Friday, June 24, 2011

Matthew 13:31–33

"Here is another illustration Jesus used: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.'
Jesus also used this illustration: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.'"
 
 
When God comes in, things start small but end up making a huge impact. When God works, it permeates everything and changes everything. When God comes in, it changes the very nature of something. Yeast is what makes bread what it is. Yeast makes bread rise and become edible. Let God do his full work in and through you; the results will be astounding! But be prepared for him to change you completely. When God comes in, he changes the furniture; it's a complete makeover.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Matthew 13:27–30

"The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?'
'An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed.
'Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked.
'No,' he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.'"
 
 
Do you wonder why God allows his people to live and suffer along with the wicked? Here's the answer: because he doesn't want to destroy us (the wheat). It's his compassion that leads to his patience. Now is the time for us to live among the weeds. Yes, they choke us. They make it difficult to be fruitful. But God has a plan, and he knows just how and when to do the sorting. We must allow his patience and compassion to become ours as well.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Proverbs 3:11-12

"My child, don't reject the LORD's discipline,
   and don't be upset when he corrects you.
For the LORD corrects those he loves,
   just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."
 
If you're going through a difficult time, it could be the Lord disciplining you. Ask God to show you the lessons in your trials. He wants to grow you into a strong person, a person like Jesus. He will correct your course on that journey, and sometimes that hurts. That's okay! Don't be discouraged. Know that God does everything in your life out of his love for you. Learn the lessons! God won't discipline you when it's no longer necessary.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Psalm 18:1–3

"I love you, LORD;
  you are my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
  my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
  and my place of safety.
I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
  and he saved me from my enemies."
 
 
In uncertain times, what a comfort and strength these verses are! Meditate on the images of God here: rock, fortress, savior, shield, the power that saves you, and place of safety. Call on this God today to rescue you from anything or anyone that oppresses you.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Genesis 35:22b-23

"These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob: The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob's oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
 
Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, who was the son not of Rachel, the loved, but of Leah, whom Jacob did not love. Leah had six out of the twelve sons born from Jacob's four wives. God vindicates and has mercy on the less fortunate; it has been so from the beginning.