Dandelions

Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself,

Luke 11:26

Something of a grass guru, Artie had the best looking lawn in four counties…not a single broadleaf weed or dandelion to be found. He was proud that his hard work had repaid him so handsomely. And if you failed to comment on his lush green grass…he’d tell you himself! “Look at that yard! No unwanted vegetation on the entire property!”

Artie’s friend, Jerry, teased him. “I can’t believe you, Artie! God creates all those beautiful little yellow flowers to brighten your lawn, and you, unable to see the beauty in a dandelion, dig em up and toss em in the trash! Shame on you doin’ God that way!”

Unphased, Artie restated his claim of ‘grass-maharishi’ of the neighborhood. This time he put a spiritual spin on it, “Dandelions are like sin, Jer. If you let one stay, it multiplies into ten. Then the ten turn into one hundred. Pretty soon the whole yard’s covered with ’em! Can’t let that happen, Jer! Besides, professional baseball diamonds and football fields have well-manicured grass! Not pretty little flowers! You don’t find ’em in Shea Stadium…and you won’t find ’em in my yard either!” stated the now-spiritual grounds keeper.

Artie’s right, Jerry silently admitted. You can’t give dandelions an inch. Who knew there was a spiritual anecdote involving dandelions…or that Artie ever thought about it for that matter?

†

Dandelions are pretty. But, Artie is right. If we take a nonchalant attitude toward them, they will destroy our yard. The same holds true in our spiritual lives. Sin’s allure is persuasive, seductive, and subtle. That’s why it’s called temptation. Yet, as seductive as sin is, its consequences are even more pervasive and destructive.

Its intended objective is to destroy our lives. Sin’s consequences will not only ruin our lives, it will affect the lives of many who look to us for direction, understanding, and spiritual or literal support.

We mustn’t let any sin remain once it’s exposed…for any reason. We must be vigilant in eradicating it from our lives. For if we take the apathetic approach, we will find a darker, more perverted form of sin has come to take up residence

.

“Prayer”

“Consecrate me and remove the sin in my life, Lord. Reveal to me where sin lurks. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Childlike

When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, "Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:14

“Mom?” little Jackie asked. “Did Mrs. Burson eat somethin’ sour?”

Janet smiled as Jackie added, “’Cause she sure looks like she ate one o my sour apple candies!”

While formulating the proper response for a six-year-old, Janet watched in horror as little Jack skipped right over to Mrs. Burson, reached up and took her hand, “Did you eat some of your kid’s sour candy, Mrs. Burson?”

Janet hurried to head off Mrs. Burson’s response. To her surprise, Mrs. Burson smiled at young Jack. She looked him straight in the eye, and asked, “Do I look that bad, Jackie?!”

Before he could respond, Janet interrupted, “What Jackie meant to say was…”

With upheld hand, Mrs. Burson cut her off, “Oh, Janet, I’m quite sure he said what he meant. But thank you for attempting to ease the sting.”

Unconscious of his faux pas, Jackie innocently added, “Sometimes them sour apple candies give me a bellyache. Do you have a bellyache, Mrs. Burson?”

Totally at a loss for words, Janet waited for Mrs. Burson’s response.

“You know something, Jackie. I believe I do,” she said with a laugh. “Thank you for helping me ascertain the source of my displeasure!”

Jackie asked quizzically, “What’s an ascertain of displeasure?”

Mrs. Burson and Janet both broke into laughter!

†

Only a child can get away with such boldness. Their innocence disarms the normally offensive response we would certainly give to any adult who dared question the noticeable displeasure of our stern countenance. Why is that?

Mainly, it’s because we know children are not malicious. They are unsullied by cynicism and cruel intent, we wouldn’t think of demeaning them for reaching out to us.

Jesus points out that those who possess such childlike innocence display an important characteristic of Kingdom citizenship….a very important characteristic, that if lost, we should hope to re-discover (ascertain).

Prayer

“Lord, my grown-up countenance is lacking in innocence. Please restore the childlike wonder and faith of my youth so I look like a citizen of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Make it Your Own

Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?

Acts 19:15

Rafe had always felt he had a meaningful relationship with God….until two hours ago. Now he realized he’d only been giving Him lip service. He’d been challenged over a statement he had made. When the man challenged the validity of his statement, he had adamantly argued his point, saying, “I know what I heard the pastor say!” referring to the evangelist he’d seen on TV.

But the challenger had shown him in Scripture that his belief was wrong.

Faced with the truth, Rafe had feebly responded, “Well, I must have misunderstood what the pastor said.”

The whole way home he’d felt the quiet conviction of the LORD. He realized with startling clarity that his relationship was a compilation of snippets and sound bites, borrowed from people he’d watched, the books he’d read, and the CDs he’d listened to. He’d never taken the time to search out what God’s word actually had to say…he’d simply taken other’s teachings as Gospel.

Broken and ashamed, he lay weeping in repentance for his casual and careless attitude toward the Author of the Book he professed to know so well.

†

Relying on others for our faith can foster false and erroneous beliefs with disastrous consequences.

In today’s text, one demon-possessed man beat seven men until they were naked and bloody. Simply quoting something we believe to be part of God’s word not only doesn’t make it effective, it is dangerous!

We need to search the Word of God until it becomes OURS! Many times in the past I have caught myself quoting a verse of scripture, saying, ‘So and So said…’ or after reading something I would say, ‘So and So wrote…’ not realizing there was no power in the verse through third-party connections.

It’s not wrong to watch, listen to, or read spiritual material. Spiritual wisdom and understanding can be gained by doing these things. But if we fail to seek answers for ourselves, relying on others to study for us and not digging into scripture ourselves, we will walk this earth powerless…and the enemy will have his way with us from time to time.

Prayer

“Give me a passion for Your Word, LORD. Create in me a hunger to know for myself what You have to say about every issue in my life. Amen.”

Bathed in Love

There is no fear in love.

1 John 4:18

“Mom!” Shaohannah hollered. “Maria won’t wash her face!”

Mary Beth was chagrined at her six-year-old daughter’s tattling. Knowing it was birthed out of a disdain for anything dirty, especially where her little sister was concerned, she tried not to encourage her little snitch.

The real issue here was Maria’s unnatural fear of water. The mere mention of putting her head in or under water totally freaked her out! The fact that Maria wouldn’t even put her little face under the shower spoke of how strong the fear was.

Heading upstairs to the bathroom, Mary Beth silently asked God for wisdom, “Lord, your word says fear is from the enemy. So please help me help Maria to not be afraid.”

The answer was almost audible, “Tell her I am watching, and I love her so very much! And because of My great love for her, she doesn’t have to be afraid anymore.” Somehow Mary Beth knew it had been Jesus speaking. And as simple as it sounded, she knew it would work!

What happened next revealed the truth about child-like faith. For when Mary Beth told Maria what Jesus said, Maria immediately put it to the test by dunking her little head completely under the water!

Mary Beth and Shaohannah stared in wonder as little Maria came up laughing!

†

In his hit song, “Dive”, Steven Curtis Chapman sings about diving into the flow of God’s love. Chapman sings “I’m divin’ in, I’m goin’ deep in over my head I wanna be!” These lyrics do not speak of a casual or superficial act. And for good reason!

This mighty river of love, birthed in God’s heart, will consume us and drive out all fear if we abandon ourselves completely and unashamedly to its flow.

Sadly, the fear of drowning complicates matters for the reluctant heart. We don’t want to lose control; for if we do, our life is no longer our own. And that, in effect, keeps us at the edge of God’s cleansing and healing love.

The only way to overcome the fear in our heart is to jump, as Chapman says, without hesitation, with the knowledge Jesus is watching, and there’s no reason to fear! Jesus guarantees: “You will come up laughing.”

Prayer

“Here I come, Lord Jesus! Amen!”

Inspired by the song, Dive, by: Steven Curtis Chapman

With One Voice

Love is…

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

With the pastor out of town, Jake, a local High School music teacher, was speaking this morning. “I want to bring a message today about speaking with ‘One Voice’. ‘One’ voice refers to the distinct harmony created by a barbershop quartet. As each voice, lifted in its unique pitch and quality is blended, they create something unattainable as individual vocalists.”

Jeff, also a layman in the congregation, listened intently, “Just as multiple singers can become more than their individual selves, the Church is meant to produce spiritual singularity, showing Jesus to the world in love. The day before He was crucified, Jesus told His Disciples the world would know Who’s they were if they loved, cherished, and cared for one another...”

Jake challenged the Church to seek God’s understanding of 1Corinthians 12:12, and 13:4-8, and finished with, “When we put others ahead of ourselves in love something happens. Our voice shifts from one of self-purpose and becomes part of a Spiritual symphony. When we, as Christians, live together in love our voices become the harmony that creates the ‘One Voice’.”

Jeff accepted Jake’s challenge, silently praying, This is how I want the voice of my life to sound, Lord Jesus, to merge with the other voices of Your Body. Help me love in such a way.

†

In 1Corinthians 12, Paul explains how the Church is made up of individual parts that work together for the good of the Body. In chapter 13, he exhorts the Church to turn away from jealousy and enmity, so the unity described in chapter 12 is made possible.

Sadly, there is a lack of trans-denominational cooperation and mutual edification within the Body.

The world is disillusioned with the disharmonious noise of today’s Christianity, they have no desire to become engaged when they listen to selfish nature where unity and fellowship should be. In short, they see hypocrisy, they hear an out-of-harmony Church.

Only by joining together in the unity of selfless love will our individual voices become transformed into something the world hears, that One Voice, and wishes to become part of.

Prayer

“Father God, forgive my selfish desire to have my way. Teach me to love with ‘One Voice’ so the sound of my life is pleasing to You, and inviting to the world. Amen.”

God is Near

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

Hebrews 13:5-6

For Roger and Melodie, giving to the Lord was second nature. Over the past two months they had given Him almost forty percent of their income, helping meet a few extra needs within their community. With the remaining sixty percent sufficient to meet their monthly debt, and feeling God leading them to help, they gave cheerfully.

And then, without warning, Roger lost his job. Melodie, who’d recently been laid off, was already struggling to find employment in their small community. Within three weeks they found themselves in their own financial need. They even found themselves arguing over what little money they had.

Deciding prayer was better than arguing, they asked God for peace. He responded immediately, “Do not be afraid. I am here. You will not be taken from My hand.” Right then they determined to remain God-sufficient, allowing Him to work things out and meet their needs.

In the mail the next morning was a rebate check from a past purchase they’d forgotten about, in the amount of $250 dollars…twice the expected amount! It wasn’t the house payment, but they could see God’s hand at work to encourage them.

†

Many have experienced the overwhelming fear of impending financial loss. It tests our faith and relationships like nothing else can. So what are we to do when the natural appears to be winning and Satan is out to steal our hope?

God wants us to take Him at His word: “I am here. I am not caught unaware. I will provide exactly what you need, when you need it. Do not be afraid. Stand firm! ”

To have faith during financial crisis is simple in theology, yet daunting if we allow ourselves to focus on what we don’t have or stand to lose. And therein lays the battle. If we give in to worry, we lose. Conversely, if we refuse to surrender our faith and trust God for our very existence, we cannot lose.

God is never taken by surprise. Have the faith to let Him deal with your fear.

Prayer

“I am affected by money more than I want to admit, LORD. Help me trust in Your provision, even if the sky is falling. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Steeped in the Lord

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

Matthew 17:21 KJV

Up early, young Davy decided to make Gramma some tea. Filling the teakettle, he placed it on the stove and waited for the whistle, then he poured it into Gramma’s big teapot. Unsure of how many bags to use, he decided on two, and suspended them by their strings between the lid and pot. Then he placed the cozy over the pot, and went to brush his teeth and wash his face and hands. Cleanup complete, Davy returned and poured Gramma a cup, and headed for her bedroom.

Being from the United Kingdom, Gramma loved tea, it was a part of her life. As she tipped the cup, she realized Davy hadn’t used enough teabags. Not wanting to crush Davy’s spirit she said, “Quite tasty! How many teabags did you use, Honey?”

“Two, Gramma!” he proudly asserted.

She chuckled to herself, and said, “Oh, Honey, thank you so much! I believe this is the best cup of tea I’ve ever had.” She watched as a smile of accomplishment spread across Davy’s face.

“I’ll make s’more as soon as you finish this pot, Gramma!” he proclaimed.

Once more, Gramma’s wisdom shone through as she said, “I think I’ll just take my time and enjoy this pot, Honey.”

†

Steeping tea correctly requires knowledge of how the teabags respond to boiling water. If not enough bags are used, or too short a time is permitted, the desired results are not achieved.

Prayer and fasting are much the same. If we fail to spend sufficient time in God’s presence we don’t receive a significant result. Extended soaking in the Holy Spirit allows Spiritual knowledge and wisdom to penetrate the deepest recesses of our heart.

Jesus, in today’s text, is showing us that there are some things that require extended instruction, and only by spending time in prayer while fasting can we gain the necessary understanding to overcome our unbelief.

To walk in power we must be steeped in God’s presence. The longer we steep, the stronger we become.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, reveal to me the truth of my unbelief. And then, help rid me of it as I draw close to hear Your instruction. Amen.”