Tending the Seed

A Sower Went Forth Sowing Good Seed - - but - -

Pastor Jerry was reading from two portions of scripture.  Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23  was The Parable of the Sower and the types of ground that received the seed.

Isaiah 55:10-12 New King James Version (NKJV) God’s Word is the Seed.

¹⁰ “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower, And bread to the eater,  ¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. ¹² “For you shall go out with joy,  And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills, Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Does the Word of God make a difference in your life? 

Let us consider a few definitions of the Word of God”

1 A decree from God – His breath or a whisper.
2. An address to humans, a voice from heaven
3. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh.
4.  The written word was first given to Moses written with the finger of God.  Then Holy men of God wrote as they were given the words to write.

Does reading or hearing God’s word stir your spirit?
Have you ever heard from God and doubted?  Were you receptive? 

When the Word of God does not inspire or stir you that is sad. 

Often the reason we are not stirred, is we have heard the word before and it is not new, so we are bored. 

Likely the speaker failed to deliver the word in an exciting way, or the listener was not paying attention.  Perhaps we failed to zero in and focus on the meat of the Word.

Are we the church on Fire, or simply simmering along.

Now about the seed.  Are you ready to hear or to rearrange your receiving?  The seed was good seed and was randomly scattered.  It is ready to grow.

The Parable Jesus told addressed different types of soil. 

 

The wayside with shallow ground so birds devoured the seed; the ground with stones and no root, and ground with weeds and thorns to choke, and the good ground where those who understand and received the word with gladness.

In Jesus day, many of the hearers were farmers and they understood sowing and reaping.  The stories Jesus told were tools to reveal truth.

Human hearts are unpredictable, and we are the soil.  Often a bit of each type of soil is found in us.  We must arrange our thinking and be receptive.

Then at times we are the sower, and we cast forth the seed.  We can’t predict the soil will produce and there are many reasons.  The season must be right, and the seed must be watered, weeded and cared for.  The final results are left up to God.

To some people the message is offensive, others find it liberating, and encouraging.

The seed is precious and valuable, and as we sow, may we sow deliberately and extravagantly scattering widely and hoping for a result.

God has a different way of sowing.  He sowed to us Jesus so that we might enjoy newness of life and eternal life.

The message may at times be inconvenient when we are told to love our enemies, our neighbors and our families.

Are we really listeners and are we stimulated allowing our hearts to be stirred?

There are limits to sowing.  At times we tire and have no energy.  We select an easier place to sow where it is more comfortable.

The disciples of Jesus argued, and were not too happy when Jesus ministered to outsiders.

How about you?  Let those who have ears to hear receive what the Spirit is saying.  God has a purpose and His plans are accomplished by His Word.

Scatter the seed whether it is convenient or not. 

 

The word must be planted and then God brings the harvest. 

 

 

 

Prophesying a Blessing

May God Bless This Child !

 

The baby Shower for my granddaughter, was a long traveling distance away and I had agreed to drive my daughter and my niece to the destination. 

The day before the shower, we drove part way and arrived at our hotel where reservations had been made. 

 

The next morning after a good nights rest and a leisurely hotel breakfast, we journeyed 50 more miles to the place where the party would take place.

In the back yard, women, young and old gathered in the shade of trees and under large umbrellas while soon, the invitation was given to partake of salads, chips and small sandwiches that were ready and waiting.

My pregnant granddaughter sat across from us chatting with another young lady who was also obviously pregnant.   In my spirit I knew that I must give the unborn child of my granddaughter a blessing. 

My thought was to not be obvious but it seemed impossible.  A third young lady joined the two and she also was pregnant.  The three women were in a small cluster and at once it occurred to me to bless them all.

God had given me the words for my granddaughter, “May this child learn to love Jesus at an early age; and may she mature and become a mighty woman of God.” 

As I viewed the second friend, I knew her child would be full of joy and be used of God.

Quickly I approached the three, and said, “I would like to bless your babies, and when you hear a blessing that is for someone else, you may also claim it for yourself. 

 

Then I touched my granddaughter’s protruding stomach and made my declaration,

 

“May this child learn to love Jesus at an early age; and may she mature and become a mighty woman of God.” 

Then I turned to the second woman and said, “Your child will love Jesus and be used of God and will be a person full of joy.”  For some reason she laughed and seemed to be sharing a secret with God.

At times making a proclamation or a declaration over someone, might seem to be a risk. 

What will people think?  Will I be received?  Is this what God is asking me to do?

Be sure the words are given to you by God and not just made up off the top of your head. 

The Apostle Paul said NOT to despise prophesy and rather to encourage and participate in the divine forecast. 

1 Corinthians_14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may  prophesy.

 

SICK AND TIRED

(Names in this story have been changed)

 

Sam was looking so worn out. 

His wife Sally while waiting for hip replacement was being pushed by Sam in her wheel chair.

Weeks went by, the surgery came and went and after what should have been recovery, there she was still in her wheel chair being moved ahead by her husband.

Therapy came and she was instructed to use her walker and exercise those legs.  For what ever reason, she did use the walker for a time, but soon reverted back to her wheel chair.

One day I spoke to Sam, and told him that he was a good care giver.  He huffed and in exasperation said, “I am so tired and I need someone to take care of me.”

A few weeks later Sam was in the hospital and they were trying to find out what was wrong.  The Doctor said they decided to keep him longer for tests and try to help him.

I knew what the problem was - - Sam was sick and tired of pushing that wheel chair and the truth was, Sam just wanted to die. 

Sam finally was released from the hospital, and it was good to see them both again.  Yes, Sally was still in her wheel chair.

I knew it was time for me to give a word of wisdom to Sam, and God had shown me how to be gentle yet firm.

Sam was talking with some others and was not sitting with his wife, so when the opportunity came, I went to him and told him I was very glad to see him out of the hospital. 

Then I said, “Sam I want to remind you of something the Apostle Paul once said?  It was this; I am tired, and I would like to go to heaven, BUT it is important that I stay with you all, for I am needed here.”

Sam looked at me and said, “Thank you.”  I believe he got the message because we need both him and Sally to stay with us for awhile longer.

If you are tired, please pray for strength, because we need you here too!

 

THE YOKE

 

Pastor Jerry was reading from Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

²⁸Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

When our Pastor ministers at the pulpit, he wears a robe and stole most of the year except in the summer when it is too warm. 

 

He recalled that in June of 1978 at the time of his ordination, hands were laid on his head and a stole was placed around his shoulders. 

 

Why the stole?

In tradition the stole represents the “Yoke of Christ,” and the responsibility of the ministry.

The old time Calvinist ministers protested anything ordinate that would distract from the message.  A Black gown might be worn to signify education, and was to de-emphasize fashion, so the focus would be on the Word of God.

The Pastor noted when reading this passage of Scripture to read the before and the after regarding the yoke.  Jesus promised comfort when coming to Him and rest from heavy burdens.  Yes take the YOKE, but understand His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

The Yoke was a symbol of discipleship to hook up with Jesus and realize we are not alone, and He has also given us Spiritual tools to use.

Pastor gave an example of a man cutting down a tree using a fireman’s axe which has a blunt blade for working with fires.  His neighbor said, “You are using the wrong type of tool.  Here try my axe and it will surprise you how quickly the tree will come down.”

If Jesus were here today, he would use technology but he would continue to tell stories about mustard seed faith, lost sheep, wayward sons, fig trees, and moving mountains.

The yoke used for animals needed two animals for it to become easy.  One would struggle, strain and pull with great difficulty and not accomplish the task.  Two in the yoke, the movement would then flow smooth and life would become easy to endure.

Often we are under stress and even depression with relationships, jobs, health and life in general.  We work harder, multi-task, try to get it done.

To labor calls for the idea of work to exhaustion, being a heavy load of responsibility. 

 

Many try to work out their salvation and earn God’s favor – forgetting that Jesus has offered redemption as a free gift.

Then we realize we cannot reach God’s perfection on our own.   With the Yoke of Christ we can meet God’s standard, as we allow His yoke to be placed upon our shoulders, and his hands of anointing placed upon our head.

Some say, “Come to this idol, come to this god or follow this person."  In contrast to other religions, there is only ONE way to God and that is through Jesus, for He is the only door to heaven.

It is a cooperative effort to yoke up with Jesus.  This is the rest and the refreshing.

The yokes of this world are heavy, but the yoke of Christ is easy.

 

 

It’s not Your Fault.

 

A recent post “Visiting Hours” by Rick Dawson  told of his father-in-law limping for several days.  Then his dad fell in the bathroom at the swimming pool, and although Rick tried, he was not able to catch him. 

The ER doctor said the limp was because his hip had a fracture that had not been previously noted at the last ER visit and the fall was NOT Rick’s fault. 

Rick's story reminded me of a time not too recent when I too felt guilty thinking I could have done more.

 

My mother smiles down from heaven, and I remember the blame I experienced when I took her to the mall with her walker that had four wheels.

She tired easily, so on the way back to the car I had her sit on the seat that went with the walker and began to push giving her a ride.

I forgot the handles engaged the break, and I must have pressed down, and up she went head over heels, and skinned her forehead good.

I took her to the ER and we sat for several hours.  Finally I decided to take her home and see if our neighbor who is a nurse was home.

Sweet Neighbor Nurse Debbie came over to our place and treated her with ointment, gauze and tape and when she left mother was in smiles.

Have you experienced guilt over something over which you had no control?  Most of us have at one time or another.

If only we could go back and change the past, we would do a lot of things differently than when we first encountered them, but we must live through it again when the memories haunt us.

I am so glad that God sent Jesus to take our punishment and our guilt and pain.  He does not remember those things that we are still sorry for and even yet may feel guilt at times.

As Rick would say, “I am not buying the tickets for a “Guilt Trip.”  I thought that was a good saying to remember.

What is the Mystery?

When I was a child, my mother would allow us listen to the evening radio shows.  One of my favorites was “I Love a Mystery.” 

 

It was a scary program, but it was so much fun to try to solve the mystery.

Jesus spoke about a mystery and no one seemed to understand what he was saying. 

Mark 4:11  And Jesus said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Paul stated the mystery quite well when he said, the mystery is that God allows even the Gentiles (all of us) to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:3-6  How that by revelation God made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words,  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Paul continued when he said the mystery is something that happens to us in our Spirit (inside of us.)

Colosians _1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

Ephesians 3:16-19  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith

The MOST important mystery of the Gospel, is that Jesus Christ is IN us by His Spirit.

 

Romans_11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,

 

God delights to reveal this mystery to us and He has not hidden it from us.  

1 Corinthians  2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

God’s Will is to be revealed to us !!   Ephesians_1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Let us not forget this important MYSTERY – regarding the final resurrection.

1 Corinthians _15:51  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

This too is a mystery how Christ Jesus could be IN God, God IN Him

1Timothy_3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Yes, there are many mysteries that are yet to be revealed once we see Jesus, but for now let us search the Scriptures, for in them we find LIFE and that life is in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

You Want Me To Do What?

 

You Want Me To Do What?

 

Pastor Jerry made a (tongue in cheek) announcement that from now on our church building would become a clinic to house and feed the homeless with three meals a day.

Proclamations such as this would frighten some of us and cause much anxiety among most.  Although our church supports local groups who do this type of ministry, our mission is not along those lines.  The congregation realized this was an illustration for what was to follow in the sermon.

Pastor began to read the scriptures from Genesis 22:1-4 regarding Abraham hearing the voice of God that told him to take his beloved son of promise to the land of Moriah to a certain mountain and sacrifice his boy there.

Many years ago, God had promised Abraham that from his seed would come a great nation, and now he was being asked to do the unthinkable.  Perhaps Abraham could have said, “You Want Me To Do What?” but this was not what he said. 

Naturally he was puzzled, but with a heavy heart, and without question he made preparations for their three day journey to make a sacrifice. 

 

As they approached the mountain, - -
Genesis 22: 5 Abraham said to his young servants, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and WE will worship and WE will return to you.”

Abraham’s faith was so strong that he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead if he made this supreme sacrifice, and they would both return together.

Now the lad began to question, where is the Lamb?  

Abrahams only reply was; "God will provide.” 

Abraham did not hesitate, as he bound his son, laid him on the altar and raised his knife.

 

A voice from heaven said, “Abraham Stop, this was a test.” And it was then he saw a ram in the thicket, and the ram became the sacrifice.

 You have heard this story preached many times, so what does this account have to do with us?  The significance was the place.

It is an Archeological fact that this land became Jerusalem, and the same mountain was where Jesus was sacrificed. Yet God himself did not withhold His only begotten Son, but freely gave Him up for us all.

In life we may be puzzled as we face uncomfortable situations, and our creative thinking will try to figure a way out.  Life is not always clean cut and nice, and sometimes it is ugly. 

Consider the depth level.  When all hope is gone, God provides.  We need to trust God that He will work it out for our good and according to His purpose.

God may be dealing with you to pray face to face with those you contact.  Or God may even be asking you to do something for Him, that you have never attempted before.  

Listen carefully for God is still speaking even today.

May we act in obedience with boldness and not be guilty of saying - - - “You Want Me To Do What?”

 

SOZO



We also are Triune : Spirit, Soul and Body

 

The word SOZO translated into English means Saved, and we usually consider Saved means to be Born Again in our Spirit. 

However in the original Greek language it has a deeper meaning that takes in the entire person: SPIRIT, SOUL and BODY.

When Jesus died and rose again, he enabled us to experience Salvation in our spirit, also Healing for our human body, and healing for our Soul (soul defined as “Mind, Will and Emotions.”) 



The soul is in your Head
Your spirit is in your Heart !

Some Christians in error believe the soul is what gets spiritually saved, but the truth is that our soul is in our head.  (Our Mind, Will and Emotions).

The spirit is in our heart.

 

We are in effect a triune person:  It is good to remind ourselves, “I am a Spirit (that unseen Real person which lives inside me) and that part of 'ME' dwells in my body (tent house) and I have a Soul.”  The Soul is where we usually have our problems.   Our thought life and our emotional outlook, and our will.

 

 Our wills are stubborn, and we desire our own way, and of course our emotions tip every which way at once like a teeter totter.

 

Our will must be given to Jesus first before we act on our own.
Not my will but thine be done!  We struggle with our emotions our fears and self doubts and our soul is in need to be redeemed.

 

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   

 

This is where the Word of God comes in and reading our Bible is important to renew our mind.  It is important to Memorize portions of scripture that speak to you and say them with your mouth to yourself when in trouble.  It is good to hear yourself say God's word.

 

So many of us hurt in our physical body, and although we realize that Jesus wants us well and healthy but this brings us a definite struggle when we do not immediately receive a miracle for our body.

 

Those who walk in miracle ministry tell us that as we seek the presence of Jesus that we enter into the supernatural where miracles happen. 

We cry “How long?” and God answers back, “It takes time for a birth and I am developing it.”

You might enjoy this article from Sozotoday.com/ blog    
http://sozotoday.com/what-is-sozo/

 

 

Praying with the Holy Spirit

 

Praying With the Holy Spirit 

Our eyes are closed and our thoughts are open and directed toward you O Lord,

Yet we see into worlds unknown by others, and you are there,

Your presence enfolds us to your bosom, and your arms hold us secure,

We are helplessly, transfixed as we realize your very virtue flows through us here!

 

We sense your gentle touch reaching out - - over the miles and through space and time,

In rapture our prayers flow out through you to those in need and those in pain,

You are there already before our voice did call or mention the need today!

Though darkened vision, their faces are yet before us as we call their name.

 

If you are there already, why must we agonize these words of request?

Are you asking that two or three are enough to send the enemy on his way?

Do you need someone to “stand in the gap” and stir the healing flow?

Patiently and soberly our petition is brought before you and there we let it lay!

 

Is it enough to ask once and believe that you have heard?

Should now our prayers be words of thanksgiving and praise?

We know that behind the scenes you are working in their behalf,

Our trust is in you, and all your Word declares and says!

 

We wait and rise for now, shake and alert us again when need is there,

Your word declares that you alone are God and you know our frame is as dust,

Willing to intercede and be your vessel we lean on you, Use us O God, we are here!

Your hand moves when we ask in faith, and it is in you we place our trust.

 

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.

 

 

All in the Family

All In the Family

Pastor Jerry was reading from Genesis 21:8-21  The story of God’s promise to Abraham to have an heir, and Sarah deciding to help God by offering her maid to her husband.  The result was a male child who later became a source of bitterness and jealousy to Sarah.

The fulfilled promise of a child to Abraham came late in life and the impossible happened.  Sarah was beyond the age of child bearing, yet she became the mother of Isaac.

Sarah could not hold her resentment and hostility toward the son of the maid and requested Abraham to send them away.  He did as she asked, and the mother and child were driven out into the desert. 

Tired and hungry the servant woman wept but an angel appeared showing her food and water, and provided a promise that God would also make of her son a great nation. 

 

Later in life Ishmael had 12 sons who became chieftains and rulers in the Arab nation.

In many neighborhoods and cities there is a multi-culture of mixed races and religions. As people move from place to place the world becomes smaller.  Naturalism and protecting one’s culture, language and religion are evident.

Multi-Cultural

How do we respond to this racial and cultural mix?

The covenant between God and Abraham incorporated that he move toward Cannon where he was to claim the promised land that would become Israel.

The Jewish religion came through Abraham’s descendants, and Islam from the Arabs, and Christianity all three state; "The Lord God is One God."

What has all this to do with us?  There is never always smooth sailing through life.  Many times there are broken dreams, promises, jealousy and even rage between friends and families.

We are filled with joy and hope, and then come bitterness and strife.

We like stories where the younger brother does well and succeeds.  Jacob, David, The prodigal son to name a few, and of course little brother Isaac.

The good news is to us all and God has methods to redeem and restore lives.  In the symbol of the cross, we find life.

Although we are all one human family – the fact is that unless we receive Jesus as our Lord, we are not Children of God. 

May we be reminded that Jesus said HE is the door and no man comes to the Father except through Jesus.  Jesus is the Way into heaven and He is the truth and the life.

May we all become "One" as we are a part of God’s Family through Jesus the Christ.