Sowing

I read a passage from Psalm (126:6) which says, ‘He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. Some thoughts came to mind. When and why do I typically sow? It is much easier when things are going well to be more servant focused and joyfully sowing seeds for the Lord’s kingdom. What about during trials/difficulties? I don’t know about you, but for me it is very tempting to be self-centered at those times, looking inward causing deficiencies in serving and sowing- especially with joy! This passage reminds us that we can and should still sow with joy and reap a harvest of joy for our God and Savior, others and ourselves…….even when accompanied by weeping due to troubles/sorrow. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

If Only…….

These two words can be subtle poison in our lives. To focus on the past will lead us riddled with guilt and regret. A counselor in an article once stated; “If only you’d stop saying ‘if only’, maybe we can get somewhere.” He then suggests we substitute/strike out those two words and replace them with, ‘next time’. Can you imagine if Paul, David and Peter focused on their past mistakes? The good these men accomplished(through Jesus) perhaps would have never happened if they relished in their past sins. Paul persecuted Christians and struggled with pride early on. David was an adulterer and murderer(Uriah). Peter denied Jesus three times. Do you ever feel trapped in your past, or perhaps your present situations? Have you lived times of ‘if only’ causing hate, guilt or regret and thinking ‘I am no good’. In Phil 3:13-14, Paul says; Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. God promises to forgive a repenting heart. Take hold of this promise and embrace that comfort. Learn from our past ‘if only’s’ and make the ‘next time’ an example of growth, moving forward for God-forgetting the mistakes. Rom 3:23 tells us all have sinned, but there is peace and a beautiful promise of forgiveness(Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:9; Jeremiah 31:34-are just a few of many examples). Be careful not to become a ‘guiltoholic’- addicted to past guilt. One cannot live an effective life to God without accepting His forgiveness. We cannot successfully attempt to carry our baggage of mistakes/sin throughout life-Jesus did that for us on the cross-the atonement for our transgressions…..believe and live it! To make the future worth living, the past must be left behind/yesterday is gone-we all need a good mental wastebasket. The question is do we have the faith which will empower us forward, or fear that paralyzes/hinders moving to the ‘next time’? 2 Cor. 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Blessings in your pursuit…….TO