Seed

* Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It has come time for me to step down and to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."

The kids were shocked!

But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home, plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring to me, and the one I choose will be the next emperor of the kingdom!"

There was one boy named Ling who was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story. She helped him get a pot and some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept going home and checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing. By now others were talking about their plants but Ling didn’t have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling’s pot.

He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.

Ling didn’t say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he trusted his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by all the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kids laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey, nice try." When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people.

Ling just tried to hide in the back.

"My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!" All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name.

"My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

You will see others being dishonest. They will appear to be successful...thriving...passing you by.

You will obey and wonder.

They will deceive and temporarily prosper.

Don’t give up... God will make things right.

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
    Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Those who refuse to gossip
    or harm their neighbors
    or speak evil of their friends.

Those who despise flagrant sinners,
    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
    and keep their promises even when it hurts.

Those who lend money without charging interest,
 and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.” Psalm 15

Be honest. You will stand firm forever. Unshakeable. Rewarded. Blessed.

It’s always worth it.

* [Story from "In The Garden With Jesus," a children’s devotional written by Tiziana Ruff.]

He Always Will Be

How often do we forget the power of God?   Sometimes it’s when we are in financial crisis... other times we get scared when the doctor tells us she found something on our X-rays.  Fear sets in.  Storm clouds gather.  We feel helpless, hopeless, and alone. Can God REALLY do what the Bible says He can?

I think some of the most common doubting takes place when it comes time to pray.   Is God listening to me?  Does He even care?  If He does hear me... what will his answer be?  What if He says “wait”  or even  “No..”  What will I do then?  If you’ve ever found yourself wondering the same thing when you pray, today’s verse has good news for you  Ready for it?  Here it is:

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”  -  Romans 8:31b 

God is for you.  

Read that one more time...  God is for you.

Paul asks... “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

Great question... but doubt no more... God is for you. He has your best interests in mind.  He is your protector, sustainer, provider, caretaker, and loving Heavenly Father.  Even if you question His power... or face challenges and stresses that seem beyond your ability to handle them... God always knows what’s best for you.  Stand strong knowing that even though you may not receive the prayer answer you’re expecting... He is listening.   The response you get will always be the right one.... in the right time... and there is nothing on Earth that will be able to stand against you with the King of Kings in your corner.  

Never give up... Keep going.

Never stop praying... He’s listening.

Never forget... God is for you.

And He always will be.  

Light of the World

This morning you woke up and the thoughts hit you.  Your past...your responsibilities...your successes...your failures...your future... all of these thoughts probably raced through your mind before you took your first sip of coffee.  You’ve got stuff on your mind that you don’t know what to do with.  You may feel imperfect, challenged, indifferent... or maybe it’s jubilant, elated, and hopeful.

Either way... you are you.  The end result of years of choices.

You know what... you aren’t alone.  Millions of people open their eyes each morning with the same thoughts, the same hang-ups, the same stresses, and the same circumstances.  They may snap at you at the grocery store...or cut in front of you in line.  They may say your work is no good... or your best is not good enough.  They may say your God isn’t able... or may not believe in your God at all.

But they are just like you.  Created by a loving and caring Lord.  His masterpiece.  

They are in need of understanding.  They have a past...  just like you.

They are in need of compassion.  Nobody has told them that Jesus loves them lately.

They are in need of hope.  Their world is as cynical as yours sometimes.

They are in need of love.  Not judgment.

Jesus said “You are the light of the world...” (Matthew 5:14).

Which will you be in someone’s life today?  A light or a judge?  Do your co-workers need an understanding ear or a pointed finger?  How about your kids?  How hard are you on yourself?

Today you have a choice.  You can scrutinize others... but the world has a lot of critics.  You can stay neutral... but the world has a lot of people doing nothing.  You can love others...and the world will change for the better.  

And by loving others...you’ll change too.

Truth

It’s half way through the week … I thought you might want to be reminded...

God is there -- “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.” (Heb. 13:5)

God will protect you -- [to Abram] "I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Gen. 15:1)

God walks with you -- "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God." (Isa. 41:10)

God is there to help -- "I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isa. 41:10)

God knows the way -- "After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4) 

God has a purpose for your life -- "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11) 

God provides rest -- "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) 

God forgives -- "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9) 

God gives grace to the undeserving -- "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." (Psalm 84:11) 

God is faithful -- "The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people." (1 Sam. 12:22) 

God’s ways are the right ways -- "He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way." (Psalm 25:9)

God’s has a plan -- "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom. 8:28) *

When the world is whispering to you... to give up... to quit... 

When they say that you don’t have enough talent.

That you aren’t beautiful.

That you’ll never rise above it.

When they say that winning is an impossibility...

If you ever hear any word that makes you feel like less than the masterpiece that God created you to be.  

Never forget... if you are a Christ-follower... you have God.

And He is enough.

His promises are true.  

His character is consistent. 

His grace and mercy are renewed each day.

He created you with a purpose.  You may have stumbled.  You may have faced setbacks... to the point where you even wonder where He is.  He hasn’t left your side and He still hears your prayers and counts your tears.  

Life can be hard

God is good.

You are loved.

Faithful Love

I recently read the story of author Mary Ann Bird. In the article, she shared this very personal story in The Whisper Test. She wrote, “I grew up knowing I was different, and I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate, and when I started school, my classmates made it clear to me how I looked to others: a little girl with a misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, and garbled speech.”

“When classmates asked, ‘What happened to your lip? I’d tell them I’d fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident than to have been born different. I was convinced that no one outside my family could love me.”



“There was, however, a teacher in the second grade that we all adored—Mrs. Leonard [was her] name. She was short, round, happy—a sparkling lady.”

Annually we had a hearing test . . .

Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everyone in the class, and finally it was my turn. I knew from past years that as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper something, and we would have to repeat it back—things like “The sky is blue” or “Do you have new shoes?” I waited there for those words that God must have put into her mouth. [They were] seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said in her whisper, “I wish you were my little girl”

Ever feel alone? Left out? Different? Rejected? Less valuable than others?

Ever wonder if God REALLY wants you in His family? After all... you did or said what you did or said. Can’t take it back and can’t change the past.

Worry no more.

God wants you.

God won’t reject you.

God won’t send you away because you’re different.

God loves different. God CREATED different.

It doesn’t matter how you think you look today. Or how badly they made fun of you. Who you are in Christ is defined by the One who knit you together not by the ones trying to pick you apart.

You could have broken dreams, a broken heart, or be broken in spirit... imperfect or all-together wrecked.

God wants you to know something today.

You are not an accident.

You are not less valuable than anyone else.

You are loved.

"Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:26

Let that sink in a second... the one Who started your heart beating is in love with it. He declares His devotion to you over and over in scripture. He doesn’t have you confused with your overachieving brother... or the rich lady down the street... or the perfect parent at the pediatrician’s office.

He is talking about you.

He wants you to know that your past doesn’t define you and your future has yet to be written.

You are loved.

Good Choice

The story has been told of a shoe salesman who was sent to Africa.  He was there a couple of weeks and quickly became frustrated.  His first letter back to his company read... “Please bring me home, nobody wears shoes over here.”  So the shoe company did just that.  Soon after, they sent a second salesman.  Same people.  Same situation.  The new salesman wrote a letter too... His said “Please send all the shoes you can, nobody wears shoes over here.”

Spot the difference?

Same situation.  Same shoes.  Different viewpoints.  One saw futility while the other... opportunity.  The first missed out on making a difference and his replacement changed the paradigm.

The second man had a choice and seized his opportunity.  

Have you ever kicked yourself for missing a chance that could have made a difference in life?  One decision that could have altered your course in a positive way?

Jesus’ disciples did.  The night He was betrayed, Christ asked His closest friends to stay awake and stand watch while He prayed... Here’s the result:

“Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, ‘Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?   Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”  Matthew 26:40-41

They didn’t seize the opportunity that Jesus gave them.  They had a chance to be obedient and slept through it.  

I think we’d be amazed at how many chances per day we get to make effective and Godly decisions.  From what we eat, to how we interact with others, to our attitude when things get difficult.... we are presented with countless occasions to honor God with our choices.  

So many of us want our situation to change.  We try to bargain for miracles... we wish things were different... we hope God will come through.  We want different life results while making the same old decisions.   We want things to be different but we either aren’t ready or can’t execute on the God-given opportunity to make it that way.  

Some make the wrong choices and expect God to do it all.  

“Maybe He will make a deal with me and things will change.  I’ll be good so He will bless me anyway!”

“Maybe if I close my eyes and blow out the candles... God will grant my wish and my reality will change.”

“Maybe God will see that I want to change and hopefully do the work for me.”

Change doesn’t come from any of these... it comes from being ready and choosing to seize opportunity.  In his book, Visioneering, Andy Stanley says, “We don’t need to pray for more miracles, we just need to be more sensitive to the opportunities that God brings our way.”

What does this mean?

We want our friendships to get deeper yet we continue to choose close friends who don’t share our same convictions.  

We want our finances to change but we refuse to move ourselves (through obedience in tithing) to where He is already pouring out His blessings.

We want our children to have integrity but when people call the house we tell them to tell the caller that we aren’t home.

We want our spouse to be the man/woman of our dreams yet refuse to trust, communicate, or honor in the home ourselves.  

We want God to bless us, but when given the opportunity, we aren’t obedient to what He says in His word.

Time and time again, God gives us chances to make good decisions, be obedient, and grow... to change the world... to change ourselves.  

Are we squandering them?  Are we telling God to send us home and we’ll stay the same?  Or send shoes and we can change things?  What opportunity do you have in front of you that you’ve been hesitant to act on?   It may not be the easiest thing to do... but it will impact your life in a positive way... 

What choice can you make right now that will change you and affect the world around you?

A deeper prayer life?

Breaking a habit?

Reading your Bible more?

Getting baptized?

Figure out what opportunity God is giving you... and be bold enough to seize it.   Commit to moving forward in what you know He is leading you to do.  Be a world changer... proactive... growing in your boldness to do what you know you’ve been called to.  

Life is full of choices... I’ll be praying for you as you seek God’s guidance in the opportunities that are in front of you.

Biggest Weakness

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” - Romans 8:26a

I read the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo although he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. He was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn’t I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.  On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

What the boy had seen as his biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

You’ve lived with what you have perceived to be a weakness for a whole long time.  Anger, abuse, depression... divorced parents... migraines... OCD... doubt...  

What are we supposed to do with our weaknesses?  The Bible has a reply.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

Scripture tells us that when we are weak... God is strong.  We shouldn’t shy away from or blame away our weaknesses... but instead... recognize them and realize that those areas of our life are where God’s power will get us through.  Is God enough to get you through those depressing days?  Does He have enough power to help you come to terms with past abuse?  Can God REALLY heal?  Can you really trust Him?  

Yes... He is more than enough... and He is always good... and He is always love... and He is never-changing... and He is forever faithful... and He is everywhere at one time... and He is the beginning and the end... and He loves you... and He will never stop... and He always knows what’s best... and He knew we’d be weak in some area... and He created us anyway... and He has a purpose for us... and He wants us to turn to Him when we run out of our own power.

God made you for a reason... weaknesses and all.  

Don’t let the devil trick you into thinking you’re irreparably broken.  Leverage that part of your life and allow God to fill those dark spaces with light.  He doesn’t love you any less because you’ve had setbacks... you are His child and He loves you with the warm embrace of a father who cares.

Why do we have weaknesses?  To show God’s power in and through them.  And once we persevere through the trials... we are able to assist others through those same issues in their own lives.   We may be weak in the situation... but the pain becomes useful when we help others realize that they aren’t alone... and remind them that they will get through it... and that God still does what seems impossible.

Sounds like strength to me.