Planting for a bumper crop

Beauty and blessing … those two words captured my thoughts while driving past the fields where tall stalks of corn rustled in the wind, ears heavy with kernels of grain, ready for harvest. Those fields are evidence of investment and diligence. 

After last year’s harvest, the farmer prepped the field. In the spring, he planted. He put costly seed into the ground months ago, trusting that rain would come to make it grow, that no destroying wind would blow and destroy.  Only now, can he gather the grain. 

No farmer plants wheat expecting to harvest corn, does he?  Nor does he stand and look over a field wishing a harvest into existence.

Are you planting for a bumper crop?
Are you investing time and effort that will yield results you desire?

The wisdom of the farmer’s investment and diligence is obvious to us. We know that seed must go into the ground before grain can be brought into the barn. But, that same wisdom seems to elude some of us when it comes to the rest of life. We somehow think we can avoid study and still pass the test, that we can be slack about spiritual disciplines and still grow deep in the things of God, that we can be selfish and still enjoy boundless love from others.  God’s law of the harvest does not just govern wheat. Paul was inspired to teach this. "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. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (Galatians 6:7-10, The Message)

Consider these laws of the harvest -

We gather of the seed we plant.

We gather only after we plant.

We gather more than we plant.

We gather in proportion to how much we plant.

We gather as God gives the increase.

In this season of harvest, give some thought to the seeds that you are planting. Do want to harvest that field?  The law of the harvest, as we see in those inspired words above, is always in effect.

What's in your future? You don't need a crystal ball or a prophet to know. Look at the seeds you're planting.

Sow love, harvest love.

Sow generosity, harvest generosity.

Sow kindness, harvest kindness.

Sow obedience to God, harvest a rich reward of His blessings.

Here is a word from the Word. Take the warning, believe the promise!
"Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest." (Proverbs 20:4, NLT)

"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop." (2 Corinthians 9:6, NLT)

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Fearing those Monsters that Lurk in the Dark?

Our church building has a high ceiling, 40 feet at the peak. That wooden structure is beautiful during the day. When darkness falls and the lights are turned off, it can be frightening. I know every corner in that sanctuary, and still – when I am alone there in the dark of night, I sometimes feel fear! The rafters creak and shadows dance on the walls and I am like a little boy again. My body goes into full alert mode, ready to run. Darkness creates a possibility of the ‘unknown’ and I start to wonder about the monsters that lurk beyond my sight. In the bright light of morning in that same room, I feel no fear whatever. 

When we face uncertainties, when we do not know the way ahead, when we are confronted with things that appear to be insurmountable –  it is like darkness – and fear is a normal response, but not the only response. 

Jesus told the men that He led that it was time for Him to go to Jerusalem. There, He said, “I’ll suffer rejection and die.” That awful thought was too dark and Peter objected. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”  Jesus knew that fear twists reason and drives people to bad choices, so He warned the disciples about the coming crisis.  When He told them that they would abandon Him at His betrayal, Peter boldly barked: "Maybe those other guys, but NOT me!"   Tenderly, but firmly, Jesus told Peter that he would fail spectacularly, even openly denying Him- which he did!  And, when Jesus was seized in the Garden, the disciples deserted Him scattering into the night in terror. That week ended with His crucifixion. John tells us that the disciples hid behind locked doors, deeply shaken and fearful.

And you think you've had a bad week?

God allows us to go through times of darkness!  And, though there may be no particular threat, just the dark can make us afraid and sometimes foolish. We need the same kind of assurance that David sang about.  "Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid..." Why? "...for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." (Psalm 23)  God may be hidden from us. Even when we cannot see Him - He is with us.

When we are walking through dark rooms of death, disappointment, or even demonic attack- He is with us.  Many years after his fearful failures, a spiritually matured Peter wrote to encourage disciples who are ‘in the dark.’  "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

In Acts 16, we learn about Paul and Silas in the dark! After doing much good in the city of Philippi, these godly men charged with disturbing the peace, beaten by the authorities, and chained to a wall in a filthy jail! I think I might have felt some fear, but even in the inner cell, at midnight, they found Light. The Bible says, "Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears." (Acts 16:25, The Message) You know the rest of the story… an earthquake shook open the doors; the jailer’s heart was opened by the sincere faith he saw in these two evangelists; and the light broke through!

If you are walking in the dark, take your cue from David and declare – “The Lord is close to me!”

Like Paul and Silas, find a song to sing; not a mournful one, but a song of hope.

Here is a word from the Word. Throw open your heart, pull up the shades of your understanding, and let the Light shine in.
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. 
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, …
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

O Lord, what great works you do! 
And how deep are your thoughts. 

…the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. … 
Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. 
They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” (Psalm 92:1-2, 4-5, 14-15, NLT)

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Your Love Broke Through

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why
Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes
Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise
But then you took me by surprise

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love broke through

All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in
And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again
It's like the power of the wind

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love, until your love, broke through

GREEN, KEITH 
Published by
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Wanting one thing but willing another

The young man told me that he wanted to be sober, that he really loved his family, that he hated the person he became when he was drunk.  And yet, alcohol controls him. He craves it, plans his life around getting a drink, and is gradually being destroyed by his continuing addiction.  He knows that life could be different but his body’s needs overwhelms his best intentions and he believes the lie that ‘just one more drink’ is all he needs.

This is the way all temptations work. Despite knowing what is 'right,' we experience a strong desire to do something else. We know that we should be making a change, but we are tricked by the lie that to be happy we need do give ourselves permission ‘just one more time.’

Jim (not his real name) is a great guy who is deceived, with places of brokenness that go much deeper than just his alcoholism.  He cannot grasp the amazing grace of God nor is he able to take hold of the truth that God has made him a person of value and worth.  The pain of what he thinks is ‘reality’ overwhelms him and he gets drunk.

He is not unique in his struggle! We all wrestle with temptation. Paul reminds us that "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face.”   It may be alcohol or perfectionism. It may be pride or materialism. It may be pornography or gossip. It may be obsessions with appearance or laziness. The fact is that as long as we live in this world which is broken by sin, temptation is a fact of life!  But, we are NOT victims destined to fall. In Christ, we find a new truth that gives us hope. “All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, The Message)

Temptation grows from a seed of desire that takes roots wherever there is an ache, an unmet need, a longing, or a lie.  Remember how Satan approached Jesus in the story of His temptation? Jesus was alone, fasting, seeking God.  Evil met Him first at the point of hunger!  "Hungry, Jesus?" Satan asks. "Then, misuse your power and make these stones into bread!"  When we leave a basic physical need unmet, we create a place for temptation to enter our lives.  As simple as it seems, Christian a first line defense is to stay whole. Get your rest. Properly feed your body.  Find friends, forgive, strengthen family ties. 

After failing to exploit Jesus’ hunger, Satan tried to introduce a lie to Him about His mission, offering a shortcut to success. "I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world if you will fall down and worship me!" he lied.  His tactic has not changed.  Temptation often comes to us at our place of strong desire to do good!  Cutting corners, bending the rules, and replacing principle with expedience corrupts the highest calling. With the loss of integrity, the whole endeavor collapses.

Are you feeling the tension of wanting one thing and willing another? Is the whisper of temptation telling you that you could be happy or fulfilled if only you could do what you want to do?  Remember you’re not especially evil in that place. You’re not unique. You’re not alone.  Christ Jesus is your hope, your advocate.  He has defeated sin once for us all.  Christian, commit yourself to Truth and Light!  Many of temptations lose much of their luster when we take them out of the dark of our imagination and hold them up to the Light. Truth is sometimes ugly, but it will bring us freedom. What seems so good in our mind is not nearly so wonderful when we talk about it and the consequences that will follow if we go ahead and follow our impulse.

Don't wrestle with temptation alone! Bring your struggle to Jesus. All the pain, all the shame, all the guilt – He will forgive, cleanse, and restore.  The Word reminds us that He has experienced temptation, too. "Since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15, NLT)  Let someone who is filled with the Spirit of God, who is wise and gentle, become your partner in prayer.  Amazing power is released into our lives for good when we agree with another about the way and will of God and together invite the Spirit to bring about change. Isolation is spiritually deadly. We are called into Christ’s church, to walk with others who were once sinners, who are seeking wholeness.  Together, we find victory over the world, the sinful nature, and the Devil.

Here's a word from the Word to fill your mind today.  Revel in the wonderful promise found here. “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." (Romans 7:24-25; 8:1, NLT)

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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God-  Luther, Martin

A mighty Fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He, amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

And though this world,

With devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear,

For God hath willed,

His will to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

We tremble not for him.

His rage we can endure,

For, lo, his doom is sure;

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours,

Through Him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also.

The body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still.

His kingdom is forever.

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, (The Head of Heaven’s Armies) His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

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