Seeds For Thinking

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

SCRIPTURE: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life.” John 6:67-68, NKJV (John 6:60; 66, 68-69)

A slogan adopted by some school athletic teams proclaims that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” A challenge entices some people into putting every morsel of heart and soul into the effort to persevere, even though success is questionable and the outcome in doubt. Discipline has its own reward. For some people, anyway.
For others, when the going gets tough, their pathway leads away from the challenges and hard times, as in this passage in John’s Gospel, even if the reward is eternal life. “This is a hard saying,” they complained. (John 6:60) And so many of His disciples went back and walked with him no more. (vs. 66)
I thought of these words, written by Thomas Paine at the beginning of the American Revolution:
“These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Thomas Paine, “The American Crisis”—Published on 23 December 1776

David, the king-annointed of Israel, also endured some very tough times, hiding in the wilderness while the current reigning king, Saul, sought to kill him. (1 Samuel 23:14) David refused to kill King Saul when an easy opportunity was presented, though some urged him to seek that method of ending the hardship. Saul was yet the Lord’s anointed; the matter would be decided by the Lord’s hand, not David’s. (Samuel 24:10)
It is easy to join a cause amid glitz and glamor, to be part of the popular throng, merrily enjoying the “summer sunshine.” So it is in life in the earthly realm, and many will not view the glorious triumph to be worth the hard conflict. A life that is viewed as pressed down and boxed in can be very unpleasant. Like Paul, we pray for relief from our “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
While there are valid reasons to fly the coop, such as abusive relationships, or undesirable situations, we need to think carefully before joining the “green pasture” crowd - those souls continually searching for something better, always searching, but never finding.
Yet, as Thomas Paine observed, what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness that gives everything its value. Following Jesus the Savior is not always easy, as many who followed Him discovered. Let us, though, not go away from Him, for, as Peter observed Jesus has the words of eternal life.
May 25, 2008

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

Scripture: For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. (Matthew 25:29 - from the Parable of the Talents; Living Bible) See also Luke 19:11-26.

Use it or lose it! That credo certainly applies to the servant who hid his money rather than use it profitably in this parable. We would do well to understand the meaning of this parable lest we fall into the errant way of those who shirk responsibility and suffer the same fate as the unfaithful servant.
The master, or ruler, in the parable wasn’t just giving the servants money to have and to hold until his return. Each of the three men was given a responsibility in accordance with his ability. Two of the men understood that they were to invest the money, and had double the initial amount when the master returned. They were praised for their good work, and rewarded with both greater responsibility and an invitation to ‘enter into the joy of your lord.’ (vs. 21)
Do not be distracted by the use of money as an example in the parable. They were given an opportunity to work for the master. They were simply to carry on some work that the master would have done, had he been there. The faithful servants have taken what they were given and gained double for the kingdom!
Note also that it is not the size of the task that matters, nor rank or standing. Rather, each was given opportunity in accordance with their perceived likelihood of successfully completing the assignment. Two of them fulfilled their master’s trust. The third had the same opportunity, but failed.
Keep in mind that Jesus is showing us something very important about the kingdom of heaven. In fact, Psalm 16:11 states:
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (NKJV)
I think that Jesus is trying to show us the “path of life” in this parable. We all have been given opportunities to become one of the “laborers sent into His harvest.” (Mt. 9:37-38) The ‘harvest’ is the vast number of the unsaved in the world, people who have either not heard the Good News of Jesus, or have been distracted by the pleasures of the World and its prince, Satan.
Unfortunately, many who are given the opportunity to labor for Christ emmulate the unfaithful servant; they ‘hide’ the opportunity that they have been given, and gain nothing for the kingdom. That unfaithful servant will be denied the invitation to enter the joy of the Lord. The future does not hold joy for those who do not make the most of their given opportunity.
Read it again: “For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him.” Substitute the word “opportunity” for responsibility in this passage, and you will gain a better sense of the importance of using what you have been given.
Don’t ignore the little things. A prayer, a kind word, a smile for those who most need it might fill a need in their life. Something as simple as passing on a Bible tract may be your opportunity, your ‘assignment’ from the Master for the day.
Each step we take in the direction of the kingdom of heaven takes us closer to sharing forever in the joy of the Lord.
Any other step, including no steps at all - well, you think about it.
April 1, 2007

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 descendents 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 afirm 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/

Scripture: The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:16, NKJV)

Anyone who studies the sciences or mathematics soon discovers that there are numerous rules and laws that describe how things can be expected to function. For example, inertia is the property of an object that is moving to keep on moving, or an object at rest to stay at rest. Likewise, the whole is the sum of its parts. If you take parts/pieces away from something, there will eventually be nothing left of the original. While there are stories about jars of cooking oil that never run dry, and the baskets of meal that never empty, these are miraculous events, usually to reward someone for performing a kindness. In the real world, we have to make occasional trips to the market to replenish the refrig or cupboard.
A community, or an organization, can be shown to follow many of those same rules. The community we live in, or the church we attend, is also the total of all that the members bring to it - good and bad! Earl Gleason, who taught at Appleton for many years, had his students memorize many sayings; I still remember this one:
There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it doesn't behoove any of us
To talk about the rest of us.
Yes, we all contribute, or detract, from every group with which we are associated. Hopefully, our contributions outnumber our detractions.
The law of parts can apply to our community as well. Think of the many relationships we have with friends and family, and the many blessings and benefits from being part of something bigger than one individual. As we receive, so also should we return our own gifts and talents to the community. If everyone took out, and did not give back, soon there would not be the supportive world we expect to be there for us. Look at the many nations torn apart by strife and greed. The truth is plain to see for those who seek it - Gods laws reward those who follow them. 8/17/97

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

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 descendents 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 hasstle of the world.
Cherish that solitary time - just you and the Lord.