“And this is my prayer : that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9-10
Blessings to you.
Seed
I love old science fiction movies, and television shows. The idea of creating something new, and exploring the unknown, and other worlds has always fascinated me. Recently, I came across on Netflix an old series, The 4400, which is a story about a group of individuals returned to Earth after vanishing for years. As the story progressed, it was discovered these individuals came back with specific gifts designed to help Earth’s future. They were “seeded” or re-planted to correct present day anomalies.
When you go back and re-watch old movies and shows, you see or hear things that might have escaped you the first time. What caught my attention this time was the term “seeded” which has several meanings, including to plant seeds for growth. However, in meteorology concepts, it also means to sprinkle with particles in order to disperse it, or to produce precipitation. In sports, the term is used to describe the process of arranging positions, so that more skilled contestants meets in the later rounds. Seeds brings up images of multiplication, growth, development or advancement. Plants flourishing under the right conditions. The more and more I thought about “seed, seeding or seeded“, the more I began to draw an analogy to the church, and us. In the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus identified himself as the “true vine” and you and I as the branches of that vine. We, the branches spring up from the “righteous seed” of Christ with a divine commission to first remain connected to the vine, and then to bear MUCH FRUIT. As in the tale of the 4400, we are called to use our unique gifts and talents (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31) to facilitate the building of His Kingdom on Earth, and share the gospel message. We were called to sprinkle or “seed” the Word of Life and Truth across the entire planet. We were called to plant or “seed” ministries, churches, missions, schools, businesses all for the glory of God. We were called to “seed” or arrange ourselves and others to successfully meet the challenge of evil in these latter days, and show the world an even better way. We were called to be “seed“; growing together in the love and admonition of the Lord, and staying knitted together in Christ. By faith in Christ, we are the “seed” for the building of the Kingdom. Isn’t it interesting how in the Great Commission, Jesus told his disciples to spread the gospel to the uttermost parts of the planet; to sprinkle the particles [the whole] of truth in order to disperse it, and to produce the divine precipitation upon the dry, desert of lost souls, so they too, can experience the life giving seeds of God’s amazing love.
This is not science fiction but a divine truth which can’t be ignored by us. You and I were ordained before the beginning of the world to be “seeds” for the Master’s work. If you don’t feel like you are a “seed”, read St. John Chapter 15, and 1 Corinthians 12, and let the Holy Spirit re-seed you today. Amen.
Daring Greatly
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. ” Theodore Roosevelt
This day dare greatly for the King of kings. Get into the arena of life with gratitude, love and a passion to make a difference.
Freedom
“The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Galatians 5:1
A morning devotional by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
This “liberty” makes us free to heaven’s charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, “When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee.” You are free to that. Here is another: “The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee;” you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let [delay] or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations, let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress, let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee, let it be thy solace. This is thy Father’s love-token; thou are free to it at all times. Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer’s privilege to have access at all times to his heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead his promise that he will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach his throne at all times – in midnight’s darkest hour, or in noontide’s most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a “freedom” is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!
Amen.
2013 Great Companies for Women
Not Again
Not again. Not again. Another mass shooting. Another community in pain, in shock and horror. Families grieving the loss of loved ones. Amid the trauma, stories of those who sounded the alarm, came to the rescue, schools and organizations locked down, and those who ran for cover. Again this nation faces another tragedy due to gun violence. Dr. Janis Orlowski, Chief Medical Officer stated, “I would like to be out of a job. I would like my team use their skills repairing injuries, but not those caused by bullets [paraphrased].”
Here we are again, as if Sandy Hook did not happen. There was evil present in Sandy Hook, Columbine, and in the Naval Yard, and as I watched the reports in sorrow, there were other reports of the evil; a young girl killed herself because she was being bullied, an officer killed an unarmed young man, and a young man shot and killed a baby. Whether it is a mass shooting, or a report of death or destruction, it is clear the evil that so easily beset us is around us. And yet in the midst of this pain and suffering, this is the day that the Lord has made, and we must show that good does triumph over the darkness.
Recently, I met a woman who started a conversation with me because I smiled at her. She chatted about different states she had lived where some people weren’t so nice. With a twinkle in her eye, we exchanged tidbits about families, travels, jobs and race relations. In a moment, I became a marker for her. Markers are important because they defined us, and although invisible they tell the world who we are, and what we hold dear. Markers are the spiritual imprints of love, joy, peace, diligence, patience, and understanding. They are the byproducts of our relationship with God, and time spent in His presence. As we spend time seeking God and His will for our lives, we become a powerful marker for a world riddled with the pain of evil. Our markers must be brighter and stronger than the slings and the fiery darts of the enemy. Our markers must be places of refuge and love covering and conquering the darkness. These markers proclaim the amazing truth that Jesus loves us, and He won the war. So, let us turn the Not again, into Yet we win.
O’ Lord, help me to be a marker for some poor soul who is lost, afraid, and alone in the darkness. Guide me towards and not away from those needing the touch of the Master. Because I know in the end we win. Amen.
The Master of the Seas
Jesus is the master of the seas; the calm and the choppy ones. “He is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their lifeboat, and their harbor. His church is the Admiral’s flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence.” Spurgeon
Henry Blackaby once said, “God’s command are designed to guide you to life’s very best. You will not obey Him, if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him.”
Today, let us resolve to get to know better the Master of the Seas; hear His voice amid the storms of life, and then follow His bright star into the safe harbor. The seas may be rocky; toss and billow, but the Master of the Seas can say “peace, be still” and all will be well. Amen.
Scribe and Student
The parables of Matthew 13 illustrate a single, fundamental truth drawn from daily life. It says that the Kingdom of God has come among humans in the form of our Lord and Savior. As I read the chapter this morning, one particular verse struck me. In the New King James Version, verse 52 reads, ” Then He (Jesus) said to them (disciples), “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the Kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
This is the message I received from this passage; that every student well-trained in the kingdom will bring forth exactly what is needed out of God’s storehouse at just the right time; for just the right person and situation; and out of this training the scribe and student will manifest blessings, power, and the light, and love of Christ. At the moment my spirit accepted this new revelation this blog took on new meaning and purpose as well as my studies. I am a vessel, as you are dear friends, a householder of truth; of the gospel message and of the power and presence of God. “Study to show thyself approved, a workmen who needed not to be ashamed:; bringing forth out of God’s household treasures beyond measure. Hold up the standard of God upon the roof of your house showing all and sharing with all that the Kingdom of God has come. Christ said, “Behold, I make all things new…” We are new creations; householders containing the gospel message.
Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Walk in the knowledge that as scribes and students there is written upon our hearts keys to the Kingdom in the person of Jesus Christ. John MacArthur once said, “In many ways, the attitude of obedience is much more vital than the act, because if the attitude is right, the act will naturally follow.”
May your attitude be right and in accordance with the will of God. May your actions reflect the attitude of obedience with this divine truth. Write and study as a holy, blessed and beloved scribes, and students who share the keys to the Kingdom with all who need them. Blessings to you.
On this day
On this day twelve years ago much of the world watched transfixed by the events of 9/11. Disbelief, uncertainty, fear, horror filled the air. Today, we paused to honor those fallen, as well as those left behind to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” on this day. We do so with musical tributes, speeches, flowers, poems, stories, candles, the ringing of bells, wreaths, but most of all with memories.
There are other days written on our collective psyche – December 7, Katrina (August 23), and others. These days mark and unite us in a common bond of sorrow, and pain, but they also create within us the knowledge of precious fabric of life and love, and the need to be more like you O Lord filled with courage, hope, peace, forgiveness, and that blessed assurance.
Today, O Lord help us to remember, and care for those who need your special touch of comfort and love as we all walk through the memories on this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Light Bearers
A Classic Devotion from C.H.Spurgeon
“In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:15
We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceived whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions.
Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Savior, and the weary to a divine resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God’s Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness.
Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it outs to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world.
Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.
Gracious Spirit dwell with me; I myself would be gracious be, and with words that help and heal would thy life in mine reveal, and with actions bold and meek would for Christ my Savior speak.
Shine your light brightly for the Savior this week. Be blessed.
Loving God with Excellence 
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