Blossoms

"Many people will praise God because you obey the Good News of Christ...and because you freely share with them and with all others"- 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NCV). 

"Influence often isn't noticed until it blossoms later in the garden of someone else's life. Our words and actions may land close to home, or they may be carried far and wide" (Pam Farrel). How many times have you blossomed and made a statement, then realized they were your mother's words, a friend's words or a teacher's words? Our words and actions are seeds we give to those we influence. As branches of the Vine, we produce fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit produces seed freely scattered into the garden of others. Your words and actions lead to blossoms of Godly praise on the lips of those you influence. God is creating a beautiful blossom-filled garden through the obedience of His children.

Be Still

"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose in me"- Psalm 57:2 (NLT).

Just as God's ways and thoughts are not our ways and thoughts, so is God's timing not our timing. In a world of immediate gratification we struggle with God's seemingly slow revealing of His purpose in me. Believers, take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14); the Lord will give us strength to wait; to endure (Isaiah 40:31). The time may pass slow, but wait for it; it will come; it will not delay (Habakkuk 2:3). His purpose will be fulfilled in all of creation and in you. You were set apart when you were born and called by His grace (Galatians 1:15). Be still (Psalm 46:10a).

Work Ethics

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."-2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV).

Paul instructs followers to work with their hands, not to be dependent on others, and to walk properly before non-believers (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Paul had set the example when he had visited them. Believers in the church of Thessalonica must have had a problem with work ethics, since Paul mentioned it in both letters. Christians are not to be lazy and live off of others for their provisions; nor are they to only do a halfway decent job in your work. Proverbs 18:9 says he who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys (the devil). What statement does that make to non-believers? Believers are to work heartily, like we are working directly for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). We are promised that God has plans for us, for our prosperity and future (Jeremiah 29:11). So, whatever you do, do it to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Your hard work will lead to profit, strengthening the message to non-believers; however, mere words will lead only to ruin (Proverbs 14:23).   

Freedom

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love"- Galatians 5:13 (NIV).

You are called to be free! Do you want to be great? Serve! Do you want to be first? Take the position of a slave! That's not the definition of freedom in today's society. Jesus didn't come to be served, but to serve and endure the cross, paying our ransom; setting us free (Mark 10:43-45). We are called to serve God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Luke 10:27); not slothfully; with passion (Romans 12:11). Jesus purchased our freedom, but, not to be used to indulge the flesh. That the deceit of the devil: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit...you will live" (Romans 8:13). The benefits of serving God far outweigh what this life has to offer; your freedom, used in serving, leads to holiness and eternal life (Romans 6:22).  

Take His Hand

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight"- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).

"We have ample evidence that the Lord is able to guide. The promises cover every imaginable situation. All we need to do is to take the hand He stretches out" (Elizabeth Elliot). My daughter wouldn't take my hand when we walked. Obviously, I either walked too slow or she didn't want me to control her path. For a mother this can be disconcerting because it appears your child doesn't trust your guidance. This analogy is applicable to adults who don't trust, nor yield to God's hand. If you've taken hold of God's hand, your confidence in is this: Though you stumble, you will not fall; for the Lord upholds you with His hand (Psalm 37:24). Trust and yield to the outstretched hand of Almighty God; for He will lead you into His truth (Psalm 25:5).