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Autumn and winter have passed, and now it’s early spring. Time for spring cleaning and readying those garden beds! Maybe you’ll need to rototill to loosen soil that’s compacted over the earlier seasons, and certainly it is time to weed and add soil nutrients. All this preparation will help ensure a quality and quantity crop.
God has a lot to teach us about spring cleaning and properly prepared soil to plant seeds there. Take the parable of the man who sowed grain. When he threw it out, some landed on a path, only to be eaten by birds. Some fell on rocky ground, and without any fertile soil, quickly withered. Some fell among weeds—thorn bushes, in fact—and were choked out. It’s not hard to imagine that! However, the seed that landed in good soil produced a wonderful crop, one that was a hundred times more than had been planted. (Luke 8:8) Each day presents opportunities for us to allow God to prepare the soil of our hearts, spirits, and souls. He created us in love for a purpose and desires our soil to be excellent, filled with rich nutrients to produce a tremendous crop that would feed many others. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” Matthew 28:19-20a Today, then, is a great day to examine ourselves and prepare our garden soil. Let’s do some spring cleaning! Is there anything that needs dusted? Weeded and thrown out? Deep cleaned and rototilled? Fertilized? Do I have any unrecognized or unconfessed sin in my life? Have I hurt someone and need to ask their forgiveness? Is there something, You, God, have asked me to do or obey that I have not? Do I need to fertilize my spirit better by spending more time in Your Word, in prayer, or in worship? Am I walking in righteousness as best I know how? “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 Yes, Father, open my eyes and remove any logs I may have. “How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:4-5 Father, help me see myself clearly! Prune me and fertilize me, however You see fit, no matter what that takes. In the end, may my soil be made rich and fruitful, multiplying itself many times over, to better serve and glorify You. VERSES: Hosea 10:12 “I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ ” Luke 8:8 “ ’Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!’ When He had said this, He called out, ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’ ” Luke 8:15 “And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” PRAYER: Father, I pray with all my heart that my life may not remain a small seed, but that through Your Word and my growing relationship with Your Son, Jesus, a full crop will be produced for You. Help me to be a living testimony of a life changed because of Your Son, bringing hope to others through salvation in Jesus. Thank you, Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit! DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! "And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.” Genesis 3:15
World War II: the battle between the Allied powers and those of the Axis . . . D-DAY: “For years, Allied leaders and military planners had debated about when, where, and how to land troops in northern Europe. Although plans for such an action had been in the works for years, it was not until December 1943, when General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, that preparations for the future operation, code named OVERLORD, intensified . . . With a small window of opportunity in the weather, Eisenhower made the decision to go—D-Day would be June 6, 1944. Paratroops began landing after midnight as the massive invasion force took station off the coast. A short naval and aerial bombardment preceded the landings, which began at around 6:30 am . . . Things went badly from the beginning for American forces landing at Omaha and Utah. At Omaha beach, the resistance was devastating for the early waves of troops. The landing force bound for Utah was blown off course, resulting in troops going ashore nearly a mile down the beach. American airborne forces of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions were scattered behind Utah, sometimes tens of miles off target. To the west, the landings went more to plan for British and Canadian forces."1 God versus Satan: the ultimate world war . . . Satan, once called Lucifer, meaning morning star, rebelled against his Creator, desiring to be like God: Isaiah 14:12-15 tells us how well this worked out: “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ ” Thrown from heaven to the earth, Satan devised every scheme he could to defeat his enemy. The war between God and Satan was on, but in the Garden of Eden, after Satan deceived Eve into eating of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and Adam’s choosing to sin with her, God promised Satan this future: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.” Genesis 3: 14-15 As with the American forces at first, it appeared that things would go very badly for mankind: “Then He (God) said to the woman, ‘I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.’ And to the man He said, ‘Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.’ ” There were consequences for disobeying God! Pain and sweat were promised, and throughout all future years, Satan would be a thorn in mankind’s side, causing much destruction and pain: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10 However, in spite of this, there was God’s promise to Eve . . . to us. It is true that with man’s sinful rebellion, death entered the scene, and perhaps Satan thought he had won a victory over God by causing a permanent separation of mankind from Him. But unlike the Allies who planned how to defeat their enemy for years and not knowing the outcome of their attack, God had an eternal plan of defeating His enemy and ours . . . one that would not fail! He would sacrifice His perfect, pure, and innocent Son upon a torturous cross; Jesus would take the pain of all our sins upon Himself and die in our place so that those who accepted His sacrifice would no longer bear the guilt of sin, but appear before the Father as righteous and pure—as clean as newly fallen snow. Victory had been settled . . . In God’s perfect timing, it would be His. Those who fight salvation in Christ search for meaning in this life; some search for formulas to extend their lives—they search for the fountain of youth. Silly mankind! We do have meaning in life when we live in Christ, and we do have a fountain of youth and a stream of everlasting life with His Spirit living within us; and with Christ’s victory on the cross, we have hope and joy in this knowledge! "Despite challenges and sometimes fierce enemy opposition, Allied forces persisted in establishing a beachhead in Normandy.”2 The war in Europe raged on, but ended with Germany's surrender on May 7th, 1945. Despite all Satan's challenges and fierce opposition to God’s plan of redemption through Jesus, e.g. the killing of babies under age two in Bethlehem (Jesus had escaped to Egypt), His forty days of temptation in the desert, and His suffering on Good Friday--Jesus persisted with His heart set on obedience to His Father and established His beachhead on the cross. With Jesus giving us His strength through the Holy Spirit, we can battle whatever persecution Satan may design for us. We may not know God’s timetable, but we do know He is victor. Jesus will one day rule the earth as our peace maker, our sin remover, our eternal life giver, and our KING! Praise God for His promise fulfilled! While Satan may have thought that with Jesus’ death on the cross he defeated God, the true victor became clearly known with Jesus’ Resurrection on Sunday. The battle still rages, but the end-game is settled—God, our Supreme conquering King, has won the war once for all. Let us praise Him for His promise and life-giving sacrifice.. THE VICTORY IS GOD’S! HALLELUJAH! JESUS IS RISEN; HE HAS RISEN INDEED! 1. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/d-day-and-normandy-campaign VERSES: John 4:14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 11:25-26a Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die.” Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” John 12:31 “The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-56 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” PRAYER: Hallelujah! I praise you, Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Let me dance through life because You, God, are a promise keeper. You defeated death on Resurrection Sunday, and now I look forward toward your second coming and the fulfillment of all prophecy. Blessed be Your name forever, Almighty God. Hallelujah! With joy I shout, Jesus is risen . . . He is risen indeed! DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! “As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to Him. ‘Listen,’ He said, ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die. Then they will hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day He will be raised from the dead.” Matthew 20: 17-19
Twelve men . . . personally chosen by Jesus, travel with him, talk to him, hear His teaching, and witness His miracles. Twelve men, whom Jesus directly explains what will happen to Him as they make their way to Jerusalem, hear these words, but do they really listen? They do follow His command to bring a donkey with her colt and watch Him ride into Jerusalem, being hailed by crowds as David’s heir, the Messiah King. Twelve men, who we might think should have known what Jesus was about, truly didn’t. Some fell asleep during Jesus’ time of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where He sweat tears of blood, while all deserted Him when soldiers arrived to arrest Him and again when Jesus hung upon the cross. Twelve men—brave when Jesus’ was present and bold when anointed with the Holy Spirit . . . but for a while, fearful and clueless. One woman . . . who sat at Jesus’ feet, honored and worshiped Him as she listened to His every word, letting each sink deeply into her heart. (Luke 10:39) One woman, who watched Jesus’ command her brother, Lazarus, arise from the grave, perhaps intuitively knew that this was the last straw for the Pharisees who soon would demand His death in order to retain what they perceived as their power and authority in Judea. Thus, this one woman, Mary of Bethany, arrived at a dinner being held to honor Jesus at the home of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9) holding a beautiful jar of precious nard in her hands: “Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with Him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray Him, said, ‘That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.’ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for My burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.’ ” John 12:1-8 (See footnote 1) Visualize Mary as she previously sat at Jesus’ feet not just hearing Jesus’ words, but truly listening. Can you better understand now why she would anoint Jesus’ feet with her best, most precious perfume, then wipe them with her hair? With complete faith that this man was God, she desired to honor Him with her best. So I picture Mary in my mind, humbly sitting on the floor at Simon’s, with heavy heart and tears pouring from her eyes, performing this self-sacrificing act—Jesus’, her Lord, had to be anointed before He walked forth into His destiny. Twelve men and one woman--can we learn anything from them? Indeed, I believe we can from both and in so doing, imitate the best in each. VERSES Matthew 16:21 “From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, and that He would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day He would be raised from the dead.” Mark 9:30-32 “Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know He was there, for He wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of Hs enemies. He will be killed, but three days later He will rise from the dead.’ They didn’t understand what He was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.” John 14:29 “I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.” Acts 4:31 “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” Luke 10:38-39 “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught.” PRAYER: Father, when I read Scripture, let me not just see words or hear Your Words, but help me listen well to them and apply them to my life. And let me always remember that when I accepted your Son, Jesus, as my Savior, I was immediately anointed with the Holy Spirit, and with His strength, I can go forth in boldness to help spread the Good News of salvation in Him, as you commanded. Maybe I won’t travel to distant nations as did some of the apostles, but I can be an example to my neighbors of one changed by Jesus; I can speak of salvation in Him when You urge me to do so. Thank you for being my strength. Then, Father, help me have a heart like Mary—seeking to spend time with You, valuing every moment in Your Word. Let me fully trust in You and Your promises while humbly seeking to do Your will. Because You sit at the right hand of the Father, I cannot anoint Your feet with oil, nor do I have the resources to purchase expensive perfume. But what I do have, I now fully give You . . . and that is my heart. SONG: What Can I Give Him What can I give Him Poor as I am If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a Lamb If I were a wise man, I'd sure do my part So what can I give Him Give Him my heart What can I can give Him But all of my heart Give Him my heart What can I give Him But all of my heart What can you give Him What can you bring? What can you offer That's fit for a King Bow before Jesus That's where you can start What can you give Him Just Give Him your heart Give Him your Heart Give Him your Heart What can you give Him But all of your heart Give Him your heart Give Him your heart What can you give Him Just give Him your heart Give Him your heart Give Him your heart What can you give Him But all of your heart Give Him your heart Give Him your heart What can you give Him Just give Him your heart What can I give Him I'll give Him my heart. Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Cymbala Carol Joy / Emelyne Francois I'll Give Him My Heart lyrics © Carol Joy Music DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! (Based on Chapter 7, Jesus’ Words for Teens: Standing Tall, Candice Mary Thomas, © 2021)
“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him.” John 12:12-16 ESV Just, sinless, pure, and perfect—Jesus was surrounded by crowds. Sometimes they listened well as He taught them how to live and pray: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” [Matt. 7:12] “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy…” [Matt. 6: 9] Once they shouted in adoration: “Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessing on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!” laying palm branches before Him as he rode on a donkey into Jerusalem. [Matt. 21:9, Matt.21:15, Mark 11:9, Mark 11:10, John 12:13] Yet ultimately, many of that same crowd with mob mentality shouted, “Crucify Him!” [Matt 27:22-23] Clearly, Jesus was loved; and clearly, He was hated. He was respected, adored, then condemned. He was called Holy One of God, Lord…then blasphemer, demon, and criminal. As with us, Jesus felt hunger and suffered temptation; and as with us, He did not desire to endure the torture and crucifixion that He knew (as God) lay in front of Him: “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Jesus said, ‘yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’ ” [Matthew 26:39] Through it all, Jesus stood tall, BOTH when He was adored by the crowds and when persecuted by many of the same, being led by fanatical Jewish religious leaders. You may think this was easier for Jesus than for you because Jesus was God. It is true that Jesus was and is God, fully and completely. “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” [Hebrews 1:3] Other versions, the HCS, NASB, and ESV, use the terms exact expression/image/imprint of God describing Jesus. Jesus definitely is God. Yet Jesus also was and is man, fully and completely. Don Stewart gives this summary of Jesus’ humanity in his article for the Blue Letter Bible: “When Jesus became a human being, He divested Himself of certain rights as God the Son. This can be seen in three ways. First, He restricted Himself to a human body with all its limitations. He gave up His position when He became a human being. Second, He veiled or hid His glory from the people. Finally, He exercised His relative attributes only by the will of God the Father - never on His own initiative.” 1 So, although Jesus could have reveled in displaying all His mighty powers, putting Marvel characters to shame, He exemplified humility, only revealing His divine nature when it was the will of God. As God, Jesus could not sin; but as a human, Jesus could if He chose to disobey His Father’s will. Therefore, He was tested, just like you and me: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.” NLT “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” ESV [Hebrews 4:15] Jesus was tempted and tested, yet always stood tall. How? How did He withstand pride when adored; and how did He stand tall under the persecution of Satan, the Pharisees, other religious leaders, mockers, humiliators, betrayers, deniers, and murderers--all without sinning? Jesus, as the Word and as the Son, knew who He was; He trusted His Father, prayed to Him, then lived in obedience to His Father’s will rather than displaying dependence upon Himself. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a sign of royalty, it demonstrated that He was not coming as a military conqueror but as a humble King of peace; and when He submitted Himself on the cross, He demonstrated living in obedience to His Father, the One He loved and trusted with His life. Humility. . . obedience . . denying self. This is how Jesus stood tall. 1. “In What Sense Did Jesus Empty Himself?” (Kenosis, Condescension of Christ). Don Stewart. https://www.blueletterbible.org/fac/don_stewart/don_stewart_ 795.cfm VERSES: John 8:28 “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am He. I do nothing on My own but say only what the Father taught Me.” NLT Philippians 2:5-11 “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” NLT PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I am being approved of, help me never to be prideful but always remember that what I accomplish is not because of who I am, but who You have made me to be: “for You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb…” Psalm 139:13 Any gifts or talents I have come from You, and the walk I have been growing in through Christ comes from You. You and only You desire all honor and praise! And when I am being challenged, possibly persecuted, let me stand tall, turning to You in reliance, trust, and obedience. You have promised to be with me through all times; as you care for sparrows, providing for them daily, so also You will care for me. (Matt. 6:26; Matt. 10:29) Help me always to remember that you are love; You are trustworthy; You are a promise keeper; and because I accepted Your Son as my Savior after He suffered and died for me on that torturous cross, I will one day live forever in Your comfort and peace. Humility. . . obedience . . denying self. May I always keep Jesus' example in mind, then help me, Father, stand tall, becoming His imitator. DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! |
Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
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