Planted

My understanding of the world I live in is shaped by the Bible. I exist as an eternal being, made by God. What tells me that?  His Word. My highest purpose is to know and love God. How do I know? Again, the Word. I see the events of life and the world around me through the lens of the Word.  Before you stop reading, convinced that I’m one of those who hauls out a big, black Bible as a weapon to meet a fearful world, know this – that the Word is wisdom and Truth not a weapon in my hands. 

Life is very complex. Truth is not simple, answers are not always easy to find.  Finding the eternal wisdom of God is an act of faith and requires discipline of mind and spirit.  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!  "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? When we plant a seed we expect a harvest, don’t we? When we plant the truth in our hearts about life’s purpose, about God, about who we are, about eternity … we gain a heart of wisdom. That is why, if we would be godly, we will give ourselves to diligent study.  From that study, we will find that "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, The Message)

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)

Be careful, my Christian friend, that you are not captivated by “Christian celebrities” who substitute human interest stories for the Word. A great story may inspire but it is not substitute for knowing what the Spirit is saying to the Church. 

As much as we might enjoy our Christian music, make sure that your theology is not shaped by your favorite worship leader alone. The sentiment of an appealing song cannot replace the solid foundation of the Scripture’s truth.  

 Make sure that the Pastor who teaches you loves the Scripture, with a heart and mind that is humble before the revealed Truth. Find a group of people with whom you can open and process the Scripture. 

Read the Bible for yourself every day. Your life will be changed, for the better, by the Word.

Here is a word from the Word. May it be a seed that grows to a harvest of wisdom.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a workman who does not need to be ashamed and
who correctly handles the word of truth.
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it

will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:15-16, NIV)

_______

Ancient Words
(Micheal W. Smith’s rendition of this great song)

Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world

They resound with God's own heart

O let the ancient words impart

Words of life words of hope

Give us strength help us cope

In this world where'er we roam

Ancient words will guide us home

Ancient words ever true

Changing me changing you

We have come with open hearts

O let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our faith

Handed down to this age

Came to us through sacrifice

O heed the faithful words of Christ

Martyr's blood stains each page

They have died for this faith

Hear them cry through the years

Heed these words and hold them dear

We have come with open hearts

O let the ancient words impart

O let the ancient words impart

Lynn DeShazo

© 2001 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))

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