Another "Reliable" Acrostic! :-D

Ready to do chores well

Eager to help

Loves to do things for others

Is a hardy worker

Available all the time

Breaks the ice to ask “can I do something?”

Listens to all instructions carefully before starting

Even in dark places is always cheerful

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Vision Discretion? What for?

What is vision discretion anyway? Well, to some people it would mean just being careful when you’re at the mall or ball game and making sure you watch the place where there’s not an extra display of skin, or some would also put it as not watching bad movies. What I’m going to talk about is personal vision discretion. What’s good or bad for us.

I know one area all of us girls have struggles with is keeping our minds and thoughts pure. What has that to do with vision discretion? What kind of movies do we watch? What kind of books do we read? “I don’t read any bad books or watch bad movies!” you say. No, you probably don’t. But were you aware that what is “Bad” as far as language, witchcraft, gushy ungodly romance, or attitudes is not the only thing that can be bad in a book or a movie?  What many of us do not realize is that even the “good” movies and books can poison our minds, but not in placing a horrid picture or word. 

Many of your good old movies such as westerns, adventures, romances (pride and prejudice, etc.), or everyday life have things that will fuel the mind in our battles with pureness. One of the main ones for me was westerns, but any movie really that has a handsome guy, or a beautiful girl will cause us to think. We may not realize it, but it’s true. 

I had to stop watching everything for a month, I made a commitment to God that I wouldn’t watch any movies for a month, and then when I watched something or if someone would suggest watching something, it was easier for me to say “No, that’s one that I can’t watch.” It might be fine for the rest of my family, but I know that I’ll probably have certain impure thoughts as a result of watching it.

The same thing happens with books. How many of us like reading the Hardy Boys, or Nancy Drew? These also can place impure thoughts in our minds. Not necessarily about the book, but the things in the book can fuel other thoughts in our mind and cause them to leap up and make themselves known again.

It may take us separating ourselves from all movies and books and just stick to the Word of God for a while in order to replace our level of discretion. But it helped me greatly in keeping my thoughts pure, and if you have problems with impure thoughts, it will doubtlessly help you too.

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” - Proverbs 16:3

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

"Where Is God in All This?"

            I remember the thought of my graduation being right around the corner, I remember the excitement, the wonder, and yes, even fear at coming to this large milestone in my life. Many of the girls I knew who were graduating had plans on what they were going to do, what college they were going to, what business they were going to have, and all that stuff. I didn’t really. I knew I wasn’t going to college, I had an interest in boarding dogs, and I was going to stay home, help around the house, and learn my “home-keeping” skills. There’s nothing wrong with that is there?

            Well, let’s be honest for a minute, what is really the first thing you think about happening after you graduate? Honestly. With myself, and the majority of the girls I’ve talked to, it’s been graduate, get married, and have a family. Even though I didn’t think about it as my goal, and even though I was committed to “waiting” for my prince charming, I unconsciously let myself slip into expecting this to happen. I graduated, and just four months later found myself sinking into discontentment, discouragement, and despair. I finally had to sit down, pray, and ask myself what went wrong.

            Through the beginning of this time, I read something in a book that asked what the thing I thought about most was. That was pretty easy to answer, since I was “waiting” for marriage, my thoughts often turned in that direction. I often looked at young men that I knew and figured out in my mind why he would or wouldn’t make a good husband, or would just let my imagination run wild for a few minutes and get into thoughts that were, to put it plainly, sinful.

The book said that if God was not foremost in my mind, I had to check and see if I was putting anything before God. I had to think about that. Yes, I did think about young men and movies more than I though about God, but I didn’t think I was putting them before God. I thought back over the past few months and asked myself, did God have complete control over my life?

Well, for the last few months I had been full of anger, selfishness, and pride. I was always not feeling good, I always had a headache and never felt completely healthy. Now, I didn’t know what not feeling good had to do with the other, but when I looked back, this was what I saw with all the rest of the stuff.

            I also had to get to the blunt question, where was God in all this? How was my relationship with Him? After a minute of thought, I had a whole list of things. I was not letting the Lord lead my life. I had my ideas, my plans, and my expectations. Yes, I was praying for God to help me in these areas, and give me wisdom in this, and bless my efforts in that, but I was unconsciously putting God in a box and telling Him where in my life He could work, instead of opening my heart and making myself available for whatever and wherever He wanted to work.

            Let me tell you, I felt terrible after all the true dirt and grime had been exposed. I sat there with tears streaming down my cheeks. I asked myself “Why am I living? What is my purpose in life?” I knew what the answer should be, but I knew what it really was. I saw a book setting on my sister’s small table called “Quest for the High Places” by Natalie Nyquist. I picked it up and started reading. It was exactly what I needed. It really put the horrid truth in an understandable light, but also put a solution in its place.

            The first thing I did was to pray and give God all the young men in my life. There were two in particular, but I gave up every one that I had thought of. Then after a while of praying, reading scripture, and thinking, I committed the next two years of my life to the Lord. I had heard of people doing that, but I never thought I would be one. Oh, and when I committed the next two years to the Lord, I meant my main focus during the next two years was going to be on my relationship to the Lord.

I wish I had time to tell you all the lessons I have been learning, but it would take a book to hold it all. I did gain a victory over impure thoughts, and stopped thinking about young men. But each time I get a victory, I find another fall just around the corner along with another big lesson to learn.

A friend told me the other day, “Do you realize your two years is almost up?” I cringed inwardly. Has it already been two years? When I looked over the last two years I saw innumerable falls, hurtings, despair, and many tears, bumps, and bruises. A real trying time, have I spent these two years building my relationship with the Lord? Did I stick to my commitment?  It seems all that’s happened the last two years has been one fall after another. But, as I look over the last two years I not only see the sad, bad, and hurting times. I also see times of victory, healing, and learning that closeness to God is essential in order for me to even live.

Even though it seems these have been the most trying two years of my life, I would say without hesitation that these have been the best two years of my life. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I found that the anger, selfishness, pride, and not feeling good was all a result of having my mind on things that were not pleasing to the Lord. It may sound funny, but it’s true.

So, putting it plainly, I had some plans for my life. I had ideal ways I wanted to act. But I soon found out God had other plans. Please don’t do like me and put God in a box, telling Him where He can and can’t work, but open your lives and become willing vessels, ready to be molded and used however He desires.

Interesting note: This was written eight years ago!

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Hospitality

Home is opened to others,

Offering food and fellowship.

Sharing time and testimony,

Peace and love in hardship.

Inclining your ear to others,

Taking and giving advice.

Asking spiritual questions,

Loving in “being nice”.

In all you say, in all you do,

Treat others as God would have

                        You to. Show hospitality!

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Put Away the Strange Gods!

            I prayed before I opened my Bible that the Lord would teach me something from His Word today. I wasn’t really looking for anything in particular, I just wanted to get back into reading, enjoying, and learning from God’s Word again.

            I read a couple chapters in 2 Timothy and received some general encouragement and instruction, then turned to where I was reading through the Old Testament. I was reading in 1 Samuel and had just gotten to the part where the Philistines had taken the Ark of the Covenant. They put it in their temple next to the god, Dagon. When they went in the next morning, Dagon was fallen with his face to the ground before the ark. The Philistines set him back up again, but when they went in the following morning, he was down again. This time, his head and hands were broken off.

            The thought struck me, how mighty and amazing God is! He can not tolerate an idol in His presence, but will bring whatever it is that competes for His place crashing down. I then thought about how we often have idols in our own hearts, and how we will allow other things to take captive our time and thoughts.

            After a moment’s reflection, I realized that there were two things that took up a lot of my time, and the majority of my thought life – reading books and earning money. There were also some other things I saw that, if I wasn’t careful, could also become idols in my life: school, exercise, crafts. It’s hard to think I would allow myself to devote more time and thought to these than to God Himself and His Word. I quickly gave these things back to the Lord and committed myself anew to Him, asking Him to take first place in my heart.

            When we don’t stop and give our “idols” to the Lord, He will often mercifully have them “fall”, and take away what we have chosen to serve other than Himself. I know from experience that these are painful times of fear, resourcefulness, and bitter repentance. But God will be first place, the Supreme Ruler. If He’s not first place now, then He will be on that approaching judgment day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

            How thankful we should be for “second chances.” God’s mercy and Christ’s blood that hides our multitudes of sins.

            I pray that each of us would stop just for a moment and ask the Lord if there is anything that is competing for first place in our hearts.

            God bless each of you as you strive for a closer walk with Him.

“Put away the strange gods,… and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you…” -1 Samuel 7:3

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Under My Tender Caring Hand

Under My  Tender Caring Hand

With the Shepherd sheep do graze,

Though at worldly lusts they gaze.

Then the Shepherd’s hands on their heads He lay.

With His tender loving voice He does say:

“Don’t wish to be in worldly land,

But stay under my tender, caring hand.”

Though the Shepherd’s hand on their head was laid,

Out of his loving care they strayed.

 But when the path was darkened, they called out in fright.

Then they saw the Shepherd’s bright and shining light.

When safe in His arms and resting their head,

He stroked them and softly and tenderly said:

 “Why did you go from our peaceful land?

Please stay under my tender, caring hand.”

When back in the safety of His land,

Glad they were under the Shepherd’s hand.

They looked at the world, said “That’s not the way.”

Then they heard a soft, and sweet voice say:

“The world is a sinful destructive land,

I’m glad you are under my tender caring hand.”

Interesting side note: I won a poetry contest with this poem about thirteen years ago, and it was published in a coffee table special edition poetry book.

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

A Daughter's Journey to Contentment

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”-Philippians 4:11

            I think we all know or have heard of that verse. It is often preached or taught on. Contentment is a lovely lesson once learned, and actually is essential in our lives if we are to be Christians to the fullest extent.

I find it kind of funny, how such a simple word, only used sixteen times in the Bible, can give such a dramatic difference when present in our lives. It’s not something that we can just “decide to learn” or “decide to be” on the fly. It’s something the Lord has to show us and teach us Himself. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard teaching or read books about in this particular subject, and though the information was really helpful, I didn’t fully understand it until the Lord brought me to a point where I was ready to learn it.

I know many girls who have struggled with this topic. In fact, I’d be hard-pressed to find a girl that didn’t struggle with being content. I know I had quite a hard time learning the true meaning of contentment, and now as I am learning to apply what I’ve learned, the Lord shows himself faithful to see that I remain humble in my contentment by allowing me to mess up.

Would you believe me if I told you that we ourselves cause discontentment? Think about it. When are the times that we are most discontent? When we can’t do something, when something doesn’t go our way, or when we think we are punished or accused unfairly. Satan led me to think that I couldn’t serve God to the fullest extent while I was still living at home. I was going through a spiritual growth spurt, and was learning a lot about God and serving Him. “How can I serve with just being in my family?” I was soon to learn that living at home and serving my family is one of the biggest blessings God gives us as daughters.

The two things I had continually brought before the Lord was, “How can I serve You when I’m still at home?” and “What is Your will for my life?” I had heard and read about so many young people who were “finding out what God’s will for their lives” were. I was kind of jealous, kind of anxious. When was God going to reveal His will to me?

Little by little, without me realizing it, the Lord did show me His will. He began to teach me the importance of serving my family, and the importance of our family ministry. Before I knew it, my goal in life was to do what I could to help our family. In material things, I began to teach my little brother’s school, do our family garden, and raise chickens. I began to learn how to be “available” and put myself last, take an interest in my family in general. Learning to take an interest and encourage each and every one of my siblings, learning how to support my dad and older brothers in their interests and undertakings, learning how to be an example to my siblings, the list goes on and on. As soon as I realized this was what God’s will for me was, I was better able to be content.

I think that many people have a misconception about the definition of God’s will. As my uncle (who’s a pastor) once said, “God’s will is not what you are going to do for the rest of your life. God’s will is what you are.” Basically, whatever God is teaching you, whether it’s to be more of a servant to your family, a godly daughter, a graceful, feminine girl, a cheering sister, a wonderful organizer, or a musician, that’s what God’s will for you is. 

I’ve found wonderful contentment because now I know God’s will for my life is what He’s teaching me RIGHT NOW. I just focus on learning to be graceful, a diligent gardener, a responsible older daughter, (and on with the list). And the neat thing is, He is always is bringing new things to my attention, so I can’t have learned everything and be sitting there with nothing to do. I have no excuse now to be discontent, I’m too busy!

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

A Reliable Woman

 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” -Luke 16:10-12

A Reliable Woman Is

Responsible

Energetic and cheerful

Looking for opportunities to help others

Indescribable in her passion for work

Always willing

Bold in asking “Can I help?”

Loved and welcomed in all places

Ever ready to serve

The more responsible I am. The more freedom I will be given; the more freedom I am given, the more responsible I must be.

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday (Now Tuesday!) I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

True Christianity?

            Let’s take a self examination test. Answer each of these questions honestly in your mind, then count up the results.

1)      Do you view yourself as a true Christian?

2)      Do others view you as a true Christian?

3)      Does God view you as a true Christian?

4)      Do you take your relationship with God seriously?

5)      Are you happily satisfied where God has placed you?

6)      Can others see that you are satisfied?

7)      Do you have a peace that you are where you need to be in God’s will?

8)      Do you have a constant joy in the Lord?

9)      Do you have a regular, every day time with the Lord?

10)  Do you love to hear, read, and talk about the Lord?

11)  Is your main focus in life to be all that God wants you to be and no less?

12)  Are you fully surrendered to God?

13)  Are you committed to serving the Lord no matter the cost?

14)  Does your life reflect the love of God in every thought, word, and action?

15)  Can you honestly say that you are different and closer to God now than you were a year ago?

*If you have answered “yes” honestly to all these questions, then you may count yourself as perfect and in no need of counseling or training. (Just kidding!)

It’s rather eye-opening isn’t it? The last question especially. I went through several years of not knowing if I was indeed closer to God than the previous year or not. The Lord has changed that these last two years and I am able to answer with joy, “Yes! God has drawn me even closer and shown me more lessons than ever before!”

These questions are just a few of the several that we could ask, but it’s enough for us to realize that there is still several things that must take place in our lives for us to be all that God wants us to be. Hopefully through the time of this newsletter, several of these questions and more will be addressed. I pray that you glean from it and that the Lord will maybe use you in its message.

The question I want to address is, “Do you take your relationship with God seriously?” Now, I’m not trying to force you to “get it right” or embarrass you. I did not take my own relationship with God seriously until I had been saved nine and one-half years. But I believe that you will not become the person God wants you to be, unless you are serious about the things of the Lord and His Word.

I had asked Jesus to come into my heart and save me, and I believe he did, but other than praying and reading the Bible, that was it. I mean, sometimes the Lord would show me something, and I would try to do better or change, but things weren’t the way they needed to be.

After I turned sixteen, I tried to make my relationship “serious”, but the motive I had was because others were doing it, and I didn’t want to be any lower than they. My life from then on was a mixed up mess and jumble of emotion, tears, anger, confusion, and honest searching for, I didn’t know what.

Two weeks after I turned eighteen, I stood up to myself and asked the question, “What is my life for anyway? What is it that I’m living for?” After earnest searching and prayer, the answer crushed me. I was living for myself. There was no goal but to do what I wanted to do and have others do the same, which wasn’t really a goal at all. There was not point to my life, and I didn’t know why I was on this earth. I had nearly turned my back on God. I hated to face the reality, but I realize now that God had to bring me to that breaking point before He could ever use me for anything good.

I had to give up everything I wanted and was to God, and completely open myself up to Him. His life-searching light revealed a mess of a life that could be made good by nothing but total surrender and serious living for Him. I argued with my flesh.

The hot-headed rebel in me would bluntly tell myself that this would be too hard and painful. But deep down inside I was hurting and I knew that nothing but to take this step would help me. I finally surrendered.

“Okay Lord, now what?” was the first question from my bruised and bandaged heart. The first thing He showed me was the necessity of a serious relationship with the Lord. 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” –Matthew 6:33

Our lives reflect what our heart and mind’s focus is intent on, and if I spend time daydreaming about things I shouldn’t and holding feelings I shouldn’t hold, my life will reflect a life that is sinful and wrong. But if I spend time looking to God and to His Word, my life would then reflect the Life that is the ultimate example.

 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single(focused on God), thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” –Matthew 6:22-23

I had to pray for a desire to have a serious relationship, because I honestly didn’t. The Lord dealt with me about having a regular quiet time with Him. The first few weeks were the hardest, because reading the Bible had always been boring, and I never could pray for more than two minutes, even if I prayed for everyone I knew. But by Christ’s strength I doggedly kept on and then little by little, an amazing and wonderful light started to gleam through my heart, warming it to the desire to want and know more. 

Before I knew it, I honestly wanted to be like Jesus, and honestly wanted to spend time reading the Bible and praying. I never though I’d want to spend and hour or two just going through that boring book with all those long words, but God placed the desire in my heart, and then, after that point, God began to show me a little at a time what I was, and what He wanted me to be. My Bible now is my greatest treasure, and my relationship with God something I now cannot live without.

Dear girls, I pray that you would not let yourself wait as long as I did to begin taking that wonderful relationship seriously. God will not force Himself on you, just as He did not force salvation upon you. You must give Him the freedom to create a relationship between you and Him. As soon as you allow God to form your heart in a perfect, love-filled bond with His, you will wonder at your ever being so stubborn and resistant to Him, and will find nothing but the Lord will satisfy you.  “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” –Psalms 107:9

P.S. Life won’t be perfect from now on though! I’ll write more about that later!

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

The Result of God’s Love Abiding in Us:

Lets us see opportunities to show others we love them by serving them.

Overlooks other’s mistakes and encourages them to do better.

Verifies it’s presence by reflecting Christ living in us.

Expresses itself without effort or premeditation.

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Only by Pride...

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

I see here in God’s Word that “only by pride cometh contention”. I find that means if there is ever contention, pride is the base cause of it.

Webster’s definition of contention is: “strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.” I like to think of it as friction, two different things going against each other to cause a negative reaction.

Life is full of contention. It seems most of the time it’s with family, and other times it’s with friends and other people and things. But when I really look at it, I find that where the most contention is, is in my heart. In fact, that’s where all outward contention starts. With inward contention, and inward contention is caused by pride.

Webster’s definition of pride is: “Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.” And from general observation, I find that pride has a lot to do with “my rights”. I find pretty much all contention is caused when someone or something interferes with “my right to do, act, think, or feel what I want to”.

When I consciously make an effort to note when I am contending with someone, and try to find what the cause is, I always find the contention starting in my heart and pride starting that contention. Even in little things. My little sister asks me to get her some water, and I snap at her (for no apparent reason), and tell her to get someone else to, and that someone else snaps at me asking why I couldn’t get it for her myself. There’s contention, and what caused it? It may have been simply because I didn’t want to, or because I was doing something (it might have even been a good thing, like reading my Bible) and I didn’t want to be interrupted. In other words, the contention was caused by my pride.

I know that it is very easy to spot outward contention, and is also easy to see pride as the base of it. But I have recently become aware that every time I have pride, I have contention. Maybe not outwardly, but in my heart. I as a Christian have the Holy Spirit living and abiding in me, but my flesh (my pride) often gives me problems (contention) in my living the Christian life. Remember what I said about contention reminding me of friction? Two different things (the Holy Spirit and my flesh,) going against each other (what I know is right to think or do and what I want to think or do,) to cause a negative reaction (a troubled, discouraged spirit, or a battle of my will and God’s). I may not even be conscious of pride in my life (Job 33:17 “That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.”), but if I find I am having trouble with discouragement, and having joy in my walk with the Lord (Proverbs 29:23 “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”), I start looking and praying and pretty soon the Lord will show me an area where I’m having problems with pride. 

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

And God Shall Be like a Gardener

In the article 'He Shall Be Like A Tree' we saw how much we are likened to a tree. What is even more amazing is just how much God is like a gardener.

In the previous article, we saw how in many ways, we are like the tree described in Psalm 1. Today I would like us to look at God's role in our lives as "trees planted by the rivers of water".

There are many beautiful trees in the forests and wilderness, but many of the most beautiful trees are those that are wisely and carefully tended by an expert master gardener. If we look carefully, we can see that God very easily fits into the role of Master Gardener in our lives.

A true master gardener gardens because he loves his work, he loves to see the beautiful results of his hard work. So it is with God, he cares for us because he loves us, and takes no greater joy than in seeing the result of his work blossom and grow in our lives. Looking through the scriptures, we find several terms used that help to complete the picture of God as our Master Gardener.

God will graft us into His Word. In gardening, the main aspect of grafting is grafting a tree from its existing root to a different, stronger root that will help the tree to grow larger, stronger, and to produce better fruit.

This can very easily compare to our lives. We may have started our lives in rough places, or in very wicked or hard circumstances, but when we come to Christ, and commit our lives to follow him, it is as if God takes us from our evil roots, and grafts us to the mighty root of his word. It does not matter how awful or hard of a root we have come from, God can take us from the place we started and bring us to a place of beauty and productiveness.

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)

The key here for us to diligently use God's Word, and as a tree draws all of its strength and nutrients from its roots, we need to rely on God's Word as the sole source of our strength and righteousness.

God will prune our branches to produce better growth. Even the most perfect fruit tree could use a pruning now and then. When a gardener prunes his trees, he cuts off any ugly or misshapen limbs, as well as prunes away many perfectly good looking branches, leaving only the best branches to grow and thrive.

In our lives as Christians, many times we get too busy with all the many different areas and distractions in our lives. Some of the things are ones that we know are bad or misshapen, addictions, bad relationships, maybe even something as simple as some small thing we do to waste time. When we step back and look, we can easily see how these things could hinder the growth of any tree.

"What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:21-22)
The other branches are a little more difficult to see why they need to be pruned, they can seem to be perfectly good branches, but God knows that if these are allowed to grow, they will cause a weaker tree with less fruit in the end. These branches represent good things in our lives that we enjoy doing, and though there is nothing wrong with them, God may tell us we need to take them out of our lives in order to focus better on his word and work.

Just as pruning can hurt a tree, God's pruning in our lives can hurt also. When we neglect to take away the things in our lives that are harmful or provide hindrance to our growth, many times God will lovingly prune it away. We may have a painful scar as a result, but it will serve as a reminder to us that God does not want any area of our lives to be unproductive.

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (John 15:2)

Thinning our fruit will allow God to grow larger, better fruit. Who would not want to see many fruits in our lives? But there are times in our lives when we begin to see fruit, that God will take it away, leaving us wondering and despaired.

When a tree begins to produce fruit, a good gardener will go out and pluck a large amount of the small fruits off the tree. If all the fruits are allowed to grow, the tree will be spreading its energy to many more outlets, and the fruit will not be as large, or as sweet. Thinning much of the fruit will allow the tree to give a greater supply of nutrients to the fewer, individual fruits, thus bringing forth a larger and sweeter harvest.

There may be times in our lives when God will take away all seeming fruit from our lives, maybe some of the people we have been witnessing to, or removing opportunities we have to minister, or maybe even some of the fruits of our labors in day to day living. Whatever it may be, it is never easy to see all that "good fruit" drop off our lives. What we fail to realize is that when God takes this fruit away, He is in reality allowing us to give more time and energy into producing the fruit that will bring forth a bigger and better harvest.

"For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is know by his own fruit." (Luke 6:43-44a)


As we look to God as the Master Gardener in our lives, it is important that we stay rooted in his word and be attentive to the direction he gives in our lives. If we do this on a daily basis, God would then have freedom to use our lives to produce a bountiful harvest of good fruits, using them to bring to others life, joy, encouragement, and a challenge for they themselves to allow God to be the Master Gardener in their lives as well.

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Strongholds

Although it may not seem like it to others, I have written some terrible stories. Stories with things in it that should not have been written. You know, stuff that girls think about that they shouldn’t. And I would read them every once in a while or write more to them to “satisfy my flesh”.

The other day, I was doing that and it made me (as it always does) discontent with my family, and where God has placed me. The next day was Sunday, and God really touched my heart with the message. Part of it was about what God will judge the Churches in.

As I looked at the list in my notes, I realized these were areas that God would judge everyone in. I thought that was interesting. I gave several areas over to God and asked Him specifically to fill my mind with his thoughts.

That night as I started to do my devotions, I felt a tremendous burden on my heart. I asked the Lord what it was, and instantly I knew, It was those stories. They had vain imaginations and other things that were in them and I knew God wanted me to give them up. I would try to justify my actions by saying, “I will re-write them so they will be good.”

I struggled with my flesh but, praise God, the Holy Spirit won. I asked Amanda to come with me, (I had let her read some of them) and I apologized for being such a bad example. I threw them away with Amanda as my witness, then I got on the computer, didn’t even open the files, and deleted them.

It was not an easy thing to do! I was very attached to them. They had some very good ideas and content in them. But I used them as an excuse to stay a little worldly.

Now I have committed all my writing, past, present, and future to the Lord. I promised God I would not write anything except that which is glorifying and praising to him.  I cannot tell you how light and free my heart felt. It’s as if I had been chained and did not know it until I was free. I think I was. What do you think?

I know that we girls who write get very attached to our stories. It was very hard for me, and I didn’t want to do it in the least little bit. But I knew I could not be the Daughter of Christ the Lord would want me to be.

So dear girls, I encourage you, if this has struck a conscience, please deal with it right away. Don’t read it one last time, or wait until tomorrow. The longer you wait, the more you’re telling God, “I don’t want to draw closer to you yet.” Though this is just one of the instances in which the devil can put a stronghold, it will (not can, it will) hinder you in your growth in the Lord.

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

He Shall Be Like a Tree

When looking at God’s word, we find many things in creation we can compare aspects of our Christian lives to: a mustard seed and tree, a sheep, a boat in the sea, mountains and valleys, the comparisons are endless!

I find it amazing how God uses creation to confirm and explain his word, and vice versa. Recently, the passage in Psalm 1 opened a new door of understanding for me.

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:3)

The phrase "he shall be like a tree" hit me with a new light. If you know much about trees, you can see many similarities between trees and our lives in the Lord.

According to the verse in Psalm 1, we as Christians are likened to a tree. But if you notice the whole of verse 3, we can see many important factors about this tree.

1) The tree is planted by the rivers of water. Assuming we are the tree, the river of water is what we draw our strength and nutrients from. Of course, a tree can grow and prosper in plain dirt, but life-giving water is what sustains the tree and keeps it alive. A tree that is planted beside water of any sort will be a tree that is healthy, strong, and more beautiful and prosperous than other trees.

Looking at this passage, if we are the trees, then what is the water? For us as Christians, God and is word is the way of our salvation, the source of our strength, what keeps us alive and productive in this life. Let us drink constantly from the depths of God's word, and we will never run dry, never falter in our growth, and never die.

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
2) He bringeth forth his fruit in his season. An important aspect to note in this passage is that we as trees drawing our strength from God will bring forth fruit.

"He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth for much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Something we can also note in this passage is that it says "in his season." This means that we may not always see the fruit of our diligent walking with the Lord. Just as a tree has a time to grow and get stronger in order to produce fruit, so we may have times in our lives where the Lord is simply growing and preparing us to bring forth fruit. Depending on the type of fruit, it may only be a short while before fruit is produced, or it may take many years. What we must remember is that any fruit grown is fruit worth waiting for. The longer the wait, the more precious the fruit, and the more thankful we are to the Lord for his work in our lives. The key is to remain planted beside the Lord, and to be constantly in his word.

3) His leaf does not wither. We can tell very easily when a tree has not been properly cared for. It will be withered, or stunted in its growth, it might bear a little bit of fruit, but many times, it will not taste very good. If we as Christians neglect to draw our strength from God and his word, we too will begin to show signs of neglect. Just as a gardener will not want leave tree growth that is not growing or producing fruit properly in his garden, God will not want to leave us withered and unproductive.

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6)
The gardener will prune away unproductive or wilted growth on the tree in his garden in order to induce proper growth and fruit bearing. Likewise the Lord will prune away what is wilted or unproductive in our lives in order to induce proper growth and fruit in our lives.

4) Whatever he does is prosperous. As was mentioned before, the tree that is consistently abiding and drawing its strength from the Lord is a tree that will bear much fruit.

"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth for evil fruit." (Matthew 7:17)

For us as Christians it is vital to abide and draw our strength from the Lord. This passage easily points that out. Even more important is how we are to do so. The verse right before this passage clearly states to us what is necessary to attain the likeability to a tree planted by these precious rivers of water (God).

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (Psalm 1:2)

This man is constantly drawing strength and learning from God's word. This is what makes him like that beautiful tree. When we make God and his word first and foremost in our lives, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating his words to us, we also will become a flourishing, fruitful tree, ever giving glory to the source of its beauty and strength (the Lord).

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Whose is This Light of Mine?

A prayer of my heart

A light for thee shining forth in this world of woe,

A light to shine in darkness and to hasten back the foe.

A light to spark another's flame so more than one can shine,

A light whose shine will never fade, nor dim through tests of time.

A light for thee I want to be, Lord show me how to shine,

So I can share with everyone Whose is this Light of mine.

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

The Pearl of Great Price

A merchant has a quest, he lives his life searching... will he find what he is looking for?

Once there was a merchant, who was seeking goodly pearls. Not just any pearls, he wanted them to be beautiful and worth a great price. He looked and looked throughout his whole life, striving to find really and truly good pearls. He found pearls of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There were some very beautiful pearls among them, but still, in his heart, he was not content. You see, he had a dream, and his dream was to find a perfect pearl.

He didn't know what kind of pearl it would be, he just knew that when he had it in his possession, he would be able to live in perfect peace, knowing he had the best there was. However, as the years went by, he gradually grew weary in his quest and in time learned to ignore that longing to find the true, perfect pearl. Instead he would try to fulfill his emptiness by indulging in flashy jewels from well-dressed, cool mannered men and beautiful women with flattering eyes. He would tell himself he was perfectly happy with these jewels and the company that came with them.

Alas for the merchant, such happiness never lasts, and he soon found himself more miserable than ever. The flashy jewels were now worthless, and the company he kept seemed to drain his very soul.

In his darkest hour, there came springing up in him again that longing for the perfect pearl. He began his search once more, doubtful that he would ever find such a thing, but still holding on to a faint thread of hope. He knew that, even if he died in his search, he would be satisfied, knowing he had tried.

One day, while walking through his home town, he noticed a small shop in the back corner of a small shopping center. He had seen it many times before, for it was right next to his own house.

He couldn't understand, but whenever he stood there looking at it, he always felt a pulling - an urge to go inside. He started to shrug off the feeling and walk away as he always had before, but something made him stop, and he allowed himself to be drawn to its doors.

As he got closer, he felt his longing for the perfect pearl grow and throb though his whole being. On entering the store, he was greeted by a small child, asking if she could help him in any way. He dimly heard his own voice telling her that he would just look around. He walked, as though drawn, to the back of the store where an old man was standing behind the counter. His wrinkled face creased into a smile, but his kind grey eyes looked as if he knew exactly what was wanted.

The poor merchant looked once into the gentle face of the old man, then down to the display case. There in a beautiful, black velvet box lay a perfectly round pearl, it's creamy white color seeming to shine as the moon.

When the old man asked the merchant if he would like to look at it, he simply nodded, unable to speak. He grabbed hold of the counter to steady his shaking frame. As the pearl was placed into his hand, the longing in his heart grew until he felt as if he might die. Turning it over and over in his hand, he looked for blemishes that he knew were not there. This, he knew was the perfect pearl - the one for which he had searched for so long.

At last he asked hoarsely, "How much?"

The old man leaned back and smiled.

"Oh, it's a great price, I've had it for a very long time, and it is the only one like it."

When the merchant heard the great price, his heart sank. It would cost everything he had to secure the pearl. However, he knew he must have it, whatever the cost.

Handing the precious pearl back to the man, he asked him to hold it for him and quickly strode out the door.

The merchant went home and sold everything he owned - his house, his belongings, everything but the clothes on his back. He sold all, and returning to the little store, he purchased the pearl. Now for the rest of his life, he would have peace, for he had found his pearl, that perfect pearl of great price.

__________

The merchant spent many years and much grief trying to find his "Pearl of great price." He thought it could only be gained by constant searching and hard work. It never occurred to him that his prize was always right at hand. It was there for the taking, if only he would have been willing to look.

We, like the merchant, were born with a longing for a pearl pf great price.

Instilled in every human being is a longing for satisfaction and fulfillment. So in a sense, we are all seeking goodly pearl. We may try many things in an attempt to fulfill this longing. Hobbies, better jobs, college degrees, money, friends, travel entertainment, etc. may ease the longing temporarily, but these are simply counterfeit pearls or jewels. We may search endlessly and work diligently towards fulfillment, but until we have that Pearl of Great Price, we will continue to have that constant longing in our hearts.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

-Matthew 13:45-46

Jesus Christ is the Pearl of Great Price, a Jewel of undefined and inestimable value. All those who possess this Pearl are truly rich. The longing in their soul is satisfied, and ther is no need to search further for peace and fulfillment.

Just as the pearl, in our story, this Pearl of Great Price is readily available to all who are willing to look in the right place and to those who are willing to pay the right price.

OUR NEED

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

-Romans 3:23

"The wages of sin is death..."

-Romans 6:23

Becouse of our sin, we are separated from God. This creates a longing in our hearts that can only be satisfied when this relationship is restored.

THE PRICE

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."

-Acts 16:31

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

- Acts 3:19

We must be willing to repent of our sins and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He is the ONLY way -

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me."

-John 1:6

THE REWARD

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

- John 1:12

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

- Romans 5:1

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Posts from the Past

Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!