Category: relationship

Lord Of The Harvest

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“So neither is the one who plants or the one who waters anything, but only God who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7

We have all been commissioned by the Lord to go out into all the world and make disciples. To love others into God’s kingdom. We may be excited to be going to heaven and God’s kingdom one day but so many people will not be going with us. Most people just don’t know what they are missing out on. People don’t think about their death but just assume they have a long time left. They also don’t think about where they will spend eternity. A lot of people think you just go to sleep and never wake up. That doesn’t seem that bad unless you wake up and you are in the torment of pain, agony, and fear for ever. Then it doesn’t sound so simple anymore. Unless someone shares the good news with them they will not know they have a choice.The person whose life is full of sin and pride and doesn’t even know any better is dying in his sin. He has a deadly cancerous disease raging in his body and he is probably unaware of it. Let’s say you once were full of cancerous sin but you heard of someone who had a cure that was free and could give you an excellent healing and live happily and healthy again. Do you think this person would want to know about this cure? They may decide to ignore their sickness but at least you could give them the option. Making a decision for their future is painless and simple. All you need to do is ask and it can be had. The thing with cancer is you don’t always know you have it until it’s too late. I went through a time in my life where pride took control and I thought I was living. Going out drinking with my friends till the crack of dawn and usually feeling hungover the next day. I was deceived into thinking it was living. Until my stroke almost took my life and I knew I was missing something. I had somebody come to see me and offered to read the Bible to me and pray for me. It was just someone I had worked with who I respected. She kept coming by and didn’t give up on me. I didn’t do anything right away but it really got me started seeking wisdom. It was ten years later when I had the lightbulb moment and I couldn’t not do everything I could to have that relationship I longed for. I had always gone to church when I was younger. But I was a Sunday morning Christian and the rest of the week I did my own thing. Until I got to know the great physician personally and learned more and more about him I didn’t understand. The point is that this is very important information to have and it doesn’t matter who brings it or how because it is the Lord who convicts us and convinces us to do something. Sometimes it takes several people planting and watering for years before you realize you need to do something. But God doesn’t give up on us.

Life

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“Very truly I tell you. Whoever hears my word and believes he who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

When we hear the truth our ears are opened and there is a stirring inside of us. The more we hear, the more we seek, and the more we believe. When we believe in our hearts we know that Jesus is the son of the only true God and we want more. When we accept Jesus into our hearts and confess all of our sins, giving them to him, we are saved. We transfer from death to life. Life eternal, forever. But real life begins at that very moment. We don’t have to wait to die and go to heaven. God wants us to enjoy life now. We may be young Christian babies, just like when a mother becomes pregnant, there is a life growing. Just as alive as if it walked down the street. We were alive because of God and we mattered to him. We just didn’t know the creator until he came to live inside of us. Once we know of him we need to get to know him and his character. Read his words and promises, and spend time talking to him about everything. Just enjoy his presence. That is why attending a good church is important, because you will hear more about him and being around others who love him also is pleasant and encouraging. All of these things will make life richer. Look around you because he is everywhere. From the rising of the sun of a bright new day to the laughter of a young child , you can see his love all around you. The more I trust him and his ways, the more I do what he says and live like he lived. The more I come alive. We were not meant to hear and just walk away, forgetting what we heard. The more I hear, the more I want to hear because it brings such peace. Obedience brings so many rewards and peace can never be sweeter than when you are walking out your faith. You will become bolder and realize just how precious his words can be. I have started memorizing more of the words I read because I can speak them back to myself whenever I need them for encouragement and strength. During the day when problems pop up his word comes out of my heart. At one time I thought I knew God but I was never around him or thinking about him and I did whatever I wanted. Well that led to destruction and my near death after my stroke. That woke me up. I had to know what life really was and boy I have found it. Praise God!

Good vs.Evil

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“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

This world is just what you perceive it to be. There is unbelievable beauty all around us. We have been given so much by our creator. We tend to take our eyes off of the good and focus just on the negative so we are seldom satisfied and always wanting more. Do you realize that there is so much more to this life than what we can see? There is a continual battle going on around you and you are right in the middle of it and you know nothing about it. I am on my tablet all day long so I see the games and ads. Things that will make your life better and more relaxed taking your mind off of problems. There are so many games about kingdoms and so called make believe lands. All of that may sound exciting but it already exists and you just aren’t aware of it. There are two main kingdoms. Good and evil. Satan has bombarded human hearts with his ideas and schemes to convince you that you have to have more. If there is a God he expects you to go out and get all you can. Whatever will make you happy. If it’s fighting unknown kingdoms with skill and power. Make believe creatures that you can live through who create more and more. Where did we come up with these things? Could it be that the one who created it all, created a desire in your heart for something more that will never be satisfied until you realize it is him that you desire. Satan does not ever want you to realize that. It is his desire to do as much damage to all that was created as he can. He does not want you to know that there is someone who loves you and wants so much more for you. The very best. He already created everything we would ever need to make us extremely happy right here. But he is the biggest part of that. Because spending your time with him will open your eyes more to what you already have. Satan is really a toothless lion. His roar is bigger than he is. He can’t do anything that God doesn’t allow which is evil, unless you allow him and partner with him. He will use you to further his plans. So if you aren’t partnered with good you are partnered with evil. I have read the end of the book and evil loses. Do you want to lose everything?

Cinderella

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I have always been drawn to the Cinderella story, but what girl hasn’t. The movies where the unlikeliest girl finds her Prince Charming and lives happily ever after. To bad fairy tales are just dreams. Well we all have a Prince Charming that wants to give us everything we can imagine. A full and an exciting life. People just can’t fathom that Christianity could be anything but hard work and giving so much up. They don’t want to give up the crumbs they have right now for the unknown. I want what I want. But what if you could have so very much more? Most stroke victims have memory issues and brain fog. When I first came to after my stroke I had nothing. I could not move, speak, or even open my mouth. I was locked in. But I did still have my mind. I prayed that I would not lose that. Anything else I could live without. I slowly did get a lot back but accepted the losses. But living in a nursing home forever? That took a lot of time to accept. But it is now my home and my safe place with people who love me. But I have gotten to know my Prince Charming and he has overwhelmed me. Just when I start thinking things are good. They get so much better. He likes to do that. He has promised to do more than I could ever imagine, so he does. My life gets more fulfilling every day. I wake up excited. Ok what’s today, Lord? I do keep my part done, but you couldn’t keep me from spending time with him because it’s the best part of my day. Just talking about anything and everything. When you really know someone you can just spend a lot of time with them. He knows the things that are important to me and it might not be much. But it’s always more than I expect. So I do have my happily ever after.

What about you?

Nuggets of Truth in Scripture

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As a mother and a grandmother it is very important to support my family in any and every way I can. I am only 62 but have learned so much about life and relationships in the last several years. I was pretty average most of my life but God did bless me with a very good life. But when I was just 45 I had a massive stroke and nearly died. I had been living selfishly for a few years trying to get what I wanted out of life. As I look back now I see God’s grace all over me. If I had died I know I would have gone to heaven, but by the skin of my teeth. I would not have been prepared to meet my maker in all his holiness and splendor. I am ashamed and embarrassed by the life I was living. Oh, I was a Christian raised in church and always tried to do the right things. But it was a hollow and unfulfilling life. What did I do to touch my world or to make a difference? If I had stood before God how would I have looked him in the eyes. I believe now that my stroke was the most important thing that ever happened to me. I finally had the time to search out God and the things that I have learned over the last 16 years, I wish someone could have told me beforehand and saved me from a lot of mistakes. I have come to not only believe in my God but got to know him and his character so very well that I realize that I can’t possibly live a minute without him. Nor do I ever want to. I began reading the Bible every day the year after my stroke. And though at times it has been tough, I committed to read straight through from the beginning to the end. The only way you can have a real good relationship with someone is to get to know everything that is important to them and by sharing everything that is important to you also. That’s why reading the Bible and prayer is so valuable. It’s actually better than the best textbook , owners manual, or guide book for life and it was inspired by the very one who made us and knows what is best for us. And how to get everything we can out of life. In the Bible it says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free .” John 8:32. Well, I can honestly say that I have never been more at peace, happier, more fulfilled than I am right now. I am truly free at last. I want everyone I know to know what I know and the joy I have found. Man I could have avoided so much pain and conflict if I had only known. What’s really great is that every day I learn to grow more and it just keeps getting better and better. I may live another 30 years . It could happen and it only gets better. So for the next several weeks and months I will besharing words from scriptures and truths God has shown me.

God’s Provision

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“I am the vine; and you are the branches. if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV

This verse has so much to say about our walk with God. Who God is and how he sees his awesome plan for us. God is the one who made us and we are a part of him. We were never meant to be apart from him. Our need of him is so very important in every aspect of our lives. If we want to be all we can be, we will need to cooperate with him. He does know what is best. He has great plans for us. To be people for himself that will bear much fruit, this fruit is the traits and characteristics that will further his kingdom. We will be loving, peaceable, joyful, long-suffering, gentle, good, meek, temperate, and faithful. These are the fruits he desires to see in us. He uses the example of a grape vine for good reasons. If God is a grape vine then we are connected to him and will produce his fruits. Grape vines produce grapes. We can not decide on our own to produce something other than grapes, like tomatoes. We are to be more like him every day. He decides what we need to be and what is best for all. We also need to be connected to him. He is our power source. If we do what we want and not what he has asked us to do we will be weak, and ineffective. We need to spend time with him. A relationship with him is very important. Anyone you ever have a relationship with is important to you. You spend time with them, share, talk about the good and the bad together and become closer together all the time. Another thing about a grape vine is to be connected every day. If you are not connected to his vine, you are disconnected. If you are disconnected you will die. It may be a slow miserable death, but with no nutrients you will die. When a vine dies it is burnt up and cast away.. You don’t want to be cast off or dead do you? You are not going to be very productive if you are dead. As I was reading my Bible today I was in Deuteronomy. The Israelites had just spent 40 years wandering around in the wilderness and the whole time God was providing for them. They were brought out of Egypt in such a mighty way. Even when they faced their first struggles God was strong. Splitting the Red Sea so they walked right through, in the mud, no. They walked on solid, dry, ground. He provided water when they needed it, and food for many thousand men, women and children. They demanded meat and God sent quail. Their clothes and shoes held up for forty years and never wore out. During this time they married and had families. He kept them safe and strong. Because there was as many people after the forty years as when they began and the previous generation had all died in the wilderness. Only Joshua and Caleb remained from the original bunch. When they came into the promised land God fought for them. No matter how big or how strong their enemies were, they did not stand a chance. But he warned them to leave certain people alone. Because he had already blessed them, such as Esaus family and Lot’s family. Those who God has blessed shall remain blessed.

Do yo want to be one of God’s blessed people?

Be Light

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“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 NIV

This one short phrase says so much. In the very beginning All was dark and there was nothing. When God said this He was well aware of our need for him. In the beginning he walked in the garden with the man and woman, sharing all he had with them. It was never about us, but everything He can do for us. He made a perfect garden, far better than any man could create. The animals he created are so beautiful and so unique, but every one of them has a purpose in this world. They are made just for the environment they live in. Whether it is warm or cold. Flat or rocky, wet or dry. I do not know how you can look at some of these wonders and not think about their creator. Jesus is the light of the world and God is light, in him there is no darkness. Without him there would be nothing. Contrary to many so called wise men, who say, “ the earth just happened in all its unique perfection and purpose.” That is so far from anything that has ever happened before and so hard to prove. We all know man is not perfect but guessing at life is hard to believe. The light of the world spoke and things happened. Amazing and wonderful things happened. Their ability for greatness and wisdom are so evident. Everything was taken into consideration. How would the plants be watered? What would we eat? In the very beginning the world was perfect. Man didn’t need clothes because the climate was moderate. Everyone, including animals ate plants and there was no death. Everything they could ever want or need was included. God has called us to be his light to the world. We are anxiously awaiting Jesus,s great return. But he is waiting for his church to stand up and be this light and be victorious. He has called us to be salt, the flavor and purifier this world needs. So many people have become complacent, thinking that the world will just get worse and it’s too late. But Jesus said continue to tell the world about him until he comes again in his glory. Tomorrow you just might change someone’s way of thinking by the love you share and they will be saved. If we just give up, who knows how many people could be saved. It can be something very simple that finally gets through to them, so continue to speak hope and love. So many people don’t know that they are loved and are important. We should never stop being light because this is a dark time. Even some who call themselves Christians just do not know the hope set before us.

What can you do to be light?

Friends

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“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his masters business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NIV

“…and again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise are futile. 1 Corinthians 3:20 NIV

It is so sad that many so called wise men and women can be so lost in their self centered thinking that they would not even consider something so much bigger and better than themselves exists. Something that could actually benefit them. Well I know no friend who will ever mean more to me than Jesus. His words are not only true, but I have never seen any fail. Something in the back of my mind plays his words over and over in my mind knowing I can never find a mistake. He can predict things that will happen a hundred years from now in the future with precise accuracy. Things that are even humanly impossible. He can say this and that will happen even if they make no sense and they somehow come to pass. He loves to make some events so impossible that we as humans can see that unless someone so completely not human steps in they could never happen yet they do. Why can we not see? God is still in control over them. That’s the irony that some just can’t get. They see themselves as important and wise but they are just clanging cymbals. And some may even have their eyes opened but most will die in their own sin. They will face the Lord after it is too late and bow before him just to spend eternity in torment. We are the ones who could say something that could change their thinking. If they only opened their eyes and realized that we only share because we really care. There is nothing self serving in sharing the good news of Jesus. Those that do it really do care. We may be a true friend by trying to share but even we are not perfect. It is easy to throw up your hands and say, “Oh well, I tried!” You just don’t deserve it anyway. They do deserve it but they just can’t see beyond themselves. They are the big picture and there is no room for anything else. I do understand. I have been so deceived in my thinking that I truly saw myself as being right even though it was warped thinking. It happens and pride is the root. In hindsight it is so easy to see but at the time, blindness happens. The more sin happens the more it takes hold and the enemy can begin to pull the wool over your eyes . It can start slowly but can continue growing as you feed it. More sin, less sight. I would say that someone that walks close to the Lord and does amazing things with God’s help. They could never walk away from him. Well anyone can lose their faith. I’ve seen it happen. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you, but you can leave him. He is a perfect gentleman never staying where he is not wanted. Just look at the state of the world. He says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” If we continue to walk as closely as we can and do everything we can to keep that connection open I know he will too. But sin unchecked can creep in slowly. It can start with simple loneliness. Seeking acceptance and love in the wrong place and with the wrong people. A little sin here or there and we are right where we never wanted to be.

Are you thinking too wise in your own eyes?

Our Glorious God

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“I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

How much God does love us. Every day as I set out to write I seek God’s will for what to write about. So yesterday I felt led to write about his great love for us and how much he has done for us. I felt so overwhelmed by his goodness and just couldn’t come up with the words to express my feelings. Some days I just don’t have it. I can’t write and feel inadequate. But after spending time seeking him and remembering that it isn’t me that has any power to get it done, I relax. Our God loves us and we can see this through his words. In the very beginning he had a perfect plan to shower us with everything good and give us a perfect life with himself to share it. He made our amazing universe. Billions of stars and billions of galaxies. He doesn’t do things part way but in great abundance. A world that could sustain us and keep us safe and happy, but one that we could never get bored with. We could spend forever discovering it’s beauty and greatness. He made a garden that was more beautiful than any since. And he made man in his own image with everything needed to make us mighty and wise. It was very good to a perfect God. There was nothing evil. He also gave us free will to chose and we let that control us. We wanted what was good but let ourselves get in the way of what was great. “For no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 God still wanted man after he was banished from the garden and he had to make a way for us to be together again. His own son would come to earth as a poor helpless baby, giving up his place in glory. He would live a perfect life and freely give his life to be killed in a horrible way, just to save us. We did not deserve it, and we could never earn it. We were bought at such an exorbitant price and that price was God’s very own son. Now we could be free. Our salvation made it possible for God to see us as perfect again. We would no longer die but live with him in perfection forever. No, everything he does is to help us become perfect. He is in no hurry, but patiently and lovingly he will continue to work on us. We were never created for a mediocre life but a very good and awesome life. To be all that we can be. We have to sacrifice our desires for the one who knows better than us, what we really need. We need to love sacrificially. Loving God, our neighbor and even those we don’t want to love. Those that might not deserve it,. The more we give, the more he gives. It’s a win win situation.

How many want to be all you can be?

He Is Faithful

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“If we are faithless, he remains faithful because he cannot disown himself .” 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV

We are flawed and sinful. But God is perfect. He cannot sin, it’s not his nature. We can trust that he will be faithful to do all that he promises. His promises are so good that it seems too good to be true. At one time I knew of his promises and believed they were true, but I had doubts. But now I have such a good relationship with him and I know him. He has proven true time and time again throughout the years. Being 61 years old he has always taken good care of me. I still have pain, heartaches and trials but I know he is there with me through it all and is helping and encouraging me through it all. He also teaches me so much about his ways through it. I no longer just believe, I have seen with my own heart his goodness for myself and he is faithful. Lately I have been so easily touched by him. I hear a song or someone says something good about God, and I get all choked up. I just get so blessed because he’s not just good he’s awesome. You can get to know him better for yourself. He promises as we seek more of him he will give it. But we need to make the first move to get to know him better. Pray! To get to know anyone better you need to talk to them. Read God’s word! We need to read all about him. His ways and his character. Why he does what he does. You can only get to know him by reading about him every day. You can read the same things over and over and always get something different out of it. That’s why the word is alive. The spirit shows you something different each time. Listen to praise music! Hearing others sing about how great he is rubs off. I hear myself singing in my sleep and I do sleep peacefully. Go to church! Being around other Christians and hearing them talk about his goodness inspires and relationships are strong. Pray and intercede for others! Praying for others needs encourages you when you hear answers to their prayers. He will also take care of your needs. I have come so far in my walk with him in just a short time. I find myself excited for each new day of his blessings. He is so very good.

Do you know the one who is always faithful?