I am posting later than usual today because I had routine medical procedure earlier today that made me think about the parable of the sower and the seed.
Matthew 13:3-8 (NIV) - Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Jesus then explains the meaning of the parable.
Matthew 3:18-23 (NIV) - "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
I am happy to say that the preliminary results of my procedure have the medical staff and myself confident in the final outcome.
Having faith beforehand is a tremendous advantage.
Many times over the years I have encountered people who received bad news from their doctor requiring follow up testing.
In their newfound distress they recognize that their relationship with God is not what it should be.
Often times, a beneficial change begins to take place.
This happens when they begin to have a relationship with God.
Some receive good news that their physical health is not in the jeopardy they originally believed it was.
Sadly, this good news for their physical health proves detrimental for their spiritual health.
Once the fear and dread that drove them to God has been removed, many quickly revert to their original spiritual condition and no longer feeling a need for a relationship with God.
This is extremely unfortunate because sooner or later we all face the reality that our days on earth are limited.
For those that have not established a relationship with God the time to do so is now.
Those of us who have entered into a relationship with Him seek to do His will.
In spite of difficulties, in spite of setbacks we seek to do His will as He has revealed it to us.
Obeying that will means believing He will continue to be with us even when the road becomes difficult.
Those that believe God, stay the course and trust the outcome to Him.
Even if the outcome is not exactly the one we would have hoped for ourselves.
No matter what, those that have such a relationship simply believe God.
Believing in God is one thing,
Believing God is another.
Believing in God is a beginning of a journey.
Believing God is the journey.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 10, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, August 3, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Prayer and the Election
In a few months, Americans will go to the polls to vote for President of the United States.
Until then, discussions regarding who will lead the nation during the next four years will likely be very polarizing.
Such discussions tend to take on a "we versus they" overtone.
I am convinced that as the election draws nearer the nature of these discussions will become even more heated and the election itself could prove to be more divisive rather than decisive.
I will neither use this platform to tell you whom I will vote for, nor will I use it to tell you whom you should vote for.
I will use it to tell you that you that prayer should be incorporated before and after the election.
First. prayerfully consider how you will cast your vote.
God has blessed America and its citizens with rights that citizens of some nations only dream of having.
Exercising the right to vote is a form of stewardship.
That means the preparation and reasoning that goes into whom you choose to vote for is very important.
In the time between today and election day, prayerfully ask God for wisdom in making your choice and thank Him for having the right to vote.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Whether your candidate wins or loses, remember that God is ultimately still in charge.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Finally, no matter which of the candidates wins the election, all Christians have a moral obligation to respect the office and the person who holds it.
Romans 13:1 (NIV) - Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Christians also have a moral obligation to pray for their leaders whether they voted for them or not,
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Pray that the President is given sound advice on which he will make difficult decisions.
Pray that the President has the courage to make those difficult decisions.
Pray for his health and well being.
Remember that the job of President is difficult, stressful and often times thankless.
After the election, there are bound to hard feelings between the supporters of each candidate.
Remember that, as a nation, we are stronger when united than we are when we are divided.
There is real hope for healing the scars of division.
It is no surprise that this hope also lies in prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 20, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, July 27, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.
Until then, discussions regarding who will lead the nation during the next four years will likely be very polarizing.
Such discussions tend to take on a "we versus they" overtone.
I am convinced that as the election draws nearer the nature of these discussions will become even more heated and the election itself could prove to be more divisive rather than decisive.
I will neither use this platform to tell you whom I will vote for, nor will I use it to tell you whom you should vote for.
I will use it to tell you that you that prayer should be incorporated before and after the election.
First. prayerfully consider how you will cast your vote.
God has blessed America and its citizens with rights that citizens of some nations only dream of having.
Exercising the right to vote is a form of stewardship.
That means the preparation and reasoning that goes into whom you choose to vote for is very important.
In the time between today and election day, prayerfully ask God for wisdom in making your choice and thank Him for having the right to vote.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Whether your candidate wins or loses, remember that God is ultimately still in charge.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Finally, no matter which of the candidates wins the election, all Christians have a moral obligation to respect the office and the person who holds it.
Romans 13:1 (NIV) - Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Christians also have a moral obligation to pray for their leaders whether they voted for them or not,
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Pray that the President is given sound advice on which he will make difficult decisions.
Pray that the President has the courage to make those difficult decisions.
Pray for his health and well being.
Remember that the job of President is difficult, stressful and often times thankless.
After the election, there are bound to hard feelings between the supporters of each candidate.
Remember that, as a nation, we are stronger when united than we are when we are divided.
There is real hope for healing the scars of division.
It is no surprise that this hope also lies in prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 20, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, July 27, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.
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