THE SIXTH MAN ... IN THE GARDEN

I am sure every NBA player would like to be a starter, everyone would like to be on the 1st team...and for sure everyone wants to get into the game. I suppose that in the course of every players career they will get the opportunity to start at least once. I am certain though that every player even the most regular starters will spend some time on the bench.

This thought occured to me about the "sixth man" or the super sub. Even though this guy doesn't start his head is IN the game, his thoughts are disciplined. He isn't sitting there
with a crummy, egostical, mumbling and complaining attitude. If he does "cop a tude" he won't stay in the game long if he gets in at all.

We need to remember that Jesus is always the All Star and we as His body support Him. We have to keep our hearts in the Kingdom and our eyes on the prize....being conformed to image of the Son of God. We can't allow ourselves to become distracted by the cares of this life, riches or fame, self pity or the many other things we could be tempted with.

Will you be ready the next time the Father looks down the bench and points at you?

I'm sure you can be. His grace is sufficient for you and His mercy endures forever.

SELAH

GARDENING

SOIL AND SEEDS

Jesus described 4 different soil conditions.
~No soil, just rock hard.
~Shallow soil with no depth. Stony and hard.
~Soil with enough depth but full of thorns and weeds.
~Good ground ... No weeds, sticks, stones or thorns.

Each of these examples represent different conditions of heart and soul.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
[Je 4:3] For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
[Ho 10:12] Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

It seems that much of the time we are waiting on God or wanting God to do something about the condition of our hearts and minds. These verses and others (Rom. 12:1&2, James 1:21) point out that the condition of the soil of our hearts and the seed sown in them is our responsibility. It's up to you and I to break up the fallow (unused) ground and to get rid of the weeds and debris and sow good seed. The Holy Spirit is always here to help us. The Blood of Jesus, the promises of God, His grace and mercy are always available ... But it's up to us to use what Jesus has made available.

Happy gardening!

SELAH

SEED ... TIME AND HARVEST

Jesus said the Kingdom was like a man planting seed in the ground and then waiting until the harvest was ripe before picking the fruit.

Have you ever tried to pick a blackberry before it was ripe? Probably the fruit was ruined, a mess was created and if you did succeed in getting anything to eat you wished you hadn't when you tasted it.

Be patient your harvest will come, and there are not many things better tasting than a ripe blackberry.

My Pastor used to say, "God is more than enough and He is never late".

Wait on the Lord, give your seed time to grow.

Timing is everything.

SELAH

Some Definitions

These are definitions for our look at Mark 4.

- Seeds = words
- Words = thoughts exspressed
- Soil = heart of man
- Heart = spirit and mind
- Let him hear = understanding

Be blessed as you meditate the Word of God.

SELAH

AN ASSIGNMENT

Please read Mark chapter 4. The Lord willing the next posts will revolve around thoughts from those verses. Read the chapter a few times and think about it.

Be Blessed

SELAH

GO YE

[Mk 16:15] And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Today as I am flying I am considering my "world", what it is and how am I touching it with the "good news"?

First I am aware that my world has changed and is continuing to change. Two years ago my world was that of a "full time minister" / missionary. Today my world is that of a full time minister / believer / Christian among building inspectors, city officials, sub- contractors and home buyers. At this specific time I am one of about 50 passengers on a small jet.

I find myself challenged to believe God for more and more "doors of utterance", windows of opportunity to share the Gospel and the life and love of God with those I come in contact with. It doesn't seem practical at the moment to stand and preach, but as I asked the Lord I was prompted to pray for the salvation and blessing of those around me. I may not be the one to deliver the "word of the Lord" to my fellow passengers but I can make mention of them before the Father in the Name of Jesus. I am reminded that as our High Priest Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us and He is our example in all things .... Amen.

Go touch your world today, let the Holy Spirit guide you and be a blessing.

SELAH

OH YEAH

Hey everyone ... long time.

I am looking out my window at the trees and creatures in them all wrapped in the morning sun, and I am thinkng LIFE IS GOOD!

Life is good because of my wife, my sons and their families, and good friends. I'm breathing, I'm in pretty good health ( for someone that can use the honored citizen menu now), its a new day with new possibilities.

Life is good and getting better. I am sure the most significant reason is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in my life. He has set me free to really and truly live life more and more abundantly. There really is no limit to what He and I or you and He can accomplish, the possibilities are endless and the plans He has for us are so awesome. I can say from experience that the Lord will take you to places you maybe haven't even thought of as yet. He is able and willing to do "more than we can ask or think" Eph. 3:20.

Think BIG. Today is a great day and tomorrow will be even better.

SELAH