“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessings of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned...God is not unjust; he will not forget the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:7-10
Oh, how I love this passage which I am not sure if I have ever received in the past. It is experiences like these that validate the principle of God’s word being served fresh each morning.
In each of our lives, God assigns us tracts of land for which we are to plant, harvest and yield. The seeds of circumstance are planted and we are to work the land through our responses. There will be many fellow workers on the same tract for which we are to be useful to each other in traveling through our trials. We are to drink in the rain learning the lessons required in this season and understand that each drop provides the necessary nourishment for growth. The warning comes that IF our land of circumstance produces the thorns and thistles of resentment and bitterness nothing can grow. In the end the land will be useless, the experience will be in vain for the Kingdom and we will not produce the desired purpose for which God intended.
If we produce the crop that God intended He takes it personally as if you have produced that crop just for Him. When we help others based on our own experiences we will be blessed by God as He sees our actions and love to others as love to Him.
We should ask ourselves, ‘Can we walk barefoot on our land or do the thistles stick in our feet’?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Adoptive Children of God
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. So then, just as you have received Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Col. 2:2-3, 6
This passage has so much spiritual information for us to consider. In reading this passage this morning I was reminded of a family for whom I use to babysit. This family had an extremely comfortable lifestyle financially speaking and seemed to have the nicest of luxuries. A few years into knowing this family they adopted a 13 year girl who lived in a girl’s home for a large part of her life. Once she belonged to that family many luxuries were made to be a part of her life as she had never known before. Because that couple chose her and loved her as their own she inherited their love, position in their family and all the benefits of what they could offer. Through her acceptance in their family she had access to everything they possessed.
This is similar to Paul’s passage in Colossians. The mystery of God for which he refers is the life found in Christ once we accept Christ as the Head of the church, the Christians. He built the Kingdom on earth through his birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection. He alone possesses every treasure we need to ascertain every nugget of truth and resolution for our lives. Through His love for us He chose us and called us to be in His family. By our loving response to accept Him we gain access to everything He has to offer. The more deeply we enter into fellowship with Him the more He reveals His wisdom and knowledge. The Believer’s Bible Commentary states, “It is a well known principle of Scripture that the Lord reveals His secrets to those who are close to Him…Paul wants the saints (us) to use Christ, to utilize His resources, to draw upon Him in every emergency…The treasures in Christ are hidden from unbelief; and even the believer needs to know Christ intimately to enter into them.” p. 2000-2001
We have all been adopted by Christ and have full access to everything the Head of the family desires to give to us. Will we waste our inheritance or will we claim every treasure He intends for us?
This passage has so much spiritual information for us to consider. In reading this passage this morning I was reminded of a family for whom I use to babysit. This family had an extremely comfortable lifestyle financially speaking and seemed to have the nicest of luxuries. A few years into knowing this family they adopted a 13 year girl who lived in a girl’s home for a large part of her life. Once she belonged to that family many luxuries were made to be a part of her life as she had never known before. Because that couple chose her and loved her as their own she inherited their love, position in their family and all the benefits of what they could offer. Through her acceptance in their family she had access to everything they possessed.
This is similar to Paul’s passage in Colossians. The mystery of God for which he refers is the life found in Christ once we accept Christ as the Head of the church, the Christians. He built the Kingdom on earth through his birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection. He alone possesses every treasure we need to ascertain every nugget of truth and resolution for our lives. Through His love for us He chose us and called us to be in His family. By our loving response to accept Him we gain access to everything He has to offer. The more deeply we enter into fellowship with Him the more He reveals His wisdom and knowledge. The Believer’s Bible Commentary states, “It is a well known principle of Scripture that the Lord reveals His secrets to those who are close to Him…Paul wants the saints (us) to use Christ, to utilize His resources, to draw upon Him in every emergency…The treasures in Christ are hidden from unbelief; and even the believer needs to know Christ intimately to enter into them.” p. 2000-2001
We have all been adopted by Christ and have full access to everything the Head of the family desires to give to us. Will we waste our inheritance or will we claim every treasure He intends for us?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Not Of This World
“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” Acts 28:27
These were the words of the prophet Isaiah repeated by Paul to the Jews as they continued to deny the Messiah. The original Greek translation for callous is ‘to make fat’. Isaiah spoke of the hearts of those who would not accept the future Messiah. He foretold how there will be those who hearts would not be healthy enough to receive the understanding of Christ.
Wherever there is fat there also accompanies inactivity and overindulging. Most of us have tried diet after diet to lessen our body fat and obtain a more desired body. God is asking the same of us for our spiritual body. Inactivity in sharpening our spiritual vision and tuning our spiritual ears will result in a callous heart. Overindulging in what the world has to offer verses Christ will also result in the inability to see God working, hear what God is asking of us and understanding His timing and purpose.
The early Christians were described in my commentary as follows: “They lived sacrificially for the spread of the gospel. They did not look upon material possessions as their own, but as a stewardship from God. They were not surprised when they ran into persecution. They had been taught to expect it. Instead of retaliating or even vindicating themselves, they committed their cause to God, who judges righteously. Instead of seeking escape from trials, they prayed for boldness to proclaim Christ to all with whom they came in contact. These early Christians lived in separation from the world. They were in it but not of it.” Believer's Bible Commentary, p.1666
I don’t know about you but I know I need to exercise my heart so I can more closely match these early Christians. Hopefully, at the end of my life I will be described with these same words:
“She was in this world but not of it.”
These were the words of the prophet Isaiah repeated by Paul to the Jews as they continued to deny the Messiah. The original Greek translation for callous is ‘to make fat’. Isaiah spoke of the hearts of those who would not accept the future Messiah. He foretold how there will be those who hearts would not be healthy enough to receive the understanding of Christ.
Wherever there is fat there also accompanies inactivity and overindulging. Most of us have tried diet after diet to lessen our body fat and obtain a more desired body. God is asking the same of us for our spiritual body. Inactivity in sharpening our spiritual vision and tuning our spiritual ears will result in a callous heart. Overindulging in what the world has to offer verses Christ will also result in the inability to see God working, hear what God is asking of us and understanding His timing and purpose.
The early Christians were described in my commentary as follows: “They lived sacrificially for the spread of the gospel. They did not look upon material possessions as their own, but as a stewardship from God. They were not surprised when they ran into persecution. They had been taught to expect it. Instead of retaliating or even vindicating themselves, they committed their cause to God, who judges righteously. Instead of seeking escape from trials, they prayed for boldness to proclaim Christ to all with whom they came in contact. These early Christians lived in separation from the world. They were in it but not of it.” Believer's Bible Commentary, p.1666
I don’t know about you but I know I need to exercise my heart so I can more closely match these early Christians. Hopefully, at the end of my life I will be described with these same words:
“She was in this world but not of it.”
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Who Do You Serve?
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col. 3:23-24
Boy did this passage convict me in church on Sunday. There are things that we do in life that are fueled by our passion and drive us to accomplishment. Then there are things to accomplish that seem to lack any passion at all, but still require our attention.
Whenever something laborious is at hand I seem to lose my focus and procrastinate. We place a value of importance on certain things which is the gas in our engine. If we place a high value on something it will be easier to accomplish. The lower the value we place on a deed the longer it takes to complete.
If we were to approach any task as working at it with all our hearts for the Lord we might be able to find joy in everything. I know for me I become overwhelmed very easily these days caring for my father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer’s. He is in the moderate to severe stage which creates many challenges for us in caring for him. Our human nature beckons us to think about ourselves and what is or is not happening in our lives. When I picture the face of Christ on this situation it allows me to picture accomplishing every task as if working for the Lord Himself.
When anxiety or overwhelming emotions overtake me I must remember to close my eyes, picture Christ and serve Him with all of my heart. There are two people for whom we serve…ourselves or our Lord.
Whom will we choose?
Boy did this passage convict me in church on Sunday. There are things that we do in life that are fueled by our passion and drive us to accomplishment. Then there are things to accomplish that seem to lack any passion at all, but still require our attention.
Whenever something laborious is at hand I seem to lose my focus and procrastinate. We place a value of importance on certain things which is the gas in our engine. If we place a high value on something it will be easier to accomplish. The lower the value we place on a deed the longer it takes to complete.
If we were to approach any task as working at it with all our hearts for the Lord we might be able to find joy in everything. I know for me I become overwhelmed very easily these days caring for my father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer’s. He is in the moderate to severe stage which creates many challenges for us in caring for him. Our human nature beckons us to think about ourselves and what is or is not happening in our lives. When I picture the face of Christ on this situation it allows me to picture accomplishing every task as if working for the Lord Himself.
When anxiety or overwhelming emotions overtake me I must remember to close my eyes, picture Christ and serve Him with all of my heart. There are two people for whom we serve…ourselves or our Lord.
Whom will we choose?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
His Declaration
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,” Col. 3:15
When tough decisions are required of us these decisions must be based upon prayer and meditation to God. He is interested in the small decisions of our lives just as He is in the large decisions. Once we have heard from the Lord on any issue we can move ahead with confidence.
It is easy to base our decisions on the difficulty of the journey. There is nothing in the Bible that supports this thinking. I remember a few years ago when a person I know had asked us to pray for a 90 day miracle in their home sale. They received a comparable offer within the first 19 days on the market, but with a few inconveniences required of them for 8 weeks. They turned down the offer based on the belief that ‘if this was of God He wouldn’t have placed those obstacles in the way.’ They are two years out and are still involved in the ownership of that home which still presents problems for them.
God’s will never guarantees that it will be easy, but many times it could be the hardest thing required of us. It is tough to ‘keep the peace’ for me and my husband during this challenging time in our lives. Thankfully, the peace that we do keep daily is the peace in the decision of bringing Bruce’s dad to our home.
As a child of God, once we determine God’s will He will place in us an unwavering peace in that decision, apart from our daily challenges. When that peace of Christ rules in our hearts, daily peace will be ours as manna was for the Israelites. We cannot store up that peace for we need to seek it daily.
A declaration is a promise and an absolute. “ ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’” Haggai 2:9b
Whatever ‘this place’ is for you remember His declaration and claim His promise of peace.
When tough decisions are required of us these decisions must be based upon prayer and meditation to God. He is interested in the small decisions of our lives just as He is in the large decisions. Once we have heard from the Lord on any issue we can move ahead with confidence.
It is easy to base our decisions on the difficulty of the journey. There is nothing in the Bible that supports this thinking. I remember a few years ago when a person I know had asked us to pray for a 90 day miracle in their home sale. They received a comparable offer within the first 19 days on the market, but with a few inconveniences required of them for 8 weeks. They turned down the offer based on the belief that ‘if this was of God He wouldn’t have placed those obstacles in the way.’ They are two years out and are still involved in the ownership of that home which still presents problems for them.
God’s will never guarantees that it will be easy, but many times it could be the hardest thing required of us. It is tough to ‘keep the peace’ for me and my husband during this challenging time in our lives. Thankfully, the peace that we do keep daily is the peace in the decision of bringing Bruce’s dad to our home.
As a child of God, once we determine God’s will He will place in us an unwavering peace in that decision, apart from our daily challenges. When that peace of Christ rules in our hearts, daily peace will be ours as manna was for the Israelites. We cannot store up that peace for we need to seek it daily.
A declaration is a promise and an absolute. “ ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’” Haggai 2:9b
Whatever ‘this place’ is for you remember His declaration and claim His promise of peace.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Bite by Bite
“When he got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 27: 16, 30-31
I am reminded by this passage that it is not the destination that carries all of the riches but also the journey. I needed to hear that this morning as I face the challenging waters of Alzheimer’s. Paul was beaten many times, flogged and shipwrecked several times before ending up at the place of God’s choosing – Rome. God made it clear to Paul that he would take the kingdom of God to the people of Rome. God gave him the destination but spoon fed him the journey bite by bite. The challenge was not in the destination but in the journey to the place where God desired Himself to be known.
We must believe in this concept with all of our hearts or we will abort our God given purpose for our lives. With our eyes focused intently on Jesus we will find the treasures along the way that will never be taken from us. Like Paul, whatever our incarceration may be we will experience the opportunity to not just endure but to conquer and do the higher work of God in all of our situations.
Remember, do great things for God and expect great things from God!
I am reminded by this passage that it is not the destination that carries all of the riches but also the journey. I needed to hear that this morning as I face the challenging waters of Alzheimer’s. Paul was beaten many times, flogged and shipwrecked several times before ending up at the place of God’s choosing – Rome. God made it clear to Paul that he would take the kingdom of God to the people of Rome. God gave him the destination but spoon fed him the journey bite by bite. The challenge was not in the destination but in the journey to the place where God desired Himself to be known.
We must believe in this concept with all of our hearts or we will abort our God given purpose for our lives. With our eyes focused intently on Jesus we will find the treasures along the way that will never be taken from us. Like Paul, whatever our incarceration may be we will experience the opportunity to not just endure but to conquer and do the higher work of God in all of our situations.
Remember, do great things for God and expect great things from God!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Best Way
“The islanders showed an unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” Acts 28:2
When Paul and his men were shipwrecked from the storm many had to swim through the freezing waters. By the time they reached shore they were drenched from both rain and the sea. We can all relate to the bone chill of being caught in a storm in cold temperatures. The relief that comes from any warmth is something to behold and long for.
The Greek translation of islanders is barbaros which means ‘a barbarian.’ Paul and the men had a predetermined impression of what their situation would offer. For Paul to write that they were shown unusual kindness means that their expectation was the opposite.
Many of our past experiences define our expectations of future outcomes. I found this line in reality this past week. There is a relationship in my life that through the Holy Spirit I was led to point out obvious contradiction in actions that were leading her heart astray. Reasoning with this individual has had its challenges over the years and the repercussions are never pleasant. I was expecting a backlash from her within the days that followed our talk and must admit that my expectations were anything but warm and welcoming.
To my surprise, the islander showed unusual kindness and thanked me for pointing out certain possibilities for her to consider. I was unprepared for this response but sure did enjoy the warmth of the fire. History had left me cold and wet from past experiences with her but God can warm any heart and situation if we truly believe in His power and His workings. The last line of her letter stated, “I shall trust my heart from God to show me the best way.”
What more can anyone ask of another than her closing statement. Our God is bigger than the most unreasonable situations if we only believe.
When Paul and his men were shipwrecked from the storm many had to swim through the freezing waters. By the time they reached shore they were drenched from both rain and the sea. We can all relate to the bone chill of being caught in a storm in cold temperatures. The relief that comes from any warmth is something to behold and long for.
The Greek translation of islanders is barbaros which means ‘a barbarian.’ Paul and the men had a predetermined impression of what their situation would offer. For Paul to write that they were shown unusual kindness means that their expectation was the opposite.
Many of our past experiences define our expectations of future outcomes. I found this line in reality this past week. There is a relationship in my life that through the Holy Spirit I was led to point out obvious contradiction in actions that were leading her heart astray. Reasoning with this individual has had its challenges over the years and the repercussions are never pleasant. I was expecting a backlash from her within the days that followed our talk and must admit that my expectations were anything but warm and welcoming.
To my surprise, the islander showed unusual kindness and thanked me for pointing out certain possibilities for her to consider. I was unprepared for this response but sure did enjoy the warmth of the fire. History had left me cold and wet from past experiences with her but God can warm any heart and situation if we truly believe in His power and His workings. The last line of her letter stated, “I shall trust my heart from God to show me the best way.”
What more can anyone ask of another than her closing statement. Our God is bigger than the most unreasonable situations if we only believe.
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