humanity to a right relationship with Himself. In that beautiful argument, we find this: "God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21, NLT) That promise, not the threat of Hell, is the central message, the genuine Gospel!
If our message is one based on Fear, the best we can hope for is greater human effort to ‘be good.’ Dallas Willard has coined an unforgettable phrase that describes the efforts of many churches and pastors who fear Hell more than they love God. Dr. Willard says that they substitute the ‘gospel of sin management,’ for the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus. Instead of creating disciples of Christ whose hearts and minds are increasingly made to be like the Lord by the powerful Presence of the Spirit, their efforts are designed around making incremental change in behavior, creating nicer people who learn how to ‘manage’ their sin, rather than defeat evil.
Here’s the truth about us. Fear has a very short shelf life. We can learn to live with any threat, becoming numb to it after a time. Even the threat of Hell cannot sufficiently frighten us into devotion to God! We can write all the rules we want, but those rules, no matter how dire the consequences we attach to them, cannot change the intent of a heart that has not experienced the life touch of the Spirit of God. The Word says, "You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires." (Colossians 2:20-23, NLT)
So, I invite you to join Paul (and me!) in this declaration:
"We preach Christ crucified … who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31, NIV)
__________________
Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity.
Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity.
Bread of heaven, broken for me,
Cup of salvation held up to drink.
Jesus - Mystery.
Christ has died, and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again!
Celebrate his death and rising!
Lift your eyes! Proclaim his coming!
Jesus - Mystery!
Mystery - Charlie Hall
SixSteps Music, Worship Together
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Building bridges or walls?
Do you bring people together? Are you skilled at creating teams, helping communication by being a good translator? Do you step in where possible to buffer conflict and seek reconciliation? Or, do you polarize people? I am convinced that there are people who just love to keep things stirred up, who enjoy the tensions they create in their family, at work, or in their church. Why? That’s the question in my mind when I see someone unwilling to reach out, seemingly incapable of forgiving the offenses that inevitably come to each of us in the course of life.
Ever read the story of Abigail in 1st Samuel? It’s quite the drama! David, who had been driven to fugitive status by King Saul, gave protection to the wealthy farmers in outlying areas, keeping away marauding bands of thieves. In return, he asked for support for himself and his men. Nabal, Abigail’s husband, was a beneficiary of David’s efforts, but when his men when to get some supplies, Nabal rudely insulted them and their leader, refusing to give them a thing! David took offense! “Strap on your swords!” They all strapped on their swords, David and his men, and set out, four hundred of them." (1 Samuel 25:13, The Message) In his anger, he decided to kill Nabal and every man in his household.
Meanwhile, when Abigail heard from her servants about her husband’s surly behavior, she quickly put together supplies and set out to take them to David because she must have known the probability of retaliation. She met David as he was coming and the speech she made to him is an amazing passage full of wisdom. It’s lengthy, but I hope you will read it with understanding.
“Now since the Lord has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like Nabal. And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my master, be given to the men who follow you. Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the Lord will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the Lord’s battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live.
Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God. But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord has brought my master success, remember your servant.”
David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands." (1 Samuel 25:26-33, NIV)
What a model for us in her act of reconciliation!
A. She saw the situation for what it was, not what she wanted it to be.
B. She moved immediately to create a solution, and was proactive.
C. She got involved personally, at great risk to herself, from both David and her husband.
D. She accepted blame and responsibility as she interceded for her household!
E. She encouraged David forgive the past offense by helping him to gain a vision of God’s future promise!
Team builders, people who create peace, enjoy a special status. Jesus said, "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9, NLT) There are multiple opportunities for you to practice peace-making in our world, beginning right where you are.
When disagreements arise, instead of fanning the flames, seek to defuse the bomb by promoting communication, encouraging cooperation.
When someone comes to you who is angry, instead of joining that emotion, wisely attempt to turn them towards peace and forgiveness.
If you’re hurt and ready to fall in love with your offended, wounded spirit, think again! Nothing good ever comes from nurturing an offense. The Bible says, "Don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life." (Ephesians 4:26-27, The Message)
Disciple, remember this – it’s much more difficult to build bridges than walls, but bridge builders are blessed people, true children of God!
____________________
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Ever read the story of Abigail in 1st Samuel? It’s quite the drama! David, who had been driven to fugitive status by King Saul, gave protection to the wealthy farmers in outlying areas, keeping away marauding bands of thieves. In return, he asked for support for himself and his men. Nabal, Abigail’s husband, was a beneficiary of David’s efforts, but when his men when to get some supplies, Nabal rudely insulted them and their leader, refusing to give them a thing! David took offense! “Strap on your swords!” They all strapped on their swords, David and his men, and set out, four hundred of them." (1 Samuel 25:13, The Message) In his anger, he decided to kill Nabal and every man in his household.
Meanwhile, when Abigail heard from her servants about her husband’s surly behavior, she quickly put together supplies and set out to take them to David because she must have known the probability of retaliation. She met David as he was coming and the speech she made to him is an amazing passage full of wisdom. It’s lengthy, but I hope you will read it with understanding.
“Now since the Lord has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like Nabal. And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my master, be given to the men who follow you. Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the Lord will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the Lord’s battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live.
Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God. But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord has brought my master success, remember your servant.”
David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands." (1 Samuel 25:26-33, NIV)
What a model for us in her act of reconciliation!
A. She saw the situation for what it was, not what she wanted it to be.
B. She moved immediately to create a solution, and was proactive.
C. She got involved personally, at great risk to herself, from both David and her husband.
D. She accepted blame and responsibility as she interceded for her household!
E. She encouraged David forgive the past offense by helping him to gain a vision of God’s future promise!
Team builders, people who create peace, enjoy a special status. Jesus said, "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9, NLT) There are multiple opportunities for you to practice peace-making in our world, beginning right where you are.
When disagreements arise, instead of fanning the flames, seek to defuse the bomb by promoting communication, encouraging cooperation.
When someone comes to you who is angry, instead of joining that emotion, wisely attempt to turn them towards peace and forgiveness.
If you’re hurt and ready to fall in love with your offended, wounded spirit, think again! Nothing good ever comes from nurturing an offense. The Bible says, "Don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life." (Ephesians 4:26-27, The Message)
Disciple, remember this – it’s much more difficult to build bridges than walls, but bridge builders are blessed people, true children of God!
____________________
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Cryin’ in the darkness or singing in the night?
The old saying reminds us that “No good deed goes unpunished.” Most of us prefer to hang onto the more positive view that virtue is always recognized and rewarded. But, life soon shows us that there is some ambiguity involved; that forces are at work that attempt to foil the best attempts at goodness. In Galatians 6:9-10 we are told that we must hang onto hope, even through disappointment. Paul says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
He knew what he was talking about! I can imagine that as he penned that encouragement, he might have been thinking about his ministry in the town of Philippi. There Silas and Paul encountered a young woman possessed by a evil spirit. She was miserable! So, they ministered the love of Christ to her and she was liberated from her torment. Did the people applaud this kind act? Did they celebrate that this woman was now in her right mind and able to function normally. Not quite! Read on: “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:22-24)
Beaten, locked up, and forgotten! Their experience makes the small troubles of my life nothing in comparison! But, let’s be honest with each other. When we work hard, we like to be appreciated, don't we? Come on, don’t give me that Sunday School line- "Oh, no. I just love to serve, forgotten, ignored, and un-thanked!" That sounds very spiritual, but it ignores the fact that we need affirmation and appreciation. That's not a bad thing, by the way! Thankfulness, to God and others, is encouraged throughout the Word.
However… sometimes people don't say thanks. Sometimes they turn on us for doing the right thing. When we try to talk to a friend about the error of his ways, he often turns on us viciously! Even if we “speak the truth in love,” few thank us. We may lay down our life and still be misunderstood, falsely accused, or rejected. Disciple, what then? Will you say, "Well, that's the last time I'll ever stick my neck out like that!" "Don't expect me to do that again!" Or worse, will your actions say, “Fine, then rot in Hell and see if I care!”?
A natural reaction for Paul and Silas in Philippi would have been bitterness, cryin’ in the dark! “God, this is how you let your servants be treated?” They made another choice. The storyline continues: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) From their faith came a great result. An earthquake shook the jail freeing the men from their chains. The jailer rushed in fearing his prisoners had escaped and found a revival service in progress. He took the evangelists home and got saved and baptized. A new church was born! We never learn if the town apologized, or if they were thanked for their ministry. But, that was unimportant to these faithful servants.
When we read these stories in a few minutes time from our perch overlooking history we can miss the suffering, the tears, the self-denial. It seems almost like a modern fairy tale with the “happily ever after” ending. The truth is that the men who lived through those days bled, suffered, wondered and waited as the minutes ticked by at an agonizing pace. They were not sure if they would live or die. Yet, they chose to look up and offer praise, in faith. In their willingness to ‘let God, be God,’ to relinquish control of themselves and their circumstances to Him, He was able to accomplish His will in them and through them.
Disciple, are you weary today? Have you been swimming against the current for so long that you feel like quitting?
Are you trying to do good and getting kicked in the teeth by the world around you?
Are you attempting to love, only to be met at every turn with scorn?
Are you working in a place where evil seems to be rewarded, where those who take shortcuts, who do unethical things get the prize?
Do you feel like giving up?
Let’s emulate those who have gone before. Let your tears turn into a prayer, your broken heart become the place where God plants the seed that grows into something brand new. Sing a song in your night and wait patiently. Let your joy in the Lord sustain you and keep you from becoming weary of doing good. True courage is born of hope, hope that gives us a vision of what can be IF we stay the course through rough times. Don't give up. Harvest is inevitable.
Here’s the word from the Word.
"Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit." (Galatians 6:7-9, The Message)
___________________
He knew what he was talking about! I can imagine that as he penned that encouragement, he might have been thinking about his ministry in the town of Philippi. There Silas and Paul encountered a young woman possessed by a evil spirit. She was miserable! So, they ministered the love of Christ to her and she was liberated from her torment. Did the people applaud this kind act? Did they celebrate that this woman was now in her right mind and able to function normally. Not quite! Read on: “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:22-24)
Beaten, locked up, and forgotten! Their experience makes the small troubles of my life nothing in comparison! But, let’s be honest with each other. When we work hard, we like to be appreciated, don't we? Come on, don’t give me that Sunday School line- "Oh, no. I just love to serve, forgotten, ignored, and un-thanked!" That sounds very spiritual, but it ignores the fact that we need affirmation and appreciation. That's not a bad thing, by the way! Thankfulness, to God and others, is encouraged throughout the Word.
However… sometimes people don't say thanks. Sometimes they turn on us for doing the right thing. When we try to talk to a friend about the error of his ways, he often turns on us viciously! Even if we “speak the truth in love,” few thank us. We may lay down our life and still be misunderstood, falsely accused, or rejected. Disciple, what then? Will you say, "Well, that's the last time I'll ever stick my neck out like that!" "Don't expect me to do that again!" Or worse, will your actions say, “Fine, then rot in Hell and see if I care!”?
A natural reaction for Paul and Silas in Philippi would have been bitterness, cryin’ in the dark! “God, this is how you let your servants be treated?” They made another choice. The storyline continues: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) From their faith came a great result. An earthquake shook the jail freeing the men from their chains. The jailer rushed in fearing his prisoners had escaped and found a revival service in progress. He took the evangelists home and got saved and baptized. A new church was born! We never learn if the town apologized, or if they were thanked for their ministry. But, that was unimportant to these faithful servants.
When we read these stories in a few minutes time from our perch overlooking history we can miss the suffering, the tears, the self-denial. It seems almost like a modern fairy tale with the “happily ever after” ending. The truth is that the men who lived through those days bled, suffered, wondered and waited as the minutes ticked by at an agonizing pace. They were not sure if they would live or die. Yet, they chose to look up and offer praise, in faith. In their willingness to ‘let God, be God,’ to relinquish control of themselves and their circumstances to Him, He was able to accomplish His will in them and through them.
Disciple, are you weary today? Have you been swimming against the current for so long that you feel like quitting?
Are you trying to do good and getting kicked in the teeth by the world around you?
Are you attempting to love, only to be met at every turn with scorn?
Are you working in a place where evil seems to be rewarded, where those who take shortcuts, who do unethical things get the prize?
Do you feel like giving up?
Let’s emulate those who have gone before. Let your tears turn into a prayer, your broken heart become the place where God plants the seed that grows into something brand new. Sing a song in your night and wait patiently. Let your joy in the Lord sustain you and keep you from becoming weary of doing good. True courage is born of hope, hope that gives us a vision of what can be IF we stay the course through rough times. Don't give up. Harvest is inevitable.
Here’s the word from the Word.
"Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit." (Galatians 6:7-9, The Message)
___________________
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The only good fear
Whenever I let fear become the dominant emotion in my life, I say and do things I regret. Fear makes me defensive, turning my focus inward. When I grow fearful, I am not loving, unwilling to risk the rejection that is always a possibility when I open my heart to another. Fear steals hope and makes me possessive, wanting more ‘things’ that quiet the tumult for a while. It causes me to become petty, driven by insecurity to look for my worth in things like the number of people in church, how many nice comments come my way after a sermon, or who speaks to me (or fails to do). From a purely natural point of view, there is much to fear! The world in which we live is tumultuous. Maturity (that’s just a way of saying, ‘growing old’) has increased my appreciation of the riskiness that is part of daily living.
Cultivating faith is the only answer! Ironically, deep faith is born of profound fear; the fear of the Lord. When we tame God, reducing Him to fit our preconceived ideas about Who He is, we grow fearful in this world. When we ponder His majesty, remember His works, and contemplate the Word, we catch a glimpse of His true nature. No one can see even a small part of Who He is and not tremble. Just a few descriptors of Him include: “Beginning and End, Judge of all the Earth, Maker of Heaven and Earth, the One who sets up kings and takes them down, and Discerner of even the thoughts and intents of every heart.”
When I let God be truly God instead of some caricature of Him created in my own mind, He releases me from my fears and faith grows. Here’s what the Psalmist says. "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands." (Psalm 112:1, NIV) Awe creates a desire to do good, to subjugate my will to His. The same Psalm continues with this promise: "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." (Psalm 112:6-8, NIV) Go back and read those lines again. Isn’t that how you want to live – securely, fearlessly, with hope for the future?
My response to fear need not be the things I wrote about in the opening of this thought. What if I choose to worship Him instead? Instead of trying to stand on my own trembling legs, what if I bow my knees before Him? "I will bow down … and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted." (Psalm 138:2-3, NIV)
Are you fearful today? There is only one good fear – the fear of the Lord. Go before Him, reverently, yet in full confidence of His love. Tell Him of the things that make you afraid. That is not lack of faith. But remember to take the next step to worship. Praise Him for His greatness. Praise Him that He is eternal, that His purposes prevail. You will find your fear of this present world eclipsed by the fear of the Lord from whom comes peace.
__________________
I have made You too small in my eyes
O Lord, forgive me;
And I have believed in a lie
That You were unable to help me.
But now, O Lord, I see my wrong,
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;
And in my eyes and with my song,
O Lord, be magnified,
O Lord, be magnified.
I have leaned on the wisdom of men,
O Lord, forgive me;
And I have responded to them
Instead of Your light and Your mercy.
But now, O Lord, I see my wrong,
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;
And in my eyes and with my song,
O Lord, be magnified,
O Lord, be magnified.
Be magnified, O Lord,
You are highly exalted;
And there is nothing You can't do,
O Lord, my eyes are on You.
Be magnified, O Lord,
Be magnified.
Be Magnified
DeShazo, Lynn
© 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Cultivating faith is the only answer! Ironically, deep faith is born of profound fear; the fear of the Lord. When we tame God, reducing Him to fit our preconceived ideas about Who He is, we grow fearful in this world. When we ponder His majesty, remember His works, and contemplate the Word, we catch a glimpse of His true nature. No one can see even a small part of Who He is and not tremble. Just a few descriptors of Him include: “Beginning and End, Judge of all the Earth, Maker of Heaven and Earth, the One who sets up kings and takes them down, and Discerner of even the thoughts and intents of every heart.”
When I let God be truly God instead of some caricature of Him created in my own mind, He releases me from my fears and faith grows. Here’s what the Psalmist says. "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands." (Psalm 112:1, NIV) Awe creates a desire to do good, to subjugate my will to His. The same Psalm continues with this promise: "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." (Psalm 112:6-8, NIV) Go back and read those lines again. Isn’t that how you want to live – securely, fearlessly, with hope for the future?
My response to fear need not be the things I wrote about in the opening of this thought. What if I choose to worship Him instead? Instead of trying to stand on my own trembling legs, what if I bow my knees before Him? "I will bow down … and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted." (Psalm 138:2-3, NIV)
Are you fearful today? There is only one good fear – the fear of the Lord. Go before Him, reverently, yet in full confidence of His love. Tell Him of the things that make you afraid. That is not lack of faith. But remember to take the next step to worship. Praise Him for His greatness. Praise Him that He is eternal, that His purposes prevail. You will find your fear of this present world eclipsed by the fear of the Lord from whom comes peace.
__________________
I have made You too small in my eyes
O Lord, forgive me;
And I have believed in a lie
That You were unable to help me.
But now, O Lord, I see my wrong,
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;
And in my eyes and with my song,
O Lord, be magnified,
O Lord, be magnified.
I have leaned on the wisdom of men,
O Lord, forgive me;
And I have responded to them
Instead of Your light and Your mercy.
But now, O Lord, I see my wrong,
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;
And in my eyes and with my song,
O Lord, be magnified,
O Lord, be magnified.
Be magnified, O Lord,
You are highly exalted;
And there is nothing You can't do,
O Lord, my eyes are on You.
Be magnified, O Lord,
Be magnified.
Be Magnified
DeShazo, Lynn
© 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, May 17, 2010
Anticipate the harvest!
My friend, Jake, is adding more square footage to his garden plot. He got the tiller and started to turn the soil. Just below the surface, in addition to the rocks one expects to find here in New Jersey, he found all kinds of debris in the fill that the contractors used to level his lot including plastic pails, broken glass, and other junk! His work to prepare the earth required a lot of effort, including moving one large rock weighing over 500 lbs, which is a story in itself!
Why is he doing this? Because he looks forward to his enjoyment of the peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that he will start to harvest from that little square of tilled earth in a few weeks. Harvest is so sweet, isn’t it? Who does not love the freshest of produce straight from the garden? But, there a whole lot of work involved from the first turn of the sod to the picking of the fruit!
Jesus told a story about gardening. He said, “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
His disciples wondered what it meant, why he was telling a story about such an ordinary thing as planting a garden. Jesus explained that the seed is the Word of God. Some hear, He said, and the Devil comes along and plucks the seed away before it ever takes root. Some hear but because their hearts are unprepared, the seed germinates and dies while still in seedling stage. Some hear and the seed starts to grow but they fail to maintain their heart garden and life’s pleasures and worries grow up, too; like weeds, choking out the growth of the good plants. And I am encouraged by this: “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest." (Luke 8:15, The Message) Anticipate the harvest!
When we submit ourselves to God, obeying the Word and the whisper of the Spirit, seed is planted in us. Is it pleasant when God turns the soil of our heart, when He digs out habits, character flaws, ands sins to prepare us for His seed? Not at all. There’s work involved that is sometimes arduous, often disturbing, and in the moment, often incomprehensible! But, we continue in faith and this is the promise, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)
Do you want to be overflowing with love, enjoying a rich peace with God, settled in contented joy in the middle of the turbulence of life? Turn the soil of your heart. Dig out, with God’s help, the junk of sins past that are buried there and the weeds of self-will that grow so quickly! Let God’s word and wisdom be the seed that is sown into your life. Then, anticipate the harvest with patient waiting!
Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on it today and say, “Yes, Lord!”
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." (Hosea 10:12, NIV)
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Why is he doing this? Because he looks forward to his enjoyment of the peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that he will start to harvest from that little square of tilled earth in a few weeks. Harvest is so sweet, isn’t it? Who does not love the freshest of produce straight from the garden? But, there a whole lot of work involved from the first turn of the sod to the picking of the fruit!
Jesus told a story about gardening. He said, “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
His disciples wondered what it meant, why he was telling a story about such an ordinary thing as planting a garden. Jesus explained that the seed is the Word of God. Some hear, He said, and the Devil comes along and plucks the seed away before it ever takes root. Some hear but because their hearts are unprepared, the seed germinates and dies while still in seedling stage. Some hear and the seed starts to grow but they fail to maintain their heart garden and life’s pleasures and worries grow up, too; like weeds, choking out the growth of the good plants. And I am encouraged by this: “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest." (Luke 8:15, The Message) Anticipate the harvest!
When we submit ourselves to God, obeying the Word and the whisper of the Spirit, seed is planted in us. Is it pleasant when God turns the soil of our heart, when He digs out habits, character flaws, ands sins to prepare us for His seed? Not at all. There’s work involved that is sometimes arduous, often disturbing, and in the moment, often incomprehensible! But, we continue in faith and this is the promise, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)
Do you want to be overflowing with love, enjoying a rich peace with God, settled in contented joy in the middle of the turbulence of life? Turn the soil of your heart. Dig out, with God’s help, the junk of sins past that are buried there and the weeds of self-will that grow so quickly! Let God’s word and wisdom be the seed that is sown into your life. Then, anticipate the harvest with patient waiting!
Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on it today and say, “Yes, Lord!”
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." (Hosea 10:12, NIV)
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