Showing posts with label sowing and reaping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sowing and reaping. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
How to Get Away with the "Perfect Crime"!
"The perfect crime"is the carrot on a stick that seems to motivate the criminals that CSI and other detective shows work to capture. The suspect always has this deluded sense that the crime will not have consequences. It always does.
Likewise, the drug addict or the alcoholic thinks that he can stop whenever he wants to, but it never happens that way. The wife beater, who later promises never to do it again, only returns to his habitual pattern the next time he gets upset. The man trapped by sexual pornography doesn't think it owns him, but step by step his whole attitude about women and his relationships get corroded with lust and guilt. A man reaps what he sows.
Sowing and reaping is one of the eternal laws, stronger and more reliable than gravity, that God established in the beginning. Adam's disobedience had lasting consequences which still plague mankind and the world today. The introductory explanation to sowing and reaping in Galatains 6:7, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked," provides the foundational reason: God. Does He, who made the eye to see and the ear to hear, not see and hear all? He knows every thought and intent of the heart.
Most people who are involved in sin, whether they are willing to call it sin or not, have an excuse and blame someone else. Perhaps this started with Adam blaming God for his sin by giving the excuse "It was the woman YOU gave me." and Eve blaming it on the snake. Or Cain challenging God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" rather than admit he killed Abel. The greatest challenge to prideful human nature is to admit "I was wrong." It takes a measure of supernatural grace, honesty, and courage to acknowledge this. No wonder God repeatedly addresses his people, "Be strong," or "Take courage," or "Fear not," when He invites us to repent and believe He is willing to forgive and to intervene.
"He who humbles himself will be exalted" is the conclusion Jesus gave after telling the story of the proud Pharisee and the penitent publican that went into the temple to pray. (Luke 18:9-14) The point is that God, as revealed in Isaiah 30:18, is waiting to be merciful toward you. What is He waiting for? For you to acknowledge your own wrong choice, your responsibility in what you have done wrong, and accept that the only perfect way out is to let Jesus die for the sin and His blood wash you clean.
God sent Jesus not to judge (us) the world, but to give Himself to pay the price for sin once for all. He has already paid the high price, his very life, so you and I can not only be free, but He actually makes a promise that seems too good to be true, we become the righteousness of God. God is not mocked, all sin will be paid for justly. Either Jesus takes the consequences and we go free, or we proudly refuse to admit our wrong and we suffer the consequences forever. God sets before us Life or Death. He then encourages us to "Choose Life." This is the greatest Good News man could ever hear: It is finished! Jesus paid it all. So great is this truth that it rightfully should be The Headline on every Internet site, every television news, every newspaper in the world. Perhaps this amazing truth is summarized by the best known (and maybe least understood) Scripture in the world: " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Do you see how the heart of God does not want anyone to perish, but rather to receive what Jesus has done, and live free of the consequences forever?
God honors both what is in our heart and on our lips. However, we do have the power to choose and put something in our heart. When we admit our wrong and are willing to believe that Jesus paid the price, that is our heart. The second step, according to Romans 10:8-13, then is to be willing to declare that choice out loud with our lips, inviting Him to take over and be Lord of your new life.
Therefore, I invite you to honestly admit your sin or wrong decisions, receive Jesus' consequences, and say the following prayer to settle this crucial choice: Thank you, Jesus, for taking the consequences for my sins by dying on the cross and shedding your blood for me. I believe you rose from the dead, paying completely for every sin I have ever committed. In response to You and your love for me, I willingly choose to receive your forgiveness and give my life to you by declaring "Jesus, You are my Lord" forever.
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Sunday, November 23, 2014
Are You Rich?
A dear saint of God who had spent most of her life blessing others through prayer, giving, ministering in nursing homes, distributing bread and food to those in need just went home to be with the Lord. During her life she purposed to bless every single person she met.
The night before her funeral God showed me in Proverbs that, in spite of her appearance of having very little material possessions, she was very rich. The world looks through fallen-nature eyes and thinks that the rich people are those with billions of dollars, fancy cars and houses, and lives of ease and comfort. But in reality, Jesus made it clear that true riches are only what we give away. You are only as rich as what you have given to Him and to others. Matthew 6:20 encourages us to lay up treasures in heaven that can never be lost. In God's sight and for all eternity, she is rich.
Most of us in the Western world think that we are barely making it, working to provide money to pay bills and meet expenses, with little left over to spend for luxuries or even to bless others. However, the question is "what is rich?" Are we hungry or do we have food enough to eat? Do we have clothes to wear and a roof over our heads? Do we have some of the comforts of life: heat, lights, and electricity? What about clean water, cooking appliances, beds and furniture, flooring and carpet, or a car or two for transportation? What about entertainment items such as televisions, computers, music devices, smart phones and high-speed Internet, eating out or an occasional movie? We get addicted to having the latest "things" and even start feeling sorry for ourselves if we can't buy the latest item immediately. Often we live with completely twisted and distorted concepts of our needs and the provision we have. In fact, we are rich and have received much.
Lets start with two simple truths. Every thing that we have is given. 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks "what do you have that you did not receive?" God does "give us all things richly to enjoy" according to 1 Timothy 6:17, so He does not resent us having good things. He does, however, want us to at least be like the tenth leper and return to give thanks. Thanks giving is more than words, it is an attitude of appreciation that is so overwhelming that only serving the One who gave it makes sense.
Secondly, God gives us resources so we can be like Him. God is a giver. He so loved the world that He gave His only Son. He loves a cheerful giver. Isaiah 55 says He gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower. So there is always enough to meet our needs and always enough to bless someone else. We are called to bless (1 Peter 4:7) that we may receive the blessing. Do you see the sowing and reaping principle: Give and it will be given, forgive and you will be forgiven, bless and you will be blessed. This life is just an internship for the position God has destined for us for eternity. We are allowed to sow seeds that bear eternal fruit, that can make a difference for eternity in someone's life. But most of all, using our God-given resources provides an opportunity to become a giver like Him.
So, are you rich, in the things that matter? Do you recognize where everything you have came from? Are you seeking to use your resources to return blessings to God and to meet the needs of others? May the Lord give you a heart of thanksgiving so you can enjoy being rich, now and forever!
The night before her funeral God showed me in Proverbs that, in spite of her appearance of having very little material possessions, she was very rich. The world looks through fallen-nature eyes and thinks that the rich people are those with billions of dollars, fancy cars and houses, and lives of ease and comfort. But in reality, Jesus made it clear that true riches are only what we give away. You are only as rich as what you have given to Him and to others. Matthew 6:20 encourages us to lay up treasures in heaven that can never be lost. In God's sight and for all eternity, she is rich.
Most of us in the Western world think that we are barely making it, working to provide money to pay bills and meet expenses, with little left over to spend for luxuries or even to bless others. However, the question is "what is rich?" Are we hungry or do we have food enough to eat? Do we have clothes to wear and a roof over our heads? Do we have some of the comforts of life: heat, lights, and electricity? What about clean water, cooking appliances, beds and furniture, flooring and carpet, or a car or two for transportation? What about entertainment items such as televisions, computers, music devices, smart phones and high-speed Internet, eating out or an occasional movie? We get addicted to having the latest "things" and even start feeling sorry for ourselves if we can't buy the latest item immediately. Often we live with completely twisted and distorted concepts of our needs and the provision we have. In fact, we are rich and have received much.
Lets start with two simple truths. Every thing that we have is given. 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks "what do you have that you did not receive?" God does "give us all things richly to enjoy" according to 1 Timothy 6:17, so He does not resent us having good things. He does, however, want us to at least be like the tenth leper and return to give thanks. Thanks giving is more than words, it is an attitude of appreciation that is so overwhelming that only serving the One who gave it makes sense.
Secondly, God gives us resources so we can be like Him. God is a giver. He so loved the world that He gave His only Son. He loves a cheerful giver. Isaiah 55 says He gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower. So there is always enough to meet our needs and always enough to bless someone else. We are called to bless (1 Peter 4:7) that we may receive the blessing. Do you see the sowing and reaping principle: Give and it will be given, forgive and you will be forgiven, bless and you will be blessed. This life is just an internship for the position God has destined for us for eternity. We are allowed to sow seeds that bear eternal fruit, that can make a difference for eternity in someone's life. But most of all, using our God-given resources provides an opportunity to become a giver like Him.
So, are you rich, in the things that matter? Do you recognize where everything you have came from? Are you seeking to use your resources to return blessings to God and to meet the needs of others? May the Lord give you a heart of thanksgiving so you can enjoy being rich, now and forever!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
You Get What You Plant!
Human nature has an almost-magnetic pull toward thinking we can get away with anything. It also likes to follow the path of least resistance, doing only what it has to. We seem to think that we can do what we want and have no consequences. Our flesh thinks we can eat fattening deserts, drive over the speed limit, watch hours of TV, listen to music with vile lyrics, look at pornographic pictures, entertain negative thoughts, and still expect to have everything go perfectly.
Jesus disagrees. Galatians 6:7 starts out with “Be not deceived,”as it proceeds to declare the eternal principle of sowing and reaping. Why would God say that first? From the beginning He makes it clear that this principle is the opposite of what our flesh so easily rationalizes as acceptable truth. We cannot get away with anything and we will surely reap consequences or results from everything we sow. Every thought and action produces something.
Even though this Scripture about sowing and reaping is commonly used as an incentive in financial giving, the overall nature of the principle is whether we sow to the flesh or sow to the Spirit. Sowing to the flesh simply means doing whatever our mind or flesh wants, according to Ephesians 2:3. In Proverbs Solomon reminds us that “a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall poverty come on you like a prowler.” In other words, being lazy will surely lead to lack.
Jesus instructs us, rather, to sow to the Spirit by obeying His leading. Romans 8 promises that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. Jesus himself demonstrates this principle saying I must work while it is day, because night comes when no man can work. We only have the window of this lifetime to sow good seed. Jesus at times was so busy teaching and meeting people’s needs that he didn’t have time to rest or even to take a lunch break.
Our flesh looks for a life that is comfortable and convenient. God invites us to rather spend ourselves freely to serve Him and others, promising eternal fruit. Do we believe Him enough to change our perspective from what do I have to do to what can I do today?
Holy Spirit, lead me today in specific things that I can do to sow good seed, because I believe the truth that whatever I plant is what I shall receive.
Jesus disagrees. Galatians 6:7 starts out with “Be not deceived,”as it proceeds to declare the eternal principle of sowing and reaping. Why would God say that first? From the beginning He makes it clear that this principle is the opposite of what our flesh so easily rationalizes as acceptable truth. We cannot get away with anything and we will surely reap consequences or results from everything we sow. Every thought and action produces something.
Even though this Scripture about sowing and reaping is commonly used as an incentive in financial giving, the overall nature of the principle is whether we sow to the flesh or sow to the Spirit. Sowing to the flesh simply means doing whatever our mind or flesh wants, according to Ephesians 2:3. In Proverbs Solomon reminds us that “a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall poverty come on you like a prowler.” In other words, being lazy will surely lead to lack.
Jesus instructs us, rather, to sow to the Spirit by obeying His leading. Romans 8 promises that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. Jesus himself demonstrates this principle saying I must work while it is day, because night comes when no man can work. We only have the window of this lifetime to sow good seed. Jesus at times was so busy teaching and meeting people’s needs that he didn’t have time to rest or even to take a lunch break.
Our flesh looks for a life that is comfortable and convenient. God invites us to rather spend ourselves freely to serve Him and others, promising eternal fruit. Do we believe Him enough to change our perspective from what do I have to do to what can I do today?
Holy Spirit, lead me today in specific things that I can do to sow good seed, because I believe the truth that whatever I plant is what I shall receive.
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