Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Heart Scan for the Culture

A number of years ago I had a heart scan.  I was experiencing no symptoms that were causing me any concern.  My wife had seen a promotional offer for a free heart scan, and so we both went in. I was surprised when my results came back showing a plaque problem that indicated an increased risk of heart attack. 

In the period of time culminating on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, our nation also received a diagnostic heart scan. In both my individual heart scan and the national heart scan of the 2012 election cycle, significant problems can clearly be seen by the trained eye. In both cases, the scan did not cause the problem, but rather it reflects the problem. In both cases, there are choices to be made that can impact the outcome going forward.

In this time since the election, I feel like I am getting the doctor's report. What does he see on the scan? What is his diagnosis? And beyond this, what are my options?

In the case of my personal heart scan, the options were pretty clear: 
  • Make a significant change in three areas -
    - diet
    - exercise
    - stress
or
  • do nothing and suffer the consequences.
I chose the former.
How about the nation?

Isaiah 1:4-5 (New American Standard Bible)

Alas, sinful nation,
People weighed down with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers,
Sons who act corruptly!
They have abandoned the Lord,
They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away from Him.

5 Where will you be stricken again,
As you continue in your rebellion?
The whole head is sick
And the whole heart is faint.
God sent prophets, the trained eyes that could interpret the heart scan and warn.

Jeremiah 2:1-13

1 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord,

“I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth,
The love of your betrothals,
Your following after Me in the wilderness,
Through a land not sown.
3 “Israel was holy to the Lord,
The first of His harvest.
All who ate of it became guilty;
Evil came upon them,” declares the Lord.’”

4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord,

“What injustice did your fathers find in Me,
That they went far from Me
And walked after emptiness and became empty?
6 “They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord
Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt,
Who led us through the wilderness,
Through a land of deserts and of pits,
Through a land of drought and of deep darkness,
Through a land that no one crossed
And where no man dwelt?’
7 “I brought you into the fruitful land
To eat its fruit and its good things.
But you came and defiled My land,
And My inheritance you made an abomination.
8 “The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
And those who handle the law did not know Me;
The rulers also transgressed against Me,
And the prophets prophesied by Baal
And walked after things that did not profit.

9 “Therefore I will yet contend with you,” declares the Lord,
“And with your sons’ sons I will contend.
10 “For cross to the coastlands of Kittim and see,
And send to Kedar and observe closely
And see if there has been such a thing as this!
11 “Has a nation changed gods
When they were not gods?
But My people have changed their glory
For that which does not profit.
12 “Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
And shudder, be very desolate,” declares the Lord.
13 “For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me,
The fountain of living waters,
To hew for themselves cisterns,
Broken cisterns
That can hold no water.
After my heart scan, I met others with heart issues. One man, after a heart attack and heart surgery, had made no changes.  He was still overweight, under exercised, etc. Another that I spoke with shared that he, too had a heart scan that showed problems.  He said that he was not going to do anything about changing anything in his lifestyle, because it would be too difficult.

What about America? What will we choose? What will we decide about our junk food "diet" of violence, self-indulgence, entertainment addiction? As individuals will we "exercise", putting our creeds into action? Will we avoid the stress of turning our backs on God and, instead, cast our cares on the one who cares for us, submitting our plans, our goals, our lives, our families, our nation, and our hearts to him?

Thursday, June 28, 2012

July 4 and worship



As we approach July 4, how should the Church approach the day? It is not really a religious holiday. And yet the vast majority of church people are deeply patriotic, and our nation does enjoy the benefits of having had a Christian foundation. Should we make this a day for flag waving in church? Should we pull out the book of patriotic songs and sing it cover to cover?

As I think about the celebration of our nation’s independence, I am deeply mindful that this freedom and liberty is actually anchored in a heart of dependence, not independence. Our freedom and liberty are dependent on us being a people surrendered to our God.

I was reading in Isaiah 1:16-20 this morning as well as the rest of the first 5 chapters of Isaiah.  I believe that this is the cry of a deeply patriotic man who loved both his country and his God. He called out to a nation that had turned its back on its God, calling them to return.  Is this perhaps the patriotic stance at this point in our nation’s history?

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Package vs. Product

We're all too familiar with the way it works. The picture on the box looks amazing, fresh, and delicious - irresistible.  But after you buy it, reality hits.

This is repeated in many areas of life.  A politician may talk persuasively, but then the record demonstrates that the words were no more than words.   An individual that is held up as a role model is caught in a severe moral failure. Yes, the problem of inconsistency can bee seen in products, politicians, preachers, and far beyond.

Years ago I heard a proposed etymology of the word, sincere. The meaning, according to this folk etymology, was "without wax". The idea was that flawed marble might have wax rubbed into the cracks to disguise the poor quality. But the flaws would become apparent in the warm sun when the wax would soften and melt, exposing the true character of the marble.  This may not have actually been the origin of the word, but it vividly illustrates the meaning of sincerity of character. 

Why is consistency and sincerity so rare? I believe it is because of standing on a faulty foundation. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke of the house built on a rock and the one built on sand.  Both structures looked sound.  But the one lacked a foundation to hold up the good intentions. Good intentions will fail. What is needed is not turning over a new leaf, but rather a new creation, a new birth. There are multiple images presented to us to portray this.
  • the firm foundation
  • the new creation
  • the branch firmly grafted into the vine
  • the love, respect, and inseperable commitment of marriage
Single minded, whole hearted, sincere, radically committed...they find their power in the Father's love, lavishly poured out in Jesus. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.  Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Perfect, Royal, Liberating

I have been reading the book of James for the past couple of weeks.  I am struck by the descriptives that are attached to the word, "law".

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:25, New International Version)

 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. (James 2:8, New International Version)


 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, (James 2:12, New International Version)

In these three verses, the law is:
  • the perfect law
  • the law of liberty
  • the royal law
The Perfect Law
This is not the first time we have heard these words. 

 7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7, New International Version)

God's law is perfect.  It is without flaw. This speaks to its quality.

The Law of Liberty
God's law, far from bringing bondage, breaks chains. God's law brings freedom, liberty.

10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. (Leviticus 25:10, New International Version)

God's law is a law of liberty.  This speaks to its effect.

The Royal Law
God's law is the royal law. The law is his law. He is King. He is sovereign. This speaks to its authority.



These words adorn the Liberty Bell. 

Monday, February 20, 2012

Thirsty, Weary, Weak

   28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, New International Version)
Are you one who is weak, weary, thirsty? You are the one that God calls to. You are the one that he invites.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Single-minded, Wholehearted



Think about these two phrases:
  • Single-minded
  • Whole hearted
They speak of focus. They speak of commitment. They speak of intensity.

What are the counterparts?
  • Double-minded
  • Half-hearted
Psalm 86:11 New International Version (©1984)
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Another version says, "Unite my heart to fear your name."

Yes, do it in me, God. 

All of life comes down to just one thing...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Work of Faith, Labor of Love, Steadfastness of Hope

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB


... constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father...


There are three striking pairings in this verse.


1. Work of faith - Faith and work are often paired in antithesis to one another. Here we see work finding its genesis and power in faith. Work and faith, far from being in opposition to one another, are integrally tied to each other.


2.  Labor of Love - A recent popular best seller presented the "languages of love".  Love can be communicated by acts of service. This was certainly true of our Lord's love. Jesus,  love incarnate, was the suffering Servant foretold by Isaiah.


3.  Steadfastness of Hope - Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is a hope that doesn't disappoint. He is a hope that doesn't grow weary. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength."


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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

For or against

I have visited a number of sites lately that allow you to express your opinion on various pieces of legislation. Are you for or against the proposed bill!? Once you have voted, you can see how others have voted.


Psalm 118:6-7 NASB


The LORD is for me; I will not fear;

What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me;

Therefore I will look  with satisfaction  on those who hate me.


More important than my vote is God's vote. Is He for or against?  His Word tells me that He is for me. It goes on to say that it doesn't matter what anyone else votes. God holds the majority all by Himself.


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Monday, February 6, 2012

Throwing our Cloak Aside

Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by.  He cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  When Jesus called him, he cast his cloak aside. This earthly possession meant nothing compared to the treasure of sight.

Mark 10:46-52 New International Version (NIV) Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

What do we hold onto? What "cloak" do we need to throw aside? Maybe it is an attitude.  Maybe it is a perceived "right" that we need to lay down. Maybe it is bitterness. Maybe pride. All of these will leave us blind until we cast them aside.

A clear signal

My wife and I were on our way to church yesterday morning.  There is a radio station that we enjoy that we can pick up during part of our 55 minute drive to church.

 As we head further away from Plymouth, Wisconsin, where the station is located, the signal gets weaker. Soon the background radio "noise" starts kicking in.  The signal that started out pretty clear when we first headed out begins to break up.  The other signals begin intruding, and the praise songs start to become garbled.  It is not long before the noise coming from the speakers is just plain annoying.  We turn off the radio and continue on our way.

There is a parable here.  When we are close to our God, the signal of His message to us comes through loud and clear.  As we move further away, however, the distractions of the world begin to garble God's clear Word.  Soon we can find it just plain annoying and plug the ears of our hearts to what God's Spirit is trying to say to us as we continue on our own way.

There is another option.  That is to turn around.  This is what repentance is all about.  It is turning around and heading the other way.  Rather than moving away from the nearness of God, let's come close.

Hebrews 10:22 - New American Standard Bible® (NASB) let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.


Friday, February 3, 2012

Five "everlastings"



My last post was about enduring love.  In another version, it is translated as "everlasting".  Psalm 118 mentions the everlasting nature of God's love five times.

His lovingkindness is everlasting.
What is connected with these five mentions?
  1. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good: for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
    Thanks is the right response to the goodness of the character of God.  This is not merely giving thanks for something good that God has done.  Rather, it is thanks for the good that God is in His very nature.
  2. "Oh let Israel say, 'His lovingkindness is everlasting.'"
    Israel means, "He has striven with God".  This was the name that Jacob was given after wrestling with God at Peniel.  From this wrestling, there comes a knowledge and experiencing of the everlasting lovingkindness of God that is communicated to others.  It is not just "Let Israel know", but rather, "Let Israel say".
  3. "Oh let the house of Aaron say,'His lovingkindness is everlasting.'"
    Aaron was the high priest. He was the one commissioned by God to represent the people to God on the one hand, and to represent the people to God on the other.  What is that representation?  What is the message that Aaron is to bring from God to the people?  "God's heart toward you is one of everlasting lovingkindness."  The Aaronic blessing is this:

    "The LORD bless you and keep you; 
    the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 
    the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."
    What a message of everlasting lovingkindness!
  4. "Oh let those who fear the LORD say,'His lovingkindness is everlasting.'"
    The fear of the LORD is a frequent theme in the Bible. It is "the beginning of wisdom". When men of God drew close to God's presence, fear was their response.  Those who have drawn near to God, who have felt the fear of God's might and their own frailty, of God's holiness and their own fallenness. these speak of the everlasting nature of God's lovingkindness.  In Exodos 33, when Moses desired to see God's glory, God told him, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then God covered Moses and proclaimed His name, His character, His nature, His goodness, His everlasting lovingkindness over Moses.
  5. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
    Here, in the last verse of the Psalm, the same invitation is issued.  Give thanks.  Know God's heart toward you.  It is a heart of everlasting lovingkindness!


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Enduring love

What does it mean to endure? What is an enduring love?

The first four verses of Psalm 118 read like this in the NIV:

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever."

God's kindness reaches to the vanishing point. 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Love with staying power


I was just looking at Psalm 136.  It doesn't take a doctorate in theology and Biblical languages to note the obvious repetition in the Psalm..."His love endures forever."  Verse after verse, the phrase is repeated. 

In my highschool years, I recall an instance when God used repetition to communicate something to my heart that I needed to hear.  I went to a school that had chapel services.  I was asked to help with one of the services, and my part was to read these words from Romans 8:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,t neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That weekend, I went to a choir concert.  As I entered, the choir was singing these words:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,t neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
When I went to church that Sunday, guess what the pastor was preaching about? 
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,t neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Was this coincidence?  I don't think so.  I think that God knew that, although these verses were not new to me, I felt that His heart toward me was one of tolerance.  I felt that God kind of put up with me.  What was he saying through the repetition?

"When I say I love you, I mean it!"  Nothing can separate me from His love.  His love is a committed love that will not let go. I am held in His grip.

Three repetitions of the message that nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus...


So what is the message that God's Spirit is speaking to your heart in Psalm136 by repeating 26 times:

His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.
His love endures forever.

Friday, January 27, 2012

A living relationship

I have been blogging mostly about John 15 during the month of January.  I came again to the text this evening, knowing that God Spirit would have something fresh again.  And he did.

As I was reading about the vine and the branches, about bearing fruit, about abiding, again I saw the living relationship. God brings life. He is life.

This past summer my grandchildren had a great time in our raspberry patch.  The raspberry crop was abundant...and tasty!  They would push through the bushes, exploring under the leaves, finding more and more fresh berries.  And no matter how many they ate, there were always more to follow.

What a picture of God's garden he has prepared for our lives.  His fruit is abundant.  There is no danger of exhausting the supply of love, joy, peace, patience and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit. No matter how much we partake, there is always more.  In fact, the more we partake and enjoy his fruit in our lives, the more we will find under the next leaf, behind that next branch.





Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A husband's love

In John 15:13 we read this: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  

Ephesians 5:25 says this: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

How great is the love of Jesus toward you?  Great enough that he  willingly laid down his life.
Love Song - Third Day from Kevin Porter on Vimeo.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Hide and Seek

Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in the garden.  God came waking in the garden in the cool of the evening seeking them.

When the one sheep was lost, the good shepherd left the 99 and came seeking the one lost sheep.

When you are lost or hiding from God, he will come seeking you as well.

The Bible says, "Seek the Lord while he may be found."  Psalm 119 says, "Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you."

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you:"

"You are my hiding place."

Monday, January 23, 2012

What is in a name?

Depending on who is giving the name, there is a whole bunch in a name indeed!

The first names were given by God himself.  God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” That's some pretty powerful name calling!  God then shared the naming role with Adam, inviting him to name the animals. 

God's delegated authority was given to Adam. And when Adam named the animals, "whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name."

What name does God give you? 

John 15:15

New International Version (NIV)
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

He calls you "friend".  What a great name! 

From slave, to friend.  But it doesn't even end there.  In Ephesians 5:25-27, he even calls us his bride. What a love! What a God!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

He is divine, you are de branch

John 15:5 NASB

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

I was reminded of a Keith Green song as I read this :

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Home is where the heart is

Where are you most at home? Where is that place that just fits, that you know is just right? Even when physically away, your thoughts and your heart return to home. It is the place your heart and thoughts abide.


John 15:9-10 NASB


Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.


Reading the verse above, what is the most recent commandment that Jesus could be referring to in verse 10? It is right there in verse 9. He commands us to abide in his love.  He calls and invites us to make his love our home.


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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Getting Personal

I was just reading John 15 in the NIV instead of the NASB that I usually read.  I noticed an interesting wording difference.  Instead of saying "If any anyone..." like is says in NASB, it says "If you..."  Ultimately, if you are anyone, it still applies to you, regardless of the wording.  But it is a good thing when God taps you on the shoulder and says, "I'm talking to you."

You may have heard the suggestion of doing this with John 3:16, the most quoted verse of all Scripture.  Rather than saying, "For God so loved the world", put your name in there.  "For God so loved Mark"

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Who your enemies are says much

John 15:18-19 NASB


"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.


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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Great Love, Great Friend

What value would you place on a good friend? A friend is a priceless treasure.

There are two phrases about friendship with God that appear in adjacient verses in John 15.
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
Friendship with Jesus involves great love.  He laid down his life freely.  But there is another slant to this also. He calls us to lay down our lives too.  Great love is seen in both verses. Obedience involves laying down our lives. It is laying down our self-will, preferring God's will over our own.

What a friend we have in Jesus.  Jesus, may I be your friend too.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

God's equation

John 15:9 NASB


Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.


In algebra class I remember my teacher talking about the left and right sides of the equation. The two sides balanced. God's equation has his love for you on one side, and his love for Jesus on the other side. The value on both sides of the equation are equal. You are loved with an amazing love.


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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Firewood

This morning I worked for a while on splitting up some of the remaining logs that I had on the back patio from the summer's wood gathering.  This wood has been separated from the roots.  It is dead, and, over the course of time, is becoming dryer and dryer, loosing any appearance of life. It is firewood, after all.  Green wood doesn't burn well.

Then I just sat down to read from John 15, and I found this in verse 6:

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Firewood becomes ashes over the course of time.  The pieces of wood will be gone. The ashes will be discarded. 

I was reminded of Isaiah 44.  Isaiah describes the foolishness of the one who takes a piece of wood and carves a god to worship and to whom he prays for deliverance. The rest he burns. 

Psalm 135 says this:
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
  

 
We become like what we worship.  What a joy, then, to worship the living God and be truly alive!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Guarantees

Guarantees are hard to come by.  And the "guarantees" that you may encounter can be loaded with disclaimers and provisions that make them almost meaningless.

But here is a guarantee that is iron-clad:

http://bible.us/John15.5.NIV
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Would you like a guarantee that you will bear, not just fruit, but much fruit?  Remain in him.

Would you like a guarantee that you will do nothing fruitful? Separate yourself from him.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Remain

Remain. The word has a sound of stability. It is like an anchor. It is a firm hold on a firm foundation. It roots reaching into the soil with a commitment that doesn't let go. 

http://bible.us/John15.4.NIV
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Our tie to Jesus is marked by that quality of "remaining" - both from his perspective and from ours. He remains in us. We remain in him. That is how fruit is born.

Monday, January 2, 2012

A fruitful life - only with the right gardener

Think about starting a garden. It takes a great deal of work. Last summer I expanded our garden a bit. First I had to strip away the grass that had been growing on that ground. It didn't exactly want to give up easily. Working with a flat-ended shovel, I undercut the sod, severing the roots and saving as much of the topsoil as I could. Then I broke up the ground underneath. I put a border around the area to help keep the grass from encroaching again. Finally, when the ground was prepared, we could start to plant. But even then, we had to go back multiple times and pull out grass and weeds that had either been missed initially or had found their way into the garden space some other way. Add to that watering, waiting, fighting the critters (deer, chipmunks, and rabbits primarily in our case), and gardening demonstrates that it is not an activity for the faint of heart, weak of back, or for those lacking determination. Successful, fruitful gardening requires a committed gardener.

In the garden of our lives, I am so thankful that we have such a committed gardener!

http://bible.us/John15.1.NIV
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."

Sunday, January 1, 2012

The cleansing Word

John 15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

God's Word does have the effect of cutting away the unfruitful things in our lives. What diverts our attention and dilutes our fruitfulness for God's purposes? It needs to be brought into the light of God's Word. There the priorities can be re-aligned. There the God-intended focus of our lives can be sharpened.