WEEDS IN YOUR GARDEN

Do you have a garden at home? What are you growing? Is your garden thriving and producing crops or is it limp and choked by weeds? Gardens take time and effort if you want them to produce the desired plant. By time and effort I mean that you need to make sure the plants get adequate water as all living things need water to sustain them or they will die. Next you may want to fertilize them if necessary. One of your biggest responsibilities will be to keep the weeds from growing in the same place with the crops as they will overtake the garden if it is not tended to.

My strawberries have done fairly well this year but there is a wild strawberry plant, also known as a weed, that is growing amongst the big lush berries. If I do not get rid of this, plus the clover that is wrapping itself around the strawberries, then I will not get much fruit from what has been planted.

How is your "spiritual garden"? Is your spiritual life growing and thriving or does it need to be watered, fertilized, and weeded? Is the only time you spend any time with God on Sunday for one hour when you "have to"? Do you even bother trying to get to know Jesus better and strengthening your spiritual life? The "fertilizer" of sorts would be getting into the word of God to know Him better so you can "grow" in Christ. The "weeds" would be things you are doing or sins you commit that take you further away from God. It could be an attitude of your heart.

What kind of "weeds" are growing in your life that need to be pulled out down to the roots? If you have clover in your yard and simply cut the flower off the rest of the weed is still under ground and will spring up again. The thing about weeds is they do not require much to grow but take lots of effort to eradicate.

Matthew 13:7(NIV) says 'Other seed grew among thorns which grew up and choked the plants' referring to the word of God falling on hard hearts that do not have Jesus inside of them. Are the "weeds" of sin choking your relationship with Jesus? Only you can answer that question. Have you neglected your "spiritual garden" and gone out and done your own thing? Do you want to bear spiritual fruit or just have weeds all over the place?

Get those weeds out daily by having time alone with the Lord. Take time to let the "fruits" of the spirit grow in your life.

Galatians 5:22-23(NIV) says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.' Don't let weeds choke your life but be "fruitful" for the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Today I choose to keep the weeds of sin out of my life. I do not want growing closer to you to be choked out by sins. Give me strength to resist attempts by the enemy, Satan, to make excuses for why I can not spend time each day with Jesus. In Jesus' name. Amen.

FADS COME AND FADS GO....

.....But Jesus is never out of style. Look around you at things popular in our culture today. Clothing styles, tattoos, habits, toys, music, electronic devices, celebrities, dances, baby names, and a host of other things. We buy a certain clothing style and in a couple years you can't be seen in it because it is old fashioned. Computers have really changed from the full room size to one in the palm of your hand.

One thing that never changes or never goes out of style is Jesus.Scripture says in Hebrews 13:8(NIV) that 'Jesus is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever.' We are not to put Him on a shelf because He is not cool. Sadly this is exactly what many people today do. Those who already know Him may "hide their light" for no one to see. Some maybe too embarrassed for others to know so keep it quiet.

Some, even in the Christian community, have tried to change what sins are okay now because "times are a changing". Sin does not become socially acceptable because a sinful godless society misinterprets it. The powers of Satan work overtime to confuse and distort the Bible and bring confusion to the minds of many. Certain sins are even becoming fashionable and accepted by society. Romans 12:2(NIV) tells us 'Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.' Remember that we do not change what Gods' word says so we can feel better about the sins we are committing.

James 4:17(NIV) says '

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.' PRAYER: Lord forgive me if I have ever treated you like you are old fashioned or out of style or not spoken up against something I know is wrong and against God's word. Keep me from being self righteous and help me to remember to pray for our government in the United States who is going against the word of God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/uMgsMC83ZDs

KILLS,STEALS, DESTROYS (PART TWO)

 

Recently I wrote about how the words we use have the power to kill, steal, and destroy. Another thing that can also "kill, steal, and destroy" is our impatience.

How many readers have observed an angry driver who is tailgating and
can not wait to pass often doing it in a no passing zone? Perhaps you
were the unfortunate witness to a T-bone or head on collision as a
result of someone's impatience to have to get to where they were
going and passing when it is unsafe?

Impatience can cause you to react to a situation before really thinking it over first. Being impatient can result in misspoken and often not well thought out words. Impatience can cause a person to buy something they do not need without first thinking it over or discussing it with their spouse.

You can see being impatient is not a good thing. When our first son was born he was three weeks beyond the anticipated due date. I remember the doctor saying "Don't want to take the cake out of the oven before it is done" and in this case you would wind up with a premature baby.
Rush, rush,rush. Fast food that takes five or more minutes sends some into a rage. Waiting at the doctors office may make your blood boil. It is essential to try to practice this very important "fruit of the Spirit" in order to have a healthy, balanced, loving, Christ centered life.
Galatians 5:22-23(NASB) says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' It is critical in order to walk with Jesus and be more like Him we develop and "grow" these fruits in our lives.
As for developing patience before we speak or email, Proverbs 29:29(NIV) says 'Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than him.' Ouch, now that hits home with me and maybe it does with some of you.
Let us constantly be seeking to imitate Christ in all that we do and maintain peace and patience.

PRAYER: Today Lord I need your help to not just blurt things out without thinking about how they affect others. I desire to lead a life where I can be patient. I know many "tests" will come my way and help me Lord to learn from them and pass them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WORRY! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

The answer is "absolutely nothing"!  It was not a trick question. We all know worry is not good for our health or even our relationships. For example, if you are a parent of an adult child who is living on their own , it is not good to have them constantly checking in with mommy or daddy. Trust that God will care for them and you raised them correctly then move on. Easier said than done I know. And as for your health, worry could cause many medical problems as well. 

What do you worry about? Maybe it is waiting to hear back on a college application to see if you were  accepted. It could be your child is in a war zone and you can not stop thinking about the dangers and the "what ifs". Perhaps you worry what people think about you. If you're a parent of a teen out driving you may focus on hoping they get home in one piece without a phone call. In the area my sister lives in they are being inundated now with tornado after tornado. People who live in "tornado alley" may be used to these monster storms but they are still frightened. If you happen to be employed by the US Government or in the military you may be worried about your paycheck or the security of this great nation. This list is obviously endless. The worry is absolutely USELESS as it will do nothing to change a situation. Prayer is what you need to do when you start becoming this way.

Guess who is the author and originator of worries? Well I will tell you who it isn't and that is God!  When  you catch yourself sinking into a worry mode then is the time to begin praising Jesus.  The devil will hate that. Start saying things like "thank you Lord that you are watching over me. Thank you Lord that I do not need to fear. Thank you Lord for protection. Thank you Lord for your perfect peace." Worry and fear go hand in hand. 

Here is a good scripture to memorize or write on a 3 by 5 card to read when you start to let Satan drag you into the "worry pit".  Psalm 91:5-19(NIV) says 'You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.'  There you have it!  Just remember that when you worry you basically are glorifying Satan because he is a "peace robber" and a "joy stealer". 

Isn't it time we do what it says in 1 Peter 5:7(NIV) and that is "Cast all your cares on God for He cares for you."

PRAYER: Today Lord there are many things I could fret about but I choose to "cast" my concerns on you. It is not your desire that I be weighted down with a load of concern. Only Satan likes that. I refuse to let Satan control my thoughts. I choose peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ORANGE SUITS...PRAY DON'T CONDEMN

Most every state in America probably utilizes "good conduct" prisoners to pick up litter on the highway. When you drive by these males and females they usually are dressed in an orange jumpsuit and carry a large garbage sack. Is your first reaction to be scared? Perhaps you wrongly judge them? Maybe you are thinking they get what they deserve. Has anyone ever stopped to think maybe they need prayer?

These individuals could be incarcerated for a variety of reasons. We
know the break down of the family contributes to many crimes in
society today. But do you know a perfectly honorable person who may
never have done a bad thing in his or her life could end up there for
accidentally shooting someone or a vehicular homicide that was never
planned ? Maybe a mental health issue drove them to commit a crime.
Maybe a car wreck and someone sues. Not all are your typical hardened
criminals ending up at the mercy of the courts but those from
respectable families as well.

Next time you are going about your day and pass a group of these
individuals why not pray for them. Pray for the court system to be
fair. Pray for them to get necessary rehab or treatment. Pray for
healing in their family situation. Pray for them to come to know Jesus
in their heart. Pray for their life to be turned around. Pray also for
families they may have committed a crime against to be able to
forgive.

1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.'

PRAYER: Father help me to not judge and condemn others but to truly have compassion for those who are locked up and pray their lives may be turned around. I know any person can find themselves in this situation so help me when I am driving down the road and see these prisoners to really say a prayer for them to come to know you as their savior. Keep me Lord on the right path of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a song to start your day.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c


Book reading suggestion: When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent

LOVER OR HATER

If someone were to characterize you would they say you are a person full of love and joy or that your had a spirit of anger and hatred? As a follower of Christ we are to show love even to the unlovely in the world around us. Hating someone was never God's plan. Trying to win others to Jesus takes a heart of love, forgiveness, and compassion.

Think for a moment if it were your funeral today and what they would say in the eulogy about you?  What do you want to be remembered as? I am not trying to get you to constantly worry in this world about what others are thinking or saying but what I am trying to get at is search your heart for a moment. If you say you love Jesus then you should love people. When you talk about someone behind their back that is not showing much love do you think? If you have a problem in this area God can help you.

There are those in this world who hate Christians simply because we are Christians. It is confusing and sad to me but never the less we are still to reach out in love to the hurting world around us and even those you may not see eye to eye with.

It says in Matthew 5:44(NIV) to 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'. Are you able to do this? Do you hold bitterness in your heart towards someone or so you have a grudge hidden away?

1 John 4:20(NIV) says 'If you say you love God but hates a brother or
sister is a liar for whoever does not love their brother or sister,
whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.'

Where do you stand? A lover or a hater ?

PRAYER: Soften my heart Lord to those arounde who may have hurt me,
ridiculed me, insulted me, made fun of me or just outright shunned me.
Help me forgive as I know I can not show love without true
forgiveness. Give me the power to forgive even when the other person
wants nothing to do with me. Give me your love Lord for my enemies. In
Jesus' name. Amen.

GRADUATION DAY

This is the time of year that lots of graduations are occurring. High school, college, graduate school, medical school and even kindergarten and eighth grades often times have graduations. It is a special time families look forward to almost as much as the individual graduating! Receptions, open houses, and parties are held in honor of the graduate.

Another even more "special graduation" awaits the believer who has accepted Jesus Christ into their heart as Lord and savior and that is our "graduation" into the heavenly kingdom. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9(NIV) that '

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him' or in other words as there is no way a human can possibly conceive of what awaits those who have asked Jesus into their hearts. In Isaiah 65:17(NIV) it says 'see I will create new heaven and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.' In our mere human minds we often wonder if "papa or mama are looking down on us" but apparently they are overcome by the beauty and grandeur of the heavenly kingdom it sounds like by this verse. Are you ready for heaven? There have been stories told of believers who have died and miraculously been brought back to life after getting a glimpse of heaven and wished they could have stayed. We friends and family members want our loved ones to live, and rightfully so, but it sounds like by these stories that they are much better off in the splendor that awaits us with Jesus. Everything down here is so temporary. Heaven is forever. It is eternity. I did not ask if you were a church member or have been baptized. In Matthew 7:21-23(NIV) it says 'Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day "Lord Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" and I will tell them plainly "I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers."' I am not saying this to scare anyone but to truly search your heart. There is not one special denomination that has all the answers. Many people do lots of good "church things" but their heart really is not right with the Lord. James 1:12(NIV) says 'Blessed is the one who has persevered under trial for having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that is promised to those who love him. ' Many denominations think their way is the only way to heaven. I have news for you. There will no doubt be many surprises in heaven. We human "judges" think we have all the answers and even wonder at someone's death if they "got in". It is not our job to do that. We simply pray. I remember many years ago hearing a friend relate to me how this elderly woman had said to her mom that she did not think it was "fair" for someone to have a "death bed conversion" when she had served Jesus almost all her life. Say what? Like I said, there will be surprises in heaven. Murderers, thieves, rapists, those who committed suicide, and all sorts of people we humans like to say "probably did not get in". If they asked God to forgive them and asked them into their heart they are redeemed and set free. We all have sinned. There is not a big chart classifying which is "the ultimate worst one". We humans do that, not God. 1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.' Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Are you ready for your "heavenly graduation day"? In Hebrews 3:15(ESV) 'As it is said "Today if you hear His voice harden not your hearts as you did in the rebellion."' Do you hear God's voice? Do you want to? If only you could stop and make time for Him today. If you are not sure you have asked Him into your heart it is a simple prayer. "Lord Jesus forgive me for doing my own thing. Forgive me Lord for shutting you out. I want you to come in and live in my heart today." Next find a growing dynamic church where you can grow in Christ and one that shows love and forgiveness. Finally get into your Bible each day and get to know Jesus better. You can not "know" friends without spending time with them. Same with Jesus. It is not just one hour on Sunday. Get ready to graduate!! PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for being my Lord and savior. Forgive me if I have made judgments on where another person stood or whether or not they would go to heaven because of something they had done. I do not know their heart. I want to know you better and I know that Satan does not want me to. I choose this day to live for you. In Jesus' name.Amen. Click on link for an awesome praise song. http://youtu.be/9La_4svq8JI