The Lord has given me several lessons in which He used my garden to illustrate truth. He also has had me pray for my garden to give me vegetables and strawberries, peaches, and that the pests would be gone. Remarkably (to me) He has answered my prayers. Today when I was picking my strawberries all this came to mind and I apologized to the Lord, saying “I’m sorry, I didn’t know the fruit was important to you.” I thought about how often well-meaning Christians had told me that time was better spent in the Bible, prayer, or ministry than mowing grass or pulling weeds from a garden.
“I gave them manna in the Wilderness” the Lord replied. “In the Promised Land, they had their own crops.” The Lord pointed out that we think it is more spiritual to pray, read and minister. And when the Lord gives us something in a special way, we believe we are walking a walk of faith.
The interrupted my thoughts with “Man wants me to give him manna. Do you want Me to hand things to you, or do you want to be given something to do?” I remembered the warfare ahead of the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, and how those tribes that had victory built houses, planted the fields and raised animals. God had given them a responsibility, but with it came a kingdom. What a contrast to the Wilderness where they wandered with no meaningful work. Perhaps we should look at the earth once again, and not be offended at tending those things that grow in our yards. God watches over everyone’s harvest to see that it is full. Amen.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
caring
Caring
6-16-09
I’ve known for some time now that if I want to be sure of God’s leading I have to care about what I’m asking Him. Sounds simple, but some of my prayers are not so full of caring. They are “God bless aunt Norma, and please save uncle Art . . .“ I care about people, but finding the leading for my prayers when it’s the day’s end and I’m tired isn’t always easy. I used to wonder why we needed to pray for people if Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us (Heb 7:25b). Seems like the Son of God’s prayers should carry enough weight. Today the Lord gave me an answer.
He said that a husband and wife who each care about the same thing become one. In the garden of Eden Adam needed a helper, so God gave him Eve. She was his “helpmate” (Gen 2:18), involved in his life and growing to care about all he cared about. In the same way the Lord Jesus still lives on and cares about us, praying for us. He likes to share with those who pray and tell them what His cares are. This is so that we might become one, in caring. Our hearts become knit together, much the same as a husband and wife’s.
The Lord also likes to share with those who care about what He cares about. He has often filled my heart with prayer for a person, and that spiritual language begins to be translated into English, transforming my mind by the magic of His love for the one we are praying for. God loves to share with us. And God loves to care with us.
Back to caring about the topic or outcome of what we are praying for . . . it is written that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jms 5:16b). God created us to be passionate about what we want. It is life that cools us off. And unbelief comes to douse the final sparks that remain in our prayers. Then our prayers become like a march in the dark, heading towards sleep or some other preferred activity. Let us promise ourselves today that we will care. And in caring, let us knit our hearts with He who cares above us all. He has much to share with those who listen, and as His bride, we will hang on His every word.
In Song of Solomon we read “ . . . let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” (SOS 2:14b – 15). The sweetness of our relationship with the Lord isn’t just about caring what each other cares about; it is also about preserving our labors together. There are things that sneak into our lives and hurt our fruit. But Jesus labored together with us to plant the vineyard and it’s for both of us to enjoy together. He will speak sweetly to us, catching the “little foxes” before our relationship is damaged.
It is by God’s design that we are the wife of His Son Jesus. If we think of our relationship as one of love, we will care. We will hear the voice of our beloved husband and not stray. And all His seeds in us will bear wonderful fruit, for it is His nature to be the Husbandman who cares for his field. Today, ask Jesus what’s on His heart. Amen.
6-16-09
I’ve known for some time now that if I want to be sure of God’s leading I have to care about what I’m asking Him. Sounds simple, but some of my prayers are not so full of caring. They are “God bless aunt Norma, and please save uncle Art . . .“ I care about people, but finding the leading for my prayers when it’s the day’s end and I’m tired isn’t always easy. I used to wonder why we needed to pray for people if Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us (Heb 7:25b). Seems like the Son of God’s prayers should carry enough weight. Today the Lord gave me an answer.
He said that a husband and wife who each care about the same thing become one. In the garden of Eden Adam needed a helper, so God gave him Eve. She was his “helpmate” (Gen 2:18), involved in his life and growing to care about all he cared about. In the same way the Lord Jesus still lives on and cares about us, praying for us. He likes to share with those who pray and tell them what His cares are. This is so that we might become one, in caring. Our hearts become knit together, much the same as a husband and wife’s.
The Lord also likes to share with those who care about what He cares about. He has often filled my heart with prayer for a person, and that spiritual language begins to be translated into English, transforming my mind by the magic of His love for the one we are praying for. God loves to share with us. And God loves to care with us.
Back to caring about the topic or outcome of what we are praying for . . . it is written that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jms 5:16b). God created us to be passionate about what we want. It is life that cools us off. And unbelief comes to douse the final sparks that remain in our prayers. Then our prayers become like a march in the dark, heading towards sleep or some other preferred activity. Let us promise ourselves today that we will care. And in caring, let us knit our hearts with He who cares above us all. He has much to share with those who listen, and as His bride, we will hang on His every word.
In Song of Solomon we read “ . . . let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” (SOS 2:14b – 15). The sweetness of our relationship with the Lord isn’t just about caring what each other cares about; it is also about preserving our labors together. There are things that sneak into our lives and hurt our fruit. But Jesus labored together with us to plant the vineyard and it’s for both of us to enjoy together. He will speak sweetly to us, catching the “little foxes” before our relationship is damaged.
It is by God’s design that we are the wife of His Son Jesus. If we think of our relationship as one of love, we will care. We will hear the voice of our beloved husband and not stray. And all His seeds in us will bear wonderful fruit, for it is His nature to be the Husbandman who cares for his field. Today, ask Jesus what’s on His heart. Amen.
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Word of God
The Word
6-5-9
I want you to know Me for who I am. That is why I have carefully built the foundation of My Word in you. You can know Me by My word. It tells you about Me, My character and My works.
I want to build a relationship with My people, so I speak to them. I speak of My will and I speak of their lives. It is My biggest thrill to perform My word, for this lets My people know and see the truth about Me.
When I, the Word, lived on the earth, some men came to hear Me, and some came to see the miracles. The first were thrilled with the Word of Life, the Truth. The second were thrilled with the power of God. Though My power is part of Me it is not how you can know Me, for a part from My word, no man knows why I do what I do.
I speak a thing before it happens so that a man may see that it is Me that does it. I talk about My heart in the matter so he can learn about Me. For if I do not speak, and am silent, the man draws his own conclusions. In his own thoughts, the man will err, and he cannot know Me, for I am truth.
When I walked the earth I told men to keep My commandments, and obey My word. But many still want the miracles. I have been very quiet this generation, watching the seed which I planted grow in the hearts of men. I have been very quiet, caring after My harvest of righteousness, for the Word is alive and forms men into My righteous image. This is the power of God working in Man; the Word of Life. This is My Testimony in the earth; the Son of God alive in the flesh of Christians formed by My Word.
Shall I no longer do miracles, and is there no more power of God? Surely there is power and there will be many miracles. But these things are given to a people who know Me; My bride. We are one flesh, walking this world as the Word. And no man or power that be can break our union. Amen.
6-5-9
I want you to know Me for who I am. That is why I have carefully built the foundation of My Word in you. You can know Me by My word. It tells you about Me, My character and My works.
I want to build a relationship with My people, so I speak to them. I speak of My will and I speak of their lives. It is My biggest thrill to perform My word, for this lets My people know and see the truth about Me.
When I, the Word, lived on the earth, some men came to hear Me, and some came to see the miracles. The first were thrilled with the Word of Life, the Truth. The second were thrilled with the power of God. Though My power is part of Me it is not how you can know Me, for a part from My word, no man knows why I do what I do.
I speak a thing before it happens so that a man may see that it is Me that does it. I talk about My heart in the matter so he can learn about Me. For if I do not speak, and am silent, the man draws his own conclusions. In his own thoughts, the man will err, and he cannot know Me, for I am truth.
When I walked the earth I told men to keep My commandments, and obey My word. But many still want the miracles. I have been very quiet this generation, watching the seed which I planted grow in the hearts of men. I have been very quiet, caring after My harvest of righteousness, for the Word is alive and forms men into My righteous image. This is the power of God working in Man; the Word of Life. This is My Testimony in the earth; the Son of God alive in the flesh of Christians formed by My Word.
Shall I no longer do miracles, and is there no more power of God? Surely there is power and there will be many miracles. But these things are given to a people who know Me; My bride. We are one flesh, walking this world as the Word. And no man or power that be can break our union. Amen.
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