Thorns

 "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants." Matthew 13:7 NIV

In the Parable of the Sower, one of the soils is described as having thorns.  When Jesus explains the parable, he said that the thorns represent worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. It' s easy to see how worrying can draw us away from God but the deceitfulness of wealth takes a bit more pondering about.  How does wealth deceive us? Wealth can make us feel secure without the need of God's provision or guidance.  Wealth can delude us into thinking that  we acquired our material riches because of our own hard work or because we are "good" people, believing that God was not involved in our blessings. We can trust our wealth to solve our problems with health, relationships and security. This is delusion as only God is reliable. A comfortable lifestyle with many distractions can lead us away from our Christian friends and prayer.  We may fill up our time with so many pleasurable activities that we have no time left to help our friends, family or needy people in our communities.

I pray that I will remember that all blessings come from God. I don't need to worry about my future as He is taking care of it. I also pray that I will look money squarely in the face and see it for what it is - something that can be used for good purposes or something that can simply make me more selfish and addicted to entertaining activities.

The Beaten Path

"some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up."  Luke 13:4 NIV

This passage from the Parable of the Sower gives "the path" as the first example of a type of soil that the Word of God can land on. Is that because it is the most prevalent type of soil? A path is a well-beaten route, the usual way to get somewhere.  It can seem as the safest way as it is so frequently used. But this soil represents a heart that is very set in its way.  The person who always takes the same path and is unwilling to explore new ideas, may unfortunately be unable to even contemplate God's truths. In short order, wordly voices will clean up the seeds of salvation, leaving the path clear and smooth for the person to follow. He will not notice that anything ever lay in his way. He will continue on with his fellow sojourners who also are treading the path, making it harder and harder, more and more impenetrable.

I have areas of my life that are hard beaten paths and I pray that God will till up those areas so that they can grown spiritual fruit.  Lord, help me to see how I can dig up the paths that are leading friends and family to heart ache and distance from you.

Trust

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."  Proverbs 3:5

So much said in so few words.  Some areas of our life are easier to give over to God than others.  I find I have given too much importance to my country and my politicians.  My country gives me a sense of home and belonging, and I feel uncomfortable when I feel it is threatened by inner or outer forces.  "Trust in the Lord."  I need to trust that God takes care of me no matter where I am, no matter the country, no matter the politicians.  My home is with God, in this life and the life to come.  When I remind myself of that truth, I can ride the waves of unpredictable situations with greater calmness knowing that the circumstances do not affect God's purposes for my life. Good news, indeed.

I pray that whenever I get caught up in the issue of the day that I will stop and remember that I am God's child, in his care, with a blessed life on this earth and after I die.  Looking at his wonderful creation will help me to see the majesty, glory and power of God. Let me be a light and not a messenger of gloom.  God has given us a message of love and hope, not discouragement and fear.

Unloving Spite

 "So they began to celebrate...The older brother became angry and refused to go in."  Luke 15:24,28NIV

This passage is from the end of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  The wayward son has returned home and his father, ecstatic to have him back, has prepared a feast to celebrate the event.  The older son, who diligently worked on his father's farm when the younger son was away squandering his inheritance, refuses to join in the festivities.  He claims his father never threw him a party and is jealous of the show of affection directed at his brother.  He does not love his father and so he cannot share in the joy that his father is feeling.  All he feels is spite.  He wants his brother punished. How often are we guilty of wanting people to "pay for their sins" even when they show repentance. How unwilling we are to be joyful about God's gracious mercy to others. 

Lord, help me to remember how many times you have been abundantly gracious to me.  Let me rejoice with the angels when a sinner repents.  Help me to love all your sheep in the same way that you do. Strip me of the pride that says, "I am so good because of what I do."

Pleasant Boundary Lines

 “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6 NIV

 

In our society today, anything that is seen to hinder our freedom is perceived as negative. In this Psalm, we are reminded that boundaries are often good things.  God’s guidance, or boundaries, saves us from much heart ache. The Bible teaches us how to have loving relationships, how to be careful stewards of our resources, how to resist destructive temptations. In the moment, God’s rules can feel onerous but they bring us to “pleasant places.”  They draw us closer to God and assure of us of his promise of an eternal inheritance. Our godly education takes time but God is always moving us towards greater good.

 

I thank God for his guidance and his boundaries which keep me safe. I thank him for the loving, supportive people he has placed in my life who are also a godly hedge around me. I thank him for the joy that has taken root in my life because of his love.

One Spirit

" …being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. " Phil. 2:2-3 NIV

 

Anyone who has spent considerable time attending church will have encountered individuals who believe that their understanding of the Bible is the right one even if it is at odds with the beliefs of the majority of the congregation. They will portray themselves as more spiritual than the other people and are often in conflict with the church leadership. Rather than having a humble attitude, they are often aggressive and try to sow division in the church. Love is not talked about or demonstrated. 

Paul in his letter to the Philippians encourages the church to be humble, to be united in spirit and mind.  He calls out the underlying factors that create disharmony: a desire for power or status; arrogance or vanity. The only way to have a strong united church is for the congregants to adopt a humble spirit focused on loving our Lord and following his example.

Guarding our Minds

 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:7 NIV

This verse follows along after one that encourages us to rejoice in the Lord and to not be anxious.  We are told to  pray to God about everything. It is by focusing on God that we gain the peace of God which keeps our hearts and minds from falling prey to the assault of Satan. Our adversary wants us to live in fear. He wants us to fear man, to fear death, to fear illness, to fear financial ruin. But the apostle Paul tells us to stay steadfast in God and we will be able to live without fear.  When anxiety starts to grow, we can remind ourselves of God's promises in the Scriptures. We can pour out our troubles to God in our prayers. God will put a hedge around our hearts and minds if we keep our eyes on Jesus.

I pray that I will keep my mind full of the word of God. When I feel like I am straying into the fears of this world, I pray that I will remind myself that my soul is eternally safe in the Lord. The joy of the Lord is my strength.