Plan Put Into Action

Plan Put Into Action

Hebrews 1: In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end. ³ He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.

 

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Wanting a merit badge, I sought out places to plant seeds. I cleared away overgrown weeds, removed trash and found areas of dirt that I could plant seeds. I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. After all the hard work, I just needed to sit back and watch everything grow.

 

• I finished the hard work and now I had to wait.
• I still had work to do, but it was minimal.
• I was excited when the fruit of my labor grew and I watched as the harvest got ready.

 

Paul is the assumed writer of this letter, though it varies from his usual style of mentioning his name. The letter goes right into the detail of JESUS being GOD and how HE achieved forgiveness for the sins of all human beings. After doing so, HE sat down.

 

My Observations

• JESUS was chosen to possess all things at the end of time.
• JESUS reflects the brightness of GOD’s glory that no darkness can remain.
• JESUS achieved forgiveness that I could not grant myself.

 

Sitting and waiting for something to happen can be hard at times. I mean, when I have done the hard work, I want to do more for some reason. In the case of my garden, there were times when I wanted the plants to grow faster, so I overwatered them, causing them to die.

 

GOD planted the seed of belief and sent the right people to provide me with words of encouragement. HE also sent people to me to provide just what I needed, when I needed it. HE sits because HE has already done the hard work. HE knows the wonderful plan HE has for my life and cannot wait for the fruit to bear out of my life.  I am so grateful JESUS cared for me to do the hard work.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer say GOD communicates with HIS people?
• Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is?
• Will you consider that JESUS has already done the hard work for your life and is sitting down to watch you grow into HIS wonderful fruit HE planted in your heart?

Need for Seed

Need for Seed

2 Corinthians 9: ⁶ Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop. ⁷ You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly. ⁸ And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause. ⁹ As the scripture says,

 

“He gives generously to the needy;
    his kindness lasts forever.”

 

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Both of my grandmothers were not the best cooks, but were always willing to give me food in their house where I borrowed a bed for the time I was there. They weren’t rich, in fact, quite the opposite. But they gave GOD to me in generous doses.

 

• I complained about their food.
• I complained about their bug laced homes and horrible water and discomfort.
• I complained about their constant mentions of JESUS.

 

Paul speaks about a different currency, namely “seed.” This is GOD’s currency and HE is the benefactor who supplies HIS seed. Paul suggests that everyone who takes GOD’s currency and spreads it around generously will grow a large crop.

 

My Observations

• There is a huge need for GOD’s seed and HE wants me to provide it.
• Everyone may not have money but GOD gives them and me, seeds to plant in other’s hearts.
• Seeds and bread seem to be highly important to GOD.

 

When I am greedy, I only see “giving” as a transfer of “my” money to an organization. I mean, I look at my bank account as a measure of how “generous” I can be. I then hear messages about “faith” being based on money amounts given. BUT GOD sees currency differently.

 

HE sends comforters to crying people, joyful to the hurt, peaceful to the angry, loving to the lonely, patient to the impetuous, good to the bad, gentle to the rough, self-controlled to the wild, faithful to those who give up easily and lastly, kind to the unkind. GOD sees and appreciates HIS seeds planted; and grows a rich harvest. I am glad HE provides the right seeds at the right time.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writer means about a “small” and “large” crop?
• If you had no money, what can you give generously to someone?
• Will you use your GOD given gifts to spread the Good News about JESUS in a way that only you can deliver it so HIS kingdom will grow a large, rich harvest?

Living Example

Living Example

1 Corinthians 4: ¹⁴ I write this to you, not because I want to make you feel ashamed, but to instruct you as my own dear children. ¹⁵ For even if you have ten thousand guardians in your Christian life, you have only one father. For in your life in union with Christ Jesus I have become your father by bringing the Good News to you. ¹⁶ I beg you, then, to follow my example. ¹⁷ For this purpose I am sending to you Timothy, who is my own dear and faithful son in the Christian life. He will remind you of the principles which I follow in the new life in union with Christ Jesus and which I teach in all the churches everywhere.

 

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“How To” videos were not as accessible at the time. I was trying my hand at making furniture from scratch. I asked my uncle for advice. He had won many contests for making furniture and owned a thriving restoration business. I carefully listened to his advice and completed the furniture.

 

• There have been many people who have given me some great advice.
• There have been many people who have shown me how to do things right.
• There have been many people who have been great examples for what I wanted to do.

 

Paul likens himself to a “Father” who has given birth to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. He brought the Good News to many people and they believed. They became his children and he urged them to “follow his example” to do the same. Spread the “Good News” and become a living example.

 

• GOD wants me to spread the Good News of JESUS’ resurrection.
• GOD wants me to go and make disciples out of many nations.
• GOD wants me to become a parent to many people who believe in JESUS.

 

Being an example of JESUS is great! I mean, I don’t have to be perfect because HE was and is. HE was the one who died for my sins and all I have to do is point people to HIM for forgiveness. My imperfection, flaws and failures draw people to HIM rather than repel.

 

When I admit I am a sinner versus trying to pretend I do not sin, I end up with children who believe in GOD. I am glad GOD put so many living examples of HIS followers in my life.

 

• Do you have an example of a follower of JESUS?
• Do you admire people because of how he or she follow JESUS?
• Will you become a living example of how to spread the Gospel of JESUS today so you may have many children in the Kingdom of GOD?

The Action IS the Destination

The Action IS the Destination

⁵ After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. ⁷ The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow. ⁸ There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done. ⁹ For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field.

 

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When I fell into trouble, I turned to GOD. I figured HE was mad at me for the sins I committed that week or possibly the night before. With an empty bank account and a broken down car, I had nowhere else to turn. “Maybe if I turn to GOD, HE will get these credit collection agencies off my back” I thought to myself.

 

• There have been many times I thought serving GOD was a means to an end.
• There have been many times when I believed I could serve and GOD would react to my service.
• There have been many times that I wondered “what good am I doing and does it make a difference?”

 

Paul tried to reconcile an argument over people following him or Apollos. He explained that both are servants of GOD and neither are more important than the other. The work they do is what matters to GOD and HE will reward people on what they do.

 

• GOD wants me to focus on “planting” HIS plants.
• GOD wants me to know that HE will provide others to water HIS plants.
• GOD wants me to see the vast field HE grows with many plants HE raised up.

 

Plant is an action and a thing. I mean I can plant a plant that plants, plants. But sometimes I want to be the one that grows the plant. That is when I run into issues. I want to control the situation so I can stop or start serving GOD when it pleases me.

 

GOD sees when I am sincere. HE knows the times I am really planting plants for HIM and HE blesses me when I am simply serving HIM because HE is GOD. HE blesses others who do their part in watering, and nurturing the plant during the growth process. I am glad to be a part in the vast field of plants GOD is growing.

 

• Are you trying to do something to get GOD to do something for you?
• Do you look at other people as being more important than you in GOD’s kingdom or vice-versa?
• Will you simply serve GOD today so HE will provide you with HIS blessings?

 

Head Knowledge

Head Knowledge

Acts 8: ¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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“Why do I have to know this?” I asked myself. I mean, I will never use this information. I sat in class and daydreamed, thinking of things I could be doing. I looked forward to my next class that was in my major and was only minutes away. I stopped listening and opened a book for the next class.

• There were times when I learned the information only to take the test.
• There were times when I understood the concepts but did not care about the information.
• There were times when I heard the information but did not take it to heart.

Philip preached about JESUS and many people understood and took action by being baptized. It was the right thing to do. But Peter and John were sent to pray for those who had this fresh knowledge. Many people accepted the HOLY SPIRIT in their hearts after the prayer and laying of hands.

• GOD wants me to plant seeds in the hearts of many.
• GOD wants me to know that someone else may water the seeds.
• GOD wants me to know that even someone else may see the increase of the seeds I planted in their heart.

Preaching about the great news of how JESUS saves  can sometimes be a group effort. Something I say can help a person stop rejecting JESUS, but this may only be temporary. Someone else may come along and say just the right thing to make it permanent.

When it comes to free will, we all have a choice to accept the HOLY SPIRIT or reject HIM. My life’s purpose is to help people accept HIM by believing they need to be saved by JESUS who died for us all and is alive because HE was raised from the dead. I have this belief in my heart.

• What do you know about JESUS and are rejecting?
• Are you trying to be GOD by thinking of your own concepts of what GOD is?
• Will you obtain “heart knowledge” by believing in JESUS as your Savior so you can receive the HOLY SPIRIT today, gaining everlasting life?

Growing

Luke 13: ¹⁸ Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

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Furious, I stormed into the grocery store. I grabbed whatever I was purchasing and went to the counter. The cashier looked at my face and did not bother to say anything but the amount owed. Silently I paid and left.

• There are times when I show my anger to many people.
• There are times when I show my disappointment to many people.
• There are times when I show my hatred, fear, lust, prejudice and greed to many people.

JESUS describes the kingdom of GOD as a mustard seed planted in a garden. This seed grew and became a large tree for which many birds nested in its branches. How does a seed parable apply to me?

• GOD says to me “Each day you plant something whether you like it or not.”
• GOD says to me “You can sow seeds for MY kingdom or sow seeds for yours every day.”
• GOD says to me “You are MY seed and I plant you where I need you, for the time I need you, and I will grow you into a large tree.”

Each and every day I have a choice to make. I can make people miserable and adversarial or I can choose to be with people and show them GOD is in control in spite of my problems. Even my absence speaks volumes and plants a seed. Once I realize GOD has placed me somewhere for HIS purpose, it makes me think differently.

Wicked people aren’t as wicked and the argument I was about to jump into doesn’t seem worth winning when I choose GOD. Showing GOD’s love is important to HIM. When I choose to do so, especially when I don’t feel like it, HE grows me beyond my belief.

• What seeds are you growing?
• Are you making many people miserable around you?
• Can you choose to have GOD grow you to a point where you are growing other people for HIS purpose on a daily basis?

Helpless and Mighty

Mark 4: ²⁶ And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. ²⁸ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

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When the car stalled out for the fifth time it seemed like we would never get home. The two hour journey had now turned into six. My cousin and I sat there waiting yet again for something miraculous to happen. After fifteen minutes I started the car again. This time it made it all the way home.

• Sometimes I have problems I cannot fix.
• Sometimes I have a desire but no solution.
• Sometimes I have an immediate need but have no way to meet that need.

Helpless is never a fun feeling but it is definitely useful. Looking back on the car situation, I can truly say that it was only GOD that brought me through that situation. I had nothing to offer, no power to give.

• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”
• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.”

In my weakness GOD’s might is made perfect. GOD is the one who knows how seeds sprout in this story. JESUS lets HIS disciples know that the power comes only from HIM. I am supposed to go out and plant seeds of love, knowledge and faith to many and let GOD grow the seeds.

As much as I may want someone to believe in CHRIST, I am helpless BUT GOD is mighty! HE wants me to be ready for HIS harvest so HIS glory will shine bright.

• Are you ready for GOD’s harvest?
• Can you stop fearing and allow GOD to deliver you the way HE wants to?
• Will you continue to spread the seeds of GOD wherever HE sends you?

Becoming a Farmer

Matthew 13: ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

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Overlooked in this passage is the farmer. There are many qualities of the farmer that stick out to me.

• The farmer had a purpose, namely to sow as many seeds as he could.
• The farmer did not care where he spread the seeds because he had plenty to spread.
• The farmer had seeds of potential that could produce huge crops from only a few.

JESUS was so busy explaining what the seeds were for that could not get to the point where HE revealed HIMSELF as the farmer.  HE had plenty of seed to spread but sometimes I could not allow them to grow in my life. BUT GOD did something wonderful in my life.

• GOD tilled my rocky soil heart to become softer.
• GOD fertilized my barren heart to become ready.
• GOD watered my dried up heart to grow HIS seeds.

Farming is the example in this parable that is often overlooked. GOD wants me to spread HIS seeds wherever I go.

• Does your life have purpose?
• Can you stop caring about who you spread GOD’s message to and go where HE sends you?
• Will you take one “seed of potential” and place it in someone today to grow GOD’s kingdom?