Unready Sept.26

 

 

            Heavenly Father’s kingdom bears its own fruit because it joins the proper soil. In a sense, as we are made originally from dirt, we become the soil. We get established; we become plowed anew, enriched, and readied for the seed of the kingdom. For followers of Christ, our Savior, gives the life energy to grow the fruit, but we must be ready to become the proper seed. If we rebel, we grow weeds that take place in the good soil. Weeds wither and die. Only the kingdom-type plants endure to move on to the next harvest growth.

 

            Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is scary being the soil and knowing we get plowed up but give us courage to accept the right seed.

 

What Control? Sept.25

 

            When Jesus walked with his twelve disciples and ate grain from the stalks in the field, he got challenged by man’s law “to not gather grain” on the Sabbath. Soon he posed the question: “Was man made for the Sabbath or the Sabbath made for man?” One way to think about this, in other words, was a person made for the environment or the environment made for a person? 

            Be aware that your circumstances do not control you, but you control your circumstances. You have lasting decisions to make. Your job, friends, family or even your cultural changes should not overrun you.

 

           Prayer: Lord, help me make your clear, decision-making concerns every aspect of daily living.

 

The Small Effort Sept.23

       

 

       Every little gem of wisdom scripture passes on to you comes from heavenly Father and exists like a drop of fresh water to parched lips of the soul. Share all you can as often as you can. Today, especially, be faithful in the small things of the kingdom: encourage the downhearted, give a compliment, help someone smile. Your effort takes no more energy to be kind than to be rude or harsh.

 

         Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me to treat others with your compassion, as I would want to be treated.             

 

The Gift of Time Sept. 22

 

To you who follow, remember, rather than almighty, heavenly Father giving up on you, He gave part of himself{Jesus} for you.

 

    Prayer: Lord, I don’t always understand how your great love works. I am trying to learn the rhythm of your universe, and I thank you for your Son, your name, for your giving-sacrifice.

 

Confused Values Sept. 21

 

           

            As a struggling follower of Jesus, we seem to be a country trying to entertain our way into prosperity, war our way into peace, spend our way to wealth, and ride a road prepared by pleasure into heaven.

            But God’s word reminds us prosperity does not come through lies{artificial endeavor}. War remains only war. Spending more only works if it’s a gift of a Christ-generated Self. Only enjoying our way to heaven may mean we are missing the struggles that are opportunities to spiritually grow. We grow more through the challenges, and then we may rest in Christ. Still, we may choose! God’s Grace provides any path!

 

            Prayer: Lord, sometimes, challenges seem too much, but help us see the growth in all of them to go beyond circumstances as you still hold our hand!

       

Trade Feelings Sept. 19

 

                You may need stronger reason to combat some emotions. You must learn to trade the bad emotion for a better one. For instance, practice conscious effort and say to yourself, ’I’ll trade my anger for love.’ Let the emotional and chemical quality of righteous love help neutralize and renegotiate anger. For the follower of Jesus, the Lord, will help turn negative anger into the energy of redeeming love. Pray now and daily make the trade.

                Prayer: Lord, help me know your love in practical ways and to be willing to trade any negative feeling for your unselfish love.

The Right Kingdom Sept.18

    Scripture has revealed specifically there are qualities of human nature that can belong to the kingdom of heavenly Father. You must become poor in spirit. Poor in spirit means to renounce your self-will and turn to Jesus, God’s only Son. You must enter a realm as a child. You are to remain childlike with trust and faith in One bigger than you are. You will learn to place your discomfort with Christ. You can be willing to endure certain suffering because those times offer unseen opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work. You become a part of heavenly kingdom. As you possess the kingdom, the kingdom possesses you!

 

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me remember the Kingdom is operating now and not just in the future.