“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden as its gardener, to tend and care for it.” Genesis 2:15 (TLB)
I didn’t used to like pulling weeds when I was a kid, because that’s all I was allowed to do, and it seemed like a waste of time. “They’ll just grow back,” I’d complain. When I got older and decided to try my hand at gardening, I began to understand weeds better. Mind you, I know almost nothing about gardening, but I have learned four things:
Before you can even plant a seed, you have to make a place for it. If you tuck a seed in the middle of a patch of weeds, it won’t stand a chance. Weeds won’t make room for seeds.
Seeds need sun, soil, and water. Simple. Except, weeds deplete the soil, hog all the water, and grow so fast that they quickly overgrow the seedlings and block out the sun. Weeds are greedy!
If a weed is left to grow, it will spread. Some have very shallow roots, but they self-seed when left to their own devices. And, some will shoot their roots down deep into the soil, or across the garden bed. Those weeds can become entangled with the delicate seedlings, and pulling or digging them out risks injury to the plants you are trying to grow. So, the sooner you address the weeds, the better. Don’t let them take root!
The best thing I’ve learned though, is that if you stay on top of the weeds, you won’t have to weed so often. Nip it in the bud!
SUCH IS THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE
We all have a “spiritual garden.” The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 talks about this. It is where things of God take root and grow—or where they fail to grow and die. One thing that causes spiritual seeds to die are spiritual weeds. We need to uproot these weeds as soon as possible! However, sometimes we don’t recognize them for what they are, or the damage they can do.
Some weeds are pretty: we mistake them for flowers. Instead of taking them out, we make a place for them. We water them.
Some spiritual weeds are so deeply rooted, we haven’t got the strength to pull them out. We clip away at the green parts when they start to show, and hope no one notices that the root is still intact.
Finally, some spiritual weeds are so discreet, they’re hidden amongst the fruitful vines and secretly choking away the life of the good things we’ve planted.
These spiritual weeds, you see, are those little sins we justify; our worldly beliefs that have compromised God’s truth. They are grudges and unforgiveness, and unbelief in the Word of God that leads to us interpreting scripture according to what suits our will. It’s rejecting biblical correction, and resisting the Lord’s command to surrender and obey. Instead of resisting Satan’s temptation, we yield to our flesh and choose what feels right. These are all weeds in our spiritual life that will eventually choke out the goodness of God. The Word of God tells us:
“Try me, O God, and know mine heart: prove me and know my thoughts, and consider if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way forever.” Psalm 139:23-24 (GNV)
If we will ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and shows us what needs to go in our life, He will show us. It’s God will for us to grow spiritually and thrive in our walk of faith. However, we have to tend our spiritual gardens. We have to stay alert and pluck those deadly weeds out as soon as possible. The Holy Spirit will be faithful to show us the things we need to change, stop, repent of, or surrender. Will we be faithful in obeying Him?
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)
Hello, Friends! Tomorrow Vice-President Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States. As I meditate on that today, my first thought is a question: How shall I pray for him? This is my short list.
10 Things to Pray for Joe
First and foremost, I pray Joe has an eternity-changing encounter with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. I pray he come to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. I pray he come to grow in his faith and knowledge of God, and desire to honor God in every choice he makes, every order he signs, and every position he takes.
I pray for his marriage. I pray his wife will be a source of love, comfort, mercy, and grace. I pray their days in the White House are a time of happiness and wellness for them and their family. I pray his wife will also come to know Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, and that she will support her husband in his spiritual growth.
I pray for his family. It seems his children have a lot of brokenness in their heart and spirit, so I pray for their healing. I pray they are delivered from addiction. I pray they find Jesus and all He has for them. (My Prayer for Hunter)
I pray for God’s hand of protection upon Joe and his loved ones.
I pray Joe lead our nation with wisdom, compassion, and conscience.
I pray he is surrounded by godly men and women in his Cabinet.
I pray Joe will be sure to protect the unborn, and respect the sanctity of life.
I pray he will be an even better friend to Israel than any former President.
I pray he will guard what is unique and precious and divine about our country.
In the end, this election is about one thing, and one thing only: Israel. While all these issues matter—and more besides—there is only one issue that comes with a promise from God to either bless or curse our nation. That “issue” is Israel. Our country’s support for Israel has distinguished our young nation from every other nation on the earth.
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3 (NKJV)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6 (NKJV)
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)
Only one candidate will continue to make the peace of Jerusalem a priority. Only one candidate loves the Jewish nation. Only one candidate is called by Jews “the best friend Israel has ever had.” That man will get my vote, because as much as it all matters, Israel is what it’s really all about for me. ❤️
P.S. Here is a very engaging and relevant teaching from Amir Tsarfati.
I think this pandemic is the most insidious thing anyone alive today has experienced.
Almost 200 countries have been invaded by an unknown and deadly enemy whose only objective seems to be to infect as many people as possible. It propels itself through the airwaves, where it can be inhaled by any unsuspecting passerby. The remaining droplets fall and settle, unseen and undying, lingering for many hours or several days—surface matters.
Then, once landed or inhaled, it is secretly transported from one victim to another. And, another. And, another.
On, and on, and on it travels, disguising itself as a common cold, or it simply remains hidden. Out of site. Undetectable. An otherwise perfectly healthy person has no idea they are carrying a time bomb, until it pulls its trigger. Within hours, its victim might be near death.
And, after a death as agonizing as one dares to imagine, it continues to multiply, feeding off its dead host.
If there has ever been any illness or disease with a character more like Satan, I haven’t heard of it. All disease is evil, and a result of evil, but no other disease is as insidious as this virus.
IS ANYTHING WORSE?
There is something worse. It is a sin that works in the heart, mind, and spirit, bringing nothing but death, if allowed to go unchecked.
It is like a spiritual virus, a sin far more dangerous than lust, greed, or hate.
It is spiritually insidious.
It invades our spirit, soul, and body, a deadly enemy whose only objective is our death.
It propels itself through the airwaves, Satan’s domain. It travels on the heels of the unknowing, through innocent words or deeds. The unsuspecting and unperceptive are easily caught in its trap, and quickly absorb its poison. It can affect anyone, of any demographic, potentially lingering forever in the willing.
On, and on, and on it travels, disguising itself as a knowledge or maturity, or it simply remains hidden. Out of site. Undetectable. Indiscernible. An otherwise spiritually sound person has no idea they are carrying a time bomb, until it pulls its trigger. Within hours, its victim might be near spiritual death.
And, after a spiritual death as agonizing as one dares to imagine, it continues to multiply, feeding off its dead host.
THERE IS NO CURE
It’s hard to accept, but there is no cure for this sin-virus. It’s hapless victims can only prepare for death.
A daily death.
Daily denying the flesh; dying to self; and finding new life in Christ. That is, life everlasting.
That is the only treatment. The only hope for Pride’s victim. Not a cure, but a daily application of the identity of Christ: a daily choice to live in Him.
One of the churches that supports us as missionaries asked The Saxophone Player, my husband, to record a ministry update and saxophone solo. I thought you might like to hear his solo.
This is not a sermon, and not really a teaching. It’s almost a book review, a chapter-by-chapter survey. I thought it was great. Plus, it’s a book that comes with a blessing!
“Blessedishe who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; forthe timeisnear.” Revelation 1:3 (NKJV)
“Revelation,” from Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel.
I know there are a lot of men and women struggling with sin in their lives right now. You are doing everything you know to do, being as faithful to God as you can be, yet there is a struggle inside you for freedom. Something keeps pulling you back into bondage.
Well, if you are willing to give some time to listen—and, you really do need to stop and pay attention, because he packs a lot into every minute—I want to encourage you to check out The Saxophone Player’s video series called Living This Out. He is posting videos about once a week, but you should probably subscribe and turn on the little bell, so you get notifications of his updates. You really don’t want to miss these teachings.
This is his most recent video:
Here is a link to the whole series. Be sure to subscribe and click the bell icon by the subscribe button, if you don’t want to miss a teaching. LIVING THIS OUT!
Friend, you really can walk in freedom and peace.
God bless you today. ❤
Have we made God into an image that suits us? Have we have brought Him down to our level, and made Him someone we can understand? Someone whose thoughts and ways are like our thoughts and ways?
I don’t think we aren’t seeking God, but I think we’re impatient with Him. Instead of being willing to wait for His answer or for His will to manifest, we move forward based only on our assumption that our happiness, good intentions, and/or success matter. Without waiting on Him, we step out in what feels like faith, but is more like wishful thinking. Our ways have become what we call His ways. Whatever seems right to us. We’ve become the judge, which means we have placed our seat on His throne.
Consequently, we fall into compromise. We embrace false doctrine and reject truth outright. We have to, because our lives no longer line-up with His Word. Therefore, we must reinterpret His Word. It’s a dance. We juggle the truth and play games with it. As long as we believe Jesus is Savior, we’re all set. We have given ourselves permission to be as carnal a Christian as we want. Of course, we don’t say that out loud, but our lives are the proof. How we live does not reflect a respect for God, or a fear of the consequences of disobedience.
You see, the god we have created not only receives us as we are, but never require we change. We’ve devised a religion that requires no faith, no consecration, and no death. We haven’t forgotten about righteousness, but we’ve redefined it.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14)
The God of the Old Testament has not changed, and He never will. He required great things of those Saints of old, yet we expect Him to be satisfied with our measly “sacrifices” today. We give Him our “extra” time. We yawn and watch the clock. We decide how much we serve according to what we’re already doing, not according to how much there is to be done. We give more time to entertainment, than we do to knowing Him. There is more Eastern idolatry on Christian’s Facebook pages, than the Word of God. What’s that about, folks? We feast on witchcraft, violence, perversion, and anti-Christ indoctrination under the the label of entertainment. We laugh at things that should make us jump up and run out of the room. Why do we want to be a part of glorifying that which nailed our Savior to the Cross?
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
Friends, the days are getting short. Christ is coming soon. That is not an inevitability that we just wait to arrive. I hear some say, “Why think about it? Why preach about it? It’s going to happen anyway.” If that is how we think, we are missing the point. Paul described this Christian life as a race to finish (2 Timothy 4:7). What athlete enters a race unprepared to finish? He doesn’t amble around aimlessly, straying off course and unconcerned about whether or not he reaches the end. He knows that finishing isn’t inevitable, but a byproduct of running the course to its end. Well, Eternity is a deadline we are supposed to prepare for, and daily be working towards achieving. We know we’ll be with Jesus, but are we running the course He set before us? That’s a willful choice we have to make everyday. We can’t run just any race and say it counts.
So, what’s a sincere Believer to do? What we should be doing every day: repenting and asking for the Holy Spirit to help us; reading God’s Word and praying. Simple. Simple obedience. We must stay the course He set before us, and pursue righteousness as we have been called to do—picking ourselves up as many times as needed along the way, staying in fellowship with the Body of Christ, and equipping ourselves daily. An end is coming, sooner than later. Let’s meet at the Finish Line.
The Saxophone Player's Wife 