The Seed

The yellow seed once rested in the cob of corn

Surrounded by a leathery husk

Summer gave way to Autumn leaves

Soon the seed plummeted to the ground

Death overshadowed it

The cold air breathed over it

Then rain and sun took their turns

Death gave way to life

And the small seed sprouted

Over time the plant matured

It gave birth to two cobs

And multiple seeds then festooned both of them

Our faith is like a seed

We must die to ourselves

To bring forth a harvest

Are you ready to dive into the soil

To produce multiplied fruit

Obedience to and oneness with  the Master

Is the only way

Happy harvest

Our Great Refuge

Seasons come and seasons go.  Our lives can be humdrum or they can feel like rollercoasters on steroids. These past few weeks have been challenging to say the least.  For the past two-and-a-half years my Dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  The disease has been steadily progressing.  My wonderful and kind father has had the need for a caregiver for some time now. 

He has recently become more unstable on his feet.  After a few minor falls, we realized he needed a caregiver round-the-clock to help him.

Within days of this new change, we received a phone call.  Our caregiver said that my mom was seated on the foot of her bed and was acting unusual.  She could not speak normally but instead was babbling.  Lou, my wife, told my caregiver to call 911.

After arriving at the hospital, our suspicions were realized – my mom had had a stroke. The doctors performed several cat scans.  The results showed damage to the left hemisphere of her brain.  This meant that the right side of her body was affected.  It also meant that the part of the brain that controls speech and language were impacted.

Thankfully, my brother John was visiting from California at the time.  He was a big help.  He extended his flight a number of days to stay with mom and to be of assistance.

 

My wife has also been a gigantic blessing and support.  Since she practiced medicine in the Philippines, she has a great deal of medical knowledge.  And she has helped in numerous other ways.

I am so grateful she is in my life.

Lou and I asked for prayer from a number of people and we too called out to God for His assistance and healing presence.  The Lord has been a refuge for us in our time of need.  During my quiet time on the day my mom had her stroke, the Lord gave me Psalm 46 which starts out like this: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”  The Lord gave this to me before the event occurred (the date was December 29, 2018).

Mom has taken great strides in her recovery. She has been moved to a rehab hospital.   Her speech is fairly clear though she still struggles to say things at times.  She is walking with a walker and can go up a few stairs at a time.  She is scheduled to come home on January 18 and then will go to outpatient therapy.

We ordered a hospital bed for my Dad and it arrived today.  He seems to like it.  It has guard rails that keep him from falling.  He can no longer travel upstairs to his bedroom.

I am thankful to God for his unseen hand.  He has truly been at work.  We know He will continue to amaze us.  For those who have been praying for our family, we can’t thank you enough.  We feel the effect of your prayers.

 

This is a season in our lives where trouble seemed to have the upper hand but God showed us He is our great Refuge.

Jesus is bigger than our need. 

He is taller than our mountain,

And deeper than any sea.

He will help us when we call to Him

On bended knee.

To Treasure and To Ponder

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Luke 2:19

The shepherds watched over their flocks that night.  Then the heavens lit up with the glory of God, and the shepherds quaked with fear.

And an angel announced, “Do not be afraid.  I bring good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you; you will find him wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.”

After the heavenly vision ceased, the shepherds looked for the baby and found Jesus wrapped in cloth and in a manger as the angel said.  When Mary learned about the angel’s visitation and of all that he said, she treasured and pondered these things in her heart.

When God speaks to us, we too can ponder the words and impressions that we sense from the Holy Spirit and from the word of God.

A good soup takes time to make.  The cook must allow the ingredients to boil and simmer long enough for the flavor to permeate the soup.  Then we can taste its richness. 

When we ponder over something the Lord has spoken over us, our revelation of the Lord, his word, and His plan for our lives grows in depth and richness.

When Mary heard the shepherds tell her of the angel’s declaration that Jesus was Savior, Messiah and Lord, it must have bolstered her faith.  It also helped her to understand her role as the mother of this miraculous child.

Let’s treasure the times when our Lord reveals himself to us.  Let’s ponder over the words He speaks and then let’s let his word propel us to action.

Just One

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”  Matthew 9:37-3 (NKJV)

I am just one of them.  One of the laborers that harvest in His field.  I am not someone special.  He is special.  Jesus deserves all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. 

If you’ve answered the call to go and win souls and to make disciples, then you are also a laborer for Him.

This is not a position that demands the praise of men.  We are not of great significance on our own.  In fact the scripture says that apart from Jesus, we are nothing.
 

You and I are vessels.  God wants to use us to bring His glory to others.  On that day when Jesus rode the donkey and all the people praised him, was the donkey a mighty steed worthy of great praise? No, Jesus used him but our Lord rightly received the adoration.

The truth is that we are all highly flawed.  We, as His vessels, are imperfect.  Paul said we could become vessels of honor.  Let’s strive to do that in the Holy Spirit’s power.  Let’s walk in purity and faithfulness to our God.  But even if we are vessels of honor, we are still unworthy of the task of winning souls for Him.

The good news is that as born again believers we have been made righteous through the spilling of the Savior’s blood.  Yes, we are righteous and we have been made complete in Him.  But let’s never forget that our own righteousness is likened to filthy rags. 

I don’t care if you call yourself an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, a teacher, a doctor, a musician or an author, the truth is you are one of the laborers in our Lord’s kingdom.  It doesn’t matter how many medals you’ve won or how many degrees you print after your name, without Jesus we are worthless.

Let’s not become filled with our own importance.  After all is said and done, we are only His laborers, but in the Father’s eyes, that is truly a beautiful thing.

Becoming Thankful and Joyful

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.  Philippians 2:14-16

Our attitude determines our altitude.  This is so true.  When we take the position, throughout the day, of being thankful and joyful, our lives shine.  The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  When we are thankful and joyful, we possess the wherewithal to overcome little and large circumstances.

A cheerful heart is also good medicine according to Proverbs.  It is healthy to have a joyful heart.

When we avoid grumbling and complaining and learn to praise our God throughout the day, we become winsome witnesses of the gospel.  No one wants to take advice from someone that is depressed and always complaining.  In Philippians, it says that when we cease from complaining and arguing, we shine like the stars in the sky.  Unbelievers will take notice of us.

Let’s make it our ambition to be thankful and joyful and let’s let our praise resound each day.  With this attitude, we will rise, we will shine, and we will become winsome witnesses in a world that is warped, crooked and hungry for the truth.

Those that Know Their God

“… but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b KJV

A person who intimately knows God is not easily intimidated.  They have fortitude. They possess strength, strength that comes from God.  They also are known for doing exploits.  This includes moving in the gifts of the Spirit like healing and prophesy.  It also includes being an effective witness for the Lord. 

A person who knows God will also understand who they are in Christ, for this is connected to their relationship with Him.  The Holy Spirit reveals who we are in Christ as we spend time with Him in the secret place. 

People who intimately know God are also human.  They miss the mark, but they have learned to get back up after every fall.  They know how to receive God’s forgiveness.  They understand the importance of repentance.

Let’s examine our hearts and see how we can better know our God.  With His help we can be characterized by uncompromising strength.  We can also be known as a people who do exploits.  Our nation and the world needs believers who possess these traits. 

Let’s pray…

Dear Father God,

Help me to know You more.  Teach me who I am in Christ. Make me strong, and use me for Your glory.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Walking with God

Here is the latest devotion of mine that was published in christiandevotions.usa.  I hope it ministers to you.  Just click on the title. 

Blessings to You