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

Is Bible reading simply a checklist item?

I’m trying to not just read the Bible but LIVE it. Reading with great expectations of connecting more deeply and living more authentically with God. Psalm 119: 15-16 reads, I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways, I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. “Meditate, consider, not neglect”- I simply cannot just read God’s word and check off my time with Him. I must(and should desire to) meditate/apply; trust/consider God’s ways; delight that He loves/cares for me and that is why He gave us His word; I cannot neglect the word-I must not only read, but study/apply/LIVE it. I believe I must start with the simple question. Is God truly first in my life? Sounds simple/easy enough, right? It did not take me long to realize when I looked at how I spend my time each day to see that while God was high on my list, He was not at the top. What has perplexed me so often is that I want to see a clear, defined list such as 1) God, 2) Family, 3) Job/career………..and so on. In actuality, life’s activities are usually all intertwined together causing a futile attempt to place our individual actions into certain categories of our priorities-thus causing doubt and confusion with our priorities. The Christian life is not a simple checklist of good actions, it’s about allowing God to mold us into His image and to be the example of Jesus to those He puts in our life. I’ll finish with a couple passages; James 3:13, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds, done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Friends and Enemies

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you" Luke 6:27-28. We tell our children to choose friends carefully-true friendships are not in abundance. While most of us have many friends-we do not nurture them into trusting relationships. We must be vigilant of those who outwardly express sincerity, yet have other deceptive motives. I've heard the term “frenemies” to describe such people. While our friendship choices are critical, Satan is the ultimate deceiver/enemy. He comes masked as a friend, however, he seeks to steal, kill and destroy our Spirit. Beware! "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour"- I Peter 5:8. I wonder, is it easier to discern a ‘friends’ sinful influence or the enticement from Satan himself? We have all probably heard the phrase,'keep your friends close, your enemies closer'. We read in Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Also in Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I must ask myself, Am I faithful, accountable, and encouraging to my friends? May God help me to become the kind of friend to others..... that I long to have. May I allow Jesus to mold and equip me to be a true friend to others while glorifying God. We could all probably admit that we often times take our friends(and family) for granted! Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Spiritual Checkup/Surgery!

Mark 9:42-48 reads-And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' God is telling me here that whatever causes sin in my life, drastic and urgent action is needed-perhaps, a spiritual surgery(allowing God to mold and purify our hearts and live by the Spirit). Of course we should not literally harm our bodies as they are God’s temple. Our eyes, hands and feet are simply the agents used by Satan for our fall into sin. The issue at hand is our HEART. Gal. 5:16-17 tells us to live by the spirit-that which is contrary to the sinful nature. Also, Romans 8:6 "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Watching the 'flapper', A reflection of the heart!

I often remember something a special friend/brother in Christ (Ed) would remind his class/audience. He brought out the warning from God regarding our words via the tongue. As my friend Ed would say, ‘the thing that flaps between our gums’. From it can come beautiful tones of kindness, love, encouragement, respect, praise, etc. Unfortunately, much harm, negativity, disrespect, and abomination too. Look at these passages; Proverbs 15:4, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs12:18, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." James 3:5b-6a, "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." Even when ‘joking around’(my struggle), I must be careful/vigilant. Remember what it says in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." My friends, our words and thoughts are reflective of our hearts. Yes, even unspoken thoughts must be dealt with. I may not say something that is in my mind, but it’s in my heart. I may spare someone of hearing these thoughts, but God knows. I need the Spirit of Christ in my mind/thoughts/speech. I must flee Satan’s constant pull. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Value Added

Several years ago while working in Corporate America, we had a national meeting with the focus on a typical business buzz-word for that particular time. This theme was centered around ‘Value Added’. What were we as employees adding to the company, the mission, goals, to our customers, etc. This is an excellent evaluations tool to assist in one's focus, eagerness, learning, improving ourselves/company in order to develop/maintain positive attitudes and add value. As scripture says about our work in Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..."
My challenge is this, what am I adding spiritually to others I come in contact, towards the relationships I have with friends, family or co-workers, and yes, even my own personal salvation-how are my actions influencing these special lives? Is it a positive value by letting my light shine, showing authentic love and compassion? Or, a negative affect through self indulgence, pride, hypocritical deeds. I/we must be mindful of what value we project. What is watched/said (tv, movies, gossip, certain jokes, pride, etc ) and how I conduct myself every step as I never know who may be watching at those moments. Someone may fool humans, but God knows each of our hearts. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 says, "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." Also, Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." I don’t know about you, but I want to exemplify positive Christ-like value to my life, family, friends, co-workers, strangers………….everyone! Look to scriptures as we inwardly search/take self-inventory of our daily walk and keep guard of what we are sowing- 1 Peter 4:1-2, Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. Jesus’ life is our example to show love-what a responsibility-yet joy- to have ETERNAL VALUE to share with others. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO