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/

* 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

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

Scripture: Paul wrote, “ . . . put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24, NIV

Some of my chickens are looking rather shabby. Their feathers are worn, torn, and frayed. There are spots where they are missing entirely, and I am seeing feathers lying around on the ground - especially the tail feathers. Am I concerned? Not at all! They are going through an annual phase called “molting.”
The molt is a renewing process; the word comes to us through Old English from the Latin word “mutare” - to change - to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically. If you keep a dog or cat as a pet, you are familiar with the shedding process. The old coat of hair or fur falls out, especially in the summer, and you have the really shaggy dog (or cat) for a time.
Many animals, such as deer, shed and renew their antlers each year. That is quite a remarkable process, when you think about it. Antlers that are so firmly attached most of the year turn on the “disconnect” switch, so to speak, lose the old, and grow back a new set of antlers in the period of a few months.
Snakes shed their entire outer skin; crayfish (arthropods) their exoskeleton shell.
Probably the most visible example that we humanoids experience is best seen by examining the grins of children at the age that they are in the 1st and 2nd grade. Teeth! A rite of passage, as the baby teeth fall out, and the larger adult teeth grow in.
The most remarkable “mutation” is not physical, but spiritual. Jesus declared that we must be “born again.” (John 3:3)
Just as my chickens are showing the signs of daily living in their shabby feathers, so we humans show the corruption that comes through our human nature. We need to shed the old nature, and put on the new.
Paul expressed it this way: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)

Time to “molt?” Put off the old, and put on the new!

Take time to look up “New Birth” in a Bible reference.

See also:

1. 2 Cor 4:16; 5:17;
2. Gal 6:15;
3. Eph 2:10;
4. Romans 2:29; 6:4-6; 8:7-8; 8:16,17.
5. A new heart, (Eze 36:26
6. A new spirit, (Eze 11:19.

Evidenced by:

* Faith in Christ (1 Jn 5:1)
* Righteousness, (1 Jn 2:29)
* Brotherly love (1 Jn 4:7)

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

* Rain
* 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.
November 19, 2006

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

* Calibration
* Scripture: Paul told Timothy, "The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. " 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Living Bible

Discord! I carefully tuned my mandolin with my digital tuner, and started to play with the band. Whoa! Something was very off key, and it was my instrument that was out of tune. I had to get right with the others.
I later found that my tuner was not aligned to the proper tuning pitch, and it threw me way out of tune with the everyone else! And I thought I was 'right on.' Fortunately, I was able to calibrate my tuner with a standard frequency source, and all is well again.
We have to depend on proper calibration and accuracy of many things we encounter in life. Perhaps you have noticed a little seal or sticker on the scales at the checkout counter at the market, or on the pump where you fill your fuel tank. Somebody has checked them all, and assures that the device is accurate.
We have to trust that the "Sealer" is reliable, trustworthy, and has accurate standards by which to judge the equipment that he certifies. What a world this would be if we couldn't depend on the accuracy of anything.
An extra few cents at the pump or scales might not bruise your pocket book very much, but the knowledge that it did so would not likely bring you back to that business again soon. It might compromise your peace of mind, but not endanger your health.
However, when you go to your doctor, and the nurse pops that thermometer into your mouth, you want it to show the exact temperature. Suppose it was only five degrees wrong. Do you think that you would agree that it really didn't matter that much? Not likely! Even a few degrees can make a vital difference. Few people are willing to compromise with such a critical measurement.
On the other hand, you might like it if the bathroom scale reads your weight a little on the low side, but would probably say a few unkind words about a scale that added a little weight. A few pounds incorrect? Well, maybe not enough to matter. Many people have a casual attitude about the effect a few pounds might have on their health. Some ignore blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other vital signs. It is common practice for people to engage in 'pleasurable' activities until it is too late to correct the damage that may result to one's health.
Many people go through life with a casual attitude about other things as well. Consider traffic violations, cheating on any number of endeavors such as scholastic tests, reports, and expense accounts, embezzling from the workplace, or indifferent personal relationships.
Many colleges are now teaching ethical behavior, even to graduate students in Business Administration, because of necessity. We seem to have spawned a society of three-year-olds, whose ethical code is "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine, if I can take it from you."
Yes, there are ethical standards, and moral standards, as well as spiritual standards, which we ignore to our peril. They are a measure of our Godly 'temperature,' and every bit as critical as our body's temperature.
Yes, this is about standards, about references with which to compare and, if necessary, calibration to get "in tune" with the rest of the world. We have a National Bureau of Standards in the USA that maintains the references by which all other measurements are compared, down to the smallest fraction of a second.
We also have the Bible, the Scriptures, the Ten Commandments, with which to measure our lives. We need to assure ourselves that we are equipped for every good work that God has for us by frequent calibration with the Heavenly Standard. Check it often!
July 30, 2006

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

* Support Systems
* Scripture: Paul wrote, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11, NKJV

We do many things without thinking about them. Breathing, for instance. Most of the time I give no thought to breathing at all, but I can control it to a certain extent, like when the doctor says, "Take a deep breath and hold it." Automatic breathing is probably a good thing, considering how often I forget things any more.
Likewise, we seldom give thought to the many people who provide services for us, because we do not personally see them at work. People who operate and maintain the electrical power system, for example, or gas, water, and the "tele' services. We notice when the system goes down, but even then little thought is given to the many people behind the service technicians who come to our neighborhood.
Few people are able to totally sustain their lives without input from others along the way. Our clothing, our food, the tools we use and the companionship we enjoy require us to look beyond ourselves to discover the many relationships that seldom enter our thoughts.
Consider, then, the armor worn by a soldier such as Paul describes in his letter to the Ephesians. Find a picture of a completely equipped soldier if you can, or a knight from the middle ages. You will see that the "whole armor" that Paul recommends is quite complex, made up of many pieces, all held together by laces, belting and straps. It is highly unlikely that the soldier could put on a full suit of armor by himself, let alone possess the skills needed to build it.
There would be several levels of metal workers, from the miner of ore, to the smelter and refiner, and the fabricator of parts. The sword maker was and still is a specialist in the trade. Leather working passes through several stages, as well.
Was the fully armored soldier thinking of all of these people as he moved forward into battle? Probably no more than we think of all the people who have contributed to the spiritual armor with which we should equip ourselves: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the Word of God.
Have we alone equipped ourselves? Are we standing alone? By no means! Praise God, we stand shoulder to shoulder with countless numbers of "Christian Soldiers," following the saints who have preceded us and sacrificed for us. We owe what we have and hold dear to parents, teachers, pastors and preachers, refiners and fabricators of the spiritual armor with which we go forth.
Paul adds, "Praying always with all prayer a supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -" (Ephesians 6:18, NKJV)
June 4, 2006

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

* Birth
* Scripture: Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, NKJV.

What a difference a little time can make! In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, things can change forever. One form of existence can pass away and a new one begin. It may be the heavenly transfer by which we pass from this earthly life to that of eternity. It may also be the beginning of an earthly life, that marvelous transition from egg or womb that occurs at birth.
Marvelous as it may be, we pretty much understand the birth process and the changes that take place as the baby grows to adulthood. Jesus' use of the term "born again" puzzled Nicodemus, who envisioned a "replay" of that earthly birth, entering a second time into his mother's womb, to be born.
Jesus is talking about a spiritual rebirth, of course, but think how people not associated with the teachings of the church or the sayings of Jesus might interpret our common usage of the phrase "born again." Would they not look upon it much as Nicodemus did? We have some explaining to do, of course.
I question that even within the church the term is fully understood for what it really means. We ask, "Do you accept Jesus as your savior?"
"Oh! Yes! Sure I do!"
We see people accepting things all the time as their one and only:
"I use only (this brand) of pain medication."
"My favorite music group is 'Moobledy Moop'."
"I only root for . . . " (insert name of team or athlete.)
Well, there is some behavior modification involved here, but is that all that it is - accepting one thing above others?
Consider this: I have been associated with farming for most of my life. I have witnessed numerous births in fur and feathers, hair and wool. My wife and I are currently shepherds, keeping sheep. Most of the time lambs are born without any help from us, but now and then the ewe needs human assistance. We had such a case recently; the baby was not positioned correctly, and the ewe wasn't able to deliver by herself. But she wouldn't let us humans help, either. If we approached, she got up and ran off. We couldn't even get close enough to read her ear-tag number.
Finally, she stopped just long enough that we were able to catch her, and relieve her from her distress. The birth was a success; a nice, healthy lamb!
But in that instant, she changed. She became a mother. Her hormones kicked in, her full attention was on the baby, on nurturing and protecting it. No more running; nothing else mattered.
Think about this: when we stop and let Jesus relieve us from our distress, we "give birth" to a new spirit that we can not do by ourselves. Now, let those 'heavenly hormones' kick in, give that baby spirit your full attention. Nurture and protect it.
May 14, 2006