by tascha
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear…But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. from Luke 8:4-15, the parable of the Sower
These verses, this story, was in my scheduled Bible reading for today. I intensely wish for my own life to bring forth fruit, and I know it requires patience to see it.
But just as fiercely I wish for my own children to receive the Seed of the Word of God [become saved] and also bear fruit.
Only on the “good ground” is the Word received AND fruit is born. As a mother, my prayer is for my children’s hearts to be good ground… I am not a farmer, but I do know a few things about the general type of soil needed to grow good crops.
First it must also be rich in nutrients. All plants of the earth require different minerals to produce their various fruits. We must allow God to prepare the soil of our children’s hearts through consistent Bible reading [family devotions are a wonderful way to do this!], Bible memorization, and Scripture verses displayed where they can read them [when they can read!] Only through the principles learned thus will an honest and good heart be produced. [Mark 10:18]
It must also be moist. A dry heart is less likely to hold onto a seed. Moist soil is soft and pliable. We must ask for and then allow the Spirit of God [rivers of living water- John 7:39] to regularly and consistently pour water into our children’s lives. Our children need to see the Spirit’s work in our own lives. We must teach and exemplify the truths and principles found in Scripture to help their hearts to remain tender until such time as they understand their personal need for accepting Jesus.
It must also be able to receive sunlight daily. As saved parents, we are light to our children. [Matthew 5:14-16] Our testimony affects how our children receive God. This is a scary thought. My children see me at my absolute worst and know if I strive to allow God’s love to shine through me even during the frustrations and difficulties or if it is an act. And we must also be diligent to surround our children, as much as possible, with others’ whose lights shine brightly for the Lord.
And last of all, it needs to be in a good location to receive nutrients and water and light. When we neglect to take our children to church or read the Bible at home or speak of the Spirit leading us throughout the day, how can they know?
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by tascha
The Lord has been dealing with my heart about my not praying as I CAN, not being bold in coming before His throne… because only He can help in my time of need!
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
A few thoughts on prayer from church yesterday {we’ve been going through a series on Prayer the last month}:
In Isaiah 1 the Lord is telling Israel that their sacrifices and prayers are an abomination because of the motives in their hearts.
We must make our prayers for God’s glory, not our selfish desires.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
This passage in I Corinthians in context is in reference to being a stumbling block to any man by way of our manner of life, our conversation.
But the principle remains true in our prayers.
If our prayers are hindered by selfishness, our life can bring occasion to falter to another, intentionally or not.
In keeping with that thought, Psalm 68:18-20 says: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me… hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
The word iniquity carries the idea of “a moral injustice”… my offending another, bringing offense to the name of Christ, treating another poorly… through word or deed, action or motive.
I must cling to a right relationship with my Lord above all others to allow His Love to shine through me… to keep my life from bringing offense to His name.
The Psalmist [David] had an amazing relationship with his God, my God! Even though he struggled with many “obvious” sins. And I think the answer to how is found throughout the different Psalms he wrote, but specifically chapter 119… that long one, and verse 2 says: Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
We are no longer “under the Law” [as testimonies makes reference to] as Christ came to fulfill all the law [though this is MUCH we can learn and apply from studying the law. It’s amazing!]… but as Christians, our greatest commandment [law] is to love our God and to love our neighbor [Matthew 22:36-30], which encompasses the motive behind the points of the law.
There were a few other points made which follow in line with having proper motives and not living in offense to others; but for today, I have a few requests to bring boldly before His throne… and a heart to search and ask the Lord to cleanse of wrong motives and show offense! [not to mention laundry and dishes and vacuuming { 🙂 }]
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by tascha
Today I read in Luke 8 of the man of the Gadarenes that was possessed of many devils and whom God healed.
After Jesus cast the demons into the swine feeding nearby and the animals died in a lake, the people talked about it. There was likely a frenzy of wondering what just happened?!
But when the people found out that Jesus had made this maniac to be sane, they were afraid… of Jesus.
I am sure they were not pleased that Jesus had killed their pigs [I am assuming they were part of someone’s lively-hood]. It is not normal for animals to wildly run down a ravine and into a lake.
But it was not until they saw a crazy man sitting sanely that the Bible says they were afraid. It is a fairly normal occurrence for a man to sit, clothed, speaking calming to other people.
And yet, this is what made them afraid.
And the city asked Jesus to leave.
One of their own was made whole, sane; and they were afraid of the Healer.
The Bible records that He came back later and was received gladly.
What made the difference?
Jesus told the man: shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. [v 39]
The man told the people of the city his first-hand account of Jesus power.
He told them Jesus was God… or at least, the man realized Jesus was God, and that influenced his story.
And then, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. [v 40]
And after this was when Jarius’ daughter was raised from the dead. It seems to be he was a man from the same town.
All this… led me to realize, yet again, that when the name of Jesus is elevated to GOD in our conversation… when we actively think of Him as God, thus changing our manner of life… people believe {maybe not all, but it is noticed!}, hearts are changed, and miracles continue!
How marvelous.
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by tascha
Busy day yesterday!
In my Proverbs reading yesterday the verses that really stuck out were the first few: When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: and out a knife to thy throat if thou be a man given to appetite… [verses 1 & 2]
In context, the verses go on to speak about not being envious of what others, particularly those with more, have that I do not. And I have often heard contentment when I read this passage.
But today, I saw something a little different… though in relation to contentment.
I saw self-control… or temperance.
We must have control over our appetite. Here it speaks directly of food, but we all have appetites for many things: food, books, friends, travel, money… it is all just stuff.
I have a less consuming desire for “stuff” when I am desiring the Spirit’s control.
And here my thoughts traveled….
Temperance is a part of the Fruit that the Spirit produces our lives when we allow Him to work. [Galatians 5:22,23]
And I must exercise {allow God’s Spirit to teach me!} control in my life in areas and situations that cause tension or stress. {from appetite control… hm}
Many times as a mother… my children bring tension {stress} through myriad of situations. Maybe I am in a hurry because of a lack of proper planning, and they are just pokin’ along. That brings some stress! Or one of them has a melt-down for whatever reason, and I “lose” my control.
How can my children learn what temperance is if Mommy’s life doesn’t have it!?
When I know that I will be a “single mom” [in no way implying I have any idea what single moms really feel!] for a few days… I get a little stressed. I have grown to rely on my husband as the better half of my brain, the more controlled disciplinarian, the more patient teacher, a part of me/us!
We are a team, and we work well together. {These times also give me a burden to pray more for my single parent friends!}
And while that is wonderful and in God’s design for husband and wife to become knit together like that, I must never loose sight of God’s working and growing my own life as an individual… and that as an individual, I must learn temperance.
I must allow the Spirit to bring control and calm into my life, not my husband.
So, my thoughts took an interesting route to get here, but yesterday {and today! and probably many tomorrows…} I am desiring the Spirit to produce a control in my life that can only come from Him!
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