Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Mt. 5:44
Ezekiel 34:26b - I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. NKJV

There shall be showers of blessing:
O that today day they might fall
Nathan

The occasion of rain is a curious phenomena - Some people want it, some don’t.
Granted, timing plays a large role in how rain is accepted. For some people, rain is an inconvenience, an interruption of life, a spoiler of fun:

“Rain, rain, go away;
Come again some other day.”
Why? “Little Johnnie wants to play.”

On goes the scowls, out come the umbrellas, washed away goes the day.
Rain is a blessing for other people, however: The farmer needing moisture to sprout or sustain crops, people with cisterns, and - assuming that the shower is gentle and warm - children with obliging parents.
Ever notice? Children who have to be dragged into the tub/shower go joyfully and gleefully into the rain. Laughter, giggles, looking for puddles, maybe eyes closed, looking to the heavens. (Perhaps it’s the absence of soap.)

So, some want (and need) rain, and rain will answer their prayers. Others, like Little Johnnie, are praying for sunshine.
Keep in mind the precepts of Matthew 5:45, that God makes the sun shine on the evil and the good. He sends the rain on the just and the unjust. Everybody! No matter what, somebody is going to be unhappy.
Does it grieve you that blessings fall on the evil ones, perhaps those who hate you, or curse you? Are you discouraged to see bad things happen to good people?
There are - and must be - times that we do not readily see blessings in the answer that God gives us. Look closer; there may be blessings falling, blessings sent by God that you are turning away with your scowl and ‘spiritual umbrella.’ Look instead for ways you can collect, as in a spiritual cistern, these showers for times when you can draw upon them as needed. Times when love, blessing, and prayer bring seasons refreshing to your soul, or to another’s.
Jesus, also, prayed for the “cup to pass,” but accepted God’s will.
He exemplified His teachings (Mt. 5:44) and, in so doing, brought salvation to the world.

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Retaliation
* Scripture: Jesus said, " . . .the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56, NKJV

It hath been said, "Don't get mad - get even." Ah! Sweet revenge! "Do unto others if they do it to you - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
Jesus spoke about retaliation in the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5:38, adding, in effect, 'But if you follow My teaching, you won't act like that.' Rather, His disciples are to turn the other cheek and to love their enemies.
Why? "That you may be (children) of your Father in heaven." (Mt. 5:45)
Think about that in terms of an earthly family. Parents are responsible for providing for their children's welfare. Children are to be obedient, and are under the authority of a parent or guardian until the age of majority, the age at which full civil rights are accorded.
At what point in our Christian journey, then, do we grow up enough that we cease to be "children" of God? Is there a time when we can presume to become independent of God, a time when we can literally 'take over the business,' and run things our own way?
I bring up this point to invite you to consider how we should react to some of the challenges that face us as Christians. When people say bad things about Christianity, about religion in general, or take God's name in vain, the urge to retaliate is very real.
There have been periods in history where the overly zealous attempted to advance the cause of the church at the point of the sword. In essence, some have said, "If you don't love God, I'll kill you."
My chosen scripture verse speaks to the point of treatment of those who reject The Christ. Jesus' disciples wanted to command fire to come down from heaven and consume those people (Samaritans) who did not receive Him. (Lk. 9:51-56) Jesus said, "No!"
If it is not the purpose of the Son of Man (Christ) to destroy such people, then what are we to do?
We are to love God, and our neighbor as ourselves. Who is our neighbor? All people- for all belong to God. That includes those we might consider to be enemies. "Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Mt. 5:44)
Children of God are not in a position of greater authority to change that teaching. When disciples pray, "Your will be done" (Lord's Prayer) Christians indicate submission to the dominion and authority of God in their lives.
(Quotations from the NKJV)
September 24, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Thorn In the Flesh
* Scripture: Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:45b, NKJV

Now I ask you , is that really fair? It only seems right that the evil and unjust should be punished in some way, and the righteous alone should be the beneficiary of God’s gifts.
Then there is the matter of the man who hired laborers at different times during the day, and paid them all the same wage, whether they worked all day in the sun, or just an hour or so. There should have been a government agency in charge of that one. (Mt. 20:1-16)
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t get mad; get even!” An eye for an eye. Tit for tat. You push me; I push back. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. That’s the way the world goes.
Apparently Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules, though, from what He states in the preceding and following verses.
Love your -”enemies?” Bless those who curse you? No, those are not the way things usually go. Oh, we pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, all right - for something nasty to happen to them.
Don’t think so? How about the tele marketer who calls at meal time; the #*%@ who cuts you off in traffic, or ducks into the parking place just ahead of you. You say nice things?
Let’s face it: it is a real struggle to rise above the trials and tribulations that come our way. The real test of a loving and forgiving heart comes when bad things happen to us. The slap on the cheek, the law suit, the unwanted request, as noted by Jesus in Mt. 5:38-42, give us an opportunity to witness to the power of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:17) that he had a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ and pleaded to the Lord that it might be removed. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul does not reveal the nature of the thorn in his flesh, only that the Lord’s answer was, “No!” Instead, Paul received God’s grace to bear the thorn.
We are not unlike Paul, then, when we are beset with infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Yes, we can - and should - pray about these things. The Lord can and will remove such as He desires.
Sometimes, though, the answer is not removal of the ‘thorn,’ but grace sufficient to endure, even as Jesus endured.
Take to heart the ‘Sermon On The Mount;’ pray that you develop qualities exemplifying the Father in heaven.
October 16, 2005