Meditations

I know this is not a very popular concept these days, and probably never has been. I’m sure we would all rather be the one sitting in a restaurant being served than the one who is actually doing the serving. I assume that those in service positions would be the first to agree with this statement, considering the way some people treat them.
Of course the point of my writing this is not about restaurants, It’s actually about church. Unfortunately, I have seen and known many who profess to be Christians and faithfully attend church, yet are possibly the worst customers one could imagine. Year after year they show up once a week, demand a good seat, complain about the service and entertainment, and then begrudgingly leave a tip, or perhaps not. The worst part is that they seem to leave in the same state as they were when they came in.
Now I know that we all need to be “fed” spiritually, just as we do physically, but my point is that after a little while you would think that they would learn to feed themselves, during the week, so as to get the nutrition that they need to grow on. When they try to get all of their fulfillment out of one hour of spiritual milk on weekends, It’s no wonder they leave church feeling dissatisfied.
Of course, as newborn babes we should desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. [1 Peter 2:2] But there also should come a time when we no longer have to be spoon fed. We should mature enough to pick up God’s precious words of life in our own hands, so that the Holy Spirit can speak to us personally through His word.
If all the spiritual nutrition you are getting is an hour or two a week, then indeed you are still on milk, not solid food. [1 Corinthians 3:1-3] In fact, some of you ought to be teachers by now, but you still only come to the table once a week to hear the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. Do you still need milk, not solid food? Anyone who lives on milk is still an infant in Christ and is not acquainted with the teaching of righteousness. [Hebrews 5:12-14]
If you were getting all the spiritual nutrition that you need, then you would probably remember that Christ himself came to earth to serve, not to be served. [Mark 10:45] He spent all His time on earth ministering to the needs of others, with the only exceptions being when He went to a solitary place to spend time with His Father. [Mark 1:35] I urge everyone to follow Christ’s example and be filled by the Spirit all through the week, so that on weekends you are well fed and ready for service.
In the body of Christ every church member is a minister. Each and every weekend it takes hundreds of people who are able to push away from the table and serve the thousands who enter that are hungry and thirsty for God’s word. When these volunteers selflessly come together each bearing their own gifts in service to Christ and others we will see a perfect example of the Body of Christ in action, an abundance of fruit, and a plentiful harvest.
To God be the Glory! Amen

It seems that for the many years, every January, God has given me a word of encouragement to help get me through the year ahead. Then when trials and troubles come my way, as they inevitably do, He graciously brings those words of encouragement to the forefront of my memory. They always tend to sooth my weary mind and bring peace to my spirit. I suppose it is His way of letting me know that I am not alone in my trials, that He cares about every detail in my life, and that He is in total control even when all else seems out of control.
Several years ago I noticed this pattern from my past and therefore asked God to show me what His “words of encouragement” would be for that year, 2005. Well He didn’t waste time, every time I turned around, this particular verse would show up! “And my God will fully supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 4:19] This promise may not sound all that profound to you, but if you knew the financial strain we were under that year you would understand how this verse encouraged me and gave me hope in place of despair. You see, He kept His promise that year, and has kept it ever since, and in the process has taught me that I can depend on Him for all my needs. Yet there was more! I joyfully observed that this promise was not limited to my financial and physical needs, but to my every spiritual need as well.
In 2006 God had these “words of encouragement” for me. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” [Jer. 29:11] Throughout that year the Lord continually showed me that His grace is sufficient for me, He was not out to punish me, but to teach me a better way, and secure a hope for the future. Finally I was able to put to rest, any remaining notions I had that God was out to punish me for my weakness and inability to live perfectly before Him.
Then in 2007 God had this to say, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. [Isa. 43:18-19] Praise the Lord, I did perceive it, and I was able to put my past behind me. This enabled me to embrace the “new things” that God had for me. Though I still must walk through the wilderness, I now know the way, and when I cross through life’s deserts, I no longer thirst.
Now in 2008 I was given this verse. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” [Josh. 1:9] At first this didn’t sound very encouraging, it sounded more like a forewarning that there was something scary up ahead. Turned out there was! Lots of very scary, you could only have imagined in your worst nightmare, kinds of things, and it’s only April! Yet God in his amazing grace prepared my heart and strengthened me. These turned out to be very encouraging words, indeed! Again God Has kept His promise and “is with me where ever I go”, and we have already been to some pretty undesirable places this year. I am learning that God, in His infinite wisdom does not keep us from going through the “undesirable” places in life. Instead, He strengthens us for the journey and continually walks by our side, sometimes He even carries us. Through these journey’s He helps us to grow, puts us where we need to be to help others, and displays His glory and grace for all to see.
January is long gone, and you may have, like me, already failed at this years first attempts at self-improvement. So you might as well join me also, in asking God for this years “words of encouragement”. Then be prepared to be encouraged and edified in God’s Spirit, with me, as well.

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” [Josh. 1:7-9]

The other night the moon was barely a slither in the sky and it was especially dark outside. I had to make several runs from my house to taxi my kids around and ended up making quite an unusual observation on my many trips to and from my car.
I couldn’t help but notice every time as I was leaving, and walking away from the back porch light, I couldn’t see a thing. I would fumble through the darkness feeling my way around till I got to my car. Then upon my return, in exactly the same lighting conditions, I was surprised to notice that when I was walking toward the light I could see perfectly every step of the way. On my second trip out, again, the same thing.
By my third trip I found myself standing there halfway between my house and my car, turning back and forth, to and from the light, to make sure my observation was sound. Frankly it doesn’t sound scientifically plausible and it was clear this was not caused by my shadow.
Sure enough, I could see almost as clear as day all the way to the source of the light, yet as soon as I turned my back to the light I couldn’t even see my very next step. I tried this again several feet nearer the light source and several feet further from the light source. It didn’t matter where I stood, when I looked towards the light I could see clearly, and when I turned my back to the light I could only fumble in the darkness. You probably won’t try this at home because you are not as strange as I am, but if you do I’m sure you will make the same observation.
Those who know me know that I rarely make a physical observation without making a spiritual one as well. My mind was flooded with visions of my past and I could immediately see that this has been a great truth throughout my lifetime. As long as my eyes are on God and His glory, I can see clearly my next steps, yet as soon as I avert my eyes from His glory to earthly cares I fumble around as in darkness.
Jesus said, “… I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [John 8:12] This is strongly demonstrated in how my life was transformed when I set my eyes on Jesus, just as foretold by the prophets millennia ago.
Before the promised messiah was even born God promised through Isaiah, “… I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do to them, and not forsake them.” [Isaiah 42:16]
There are more prophecies than I could ever list here. Many prophets of other eras have shared similar messages, such as these who spoke at the time of Christ’s birth. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” [Luke 1:68-70] “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. [Luke 1:78-79]
I find it easy to believe these prophets because this is exactly what Jesus has done in my life. He has brought me from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from chaos to peace. This list could go on forever, but the bottom line is that He has given me beauty for ashes and life in place of death.
So therefore I shall fix my eyes on the light of His glory and listen for Him to speak to my heart, because, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance. In your name shall they rejoice all the day: and in your righteousness shall they be exalted. For you are the glory of their strength: and in your favor our horn shall be exalted.” [Psalm 89:15-17]
Now, “…Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” [Ephesians 5:14] “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light…” [John 12:36] For Christ said, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” [John 12:46]

“I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” [Romans 12:1-3]

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a man. Though this man lived in this world, he was not of this world, for he talked of a kingdom far away which he longed for, and this mans ways were alien to all those who lived around him.
They were perplexed that he didn’t seem to care about or take pride in his appearance. He would often show up at various community functions with his clothes wrinkled and covered in grass and grease stains. Sometimes he even had grime on his hands and face! Yet, little did they know that he would leave his house clean and well groomed. Though that wouldn’t stop him from climbing under the engine of a single mothers car stuck on the side of the road, or changing a tire for an elderly gentleman. When ever or where ever he saw a need he would fulfill it, without giving it a second thought.
Because this man was often late and running desperately behind, people would often jump to the conclusion that he was careless, disorganized, and self-centered. Yet they were clueless to the fact that the reason for his tardiness was that he always put others needs before his own needs and considered people far more important than the trivial things on his to-do list.
This man always wore a generous smile, displaying teeth that looked like they haven’t been cleaned in years. Not long ago he had managed to save enough money to go to the dentist. Before the day of his appointment had arrived, the Lord brought to his attention a relative who was suffering greatly with an abscessed tooth. How could he spend his hard earned money on something purely cosmetic when another of God’s children were experiencing such pain and suffering? ” Now I know why the Lord has led me to make this appointment”, he thought,” or who knows how long their suffering would have been prolonged.” So he cheerfully took them to the dentist in his place.
His neighbors cringed at the sight of his property, clearly he was white trash. He didn’t have a perfect manicured lawn like everybody else. Sometimes two or more weeks would go by before he would mow his yard! The truth was that he considered fixing this ones refrigerator or that ones washing machine far more pressing than a well kept lawn, which would still be there when he finally did get around to it.
The sight of his lawn was nothing compared to all the broken down cars in his yard. It was starting to look like a junkyard over there! But not to the people who those cars belong to, to them it looked more like heaven on earth. Where else could they go on their limited budgets to get their cars running again, without a car to get to work they would surely lose their jobs. They couldn’t afford to pay for labor, they were lucky to come up with the money they needed for the parts.
The neighbors observed that the mess didn’t stop there either. All the stuff in his workshop and garage were continually spilling out all over the place, he must not care very much about his things. Well, they got that much right anyway. Things were only as important to him as to how they helped him serve peoples needs. Besides, the needs never ended, aren’t you supposed to clean up when the work is done? Also I suppose that considering all the gifts and talents that God has bestowed on him, it would be unreasonable to expect God to have given him organizational skills as well.
People would often shake their heads and roll their eyes in disdain, because he neglected to provide his family with modern securities like insurance. When questioned he would offer up some excuse about how he didn’t put his trust and confidence in institutions, but in the unfailing faithfulness of his creator, who cared for all of his needs. How foolishly naive is that, they would muse.
One would think that at his age he would have enough foresight to hoard money into a savings account, for what is sure to be an uncertain future. Yet he would say that he stores all his treasures in heaven, where they are eternally secure. The people figured he was in for a rude awaking one day, for sure.
There were days when he didn’t even know where his next meal was coming from! The people had never witnessed such blatant irresponsibility before, and he didn’t even have the decency to be ashamed. He would just smile and say, “The lord will give me this day, my daily bread. Besides, I have bread that you don’t know about, It is doing the will of my father in heaven.”
Yet the thing that chaffed the people the most was the fact that this man acted as though he were the richest, happiest, most successful person in the world. How this man could spend all his time doing trivial, menial tasks, and have the audacity to walk around as though he were a child of the king they just couldn’t understand. You see, though he was extremely intelligent and also very educated he never got offended when people treated him like a servant. To him it was alright, because he was a servant. He was a servant of the most high God, and he knew that whatever he did for the least of these, he was doing for Christ.
Now like every good fable, there is a moral to this story as well. The moral here is; ” Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men…” [1 Cor. 3:18-21]
“…You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” [Luke 16:15] “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” [I Cor. 4:5]
“Who are you that judge another man’s servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.” [Romans 14:4] “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another?” [James 4:12]
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” [I Cor. 4:2] ” …Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care on Him; for He cares for you.” [I Peter 5:5-7]
Therefore, “So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment. What does it profit, my brothers, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” [James 2:12-14]

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof… [II Tim. 3:1-5]

Does any of this look familiar to you? All I know is, I can hardly bear to watch or read the news anymore {or any other media for that matter} because traits like this have become all too familiar these days. Headline after headline, it’s all the same. Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, you hear of something even more perverted, more appalling, and more heinous than our somewhat normal minds can even comprehend. I find myself reeling and literally feeling ill from the shocking, demented things I see daily in the media.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” [I Tim 4:1-2] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.” [II Tim 4:3-4] “… evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” [II Tim 3:13]
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” [Rom. 1:18-20]
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their ignorant hearts were darkened. Though claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. For this reason, God gave them over to impurity to follow the lusts of their hearts and to dishonor their bodies with one another. They exchanged God’s truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [Rom. 1:21-25]
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.” [Rom. 1:28-31]
Yet, God’s love for His creation is so great that He warns us in His word, “Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” [Isaiah 5:20-21&23]
Though this doesn’t sound very comforting, don’t let it discourage you, it is an admonition for our own good. The rest of the story is “Good News”. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” [I Tim. 2:3-6]
You see, just as we all find ourselves guilty of one thing or another listed above, God in His infinite mercy and grace, has laid out a plan of redemption for all who sincerely seek the truth and a higher way. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” [Matt. 7:7-8]
Yet, “first of all you must understand this: In the last days mockers will come and, following their own desires, will ridicule us by saying, “What happened to his promise to return? Ever since our ancestors died, everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation.” [II Peter 3:3-4] But, “Don’t forget this fact, dear friends: With the Lord a single day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.” [II Peter 3:8-9]

This time of year I can’t help but reflect on the Jewish Passover and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus as I celebrate this miracle of God’s love along with Christ’s disciples around the world. The only thing that was really different this year is that I couldn’t help but think, “Ya know, even if I am wrong, so what? “. Then it struck me as strange that this is the first time in my life that I could actually say that about anything, without being the least bit concerned about some kind of ensuing consequences.
You see, in the years since my commitment to follow Christ, I can honestly say I have absolutely no regrets. Not only are there no regrets, but the total onslaught of blessings I continue to experience are completely transforming my life. Even if I never leave this earth when I die to see Christ face to face, as I believe I will, the benefits I’ve experienced from serving Him while on this earth alone, are all I will ever need to be eternally grateful.
I’m talking about blessings that I know come from God, because this world does not have them to offer. Blessings like the unquenchable love that has been poured into my heart to the point of overflowing. An amazing love that knows no end and leaves no room for anger, bitterness, or resentment to set in. Then there’s the transformation that has taken place in my mind. A mind that once was painfully skeptical, cynical, and snarled is now filled with an unquestionable peace which surpasses all understanding, and a confidence that leaves me rest assured. Yet the most surprising blessing of all is the unspeakable joy that fills my spirit. This very spirit that has tasted bareness, bleakness, and brokenness now tastes of the living waters that spring forth as a wellspring of joy, a beautiful by-product of becoming one with God’s Holy Spirit, through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
So all I can say is, so what if I am wrong. I wouldn’t trade these treasures for anything this world has to offer. The things of this world only leave you feeling empty and wanting more, but, whoever drinks of these waters will never thirst again.

Do you belong to God? If your not sure ask yourself these few simple questions. Can I look back through my life and see that God’s hand has guided me, often leading me back on track when I have started to wander far from safety? Has God ever spoke to me through my circumstances, encouraging people, music, or various other forms of media? Has God ever comforted me, when all else in life has failed me and left me discouraged and full of despair? If you have answered yes to any or all of these questions than you can be confident that you belong to God.
I’m asking you this question because I want everybody to understand that all who belong to God will eventually have a personal encounter with Jesus, God’s Messiah. I know this to be true because the Holy Spirit will not rest till we are all brought to the safety of His fold. God’s word says that all who belong to God will come to know His son, Jesus . This is He whom God sent to the earth to make a way for us to develop a real and personal relationship with the Father. You see, because you belong to God His Holy Spirit has been ever near to you, guiding you, speaking to you, comforting you, and drawing you near to Himself so that He may reveal to you His plan of redemption.
Jesus says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to me.” [John 6:44 -45] “All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:37-40]
I’ve often heard it said that all roads lead to heaven. Well, I don’t think it’s quite that simple, though I do believe that for those who belong to God all spiritual paths do eventually lead to Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6] “…If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” [John 8:42] “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” [John 10:27-30] “… He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that sees me sees him that sent me.” [John 12:44-45] “He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:21]
So I guess the next big question is can we trust what Jesus has to say? Many people say that Jesus was just another prophet. They say that He was an amazing man, peaceful, and full of great wisdom, but just a man. Well, I say He can’t be just a prophet and an amazing man, either He is who He says He is, or He was a false prophet and an absolute mad man. No other prophet ever dared make such outrageous claims as Jesus, who claimed to be God Himself, stuck with His story even unto death, than rose again to prove His point. So Therefore I conclude that, “the secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will show them his covenant.” [Psalm 25:14] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” [I Timothy 2:5]

One day awhile back, when things weren’t going so hot, It occurred to me that if I were to wait for everything to go right to be happy, I may never be happy. You know how life can be, it’s often laden with disappointments, inconveniences, and just general frustrations. I’m beginning to realize that I can be happy every day in spite of my circumstance, if I make it a point to be.
Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [ John 15:1-2] You see, I’m pruned if I do and I’m pruned if I don’t, so I might as well make the most of things.
God allows trials, troubles, and temptations in our lives to prune us. He lovingly snips away any weak, diseased, and dead wood, carefully shaping us into the image that will bring Him the most glory. It is through this pruning process that we develop the fruit of His spirit which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
This is uncomfortable of course, yet necessary. We must remember that if we suffer for righteousness sake we should be happy, and not afraid of the terror, nor be troubled. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that we suffer for doing well , rather than for doing evil. For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, and we being put to death in the flesh, are quickened by His Spirit. [I Peter 3:14&17-18]
I’m guessing that this pruning process may not be a pleasant task for God either. Out of all the garden chores I have to do, I find pruning to be the hardest. It’s not the hardest physically, but, it just breaks my heart to go hacking away at my favorite flower bushes and fruit trees. I go through the same reluctance every spring. This year I put it off so long that I almost missed the entire season. I knew I didn’t want to do that though, because a few years back I didn’t prune at all, and my plants only yielded a fraction of their potential growth.
So I guess this law of nature applies to us as well. In order for us to grow at our best we must also endure some seasonal pruning. Just like in the garden, we toil, but it is God who gives the increase. Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. [John 15:4-5]
So I suppose I will endure this pruning with total faith and trust in the vinedresser. He purchased me at tremendous personal cost, so I know that He has only my best interest in mind. Not to mention that it sure beats the alternative. Jesus goes on to say, ” If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [ John 15:6] So you see, I have a choice. I can allow myself to be pruned by loving hands, or be loped off due to lack of increase.
Christ also says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.”[John 15:7-8] Since I’m pruned if I do and pruned if I don’t, I might as well choose life, with joy! I am most happy when I bring glory and honor to my Father, the vinedresser. After all, thats what I was created for in the first place.

Well here I go talking about confessions again. Not the kind that some share with the Catholic priest to purge their soul every now and then, I’m simply talking about all the words that pass through our lips on a daily basis. This is something that God started trying to train me in about seven years ago, and I must be a slow learner because this subject just keeps coming up again.
I’m not surprised, my mouth has always gotten me into trouble. I tend to be a little blunt, maybe a little too sharp on the wit, and enjoy talking so much that I never shut up. So I’ve been trying to listen more and speak less, keep my vocabulary less colorful [not an easy habit to break], and to speak only words that edify and encourage.
Well, just when I thought that I might be making some progress in this area, I’m learning that watching my tongue goes a lot deeper than just my social graces in conversational speech. I’m beginning to see that my confessions, whether negative or positive, have an affect on every circumstance in my life. I agree with those who say that the only thing that we can control about our circumstances is how we react to them, but what I’m learning is that what we confess about them is just as important.
It helps to remember that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”[Hebrews 11:1]. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve been making is confessing what I see in my circumstances, instead of what I know to be true. Its so natural to look at my problems, remember how I’ve struggled in the past, and blurt out something negative right off the bat. Yet God’s word teaches us to believe His report, which is, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”[Jeremiah 29:11-12]
Throughout His time here on earth, Jesus gave us an example of how to confess through faith things hoped for, and not seen. Where He saw disease He confessed wellness, where He saw brokenness He confessed wholeness, and where He saw bondage He confessed freedom. Jesus’ life teaches us to, “call those things which be not as though they were.” [Romans 4:17]
Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” [ Mark 9:23] “For truly I say to you, That whoever shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatever he said.” [Mark 11:23]
So I am slowly learning to” walk by faith, and not by sight“. [2 Cor. 5:7] I now realize that the circumstances in my life that look like mountains, appear as such, because that’s what I’ve made them out to be. By confessing negative consequences over these situations, I was confessing Satan’s ill report over my life rather than God’s will. God’s word says, “A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue:” [Proverbs 18:20-21] So you see I have found it to be true, that what you say is very well what you will get.

Love is one of those words that conger up a whole lot of nuances. No two people would likely define “love” in the same way. Many would say that love is a feeling or an emotion, but I beg the differ. That warm fuzzy feeling that most people call love is pretty ambiguous. It comes and it goes, and it burns and it wanes, often for no specific reason.
I don’t believe that love is a feeling, but an act of our will. This is why it is possible for people to remain married for fifty plus years. I can guarantee that warm fuzzy feelings are not what has kept them together through the years, but pure commitment and determination. You make a commitment that you are going to love through thick and thin, good and bad, better and worse, and then you commit to continue to do just that.
The Bible has, what is in my opinion, the best description of what love is and is not, and what love does and does not do. First Corinthians 13:4-8 describes love in the most simple, yet most profound way I have ever seen. It says that LOVE -Suffers long
- Is kind
- Does not envy
- Does not boast itself
- Is not puffed up
- Does not behave itself unseemly
- Does not seek its own
- Is not easily provoked
- Thinks no evil
- Does not rejoice in iniquity
- It rejoices in the truth
- It bears all things
- It believes all things
- It hopes in all things
- It endures all things
- And, It Never Fails
So when dealing with our spouses, children, friends, and even strangers, we need to look to our creator who gives us an example of unconditional love. Remember that He loved us while we were yet still sinners, and He gave His life for us. [Romans 5:8] As imperfect humans we are not capable of this kind of love on our own. We must look to God to be filled with His perfect love, so that we don’t come up empty when those around us are less than perfect. We must put on love, which is the bond of perfectness, [Colos. 3:14] and remember that love covers a multitude of sins. [1 Peter 4:8]