What seeds are you planting lately? Luke 6:43-45 explains that “no good tree bears bad fruit and no bad tree bears good fruit.” . Back in early March we planted our warm weather garden — bell peppers, cilantro, and four tomato plants. My hope at the time was none of them would die in a week. I took extra steps this year and learned more about achieving good fruit. And that basket in the picture is just a small reaping of what we have sown. It’s been a constant tending of the needs of each plant. And a constant battle with pests. But the reward is oh so good! . How many of us take the same care with our spiritual life as we do those things in the physical world? How many of us are struggling even just to tend to our daily lives with loving care? We reap what we sow. We need to pay special care to what we plant in our hearts and minds because even the tiniest seed can reap ten-fold — good or bad. . A healthy relationship with the ultimate farmer— Jesus— guides us and teaches us the right seeds to plant, when to plant them, and how to tend them. Like my desire for a more fruitful garden we need to actively seek out His teaching. . Do you want to be a plot of unused, hard dirt? A weed-filled plot? Or a luscious, fruit filled place in this world that shares their harvest with others? Be bold my friends. Ask for gardening advice today 🍅 .
Are you an “all work and no play” sort of person. Do you know an “all play and no work” person? I just finished studying John 12:1-8 where these issues arose. It’s fascinating how much teaching God puts in 8 sentences. . My “Bible spirit”, Martha, is busy making an amazing dinner for Jesus. Mary, her sister, lets her hair down and rubs very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. Meanwhile Lazarus, the famed friend whom Jesus lifted from death, sits as a witness to Jesus’ holy position with God. . All three play an important role in this scene. And yet the disciples question Mary’s action — “Shouldn’t we sell that perfume and give it to the poor?” But Mary, who frequently sat at Jesus’ feet knew what was to happen. She was worshipping Him before His impending death. . Jesus makes it clear there’s a time to worship/celebrate and a time to work. This balance in our daily Christian lives provides us the opportunity for witnessing. How many times have you personally said you don’t have time, even 15 minutes a day, for Bible study? How many times has the opportunity to volunteer at your church come up and you said your calendar is full? How many times have you told a friend or family member you were too busy? How many times have you seen or heard someone in need but you didn’t stop your busy life to help? How many times have you skipped church for something “more important?” . Where have you gone out of balance? And are you taking the time to complete this holy lesson with witnessing His love and His power and His grace?
When I was a kid back in the 70s and 80s cartoons had messages for both children and their parents. It’s why these old Christmas shows like “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” still have such a large viewership when the season comes around. In “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” a young Kris Kringle melts the heart of the evil Winter Warlock. The warlock asks Kris how he can change his life and Kris replies, “to just “put one front in front of the other!” And you know what happens next? “Soon you’ll be walkin’ out that door!”
There’s no magic to being bold. Fortunately, Christians do have the strength, truth, and encouragement of God’s love for us to help us in living out our bold steps. There are, however, some reasons why people don’t pursue their dreams and take those steps. According to Amy Morin, author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” two stumbling blocks are:
Saying “Someday“
Without a timeframe and schedule of steps you are more likely to keep putting off even taking that first step. Wishful thinking didn’t build anyone’s dreams. God doesn’t wish and hope that one day you will open that teen center or even just start studying His Word. If it’s on your heart and it keeps popping up there’s a reason!
When You “Feel Ready”
In Matthew 14: 27-29 Jesus is walking on the water toward the disciples’ boat. Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Notice Jesus didn’t say, “Hey, when you’re ready, come over here.” And Peter didn’t have to sit around mulling it over until he felt just right about it. When Jesus said, “Come,” Peter went.
Our feelings are deceptive. They lean toward all the lies the devil wants to whisper in our ear — you are too old, not talented enough, too poor, too young, or the best one, too busy. If we wait till we “feel ready” rather than stepping out of the boat, stepping into our dreams, and God-given goals we will watch others sail by and wonder “why not me?”
So here’s something scary I did last week to, as they say, “practice what I preach.” I made a phone call. Sounds simple, right? But boy was I putting off that call. In fact, I’ve been putting off that call for about 30 years. I was walking with a friend and we were talking about being bold. I admitted that I was too afraid to actually take the steps to learning how to fly. When I was about 19 years old I took the ground school classes at my community college. But because I didn’t have an extra $2,000 laying around I couldn’t afford the lessons. I am now 55 years old and the dream of flying has never left me. When I see small planes flying over me I think wistfully about being up there with them. So, I put it on my Boldness List. And it kept staring at me. I mean, I’m too old to fly. It’s probably too expensive. I doubt that I’m smart enough to remember everything. I’m not good at math. The ground school class was really hard before. And yet, it’s on my list. So last week after praying about it I finally called a flight school. And God put the right one in front of me — an all women’s flight instructor school. The owner was so excited to hear I’ve had this lifelong dream and we set up a date for an introductory lesson.
And today I took my second step toward my dream — I flew.
Did you know that God is mentioned in every single US State constitution? All total, God is mentioned 200 times in these documents. It doesn’t matter which decade the state entered the Union. Yes, even California.
So when someone tries to “tell you their truth” that the United States was not founded by and with God, tighten up your belt of truth, be bold, and with grace give them the gift of education they missed along the way. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
What bold steps have you taken? It’s time to rejoice. It’s time to re-ignite. It’s time to be honest. What steps have you taken toward your bold goals?
As a born “doer,” the Book of James really speaks to me. James writes, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?…As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” For many of you, fulfilling those deeds means having to be bold. And yet something is holding you back from having full faith that God has your back. For others, you have taken the step forward and are experiencing a revitalization.
You may be at a crossroad. I encourage you right now, at this very moment, to say a prayer and take that step forward.
IF YOU HAVE TAKEN BOLD STEPS PLEASE REPLY SO WE CAN CHEER YOU ON! IF YOU NEED ENCOURAGEMENT PLEASE REPLY SO WE CAN PRAY FOR YOU!
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