.....reaping

We were encouraged not to sow the wind of unbelief, because a life without faith and the saving grace of Jesus will one day reap an eternal whirlwind. The message of sowing and reaping has critical application for the eternal destiny. We must guard against those who sow seeds of false teaching which lead away from the true eternal forgiveness of Christ. But this message also has direct application for our daily walk with our Lord.

We know there are times when we face severe trials which have nothing to do with what we have sown. Jesus made this clear when He said: "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). We live in a sinful world and often reap the consequences for what others have sown; and for these troubles, Jesus wants us to find our comfort in Him: "But take heart! I have overcome the world" John 16:33.

But we must also understand that many of our trials, and the trials of those around us, are often the result of a multitude of small steps taken outside the will of God.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows Galatians 6:7

It's foolish to think we can continually walk outside God's will and not face consequences down the road. God dearly loves us and is patiently waiting for us to turn our heart to Him...but God cannot be mocked. Continuous deviation from His path can lead to a long and painful time of wandering.

We must learn this lesson: Obedience in the little things is important! There is nothing too small to justify a lack of obedience. "Whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" Luke 16:10. We must learn and teach, very early in life, the importance of honesty and truth, the value of submission and respect for authority. The wind of disobedience begins almost imperceptibly small with "innocent" lies and "harmless" acts of disrespect, but over time it grows until the whirlwind of consequences becomes inevitable.

If we are currently reaping a whirlwind which we know has been sown by our own hands, we must repent and seek His forgiveness, love Him and obediently trust Him with ALL our heart, and ask for the strength to endure. The whirlwind will end, but only in God's perfect timing. 

And if we know we have been sowing the wind of disobedience and yet see God's hand restraining the whirlwind, we also must repent and seek His forgiveness, love Him and obediently trust Him with ALL our heart...and thank Him for His mercy!

Let's honor Him by only sowing that which glorifies His name. Let's closely examine our life and the lives of those within our care, and be absolutely determined to stop sowing the wind.

.....slave

We often consider our need to submit our life more fully to God and the leading of His Spirit, to place our life in His hands and release our "self" control. We desire to be in His perfect will and serve Him with all our heart. But does our desire to serve go so far as to consider ourselves a slave?

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life Romans 6:20-22

Slavery has many negative connotations, but, in truth, we are all born into slavery... slave to sin. The only way to be set free from the mastery of sin and death is to ask for a transfer of ownership and become a slave to God. Our new Master then has the grace and power to shatter the bonds of sin and give us the gift of true freedom. 

We are never free unto ourselves, never our own master. Many live under the illusion of freedom, but we are either a slave to sin or a slave to God. If we refuse to be directed by God, we will absolutely be directed and controlled by the sinful pulls of the world, there is just no middle ground.

If we are struggling to break the bondage of sin, we must first stop fighting and submit our life to God. Sin is not a battle we can win with our own strength! The only way to be set free is to submit to the merits of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Submission is not just an optional step for the "mature" Christian; rather, it is the essence of a saving faith. A saving faith first understands we cannot save ourselves but must submit to the grace of God. It then continues in submission by daily trusting in His grace to live according to the ways of His Spirit.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace Romans 8:5-6

God is sending out His call around the world today. In the stillness of our heart we have heard Him call us to a closer and more intimate relationship, a more consistently submitted life of true devotion and praise. But He is requiring us to make a choice: "Choose this day whom you will serve" Joshua 24:15. 

Through Jesus we have been offered freedom from the power of sin and death. Let's fully embrace His gift, submit to the leading of His Spirit, continue to submit at every opportunity, worship Him with all our heart, and forever become...His devoted slave.

.....thorns

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks when she pulled open the florist shop door, against a November gust of wind. Her life had been as sweet as a spring breeze and then, in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a "minor" automobile accident stole her joy. This was Thanksgiving week and the time she should have delivered their infant son. She grieved over their loss. Troubles had multiplied. Her husband's company "threatened" to transfer his job to a new location.

Her sister had called to say that she could not come for her long awaited holiday visit. What's worse, Sandra's friend suggested that Sandra's grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. "She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder. "Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?" she wondered. "For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life, but took her child's?"

"Good afternoon, can I help you?" Sandra was startled by the approach of the shop clerk.

"I... I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.

"For Thanksgiving? Do you want the beautiful, but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a  customer favorite I call the 'Thanksgiving Special'? I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?"

"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."

Then the bell on the door rang, and the clerk greeted the new customer, "Hi, Barbara... let me get your order." She excused herself and walked back to a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and what appeared to be long-stemmed, thorny roses - except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped. There were no flowers.

"Do you want these in a box?" asked the clerk. Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again.", she said, as she gently tapped her chest.

Sandra stammered, "Uh, that lady just left with, uh... she left with no flowers!"

"That's right," said the clerk. "I cut off the flowers. That's the 'Special'. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."

"Oh, come on! You can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!" exclaimed Sandra.

"Barbara came into the shop three years ago, feeling much as you do, today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had just lost her father to cancer; the family business was failing; her son had gotten into drugs; and she was facing major surgery."

"That same year, I had lost my husband," continued the clerk. "For the first time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too much debt to allow any travel."

"So what did you do?" asked Sandra. "I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and I NEVER questioned Him why those GOOD things happened to me. But when the bad stuff hit, I cried out, "WHY? WHY Me?" It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important to our faith! I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of my life, but it took the thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort! You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."

Sandra sucked in her breath, as she thought about the thought that her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is, I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."

Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" the clerk greeted the balding, rotund man.  "My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement... twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the  clerk handed him a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind telling me why she wants a bouquet that looks like that?"

"No... I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago, my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we trudged through problem after problem. The Lord rescued our marriage. Jenny, here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she had learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us." As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"

"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said to the clerk. "It's all too... fresh."

"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that the thorns make the roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember that it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."

Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on her resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.

"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute."

"Thank you. What do I owe you?"

"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first."

It read:

"My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."

           "Praise Him for the roses; thank Him for the thorns."

- david langerfeld

.....compare

As we draw near and give ourselves more fully into His hands, we learn that His promises are not only true, they are better than we imagined.

When Abraham was over eighty years old, God taught him a lesson on trusting His promises. Abraham became frustrated with God because there was no one to inherit his possessions: "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir" Genesis 15:3. But God had other plans and made a promise to Abraham.

"'This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.' He took him outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them.' Then He said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'" Genesis 15:4-5

Abraham waited many years for God's promise to be fulfilled. Finally, when he was one hundred years old, Isaac was born; and through Isaac came Jacob, and through Jacob came the sons who formed the twelve tribes of Israel. Abraham was looking for someone to inherit his "stuff," but God's promise gave him an entire nation.

God gives many promises to us today, but they all flow from the promise first stated by Jesus; "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. We must not pass lightly over these words, for none of the other promises even apply until we have believed this basic truth.

We cannot move on to the promises of peace and contentment until we trust in the promise of forgiveness through faith in Jesus. When we begin to understand the significance of the gift of eternal life, we will know that nothing the world can offer will EVER compare to the promises of God...and NOTHING else will last. 

His promise is the only path to true peace. If we could better understand and really believe, perhaps we would spend less time and effort on pursuits which contain no lasting value - perhaps we would have less anxiety about all those things which only God can control.

Jesus shed His blood so we can truly live. His promise is greater than any worldly pleasure and outweighs ALL worldly trials; "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" 2 Corinthians 4:17. As we walk through this world, with all its pulls, temptations, and near constant turmoil, let's hold tight to His promise and always remember...NOTHING can compare!

- steve troxel

.....active

Although loving others will not save us, John forcefully states that if we are truly saved we will love one another; "whoever does not love does not know God" 1 John 4:8.

In the five chapters of 1 John, the word love is used 46 times. If love is this important, we ought to understand what it means.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

John is saying that Jesus set the example for love and that our love for others is a direct result of the love of God within us. As we love God and surrender our life to Jesus Christ, His love fills us and overflows into the lives of those around us. If love for others is lacking, we must lay down our life and increase our love for God; a truly increased love for God will certainly increase our love for others.

John also makes it clear that a Godly love for others is not simply an emotional feeling, or gentle and kind words. When we begin to understand God's love for us - when we catch even a glimpse of His mercy and love in giving us His Son - we will be compelled to express our love with meaningful action such as meeting physical needs, readily forgiving when wronged, and showing Godly compassion when others are hurting. God so desired to be with us for all eternity that He gave His Son and loved us all the way to the cross. We are to love others in this same manner, "because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19

Our love for God is demonstrated by our real love for others. Jesus made this clear when He said; "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me" Matthew 25:40 

We are actually loving and serving God as we love and serve others: "I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me" Matthew 25:35-36

Love must be an integral part of our Christian walk. Love must be directed up; "love the Lord with ALL your heart" Mark 12:30, and love must be directed out; "love your neighbor as yourself" Mark 12:31. Let's love as Jesus loved us! Let's look for ways to love with more than words; let's love with an active love.

- steve troxell

.....forget

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8

I have read that, back in the 19th century, when many people from Ireland were seeking passage to move to the New World, a young boy who didn't have the fare secretly boarded a ship as a stowaway. At sea the ship ran into an iceberg and began to sink.

When the boy realized what was happening, he came out of hiding and rushed to the deck only to see the captain taking the last seat in the last lifeboat. In the tradition of the sea the captain got out of the lifeboat and gave his seat to the boy. The last thing the captain said to him was, "Never forget what's been done for you."

In the years ahead the boy grew up to be a very successful man. When asked what was the secret of his motivation, he said, "Whenever I begin to doubt myself or let up from what I ought to be doing, I always remember a captain standing on a deck and saying, 'Never forget what's been done for you.'"

May you and I never forget what Jesus Christ has done for us in giving his life on the cross in your place and mine to pay the penalty for all our sins, to grant us a full and free pardon, and to give us the gift of eternal life. May our manner of life and how we live for God and others be evidence of our heartfelt gratitude.

.....liar

God desires that we know Him in a personal relationship. He has revealed Himself and provided a way to know Him through the life and sacrifice of His Son; "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father... Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?" John 14:9-10. As we grow in our faith and begin to know Him better, it becomes essential to know the promises of His Word. But it's even more important to believe that His promises are true! 

Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son 1 John 5:10

Our old nature sometimes clouds our ability to clearly see the truth; and some of God's truths can be hard to accept and actually put into practice. But we either believe His words and begin to take steps to apply them in our life, or we do not believe and call God a liar by the way we live.

It may be a difficult process, but we must confront our beliefs and begin to make them real. When we face a trial and don't know which direction to turn, do we believe the words, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6? Do we really believe that as we trust Him, He will remove the confusion and guide our steps?

When our circumstances seem out of control, do we believe "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28? Do we really believe that as we continue to love Him, God works for the good in ALL things, regardless of our understanding? And when we feel alone, do we really believe God's promise to always be near; "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5.

How about the promise of being content Philippians 4:12, or being given the peace of Jesus John 14:27, or the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23; can we really "do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13? Parents, have we given up hope for our children or do we believe, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" Proverbs 22:6?

God's Word is true and His promises are real!! 

Let's praise Him all the rest of our days and let our lives demonstrate we REALLY know and believe. Let's make our actions and decisions, fears and anxieties, hopes and dreams,  governed by truth.

- adapted from steve troxell

.....deserves

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10

Daniel is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. Since his youth, he was an example of devotion and obedience to God amidst his circumstances. Even when faced with threats of death, he remained faithful and gave thanks to God.

During king Darius' reign, Daniel was placed as one of three high officials that were placed throughout the kingdom. Some folks became jealous of Daniel and tried to find fault in him to accuse him before the king. When they were unable to find error in him, they decided to try and attack his faith. They tricked the king into establishing a law where petitions could not be made to any god or man besides the king. 

The jealous officials did this because they knew of Daniel's close relationship with God and his faithfulness to Him. When Daniel heard of this, he could have become angry and accused God of injustice, but instead, he went home and did what he always did… he prayed and gave thanks to God. 

It would be interesting to know what Daniel thanked God for that day. Was it for His constant provision? His faithfulness in every circumstance? His friendship and the fact that he was never alone? Every bit of this was true even if God had chosen not to rescue Daniel from the lion's den after having chosen to obey God over the king's decree. Daniel chose to express gratitude and remain faithful regardless of what happened to him, and God protected him. 

The God of Daniel is the same God we worship and serve today! His faithfulness, goodness, protection, provision, and friendship has not changed. Choose to put God above all else, express your gratitude to God daily for who He is, and remain faithful to His calling in your life. 

.....appointments

 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

"Os is now taking over this division. He will be managing all of these activities from now on. You should know that he has a different management philosophy than what you may have experienced before. He has a biblical management philosophy. Os, would you like to explain what they could expect from you in this regard?"

These were the words spoken to me by a non-Christian CEO recently when he decided to increase my responsibilities in the company. We had never spoken of spiritual issues before.

Each business day, you and I will have the opportunity to stand before presidents, marketing directors, secretaries or other coworkers to create a defining moment. When that happens, there is a good chance you will be thought of as someone to avoid. You might be considered "religious" or "fanatic." If so, consider this a great compliment because it says you are standing apart from the crowd.

"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matthew 10:17-20

You may never be flogged for your faith. However, you may very well be brought before others to give account for what you believe. It may be at a water cooler, or it could be during lunch with a coworker. In whatever situation you find yourself, the Holy Spirit awaits the opportunity to speak through your life to that person who needs to hear. Ask the Lord whom He wants to speak to today through your life.

- oscar hillman

.....know

The Word is clear: only those who have been born of the Spirit by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin, will be given eternal life. But something as important as eternity begs another question: How do we know when we have been born again?

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."1 John 5:11-13

John wrote this first letter to define the changes which ought to take place in the life of a Christian. The believers who read John's letter understood that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. They knew "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23. 

They had been told the importance of turning from their sin; "repent, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out" Acts 3:19, and they clearly understood the significance of Jesus' death on the cross; "God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood" Romans 3:25.

The believers knew it was through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus that they were forgiven and transformed by His Spirit; but though they knew the process, they still wrestled with knowing if they were saved.

John provided several indicators of a life which truly believes in Jesus. He said those who are born again will obey the commands of God 1 John 2:3-5, and will not continue to live in sin 1 John 3:9. He said a born again life is characterized by love: "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death" 1 John 3:14. John also said our love should not just be with words, "but with actions and in truth" 1 John 3:18.

The born again transformation occurs in our heart and spirit, but John was stating that becoming a new creation ought to result in change. We are not the same! And while the growth of many new creations can be painfully slow, over time there ought to be some form of maturity; all healthy creatures grow!

But if the evidence of being born again is missing, please remember that we cannot generate change by trying harder. Self effort never produces eternal life. Rather, we must return to the cross and consider the darkness of our sin and the brilliance of His love; "we love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:9. 

For only at the cross is there forgiveness and the power to transform. Let's truly receive the forgiveness offered through faith in Jesus and then continue to grow with a victorious assurance that we are born again. Let's trust the truth of His Word which has been given into our hands...so we may know. 

- steve troxel

.....imperishable

We are called to "scatter" God's Word to as many people as possible without becoming preoccupied with the condition of the soil. We also knot that our technique or ability has little to do with the  yield or spiritual harvest; all growth is by the grace of God and we must simply be faithful farmers who plant the seed.

We should know that we are responsible for the type of seed we are sowing. The deceptive enemy of this world is very good at helping and encouraging us to sow weeds, and seeds which never bear fruit. It does no good to scatter seed which has no hope of germination and growth.

As we walk out into the field, we must remember that God's message of Salvation is not about a new set of regulations; we are not saved by trying extra hard to live according to God's commandments. His commands are an essential guide for our spiritual walk, but no amount of obedience, done outside the path of faith, will ever result in the transformation which identifies us as a child of God. Our self-effort will never yield eternal life and we hinder the harvest when we spread such a message!

When Jesus was talking with Nicodemus, He said, "no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again" John 3:3. He then said this second birth is not of the flesh but of the Spirit. When we believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, God's grace gives us a spiritual birth as a new creation; "The old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Peter wrote to believers in Jesus, that they had been "born again" and had become "new creations" in Christ, but they had come under great persecution for their faith. Peter encouraged them to remember the eternal nature of our second birth.

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God."1 Peter 1:23

Our first birth resulted in our physical bodies - praise God! But, one day, these earthly vessels in which we live are guaranteed to run down and stop functioning - we were birthed of a perishable seed. In contrast, our second birth is of a seed which does not perish - a seed which results in eternal life.

We must never settle for a "good" life or allow our message to stop with good morals and "right" living. These are also perishable seeds which will fade away and lead to death. True life which is abundant and eternal is only found by His grace through faith in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Let's plant a true message of our need to be born again by ensuring we always scatter imperishable seed.

.....soils

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown Luke 8:5-8

Usually, this parable is considered from the aspect of the different types of soil. The farmer represents one who plants the seed of God's Word into someone's life, and the different soils represent the different types of people who hear the gospel message. 

There is encouragement in these verses for us to be well tilled soil, free of weeds and ready to receive the Word of God. 

In the days of Christ, fields were planted by scattering or throwing out seed over all areas of a field. In this parable, the farmer is never criticized for waste as he throws seed on the path, in the weeds, or on the rocks. Planting day had arrived and it was the farmer's job to simply scatter the seed. He was not required to evaluate the soil, and there was no special technique required for planting. As long as the seed was scattered over a wide area, it would reach the good soil and produce a bountiful crop.

We are sent out as farmers into the fields of this world with God's Word in our hand and written on our heart; "go and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19. We must remember that the condition of the soil should never be our primary focus. God has entrusted us with a life changing message and it's His desire for this message to be "scattered" to all!

There is definitely a time for tilling soil, pulling weeds, and digging out the rocks that hinder our spiritual growth and the growth of those within our care; but in the field which God has placed us today, the time is always right for planting. 

Let's share His message of love and forgiveness, of Godly unity and peace. A new day has arrived! Regardless of our perception of the soil - regardless whether we believe they are ready - let's  be determined to sow the seed!

.....babes

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read the scripture, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" Matthew 21:16

Today, we phoned over 1800 miles of America to talk to our son and his family - you know, just to see how they were doing and to keep in touch. Our 2-year-old granddaughter Allison said she wanted to talk to us so they put her on the phone. She piped up, "Hi Gram-ma, Hi Gram-pa".  I have to admit that it made my eyes light up and I smiled and so did my Melody. How sweet that was to hear her voice speaking to us. 

We had heard through my sister that Allison had bumped her nose and she told us that it was OK now. Our 8-year-old grandson, Christopher, got on the phone and told us some things that were important to him right now and we shared a little of our life with him.  It left us with a warm feeling when we were done.

I believe that is how God feels about us! I think he longs to hear us call his name and tell him about how we are and how much we love him. Yes, I know he knows all that we do, but don't you think he wants to hear it from us personally - at least as much as we want to hear it from our grandchildren.

We hear the words repeated so often that I think they sometime lose their impact on our hearts, but John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Do you love your children or grandchildren enough to give up the most precious thing in the world for them? That's how much God loved us!

How about taking some time today to talk with God! Paul gives us some insight into what we need to be doing in Philippians 4:6-7. Notice what he says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" 

.

Some folks say, "I really don't know how to pray, I just don't know what to say." Notice again what Paul said, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Can it be any simpler than that? How about stopping right now and talking with your Father!

- russ lawson

.....water

God promises to lift up those who hope and trust in Him. His promise of encouragement does not depend on the difficulty or darkness of our situation. No matter how hopeless our circumstances may appear, His promise remains and we must trust Him with all our heart - He WILL lift us high and send us soaring! We also considered how we are called to provide lifts of encouragement when others are drifting in the valley of despair. We are called to encourage even when we are unable to see or recognize the results.

The Corinthians believed in Jesus and were encouraged in their faith through the efforts of multiple people. But Paul reminded them that, although many may have provided influence and guidance, it was God who did the real work.

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1 Corinthians 3:6

I've often pondered the idea of watering without being able to see growth. My grandparents were married for sixty-five years, lived most of their life in a small farm house, and died a short distance from where they were born. In my youth, their love for the Lord was the foundation upon which I could stand when all else was crumbling. 

God used their faithful and patient watering for many years to soften my rebellious heart and call me to His side, without knowing the results they diligently continued to water.

Indeed, God's Word does not return empty Isaiah 55:11! No matter what our current circumstances, we must obediently plant His message and continue to water with encouragement at every opportunity. 

Many people are walking in a spiritually dry land and we may be the only bit of Jesus they see or hear...or read. Some seeds take a long time to germinate, and some plants can take years to fully mature and bear fruit. Let's minister with our focus always on the glory of God. He will produce the growth in His timing and according to His perfect plan. 

Let's join His work by simply, and faithfully, continuing to plant and water.

.....knowing

The Apostle Paul had a definite passion to serve God. Even before his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul strictly observed God's law; "as for legalistic righteousness, faultless" Philippians 3:6. But after being confronted by Jesus, his focus forever changed; his passion remained, but his every desire now centered around faith in Jesus and the good news of His gospel message.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death Philippians 3:10

Paul pursued an intimate relationship with Jesus and sought to be identified with His death and resurrection. He knew the only way to experience the power of Jesus was to live as a new creation whose sinful nature had been crucified with Christ; and as a new creation, he continually desired to know his Creator.

Truly knowing Jesus Christ is much more than simply knowing "about" Him. We can fill our head with every possible biblical fact and still never know Christ. To know Him is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; to trust Him regardless of our circumstances, and to draw close to His side in our joy as well as our suffering. Nothing else in life has any real meaning; "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" Philippians 3:8.

Paul's passion for Jesus allowed him to loosen his hold of all worldly attachments; "I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ" Philippians 3:8.. This uncontested supremacy of Jesus allowed Paul to be "content in any and every situation" Philippians 4:12. By giving himself fully to knowing Christ, Paul gained true contentment and peace.

We have the same ability to know Christ today. We are also promised the same results! Peace and contentment will NEVER be achieved through more possessions, activities, or relationships - these are ALL temporary and will fade away with time. Our life will only be truly content when we give ourselves to Jesus and love Him without reservation; we will only be filled with His peace as we seek to know Him.

We may never be asked to give up much for the sake of the gospel; but then again, we may be asked to give up everything! Either way, our heart must always hold loosely to the things of this world. Anything which cannot be released has effectively become a god and crowds the throne which MUST be reserved for the King of Kings. 

Let's reconsider our priorities - where we spend our time and what commands our thoughts and consumes our energy. Let's give ourselves fully to Him and make sure nothing has become more important than knowing Christ.

- steve troxell

....know

Be still and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10

A woman was the mother of ten children, the wildest kids you could imagine. The father traveled extensively in his work, so she was, for all intents and purposes, raising these kids alone. The poor woman's life was unbearable.

A minister from the local church heard about her situation and called on her.  Seeing their small house and the behavior of the children, the man's heart went out to her. He tried to provide what little help and support he could. The minister offered the woman a playpen that someone had donated to the church. The distracted woman, who had never heard of a playpen, nonetheless welcomed the gift.

Sometime later, the minister saw the woman at church. With tears in her eyes, the mother thanked him for the gift. "That playpen has saved my life!" she said to him. "It's marvelous. Every afternoon at three o'clock, I jump into the playpen with a book and the children can't get to me."

Like this poor harried mother, we all need that "out of the way" place to re-center our lives on the things of God. Like Jesus, who rose at dawn and went to a deserted place, we must create our own "out of the way" place. 

An early morning hour before the rest of the house rises, a brief visit to a church during lunch, the last few minutes each evening before retiring. It can be a time for quiet prayer, for reading the Scriptures or for reflecting on the words and insights of some of the great spiritual writers.

Finding that "out of the way" place, creating within our day that "sacred time" to be alone with God can be the source of insight and grace that will illuminate every place and moment of our lives.

- david langerfeld

.....encouragement

Many of us have experienced that spiritual valley where we think the sun will never shine again. Some were swiftly thrust into that valley by a specific event; others drifted gradually until they reached the bottom and can't say how they got there. In either case, we wandered in darkness until something began to lift us to new heights.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."Isaiah 40:29-31

An eagle appears to fly effortlessly through the air with only the occasional flap of its wings. These large birds are experts at finding areas of rising air called thermals that allow them to rise without using their own energy.

God uses spiritual hot springs to lift up those who wait on and trust in Him. Those who believe in the truth of His Word and diligently seek the updrafts through prayer and devoted worship will be freed from the heavy baggage that limits their upward flight—they will be lifted up by the guidance and power of God's Spirit.

If we find ourselves in the valley now, we must continue to seek Him with all our hearts and trust that our thermal is on its way. He has promised to strengthen us and make us soar again! 

And if we are currently soaring in our communion with God, we must give honor and praise to our Heavenly Father; but we must also recognize that there are many others in the valley who desperately need help—many who are searching and feeling overcome by darkness. As we ascend, we must understand that we are never called to fly alone.

God has chosen to use people to accomplish much of His work on earth. He could have chosen other methods; “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would cry out” Luke 19:40, but He chose us. We should “encourage one another daily” Hebrews 3:13. Why? Because there is a valley full of people waiting and longing for that current that will lift them up and set them free. We can be those updrafts for others with simple words or acts of encouragement that show God’s love and gently lead them back to His peace.

We have been adopted into God's "family"...and our family needs each other so much! Let us dedicate ourselves to rising to new heights through worship of God in absolutely every area of ​​our lives. Let us continue to soar to new heights and always seek out others in need of God's encouragement.

- steve troxel

.....plural

Two of the best-known passages in the Bible are the Twenty-Third Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. They are similar in several ways, but there is one major difference between them. Psalm 23 is personal and singular: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (verse 1). The writer didn’t say, “The Lord is our shepherd.” He was writing for himself.

The Lord’s Prayer, on the other hand, is plural throughout. Jesus didn’t tell us to pray, “My Father in heaven” but “Our Father in heaven.” We’re to pray, “Give us…. Forgive us…. Deliver us” Matthew 6:9-13. We are praying for ourselves and for others.

God is our Heavenly Father; we must remember our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are part of a family, and we need to make sure to take care of those relationships. When you offer the Lord’s Prayer, think not only of yourself but also of others. 

You can make this a prayer that includes your children, your pastor, your fellow church members, and the family of Christ around the world. Here’s an idea to get started. Offer the Lord’s prayer now, and emphasize with your voice all the plural pronouns. It will be a blessing for you.

- david jeremiah

.....burden

Cast all your cares on Him; for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

"Growing in Grace" can be a very great "burden" to earnest, godly people. They go from conference to conference, preacher to preacher, speaker to speaker - notebook in hand, so eager to get a "blessing" or a "new insight" on how to live the Christian life.  However, because they hear of others having incredible experiences which they don't have, they carry heavy burdens of disappointment and self-reproach.

These same feelings might equally well belong to a child in the grade school because he is not in the higher classes of the school. But why should he worry about his future progress? His one business in grade school is to complete only the lessons set before him by his teacher. Once these lessons are learned, the teacher will assign more and deeper lessons, with deeper insight, and then will continue to advance him to where progress can be made more quickly.  

The same is true for us.  We are to learn the lessons which the Lord Jesus sets before us day by day - which, once learned, will allow Him to lead us into a fuller knowledge and deeper love of Him every day.

The Apostle Thomas was one of the "less-knowledged" pupils in our Master's school. He could not see what was clear to everyone else.  But instead of chiding him, and leaving him to grope in the dark, the Master paid him a special visit, and made the incredible fact of His resurrection so simple, that the "doubter" was able to rejoice with the all the others. 

 

So, don't worry about your lack of knowledge or lack of learning, it only means that our dear Master will give you longer and more personal attention. 

- f.f bruce

.....job

A resourceful doctor in rural Australia saved a boy's life with a handyman's power drill.  Hailed as a hero when the story broke globally years ago, he reacted modestly. "It was not a personal achievement," he said. "It is just a part of the job, and I had a very good team of people helping me."

Dr. Rob Carson diagnosed a 12-year-old boy brought to a small hospital's emergency room with a soon-to-be-fatal brain bleed. Nicholas Rossi had been riding his bike and took a fall. His mother, a nurse, realized the bump on his head could be serious and insisted on taking him to the hospital. By the time they arrived, Nicholas was already slipping in and out of consciousness.

Dr. Carson made the correct call on what was happening and knew he had a very short time to take decisive action. He made two decisions.  First, he sent to the maintenance room for a drill, because the rural hospital didn't have sophisticated neurosurgical tools. Second, he called a neurosurgeon in Melbourne to ask help with his dilemma.

With an ordinary household drill in hand, he followed the specialist's guidance through a procedure that worked flawlessly. "General practitioners in country towns do procedures all the time," said Dr. Carson. But a father's reaction to that modest take on what happened was very different. "He saved our son's life!" declared Michael Rossi.

People took what was at hand and put it into God's hands!

Some of us would do well to follow the good doctor's example and learn to be a bit more clever, gutsy, and inventive in our lives. Are you a sales person who sits for long periods waiting to see clients? Keep a Bible or a christian book with you to read instead of old magazines. Are you a commuter? Listen to a Christian podcast as an alternative. 

Has the tough economy challenged your company's customary client base?  Has illness altered the way your family functions? Has the community around your church changed radically over the past few years? Every challenge is a disguised opportunity for creative adaptation and productive learning.

Gideon used clay jars and trumpets to rout an army. Samson used the jawbone from a donkey's carcass to defeat his enemies. Jesus used a little boy's sack lunch of bread and dried fish to feed thousands. In these biblical episodes, people took was at hand and put it into God's hands -- with amazing outcomes.

Creativity often comes not from seeing the light but from feeling the heat. Maybe it will be that way with the challenge you are facing today. Your task is not to guarantee outcomes with certainty but to address problems with courage.

- rubel shelly