Lessons From The Garden

A little over 7 years ago we moved to a different acreage and started a garden. The plant in the picture grew near one of our tomato cages and produced beautiful flowers.

Life got a little busy and I didn’t get out as often to handle the cultivating and weeding. When I did return this plant had literally taken over. Almost all of my tomato cages (close to 100) were covered.

I spent hours removing what I originally thought was a beautiful flower. Instead, I was a fast growing weed, that stole my time and choked out what some of the fruit from my garden.

What a great comparison to sin in our lives. Sin presents as a flower when in reality, it is a weed that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy you and the work of your hands.

The best approach is to pull these “weeds” when they are early and small to limit spread and damage. It has been 7 years and each year I see the plant less and less, but I still see it.

It still tries to make a come back, not unlike the sin in our life. It is relentless on this side of life.

We must stand firm and fix our eyes on Christ and walk in the work that has been prepared for us, not letting sin take deep root.

#mpwarrior

#sinandweeds

#gardenlessons

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Flesh Or Spirit

WARNING: Conviction and growth may result.

Have you ever stopped and examined your own life patterns and behavior? Have you pondered and been honest about your real intent behind these actions?

Generally speaking most of us don’t. We might run at a frenetic pace and crash hard or on the opposite end, we might be lethargic and unmotivated. In either case, we tend not to examine our own tendencies.

A great flag to see where our hearts are at is to simply look at our calendar and bank account. Where are we spending two of our greatest resources?.

Is your money and time going to adorn yourself or meet the needs of your neighbor? In a time when people are now jobless, high-risk for travel, and scared, are you assisting them in any way?

Let me interject and say this is not attempt to guilt you into serving or giving. It is a wake up call for you to move toward joy.

When we truly set our minds on walking in spirit and in truth, we take our eyes off of ourselves and see the needs around us. When we give our hearts are in line with their purpose and joy results.

Ask God to show you who can you help today? Then help them. (Simple, right?)

#mpwarrior

#setyourmindonthethingsofthespirit

#walkinspiritandintruth

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Make It Permanent

I work with hundreds of people over the course of a year who want to stop doing something their flesh wants to do.

Paul refers to putting on Christ like clothing. It’s as if he is a covering and also clearly shows who we are.

Furthermore, he urges us to “make no provision for the flesh”. This is the area I see more than any other that leads to failure.

Our flesh loves to leave breadcrumbs back to sin just in case we might need to be satisfied with a false comforter. (never)

We have to be diligent in making no provision for the flesh. I’ve heard some refer to it as radical amputation.

Whatever is causing you to stumble get rid of it and set a PERMANENT preventative measure in place that keeps you from it.

Solicit the help of Christian family to keep you focused on your mission and prevent these entanglements. Let them be the keeper of passwords.

Get serious about your integrity. Take that step today and dial your focus into the work He has prepared for you!

#mpwarrior

#radicalamputation

#makenoprovisionfortheflesh

Don’t Be Content With Your Blindspots

As hard as we try, there are still errors in our thinking that escape our attention. We certainly can pray to our Father In Heaven and ask for His acquittal.

We can also surround ourselves with quality brothers or sisters in Christ that can help us see our blind spots.

For this to be effective, we must be willing to give permission for them to speak truth into our lives. We also need to be willing to receive that truth and take action for any lasting change to result.

We need God above all else and we need friends who continually point us to Him.

Are you taking time with God in His word and in prayer daily?

Do you have friends, who you trust, that speak hard truth into your life?

#MPWarrior

#closetogod

#speakandreceivetruth

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You Are Not Alone

We are facing giants each day, some external and some internal. They appear in the surface to be bigger, stronger, and faster than we are.

We could have cause to fear if we were trying to battle alone. The child of God is never alone. God goes before His children as a consuming fire. The battle belongs to Him!

When the giant seems large, we must remember the times when God delivered us from our previous giants. It is He who gives the victory and He is faithful!

David grabbed 5 stones while trusting he only needed 1. He knew there is no end to the giants on this side of life. Those other 4 stones would be needed at some point.

We, too, should expect giants and not be caught off guard or complain when we face them. For the Lord will deliver them into our hands; every last one of them.

Let us encourage one another as we face our giants together!

#MPWarrior

#facinggiants

#thebattlebelongstothelord

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There comes a point n every Christian’s life where they have to examine themselves and see what their true desires are. Are they desiring to walk in the light or darkness?

We will find that the opportunity to do good and evil exists in each of us.

We are not victims of our minds. We can consciously make a decision that following Jesus is better than whatever sin tempts us.

Through it all, our only hope is Jesus. We walk in the light, imperfect. The longer we walk there, the more cleansing takes places.

#MPWarrior

#WakInTheLight

#HopeInJesusNotYourAbility

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We made it through all of the airport checkpoints and walked out the door to find our driver who was supposed to meet us. As we crossed the threshold, the reality we were not at home was very clear.

We heard several people speaking but couldn’t understand what they were saying. It seemed they all wanted us to go with them. I had to listen closely and finally heard someone call me by name.

I enjoyed my trip immensely minus a couple of scary times when our bus was stopped by police and the driver had to pay them off to let us pass. Again, I was reminded that we are not at home.

When we surrender our lives to follow Christ, our eyes are opened and we begin to realize that we are on mission here, but our home is in heaven with God. There are many things for our flesh to enjoy that try coerce us to go with them.

We must listen closely for the voice of God. His word tells us clearly that We are to abstain from the fleshly lusts of this world, keep our eyes fixed on Christ, and put our hands to the work He has prepared for us.

We must not get bogged down with satisfying the flesh and lose site of our mission (Matthew 28:18-20).

Take time daily to thank God for rescuing you, set your mind on your mission, and then take action to fulfill it. The more we focus on carrying out our mission, the less we find ourselves tangled in the lusts available to us here.

#MPWarrior

#ChristAndMissionFocus

#WeAreNotHomeYet

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Read 2 Samuel 11. 

This chapter comes right after some of David’s mighty victories.  There are two things in this story that help us understand the breeding ground of sin.  The first is captured in the opening verse:

“Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.”

~ ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Did you catch it? At the time when the kings go out to battle David stayed at Jerusalem.  There are times when we are tired, want to give up, and yet there is a mission we are on and a specific vision for our lives. We must not withdraw from that mission, lest we put ourselves at risk of idleness and sin.  Said another way, if our focus wanders from Christ and we stop even for a moment living His mission, and we remove ourselves from active duty, and we have lost the battle already.  We must keep fighting the good fight taking rest in the Lord only along the way.  

By the time we get to verse 4 David has already committed adultery in his heart as well as physically.  The other sad part of this is that the men working with the king willingly participate in helping him carry this out.  It’s not until Nathan challenges him, that he sees the sin that has overtaken him.  Could not any of these men appealed to David’s heart or had David closed his heart to them?

Reflection

So what can we take away?

We must remained focused on the mission with eyes fixed on Christ

We must be connected with others that will hold us accountable and advise us from God’s word.  (Yes this implies we must trust, be humble and vulnerable)

We must also be ready to confess and repent for when we forget these truths.  

Prayer

Father You have searched and known our hearts. For we are capable of much evil.  Help fix our eyes on Jesus and equip us to live out the mission you have for us.  Surround us with godly brothers and sisters in Christ that will speak truth into our hearts even when it hurts and prepare our hearts to receive that truth.  Thank you LORD for Your great love with which You love us through Christ, Amen!

When God promises something,  His intent is our abundance. When Satan promises, it is with an intent to steal, kill, and destroy.  

I apologize for the stark image, but satan’s method could be compared to a gift wrapped turd.  The package on the outside looks alluring and very satisfying.  When the box is opened the room is immediately filled with the invasive stench which cannot be put back in the box.  It has stolen away even the freshness of the air.  

Only God can clean such messes and odors. Even if you have opened a thousand of these “gifts” from satan, God can redeem and heal. His salvation is available through putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross. You will have the opportunity to love a life of abundance!

Reflection

Where in your life do you see satan trying to steal, kill, and destroy?

When you focus your eyes on Christ and are satisfied in Him, there is no need for satan’s gifts which don’t satisfy anyway. 

Prayer

Father, we have all been deceived into desiring something against your design for us.  Give us eyes to see you and ears to hear your word and truth.  Help us in our unbelief that we may be fully satisfied in Jesus, Amen!

So what does scripture tell us we are to do?

Be Alert and on Guard We shouldn’t be surprised.  We know how the enemy works.  We can see evidences of his hand all around us.  It’s not a matter of if he will attack, it’s simply when he will.  Expect it and be ready.  

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” ~ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13

Stand Firm, Submit and Resist Him.  Submitting doesn’t come naturally.  It is an act of faith.   

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” ~ ‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Standing firm implies a solid ground to stand on.  What is more solid than our faith in Jesus?  It is an immovable  rock and a foundation that bring peace, power and rest in the midst of the toughest trials.  Let’s not forget there is the work of resisting.  In the Holy Spirit’s power, we are able to resist ever attack. 

Watch him flee. These attacks do come with suffering, but it is temporary, purpose-filled and  in it and comes with the promise of His reward.  

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ~  ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:10 NASB

Be Courageous – The LORD is With You.  The presence of the LORD is powerful and priceless!  For He has promised never to leave or forsake us.  What a blessing!  What strength!  Day after day He is with us leading us on.  For no one can stand in His presence. 

‭“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Reflection

Which of the actions above do you struggle with the most?

Where are you most vulnerable to attack?

What are you doing about that?   

Are you justifying or submitting to God?

Prayer

Holy Father, we know You have the power to crush the enemy under our feet.  You are our rock and our fortress in You we will trust!  Equip us and gives us the courage to be on guard. You go before us as a consuming fire.   May Your will be done in Jesus’ name, Amen!