Harvest Time
Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest it plentiful but the workers are few."
Just 3 days ago we planted our garden. It is very early not only for us but also for the types of seed we planted. The spring has been warm and no signs of frost are in the forecast. If we get an early start we will get an early harvest. This could have many benefits. Sweet corn can be sold for a premium, potato bugs and other bugs could be thrown off schedule and not have as much effect, and the high heats and lack of rain in summer can be avoided. We are hoping for a bountiful crop.
God is also expecting a bountiful crop. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful. He, of course, was talking a spiritual harvest. He saw how the people who came to him were harassed and helpless, needing someone to guide them. The disciples were to pray that God would send workers to help out.
K and A, will you be one of the workers for God? I know in some ways you already are. Pray to the Lord to send workers to help with the nurturing of souls. Keep yourselves in tune spiritually, so you will be ready to go when he calls. The seeds which have been planted in you are now ripe and ready to be used by God.
~Dad
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
Foolish Nothing, Ecclesiastes 4:5
Foolish Nothing
There is much to be done around us. If we busy ourselves too much and lose sight of the important things of life, like Martha (Luke 10:42), we miss out on the blessings of God. Worse yet, if we put the things of life ahead of His kingdom, we will not be given the essential things of life. All our toil will be done in vain.
But, this verse talks about the opposite lifestyle. It speaks of the fool who does nothing. Fools who do nothing end up leaching off of others. The Bible says, the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thess. 3:10). Our society props up the poor whether or not the can work. This is not good. But even so, the fool who does nothing suffers for it.
Daughters, be diligent. Get your work done. Keep active in the things of the Lord. You will find that is not only provides the basics of life... it will bring satisfaction and contentment. The Holy Spirit will walk and work along side you, and true success will be yours for you were no fool. It pays to serve the Lord!
~Dad
Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool folds his hands and ruins himself
There is much to be done around us. If we busy ourselves too much and lose sight of the important things of life, like Martha (Luke 10:42), we miss out on the blessings of God. Worse yet, if we put the things of life ahead of His kingdom, we will not be given the essential things of life. All our toil will be done in vain.
But, this verse talks about the opposite lifestyle. It speaks of the fool who does nothing. Fools who do nothing end up leaching off of others. The Bible says, the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thess. 3:10). Our society props up the poor whether or not the can work. This is not good. But even so, the fool who does nothing suffers for it.
Daughters, be diligent. Get your work done. Keep active in the things of the Lord. You will find that is not only provides the basics of life... it will bring satisfaction and contentment. The Holy Spirit will walk and work along side you, and true success will be yours for you were no fool. It pays to serve the Lord!
~Dad
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Easter Blessing
May God be special to you today. His son, Jesus, arose from the dead so that you may have new life. We are dead in our sins but when we take them to the cross and are crucified there, We can rose to new life (Ro. 6:4-6).
I pray that Christ may fill you with joy as you think of all you are and all you can be in Christ!
~Dad
I pray that Christ may fill you with joy as you think of all you are and all you can be in Christ!
~Dad
Thursday, April 13, 2017
The Awesome Lord, Psalm 47:2
The Awesome Lord
As Jesus entered Jerusalem the week before his death, he was lauded as the blessed Savior in the highest order. They threw their palm branches down as he rode on a donkey into the city. He was loved and admired and rightly so. He was, He is, He always will be the King over all the earth. Our awesome Lord!
K and A, recognize the greatness of your savior. He is far superior to any god others serve. He is the only true God. Praise and honor him by becoming obedient to his call on your life. When the way is unclear, continue to do the things you know are right. James said a religion that is worthy is one where you take care of the needy (those that cannot provide for themselves) and one where you keep yourselves from being polluted by the ways of the world (James 1:27).
When you live according to the Word you can be assured that God will direct your life, so that you end up at the right place. There you can serve him to your fullest and will look back and know you serve an awesome Lord.
~Dad
Psalm 47:2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem the week before his death, he was lauded as the blessed Savior in the highest order. They threw their palm branches down as he rode on a donkey into the city. He was loved and admired and rightly so. He was, He is, He always will be the King over all the earth. Our awesome Lord!
K and A, recognize the greatness of your savior. He is far superior to any god others serve. He is the only true God. Praise and honor him by becoming obedient to his call on your life. When the way is unclear, continue to do the things you know are right. James said a religion that is worthy is one where you take care of the needy (those that cannot provide for themselves) and one where you keep yourselves from being polluted by the ways of the world (James 1:27).
When you live according to the Word you can be assured that God will direct your life, so that you end up at the right place. There you can serve him to your fullest and will look back and know you serve an awesome Lord.
~Dad
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
My True Family, Mark 3:31 - 35
My True Family
Families are is disarray these day in America. Even the understanding if what a family is has been polluted. We all have heard it said that blood is thinker than water, and for the most part, I agree. There are certain things needed for a family to exist. A real family has a structure. There is a father and a mother and at least one child. There is an authority structure running in the same order. And most importantly, there is love.
Mark, in this verse, was quoting Jesus who wanted everyone to know that we can be part of the family of God. (He was not minimizing his physical family.) Jesus provided the way to become his sibling. He died on the cross, shedding his blood, so we could be freed from sin to do the will of his father. In our homes, Children have a responsibility of obedience as well. If they do not honor their parents, they destroy the family unit, for they have chosen to go their own way.
The same is true in God's family. God, the Father, sent his only Son into the world, because he loved us so much. If we believe in him, we will obey him and will become part of his family. This is an everlasting promise, and we can be part of his family forever and ever (Jn 3:16).
K and A, do you submit to God's authority? I sure hope so. By doing so you will follow his Word and you will be granted the right to be sisters of Christ forever! (Jn 1:12), his blood will keep you secure.
I am glad you are part of my family too. Too many families are destroyed by not having family structure: authority, obedience, and love. This is sad. There must be love between mother and father, and children and parents, and between siblings themselves. What will you choose for your family; the one you are in now and the family you hope to have in the future? Will you help develop the structure it needs to survive? God will help you keep the family knit together when you put his ways first.
~Dad
Mark 3:35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and my sister and my mother.
Families are is disarray these day in America. Even the understanding if what a family is has been polluted. We all have heard it said that blood is thinker than water, and for the most part, I agree. There are certain things needed for a family to exist. A real family has a structure. There is a father and a mother and at least one child. There is an authority structure running in the same order. And most importantly, there is love.
Mark, in this verse, was quoting Jesus who wanted everyone to know that we can be part of the family of God. (He was not minimizing his physical family.) Jesus provided the way to become his sibling. He died on the cross, shedding his blood, so we could be freed from sin to do the will of his father. In our homes, Children have a responsibility of obedience as well. If they do not honor their parents, they destroy the family unit, for they have chosen to go their own way.
The same is true in God's family. God, the Father, sent his only Son into the world, because he loved us so much. If we believe in him, we will obey him and will become part of his family. This is an everlasting promise, and we can be part of his family forever and ever (Jn 3:16).
K and A, do you submit to God's authority? I sure hope so. By doing so you will follow his Word and you will be granted the right to be sisters of Christ forever! (Jn 1:12), his blood will keep you secure.
I am glad you are part of my family too. Too many families are destroyed by not having family structure: authority, obedience, and love. This is sad. There must be love between mother and father, and children and parents, and between siblings themselves. What will you choose for your family; the one you are in now and the family you hope to have in the future? Will you help develop the structure it needs to survive? God will help you keep the family knit together when you put his ways first.
~Dad
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Watch Out for Lions, Proverbs 26:13
Watch Out for Lions
Its been awhile since I have written and when I had it was spotty at best. Although I have been busy with NOCTI and a crashed computer and someone's wedding announcements, still I have slacked off in my responsibilities. Hopefully, I am about to get better.
This verse is a great reminder of how each of us can make excuses to why we don't get our work done. But as you look for the truth in the matter, you find that it always boils down to this... We choose to do what we deem most important at the time. I'm not saying here that what we do is the most important, rather we make it the most important thing to do.
Daughters, So stop making excuses why you can't get this or that done. Create ways to accomplish what is most important in God's eyes and get up and get it done and the lions will run and hide!
~Dad
Proverbs 26:13 A sluggard says, "There's a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!"
This verse is a great reminder of how each of us can make excuses to why we don't get our work done. But as you look for the truth in the matter, you find that it always boils down to this... We choose to do what we deem most important at the time. I'm not saying here that what we do is the most important, rather we make it the most important thing to do.
Daughters, So stop making excuses why you can't get this or that done. Create ways to accomplish what is most important in God's eyes and get up and get it done and the lions will run and hide!
~Dad
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Genesis 14, Part 3: Blessed Be God, Verses 18 Thru 20
Blessed Be God
What is it like to bless someone, for the one blessed and for the "blessor" themselves? Certainly the one blessed is full of gratitude. They sense the honor given them and are thankful to the one who blessed them. They have just been given a gift and desire to return the favor, but how? And the "blessor", They have just rewarded someone, maybe for something they had done or just because they existed. Either way, there is satisfaction in knowing they made a difference in the person's life. They sense it, they can tell they have made their day.
Abram had found success in his mission for rescuing Lot from his captors. At a banquet honoring Abram, the Priest stand and gives tribute to Abram stating how God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth, delivered the enemy into Abram's hands. Abram recognizes God's faithful and strong hand and acknowledges God by returning some to him, a tenth of all he had.
So, who was the "blessor" and who was the "blesse" in this scripture? I believe both were. It became reciprocal. God honored Abram for what he was willing to do. He lived out God's character and gave him success in his undertakings. Abram recognized it wasn't his great abilities that made his mission a success, rather it was the hand of God at work. He was touched in his spirit and wanted to give back to him, something to says thanks... so he gave him a tenth of everything (believed to be a tenth of the spoils of battle). It is not stated, but I am sure God smiled, and he too was blessed by this act of gratitude.
K and A, this practice of tithing started by Abram continues today. In fact, Jesus told the Pharisees that they should not neglect tithing (Matt 23:23 & Lk. 11:42). It should be easy for you to see from the story of Melchizedek why God loves tithing. Tithing is a recognition of who owns it all and who it is that gives you success. It is an acknowledgement that as talented as you are, and though you plan and work hard for what you get, if not for God Most High, you would fail. When you see this true, you too will be filled with gratitude and return to him 10% of everything earned, your tithe. In fact when you are truly grateful, you will desire to give more. Know that God will see and bless you even more. Like Luke says in 6:38 of his first book... Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. You will be both the blesse and the blessor. Blessed be God!
~Dad
Genesis 14:20 "...And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
What is it like to bless someone, for the one blessed and for the "blessor" themselves? Certainly the one blessed is full of gratitude. They sense the honor given them and are thankful to the one who blessed them. They have just been given a gift and desire to return the favor, but how? And the "blessor", They have just rewarded someone, maybe for something they had done or just because they existed. Either way, there is satisfaction in knowing they made a difference in the person's life. They sense it, they can tell they have made their day.
Abram had found success in his mission for rescuing Lot from his captors. At a banquet honoring Abram, the Priest stand and gives tribute to Abram stating how God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth, delivered the enemy into Abram's hands. Abram recognizes God's faithful and strong hand and acknowledges God by returning some to him, a tenth of all he had.
So, who was the "blessor" and who was the "blesse" in this scripture? I believe both were. It became reciprocal. God honored Abram for what he was willing to do. He lived out God's character and gave him success in his undertakings. Abram recognized it wasn't his great abilities that made his mission a success, rather it was the hand of God at work. He was touched in his spirit and wanted to give back to him, something to says thanks... so he gave him a tenth of everything (believed to be a tenth of the spoils of battle). It is not stated, but I am sure God smiled, and he too was blessed by this act of gratitude.
K and A, this practice of tithing started by Abram continues today. In fact, Jesus told the Pharisees that they should not neglect tithing (Matt 23:23 & Lk. 11:42). It should be easy for you to see from the story of Melchizedek why God loves tithing. Tithing is a recognition of who owns it all and who it is that gives you success. It is an acknowledgement that as talented as you are, and though you plan and work hard for what you get, if not for God Most High, you would fail. When you see this true, you too will be filled with gratitude and return to him 10% of everything earned, your tithe. In fact when you are truly grateful, you will desire to give more. Know that God will see and bless you even more. Like Luke says in 6:38 of his first book... Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. You will be both the blesse and the blessor. Blessed be God!
~Dad
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