Grace giving and Truth Telling - Pt. 3

 

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8-10 ESV).

 

I am often confronted with the notion that without laws and commandments our society would be torn apart and reduced to chaos. While there is a need for laws and commandments, we cannot simply apply them without love. The Apostle Paul in our reading today is clear. He would never advise others to ignore the law; however, he does explicitly say the doing of the law must flow from a person who understands loving others as themselves. In fact, he says the entirety of the Law is summed up in “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 10).

 

Love is a moral principle. A principle covers all the world’s moral activity. There are a few other moral principles, such as be holy, do justice, and do no harm. These principles apply in all times and places. We can never say, “No, I don’t have to love here,” or “I don’t have to do justice there.” In all cases moral principles apply.

 

When we love someone, we should not need to be reminded not to steal from them, or lie about them, or cheat them. Such reminders are almost impertinent for someone who loves another. Paul says, “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” But doing no harm, or merely observing the law, is not enough. Only the perfect love that Christ showed when he gave his life for ours is sufficient to fulfill the law. Christ removed the curse of lawlessness and has given us everlasting life.

 

To love as Jesus did means that we incorporate God’s self-sacrificing love into our hearts. In Christ, God showed us not only perfect obedience to the law but perfect love. Of course, only Christ fully lives out that perfect love. We who live in this hostile world still struggle with desires to make gains for ourselves or to harm others. Since we still live with this tension, we still need the law. However, our goal is to achieve balance in behavior rooted and expressed in love.

 

Grace Giving and Truth Telling - Pt. 2

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:34-40 ESV).

 

Equal part of grace giving and truth telling is the principle Jesus is teaching in our reading today. I find it interesting that many people today justify their ignoring the last half of this teaching while adamantly claiming to be perfect in their adherence to the first part. Truthfully, you simply cannot love God and hate others, regardless of their political values or cultural background. It ought to be obvious. In fact, this verse might seem so obvious that only a child would need to learn it. How could I love someone and then hurt them? That’s no way to treat anyone, especially someone I love. Martin Luther King, Jr. certainly got this part of the equation. Truly, “we must learn to live together as brothers, or perish tighter as fools.” It seems we are on the brink of such destruction in our country today.

 

In Psalm 119 we can tell that the writer loves God and wants to live God’s way. “I seek you with all my heart,” the psalmist writes; “do not let me stray from your commands.” If we are like this believer, we have a deep trust in God, and we know that only God’s faithful love and care can help us live by God’s law of love. Though the commandments are often stated negatively—do not worship other gods; do not kill; do not steal; and so on—the summary of them all is positive: do love the Lord your God; do love your neighbor as yourself (cf. Mark 12:29-31).

 

The commandments are not external demands; they are the framework on which love for God can grow and flourish. And without God’s love and the framework he gives us to live by, nothing will stand. Perhaps this is also at the root of Jesus’ teaching that we build our house on the “solid rock” (cf. Matthew 7:24-27). The sure foundation of our lives can only be found in our attitudes and behavior toward others. When we love God with all of our being, we also ought to love others as we love ourselves. That means we then behave in a manner worthy of the name of Jesus!

  

Grace Giving and Truth Telling - Pt. 1

 

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 ESV).

 

Today we begin a new study, “Grace Giving and Truth Telling.” I could have titled it “Love and Law,” though I felt that might not be descriptive enough. I hope we will be able to explore several principles from Scripture that will help us achieve the correct balance in our lives with others. Our reading today gives us a great point of beginning as the Apostle Paul says, “Let love be genuine… Do not be slothful in zeal.” If you are anything like I am, I struggle with balancing those two in my behavior toward others. AS I review some of the things that have proven helpful for me, I hope they will both encourage and help you also.

 

Warren Wiersbe once wrote: “Truth without love is brutality; and, love without truth is hypocrisy.” In some of the premarital counseling I have done I have used a question to begin leading the prospective couple in the development of their commitment to one another. It is: “How would you like to use the following for your wedding vows? ‘I promise not to kill you, not to steal from you, not to cheat on you, not to swear at your parents…’”? You know, I’ve never had anyone say, “Wow, that sounds great! Can you send me a copy for my wedding?” That’s because these are negative legal statements, not positive promises of love.

 

Laws prohibit harm; love promises good. Of course, you wouldn’t want to marry someone who vowed to kill you or steal from you. But promising not to harm someone would not give them much of a reason to marry you, either. You should not harm anyone, of course. And you should promise lifelong love to only one person. That’s the issue we must examine. Love and law must work together in balance. We must learn to always balance grace giving with truth telling and vice versa. Begin to pray now that God will give you clarity in recognizing both.

 

Fear - Pt. 7

After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. (Acts 28:1-8 ESV).

 

Our reading today tells us the story of Paul’s experience on Malta after he was shipwrecked. When a viper attacks Paul, the local islanders think he will die. But Paul shakes the snake off, and no harm comes to him. When Paul does not die, the people think he is a god. But no, Paul is not a god. He does represent God, however. Paul is almost all the way to Rome, but the witness of God through him continues every step of the way. Paul is on Malta because of a storm and a shipwreck. And God continues to take care of him in different ways. God also takes care of the people of Malta.

 

The chief official of the island opens his home to welcome the shipwrecked visitors. During this time, God heals the official’s sick father through Paul. A moment of hospitality becomes the setting to see God’s healing power, and many others are healed also. At first glance, we see Paul shipwrecked on an island, delayed for three months on his journey to Rome. But soon we can see that God has brought Paul and the others there to bring healing and the good news of Jesus.

 

In addition, we see God taking care of Paul and the others by bringing them to Malta. But then we also see that God takes care of Malta by bringing Paul and the others there. And as they travel on to Rome, they meet other people and are welcomed and encouraged. May we be people who look again and again to see the God who is always at work taking care of us and others.

  

Fear - Pt. 6

 

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. (Psalm 118:5-7 ESV).

 

My thoughts in relation to the fear of what others may do to me have always revolved around a thought: “What is the worst they can do? They can’t eat me.” Well, I know that’s not entirely true; and, sometimes it feels that I have been devoured by the lies and hurtful actions of others. We have all had such experiences from time to time. The psalmist asks the question in our reading today: “What can man do to me?” I think we all know what the psalmist is getting at here, but people can be mean! They can hurt us verbally, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. And my guess is that we’ve all experienced at least one of those hurts, if not all of them. I don’t necessarily live in daily fear of physical harm, but some people do, and that can be devastating. Others live with a different, but just as devastating fear. They live in fear of being hurt by people’s words.

 

The answer to this fear is an essential part of how we can overcome the feeling of hopelessness in the face of rejection and hurt by others. Our meme today is a quote by Gloria Copeland. It is a great expression of the positive truth expressed in our reading today to help us be such overcomers.

 

Undoubtedly the psalmist knew all of that as well as we do. He was pursued and threatened with bodily harm. But even in the midst of threats and dangers, he was able to give thanks to God, confess that the Lord was with him, and be certain that mere mortals could not ultimately destroy him.

 

While people might be able to hurt our bodies or minds, they can’t hurt our souls. And while people can hurt us in this world, they can’t hurt us forever. That is the message the psalmist wants us to hear. We aren’t assured of health and safety on this earth. But we don’t need to fear what anyone on this earth can do to us. They cannot control our destiny. With God, we can be certain that our destiny is in his hands. Put your complete trust in God’s ultimate design and destiny for you. Even if they eat you, they cannot destroy you. Your future is secure in Christ!

 

Fear - Pt. 5

 

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:15-21 ESV).

 

We all have regrets. We regret things we did in the past that we wish we hadn’t done. We regret things we could’ve done differently. We regret not having finished a course of action or completed a task in life. Sometimes they are significant, while others may be life altering. Maybe for you what sticks in your mind is some action that you still regret. Maybe no one else even knows that you did it. And when you think about it, maybe you are filled with fear of being found out or accused. Regret can be accompanied by such fear. Whether that is so or not, regret will rob us of joy and peace.

 

Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery many years earlier and had lied to cover it up (see Genesis 37-45). But recently they had learned that Joseph was now a powerful ruler and that he had also forgiven them for what they had done. But after their father, Jacob, died, they were afraid that Joseph would punish them and make them pay for what they had done to him. But Joseph assured them that they had nothing to be afraid of. He had forgiven them and would keep caring for them and their families.

 

God doesn’t want us to live in fear for what we have done or left undone. In Christ, God has forgiven us completely for all the wrong things we have done. Jesus’ sacrifice for us paid the price for all of those past transgressions and omissions. And as a result, we have been made new through Jesus Christ. So we have nothing to fear. This is the foundation of peace. It is the spring of joy.

 

Fear - Pt. 4

 

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. (Mark 9:29-32 ESV).

 

Tucked away in the middle of Mark’s account of Jesus’ teaching concerning His death and resurrection is a wonderful insight that is very helpful as we learn how to face our fears with faith. It is found in the last verse of our reading today: “But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask Him” (v. 9). Maybe you have heard the saying “There’s no such thing as a dumb question.” We have all had times when we wanted to ask something but didn’t have the courage to ask. Perhaps you have experienced this fear. We often feel this way in our relationships. We ask questions to see if it is safe to ask what we really want to ask. I call these “secondary questions.” The problem with this practice is that you will never conquer your fears with such lack of knowledge.

 

This is where Jesus’ disciples were. Jesus had now told his disciples twice that he would die and be raised again from the dead. Can you imagine the questions they must have had about that? But they were afraid to ask. Maybe they were afraid because they thought they should understand this already. Or maybe they were afraid because they didn’t want Jesus to ask them any follow-up questions. Or maybe they were afraid to ask because they weren’t sure they wanted to know the answers.

 

We all have questions that we want to ask God but are afraid to ask. Yet we don’t need to be afraid to ask God anything. In fact, he wants us to bring our questions, doubts, and fears to him. Jesus taught this principle very clearly:

 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 ESV).

 

What questions are you afraid to ask? Take some time to bring those to God today.

 

Fear - Pt. 3

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshuu 1:6-9 ESV).

 

It’s natural to have some fear or apprehension at the beginning of a new task. We may ask ourselves questions like “What if I don’t know what to do?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” In our reading today Joshua had just been told that Moses, the leader of God’s people, was dead. And now God told Joshua that he would be the one to lead the people. What a huge task! We couldn’t blame Joshua for at least having a little fear. But God tells him to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid or discouraged. And this encouragement is more than a pep talk. This is God’s promise to Joshua that wherever he goes in the new land that God would bring them into and however hard the task before him would be God would always be right there with him.

 

I have found there are always those times in our lives when we face unexpected challenges. It may be something at work or school; it could an unforeseen health crisis. These times present the temptation to become discouraged or afraid. But God’s promise to us is the same as it was to Joshua: God will be with us wherever we go.

 

In just a few months so many young adults will be going on to other places and challenges as a result of their graduations, whether high school or college. All of these new things are exciting and create a sense of adventure. However, they also carry with them an opposite effect for parents and grandparents. We are left to wonder if they will be alright? Will they succeed? Will they make good choices? Can I remind you that God’s promise extends to those circumstances also? I remind myself of that each day as such a day rapidly approaches for me. God will be with them and He will be with me. How can I possibly lose!

  

Fear - Pt. 2

 

And when he [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-27 ESV).

 

I’ve lived in places where the likelihood of a severe storm was ever present. I grew up on the island of Galveston where hurricanes were always a threat. In fact, I stayed on the island when one of the deadliest hurricanes ever to hit the coast came ashore. Carla, with winds of over 170mph and torrential rains, wasn’t much more than a curiosity to me as I watched from our second floor window. Little did I realize the destruction it would cause until later. I’ve also lived in areas where tornados are likely. We live in one of those places now. I like to go outside and watch the thunderheads move in and see if I can spot one in the distance. I know that’s foolish and DO NOT recommend that, but storms are not one of my fears. Now, watch me retreat and run for the gun if I see a snake in the yard!

 

We all have fears that are more difficult to handle than others. The disciples had every right to be afraid of the storm that came upon their boat. The waves were sweeping right in! It is hard to fault them for fearing for their lives. But when they woke up Jesus, he asked why they didn’t have any faith. It’s easy for us to read this and think, “Of course their boat wasn’t going to sink; Jesus was on it!” But when you are in the middle of a frightening situation, rational thinking is one of the first things to go.

 

A lack of faith and the onset of fear are often paired in the Bible. It may seem unfair at times to blame our fear on a lack of faith. But when it comes down to it, our faith in God and his promises are enough to overcome all fears. God doesn’t promise that we won’t ever be in frightening situations. But he does ask us to trust him all the time. Even if the situation we are in goes terribly wrong, we are still children of God. Our destiny is in his hands, and he is ultimately in control. He will not fail us, nor forget us!

 

Fear - Pt. 1

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4 ESV).

 

Today I’m beginning a new series under the topic of “fear.” We must begin with our reading today. The picturesque language of Psalm 23 always makes me think about being in the woods, whether simply hiking or hunting. I remember one of those moments when I got turned around as Kyle and I were following a young deer into the Davy Crockett National Forrest which bordered our home in Huntsville, Texas, years ago. There was no trail to follow. We were trying to “sneak” along behind the deer to get a closer look. The deeper we went into the woods, which encompassed about 10,000 acres, the more I found myself in unfamiliar territory. Finally, as Kyle became tired of the trek, he asked, “Dad, can we go home now?” I looked around and realized I didn’t know which way home was. I’ll admit that I was scared. Sunset was coming soon and I didn’t know my way out of the woods. Kyle asked, “Are we lost?” My only response was to hoist him on my shoulders (he was just six years old at the time) and begin walking to the west where I knew we’d cross a road eventually. We did finally come to a highway, but it was a long way home from where we came out. He said, “What do we do now, Dad?” I said, “No problem, I’ll get us home soon.” He was then perfectly fine.

 

The psalmist knew what it was like to follow trails like that. He no doubt drew on his experience of walking through lonely canyons or narrow valleys, ready for a wild animal or an enemy to attack. He knew what it was to be afraid. But he also knew what it was to be led by God, the good shepherd, through frightening places. God had taken care of him throughout his whole life, and even when things seemed most frightening, he knew he didn’t need to be afraid because God was with him.

 

Our lives are filled with dark valleys. These are those times when everything seems to be out to get us or there seems to be no comfort. During those times we need to remember that God is with us, watching over us and guiding us. He will bring us through all of them so that we may reach our homes. Oh, by the way, unlike me, God doesn’t have to improvise. He knows the way home!

 

God's Garden - Pt. 14

 

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 65:17-25 ESV).

 

We have a bit of a humorous principle which we have adopted in our family. I have been told over and over again, “Dad, don’t plant any fruit trees.” There is a reason for such an enjoinder. Every time I have done so, we end up moving before the trees mature enough for their first real harvest. So, not wanting to move, especially now, I am only permitted to plant wild grapevines. This cycle is not new. It has happened again and again over the last twenty years. I began the cycle with four sapling peach trees at our first home in Weatherford, Texas. And sure enough four years after planting, when the branches were heavy with fruit, we moved before harvesting one single peach! Through the years that same scenario has been observed. At our last home in Tennessee, we had peaches, apples, figs, blackberries, and blueberries. All were ready for a bountiful harvest as we were packing to move back to Texas!

 

Well, at least someone was able to enjoy the fruit of my labor. Of course, this experience cannot begin to compare with the bygone days recalled for God’s people by the prophet Isaiah. While there had been highs of tending gardens that yielded bountiful harvests, there had also been lows of being plundered by enemies. Notice the promise of today’s reading. It is an aspect of the Lord’s comfort for his people. He yearns to restore them to safe homes and bountiful gardens, to bless the work of faithful servants. A more amazing reality is mentioned in the surrounding verses — a new heaven and a new earth. That might seem to be beyond our asking or imagining in this flawed world. Nonetheless, it is God’s promise pointing to life forever with him, when Christ comes again. Tending my garden and enjoying its harvest reminds and comforts me with this mindboggling reality that will come someday. I will finally see the greatest harvest of all and know all the work was worth it!

 

God's Garden - Pt. 13

 

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart; you have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.” (1 Kings 8:22-26 ESV).

 

Perhaps you have done some gardening. One of our favorite plants is the tomato. There’s really nothing quite like a vine ripened tomato freshly picked from your own garden. However, there have been times when just as I thought I was going to reap the benefits of my work that I was greeted with half devoured and damaged fruit. It may have been any number of little critters who had decided that my tomatoes were much better suited for their meal than mine. My response is usually one of anger and disappointment. I am indignant when bugs or worms or fungi come to ruin my plants. I get exasperated when I see evidence of animals invading the garden and stealing my harvest. Then, as rationality returns, I look for causes and remedies. I rarely, if ever, search my heart for wrongdoing or any fault of my own as a possible cause behind disasters in my garden.

 

Our reading today is a part of King Solomon’s prayer. The occasion is the grand opening of a splendid temple that the king and the people have built. After praising God’s virtues, Solomon’s prayer shifts to the predictable failings of God’s people. Weaknesses and outright sins are not readily detected or searched out. Most of us grow to realize our own faults slowly and painfully. By God-gifted wisdom, Solomon knows this. He also knows that disasters in God’s garden, like blight or locusts, can help bring us to our senses. So he prays. And, that is the first response necessary.

 

Now, it would be a mistake to see disaster as God’s judgment on our sins. But seeing nothing of God in the disasters and struggles that come our way would be shortsighted. Minimally, God intends that disasters will prompt us to examine our hearts, extend our hands in prayer, and seek to honor him all the time.

 

God's Garden - Pt. 12

He [Jesus] put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” (Matthew 13:24-30 ESV).

 

As we continue our series in “God’s Garden” I am returning to a principle we have visited once before. Our reading is a parable that Jesus told to help the disciples recognize their “pay grade.” I often use this phrase as a subtle way to remind me of an essential element on my life. When I begin to think that I should exercise judgment against someone’s behavior, especially when it grates against every fiber of my values, I must remember that attitude is not wisdom. In fact, it is unwise. I am not qualified, nor given the ability to make judgments about others. I may certainly disagree with their behavior; however, it is not my task to separate weeds from wheat, bad people from good people. That’s not within my purview. It’s way above my pay grade.

 

I know that weeds can overtake and ruin a garden, and I want to protect my garden and help it thrive. There are some critical differences, though, between weeds in my garden and the weeds in Jesus’ parable. Those weeds were deliberately and liberally sown by the farmer’s enemy. And those weeds would have looked much like young wheat plants at first. In addition, the roots of the wheat and weed plants were already intertwined before the act of sabotage was detected. So weeding would have destroyed the good with the bad. Not weeding made good sense in that scenario.

 

Most significantly, the parable reveals God’s wisdom and mercy for us today too. Our enemy, the devil, has been and is actively sowing weeds among the good seeds in God’s garden. We may wonder why God does not weed out wicked people and evil from his world, but we can be thankful that he is most intent on preserving his people until the harvest. So, the next time you think you need to do the weeding out, check your hands and feet. If you don’t see any nail prints, then you are not qualified to be judgmental!

  

God's Garden - Pt. 11

 

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD. For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:4-11 ESV).

 

This picture was taken at the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, more specifically at Newfound Gap. You can see the background of the Smoky Mountains (and a tour bus) providing the scene. Mary and I have been privileged to live in three states: Texas (our home state), North Carolina, and Tennessee. Each has provided us with a different experience as they are so different from each other. With those differences, we can honestly say that each location was wonderful. And, in each of the locations we did our best to “plant our gardens,” both literally and spiritually.  

 

This is the backdrop for our reading today. God’s prophet Jeremiah relayed the message that God’s people would be in the foreign city of Babylon for many years. The deeper reason behind the command to “plant gardens” could well have been that it takes time to get a good garden going. God wanted his people to put down roots in this city where they would be living for seventy years. God had plans and purposes beyond anything they could have dreaded or imagined.

 

For whatever length of time God plants us in unfamiliar and perhaps uncomfortable surroundings, his vision is for much more than our day-to-day existence and passing time. When you put down roots and “seek the peace and prosperity” of any place where God sends you, you will also more likely obey his command to pray for that community. The promised harvest that comes with a cultivated obedience to this command is that “you too will prosper.” I’ve caught a glimpse of that during our time n each of the locations we’ve lived. My prayer is that you will catch that same vision where you are!

 

God's Garden - Pt. 10

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:46-50 ESV).

 

Some years ago I built a cedar planter to fit into the corner of our deck. Each year I have planter various flowering vines or other plants to brighten the area. As you can see, even with the high heat of our summers here in Texas, they are doing well. However, what you may not notice at first glance are the flowers growing out of the side. I call them “volunteers.” Each year after the roots of the plants I place in the soil, I often have a few others that just grow and share their blooms with us as well. I suppose I could weed out the “volunteers” and make the garden more uniform with this year’s planting; however, then I would surely miss the display of beauty and tenacity. They are welcome to our palette anytime.

 

Our reading details a similar circumstance. The mostly clueless and competing disciples of Jesus reported that they saw a “volunteer” driving out demons in Jesus’ name. They had followed their impulse and tried to remove him from their company. But Jesus’ perspective is more expansive. He tells his faltering followers to let the “volunteer” keep working.

 

Perhaps you have faced a similar dilemma when observing Christ followers who may think, talk, and act differently from the way you do. The style of their service may not suit your tastes. But if they bear fruit in Jesus’ name, we need to heed Jesus’ words of correction: “Whoever is not against you is for you” (v. 50). In fact, perhaps we need to explore ways to work together with this “volunteer” in the kingdom garden. It’s never about who is “greatest” in the kingdom; it is always about the name of Jesus being lifted up for all me to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to healing and life. If we deter that in any way, we have made a serious error.

  

God's Garden - Pt. 9

 

Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” (Exodus 3:7-8 ESV).

 

When I was a child there were lots of honey bees that lived around our home. The fruit trees and flowers attracted them in great numbers. For me, they were only a nuisance, keeping me from the ultimate goal of picking fresh figs, peaches and plums. As I have grown older I have learned a great deal about these fascinating creatures in the plan and purpose of God’s creation. Bees are an intricate part of the ecosystem, especially for the pollination of fruit trees and vegetables. I have developed a deep respect and love for bees.

 

Our reading today mentions “milk and honey” to describe the bountiful promised land to which God would bring his people. That phrase appears numerous times in the history of God’s people. A land flowing with honey signals a great harvest of fruit and vegetables made possible by bees pollinating plants and trees. And the honey they produce is really their food, but they “share” it with us and other creatures. I don’t think it bothers bees that they don’t get more credit for how they benefit the ecology of God’s garden as they produce their sweet honey. They are “fearfully and wonderfully made” creatures that simply go about the work God has given them in his world.

 

However, there is a lesson we should learn here. We must come to understand that our calling is to simply go about our work and “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). In our modern culture we have repeated the same error in the church as those who have gone before us in the division between “clergy” and “laity”. While it is both necessary and valid for some to be compensated for their work in the church, it is essential to recognize that it takes all of us, paid or not, to do the work of the church. Of course, this is the reason why God has gifted all of us with different gifts and talents. My encouragement to each of you is to renew your efforts to help develop this present land “flowing with milk and honey”!

 

God's Garden - Pt. 8

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” hare you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:4-8).

 

As we continue in our series on “God’s Garden” yesterday’s participation in North Side Baptist Church’s 125^th Anniversary Celebration could not have come at a better time. The day could not have been better. Mary and I, along with Kyle and his family, were invited to attend as the celebration some time ago in the early stages of planning for the day. I was also asked to share a “brief” moment describing one of the most memorable things experienced during the decade I was the pastor. There were other ministers in attendance as well. However, as one of the only two living former pastors, the thought became very clear how important the relationships each of us built during our tenures.

 

The picture I’ve included was taken by a dear friend, Betty Patterson. This was the moment that I was sharing a few remarks of the time I was there. To the far left, standing is the present pastor, Van Houser; the pastor who preceded me, Alex Campbell, is the third seated from the left; and I am seated second from the right. The others are also ministers either present or past. I was struck with the truth of our reading today. Some planted, some watered, but God gave the growth. To deny that truth is to deny the very heart of God’s message to all.

 

God’s garden is as big as this world. Comparing and competitive Christians in Corinth needed to be reminded that God never planned for us to tend his garden alone. Nor was one person more important than another in this project. We are all privileged to be coworkers with God and each other in our Lord’s mission to rescue and restore his creatures and creation. And each person is important. Working together is essential in the field we call the church. Our gifts and efforts are encouraged and coordinated, and relationships are cultivated to build up the body of Christ as God’s agents of transformation in the world. The most effective churches I have served know and practice this. It was a great day. And, it was a great reminder of the tireless work and sacrifice of so many in the rich history of this church I was privileged to be a part of for over ten years.

  

God's Garden - Pt. 7

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 ESV)

 

The spring in our part of Texas has been unusually dry, even for our area. However, we have begun to see the welcome dark clouds build and rains come of late. I always like the way everything just looks cleaner and brighter after a rain. The grass and plants seem to strengthen and stand straighter. We do have an irrigations system for most of the area around our homes, but as any gardener knows, there’s nothing like rain to replenish the plants and trees. We are always grateful for the soaking rains from our heavenly Father.

 

Everyone around us received rain, even people who speak of “Mother Nature” or express no gratitude to the Father for raining his blessings on them. I sometimes wonder about this. Maybe you do too. Mary and I have always done our best to teach our children to say thank you for the gifts they received throughout their lives, and they in turn have taught their children to do the same.

 

Our reading for today has been quoted across the centuries in theological debates. This lesson from God’s garden demonstrates the heavenly Father’s providence to all his undeserving children, “the evil and the good.” And the lesson goes further. God’s grateful children are to show heavenly love to “enemies” as well as friends.

 

That’s never an easy task. For this work of love, I recommend beginning the day with prayer for how you can shine God’s warmth and goodness into the lives of friends and enemies alike. And throughout the day, pray that all your neighbors will come to know the Father through Jesus, the Son.

  

God's Garden - Pt. 6

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29 ESV).

 

Not far from where we live there are acres of land devoted to growing cotton. I’m sure there are many people who are able to adequately explain the science of this process; however, not being one of those folks, I have included an illustration of it with this writing.

 

Perhaps you have read to your children the stories of Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel. One favorite was the tale of Toad planting a garden. After a day or two he began to fret about whether his seeds would ever sprout and grow. So he sang to them, stayed up with them all night (in case they were afraid of the dark), and even screamed at them and wept over them. Exhausted, Toad finally fell asleep. When he awoke, he saw to his great relief that the seeds had sprouted.

 

Too often, we are like Toad in our lives. We act and feel as if it all depends on us. As Jesus tells us in this parable contained in the reading today, God’s garden grows from seed to harvest “all by itself.” So much of this is a mystery. We need to do our part —sow the seed, water, tend the garden, and reap the harvest — but we do not make the seed grow. That happens by God’s gracious work. We can simply delight in doing our small part in growing the kingdom.

 

Often it is also true that others may do a portion of the same work. While you only watered, others sowed, tended, and reaped. I have found that to be frustrating at times. I want to see the results. God merely tells me to trust Him to bring the harvest. That requires faith, which is often easier said than done. Today, as you do your part, look at the miraculous examples of nature and realize that God will make let His “seed” flourish bearing much fruit. Content yourself with your part and trust God to finish it. He never fails.

  

God's Garden - Pt. 5

 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:9-13 ESV).

 

We live in Parker County, Texas. It is known for its peach production. What many people do not know is the reason it is such a good area for peaches. The weather and soil seem just right for the growth of this wonderful fruit. You see, like all deciduous trees, peach trees lose their leaves in the fall and become dormant; however, the process continues as winter continues. During this time the trees enter a period called “rest.” It’s a deep dormancy where a short spurt of warm weather won’t be enough to “wake” the tree up. The cold requirement for peach trees is dependent on this period of rest. Peaches need the cold so that the buds that were set the previous summer will bloom and thus produce fruit. And, believe me, that fruit is yummy!

 

Snow and cold are not things we would normally think as necessary for growing fruit. In fact, most of the time we think of winter as a waste of time, merely a time of waiting for the return of spring so that gardens and orchards could flourish again. Isaiah points us in this different direction too, in the picture he paints through our reading today. We need watering too, as God’s plantings. Warm rain and cold snow are both part of God’s watering program for a rich harvest. The watering of his Word is sometimes warm and comforting. In other seasons his Word may be more like snow that chills and challenges us to rest in his higher thoughts and purposes.

 

Perhaps you are in such a time. Reconsider this thought from God’s Word. What seems cold and desolate is really a necessary part of the continued growth and production of fruit in your life. Trust God to do the work of production in your life. He desires nothing but the best for you!