Just be a Thistle

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

Luke 21:14

As I walked, meditating on how God uses us to spread the Gospel, I was prompted to ask Him how He intended to use me. As I meditated I became concerned about what my service to the Lord would look like. Since with me concern sometimes preempts worry, God took that moment to intervene, “Look at that thistle.”

Thistles intrigue me; spiny, perfectly rounded cones with that beautiful bloom, surrounded by sweeping tendrils that look so fragile. So when God said, “Look” I did so with fascination, asking, “Okay. What?”

“Where have you found these?” He asked.

“Pretty much from the East to the West,” I responded.

His next question was two-part, “How did they get there, and did they have anything to do with it?”

I realized He was painting me into a corner, “The wind and the birds scatter the seeds, Lord. And no, the thistle has no control over it.” Then before He could ask, I added, “And no, it doesn’t worry about how it will propagate.”

“So why is it we keep having this discussion?” He gently admonished.

“Because I’m slow to trust that You’ll do what’s best,” I answered, knowing He wasn’t quite done.

“Everything without self-will serves its created purpose. A life of self-will, yielded wholly to Me, can do the same.” Then He added, “There’s a lot less stress involved.”

What could I say? Kneeling on the spot, I committed to simplicity, “I pledge right now, LORD, to just be a thistle, leaving the seeds I bear in Your hands for the scattering.”

†

We should care about the witness we share with the world…we should not be concerned in the how or where of that witness.

Jesus, in today's text, instructed the Disciples to make up their minds ahead of time to not worry about what they’d say when tested, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them. Having heeded Jesus' instruction, the Disciple's words carried power and truth.

This directive applies to our witness as well. A life wholly yielded to God, daily giving Him our cares and concerns, empowers us with confidence through His Holy Spirit. And then, just like the thistle, God can direct us to the people and places we are meant to witness to.

Prayer

“I’ve made up my mind, LORD. I’m Your thistle. Lead on. Amen.”  

Over…?

May 31

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Matthew 6:7

Kurt and Stevie had been close friends for years. They had whiled away many summers exploring the neighborhood, trying not to get into too much mischief, but for ten year old army brats there was nothing more fun or worthy of their time than emulating their fathers.

“That’s a ten four, Sergeant,” Stevie spoke into his walkie talkie. “You bring your troops around from behind the enemy’s position on the south side, and we’ll move in that direction from here; Over…?”

“Moving now, Lieutenant,” Kurt responded. “We’ll hold at our next outpost until you let me know when you’re in position; Over…?”

“That’s affirmative, Sergeant,” came the reply, followed by, “Stay sharp, Malloy. When we make the final approach we’ll have them surrounded. Do your men understand their orders? Over…?”

In a voice that informed his commanding officer that he understood, Kurt answered, “I’ve given the order, Sir. They know what to do. Over…!”

“Then wait for my next transmission, Sergeant,” Stevie instructed.

†

Walkie Talkies are sold in pairs because two-way communication is imperative when making plans and explaining strategies; especially where ten year olds are concerned. Stevie needed Kurt to respond to his directives in order to make their battle plan work. By interacting, giving the other equal time to respond by saying, “Over…?”, these two friends were able to surround and gain victory over the enemy.

Our prayer life should resemble Kurt and Stevie’s cooperation in communication. Sadly, most of us rarely take a breath when we pray. We burst into the throne room, spit out a list of demands and leave, never waiting to see if there’s anything God would say to us in the moment. Then, for the rest of the day, we walk around unsure of whether we’re on the right track.

There are times in prayer that we need to tell God how we’re feeling, or ask for something. Scripture supports both. But prayer is meant to be an open line of communication between two parties. The next time you enter in to your prayer closet why not give this a try; “Hello, God. Is there anything You’d like to say to me? Over…?”

Prayer

“Good morning, Lord, it’s me. Over…?”

Servant or Slave?

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:

2 Corinthians 6:4

Sitting in a local diner, the three friends were discussing the challenges of serving God. Having shared with each other some of their current battles, Chris shared how tired he had become spiritually; wishing God would remove some of the burden.

Cody asked, “Do you know the difference between a slave and a servant?”

Growing up in the 1960s, Chris had learned to equate slavery with oppression. This is easy, Chris thought as he answered, “A slave does things because he’s forced to; a servant gives of himself freely.”

He’d never heard Cody’s definition, “A servant does things expecting payment. A slave expects nothing for their work.”

Chris chewed on that as Cody continued…

“At five o’clock, a servant goes home to his family…” he said, “…a slave isn’t finished until his master says he’s done.”

As the truth of that statement penetrated Chris’s heart he had to admit he’d been expecting something for his service. While praying, “Use me, Lord,” he’d had expectations of what that looked like in his own mind; he was expecting to receive compensation for his efforts, not a hard time.

†

In the span of one minute, God had used Cody to show Chris the true nature of a slave…and his heart where service was concerned.

But, if owning another human being, for any reason, is wrong, then how is being God’s slave good?

In Romans 6:16, Paul tells us that we are slaves. In today’s text, reading through verse ten, Paul’s description of service sounds more like the definition of slavery. It’s riddled with hardship and pain, yet speaks to what lengths a bond servant will go for his Master.

So, what’s the difference?

Satan enslaves, hoping only to destroy!

God, in His great love, offers us and opportunity to serve in His Kingdom. He does not make us slaves.

Given the choice, whose slave would you rather be?

Prayer

“Lord, I don’t want to be Your servant, always expecting a return for my service. Shift my heart so that I might become a slave who desires only to bring You glory, regardless of any pain or trial I might perceive as unfair and unwarranted. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Trusting God for the Results

…but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6, 7

The story goes… There was a man walking on the beach at dawn. He noticed a young boy repeatedly bend over, pick something up, and throw it into the surf.

As the man drew near he recognized the object of the boy’s attention. Somewhat agitated, he approached the boy, “What are you doing, young man?” he demanded.

The boy gave him a cursory nod, and said, “I’m picking up starfish and returning them to the sea, Sir. If they are still lying on the beach when the sun comes up they will die. They need my help.”

“But young man,” he said, taking hold of the boy’s shoulder, “The beaches are littered with starfish, and this beach alone goes on for miles! Why do you bother? You can’t possibly hope to make a measurable difference in the lives of all those starfish.”

The boy bent down as the sun crested the horizon. He picked up another starfish and, in one gentle and well-practiced motion, tossed it into the surf as he answered the man, “Maybe not. But I sure made a difference in that one’s life.”

†

There is a great temptation to equate success with volume. Had the young man in today’s story seen things that way he would have spent more time considering his actions than doing the right thing, and many more starfish would have died.

The greatest historical event of all time began with one man calling twelve other men, teaching them how to serve and make disciples. That single action has resulted in the salvation of untold numbers of souls. Will everyone be saved? No. Sadly, many will choose not to accept God’s offer. Thankfully, God doesn’t think like the man in today’s story.

Taking action and trusting God for the results, putting one foot in front of the other without proof that what we’re doing is making a difference, is called faith. We are called to serve…it’s up to God to make what we do grow.

Prayer

“Lord, help me walk by faith, listening for Your call, ready to take action in order to meet a need. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

There is a Hell

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator

Romans 1:25

For years Randy witnessed to his father during their long-distance phone conversations, telling him if he refused to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior he would spend eternity in Hell, separated from God. But his father vehemently asserted that there was no Hell to be saved from.

When his father became ill Randy moved back home to care for him. Over the next ten months, while Randy ministered to his father’s physical needs, he continued ministering to his spiritual needs, reading scripture and telling him of God’s great love for him. He even took him to church on Sundays when he was well enough to leave the house. At the end of each day Randy would ask, “Is there anything keeping you from asking Jesus into your heart, Dad?”

His father’s response was always the same, “Yes, lots of things.” Yet Randy never gave up. Then one Sunday, during the altar call following a particularly powerful sermon on our immortal spirit, Randy watched in awe and thanksgiving as his father raised his hand to receive Jesus into his heart! After the service, Randy’s father confided to him that his persistence had caused him to rethink his beliefs, “I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God, and I don’t want to spend eternity apart from Him.”

†

Doubt is one of Satan’s favorite weapons. He tells us there is no Hell and the world loves it because it removes the consideration of consequences and accountability. Sadly, even some professing Christian pastors say, “A loving God would not send billions of people to a horrible hell!” But as sure as there is a Heaven, there is a Hell.

We can argue all we want and it won’t change that truth, or prevent people from going to Hell. God’s holiness demands we be righteous to enter His presence. Only faith in Jesus Christ, where we are cleansed by His blood, has the power to save. Anything else is a lie.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, forgive me for ever doubting Your word. I accept Your sacrifice for my sin and look forward with anticipation to spending eternity with You in Heaven. Amen.”

Pass it On

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Bill took his time as he showed his grandson, Nelson, how to position the crippler for the closet door header in the wall they were building. “Leave three and a half inches at the top of each crippler, Nelson. That will allow us to insert the header,” he explained.

“You know everything about building houses Gramps!” Nelson said in admiration. “Did you figure it out all by yourself?” he asked.

Bill smiled at the nine year old’s question. “No, Buddy,” he admitted. “My dad started my construction education when I was about your age. As a matter of fact, he gave me that very hammer you’re using.” With a note of ceremony in his voice, Bill said, “And now I’m giving it to you.”

Looking at the hammer with a sense of reverence, Nelson said, “Wow! Thanks, Gramps! I promise to take good care of it!”

“Let me give you one bit of advice, Nelson,” he said. “Never tire of learning and always remember there are different ways to do almost every task. Those who love carpentry have invested time in learning the trade. Learn all you can from them. Then use what you’ve learned to create works of art, and look to pass it on to future generations.”

†

Solomon, in today’s text, assures us that mankind is repetitive in nature; nothing we do is being done for the first time. Although individual accomplishments might differ from generation to generation, the underlying knowledge of the why and how of the world has been understood for centuries. Hence, what we do today has been done before.

This is not to dismiss or minimize our efforts. On the contrary, we should strive to fine tune those things that we’ve been doing for millennia.

Legendary UCLA Basketball coach, John Wooden, said, “You’ll never know anything you didn’t learn from someone else.” Our goal should be to devote ourselves to learning whatever God has equipped us for so we can do the best job possible, and then we will be in a position to pass on what we have learned.

Prayer

“Everything I can do is because of You, Lord. Give me opportunity to pass along all You have taught me to future generations. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”  

The Best Sinner in Hell

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

James 2:10

The judge’s glance shifted from the defendant to the file in his hands. These kinds of cases always caused inner conflict; compassion verses the wisdom of required justice. He’d read the file in his chambers before entering the courtroom. The defendant needed to get home to see his dying mother. She’d had only hours to live. He’d borrowed a friend’s car but had no money for gas so he’d pumped twenty dollars worth of gas at a local station and left without paying. He’d broken the law hoping the judge would understand.

“Son,” the judge said. “What you did was wrong and I cannot allow it to go unpunished. I know why you did it, but your reasoning is in error. You broke the law and no matter how justified the violation might seem to you, you must be held accountable. Therefore, you will serve six months Community Control Sanction; you must pay restitution to the filling station owner, and you will serve two hundred hours of community service at his place of business. Case closed,” he said with finality.

†

There is a real danger in rationalizing sins we deem as ‘SMALL’ or ‘INSIGNIFICANT’, by telling ourselves they are of no consequence. We believe that those sins should not meet the ineligibility terms God has set in place. And in that arrogant mindset we sentence ourselves to Hell. The fallacy of our own goodness, as well as the defendant’s reasoning in today’s story, is worthless.

Today’s text says if we have committed one sin we are guilty in God’s eyes. The first part of Romans 6:23 says the penalty for that sin is eternal death. But in the second part of verse 23 God provides the pardon for our sin through Jesus Christ!

We can lay claim to our own goodness; to which God will say, “You will be one of the best sinners in Hell,”or, we can lay claim to the perfect goodness of Jesus Christ and spend eternity with our Creator.

Prayer

“I choose to not be one of the best sinners in Hell, Lord. Please, forgive the sin in my life. Thank You, Jesus, for taking that judgment in my place. Amen.”