Category: Purpose

Word Farming

What joy it is when the harvest comes.

Meditation Thought: “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15)

“Honest”, “good”, “patience” – 3 keys to the knowledge of the spiritual kingdom. The kingdom is true – real, though perceived by the mind and the heart rather than by one of the 5 senses.

If our heart is dishonest, we deal in illusions and will flounder, never being secure and sure and at peace. Our heart must be good to be the nutrient that grows good fruit. If it is hard, hoarding its life-giving blood, it does no nourishing to that which it should feed. If it is soft and flexible, and pumping out pure, clean blood – nutrients – it feeds new life – new ‘fruits’. But it takes time for growth. We do not plant the seed one day, nourish it for a day and harvest the fruit the following day. We must take the seed-word and feed it and care for it, giving of ourselves, sacrificing other interests and activities, before we can harvest that fruit. What joy it is when the harvest comes – wonderful fruit to enjoy ourselves, to share with others. All the toil and sacrifice is more than worthwhile. After we harvest our first crop of fruit (the God-works completed), it is so exciting and fulfilling that we eagerly cultivate more seeds. Oh, there will be problems in the tilling – but we must not give up because of them, or there will be no harvest. In overcoming the problems, we may even learn new, better methods of tilling – resulting in a faster harvest, or a more abundant harvest.

Dear Father, I ask this day to be a starting point to be a better farmer of Your Word – that I learn new, better methods to bring Your seed to abundant harvest. Amen.

Going Along

The basic obedience and tasks are still there, but there is an added glow, a new knowledge and attitude, a new awareness of the rewards of the relationship.

Meditation Thought: “Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus… who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant..” (Philippians 2:5,7)

“Emptied himself” – that the Father would fill him, that the Father’s works would be done. I must empty myself of the accumulation of pre-knowledge of Christ trivia and evil and selfishness and cares, so that the Father’s will and works can flow into me.

What better way to purge these things than to lose myself in service and care (caring!) for others – and as there is more room for God within me, the caring and loving, and blessing intensifies, magnifies as my mind and my body become a servant to Him, obedient to Him. And as we go along in the relationship, it becomes one of realization of a loving child serving a loving Father blessing His beloved child; the basic obedience and tasks are still there, but there is an added glow, a new knowledge and attitude, a new awareness of the rewards of the relationship.

Hands On

“The mighty hand of God” may be used in many ways to bring us to that glorious moment.

Meditation Thought: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” (1 Peter 5:6)

We must come as a ignorant pupil, willing to be taught by our Teacher. We must trust Him, even when we chafe at discipline – for it is the wisdom and knowledge that He will teach us that will bring us to His exalting of us after we have proved to be His apt pupils. “The mighty hand of God” may be used in many ways to bring us to that glorious moment of exaltation:
-It may comfort us – or chasten us
-It may pour riches into our hands – or it may receive riches from our hands
-It may beckon us to a certain place – or be raised in warning not to take a particular path.
– It may point out words and ways of wisdom, and be placed upon us as a gesture of love and assurance.

And, when the lessons are finished, His hand reaches out to draw us to Him, to be His companion, His family member come home to stay, rather than being just a pupil – no matter how beloved a pupil. We are exalted because we are in His Presence in a new and glorious way. The exaltation is actually a mutual exultation that we recognized His love, we obeyed Him out of love, and now our mutual love has drawn us together in a fulfillment of purpose for God and for ourselves. God’s glory reign forever and ever!

Paths of Discovery

When you find yourself chopping at obstacles in your path, frustrated, tired and discouraged – stop!

Meditation Thought: “See, I am doing a new thing!… I am making a way in the wilderness.” (Isaiah 43:19)

“Give me your attention… we are starting on an adventure together. Enjoy the thrill, the excitement, the anticipation of discovery. The way will be cleared before you, for I prepare it before asking you to go that way. You must look for the path I have cleared for you – otherwise you will have to fight the wilderness by yourself – finding it very difficult to penetrate. When you find yourself chopping at obstacles in your path, frustrated, tired and discouraged – stop! Look at where you are, and look at where I am – are you following me? Are you taking the path which I have cleared for you? The jungle of circumstances holds no peril for you, no difficulty, if you put your efforts into finding my path instead of into hacking a path for yourself. Direct your efforts where the results will be fruitful and satisfying, not frustrating.”

Power Source

We must be properly connected to our Source of Power in order for there to be light.

Meditation Thought: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

The lamp cannot burn and give light without a power source – whether it is oil, electricity, battery. So, too, we must be properly connected to our Source of Power in order for there to be light. Without it, our purpose is never fulfilled. We may be an ornament without it – but never become the comfort, the guide, the help that we should be to the world. The more Power we allow to flow through us, the more light we shed – and the more helpful we will be.

Woodworking

Our lives are like that wood: It’s the “flaws” that give them character, and once the whole is polished by God’s light, the lives are beautiful flaws and all.

It is the contrast in wood that makes it interesting – the knot holes and variations are what make it intriguing, and the polishing, or sheen over all adds to its beauty. Our lives are like that wood: It’s the “flaws” that give them character, and once the whole is polished by God’s light shining over all, the lives are beautiful, flaws and all. As long as we are active, we will have some flaws in our lives, but as we trust God, they will blend in to become beautiful instead of ruining our lives. (see Romans 8:28)

Spiraling

But if we keep moving, we will come to the center – to the Beginning and the End, and the Meaning.

Our lives are like a spiral leading to God in the center. We go along the path, moving constantly, sometimes wondering if the path really does lead anywhere. But if we keep moving, we will come to the center – to the Beginning and the End, and the Meaning. If we stop in the path because of the difficulties we encounter, then we do not find the Treasure which is at the end of the path.

Believernado

At the end of the day, blessings will abound wherever my path has led.

Meditation Thought: “…no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

The power of God working in and through us can be compared to the action of a tornado – except that everywhere we move with God’s power leaves a path of good – of joy, of gratitude. We are the tip of the funnel, moving along the earth – but the power of God is the force which changes the landscape, the lives which we touch. Where a tornado is a destructive force, God’s “Believernado” is a healing force, a reconciling force.

Not until the Holy Spirit releases His power within us can we have the force of a tornado – until that time, we can lead good, moral lives – but it is the conviction and power of the Spirit that moves us with such force that the paths where we move are changed so much that they are bound to be noticed and so bring others to seek the Force that produced such results.

Prayer of Response:
“Lord, I feel positive and eager to go out today and be a “believernado”, leaving a path of love, concern, help and encouragement wherever I go. I ask that Your wisdom guide me, and Your love work through me, so that at the end of the day, blessings will abound wherever my path has led.
Amen

Step One

We need to study the principles and pray for enlightenment so that we are acting with knowledge and with the will of God – which ensures that “all is possible”.

Meditation Thought: “All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

The first step to any accomplishment is to believe that it is possible so that we will make the effort to succeed in it: we need to learn all we can about the situation, how to solve the problems and what cause will have what effect. When we learn the principles of life as set out by our Creator, we can apply them to each situation and know that they will work. But if we are ignorant of even one factor, the results can be vastly different.

We need to study the principles and pray for enlightenment so that we are acting with knowledge and with the will of God – which ensures that “all is possible”.

That’s a Win!

When you see the enemy’s strength, quickly turn your eyes from him to your Leader.

Meditation Thought: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

“I have sent a Hero to lead you to conquer your foes: Will you recognize Him, follow Him? If not, defeat will come. But the more you believe in Him, trust Him, obey Him, the more glorious the victories, the more enthusiastic you will be in the battles. Let Him use you – He knows your strongest assets and will use them well. Read your ‘marching orders’ every day, so you will be taking the right path to vanquish the enemy. When you see the enemy’s strength, quickly turn your eyes from him to your Leader – you know He has already been given the victory, and if you are right with Him, – both in the sense of obeying Him, and in the sense of being close to Him, the victory is yours also.”