Category: Blessings

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Thankful for Overflow

Have you ever cleaned up after a child, or adult, when they’ve filled the milk glass too full?

Perhaps it was a cup of coffee or a mug of hot chocolate that you were heating in the microwave. Did you see the mess or were you blessed by the message?

Our minds seem to be programmed to stop the overflow. When I’m filling my watering-pot to tend to my flowers, I try to turn off the hose at just the right moment so it doesn’t flow over. We do the same when we fill our gas tanks, a pot of water to put on the stove or our cup of morning coffee.

We have a tendency to see the overflow as wasteful or negligence. God calls it blessings!

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death,  but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

God isn’t worried about a stained tablecloth or a puddle on the floor. He wants us to know that He provides and when He does he isn’t stingy; He’s generous and his provision is more than enough.

A while back I did a morning blog on planting seeds and getting a harvest. We all realize that when we plant pepper seeds we won’t harvest green beans. Jesus was using this concept in his teaching on forgiveness, kindness and mercy.

“But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. 36 Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.

37 Jesus said:   Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. 38 If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.” Luke 6:35-38 CEV

There it is again – overflow. The love, mercy and kindness that we give to others with come back to us in overflowing portions. That’s just the way God is.  In fact, one of the names that the Jewish people used for God, El Shaddai, meant “the God who is more than enough”.

One final thought on overflow. The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in the church at Corinth about a need in another church. He was encouraging them to help with their giving. Paul uses the same analogy as Jesus did, sowing and reaping.

“Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. 8 God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. 9 The Scriptures say, “God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right.” II Corinthians 9:7-9 CEV

We should never give from a heart that feels forced; not money, kindness, mercy, forgiveness. We should give from hearts filled with love. Why? Because that’s the way God gives to us.

Oh yes! My heart is overflowing with love and gratitude for the love that God has shown to me.

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Grateful for What Knots

Last night Dave and I were watching a show on television and one of the family members said, “We will plant vegetables and what knots”.

I looked at Dave with a smile and said, “I don’t think I have ever seen a recipe for what knots. I wouldn’t know how to cook one.” We both laughed and I knew then that I had the topic for this morning’s blog.

This morning I searched the Scriptures and was unable to find a verse about what knots but I did find some about “whatever”.

“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 CEV

These whatever’s are very good. They are true, pure, right, holy, friendly, proper, worthwhile and praise worthy. These what knots are our thoughts. Have you ever stopped to think about this? Every action we do and every word we speak starts with a thought.  We don’t just act or react spontaneously without thought; action is guided by thought. Words never just come tumbling out of our mouths, they are formed by thought.

If we want our what knots to be good our thoughts must be good.

Here is another whatever that Jesus gave us. It’s the whatever of answered prayer. Jesus was speaking to His disciples right before He was taken to be crucified. These are some of His final instructions.

“Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. 14 I will do whatever you ask me to do.” John 14:13-14 CEV

“You are sad now. I will see you again and then your hearts will be full of joy. No one can take your joy from you. 23 “When the time comes that you see Me again, you will ask Me no question. For sure, I tell you, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive. Then your joy will be full. ” John 16:22-24 NLV

Jesus says in one verse to “ask me” and in a verse a few chapters later “ask the Father in my name”. Before Jesus was crucified his disciples asked and received what they needed from Jesus and this brought honor to the Father. After He was crucified, we ask the Father for what we need based on what Jesus has done for us. Jesus had honored the Father with His sacrifice.

The result is the same in both these verses. Whatever we ask for we receive because of who Jesus is and what He has done.  Does that mean we can just ask for any selfish or rebellious what knot we want?

“We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:14-15 ERV

We can ask for whatever we know pleases God and have confidence that He will give it too us. If we’re not sure if something we are asking for pleases God, all we have to do is search it out in His word. God is honest and He tells us what is pleasing to Him. His word reveals His will to us.

“Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God. 17 Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:16-17 NLV

I hope you have enjoyed this brief search for some of the what knots of Scripture. They are good for us and we can use them to help others.

I am grateful for the whatever’s of God’s word.

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Thankful for the Sparrows

I woke up this morning thanking God for His goodness and telling Him of my love.

Yesterday started out to be nothing special. Since we had been gone almost two weeks there were no groceries in the house and Dave had a couple of projects he needed to get to now that we were home. He made a list of things he needed and I made a list of groceries and out the door we went.

As we drove down the interstate we found ourselves counting our blessings. Did you do that too? Simple things – a good, dependable truck; no real traffic; our kids and grandkids; money to buy the groceries that we needed and our home.

Yes, it was a good day. At one of our stops we were able to help a couple buy their groceries. They were so embarrassed when they learned that they didn’t have enough money for the few groceries they were buying. The Lord put it on my heart to help so I told the clerk to add it to our bill and we would pay for it. They were so grateful and God got the glory. They walked out saying “thank God”!

What has all this got to do with being thankful for sparrows? Glad you asked.

“Five sparrows are sold for just two pennies, but God doesn’t forget a one of them. 7 Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 CEV

The sparrows that sing each morning from our trees remind me that God is ever-present watching over me so there is no need to be afraid. Just like that couple in the grocery store; the Lord knew their need and provided for them. I love being used.

Those of you who remember watching the Billy Graham Crusades on television may remember George Beverly Shea. He was a soloist who sang many of the special music numbers at the services. There was one song I can still hear him singing, His Eye is on the Sparrow.  If you’re a bit younger than me, you may recall  that Lauryn Hill sang the same song in Sister Act.

  1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
    Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
    When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

    • Refrain:
      I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
      For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
  2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
    And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
    Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

His eye is on the sparrow. I know He watches me! Oh…so much to be thankful for! He watches me. He cares for me, He provides for me, He loves me!!

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Has something got you worried – really worried? Take a look at the sparrows; they wake up each morning singing. No worries there, they know God has more than enough bugs to keep them fed.

Aren’t you worth more than birds? Yes,  yes you are and My Father cares for you! Now sing, sing because you know He watches over you.

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Counting Our Blessings

We’ve been gone from home for about two weeks. Got home yesterday afternoon and this morning I am enjoying the quiet of my own living room.

It’s good to be home and I am thankful for all of the Lord’s blessings. We had a wonderful time taking care of Sam and Kristine (a blessing) for nine days and then we had time with Mom (a blessing) before arriving back home.

Blessings:  1 God’s love    2  Family    3 Friends    4 Home    5 Food    6 Clothing…

And the list goes on. But there are some around us who have lost everything. I’m thinking specifically about those who have lost all their earthly possessions in the California fires. We need to pray for them and then find a good outreach ministry that is there giving aid and financially support them as well.

Jesus said when we have done a kindness for those in need we have done that kindness for Him.

“When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:38-40 ERV

We need to be mindful of the many blessings the Lord has given us each and every day. Making a list is just one way of keeping our hearts centered on gratitude.

We’re only a week from Thanksgiving. We should make gratitude a part of our daily routine. While we’re  brushing our teeth or combing our hair, say thank you for three things.  Taking a sip of that first cup of coffee should be time to be thankful for two or three more. Arriving at work unscathed by traffic deserves a big “Praise God”.  Sitting at a desk or standing at a work station we need to be thankful, some people have no job to go too.

Yes, making a list of blessings is a great way to keep our lives filled with thanksgiving.

“Stand and shout praises to your Lord, the eternal God! Praise his wonderful name, though he is greater than words can express. 6 You alone are the Lord, Creator of the heavens and all the stars, Creator of the earth and those who live on it, Creator of the ocean and all its creatures. You are the source of life, praised by the stars that fill the heavens.” Nehemiah 9:5-6 CEV

There’s an old song in the movie White Christmas. The lyrics  say “when I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep then I fall to sleep counting my blessings”. The perfect way to begin and end any day is counting blessings and thanking the Lord for all He has done.

Lord, I love you and I thank you for the many blessings you have given me. Let me see the needs that others have and be used to help.

 

 

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Precious Moments – Precious Memories

This past week has been so much fun! Dave and I have been taking care of our two youngest grandchildren.

Their folks will be coming home tomorrow evening and our time here will come to an end. What a joy it has been!

I know you think I am going to start bragging about how cute, smart, talented and obedient they are. I would love too but there just isn’t enough time. Suffice it to say, they are sweet and we love them.

These days have been precious…Yes, that’s the word.

Precious is used to describe something with monetary value like precious stones or to describe something emotionally valuable. Our days have been rich with memory making moments.

Looking at these two each day I can see God’s hand of blessing on my family. I can see God’s design in our marriage, our having children and them choosing mates and having children. Yes, it has been a continual pattern of blessing.  God’s provision for us is indeed precious.

“How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36: 7 AMPC

We can place our love and trust in Him knowing that He will protect and provide.

Sam and Kristine depended on Dave and I to feed and protect them. They knew we would help them and do what’s right because they were confident of our love.

In the same way, our heavenly Father wants us to trust in His love. He reassures us by telling us how much time He spends thinking about us.

“O Lord my God, many are the great works You have done, and Your thoughts toward us. No one can compare with You! If I were to speak and tell of them, there would be too many to number.” Psalm 40:5 NLV

We have spent the last seven days creating memories, precious memories. Recalling them, at some time in the future, will bring us right back  to this place and the joy we feel now.

That’s the way it is with God. He remembers the good times we’ve had with Him and all the while, He chooses to forget our sins.

“ I will show loving-kindness to them and forgive their sins. I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 NLV

The Lord has so many good thoughts and plans for us. He wants our lives full and complete. Each day we spent with Him is a memory-maker.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

Lord, thank you for thinking of me. Thank you for the good plans you have for me. Thank you that  you consider me precious. I love you.

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Thankful for the Trees

We  lived in an area for several years where we were greeted each fall day by the beautiful turning foliage.

After being raised in the desert, this was quite a sight to behold. Most of those days I would walk our youngest daughter either to or from school and I would just soak in the beauty.

It wasn’t just the color of the leaves that intrigued me but also the size of the trees. How many winters they endured when the climate was chilling. The years they stood tall and stately in the pouring spring rains. How many times did they provide shade for summer picnics, games of tag and laying on the grass beneath their boughs.

Then Autumn comes and their leaves would turn from green to yellow and gold. In a matter of weeks they would be standing bear to face another winter. Their seasonal transformation is a sign of God’s faithfulness. And it gives me reason to be thankful.

“Great blessings belong to those
    who don’t listen to evil advice,
who don’t live like sinners,
    and who don’t join those who make fun of God.
2 Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings
    and think about them day and night.
3 So they grow strong,
    like a tree planted by a stream—
a tree that produces fruit when it should
    and has leaves that never fall.
Everything they do is successful.” Psalm 1:1-3 ERV

The trees in this verse are different from the ones I enjoyed. It says that their leaves will never fall or whither or fade, depending on which version you read. Now that is a miracle!

We are promised if we love the Lord’s teachings and follow them we will be like those trees. Growing tall, our hearts will be rooted deep in God’s word. We will be fruitful, abundant with the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, endurance, gentleness, goodness and kindness.  And our leaves, which depict the flow of life through the tree, will always be green, supple, full of life and they will never fall.

This is God’s law of success. We have the promise that we will be successful in all  we do if we live our lives like this.

This verse has caused me to be retrospect on more than one occasion. There have been many times that I have had to examine areas of failure in my life. If I evaluate those times by these verses I have to admit that I wasn’t drawing my advice from God’s word and staying ground in it day and night. Those failures came because I was trying to do things my own way or trying to follow worldly advice.

Yes, these tall and stately trees are examples of God’s goodness and His faithfulness. Even when we have times that our leaves seem to be falling to the ground, God’s faithfulness will sustain us as we draw strength from His word. His promises will bring us through the winter seasons of our lives and soon new growth with appear.

These last verses are from Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet who gave many prophecies about Christ; his birth, life and death. This one is about the purpose of Jesus ministry.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV

Jesus came to take away our sorrow and our shame. He gives us beauty in place of our mourning and joy in place of our sorrow. He has come to plant us as trees, trees that are right with God and bring Him honor.

Lord, today I’m thankful for the object lessons you have placed all around us. Thank you that the principles in your Word give us guidance, hope and bring us to a place of success in You.

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Thankful for Parents

Yesterday I began to think about today’s blog and where I should direct our thoughts on gratitude. I thought of parents.

We all fall into at least one of these categories. We have parents or we are a parent. Elementary but true. This picture was taken last November as some of our family joined with my Mom to celebrate an early Thanksgiving.

So grateful for Mom and her impact in my life. As she says, “I wasn’t a perfect parent but I tried”. That she did. She loved my dad, us kids, her grandkids and greats and she has loved the Lord for almost all of her life. At 95, she has been an influence in the life of many young men and women, some now in there 70’s. She was a school teacher, a Sunday school teacher, a young women’s leader, small group hostess and a welcoming friend.

“Her children say good things about her. Her husband brags about her and says, 29 “There are many good women, but you are the best.” Proverbs 31:28-29 ERV

Very thankful for the wonderful Mom I was given.

I’m also thankful  for my children, who made me a parent. They, and their families, are the joy of my life. Life would be empty without them. Like my mother, I was not/am not a perfect parent, but my love for each one of them is unconditional. They could never say or do anything to make me love them more and they could never say or do anything to make me love them less.

“See, children are a gift from the Lord. The children born to us are our special reward. 4 The children of a young man are like arrows in the hand of a soldier. 5 Happy is the man who has many of them. They will not be put to shame when they speak in the gate with those who hate them.” Psalm 127:3-5 NLV

“Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.” Proverbs 17:6 ERV

So thankful for those who call me Besta. Bestamor is the Norwegian word for Grandmother. There are six who call me Besta and that is one of the sweetest words to my ears.

You know I’m going to end this with our heavenly Father, don’t you? It’s from Him we learn to be the loving parents we are. He is our example, it’s His life we try to imitate. Some haven’t been blessed with a good human role model but we have all been blessed with the love of our Father in heaven.

“Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].” Ephesians 5:1 AMPC

He will never turn us away when we come to Him. He will never leave us to flounder on our own. His arms are open wide, welcoming us to come. He has tattooed us in the palms of His hands.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. 9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad (earthly) as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

“Can a woman forget her nursing child? Can she have no pity on the son to whom she gave birth? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. 16 See, I have marked your names on My hands. Your walls are always before Me.” Isaiah 49:15-16 NLV

Oh yes, I am thankful for parents; the ones I had, the one I am and for the One who has always been!

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Enriched Living

All this week I have been back to work on the book I am writing. It is filled with Scripture and each time I include another verse the Holy Spirit reminds me of the time that verse became a reality to me and not just words on a page.

I cannot begin to explain how choosing to live according to God’s word and His promises have enriched my life.

Some of you know me well and others only through these words on a page. I feel I need to say this, in case you have the idea that I never know struggles or disappointments. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It has been in those times that I have dug deeper into God’s word to find the answers I needed and the unshakable foundation that He has promised.

When the Word of God lives in our hearts we can give thanks to God in whatever we do. You see, if we have His word we have His wisdom, His strength, His power, His blessing.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:16-17

I am particularly drawn to the phrase in the verses above “dwell in you richly”. Over my lifetime I have stayed in many different hotel rooms. Anything from the Mom n Pop, small town motor courts to the luxury view rooms in large cities. And I’ve stayed in some real dumps, places you wanted to have someone standing guard at the door as you slept. I prefer to stay in the ones where I can dwell richly.

The beds are bigger, the pillows softer, the showers are heavenly and they are so spacious that I don’t trip over the furniture when I get up in the middle of the night. It’s nice.

That’s the atmosphere I want God to feel He has in my life. I don’t want Him to be forced to “dwell” in a life that pushes Him to the back room or the broom closet. I want Him to come in and feel welcomed. I want to roll out the red carpet and make Him the honored guest of my heart. I desire to give His word pre-eminence over everything and everyone.

I have folks ask me don’t you ever get down and I answer “yes, but it’s only when I have my eyes on myself”. If I am looking at God and His word, I see that He loved me before the foundation of the world; He sent His Son to die so that I will have a new & abundant life; He is ever-present to be my help and strength; He has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places so how could I possibly be down? I have to give Him praise!

Jesus, who is The Word, said He came to give us a life overflowing. That’s the same picture that King David paints for us in Psalm 23 when he said “my cup runs over”.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

I am so blessed in my overflowing life; it’s luxurious to have overflowing love, joy, peace, strength and provision. I’m not being a greedy or materialistic; I have the heart of a grateful loving child. When we’re offered a wonderful gift, we accept it with a grateful and thankful heart. To do any less would be an insult to the gift giver.

Receive from our Father today. Let His word bring richness to us, heart and soul.

 

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Lessons From the Pumpkin Patch

Fall. The joys of autumn. Cooler temperatures, shorter days. The year’s final harvest.

When we lived in the Northwest, each Fall there would always be a field trip to the pumpkin patch. There was an area close to  town called Green Bluff and that was the place to go.

We loaded up in the school buses; teachers, students, parent helpers, and headed up the hill for a day in the country. When we arrived at the designated farm everyone got onto a wagon lined with hay bales and a tractor would pull the wagon out to the field of pumpkins where the kids could pick out their own pumpkin to take home.

It was a wonderful day; laughing children, happy teachers, cool air and a cup of hot apple cider before heading back. What a treat!

But it was called a pumpkin patch because the farmer had planted pumpkins. Well, of course. That’s what you would expect, right? If you plant pumpkin seeds you expect pumpkins, not turnips or zucchini or cabbage or spaghetti squash – no, pumpkins. Can you image how shocked the farmer would be if he went out and found that there were potatoes coming up where he planted pumpkins?

Well naturally we know that couldn’t happen. Then why do we think it should be any other way in the other areas of our life?

We burn the candle at both ends. We get very little sleep, don’t drink enough water, aren’t eating right  and we end up stressed out, overly tired and sick. But we seem to be surprised when that happens.

Or how about this? We are cranky, rude, sarcastic, unsympathetic and unconcerned about those around us yet we are surprised when we receive the same treatment. Why should that be shocking? If we plant the negative things of life, they are going to grow.

Jesus compared God’s word to seed. He said if we (our hearts) are good ground, the seeds will root, grow and produce a harvest.

It’s a fact of nature and it’s a spiritual principle as well.

“Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest. 8 If you plant in the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life. 9 We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive everlasting life at the proper time, if we don’t give up. 10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.” Galatians 6:7-10 GW

What we plant in our lives is our choice. Just like the farmer, he wants a crop of pumpkins so he plants pumpkin seeds. He will have to go out occasionally and pull some weeds that pop up but he knows what his harvest will be because he’s confident of the seeds he put in the earth.

Now we all have had times that some of the seeds  we’ve planted weren’t good ones. What we need to do about those is pray for crop failure. We ask the Lord to help those seeds die before they sprout and if they should come up we take a hoe and chop them out.

Here’s verse 9 from the King James Version:

“ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Harvest is hard work but well worth it.

Not only did the school kids have field trips to the pumpkin patch but those farmers made an event out of harvest. There were other crops too; corn, apples, peaches. So every weekend for several weeks they would open their farms to the folks from town. There would be hay rides, a corn maze, cider, fresh pies – apple and pumpkin. This was harvest and it was fun.

Just think, if we plant the right seeds we can expect a bumper crop. A crop that we can share with friends, family and others.

 

 

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Enjoying Good Fruit

So as I’ve been sitting here with my coffee and my thoughts I had the following verse fill my heart:

“14 May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:14 CEV

Words and thoughts – those two are linked together on more than one occasion in the Bible. Jesus put it this way.

” Every tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. You won’t find figs on thorny weeds. And you can’t pick grapes from thorn bushes! 45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.”   Luke 6:44-45 ERV

I remember my first experience growing peaches. It was years back. We had moved to a home with a small peach tree in the back yard. I was so hopeful that we would have sweet juicy peaches at the end of summer. But no! It took a couple of years to see the tree really produce . All the time it was drawing nourishment from the ground, developing a strong root base and maturing. Only then did the peaches come. The first harvest it was only a few large peaches but the second harvest there were many more.

We’re like that tree. When we begin our walk with Christ we need time to take in His word, our roots spreading out deep, giving us a firm foundation. As we apply His word to our lives our thoughts and actions change. Our heart changes and we begin to produce good fruit.

Thoughts, the things we save in our heart will come out our mouths. Just like fruit grows on a tree, thoughts produce words. If we spend our time thinking on the hurts, failures, and criticism, those are things that we will produce with our words.

However, if the meditation (thoughts) of our hearts are pleasant, loving, forgiving and kind then the fruit we produce will be gracious, loving, understanding and good!

When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives He shows us what Jesus truly did for us – He cleansed us completely so we are able to have confidence in the Father’s presence. Confidence brings peace.

The night when Jesus was arrested He was in the Garden with His closest friends. He was still teaching them up to the very end. They came to the point where they could finally see that yes, Jesus was the Messiah. He was God’s Son.

Jesus spoke to them the words He held in His heart.

“31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? [Do you believe it at last?]  32 But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John 16:31-33 AMP

Jesus knew they would all leave him when he was arrested. Fear would overtake them. However, He spoke words of encouragement and confidence to them and to Himself. These men who had once been afraid of their own shadows would soon stand before the rulers of the land and boldly proclaim that Jesus was the Christ and they would serve Him even if it cost them their lives.

Jesus gave us this example. Don’t think about our fears, failures and heartaches but instead look at the bigness of His sacrifice. He conquered the world for us. We can live in peace and victory knowing that God has and is working everything out for us.

“We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.

4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5 CEV

We need to fill our hearts, our minds, with memories of all the times the Lord has proven to be our defender, our strength, our joy, and our unshakable hope. When we plant those seeds of confidence we will harvest peace and rest.

Father, I want to speak gracious and loving words from a heart that’s filled with confidence in You!

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