Joy Seed

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up,
he knows not how.

No man is satisfied with who he is. Every man or woman wants change in some way. Being braver, wiser, more knowledgeable, more influential, or more Christ-like are just a few of the ways we might want to change. Anyone who wants their life or a relationship to go to a new level must personally expect and experience internal change. If anyone wants to change, they must first change their thinking. In the parable of the sower, Jesus described four types of soil and the response to the seed. The seed was God's Word. As we take in God's Word, it will sprout, grow up, and begin to produce everlasting fruit in our lives. As we act on our changed thinking and encourage others to take in the Word of life, we will sometimes be surprised to see how new life springs up in them. But, without the seed, the fruit can not even begin to grow.

A man may hope for his children to be spiritually strong. He might want a strong marriage with a partnership in meaningful ministry. As life draws to a close, a man may want to be able to look back and see lasting results from his life. These things don't happen by accident. These fruits require good seed. But, many men fail to cast good seed into their own soul let alone the souls of those in their family or sphere of influence. There is another type of seed. Bad seed that comes from the world system and it produces temporary fruit like riches, status and pleasure. If we're not careful, the bad seed of wrong values, poor priorities and self-focus can and will choke out the fruit we really want in our families and in our selves. When we experience the fruit that God wants in our lives we will be filled with joy. But, are we planting weed seeds or joy seeds?

May God help each of us to daily get His Word into our souls.

Mark 4:26+, Matthew 13

Dig out the flashlight

Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Ps 119:105)

We were wanting to dig some luggage out of the attic last night. But, we couldn't see it in the darkness. Instead of fumbling around and trying to feel our way, we turned on a flashlight. What a difference it made!

I'm frequently tempted to think I don't have time for reading, meditating and prayer. But, in reality, I will waste a huge amount of life if I am wondering in darkness.

If the above verse is true, how much light is in your life today? Let's dig out the flashlight.

The Eager Bridegroom

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Frequently, we hear of struggling marriages. News reports bring stories of marriages collapsing and other relationships being formed. Ex-spouses say that their love is gone. How does love fade away? Relationships consist of conversations. As we stop conversing in one relationship, it will fade and disappear. New relationships start with casual conversations that gradually become more personal. Relationships are defined one conversation at a time.

If we say that we have a relationship with a person but never listen to or converse with him then it is an almost non-existent relationship. In exactly the same way, the strength of one’s relationship to God grows and shrinks as we each converse and commune with Him. God will speak to us as we read and meditate on His Word and we tell Him our fears, needs and joys. We can and should have frequent conversations with the Lover of our soul.

We hear the voice of the World all around us and our natural impulse is to embrace the World’s message, goals and values. But, if we will daily give our life to God through Jesus and converse with God often then our mind and desires will begin to change. Who we listen to and talk to defines our true relationships and direction.

Would you or your wife like a relationship where you get together for sex once or twice a week and never speak to each other otherwise? Do we think that going to church once or twice a week makes a good relationship with God? Let’s don’t fool ourselves. Jesus called us to a radical and intimate relationship. The Church is His bride. Join me in repenting of a too shallow relationship with God and too much time in wrong relationships. Let’s expand our conversation with our First Love, and deepen our relationship with our Bridegroom. He is eager for us to commune with Him.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

(Matthew 4:4)
(John 15:5)
(Revelation 2:4)