Fall planting

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

—Hosea 10:12

What a beautiful challenge!

It was just last week that I mentioned “we reap what we sow”, so why not sow seeds of happiness, kindness, hearts full of Jesus?

Even more beautiful is the promise that God will help us break up the unplowed ground in our hearts as we seek him.

He will pour out His blessings and His righteousness on us as we pursue His righteousness.

I am going to start planting today, are you?

Have a blessed day! 

temptation

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

—1 Corinthians 10:13

Most people who know me, know that I have struggled with my weight my whole life.

I have been super fat, I have been super skinny and I have been that happy medium.

My biggest challenge? Temptation.  I cannot stay away from milk chocolate and unhealthy snacks and there are no “healthy portions” in my world.

But, I carry on each day, working to lose the weight I have gained or to maintain the happy medium.

In the face of temptation, God has promised us two things: (1) a way out, and (2) the power to stand up under trial.

Can we truly believe this?

Yes, of course, because Jesus demonstrated this power, God promised us this power, and we can look at brothers and sisters in Christ who have triumphed by this power!

However, we must not think that the way out means that we are not going to face challenges, hardships, or difficulties.

Any one of us that have faced any type of struggle – weight, addiction, illness – we know that we have to face the stormy days.

Character is produced by both refusing to give into the temptation and also refusing to give up during the challenges we face for remaining faithful.

God will provide us a way out, but He is also interested in developing our holy character.

Where the balance is between the two is God's work.

Whether we choose to remain faithful is our work.

Have a blessed day! 

During the storm

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

– Psalm 134:1-2

Song Reference!!!

I’ll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I’ve cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

Although my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

This Psalm and song of praise reminds us that worshiping God is the right posture in all circumstances at all times.

How often do we thank God when we are in the middle of a struggle?

Praising God will renew our perspectives and bring light into a darkened soul.

This kind of praise is not based upon feelings or moods; it is an intelligent response to the realities of life.

Praise can lead us through difficulties, humble us in victories, and empower us when we feel weak.

Let praise be your compass and watch how much better you can navigate the path before you.

Have a blessed day!

Fill your heart

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

– Daniel 12:13

I am not afraid to die, I know that when I die it will be a glorious reunion.

But I keep my calendar so full, too full and I wonder what happens if I get to the end of my life and there are still many things left undone?

Daniel felt this way during a heavenly vision, but the angel of the LORD assured Daniel that he was not responsible for the things to come.

Daniel’s priority was to be faithful with what was in front of him.

Our reward is not based upon how much activity we have done, but how we have been faithful to what God has set before us.

I will continue to fill my calendar – but will be more careful to fill my heart.

Have a blessed day! 

which do you chose?

Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

—Proverbs 10:6

Jesus told Peter, "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword."

Violence begets violence and rarely does a violent person not have to taste the bitter repayment of violence.

God's Wise Man is saying essentially the same thing in this verse, but with one key addition.

Blessings come to the person who is righteous.

We reap what we sow!

Have a blessed day! 

connecting

When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. “He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

– 1 Peter 2:23-25

If anyone could have fought the injustice that was thrust upon him, it was Jesus.

Yet that was not what Jesus came to the earth to do.

He came to reveal how a holy and perfect God could still love His rebellious creation.

Jesus did this by willingly giving His life in our place to restore us to God.

In other words, Jesus did not resist the pain of a sinful world -  He took our sin so that you and I have the tools to resist the temptations that assail us every day.

How? By connecting US to the Shepherd of our soul.

Have a blessed day! 

Alone

For we live by faith, not by sight.

– 2 Corinthians 5:7

Sometimes, I feel alone.

Even if I am surrounded by people, I can still feel completely, totally, utterly alone.

We all have times when we feel alone and of no value to ourselves or those around us.

In reality the Holy Spirit is all around us, yet our earthly limitations blur our ability to see the heavenly realm.

This is where faith comes into play as a powerful tool.

We can either be ruled by our inability to see the invisible God, or we can believe the good news that God is with us and guiding our lives.

Our choice will have a profound impact on how we view circumstances around us.

I know what my choice is.

Have a blessed day!