Fire up the mower... It's Springtime

Ok, so it's official... My grass did not die over the winter!!! Much like a hibernating bear, it is content to lie dormant for months at a time without causing the slightest disturbance, then BAM, it rises from it's slumber and sets out to make up for lost time.

As much as I hate the thought of mowing the grass, I 'LOVE' the smell of the first spring mowing, don't you? I had my windows down on the way to my dad's house Friday afternoon when I caught the first whiff of freshly cut grass. It was 72 degrees outside and the sunshine combined with the newly released aroma was almost enough to convince me that I had found paradise. I love Spring!

This week, I watched the Bradford Pears bloom and saw the daffodils popping up along the sides of the interstate, but as I was enjoying the first days of Spring, my mind kept going back to one thing... Easter. He is risen!


I don't think it's a coincidence that Easter falls in the Spring. Jesus had died and left his family, friends, and followers reeling in the wake of his brutal murder. They were disappointed. They expected a coronation, not a crucifixion. But they had seen it with their own eyes. He was dead. All hope was lost. All their confidence was crushed. They believed, but they must have been wrong. Then, all of a sudden, on the third day, their despair turned into delight and their overshadowing fear was replaced with outrageous faith when they heard the words of the angel, "fear not, for he is risen".

Could it be true? Was there still a chance that he really was God's son? The Messiah? The King? Yes! The Resurrection proved once and for all that he was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The winter was dark and cold, but when life came bursting forth on that beautiful spring morning, hope was born again. All the hope this world will ever need was released when the angel rolled the stone away to show the world that Jesus was alive.

Falling leaves are no indication that the tree is dead. The grass may not have grown for months, but don't put your lawn mower on ebay just yet. Hope may seem dim, but it's not lost.It's as real as the resurrection! Jesus is alive and death has forever been defeated by our conquering King! Praise his name forever... He is risen!

THE HOUSE OF MOURNING

Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

I had the honor and privilege to attend the funeral of a great man of God today. That man is Dr. Lee Roberson. Dr. Roberson had a profound impact upon my life. I attended Tennessee Temple Elementary and High School, both of which were founded by him. I was blessed to sit under his preaching many times as a young boy and as an adult. I remember one occasion as a young boy getting Dr. Lee to sign my Bible after hearing him preach a sermon at the Highland Park Baptist Church. I remember in recent years hearing him preach and even running into him at local restaurants. He was a man of God and I am grateful that he left such a powerful legacy behind for young preachers like myself to follow.

Looking back at this verse in Ecclesiastes 7:2, I wonder why it is better to go to the house of mourning than to a party? I think we would all agree that we would personally prefer to be at a party than a wake. I would much rather have gone to a meeting today to hear Dr. Roberson preach, than to have attended his funeral. Funerals are depressing. They are morbid by nature. They do not make it onto our new years resolution lists. How many of us have ever made a new years resolution that says, " I'd like to attend more funerals this year"? Hopefully, none of us would ever say that. But this verse tells us that it is beneficial to spend time at the funeral home. I believe there are many reasons for this, but I simply want to point out a few.

1. It is beneficial because of our FRAILTY.

We need to be reminded that we are not promised tomorrow. We have the tendency to assume the best about our future. We'd all like to think that we have all the time in the world when, the truth is, we could be gone in just a few moments. The verse tells us, "that is the end of all men". We are all going to die, most sooner than later. We are not promised tomorrow. Death has a way of pulling our masks off. We like to parade around as if life were some cosmic Halloween party where we all have to dress up and pretend to be our favorite superhero. We like to think we are invincible, but all men cower in the presence of death. We may know we are going to a better place, but we still are not looking for the fastest way there. Death reminds us that we are weak and frail. Apart from the grace of God and his resurrection power we would be destined for and to an eternity of death. It is because of Jesus that we have the promise of eternal life and the resurrection from the dead.

2. It is beneficial because of our FOCUS.

We all fall short when it comes to our focus. We are told in God's word to live for eternity, yet we act as if the here and now is all that matters. We seek after the things of this world at a frantic pace and treat the eternal things of God as if they were secondary... ordinary. We must stay focused on the life that never ends. Life on earth is a vapour. It's here and then gone. We are going to live somewhere forever and ever and ever. Does it not make better sense to focus on the greatest investment for our time, efforts, and affections? The text says, "the living will lay it to his heart". As I sat in my pew today I was reminded of my frailty and challenged to focus on what really matters. As good of a preacher as Dr. Lee was while he was alive, his corpse preached the most provocative sermon ever expounded to the human heart. I listened to one of his audio sermons online tonight entitled "Get right with God" and it was masterful, but he spoke far more to me in his death than he ever did in life. It was a divine object lesson. We all die! It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgement. We die once... but we live forever. We should live a focused life, not a morbid life, but a focused life that is constantly aware of the possibility of death and constantly preparing for the life after death.

3. It is beneficial because of our FUTURE.

We are reminded of our frailty and our focus is corrected for one reason. So that we can do something about it. Knowledge without action is useless! We must not leave the graveside the same way that we arrived. God spoke to my heart today about the importance of giving my all for the cause of Christ. I was challenged by Dr. Lee Roberson's passion, vision, dedication, faithfulness, holiness, boldness, faith, compassion, and his ardent love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that one day I will be the one in the casket and I want to be remembered as one who lived for something greater than himself. I want my life to bring glory to God. That is the only thing worth living for, HIS GLORY. I want every second of my life, today and tomorrow, to exclaim HIS worth. I may have a day or I may live to be 97 like Dr. Roberson, but I plan to live every day I'm given in his service.

Lord, You are God alone. You alone deserve my praise. You are the only thing worth living for. You sometimes have to shake our very foundations to wake us up and remind us that You are everything and we are nothing. Father, in the precious name of Jesus, I ask you to continue and finish this work that you have started in me. I am not satisfied with where I am. Take me, break me, mold me, and make me, I want to do your will, oh, God. Thank you for loving me, saving me, and keeping me. You are everything to me.

A FRIENDLY REMINDER

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

There is no shortage of people who think they are getting one over on God. Most would not come out and say as much, but our actions always speak louder than our words.

Some people think they are mocking God by not believing in Him, trying to disprove His existence, or belittling His Word. They are not mocking God, they are simply making fools of themselves. God and His Word have stood the test of truth and time. They have been tried and found sweet, tested and found strong, touted and found sure. For thousands of years men and women have found comfort in their Creator's warmth and wisdom. What can His detractors boast?
An opinion? We all have one and it is subject to change daily.
An observation? What new insight is there to disprove or discredit God?
An odium? Bitterness and hatred hardly warrant a fair handling of any subject.

I tend to agree with the Apostle Paul when he said, "let God be true and every man a liar". I do not feel I am even worthy of falling under God's mercy, much less of attempting to place Him at mine!!! It takes a boatload of arrogance to place ones self in the position of judge and jury over GOD!!! He is not mocked. He is just as much God now as he was before anyone was here to question his existence, and he will be as much God long after His last critic passes from the scene.

I honestly have no understanding or sympathy for those who mock God so blatantly, but there is another way we try to mock God. We may never have the gall to shake a fist at the sky and say there is no God, but how many of us live our lives every day as if there was no God. We would never verbalize our skepticism, but when we act as if we can sin and get by with it, we are none the less attempting to mock God.

The Bible says, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" yet we do things every day that we would not want Him to see! It tells us time is short, Jesus is coming soon, and we act like living a less than holy life is acceptable. We act like we have forever to tell our friends and loved ones about about Jesus. We act like everything else is more important than our spiritual condition.

God is not mocked!!! We will reap what we sow.

This should be all the motivation we ever need to get busy about the Father's business. If we intend to reap a worthwhile harvest, we best start sowing some worthwhile seed!

Oh God, Please get this mentality out of my mind and into my members. I know it's true, You are not mocked, I will reap what I am sowing, yet I keep spreading rotten seeds. If that is ever going to change you are going to have to give me the strength. I'm sick of living the same inconsistent way, but it's all I've ever known. I need Your help, I need Your wisdom, I need Your power, I need YOU!!!

PAYDAY'S ON THE WAY

Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

When someone works there is always a motive. Sometimes it involves pride (like when we work on our yard or wash our car), sometimes it is profit (everybody loves the paycheck), and sometimes it can even be pleasure (the lazy days on the beach are made possible by months of hard work).

Deceitful work is work that does not pay off as expected. I worked for a neighbor as a young boy and expected to be paid minimum wage just like the teenagers who were working with me. I gave it my best effort and when the time came to get paid I was deeply disappointed when I was told that I was getting $1.oo/hour.

It's bad when someone else cheats you out of a hard earned reward, but in this verse, the wicked are not deceived by someone else, but by themselves. Imagine living your whole life and finding out that all you earned was eternal punishment in Hell. Now imagine that there is no one else to blame but yourself!!!

The man who chooses to obey the Word of God and walk in the way of righteousness may have to give up on some temporary pleasures, but in the end he will be vindicated. He will be proven right. He will get the reward he worked for, and much, much more.

-God will not fail to reward those who seek and serve Him!

-God will not fail to punish those who dispute or disregard Him!

This is how I break these verses down;


1. The option that is presented.
A. The way of regret The wicked worketh a deceitful work;
B. The way of reward but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

2. The occasion that is prevented.
A. A false strategy Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
B. A false security Hosea 10:13-14 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

3. The outcome that is predicted.
A. An explicit promise Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
B. An essential power 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Lord, help me to stay on the path of righteousness. Correct me when I go astray. Comfort me when I am discouraged. Whisper in my ear again that those who put their trust in you will never be disappointed. Help me to serve you for the right reason, YOUR GLORY, and to leave the results up to You. YOU ARE GOOD. YOU ARE TRUSTWORTHY. I am yours... completely.

Your good works won't get you into Heaven, but they very well could help to get someone else in!!!

Psalms 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

We've been thinking about sowing and reaping, but I don't think we really get the full impact of this parable. Most people nowadays know very little about farming or gardening. I know enough to know that it is not easy. I remember working on the farm as a young boy. It was hot, hard work. People don't take up farming as a career because they want to kick back and relax.

Likewise, working for God is a constant struggle. We struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Much like a farmer fights the elements, a Christian must fight the forces of evil. God doesn't offer instant gratification. We must be faithful and leave the timing to Him. Christ doesn't care about making us comfortable or happy, He cares about making us useful and fruitful.

It is true that our daily walk is not easy, but we must also remember that it is worth it. It is worth every tear we cry. It is worth every battle we fight. It is worth every hardship, heartache, and humbling experience we encounter. When we reap the harvest for the seeds we've sown, we will be grateful for every stump and rock we had to dig out. We won't regret working for the Lord and we won't fail to be rewarded for one bit of effort exerted for the glory of God.

The seed the Christian is called to sow is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must share the good news with others. The main work of the Christian is evangelism. We do this to bring glory to God. He is glorified when we faithfully obey his command to "preach the Gospel to every creature".

When I read these verses I noticed 3 things;

1. THE SACRED ASSIGNMENT (our work is not natural, it’s supernatural) God's work goes against our self-serving nature.
A. UNDERTAKING ( He that GOETH FORTH) we must start, get up and go
B. UNDERSTANDING (TEARS; WEPETH - seeing the urgency of sharing the Gospel) (BEARING - doing whatever it takes, )

2. SUPERNATURAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT (PRECIOUS SEED) We must realize that God is the one who is working through us. We can't do this work alone.
A. TRUSTING (obedience) we can’t make it grow, we just plant the seed. God does the work.
B. TIMING (delayed gratification) There are no shortcuts in the ministry.

3. SUPREME ACCOMPLISHMENT (Completing the work and Realizing the benefits of serving HIM.)
A. REAPING (Shall reap; Bringing his sheaves with him) Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.
B. REJOICING (in joy; shall doubtless come again rejoicing) Those who take pleasure in God, get pleasure from God)

We are truly in the seed sowing business. We plant and water, but GOD gives the increase. We must remember that we were saved by Grace, not works, but we were saved for good works, not grace. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Your good works won't get you into Heaven, but they very well could help to get someone else in!!!

Thank you Father for including me in your plans. Thank you for the privilege to do your work. Give me the wisdom and strength to serve you faithfully. May I reap all that you have planned in my life so that I may one day lay down my rewards at your feet, because you deserve my best. You deserve so much more than I can do. Please do in me and through me all that You desire. Bring glory to yourself and your Son. You are Worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.

Where do I start?

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The Christian life has so much more to do with what we DO than it does with what we DON"T DO!!! The author starts out by telling us the Blessing of abstaining from evil, but he goes on and tells us the secret power behind this abstinence. I have tried many times to keep from doing the wrong thing, but it sometimes seems impossible. Where do I start my list. If I were to write down all of the things I shouldn't be doing, the list would be miles long. What is empowering this "blessed man" to sidestep satan's trap doors. The way to keep from doing the wrong thing is by doing the right thing.

The right thing for every Christian to do is to delight in God's Word! What does it mean to delight in God's Word?

Delight implies a Savoring. It means to appreciate, to acknowledge worth, or to hold in high esteem. We should Savor God's Word because it is truth, transforming, and timeless.

Delight indicates Satisfaction. If we are satisfied with God's Word, Will, and Way, we will not fall into the pitfalls of this world. Is God enough for us or do we feel that we need more to be fulfilled?

Delight involves Sacrifice. It takes commitment to meditate in God's Word "Day and night". It takes more than a half-hearted, "yeah it's great BUT..." attitude. We must delight to the point of discipline. We must decide it is worth the cost.

If we want to be sure to reap a good harvest we must have a steady diet of God's Word. We cannot will ourselves out of poor choices or bad decisions. We must be prepared for them before the dilemma ever occurs. Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

I am counting on God's Word to guide my thoughts, which become actions, which become habits, which becomes charachter, which determines my destiny.

Lord Jesus, Please develop a love and affection in my heart for things above. Take my eyes from the secondary things of this world and instill a passon in my heart for your Word. Show me the things I should be doing and keep me from that which does not bring you glory. "For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the glory forever. Amen."

You want the good news or the bad news?

The Good news is you reap what you sow... the Bad news is you reap what you sow. I heard the saying, "you reap what you sow" all of my life, but it never really sank in... that is... until I started reaping!!!
The Sowing is the easy part! The reaping... now that's a different story. Let's look at a few verses that make this point.

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Hosea 10:13-14 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Pretty heavy, huh? I am still reaping things in my life that I sowed years ago. Negative things. Things that aren't any fun. And that's really kind of funny because I remember the sowing being all sorts of fun! Why does the reaping stink so badly? Why are the consequences of my actions always so hard to swallow?

I always heard this saying used in the negative sense and I always thought of it negatively. It was like a prophecy of impending doom to take all the fun out of all the bad stuff you do. And that's ok! After all, this truth can be a pretty strong deterrent from living any old way you want. But I realized one day that there is also a positive side to this sowing and reaping thing. Sure I had to pay the price for all of those wild oats I had haphazardly thrown into the wind, but what if I started sowing good things??? Yea, what if I started planting some quality seed in the field of my life, wouldn't I have a good harvest to look forward to for a change? Absolutely. As a matter of fact Psalms 1 gives the positive aspect first! Psalms 126:5 is positive. Proverbs 11:18 also includes the positive. Galatians 6:8 ends with the positive.

How did I miss that all those years? I'm sure it wasn't added to the pages of Scripture after I became of age. Maybe all I heard was the negative because I knew that was where I was living. I wasn't doing a lot of good sowing in those days.

A crazy thing just happened! As I was typing the last few lines I heard tires squealing and I jumped up and ran to the window. It turns out a small truck had pulled into the dirt field across from my house and had started doing donuts. As I thought about calling the cops he finished up and left as quickly as he arrived. Well, not exactly as quickly, because as he pulled back onto the road he did it with only 3 good tires. The front left tire was as flat as a pancake and he was riding down the road on his designer rims. I guess if you sow stupid, you reap a flat tire! Wow, talk about having a point illustrated right before your eyes. That was cool. (at least from where I sit)

I'm going to dig in here for a few days, plow the field of this good old saying, and try to harvest some thoughts that will help me get down a few more rows.

God please forgive me for the careless and foolish things I've done in the past, help me to avoid the same mistakes today, and teach me through the consequences that my main goal should be to draw closer to you. Help me to live a life that will bring glory to your Name. I fall so short of doing that all too often. I'm ready to sow the seed that will grow, be harvested, and put into your barns and not my own! Help me to be a servant that does your work your way. Thank you for allowing my stupid decisions to be turned into instruments of reproof in your hands. "Take me, break me, mold me, and make me. I want to do your will oh God."