6-17-2023        THE BLOOMING FLOWER (LIFE)

We are at the beginning of a second season of seven years.  Okay, we’re actually into the 2^nd year of the second season but the season is growing and maturing and as we grow, we will see a resurgence of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.  That is more and more of His presence in our lives and the world shall also be witness.

When we receive Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost takes up residence within our lives (heart).  The shed blood of Jesus has washed us clean of all sins and the Holy Ghost resides into our heart.  The question is “Have we let the Holy Ghost do anything since He has taken up residence”?  Many Christians believe that once we’re saved, we are signed, sealed and all but delivered to the Father for eternity.  True, the Lord says He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).  But with salvation, our life with the Lord is just beginning.  We are just starting our trek on the road with our Lord.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to run this race because we expect to win it (1 Corinth. 9:24).  Only one crosses the finish line first, but all who cross it actually are winners.  Crossing that finish line means we have successfully finished our course.  We expect to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matt. 25:21).  We’ve obtained our prize, our name is written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:12-15), the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 13:8).

So, just how does this journey begin and how does it flow?   

The seed

The sower goes forth to plant seed (Luke 8:5-15).  The sower is the evangelist – or anyone who shares the gospel of Jesus with anyone else. The seed is the Word of God or the good news as to how we can enter into eternity with Jesus Christ, our Lord - forever. 

However, some seed falls by the wayside which never has a chance to take root.  The birds eat it up or the enemy steals it.  It is gone!  These are those who hear the Word of God but it’s in one ear and out the other.  They never take any action on what they’ve heard so they do not keep it in their heart.  They never come to know the Lord. 

Other seed falls upon rocks.  These hear the word, but their faith is very shallow so as soon as problems arise, they give up on their faith, forget their commitment to God and they are gone. 

Some seed grows up with the thorns.  Thorns represent the cares of this world.  These people never lose interest in what the world provides and, before long, could care less about pleasing God, thinking the world can far better provide for them.  Their hearts grow cold and they walk away from the Lord.

Finally, some seed falls upon good ground.  These are the people who begin to love the Lord and desire (even crave) to learn as much about Him as they can.  They learn what it takes to please the Lord and they pursue it.  They desire to know and be with the Lord so they can continually grow and draw closer to Him so we can be with Him throughout all eternity. 

The bud

When a seed is planted into the ground, eventually a young plant pushes through the surface to receive light and nourishment and begins to grow.  And as the plant goes, so does the young Christian’s love towards Father.  We desire to learn more about our Lord and how He nourishes us and takes care of us.  The young plant digs its roots into the soil, digging deeper so as to get a good foothold (foundation) for growth (learning to live for and in God).  To get that good foundation for continued growth so it can reach its ‘full height’. Then the flower’s bud forms. 

As a Christian, we need to build that firm foundation with and in our Lord Jesus.  We learn the basics of our relationship.  And as the bud, how do we keep growing?  We need more light, more water and maybe some fertilizer to seep down to our roots so we are continually nourished.  Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35).  Bread is a tangible nutrition for our bodies.  Jesus is also the living Word of God come into this world in the flesh (John 1:1, 14).  The bible is the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  So Jesus is the spoken and living Word of God of whom the Bible speaks. 

We learn to commune with God by reading His written Word.  So, as Christians, we also talk (pray) with our Lord, which brings us into closer communion (relationship) with Him.  Thus we grow, striving to apply all that which we learn from the bible, our prayers and even words from other Christians and resources as what they say is in agreement with God’s Word, the bible.     

The bloom

Once the bud begins to bloom (open up), the flower continues grows for 2 – 3 more weeks and goes through cycles.  Daily, it opens bringing its beauty and pleasure into the world.  Then, in the evening, it fold together to ‘rest’.  How well the flower is cared for determines the length of its season.  And Father takes good care of His flowers.

As Christians, God brings us to fullness in which He desires us to serve Him.  But, just as the flowers pull their petals together for the night then open back up to the morning sun (Son), we need time to rest and then go back out and serve in the ministry which God has given us.  Even the flowering plant needs light and water to live, as Christians we need to replenish ourselves in the Father, through Jesus Christ, who guide us via the Holy Ghost (within us).  Again, we nurture our spirit by reading the Word, communing with the Lord and fellow Christians and always remembering that Christ Jesus shed His blood on Calvary not only cleansing us from our sin but giving us the promise of eternal life.  By remembering that Jesus shed His blood for us means we absorb (drink) it into our heart, thereby, we can be most effective in whatever Father has called us.     

We need to keep renewing our minds (Rom. 12:2) so we can know the direction Gods intends for us.  All we need to do is ask (Matt. 7:7), believing we will receive (Matt. 21:21-22) and don’t doubt because Jesus promises us the fulfillment.  Jesus is faithful to establish us and keep us from evil (2Thess. 3:3)!  That means He is with us and will protect us – all the way, from the beginning of the race ‘til He calls us home.  Father gives us the strength not to faint or be weary, but He renews our strength so we can run this race, even fly with the wings of eagles (Isa. 40:28-31).

Jesus tells us not to worry about daily living because He will provide for us.  He provides the things in nature, so how much more so, will He provide for us (Luke 12:24-30)?  He knows what we need and when we need it (Matt. 6:8).  He tells us not to worry about tomorrow for it’s enough for us to deal with today’s problems (Matt. 6:25-34).  AND we need to keep in mind to ask, seek and knock and we He will give us what we have asked (Matt. 7:7-8). 

As Christians, we’ve been growing in the love of Christ as Father helps us to be filled with the fullness He has for us (Eph. 3:19).  Paul tells the Ephesians that we are given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry AND the edification of the body of Christ.  Why?  Until we come into the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God so we grow into the fullness of Christ.  Speaking in truth and living in love as we grow in the body of Christ and remembering that Jesus our the head (Eph. 4:11-16).

Paul tells the Colossians (and us) that we need to walk in Christ, rooted in Him, building our faith and abounding therein giving Him thanksgiving (Col. 2:6-7).

The flower shares its beauty with us for a short season.   As long as we are in this world, shouldn’t we also bloom to become a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ, which is within us?

We are in the season for which blooms can grow – mightily. 

Our job is to let our buds blossom, to continue growing in God’s love, being obedient to His direction, then do it!

Amen 

6-3-2023    Micah & the 2-edged sword

         

Two-edged sword?  The book of Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword able to even divide the soul and the spirit, the joints and the marrow and discerns the thoughts and the intents of the heart (Heb:4:12).

Listen to the words of the prophet Micah: 

1          Listen up you heads of Jacob, princes of Israel, is it not for you to know judgment? 

Let’s exchange any reference of Israel and Jerusalem to reference today’s church.  Aren’t we supposed to know the ways of God?

2          They have come to hate good and love evil.  They strip the skin from the people, even the flesh from their bones. 

3          They scrape their skin off, eat their flesh and even break their bones.  They chop them up as to boil them in a caldron.

Hasn’t too much of today’s church set God’s standards aside to accommodate the world’s views?  We can’t offend anybody!  They might not come to church (and feed our offering trays)!  Indeed, we have minimized and scraped away too much of God’s truth just to bring more people into the church.  After all, everyone knows that the bigger a church, the more successful it is!  Right?  We have mutilated God’s teaching.  We have cut it down to our size to fit our needs (too much of today’s church). 

4          Then they cry to the Lord, but He won’t hear them.  At that time He will hide His face from them because of their ill doings.

But when things get rough and start to go wrong doesn’t the church call out to God?  Yet, when that time does come, because of the church’s waywardness (again, not all), God will not hear it.

5          He says this to the prophets who make His people err.  They bite with their teeth and cry peace but God does not tell them what to say.  They even prepare war against Him.

Listen!  Today, too many prophets are prophesying nothing but good and there is no longer a balance.  Once saved, you’ve got it made God wants to bless you (unconditionally)!  Yes?  God wants to and will bless us, but are we being told that we have a responsibility to insure those blessings?  Do we want to do ‘our own thing’ then run to God when it doesn’t work out?  In seeking God’s kingdom we should be seeking to have His will done in our lives and through our lives and in so doing, we become obedient in His will and then we will receive His blessings.

6          All things will become as night and they won’t have a vision, it shall be dark.  They shall not divine and the sun shall go down over the prophets and it shall be dark over them.

7          Their seers shall be ashamed and their diviners confused, indeed, they shall cover their lips for there is no answer from God.

Truly, darkness will fill the church (too much of it) when we refuse to obey God’s will. The prophets will preach feel-good messages without the balance of how we should be living our lives.  Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness with half-truths ‘turn stone into bread, jump off the angels will catch you & worship me and I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world!”  Jesus responded “live by every word out of God’s mouth, don’t tempt God & worship God and only God!”(Matt. 4:1-10).  As with Israel, those prophets who were out only for their own gain will be speaking their ‘own thing’ because God has not spoken to them.  And won’t until they come back into His will.  Experience tells us that, yes, there are those false teacher who know exactly what they are doing and are trying to get as rich as they can off of our sacrifices.  And yet, I am persuaded that there are others who are only doing what they have been taught and because ‘so and so’ said it, it must be true.  Monkey see, monkey do?  Unfortunately, they never check it out for themselves!  God’s Word gives us what we need and we have to know it so we can see the ‘real deal’.  so we see and discern that which is of God and that which is not.  And we need to be talking with God, ourselves, to confirm it!  What God says and His word (the bible) will always be in agreement.

8          But I am truly filled with power by the Spirit of the Lord.  I declare judgment and might unto Jacob for his transgression and unto Israel their sin.

9          Hear this, I pray, you heads of the house of Jacob and you princes of the house of Israel, who hate judgment and pervert equity.

Micah says that he does hear from God and as Micah’s plea went to the church, today’s plea now goes out to church leaders to examine themselves – is God’s Word really being preached, in accordance with His will, in His love?  Is it designed to edify and grow the people and not just tickle their ears so they can ‘feel good and give more ($$)’?  are we doing those things which are right?

10        They who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.

11        The heads judge for reward, the priests teach for payment and the prophets prophecy to be paid.  Yet they will say “Isn’t the Lord among us?  No evil can come upon us.”

In Micah’s day, the church leaders told the people what they wanted to hear and got paid to do so.  Do today’s prophets, priests and ministers do the same just to increase their income?  Yes, there are expenses that come along with ministry, so money is necessary.  Judas Iscariot was the disciples’ treasurer, he kept the money (John 12:4-6).  Read the gospels they used that money to cover their own living expenses and to help the needy (but maybe not in that order).  The disciples carried on this tradition for the same reasons and today’s churches need to gather money also for the same reasons, to operate and help.  Or should I say this is why they should be gathering money?  Do any of today’s preachers say “I preach the ‘word(s)’ and think ‘I’m  secure because God is with me”, therefore I am OK?  Do they, like those of 2000+ years ago, do everything to pad their own pockets, claiming that God is with them but knowing that they are far from God?  Nor care about who He is!

12        Therefore, for your sake, Zion shall be plowed as a field and Jerusalem shall become a heap.  The mountain of the house shall become like the high places of the forest.*

God tells Israel that because of their waywardness, they shall become nothing.  Mounds of dirt that have been plowed for field but not planted with seed – or, at least, good seed.  The high places of the forest become overrun because of lack of use.  Churches have collapsed – actually to protect the people from any further damage.  How many churches today have become useless weeds in the midst of a dead forest?

I’m not saying the whole church is off track. God always has His number (1 Kings 19:18, Rom. 11:4 ).  But I am saying that too much of the church has strayed.  We shall know them by their fruit (Matt. 7:16-20).  We can identify those committed to Jesus Christ and those who are not Of course, then, we do need some sort of personal knowledge of the fruit and the bible is that basic source of knowledge coupled with our personal relationship with the Lord.  Again, how else do we know God’s love?  Right?

We’re looking at a two-edged sword today.  Part to f the church needs continued building and being encouraged, but too much of the church has gotten off track and needs a swift kick to the keester (backside).  God has been trying and will continue His attempts to get our attention.

Thank God for what happened in Asbury, Ky.  Thank God for the planned revivals I am hearing about coming into California and the west coast later this year.  But thank God that once these souls have given their heart to Jesus Christ or have come back to Him from their wayward steps, they are given a solid foundation for living in Christ Jesus.  WE have to know God’s nature (LOVE) in order to be with Him when He calls us home!  Yet, how many will be like those who said “But Lord, didn’t we do all these wonderful things in your name (Matt. 7:20-23)?  Jesus’ reply?  “I never knew you.”

Read the book of Acts.  Paul spent weeks, months and even years establishing a church assuring that the leadership, he left behind, was able to lead the church by being grounded in Christ’s doctrines of love.  Why? So they could raise up ‘true’ believers founded in the love of God and then that they could continue sharing that love – in its totality.  Even then Paul had to write letters to get souls back on the right track!  Too many souls have felt that once we accept Jesus, the battle is won. True, but the war is just beginning.  There is a life to live!  And a enemy to fight!

Read the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:3-9).  The seed by the wayside never received salvation so as to come into the church.  The seed among the thorns and on rocky soil professed a faith and joined the church but didn’t stay and left for their own reasons.  Only the seed sown on good ground took root and held on to God’s love and remained faithful.  Read the whole chapter for Jesus’ explanation.

Have we been learning how to live in Christ Jesus?  Does our love grow stronger each day?  Do we commune with our Lord each day?  I don’t mean just saying the “Our Father”, then “see ya later!  Got things to do.”  God is our friend.  We should share our heart with Him – even more so than we might with our closest earthly friend!  Do we experience the joy of His fellowship?  I enjoy singing songs about God, who He is and what He does.  I sing to God about His relationship with me!  His Spirit literally fills my heart with joy and peace.  I can’t just stand up and walk away.  I have to sit and bask in His presence until my body settles down (literally).

Yes, we need to draw souls into the kingdom of God, but we also need to do what we can to help them get grounded in their faith.  Salvation is not just confessing Jesus then getting ‘dunked’ (baptized).  We have made a commitment.  Our relationship becomes a daily, living faith!

The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword able to divide even the soul and the spirit, the joints and the marrow and discerns the thoughts and the intents of the heart.

So, where is our heart today?  On which side of the two-edged sword do we stand?

Amen