THE PRICE OF INDEPENDENCE
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declarations of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” They gave you and me a free and independent America. They history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn’t just fight the British, We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so mush for granted… We shouldn’t. Take a moment while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid……..
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Harry Potter or not?
Harry Potter: Is It Something That Christian Children Should Read and/or See?by Rich Deem
Harry Potter books (and movie) are quite popular now, and even more Harry Potter will be found in all kinds of marketing schemes to profit from this popularity. My objection to the book series is from the point of the worldview represented, and the participation of the "good guys" in occult practices specifically prohibited in the Bible. The following are practices that the Bible forbids believers from engaging in:
Occult Practices Forbidden in the Bible (# times mentionedverses)
sorcery (5)1
divination (13)2
mediums (7)3
conjuring spirits (5)4
necromancy (2)5
fortune telling (7)6
witchcraft (2)7
charming (2)8
wizardry (2)9
enchantments (2)10
spiritism (1)11
signs performed using evil powers (4)12
astrology (1)13
false visions (3)14
spells (2)15
occult books (1)16
The Old Testament describes the punishment, given by God, for those who participate in occult practices. For both the one who practices and the one who hires the one who practices, the penalty is death (Exodus 22:18,1 Micah 5:12,1 Leviticus 20:6,3 Leviticus 20:27,3 1 Chronicles 10:13-14,3), indicating the seriousness of these offenses.
These prohibitions extend to both the Old and New Testaments. Occult practices by believers are condemned by Jesus in the books of Matthew and Mark,12 Paul in the books of Galatians1 and 2 Thessalonians,12 and Luke (several times in the book of Acts).2, 4, 16 Some of those who practiced sorcery, when they became followers of Jesus Christ burned their occult books.16 These days, however, many Christians are actually promoting these books to other believers, and finding "Christian" analogies and even the "Gospel" story in it. The problem is that the "good" guys in Harry Potter are relying upon magic and sorcery instead of God for their power. The Bible states emphatically that doing evil to accomplish good ends is not acceptable.17
I have heard from many Christians that the Harry Potter series is fantasy, and so it is okay to indulge in it, since it isn't "real" witchcraft. The problem that we Christians have is that we have believed the Disney lie that witchcraft is okay, or maybe just a minor sin. We have been indoctrinated by the years of slow introduction through the culture and videos into believing that it is okay to indulge in this stuff as long as we don't actually participate in it personally.
However, the Harry Potter stories take place in the fantasy land of Great Britain. Most would agree that this is a real place. Are all things that are classified as fantasy okay for a Christian to indulge in? Is it okay to play video games where the object is to murder everybody in sight, with blood and body parts flying everywhere? Is it okay for a Christian to read trashy novels where everybody is engaged in adulterous, incestuous or bisexual activities? It is fantasy after all, so it must be okay to read these things? The fallacy of the fantasy excuse becomes apparent when we discuss areas of sin that are still considered sinful by the culture to which we have become acclimated.
Other Christian writers, such as C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, have used fantasy and magic. The difference between C. S. Lewis and Harry Potter is the source of the power. In The Chronicles of Narnia, the source of the power is Aslan - the Lion representation of Jesus Christ. In Harry Potter, the source of power is unknown, but available to those who wants to us it.
Harry Potter books (and movie) are quite popular now, and even more Harry Potter will be found in all kinds of marketing schemes to profit from this popularity. My objection to the book series is from the point of the worldview represented, and the participation of the "good guys" in occult practices specifically prohibited in the Bible. The following are practices that the Bible forbids believers from engaging in:
Occult Practices Forbidden in the Bible (# times mentionedverses)
sorcery (5)1
divination (13)2
mediums (7)3
conjuring spirits (5)4
necromancy (2)5
fortune telling (7)6
witchcraft (2)7
charming (2)8
wizardry (2)9
enchantments (2)10
spiritism (1)11
signs performed using evil powers (4)12
astrology (1)13
false visions (3)14
spells (2)15
occult books (1)16
The Old Testament describes the punishment, given by God, for those who participate in occult practices. For both the one who practices and the one who hires the one who practices, the penalty is death (Exodus 22:18,1 Micah 5:12,1 Leviticus 20:6,3 Leviticus 20:27,3 1 Chronicles 10:13-14,3), indicating the seriousness of these offenses.
These prohibitions extend to both the Old and New Testaments. Occult practices by believers are condemned by Jesus in the books of Matthew and Mark,12 Paul in the books of Galatians1 and 2 Thessalonians,12 and Luke (several times in the book of Acts).2, 4, 16 Some of those who practiced sorcery, when they became followers of Jesus Christ burned their occult books.16 These days, however, many Christians are actually promoting these books to other believers, and finding "Christian" analogies and even the "Gospel" story in it. The problem is that the "good" guys in Harry Potter are relying upon magic and sorcery instead of God for their power. The Bible states emphatically that doing evil to accomplish good ends is not acceptable.17
I have heard from many Christians that the Harry Potter series is fantasy, and so it is okay to indulge in it, since it isn't "real" witchcraft. The problem that we Christians have is that we have believed the Disney lie that witchcraft is okay, or maybe just a minor sin. We have been indoctrinated by the years of slow introduction through the culture and videos into believing that it is okay to indulge in this stuff as long as we don't actually participate in it personally.
However, the Harry Potter stories take place in the fantasy land of Great Britain. Most would agree that this is a real place. Are all things that are classified as fantasy okay for a Christian to indulge in? Is it okay to play video games where the object is to murder everybody in sight, with blood and body parts flying everywhere? Is it okay for a Christian to read trashy novels where everybody is engaged in adulterous, incestuous or bisexual activities? It is fantasy after all, so it must be okay to read these things? The fallacy of the fantasy excuse becomes apparent when we discuss areas of sin that are still considered sinful by the culture to which we have become acclimated.
Other Christian writers, such as C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, have used fantasy and magic. The difference between C. S. Lewis and Harry Potter is the source of the power. In The Chronicles of Narnia, the source of the power is Aslan - the Lion representation of Jesus Christ. In Harry Potter, the source of power is unknown, but available to those who wants to us it.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
They are home!
Just Praising God !!!!!!!!!
3rd. Battalion, 2nd Marines returned from Iraq to their families. After a 7 Mo. deployment without a single fatality, the 3/2 came home to a heartwarming welcome, some Marines to new born boys and girls that they have never seen. Families drove from locations as far away as Washington State to greet sons, husbands and grandchildren. One Marine on seeing his girlfriend proposed to her, another announced that he will be married tomorrow. The 3/2 has been training the Iraqi Police and Army to act on their own or as a combined force in protecting their country.
Dear Betio Parents,
Hopefully many of your sons have returned back home for their leave time. I know this is a very exciting time, so many parities with family and friends welcoming home your Marines and Sailors.
Have a wonderful time with your sons! Please keep in mind the emails LtCol Baumgarten and I have passed onto you recently, keeping the focus on a safe and happy leave time for your Marines and Sailors.
As you gather this Memorial week-end keep in mind exactly what Memorial day is all about. So many people get caught up in the opening of pools, the unofficial start of summer and activities that come with the warmer months. Many will have picnics and enjoy each others company of those you don't get to see often.
As Marine Parents and family members you know all too well the risks our military face daily. We were so blessed to not have any of our battalion Killed in Action, this past deployment. Others have not been so fortunate. This week-end is to honor all of our fallen warriors, from all branches of our military. Those who died in World wars, Korea, Viet Nam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq and many other combat environments.
Those hero's who paid the ultimate price should be remembered daily not just on this one special day. It is because of all of them and the sacrifices they and their families have paid that we have the freedom and privileges we do in America. Our fallen have laid the path for others to follow and succeed with their missions, while keeping America the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I was told once by a Battalion Commander " It is what we leave behind that truly matters".
When you are attending a picnic or event this week-end, make a request that everyone take a moment to pay respect and tribute to all those we have lost in combat due to their bravery, honor and dedication to our Nation, and all those past and present that have fought for our freedom.
Say a special prayer for all those deployed now, that they may stay safe and unharmed while successfully completing their missions.
Please give your Marine or Sailor a special Momma Lewis hug, tell him I am so proud of him and appreciate everything he has done for the United States of America. He probably will say.. I didn't do anything special, I just did my job... That is the typical Marine answer... Remind him, yes he did his job, nevertheless he did it very well while he represented himself on our Nations behalf and for all our citizens safety. He took risks for all of us.
God Bless America and all those who have fought for our freedom!
Hugs
Patty
God Bless all our Marines, Sailors and " Special Angels"
3rd. Battalion, 2nd Marines returned from Iraq to their families. After a 7 Mo. deployment without a single fatality, the 3/2 came home to a heartwarming welcome, some Marines to new born boys and girls that they have never seen. Families drove from locations as far away as Washington State to greet sons, husbands and grandchildren. One Marine on seeing his girlfriend proposed to her, another announced that he will be married tomorrow. The 3/2 has been training the Iraqi Police and Army to act on their own or as a combined force in protecting their country.
Dear Betio Parents,
Hopefully many of your sons have returned back home for their leave time. I know this is a very exciting time, so many parities with family and friends welcoming home your Marines and Sailors.
Have a wonderful time with your sons! Please keep in mind the emails LtCol Baumgarten and I have passed onto you recently, keeping the focus on a safe and happy leave time for your Marines and Sailors.
As you gather this Memorial week-end keep in mind exactly what Memorial day is all about. So many people get caught up in the opening of pools, the unofficial start of summer and activities that come with the warmer months. Many will have picnics and enjoy each others company of those you don't get to see often.
As Marine Parents and family members you know all too well the risks our military face daily. We were so blessed to not have any of our battalion Killed in Action, this past deployment. Others have not been so fortunate. This week-end is to honor all of our fallen warriors, from all branches of our military. Those who died in World wars, Korea, Viet Nam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq and many other combat environments.
Those hero's who paid the ultimate price should be remembered daily not just on this one special day. It is because of all of them and the sacrifices they and their families have paid that we have the freedom and privileges we do in America. Our fallen have laid the path for others to follow and succeed with their missions, while keeping America the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I was told once by a Battalion Commander " It is what we leave behind that truly matters".
When you are attending a picnic or event this week-end, make a request that everyone take a moment to pay respect and tribute to all those we have lost in combat due to their bravery, honor and dedication to our Nation, and all those past and present that have fought for our freedom.
Say a special prayer for all those deployed now, that they may stay safe and unharmed while successfully completing their missions.
Please give your Marine or Sailor a special Momma Lewis hug, tell him I am so proud of him and appreciate everything he has done for the United States of America. He probably will say.. I didn't do anything special, I just did my job... That is the typical Marine answer... Remind him, yes he did his job, nevertheless he did it very well while he represented himself on our Nations behalf and for all our citizens safety. He took risks for all of us.
God Bless America and all those who have fought for our freedom!
Hugs
Patty
God Bless all our Marines, Sailors and " Special Angels"
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
NOT AS IMPORTANT HOW YOU START BUT HOW YOU FINISH!!!
We love to testify about how god saved us! That's so very important. We must be born again. What about how we finish "our course"? Will we be able to say as Paul did, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
The key word is HUMBLE and the key thought is "Finish our course as Paul Did.
My prayer today is" Father in all I do and all I say and all I am, let me be humble. I KNOW my beginning was great and I thank you everyday for saving my soul but Father let my end be as Pauls. I will trust in you and I believe that I can finish this course as a humble person. I want a crown of righteousness. Always to be in the center of your will. Amen and Amen
O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. 13 ¶ But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. 14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand. 17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
2 Kings 22:19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (Whole Chapter) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Chronicles 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
The key word is HUMBLE and the key thought is "Finish our course as Paul Did.
My prayer today is" Father in all I do and all I say and all I am, let me be humble. I KNOW my beginning was great and I thank you everyday for saving my soul but Father let my end be as Pauls. I will trust in you and I believe that I can finish this course as a humble person. I want a crown of righteousness. Always to be in the center of your will. Amen and Amen
O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. 13 ¶ But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. 14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand. 17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
2 Kings 22:19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (Whole Chapter) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Chronicles 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Please PRAY
Army Reserve---73,695
Navy Reserve--5,072
USAF Reserve, --7,067
USMC--8,672
USCG---333
Total number activated---94,839
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Help for Healing
Hope For Healing
You are loved and cared for by God. He is constantly at work helping his children recover from the wounds they have received. One of the most important ways God helps his wounded children is by using process and encounter experiences to expedite recovery. A process experience is a Holy Spirit-directed word, meeting, or circumstance that aids wounded in their quest to gain perspective. Process experiences can seem like chance happenings or accidental occurrences. However, in actuality they are planned and directed by God who actively seeks to grant perspective to those in need. Perspective can come by way of a Scripture verse, an internal voice, or even a casual conversation. Such workings seem natural enough, but they are intensely spiritual and wonderfully practical. Process experiences help sort out what happened, so they can make sense of their pain and move on. As an example of this sort of process, look at the story told by Andy, a former associate who had been mistreated and wrongfully terminated by his senior pastor. Weeks after the termination his mind could still not move beyond wondering why the senior pastor had treated him so abusively. It was a mystery that tormented him night and day. One evening, seemingly by chance, Andy met a man who was a long-time friend of the senior pastor. The man told him that years earlier the senior pastor had been terribly hurt by a trusted church member. As a result, from time to time, the senior pastor experienced periods of depression marked by fits of paranoia. This paranoia would often motivate him to make regrettable decisions. After hearing the story, Andy was able to see his former boss in a new light. He thanked God for the experience of talking to this man, because in the process he found perspective.Encounter Experiences Encounter experiences are similar to process experiences, but their purpose is to bring healing. Wounded Pastors also feel great pain due to the mistreatment they received. Trust injuries cut deeply and leave agonizing scars. It is the Lord's will to heal them using means that are both creative and unique. Consequently, thewounded can look forward to experiencing the love and warmth of Christ at every turn. For wounded associates, there is a "balm in Gilead" that soothes and heals. God often sends sensitive and caring people to apply this healing ointment on His behalf. Bill and Phyllis are two associates who experienced an encounter experience that led them to be healed. Bill and Phyllis served a large church as a husband and wife youth pastor team. For a time everything was wonderful. The couple's ministry was fruitful, they were expecting a child, and with the senior pastor's approval they bought their first house. However, suddenly and without warning they were abusively fired. They were blamed for doing things they did not do and accused of saying things they did not say. It was rumored that the pastor wanted to fill the position with someone else, but felt he had to discredit the popular couple to make the change seem like their fault. Worse yet, the severance agreement stipulated that the couple would forfeit an amount of money if they were not out of town in a week. This meant they would not be able to properly say goodbye to friends or even sell their home before it was time to leave. Furthermore, because of the short notice, they were forced to move in with Phllis' parents. Out of time and with no prospects in sight, they left town heartbroken and confused.Bill and Phyllis' encounter experience came ten days after their departure, when two church elders took it upon themselves to seek out the couple. They felt God directing them to offer an apology on behalf of the church. The elders felt horrible about how the couple had been treated. They told Bill and Phyllis that the senior pastor had acted in a wrongful and sinful manner. They pledged to restore the couple's good name and promised to give perspective employers a glowing recommendation. The four individuals wept, hugged, and prayed together. Afterward Bill and Phyllis expressed thanks to God. Because of the encounter, they had experienced His healing touch. As these stories indicate, it is the Holy Spirit's delight to set up process and encounter experiences for wounded staff associates. With this in mind, it is completely appropriate for wounded associates to actively seek God's aid through trusted people who are willing to assist. Forming process and encounter groups, therefore, can be a great help and blessing. Such groups seek to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He works to grant perspective and promote healing.What Process and Encounter Groups Mean for the WoundedProcess and encounter groups give wounded people an opportunity to tell their stories, vent, assess, grieve, and pray. It helps the wounded create a language of pain they can use to give full voice to their complaint. Such groups emphasize being open and honest. For example, one person may be full of praise to God, another weeping, while a third utters a four-letter word to describe the abusive treatment. In process and encounter groups honest expression is encouraged because God loves it when people are real and genuine. He feels the pain of those who have been sinned against. He refreshes and provides forward momentum as they dare to believe Him to be their ever-present help (Ps. 46:1). In process and encounter groups, the Holy Spirit binds up the hearts of the grieving. He helps them avoid self-pity and self-righteousness. It is God's will for wounded for all to rise up from the ashes of mistreatment by the power of the Spirit. As God wipes away their tears, He whispers that He will be their strength and vindication (Ps 37:18-19).
When a church group refuses to meet and pray about anything then that is another story. God will still help those that have been hurt but they may have to move on. A sad thing but sometimes they have to leave the church that they have been in so long to find the healing that they need. We see this often in churches where they are all or mostly "family". The "family" has already made their mind up how things are and will not let anyone on the outside intervene. They would call it interferring. The church that does not allow the "healing" to take place will never trust anyone thinking that they have a right to be that way (better read God's word) that is not Gods way. Don't give up hope. Pray for those that have hurt you and keep on keeping on. note: No sin will enter heaven so we must repent and have NOTHING between us and God. We have to love one another. How can we say we love God and not be able to love the brother.
Let our prayer today be, Father let me love through you" all men "because you gave your life for them just as you did me. Let me not think of myself too highly because I can be wrong. I don't want to miss the rapture.
You are loved and cared for by God. He is constantly at work helping his children recover from the wounds they have received. One of the most important ways God helps his wounded children is by using process and encounter experiences to expedite recovery. A process experience is a Holy Spirit-directed word, meeting, or circumstance that aids wounded in their quest to gain perspective. Process experiences can seem like chance happenings or accidental occurrences. However, in actuality they are planned and directed by God who actively seeks to grant perspective to those in need. Perspective can come by way of a Scripture verse, an internal voice, or even a casual conversation. Such workings seem natural enough, but they are intensely spiritual and wonderfully practical. Process experiences help sort out what happened, so they can make sense of their pain and move on. As an example of this sort of process, look at the story told by Andy, a former associate who had been mistreated and wrongfully terminated by his senior pastor. Weeks after the termination his mind could still not move beyond wondering why the senior pastor had treated him so abusively. It was a mystery that tormented him night and day. One evening, seemingly by chance, Andy met a man who was a long-time friend of the senior pastor. The man told him that years earlier the senior pastor had been terribly hurt by a trusted church member. As a result, from time to time, the senior pastor experienced periods of depression marked by fits of paranoia. This paranoia would often motivate him to make regrettable decisions. After hearing the story, Andy was able to see his former boss in a new light. He thanked God for the experience of talking to this man, because in the process he found perspective.Encounter Experiences Encounter experiences are similar to process experiences, but their purpose is to bring healing. Wounded Pastors also feel great pain due to the mistreatment they received. Trust injuries cut deeply and leave agonizing scars. It is the Lord's will to heal them using means that are both creative and unique. Consequently, thewounded can look forward to experiencing the love and warmth of Christ at every turn. For wounded associates, there is a "balm in Gilead" that soothes and heals. God often sends sensitive and caring people to apply this healing ointment on His behalf. Bill and Phyllis are two associates who experienced an encounter experience that led them to be healed. Bill and Phyllis served a large church as a husband and wife youth pastor team. For a time everything was wonderful. The couple's ministry was fruitful, they were expecting a child, and with the senior pastor's approval they bought their first house. However, suddenly and without warning they were abusively fired. They were blamed for doing things they did not do and accused of saying things they did not say. It was rumored that the pastor wanted to fill the position with someone else, but felt he had to discredit the popular couple to make the change seem like their fault. Worse yet, the severance agreement stipulated that the couple would forfeit an amount of money if they were not out of town in a week. This meant they would not be able to properly say goodbye to friends or even sell their home before it was time to leave. Furthermore, because of the short notice, they were forced to move in with Phllis' parents. Out of time and with no prospects in sight, they left town heartbroken and confused.Bill and Phyllis' encounter experience came ten days after their departure, when two church elders took it upon themselves to seek out the couple. They felt God directing them to offer an apology on behalf of the church. The elders felt horrible about how the couple had been treated. They told Bill and Phyllis that the senior pastor had acted in a wrongful and sinful manner. They pledged to restore the couple's good name and promised to give perspective employers a glowing recommendation. The four individuals wept, hugged, and prayed together. Afterward Bill and Phyllis expressed thanks to God. Because of the encounter, they had experienced His healing touch. As these stories indicate, it is the Holy Spirit's delight to set up process and encounter experiences for wounded staff associates. With this in mind, it is completely appropriate for wounded associates to actively seek God's aid through trusted people who are willing to assist. Forming process and encounter groups, therefore, can be a great help and blessing. Such groups seek to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He works to grant perspective and promote healing.What Process and Encounter Groups Mean for the WoundedProcess and encounter groups give wounded people an opportunity to tell their stories, vent, assess, grieve, and pray. It helps the wounded create a language of pain they can use to give full voice to their complaint. Such groups emphasize being open and honest. For example, one person may be full of praise to God, another weeping, while a third utters a four-letter word to describe the abusive treatment. In process and encounter groups honest expression is encouraged because God loves it when people are real and genuine. He feels the pain of those who have been sinned against. He refreshes and provides forward momentum as they dare to believe Him to be their ever-present help (Ps. 46:1). In process and encounter groups, the Holy Spirit binds up the hearts of the grieving. He helps them avoid self-pity and self-righteousness. It is God's will for wounded for all to rise up from the ashes of mistreatment by the power of the Spirit. As God wipes away their tears, He whispers that He will be their strength and vindication (Ps 37:18-19).
When a church group refuses to meet and pray about anything then that is another story. God will still help those that have been hurt but they may have to move on. A sad thing but sometimes they have to leave the church that they have been in so long to find the healing that they need. We see this often in churches where they are all or mostly "family". The "family" has already made their mind up how things are and will not let anyone on the outside intervene. They would call it interferring. The church that does not allow the "healing" to take place will never trust anyone thinking that they have a right to be that way (better read God's word) that is not Gods way. Don't give up hope. Pray for those that have hurt you and keep on keeping on. note: No sin will enter heaven so we must repent and have NOTHING between us and God. We have to love one another. How can we say we love God and not be able to love the brother.
Let our prayer today be, Father let me love through you" all men "because you gave your life for them just as you did me. Let me not think of myself too highly because I can be wrong. I don't want to miss the rapture.
Break up your Fallow Ground, Jeremiah 4:3
Any good farmer will tell you that before one can grow any kind of a garden, one must first plow up the ground where the garden will be.- It is only after the plowing that one can begin the process of sowing and reaping.* So, with that in mind, we will begin our Focus on Farming series.
Jeremiah 4:3 - For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorn
A. BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND
One very important lesson we must learn from these passages focuses on the phrase, "break up your fallow ground," is that fallow ground is either that which, having once been tilled, has long lay uncultivated; or, it is ground that is slightly plowed, in order to be plowed again before it is planted (or sown).
The Church breaks up her own fallow ground, when she stirs up anew the decaying righteousness of her own members...
NOTE: One should not be satisfied with a slight furrowing of the heart; rather, let the land that was fallowed (slightly plowed) be broken up again with a deep furrow of true repentance. In other words, one must not be satisfied with a mere stirring of the heart - there must be a true change of thought and life.
Fact is, too many of us have been long uncultivated in righteousness...
It is time to let true repentance break up our fruitless and hardened hearts; and...
When this is done - and when the seed of the Word of Life is sown in them - worldly cares and concerns will not arise and choke out the good seed like thorns.IMPORTANT: Jeremiah warns that one should not sow the seeds of repentance in unfit soil, but just as the farmer prepares the ground, by clearing it of weeds, and exposing it to the sun and air, before planting the seed, so must you regard repentance as a serious matter, requiring forethought, and anxious labor. To sow in ground that has not been properly plowed one might as well sow on land that is full of thorns - it is time and effort wasted.
James 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
James saw the human heart as a garden; if left to itself, the soil would produce only weeds.
He urged us to "pull out the weeds" and prepare the soil for the "implanted Word of God."
The phrase "superfluity of naughtiness" gives the picture of a garden overgrown with weeds that cannot be controlled.
It is foolish to try to receive God's Word into an unprepared heart.
It is closely related to a term used of wax in the ear, which impairs hearing, and is therefore especially appropriate in this context.
Moral filthiness is a serious barrier to our clearly hearing and comprehending the Word of God.Wickedness is from a Greek word that denotes moral evil and corruption in general, especially in regard to intent.
It pertains to sin that is deliberate and determined.
It may reside in the heart for a long time before being expressed outwardly, and may in fact, never be expressed outwardly.
Superfluity, in the Greek, can carry the idea of remains, or surplus, in this context it seems better rendered as the "abundance," "excess," or "prevalence" of wickedness.
The idea is that of confessing, repenting of, and eliminating every vestige and semblance of evil that corrupts our lives, reduces our hunger for the Word, and clouds our understanding of it.
When that is done, we can indeed receive "the word of God,"...not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in [us] who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
. HOW DO WE PREPARE THE SOIL OF OUR HEARTS FOR GOD'S WORD?
1. First, by repenting of our sins (I John 1:9).
I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We must get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.
According to the Greek, this is a once-for-all action.
Why should we do this?
2. Second, by meditating of God's love and grace through His Word, which will cause us to "plow up" any hardness that is within our hearts (Jeremiah 4:3).
3. Finally, we must have an attitude of "meekness" (James 1:21).
Meekness is the opposite of the "wrath" discussed in James 1:19-20.
When you receive the Word with meekness, you accept it, do not argue with it, and honor it as the Word of God.
You do not try to twist it to conform it to your thinking.
If we do not receive the implanted Word, then we are deceiving ourselves.
Christians who like to argue various "points of view" may be only fooling themselves.
They think that their "discussions" are promoting spiritual growth, when in reality they may only be cultivating the weeds.
III. THE FARMER (JAMES 5:7-9)
James 5:7-97 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
James 5:7-9 (The Message)7 Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. 8 Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. 9 Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
James 5:7-9 (The Message)7 Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. 8 Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. 9 Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
If a man is impatient, then he had better not become a farmer.
No crop appears overnight (except perhaps a crop of weeds), and no farmer has control over the weather.
Too much rain can cause the crop to rot, and too much sun can bum it up.
An early frost can kill the crop.
How long-suffering the farmer must be with the weather!
He must also have patience with the seed and the crop, for it takes time for plants to grow.
Jewish farmers would plow and sow in what to us are the autumn months.
The "early rain" would soften the soil.
The "latter rain" would come in the early spring (our February/March) and help to mature the harvest.
Why did he willingly wait so long?
Because the fruit is "precious" (James 5:7).
The harvest is worth waiting for.James pictured the Christian as a "spiritual farmer" looking for a spiritual harvest. He admonishes us to be patient and stay steady and strong (James 5:8).Our hearts are the soil, and the seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).
There are seasons to the spiritual life just as there are seasons to the soil.
Sometimes, our hearts become cold and "wintry," and we have to plow up the fallow ground before the seed can be planted.
God sends the sunshine and the rains of His goodness to water and nurture the seeds planted; but we must be patient to wait for the harvest.
Here is a secret of endurance when the going is tough: God is producing a harvest in our lives. He wants the "fruit of the Spirit" to grow (Gal. 5:22-23), and the only way He can do it is through trials and troubles. Instead of growing impatient with God and with ourselves, we must yield to the Lord and permit the fruit to grow. Remember, we are "spiritual farmers" looking for a harvest.You can enjoy this kind of a harvest only if your heart is established (James 5:8).
One of the purposes of the spiritual ministry of the local church is to establish the heart, according to Paul in Romans 1:11.
Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica, to establish the young Christians in their faith (I Thess. 3:1-3); and Paul also prayed for them that they might be established (1 Thess. 3:10-13).
The ministry of the Word of God and prayer are important if the heart is going to be established.
IMPORTANT: A heart that is not established cannot bear fruit.
A. WHAT THE SUCCESSFUL FARMER DOES
1. Keep in mind that the farmer does not stand around doing nothing: he is constantly at work as he looks toward the harvest.
James did not tell these suffering believers to put on white robes, climb a hill, and wait for Jesus to return.
"Keep working and waiting" was his admonition. * Luke 12:43 - Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing.
2. Nor does the farmer get into fights with his neighbors.
One of the usual marks of farmers is their willingness to help one another.
Nobody on the farm has time or energy for disputes with the neighbors.
James must have had this in mind when he added, "Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged" (James 5:9, NIV).
Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God's people, and this is a sin we must avoid.
If we start using the sickles on each other, we will miss the harvest!
IV. THE SOWER AND THE SOILS (MARK 4:1-20)
Mark 4:3-93 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
This parable helped the disciples understand why Jesus was not impressed by the large crowds that followed Him He knew that most of them would never produce fruit from changed lives, because the Word He was teaching them was like seed Ming into poor.
A. THE SOWER
1. The seed represents God's Word (Luke 8:11) and the sower is the servant of God who shares that Word with others (see I Corinthians 3:5-9).
Paul states in I Corinthians 3:5-9...
I Corinthians 3:5-95 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
NOTE: The human heart is like soil: it must be prepared to receive the seed before that seed can take root and produce a harvest.
Like seed, the Word is alive and able to produce spiritual fruit, but the seed must be planted and cultivated before that harvest will come.
B. THE SOILS
As in that day, so today, there are four kinds of hearts and they respond to God's message in four different ways.
1. The hard heart (Mark 4:4, 15) resists the Word of God and makes it easy for Satan (the birds) to snatch it away.
Soil becomes hard when too many feet tread on it.
Those who recklessly "open their hearts" to all kinds of people and influences are in danger of developing hard hearts (see Proverbs 4:23).
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (The Message) - Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.
Hard hearts must be "plowed up" before they can receive the seed, and this can be a painful experience (Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12).
Hosea 10:12 - Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12 (The Message) - Sow righteousness, reap love. It's time to till the ready earth, it's time to dig in with GOD, Until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest.
2. The shallow heart (vv. 5-6, 16-17).
This heart is like thin soil on a rock very typical to Palestine. Since there is no depth, whatever is planted cannot last because it has no roots.
This represents the "emotional hearer" who joyfully accepts God's Word but does not really understand the price that must be paid to become a genuine Christian.
There may be great enthusiasm for several days or weeks; but when persecution and difficulties begin, the enthusiasm wanes and the joy disappears.
3. The crowded heart (vv. 7, 18-19).
This heart pictures the person who receives the Word but does not truly repent and remove the "weeds" out of his or her heart.
This hearer has too many different kinds of "seeds" growing in the soil - worldly cares, a desire for riches, a lust for things - and the good seed of the Word has no room in which to grow.
To change the image, this person wants to walk the "broad way" and the "narrow way" at the same time (Matt 7:13-14); and it cannot be done.
Matthew 7:13-1413 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 (The Message)13 "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. 14 The way to life -- to God! -- is vigorous and requires total attention.
4. The fruitful heart (vv. 8, 20).
This heart pictures the true believer, because fruit - a changed life - is the evidence of true salvation (II Corinthians 5:17; Gal 5:19-23).
Not all true believers are equally as productive; but from every genuine Christian's life, there should be some evidence of spiritual fruit.
IMPORTANT: Each of the three fruitless hearts is influenced by a different enemy: the hard heart - the devil himself snatches the seed; the shallow heart - the flesh counterfeits religious feelings; the crowded heart - the things of the world smother the growth and prevent a harvest. These are the three great enemies of the Christian: the world, the flesh, and the devil (see Ephesians 2:1-3).Ephesians 2:1-31 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.Ephesians 2:1-3 (Amplified) - 1 AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins 2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.
A. BROKEN THINGS
READ: Hosea 10:12; John 12:24
Hosea 10:12 - Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
John 12:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
This is not the order of husbandry, according to Barnes' Notes Commentary on Hosea 10:12.
The ground was already plowed, harrowed and sown; and now the Lord tells Israel anew to, "Break up your fallow ground."
Fallow ground lies idle and uncultivated; it is covered with weeds and thorns. The fallow ground of our hearts - that which has been untouched in quite a while - must be broken.It is very important that we understand something...
There is no blessing without effort.
There is no harvest without plowing.
There is no making without breaking.
Before the house is made the tree must be broken.
Before the house is made the rocks must be broken.
Before life there must be death.
Thorns and weeds must be plowed under, and the seed must be planted and die in order for the grain to come.
Grain dies so new life will bring forth more grain (John 12:24).
1. Before joy there is weeping (Psalm 30:5).
Psalms 30:5 - For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
2. Life is full of brokenness.
Life starts out with broken toys.
Then life progresses to broken hopes, shattered dreams and unfulfilled ideals.
In marriage there is broken hearts and sometimes broken homes through divorce or even death.
In the final stages of life, we have to contend with broken health.3. But all these say that God is making something new! (See Romans 8:28-29).
Romans 8:28-2928 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Jeremiah 4:3 - For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorn
A. BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND
One very important lesson we must learn from these passages focuses on the phrase, "break up your fallow ground," is that fallow ground is either that which, having once been tilled, has long lay uncultivated; or, it is ground that is slightly plowed, in order to be plowed again before it is planted (or sown).
The Church breaks up her own fallow ground, when she stirs up anew the decaying righteousness of her own members...
NOTE: One should not be satisfied with a slight furrowing of the heart; rather, let the land that was fallowed (slightly plowed) be broken up again with a deep furrow of true repentance. In other words, one must not be satisfied with a mere stirring of the heart - there must be a true change of thought and life.
Fact is, too many of us have been long uncultivated in righteousness...
It is time to let true repentance break up our fruitless and hardened hearts; and...
When this is done - and when the seed of the Word of Life is sown in them - worldly cares and concerns will not arise and choke out the good seed like thorns.IMPORTANT: Jeremiah warns that one should not sow the seeds of repentance in unfit soil, but just as the farmer prepares the ground, by clearing it of weeds, and exposing it to the sun and air, before planting the seed, so must you regard repentance as a serious matter, requiring forethought, and anxious labor. To sow in ground that has not been properly plowed one might as well sow on land that is full of thorns - it is time and effort wasted.
James 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
James saw the human heart as a garden; if left to itself, the soil would produce only weeds.
He urged us to "pull out the weeds" and prepare the soil for the "implanted Word of God."
The phrase "superfluity of naughtiness" gives the picture of a garden overgrown with weeds that cannot be controlled.
It is foolish to try to receive God's Word into an unprepared heart.
It is closely related to a term used of wax in the ear, which impairs hearing, and is therefore especially appropriate in this context.
Moral filthiness is a serious barrier to our clearly hearing and comprehending the Word of God.Wickedness is from a Greek word that denotes moral evil and corruption in general, especially in regard to intent.
It pertains to sin that is deliberate and determined.
It may reside in the heart for a long time before being expressed outwardly, and may in fact, never be expressed outwardly.
Superfluity, in the Greek, can carry the idea of remains, or surplus, in this context it seems better rendered as the "abundance," "excess," or "prevalence" of wickedness.
The idea is that of confessing, repenting of, and eliminating every vestige and semblance of evil that corrupts our lives, reduces our hunger for the Word, and clouds our understanding of it.
When that is done, we can indeed receive "the word of God,"...not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in [us] who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
. HOW DO WE PREPARE THE SOIL OF OUR HEARTS FOR GOD'S WORD?
1. First, by repenting of our sins (I John 1:9).
I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We must get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.
According to the Greek, this is a once-for-all action.
Why should we do this?
2. Second, by meditating of God's love and grace through His Word, which will cause us to "plow up" any hardness that is within our hearts (Jeremiah 4:3).
3. Finally, we must have an attitude of "meekness" (James 1:21).
Meekness is the opposite of the "wrath" discussed in James 1:19-20.
When you receive the Word with meekness, you accept it, do not argue with it, and honor it as the Word of God.
You do not try to twist it to conform it to your thinking.
If we do not receive the implanted Word, then we are deceiving ourselves.
Christians who like to argue various "points of view" may be only fooling themselves.
They think that their "discussions" are promoting spiritual growth, when in reality they may only be cultivating the weeds.
III. THE FARMER (JAMES 5:7-9)
James 5:7-97 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
James 5:7-9 (The Message)7 Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. 8 Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. 9 Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
James 5:7-9 (The Message)7 Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. 8 Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. 9 Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
If a man is impatient, then he had better not become a farmer.
No crop appears overnight (except perhaps a crop of weeds), and no farmer has control over the weather.
Too much rain can cause the crop to rot, and too much sun can bum it up.
An early frost can kill the crop.
How long-suffering the farmer must be with the weather!
He must also have patience with the seed and the crop, for it takes time for plants to grow.
Jewish farmers would plow and sow in what to us are the autumn months.
The "early rain" would soften the soil.
The "latter rain" would come in the early spring (our February/March) and help to mature the harvest.
Why did he willingly wait so long?
Because the fruit is "precious" (James 5:7).
The harvest is worth waiting for.James pictured the Christian as a "spiritual farmer" looking for a spiritual harvest. He admonishes us to be patient and stay steady and strong (James 5:8).Our hearts are the soil, and the seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).
There are seasons to the spiritual life just as there are seasons to the soil.
Sometimes, our hearts become cold and "wintry," and we have to plow up the fallow ground before the seed can be planted.
God sends the sunshine and the rains of His goodness to water and nurture the seeds planted; but we must be patient to wait for the harvest.
Here is a secret of endurance when the going is tough: God is producing a harvest in our lives. He wants the "fruit of the Spirit" to grow (Gal. 5:22-23), and the only way He can do it is through trials and troubles. Instead of growing impatient with God and with ourselves, we must yield to the Lord and permit the fruit to grow. Remember, we are "spiritual farmers" looking for a harvest.You can enjoy this kind of a harvest only if your heart is established (James 5:8).
One of the purposes of the spiritual ministry of the local church is to establish the heart, according to Paul in Romans 1:11.
Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica, to establish the young Christians in their faith (I Thess. 3:1-3); and Paul also prayed for them that they might be established (1 Thess. 3:10-13).
The ministry of the Word of God and prayer are important if the heart is going to be established.
IMPORTANT: A heart that is not established cannot bear fruit.
A. WHAT THE SUCCESSFUL FARMER DOES
1. Keep in mind that the farmer does not stand around doing nothing: he is constantly at work as he looks toward the harvest.
James did not tell these suffering believers to put on white robes, climb a hill, and wait for Jesus to return.
"Keep working and waiting" was his admonition. * Luke 12:43 - Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing.
2. Nor does the farmer get into fights with his neighbors.
One of the usual marks of farmers is their willingness to help one another.
Nobody on the farm has time or energy for disputes with the neighbors.
James must have had this in mind when he added, "Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged" (James 5:9, NIV).
Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God's people, and this is a sin we must avoid.
If we start using the sickles on each other, we will miss the harvest!
IV. THE SOWER AND THE SOILS (MARK 4:1-20)
Mark 4:3-93 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
This parable helped the disciples understand why Jesus was not impressed by the large crowds that followed Him He knew that most of them would never produce fruit from changed lives, because the Word He was teaching them was like seed Ming into poor.
A. THE SOWER
1. The seed represents God's Word (Luke 8:11) and the sower is the servant of God who shares that Word with others (see I Corinthians 3:5-9).
Paul states in I Corinthians 3:5-9...
I Corinthians 3:5-95 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
NOTE: The human heart is like soil: it must be prepared to receive the seed before that seed can take root and produce a harvest.
Like seed, the Word is alive and able to produce spiritual fruit, but the seed must be planted and cultivated before that harvest will come.
B. THE SOILS
As in that day, so today, there are four kinds of hearts and they respond to God's message in four different ways.
1. The hard heart (Mark 4:4, 15) resists the Word of God and makes it easy for Satan (the birds) to snatch it away.
Soil becomes hard when too many feet tread on it.
Those who recklessly "open their hearts" to all kinds of people and influences are in danger of developing hard hearts (see Proverbs 4:23).
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (The Message) - Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.
Hard hearts must be "plowed up" before they can receive the seed, and this can be a painful experience (Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12).
Hosea 10:12 - Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12 (The Message) - Sow righteousness, reap love. It's time to till the ready earth, it's time to dig in with GOD, Until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest.
2. The shallow heart (vv. 5-6, 16-17).
This heart is like thin soil on a rock very typical to Palestine. Since there is no depth, whatever is planted cannot last because it has no roots.
This represents the "emotional hearer" who joyfully accepts God's Word but does not really understand the price that must be paid to become a genuine Christian.
There may be great enthusiasm for several days or weeks; but when persecution and difficulties begin, the enthusiasm wanes and the joy disappears.
3. The crowded heart (vv. 7, 18-19).
This heart pictures the person who receives the Word but does not truly repent and remove the "weeds" out of his or her heart.
This hearer has too many different kinds of "seeds" growing in the soil - worldly cares, a desire for riches, a lust for things - and the good seed of the Word has no room in which to grow.
To change the image, this person wants to walk the "broad way" and the "narrow way" at the same time (Matt 7:13-14); and it cannot be done.
Matthew 7:13-1413 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 (The Message)13 "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. 14 The way to life -- to God! -- is vigorous and requires total attention.
4. The fruitful heart (vv. 8, 20).
This heart pictures the true believer, because fruit - a changed life - is the evidence of true salvation (II Corinthians 5:17; Gal 5:19-23).
Not all true believers are equally as productive; but from every genuine Christian's life, there should be some evidence of spiritual fruit.
IMPORTANT: Each of the three fruitless hearts is influenced by a different enemy: the hard heart - the devil himself snatches the seed; the shallow heart - the flesh counterfeits religious feelings; the crowded heart - the things of the world smother the growth and prevent a harvest. These are the three great enemies of the Christian: the world, the flesh, and the devil (see Ephesians 2:1-3).Ephesians 2:1-31 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.Ephesians 2:1-3 (Amplified) - 1 AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins 2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.
A. BROKEN THINGS
READ: Hosea 10:12; John 12:24
Hosea 10:12 - Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
John 12:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
This is not the order of husbandry, according to Barnes' Notes Commentary on Hosea 10:12.
The ground was already plowed, harrowed and sown; and now the Lord tells Israel anew to, "Break up your fallow ground."
Fallow ground lies idle and uncultivated; it is covered with weeds and thorns. The fallow ground of our hearts - that which has been untouched in quite a while - must be broken.It is very important that we understand something...
There is no blessing without effort.
There is no harvest without plowing.
There is no making without breaking.
Before the house is made the tree must be broken.
Before the house is made the rocks must be broken.
Before life there must be death.
Thorns and weeds must be plowed under, and the seed must be planted and die in order for the grain to come.
Grain dies so new life will bring forth more grain (John 12:24).
1. Before joy there is weeping (Psalm 30:5).
Psalms 30:5 - For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
2. Life is full of brokenness.
Life starts out with broken toys.
Then life progresses to broken hopes, shattered dreams and unfulfilled ideals.
In marriage there is broken hearts and sometimes broken homes through divorce or even death.
In the final stages of life, we have to contend with broken health.3. But all these say that God is making something new! (See Romans 8:28-29).
Romans 8:28-2928 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
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