My father and my grandfather both bought grape vines. They both live in the same town just a few blocks away from each other. They both planted their vines in their backyards in the same sunlight.
This was a few years ago.
My father's grape vine is producing grapes. My grandfather's is not (and in fact, is almost dead).
What is the difference? Caretaking.
My grandfather didn't trim the branches. They are weighed down and unable to support themselves.
My father's vine is nicely pruned, and the vine is able to support itself on the trellis.
Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit. But He trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit." (John 15:1-2)
So, God takes out His pruning shears and sets to work on the branches. I am a branch. If I fail to produce fruit, i will be cut off... So what are my grapes? i can't grow fruit obviously, so what do i produce?
Galatians 5:22 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...
If i'm showing these qualities, then i am growing fruit! So God helps me out by trimming off the bad parts, the parts that will weigh down my branch and prevent me from growing fruit.
Food for thought... It is hard to tell the difference between weeds and flowers when there is nothing growing on them.
Feelin' like face #4.
April 27, 2004
April 22, 2004
In Need Of... A pen.
Psalm 45:1 (GW) -- My heart is overflowing with good news. I will direct my song to the king. My tongue is a pen for a skillful writer.
I need to learn to let my tongue be a pen for a skillful writer. I need to remember that i should not be the author of my words. I need to remember that every word that comes from my mouth should be praise to our Father in heaven.
On my own, my mouth says stuff i'd rather not say. I am only truly loving and worshipful when i allow my tongue to be the instrument through which God speaks. And He can put His words in my mouth if i let Him... I know because He has before, and my God does not change. Jeremiah 1:9 -- Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth. The Lord said to me, "Now I have put My words in your mouth."
Feelin' like face #2.
I need to learn to let my tongue be a pen for a skillful writer. I need to remember that i should not be the author of my words. I need to remember that every word that comes from my mouth should be praise to our Father in heaven.
On my own, my mouth says stuff i'd rather not say. I am only truly loving and worshipful when i allow my tongue to be the instrument through which God speaks. And He can put His words in my mouth if i let Him... I know because He has before, and my God does not change. Jeremiah 1:9 -- Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth. The Lord said to me, "Now I have put My words in your mouth."
Feelin' like face #2.
April 18, 2004
In Need Of... A mystery.... hmm....
As i was reading thru a passage that my bestest Jessie suggested to me, i came across an interesting thing...
Ephesians 5:31-32 (NIV) -- "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church.
So i'm thinking... In this passage (Eph. 5:22-33) Paul is using a metaphor. Jesus is "the husband", Christians are "his wife".
So then i'm replacing words, and this is what i come up with... For this reason Jesus will leave His father and mother and be united to Christians, and the two will become one flesh... Maybe i'm way off base here, but to me it sounds like: "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself...(I Corinthians 6:15)" or "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (I Cor. 12:27)."
Feelin' like face #1.
Ephesians 5:31-32 (NIV) -- "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church.
So i'm thinking... In this passage (Eph. 5:22-33) Paul is using a metaphor. Jesus is "the husband", Christians are "his wife".
So then i'm replacing words, and this is what i come up with... For this reason Jesus will leave His father and mother and be united to Christians, and the two will become one flesh... Maybe i'm way off base here, but to me it sounds like: "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself...(I Corinthians 6:15)" or "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (I Cor. 12:27)."
Feelin' like face #1.
April 17, 2004
In Need Of... Patience!!
Sometimes i just feel like screaming... Someone will do something or say something that is overbearing or frustrating, and i KNOW they're just being authoritative... Just trying to prove that they are the boss and i am the lowly peon...
These are the times when i need patience... These are the times when i LEARN patience. When i learn to love people. When i learn to listen to God instead of my vengeful head.
I had one such incident tonight... i am still attempting to find a way to work through the situation in a way that will not cause my conscience to be pricked by it tomorrow.
King Solomon (who had wisdom from God) said, "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16)"
Because i've read through Proverbs, I know that I don't want to be called a fool... So, that means I want to be a "prudent" or wise man. So... I'll sit on my annoyance. God will reward me for it! ;o)
Feelin' like face #7.
These are the times when i need patience... These are the times when i LEARN patience. When i learn to love people. When i learn to listen to God instead of my vengeful head.
I had one such incident tonight... i am still attempting to find a way to work through the situation in a way that will not cause my conscience to be pricked by it tomorrow.
King Solomon (who had wisdom from God) said, "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16)"
Because i've read through Proverbs, I know that I don't want to be called a fool... So, that means I want to be a "prudent" or wise man. So... I'll sit on my annoyance. God will reward me for it! ;o)
Feelin' like face #7.
April 15, 2004
In Need Of... Nothing of this world...
Throughout my life, i have been "attached" to many of my possessions... A blanket, a book, a computer, a car... i allow them a certain hold on my life. Maybe because they were expensive, or maybe because they had sentimental value... But as time passes by, i lose them, or they get broken, or just become obsolete.
While i've been allowing these things to become a part of my daily life, i come to rely more and more on them... i use them more and push other things aside to make way for these things.
Have you ever heard the saying "out of sight is out of mind"? When i become so fixed on the things i can see, i forget about the things i can't see.
Now according to the Bible, the things you can't see are the things that really matter. The things that will still be around even after you die, even after your children die.
Jesus says:
Matthew 6:19-21 -- Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
And if you have never heard the story about the rich ruler, it's Luke 18:18-30. The ruler wants to know how he can get eternal life, and Jesus tells him that he must sell everything he has and give to the poor and then he will get treasure in heaven. The ruler got very sad about this... Read the story ;o)
But there is a reason that Jesus had to tell the man to sell everything and give to the poor... He wasn't just being mean. It's because if 'things' are so important to you, then where is God on your list? God should always be top priority in your life... Regardless of whether you just smashed up your car or whether you just got a computer virus, or your mom finally took away your baby blanket. Things can become IDOLS to us if we start to love them. We must be able to part from them at a moment's notice; your next breath may be your last.
I John 2:17 (NIV) -- The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Feelin' like face #2.
While i've been allowing these things to become a part of my daily life, i come to rely more and more on them... i use them more and push other things aside to make way for these things.
Have you ever heard the saying "out of sight is out of mind"? When i become so fixed on the things i can see, i forget about the things i can't see.
Now according to the Bible, the things you can't see are the things that really matter. The things that will still be around even after you die, even after your children die.
Jesus says:
Matthew 6:19-21 -- Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
And if you have never heard the story about the rich ruler, it's Luke 18:18-30. The ruler wants to know how he can get eternal life, and Jesus tells him that he must sell everything he has and give to the poor and then he will get treasure in heaven. The ruler got very sad about this... Read the story ;o)
But there is a reason that Jesus had to tell the man to sell everything and give to the poor... He wasn't just being mean. It's because if 'things' are so important to you, then where is God on your list? God should always be top priority in your life... Regardless of whether you just smashed up your car or whether you just got a computer virus, or your mom finally took away your baby blanket. Things can become IDOLS to us if we start to love them. We must be able to part from them at a moment's notice; your next breath may be your last.
I John 2:17 (NIV) -- The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Feelin' like face #2.
April 14, 2004
In Need Of... A Test.
A Story that touched me today...
Dart Test...
A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smithtold the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith said only these words... "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me (Matthew 25:40)."
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
Dart Test...
A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smithtold the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith said only these words... "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me (Matthew 25:40)."
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
April 13, 2004
In Need Of… An Equal Yoke.
II Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
What the fer-pete's-sake does it mean "to yoke"? According to Webster, it means "to unite or join".
In what ways can you join yourself or unite with unbelievers? The first thing you may think of is in a dating or marriage relationship. Another way is in a business relationship or a partnership.
God had a reason for putting this verse into the Bible... There are many things that can destroy an relationship between a believer and an unbeliever. Things that may try to come between a Christian and Jesus. Idols, to be exact.
The biggest, baddest idol is usually money. In both personal and business relationships, money is an important thing to the majority of people. In fact money is the main reason for getting involved in a business relationship.
God requires Christians to give ten percent of their income back to Him. Unbelievers think this is nuts. This can cause a major clash if both parties are uncompromising. (And as a Christian, i suggest that all Christians should NOT compromise their faith by neglecting to tithe!)
In relationships of all kinds, be sure to analyze your potential partner to ensure that you are on the same terms and that you agree on all the most important issues. If tithing is very important to you, be sure that your partner (personal or business) agrees with you. In a marital relationship, be sure that your mate is in agreement with your tithing (not that i'm an expert on marriage, but i've seen this destroy a few).
In essence... don't hook a whale to an elephant. Compromise just won't work.
Feelin' like face #8.
What the fer-pete's-sake does it mean "to yoke"? According to Webster, it means "to unite or join".
In what ways can you join yourself or unite with unbelievers? The first thing you may think of is in a dating or marriage relationship. Another way is in a business relationship or a partnership.
God had a reason for putting this verse into the Bible... There are many things that can destroy an relationship between a believer and an unbeliever. Things that may try to come between a Christian and Jesus. Idols, to be exact.
The biggest, baddest idol is usually money. In both personal and business relationships, money is an important thing to the majority of people. In fact money is the main reason for getting involved in a business relationship.
God requires Christians to give ten percent of their income back to Him. Unbelievers think this is nuts. This can cause a major clash if both parties are uncompromising. (And as a Christian, i suggest that all Christians should NOT compromise their faith by neglecting to tithe!)
In relationships of all kinds, be sure to analyze your potential partner to ensure that you are on the same terms and that you agree on all the most important issues. If tithing is very important to you, be sure that your partner (personal or business) agrees with you. In a marital relationship, be sure that your mate is in agreement with your tithing (not that i'm an expert on marriage, but i've seen this destroy a few).
In essence... don't hook a whale to an elephant. Compromise just won't work.
Feelin' like face #8.
April 12, 2004
In Need Of... NEEDS!!!
If you have any "need" ideas, let me know! Post them in the comment section, or email me at shannc@canada.com
Ciao Chickins ;o)
Ciao Chickins ;o)
In Need Of... A Mission Field.
Jesus says to us in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." This is one of our purposes here on earth. To demonstrate God to other people... We do this through our actions, our words, our good deeds.
Is this always enough? Can we reach everyone this way?
It is possible that with enough prayer, enough good deeds, and enough humility, we can reach everyone close to us (or in close proximity to us). But what about those people who live miles or oceans away from us? Those groups of people who have never had the opportunity to hear about Jesus?
Jesus makes a provision for these people...
Acts 1:8b -- ...You [followers of Jesus or disciples] will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
If Jesus had never said this, would you be a believer right now? Would you be sitting there reading this blog? I believe you wouldn't... Because the only reason i'm writing this blog is because someone was a witness to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.
So, whether you are called to Jerusalem (Ottawa, for me!), Judea (Canada), Samaria (the USA), or the ends of the earth (wherever that may be...); as followers of Christ, we have a mission. We must love other people as much as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39). I believe that by accepting God's grace, we are loving ourselves as much as we possibly can. So, by telling other people about God's grace, we are giving the greatest gift, the most loving gift, we can; because without God's grace, we are on our way to hell.
But even more than that... We are to love God first and above all else (Matt 22:37). And what happens when you love someone? You talk about them... To as many people as possible! (I know this because practically everyone i know is getting engaged or married now :oP *sarcasm*... j/k *wink*) And because we can never know EVERYTHING about another person, we always have new information to tell to the people around us... It is the same with God... He reveals new truths... Sometimes they are meant just for us... but sometimes the people around us get something out of it, too! *smile*
So let's get out there and shine our lights to all men.
*Special thanks for the idea goes to N.B.*
Feelin' like face #2.
Is this always enough? Can we reach everyone this way?
It is possible that with enough prayer, enough good deeds, and enough humility, we can reach everyone close to us (or in close proximity to us). But what about those people who live miles or oceans away from us? Those groups of people who have never had the opportunity to hear about Jesus?
Jesus makes a provision for these people...
Acts 1:8b -- ...You [followers of Jesus or disciples] will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
If Jesus had never said this, would you be a believer right now? Would you be sitting there reading this blog? I believe you wouldn't... Because the only reason i'm writing this blog is because someone was a witness to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.
So, whether you are called to Jerusalem (Ottawa, for me!), Judea (Canada), Samaria (the USA), or the ends of the earth (wherever that may be...); as followers of Christ, we have a mission. We must love other people as much as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39). I believe that by accepting God's grace, we are loving ourselves as much as we possibly can. So, by telling other people about God's grace, we are giving the greatest gift, the most loving gift, we can; because without God's grace, we are on our way to hell.
But even more than that... We are to love God first and above all else (Matt 22:37). And what happens when you love someone? You talk about them... To as many people as possible! (I know this because practically everyone i know is getting engaged or married now :oP *sarcasm*... j/k *wink*) And because we can never know EVERYTHING about another person, we always have new information to tell to the people around us... It is the same with God... He reveals new truths... Sometimes they are meant just for us... but sometimes the people around us get something out of it, too! *smile*
So let's get out there and shine our lights to all men.
*Special thanks for the idea goes to N.B.*
Feelin' like face #2.
April 09, 2004
In Need Of... A Vacation :oD
Hey all... I'm gone for Easter to see my folks! And collect some good meals! haha!
Catch y'all lata... maybe at church? maybe i'll call? neeeeever know :o)
Ski ya lata!
Shannie
Feelin' like face #10.
Catch y'all lata... maybe at church? maybe i'll call? neeeeever know :o)
Ski ya lata!
Shannie
Feelin' like face #10.
April 06, 2004
In Need Of... An offering.
Offerings are a tough thing... Have you ever sat in church while they pass around the plate for tithes and offerings? Have you ever had nothing to put in?
There are times when it is important to give financially to God. When you have a job, God requests ten percent (the amount considered a 'tithe') of what you make doing that job... That's not too much to ask, when you think that God is the one who provided you with that job! And when God supplies you with an extra bit of cash, why not give the ten percent and some of the surplus back to Him? That's an offering... Giving more than is necessary.
But there are other ways that we can bring offerings to God...
If you look at what is necessary to please God, you see:
Hebrews 11:6 (CEV) -- ...Without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that He rewards everyone who searches for Him.
This is the bare necessities of to please God... This is not an offering. It's sort of the 'tithe' of our lives... The little bit God asks for out of everything He gives us. He asks us to believe in Him. This is the starting point from which the Christian walk grows.
We believe in God, first, and then we start giving our lives to God.
Romans 8:8 (CEV) says: If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
So we must start following God's desires, we must offer our will to God! We hand over our choices to God... I think this is the essence of offering our lives to God. As we offer God more freedom in our lives, we are pleasing Him more.
When we do more of what He wants us to do, we are getting closer to His perfect plan. This is pleasing to Him!
Feelin' like face #6. --- Did you see the new mood faces? MUAH hahaha
There are times when it is important to give financially to God. When you have a job, God requests ten percent (the amount considered a 'tithe') of what you make doing that job... That's not too much to ask, when you think that God is the one who provided you with that job! And when God supplies you with an extra bit of cash, why not give the ten percent and some of the surplus back to Him? That's an offering... Giving more than is necessary.
But there are other ways that we can bring offerings to God...
If you look at what is necessary to please God, you see:
Hebrews 11:6 (CEV) -- ...Without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that He rewards everyone who searches for Him.
This is the bare necessities of to please God... This is not an offering. It's sort of the 'tithe' of our lives... The little bit God asks for out of everything He gives us. He asks us to believe in Him. This is the starting point from which the Christian walk grows.
We believe in God, first, and then we start giving our lives to God.
Romans 8:8 (CEV) says: If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.
So we must start following God's desires, we must offer our will to God! We hand over our choices to God... I think this is the essence of offering our lives to God. As we offer God more freedom in our lives, we are pleasing Him more.
When we do more of what He wants us to do, we are getting closer to His perfect plan. This is pleasing to Him!
Feelin' like face #6. --- Did you see the new mood faces? MUAH hahaha
April 05, 2004
In Need Of... Purity of Mind.
In the past couple of days, i think God may have been telling me something! I'm not really sure why, though!?
I have heard sermons, radio shows, advice and discussions on "Purity"... Why all this talk of purity? Is there something i'm doing that is impure? I'm not sure... I have examined myself, and i come up blank...
But am i looking at this in the right perspective? Am i looking to my physical lifestyle, or my spiritual lifestyle, or my mental lifestyle? Mostly when i think of purity i think of the physical context... Am i "keeping out of trouble"? Am i allowing physical lust to invade my life?
I've decided that in the physical sense, i'm fairly well off... I'm keeping the sexual "lusts of the flesh" under control, and that's what counts, right?
Wrong.
It does count, but it isn't the ONLY part that counts. Physical impurity is sin. Sin starts with what is in your mind... those thoughts move into your heart and become feelings... those feelings are translated into actions. What starts out as a thought becomes a sin.
So can we then say that impure thoughts become impure actions? I believe so.
So... Back to my dilemma... Is my mind where it should be? Am I concentrating on pure things? Am I focussed on what is right, true, holy, or pure? Is this the part of me that God is telling me to work on?
So what am i saying here..?
Romans 12:2 (NIV) -- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.
God is waiting for me to renew my mind... He wants me to want to get my mind pure so that He can show me what He has in store! If i start with my mind, my body, my heart and my spirit will follow!
So how do i know if i'm thinking pure thoughts?
Would i be able to say these thoughts out loud? Would i share them with my friends? Would i share them with my brother? Would i share them with my DAD??
I read a quote somewhere... "Never write anything you would not want read at your funeral." Maybe that can be applied to thoughts?
Feelin' like face #1.
I have heard sermons, radio shows, advice and discussions on "Purity"... Why all this talk of purity? Is there something i'm doing that is impure? I'm not sure... I have examined myself, and i come up blank...
But am i looking at this in the right perspective? Am i looking to my physical lifestyle, or my spiritual lifestyle, or my mental lifestyle? Mostly when i think of purity i think of the physical context... Am i "keeping out of trouble"? Am i allowing physical lust to invade my life?
I've decided that in the physical sense, i'm fairly well off... I'm keeping the sexual "lusts of the flesh" under control, and that's what counts, right?
Wrong.
It does count, but it isn't the ONLY part that counts. Physical impurity is sin. Sin starts with what is in your mind... those thoughts move into your heart and become feelings... those feelings are translated into actions. What starts out as a thought becomes a sin.
So can we then say that impure thoughts become impure actions? I believe so.
So... Back to my dilemma... Is my mind where it should be? Am I concentrating on pure things? Am I focussed on what is right, true, holy, or pure? Is this the part of me that God is telling me to work on?
So what am i saying here..?
Romans 12:2 (NIV) -- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.
God is waiting for me to renew my mind... He wants me to want to get my mind pure so that He can show me what He has in store! If i start with my mind, my body, my heart and my spirit will follow!
So how do i know if i'm thinking pure thoughts?
Would i be able to say these thoughts out loud? Would i share them with my friends? Would i share them with my brother? Would i share them with my DAD??
I read a quote somewhere... "Never write anything you would not want read at your funeral." Maybe that can be applied to thoughts?
Feelin' like face #1.
April 04, 2004
In Need Of... Faith.
Ephesians 2:8 -- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT OF GOD.
Studying this passage, it took me a while to figure out what part was the gift of God. Is it the grace? No... The grace is God's, He isn't giving it to us in this verse. Is it the salvation? That seems a little off for this verse, too! As much as these things are both gifts from God, I think it's the FAITH that this verse is promising to us. FAITH is a GIFT OF GOD!
I've been thinking for some time that faith is something i have to work at. Something that i have to worry about when it seems like it's running low...
But if it's a gift of God, why am i trying to create it on my own?
Faith is created by God's Spirit within us... Just the fact that we have faith is proof that we have accepted Christ and that the Holy Spirit is within us! (Hebrews 11:1 -- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen.)
So once God gives us this gift, shouldn't we have enough?
This is like saying, "I have the "mustard seed" (Matthew 17:20), shouldn't the plant grow itself?"
Once God gives us the seed we must use it... CULTIVATE it! Water the seed and it will grow!
I recall a song I sang at camp... It's little kid philosophy and it's icky, but it works! It goes: "Black socks, they never get dirty; the longer you wear them the stronger they get..." As much as i hate to compare faith to dirty black socks, the point is there! *wink*
So I don't have to work to GET faith, i have to work to GROW faith. The faith seed is there, and it may not be as big as a mustard seed yet, and i may not have moved mountains, but i'm still learning to be the best faith farmer i can be!!!
Feelin' like face #3.
Studying this passage, it took me a while to figure out what part was the gift of God. Is it the grace? No... The grace is God's, He isn't giving it to us in this verse. Is it the salvation? That seems a little off for this verse, too! As much as these things are both gifts from God, I think it's the FAITH that this verse is promising to us. FAITH is a GIFT OF GOD!
I've been thinking for some time that faith is something i have to work at. Something that i have to worry about when it seems like it's running low...
But if it's a gift of God, why am i trying to create it on my own?
Faith is created by God's Spirit within us... Just the fact that we have faith is proof that we have accepted Christ and that the Holy Spirit is within us! (Hebrews 11:1 -- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen.)
So once God gives us this gift, shouldn't we have enough?
This is like saying, "I have the "mustard seed" (Matthew 17:20), shouldn't the plant grow itself?"
Once God gives us the seed we must use it... CULTIVATE it! Water the seed and it will grow!
I recall a song I sang at camp... It's little kid philosophy and it's icky, but it works! It goes: "Black socks, they never get dirty; the longer you wear them the stronger they get..." As much as i hate to compare faith to dirty black socks, the point is there! *wink*
So I don't have to work to GET faith, i have to work to GROW faith. The faith seed is there, and it may not be as big as a mustard seed yet, and i may not have moved mountains, but i'm still learning to be the best faith farmer i can be!!!
Feelin' like face #3.
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