Jesus Christ Revealed

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed"- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV).  

Never is our testimony stronger than when we go through trials; nor, can it ever be more visibly weak. During the anguish of trials we cry out to God, but our outward appearance in the presence of others should be one of trust, filled with hope and certainty, in the salvation of our Lord. Once over, we rejoice and thank God for His deliverance. That joy is worth more than gold, for Jesus Christ has been revealed. It makes faith stronger, Love more revealed and hearts yearning for more; not just for you, but for all those within your sphere of influence. Oh how sad the soul, who must apologize for their actions or words that may have dishonored the Lord during the trial or damaged the faith of a weaker brother or sister. During your trials, let those around you know of the Firm Foundation, the Rock on which you stand, the Steady Hand that will deliver you and wait; be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10).   

Plot Of Soil

"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful"- Matthew 13:22 (NIV). 

A garden will not produce unless the soil is prepared and maintained. The tender plants will need a nutrient-rich soil that has been overturned to aerate and loosen the soil for moisture to drain through and growing roots to be unhindered. Weeds have to be removed constantly or they will strangle the life out of sprouting seeds, just as evil will choke out the implanted Word of God. A world (garden), full of sin (weeds), is at war with God and being friends with this sin-filled world makes you an enemy of God (James 4:4). Will you grow to bear fruit in the garden you tend? Be careful to prepare and maintain your plot of soil. Implant the Word of God to keep the soil nutrient-rich. Be watchful for weeds, pull them from the soil, turn the soil back over and reseed if you must start over in some areas of your garden. Your diligence will create fruit that both honors and glorifies God.    

Adjust Your Sails

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"- Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV).

The winds of change are inevitable. Rashika Jain said, "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls while others build windmills. Remember, we cannot change the direction of the wind, but we can always adjust our sails." The wind, as with life's events, never blows from the same direction; never blows with the same intensity. Wind strength ranges from gentle breezes to tornado strength; one refreshes, while the other has the potential to change the landscape. There is a time for everything; everyone will one day experience both, from babies who are our gentle breezes to death, which changes the landscape of our lives. We stand and face the gentle breezes, but run for shelter when the wind begins to bellow. That is the time when we must adjust our sails for shelter, a safe haven. Jesus is our safe haven, our strong tower and mighty fortress, throughout the storms of our life. We don't have the ability to change the wind, but we can adjust our sails accordingly during our time in that season.

Actions Speak

"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth"- Hosea 6:3 (NIV).

The old adage that "actions speak louder than words" can be applied here: Does your temper get the best of you, are you found in embarrassing places, are your relationships above board, does your work represent the best you can do, are you generous with help? Our actions acknowledge God or ignore God. How will you be found when He appears? That's the strongest question in today's message, because He surely will come. Just as the rain refreshes His creation, He will appear and refresh those who are faithfully acknowledging Him, in a world that ignores who He is: The Truth, the Way and the Life (John 14:6). Press on to acknowledge Jesus.

One Man

"Then the Lord said, "My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years"- Genesis 6:3 (NIV).

Methuselah was the longest recorded lifespan in the Bible: 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). Then God set a limit to man's life, 120 years, right before the flood. The wickedness of the world had become increasingly intolerable to merciful God. He could no longer contend with each man up to 900 years; the population had increased, along with sin, and God was no longer honored or obeyed, except by one man: Noah. God brought the flood, basically wiping out all mankind and starting over with Noah's family. Through Noah mankind got a second chance. The flood, however, didn't save mankind; sin still remained. God did save mankind through one Man, His Son, who honored and obeyed Him. Instead of all mankind dying, the one Man died. Jesus honored and obeyed the Father and saved the world from sin. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God is now able to contend with humans forever.