God grows the flower...

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." - Acts 3:16

My wife loves to plant flowers in the spring. She makes plans and arranges everything in her garden to look a certain way. She plants, fertilizes and faithfully waters the little guys. After a while our house looks like "Better Homes & Gardens". While Jayne does a lot of work and learns better gardening skills every year, the truth remains... God grows the flower.

When Peter spoke to the man crippled from birth, he jumped to his feet and walked. People came from all around to see the miracle. Did Peter call attention to himself or the Lord as the healer? Peter was given the privilege to plant seeds of faith in the Lord's garden, but... God grows the flower.

As you venture into the Lord's garden today, keep in mind that you are serving with the Master. You will be given opportunities to plant seeds of truth and faith, and people will be greatly blessed. Some lives may be dramatically changed and blossom in beautiful ways, but after you've diligently labored, remember... God grows the flower.

Cut to the Heart...

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”" - Acts 2:36-37 

I cut my finger. Yes, I wasn't being careful and with a slip of the hand a very well sharpened knife sliced right into the little digit. I always make sure that my knives are sharp as razors and when they are properly used they are great tools. But this time, with a misguided flex of muscle, the blade literally "cut to the bone".

When Peter spoke the Word of God in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, people responded. They were moved to conviction and knew a decision was needed. When the Scriptures are used with God empowered precision, they are "... living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword..." (Hebrews 4:12) With a well guided flex of the Spirit, the Word will literally "cut to the heart".

Paul counseled Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to do his best to rightly handle the Word of truth. Are you doing your best in the study of the Bible? Are you skilled in using it to bring truth to bear in your life and in the lives of others? Remember, the Word of God is a sharp tool of spiritual value, intended to "cut to the heart". 

Be "Pray-pared"...

"They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." - Acts 1:14

The first phrase I learned as a Scout was "Be Prepared". According to the Scout handbook, the idea is: "Be prepared for life - to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best." Big moments in life come without warning and it's too late to prepare. So, the best plan of action is to always "Be Prepared".

One of those big moments was coming for the disciples. They had been through so much over the previous months, but they still needed to get ready. They were instructed to wait for power from on high and they did just that. But, how did they wait? They joined together constantly in prayer. What were they praying for and why did they pray constantly? Above all other considerations, they joined together in prayer to "Be Prepared".

Is your prayer life just a matter of asking for the needs of the moment? Do you just "put out fires" through prayer? Or do you spend time seeking spiritual wisdom and strength "to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best."? The best plan of action is to "Be Pray-pared".

Love and Faithfulness...

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." - Proverbs 3:3-4

My wife's grandfather, William Carter, was a true man of God. He was a teacher and preacher of the Word and he was a respected business man in his community. He dreamed of going to the mission field and saved for years to make this possible. Then his business was washed out by the 1938 Hurricane and he used all the savings to rebuild, so the men who worked in his plant would have jobs to provide for their families. His mission field had come to him and he responded with love and faithfulness.

This passage gives wise counsel for practical daily living. If we will show these spiritual qualities in our actions and store them in our hearts, we will make a difference for Jesus wherever we are. Being a man or woman of God is not as much doing as it is being. Then we will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

On the day of William Carter's funeral, the better part of New Bedford, Massachusetts came to honor him. The lines went down the street, around the corner and out of sight. He never went to the mission field... because he stayed in his God-appointed mission field and made a difference for Jesus. How about you? Are you being a man or woman of God where you are today? Are you determined to show love and faithfulness to the mission field that God sends your way?

Integrity...

"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken." - Psalm 15

Our first car was a 1979 Dodge Aspen, with a 3.7 L slant six engine. That car ran like a top for over 100,000 miles because the engine was unbeatable. There was one problem; the body of the car rusted out underneath us. The quality of the engine was outstanding, but the quality of the body was substandard. It was all about integrity; the engine had it, but the body didn't.

The spiritual life is like a car... it's built to travel, not to sit in the garage. When the Lord saves us and seals us with the Holy Spirit, our future is secure, but our journey is just beginning. We become bodies that possess and are driven by a holy God. Psalm 15 is a guide book that will help produce a body of equal quality. It's all about integrity; the Lord of holiness and the life of holiness.

How do you begin each day? Do you have a plan of action that will keep your body from rusting out from underneath the Lord within? This Psalm provides a number of areas to evaluate on a daily basis. The promise is simple... "He who does these things will never be shaken". It's all about integrity!    

The "KEY"...

"He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." - Luke 24:44-45

Some years ago I purchased an audio set that promised to open a whole new world of foreign language. These lessons were supposed to be the key that would bring instant understanding with very little effort. Well, after some time I disposed of them because I couldn't find the promised "key" to instant understanding.

As Jesus shared with the disciples, he didn't offer them a set of audio lessons or any other academic program. He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. As a result, as time passed we read, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13) Jesus is the "key" to instant understanding.

Don't be afraid to open the pages of your Bible. Pray for understanding and read on. The Lord will give what you need and each day you will find new insight from him. Take the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation and look for the Lord on every page and you will find the "key" to instant understanding.

A real trip...

"Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”" - Luke 23:42-43

 In 1969 I worked in a computer office with a system that filled the room. It was complex and huge. Today, everyone in our family uses a touch-screen tablet, easy to work on and small enough to carry anywhere. Technology has come a long way to simplify things for the end user. Religion on the other hand has complicated matters of the soul continually throughout the centuries. Getting to heaven has become a real complex trip.

In the last hour of our Lord's earthly life he encountered a repentant criminal. In this exchange we discover the truth about forgiveness and eternity. The simplicity of "touching" Christ with a heart of faith opened the world of heaven without complexity. As a result of trusting Jesus, this man was transported to glory that day, and not a moment later. Getting to heaven was a real simple trip.

Walking with God in this life and into the next life has always been quite simple. Adding to the picture just makes things more confusing and less achievable. Jesus said, the life of faith is easy to live and small enough to carry anywhere; "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30) and at the end of the journey... getting to heaven will be a real quick trip.