It’s Time to Tend to the Soil

In James 1:19-21 I read, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (NIV)

Gardeners know that you can take the exact same seed and plant it in three different locations and get three different results. In one spot, you may get giant tomatoes. In another, you may get small tomatoes. And in a third, you may not get anything at all. What’s the difference? It’s not the seed; it’s the soil. The soil must be prepared for the seed. 

The same is true when I hear God’s Word. My heart has to be prepared for the Word. 

Church service is a great example of this. If I get up late, have trouble finding a parking spot, and are irritated as I rush into church, I’m probably not going to hear God’s voice! My heart is not prepared to receive God’s Word. 

That’s why two people may go to the same church service, sit side by side, and hear the same Scripture read and sermon preached. One will walk out thinking God really spoke to them, and the other won’t get anything at all out of the service. The heart of one person was prepared; the other’s heart wasn’t.

The Bible says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:19-21 NIV).

Scripture teaches that, for my heart to be prepared to receive God’s Word, I need to have four attitudes:

Be quiet. I can’t hear God if I’m talking. 

Be calm. I can’t rush God. If I’m frantic, I’m not going to hear him. The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” My translation of that is, “Sit down, and be quiet.”

Be clean. Before I can meet with God, I need to confess my sin to him and ask him for forgiveness.

Be humble. Be ready to do whatever God tells me from his Word. A prideful attitude won’t work. 

So the next time I’m going to spend time in God’s Word—whether that’s at church or in my quiet time at home—take time first to prepare my heart. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!

In my life, I’m often in a hurry, living based on a schedule. I quickly want to move through things to get to the other things.  I’ll need to consider allocating more time for the task. I need to prepare my heart. I have also just been so quick to jump into a quiet time study, that I’m not thinking about or considering my sins and asking for forgiveness. The best thing I can do is to allocate more time to what’s important, not just thinking of the task but time to prepare my heart. 

Happiness and Humility Go Together

In Philippians 3:12-13 I read, “I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be.” (TLB)

Humble people are happy people. They never stop growing and learning.

The Bible says, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith . . . Give yourselves regular checkups. You need first hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it” (2 Corinthians 13:5-9 The Message).

Do I give myself regular checkups? Try this: Wake up every day and ask God, “What do I need to work on today?” This takes humility, but it’s a habit that will lead to happiness.

Paul knew the importance of humbly growing and learning. He wrote in Philippians 3:12-13: “I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be” (TLB).

When Paul wrote this Scripture, he was an older man in prison in Rome. He was at the end of his life. He was an incredibly mature person. Yet he said he hadn’t arrived. If anybody had the right to say, “I’ve arrived spiritually,” it would be the guy who wrote so much of the New Testament. But Paul said, “No, I haven’t arrived. I’m still growing, learning, and becoming more like Christ.”

Pride is the trap that so often keeps Christians from following Paul’s example and continuing to grow in Christ. When I think I’ve got it all together, I won’t make an effort to become more spiritually mature. Humility, on the other hand, leads to happiness because it makes me teachable.

Happiness and humility go together because they cause me to ask, “How can I be a better spouse? How can I be a better friend? How can I be a better boss? How can I be a better follower of Jesus?” When I’m not asking these questions, I’m missing out because I’ve stopped growing—and God made me to grow.

Take a step toward happiness today by humbly praying Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (ESV).

In summary, humble people are happy people. They never stop growing and learning. Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith, give myself a regular checkup. I need first hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in me. Test it out. If I fail the test, do something about it. Wake up every day and ask God, “What do I need to work on today?” This takes humility, but it’s a habit that will lead to happiness. When Paul wrote this, he was an older man in prison and at the end of his life. He was an incredibly mature person. Yet he said he hadn’t arrived. Paul said, ``I'm still growing, learning, and becoming more like Christ.” Pride is the trap that so often keeps Christians from following Paul’s example and continuing to grow in Christ. When I think I’ve got it all together, I won’t make an effort to become more spiritually mature. Humility leads to happiness because it makes me teachable. Happiness and humility go together because they cause me to ask, “How can I be better at <fill in the blank>? When I’m not asking, I’m missing out because I’ve stopped growing. Take a step toward happiness by humbly praying Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”.

Paul's goal is to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbs all of Paul's energy. This is a helpful example for me. I too should not let anything take my eyes off of my goal of knowing Christ. I must lay aside everything that is harmful and forsake anything that may distract me from being an effective Christ follower.  

Before Opening God’s Word, I Need To Believe and Be Willing to Accept It

In review of James 1:21 this morning, James reminds me, “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” (NLT)

James advises me to get rid of all that is wrong in my life and "humbly accept" the salvation message I have received, because it alone can save me.

I may not always understand what the Bible says. But to anchor my life on the solid foundation of God’s Word, I need to humbly accept whatever God tells me.

In today’s verse, the word “accept” is from the Greek word dechomai. It's a hospitality term. It means to receive like a stranger. I am to receive God’s Word fully into my life. This means before I even open the Bible, I tell God that I accept whatever he tells me. I agree to believe his Word, whether or not I understand it.

Look at the first part of today’s verse. In order to accept God’s Word, I first have to take care of the filthy stuff in my life. Clean it out! Now, this doesn’t mean you need to clean up my life before I can come to God; Instead, it means sin can block me from hearing God. I can’t hear him when I’ve got something else filling my mind and heart. I’ve got to make space for the truth. Believing and applying God’s truth will change me and make me more like Jesus.

In the Bible, God often compares my accepting his Word to gardening. He wants me to accept the seeds he is planting in my heart and mind. But before the seeding and the feeding comes the weeding. Before I meet with God, I have to take out the emotional and spiritual garbage in my life. I do that by confessing and turning away from my sins. I admit to God what I’ve done that goes against his Word.

Then, through acceptance and confession, God can produce the fruit of obedience in my life.

In summary I need to get rid of all the filth and evil in my life, and then humbly accept the word God is planting. James advises me to get rid of all that is wrong and "humbly accept" the salvation message I have received. I am to anchor my life on the solid foundation of God’s Word, and humbly accept and receive whatever God tells me.This means before I even open His Word, I tell God that I accept whatever he tells me from it. I agree to believe, whether or not I understand it. To accept God’s Word, I first have to take care of the filthy stuff in my life. Sin can block me from hearing God, for I can’t hear him when I’ve got something else filling my mind and heart. So make space for the truth. God often compares my accepting his Word to gardening. But before the seeding and the feeding comes the weeding. I do that by confessing and turning away from my sins. I admit to God what I’ve done that goes against his Word. Then, through acceptance and confession, God can produce the fruit of obedience in my life.

Father I admit that I have things in my heart that linger there. Actions I take to please myself only. I ask you for forgiveness and with the help of the Holy Spirit to remove those things from my life. I want to leave room for what you teach and tell me. I want to use it to serve not only you but others as well. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my plans, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

Learning How to Be Gentle by Walking with Jesus

In review of Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus tell us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NIV).

Today’s passage is from the last part of Matthew 11 in which Jesus says, “Come to him, If I am struggling hard and carrying a heavy load, for he will give me rest. I am to put his yoke, and learn from him. For Jesus is gentle and humble. And in him I will find rest for myself.

What I’m reminded of this morning is that Jesus can free me from heavy burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not necessarily the end of labor. A relationship with God can change my meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

In this gentleness is an important quality to practice. It defuses conflict. It disarms critics. It’s persuasive. It’s attractive. It communicates love.

Most importantly, gentleness makes me more like Jesus. In Matthew 11:28-29, he says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (NIV).

This implies that the stress and the pressure I’m feeling in life reveal that I’m not gentle. The Bible says that the gentler I become, the more Christlike I’ll become and the more at ease / rest I will be.

If I want to be at peace and be like Jesus, I can’t just walk out my door and force myself to be gentle. I can’t manufacture gentleness, because inside I’m still going to be under stress. It’s got to be an “inside” job. It has to be the fruit of God’s Spirit inside me.

Jesus is gentle and humble. When I let him share my burden, I will walk with him in a close relationship. I will learn how to be gentler and humbler, and he will give me rest and peace, not stress and pressure.

Bottom Line:

When you struggle and carry a heavy load, go to Jesus and learn from him. He will Yoke up with you and provide rest.

What this means to me:

When things are tough, difficult and a difficult load for me, Jesus tells me to yoke up and learn from him. For he is gentle and humble, and I will find rest.

In summary, If I'm struggling hard and carrying a heavy load, Jesus tells me to come to him, for he will give me rest. I put on his yoke and I learn from him. For Jesus is gentle and humble and in him I will find rest for myself. Gentleness is an important quality to practice. It will defuse conflict, and disarm critics. It's persuasive and attractive. It communicates love. More importantly, gentleness will make me more like Jesus. Jesus is gentle and humble. When I let him share my burdens, I will walk with him in a close relationship. He will give me rest and peace, not stress and pressure.

I have been feeling stress and heavy burdens at work. I really need to learn and practice gentleness, as I find myself getting cynical and this is reflected in my responses and sets to tone for my team. I pray this morning that I take my burdens and heavy load to him, learn from him and become gentle and humble in my responses and attitude. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day. Allow me to respond rightly to others in my interactions with them. I pray this through your Son Jesus name, amen.

Humbly Serving

In review of Mark 9:35 it says, “He sat down, call the twelve, and said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Bottom Line:

If you desire great things ahead, put aside your self and serve.

What this means to me:

If I desire His blessings and guidance in my life, I need to put my pride and needs aside and humbly serve.

Today's verse comes from the last part of Mark chapter 9. In it Jesus is telling his disciples about the greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus had asked his disciples what they were discussing out on the road. But none of them had answered, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.  So Jesus sat down and called the disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

What I’m learning is that I exist to make a big deal out of God. This life is not about my own self-recognition, either in this world or in heaven. It is all about honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords with everything I have to give.

Given this, I should make each day count as I will only get one chance to share the love of Christ on earth. I should make my life count by using my God-given talents to honor the Lord. The blessing he will provide for me doing so will be far greater than what I give of myself.

In summary, I am called to be a servant. I need to wash a few feet here on earth and share the love of the Lord!. As I assume the role of a servant, I will become more like Jesus.

Meekness Is Not The Same As Weakness

In review of Matthew 5:5 it says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”

Bottom Line:

Blessed are the meek, for they will receive what God has promised.

What this means to me:

I will be blessed for being meek and humble. I will receive what God has promised.

Today's passage comes from Matthew 5 where Jesus is teaching about the beatitudes. Jesus tells us that God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, those who are meek and humble, those who hunger and thirst for justice, those who are merciful, whose hearts are pure, those who work for peace and those who are persecuted for doing right.

In order to make healthy choices I need to have to learn and practice being meek. Matthew 5:5 says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (NIV).

Scripture lists many benefits of meekness: The meek will be satisfied (Psalm 22:26); God will guide them (Psalm 25:9); they will become wise (Proverbs 11:2); they will be filled with fresh joy (Isaiah 29:19).

However, the term “meek” is not really understood. In fact it is often confused with another term that sounds like it; “meek” sounds like “weak.” Nobody wants to be weak, so nobody wants to be meek.

What I have learned is that meekness and weakness are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Meekness is in no way weakness. In fact, the Greek word for meekness literally means “strength under control.” To be meek is not to be weak. It’s used to describe a wild stallion that has been tamed. That stallion still has all the strength it had when it was wild, but now its strength is under control. It is strength bottled up for the master’s use. God doesn’t want me to be weak, but he does want me to be meek. The Bible teaches that it’s one of the keys to stress reduction in your life.

Here’s a simple definition of the word meek: Let go, and let God. That is the essence of meekness. It is surrendering, submitting, and agreeing to what God wants to do in your life. It’s letting God be God in your life. Let go, and let God.

If I can begin to practice it, I’m sure it will relieve stress and eliminate worry. If I’ll let go and let God, it will defuse anger and end any hurt and resentment.

Today I will consider what areas of life I need to surrender so that God can take control.