My eyes were recently opened to how many things in creation demonstrate the things of God, year after year, season after season. There are many, but today I would like to focus on one: seeds.
Every year, in the spring (most people plant on May 24) farmers and gardeners plant seeds of all kinds - vegetables, fruit, flowers and many other plants. Most of these come in seed form, and the seeds have to be planted a few inches under the ground. After a few weeks, with the right care and conditions, the planter will see a green shoot come up through the ground and before he knows it, there will be a thriving, growing plant.
Isn't it amazing that God created this process to mimic what we go through in life? Think about it...let's look at a tomato plant for example. A tomato seed has the potential to grow into a plant that will yield many tomatoes, all through the season. However, if it does not go into the ground and die, nothing good will ever happen to it. It will get old, stale and maybe even moldy, depending on where it is being stored. A seed that doesn't get planted is a waste - even though it has to die to truly live, it is always worth it!
This is what Jesus wants from us - all of us! Dying to self may be painful and hard to do, but just like the tomato seed, without dying, we will never discover what true life really is.
John 12:23-25 - "Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
I Corinthians 15:36-37 - "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else."
After the seed dies and starts growing, it doesn't stop there. Imagine of a farmer only looked after the seed until it came up and then stopped there - weeds, bugs and the elements would stop the plant from growing more. It's not enough for the seed to die - it still has to be cared for and protected so that the conditions will be perfect for bearing fruit.
Jesus will never stop taking care of us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, no matter what. He will be there when we go through the darkness of death and when we discover the light of true life.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
I heard somebody talking about healing the other day, and they said they weren't sure if they believed in "faith healing." That comment struck me as odd because I couldn't think of any other type of healing! There couldn't be. Healing comes from faith in Jesus, that He has the power to heal, just like He did when He was on the earth.
Mark 11:22-24 says: "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Notice that He doesn't say, what you pray for might be yours, or even can be yours; He says it will be yours! The key is to not doubt in your heart what you are praying.
How many times have we prayed for something, even prayed fervently for it, while not really believing deep down that God would actually do it? How many times have we reacted with surprise when He answers our prayers? Too many times...
Of course He answers our prayers! He loves us, and would never turn a deaf ear to our cries. That's just not who He is. When Jesus was on the earth, He never turned a single person away, no matter how tired and hungry He was. Well, guess what...He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He still does not turn anyone away who is seeking Him. The Bible says that all we need is the faith of a mustard seed, which is a very tiny seed, by the way. I am pretty certain that we all have at least that much faith inside of us - we would have to just to get on a plane!
When we fly somewhere, we believe that the plane is safe. Some people worry a bit about flyng, but a lot of people don't even give it a second thought. Shouldn't we worry though? We never get to look at the engine or the fuel tanks - not that we would know what to look for anyway! My point is, that without knowing or seeing whether or not the plane is actually safe, we get on and fly to our destination without worrying about it. (Most times we never see the pilot either - how do we know someone is flying the plane?)
If we can fly 3 or more hours worry free and confident without seeing or knowing how the plane is working, we should be able to go through life without knowing or seeing how He is working. Sometimes we do see and know, but there are plenty of times when He does not allow us to. These times are a test of our faith.
Mark 11:22-24 says: "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Notice that He doesn't say, what you pray for might be yours, or even can be yours; He says it will be yours! The key is to not doubt in your heart what you are praying.
How many times have we prayed for something, even prayed fervently for it, while not really believing deep down that God would actually do it? How many times have we reacted with surprise when He answers our prayers? Too many times...
Of course He answers our prayers! He loves us, and would never turn a deaf ear to our cries. That's just not who He is. When Jesus was on the earth, He never turned a single person away, no matter how tired and hungry He was. Well, guess what...He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He still does not turn anyone away who is seeking Him. The Bible says that all we need is the faith of a mustard seed, which is a very tiny seed, by the way. I am pretty certain that we all have at least that much faith inside of us - we would have to just to get on a plane!
When we fly somewhere, we believe that the plane is safe. Some people worry a bit about flyng, but a lot of people don't even give it a second thought. Shouldn't we worry though? We never get to look at the engine or the fuel tanks - not that we would know what to look for anyway! My point is, that without knowing or seeing whether or not the plane is actually safe, we get on and fly to our destination without worrying about it. (Most times we never see the pilot either - how do we know someone is flying the plane?)
If we can fly 3 or more hours worry free and confident without seeing or knowing how the plane is working, we should be able to go through life without knowing or seeing how He is working. Sometimes we do see and know, but there are plenty of times when He does not allow us to. These times are a test of our faith.
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