Seeds For Thinking

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

* Turn Aside
* Scripture: Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 66, NKJV

Solitary confinement! Now there’s a phrase to send shivers of dread up and down your spine. The thought of being isolated from other people is not pleasant for most of us, especially so if it is enforced isolation. Alone, lonely, lacking companionship. The Great Creator saw that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) and provided for loving relationships, not only between man and wife, but families, tribes and nations.
Still, there seems to be a place for solitude in the scheme of things, at least in the sense of withdrawing from the din and clamor of worldly distractions that wear down the soul. I find precedent for a certain amount of solitude within the pages of the Bible.
While the Lord can and does speak to people in the midst of many, even to the sending of the Spirit, it is often in the quiet moments that the insight of dreams and visions is visited upon those who wait upon the Lord.
Jacob was in an isolated spot between Beersheba and Haran when God revealed His presence and His plan for Jacob in the dream of the ladder.
Jacob was again alone (Genesis 32:24) when a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. From that day, Jacob and his descendants have been called by the name of “Israel.”
God appeared to Moses in the “back of the desert” (Exodus Ch. 3) in the midst of a burning bush. Note that Moses “turned aside” from what he was doing at the moment. That, I think. is the essence of our time with God; we must take time to “turn aside” and see what God wishes to share with us.
So, no, we don’t have to become a hermit, withdrawing from human companionship, nor enter into monastic seclusion. Rather, we should seek those moments of solitude whenever and where ever we can. Sort of like when we take an electronic device out of active service for a time to recharge the batteries.
Jesus often withdrew from the crowds, and even from the company of a few, to pray and talk to God, beginning with the time in the wilderness, prior to beginning His ministry. The devil spoke to Jesus there (so beware!) but even in that confrontation, Jesus was able to affirm the omnipotence of God and tell the devil to “get lost.” Time to think through and sort out priorities.
Again, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went a short distance from the disciples to pray. Not an actual separate room - just time away from the hustle and hassle of the world.
Cherish that solitary time - just you and the Lord.
May 22, 2005

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

* Carts
* Scripture: Jesus said, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22, NKJV

Got the cart before the horse . . . Well, I've heard that saying, and I suppose someone might harness a horse so that it pushes rather than pulls a cart, but such a scenario seems highly unlikely. It is just a way of saying that someone has their priorities reversed.
I can envision someone hitching their horse to the wrong cart, though. Especially if a number of look-alike carts were parked together. Anyone who has wandered a large parking lot trying to locate their automobile among dozens of identical colors and similar models can relate to this one. Many people fasten unique things to their radio antennae to make it easier to spot their car in the multitude.
It is embarrassing to fumble with your key, trying to unlock the door, only to discover that you are trying to enter the wrong car. Ask me!
I still recall, with a chuckle, watching a friend select the wrong car, only he actually entered it. I had stopped at the post office so that he could check his mail, while I waited in my car. He came back out, intently reading a letter, not noticing that another auto had parked beside mine. The reaction - and embarrassment - when he finally looked up and saw me grinning one car over . . . Priceless!
While embarrassing, and probably humorous to the onlooker, such gaffes endanger only the ego.
Jesus, however, was warning about mistaken identification that could have serious consequences! False christs and false prophets are among the most dangerous of scam artists. Many will indeed steal your worldly goods to support their nefarious causes, but the real loss is to the unsuspecting soul - for eternity. Talk about hitching your horse to the wrong cart!
It would certainly be wonderful if there was a door or ignition switch on these spiritual scam artists, just like the keyed locks that keep us from entering and starting the wrong car.
Imagine for a moment that you are wandering that humongous parking lot, looking for that one car among many - except that there are no locks, no keys, and you could just enter any car, turn a switch and drive off. But you don't want just any old car, and you don't want yours stolen.
Wouldn't you be concerned? Sure you would. You would probably do something about it.
But just think about how many people literally leave their souls "unlocked," and select from those false christs and prophets.
So mark your 'soul' with Jesus Christ. He will provide the security key for you.
November 12, 2006