New content posted every Thursday through the Summer!
.Week 8 - Treasure
Treasure is something we all naturally have. Treasure to us is something that is important, that we hold close to us, and is genuinely priceless. We’ve all heard the question, ‘If your house was burning down and you could only save one item, what would it be?’ It might be a graphic way to think about it, but that thing that we would save is probably the thing we treasure the most, or the most expensive, or the old family heirloom. The thing we would save is something that we would definitely say is important or like treasure to us. When I asked myself this question, my first answer was my Pink Rainbow Unicorn Pillow Pet I’ve named Oscar. The point is that treasure is something that we hold near to ourselves. It is what we find joy and comfort in, and something we like to have pride in.
Treasure is personal to each of us, whatever it may be. The most important thing we get to treasure isn’t physical, but spiritual. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “19Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Verse 21 has spoken to me throughout my spiritual life as one to live by. It can even be flipped to say, ‘Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also’. God knows the heart of each person, and knows where each person’s heart and treasure really is.
Don’t get me wrong, worldly things can be fun to enjoy, but it shouldn’t be what we truly treasure. We cannot treasure both worldly things and spiritual things. God is a jealous god and cannot share first place with anyone or anything. There is another word for treasure when we elevate it into that status of where God is. It’s called an idol. Worldly things or treasure, when possessed with the wrong mindset, turns into idolatry.
Worldly things aren’t inherently bad. John 1:3 says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.” And Mark 4:19 says, “[T]he deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and proves it unfruitful.” God has created all things, and has put them here for a purpose, his purpose, which is good. Satan enters the world and convinces us that these things that we see as treasures are here for ourselves to indulge in, take advantage of, and set our hearts on worldly treasures instead of on our spiritual one. This ruins their purpose, God’s purpose.
Worldly treasures fade away. They are cool while we are here, but serve as a purpose to serve God. The Israelites were a successful nation when they found their treasure in God. They had an abundance of worldly treasure that was used to build walls, temples, armor, and other structures so that they could live within the Promised Land and be able to protect themselves as long as they served God. Eventually these worldly treasures were crafted into literal idols, and became the numerous falls of Israel. I love Oscar, but he is not my treasure. The treasure we find in God is the treasure that saves, protects, heals, comforts, and joys our hearts. My challenge to you all is to run to the treasure that we have in God when you need to praise, lift your spirits, feel loved, or need direction.
-Daniel Snyder
Treasure is personal to each of us, whatever it may be. The most important thing we get to treasure isn’t physical, but spiritual. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “19Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Verse 21 has spoken to me throughout my spiritual life as one to live by. It can even be flipped to say, ‘Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also’. God knows the heart of each person, and knows where each person’s heart and treasure really is.
Don’t get me wrong, worldly things can be fun to enjoy, but it shouldn’t be what we truly treasure. We cannot treasure both worldly things and spiritual things. God is a jealous god and cannot share first place with anyone or anything. There is another word for treasure when we elevate it into that status of where God is. It’s called an idol. Worldly things or treasure, when possessed with the wrong mindset, turns into idolatry.
Worldly things aren’t inherently bad. John 1:3 says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.” And Mark 4:19 says, “[T]he deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and proves it unfruitful.” God has created all things, and has put them here for a purpose, his purpose, which is good. Satan enters the world and convinces us that these things that we see as treasures are here for ourselves to indulge in, take advantage of, and set our hearts on worldly treasures instead of on our spiritual one. This ruins their purpose, God’s purpose.
Worldly treasures fade away. They are cool while we are here, but serve as a purpose to serve God. The Israelites were a successful nation when they found their treasure in God. They had an abundance of worldly treasure that was used to build walls, temples, armor, and other structures so that they could live within the Promised Land and be able to protect themselves as long as they served God. Eventually these worldly treasures were crafted into literal idols, and became the numerous falls of Israel. I love Oscar, but he is not my treasure. The treasure we find in God is the treasure that saves, protects, heals, comforts, and joys our hearts. My challenge to you all is to run to the treasure that we have in God when you need to praise, lift your spirits, feel loved, or need direction.
-Daniel Snyder
.Week 7 - We're Built Different
In March, my family brought home an eight-week old boerboel that we named Liberty. When we got her we were able to hold her in our arms and carry her around the house. This, however, did not last long. Liberty is now five months old and 70 pounds! She climbs our picnic table with ease as though it was stairs. And when she play fights with our dog Gator… well she can wrap her mouth around his head! The point is that our five month old puppy is a big dog!
Now, it would it make sense for Liberty to wish she was spotted like Gator? Or for her to feel ashamed because her head is bigger than his? No! And why does this not make sense? Well, because she was never intended to be like Gator, she was intended to be like Liberty.
It seems silly for a dog to wish to live outside of its design and purpose. Yet, that is what so many of us do, wishing to be like someone else or be in someone else’s position. When the truth is that we are not intended to be a carbon-copy of someone else.
God is a magnificent Creator! He is a Creator of beauty, details, and diversity. Just look at the trees! Even every Sycamore tree looks a little bit different- despite them all being the same type of tree! So why do we expect to be exactly like someone else when even creation has unique variations?
God has made each of us specially. David praises God for this in Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
“13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
Doesn’t that just give you chills (the good kind)?! So much detail, love and attention was given to you, by God, to make you as you are. You are made to be more than a carbon-copy of someone else. You are fearfully and wonderfully made!
But it does not stop there. God also has a calling and purpose unique to you! If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a part of the body of Christ. That means that you have a unique role that you are to fill (check out Romans 12:4-5 for reference). The body of Christ functions best when everyone fills their own roles. Just like there would be trouble if your big toe decided to reside on your forehead, there is dysfunction when we try to claim callings/ roles that God has not called us to. Yes, an eyebrow is more glamourous than a toe, but both are equally important. And we should remember that we are not missing out on anything just because our calling looks different from someone else’s (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). (For more about your calling and purpose check out Transformation Church’s sermon “What is my purpose?”)
I say all that to say this: each of us are built different! And if you do not know Jesus, or maybe you do but you have not accepted Him as your Savior, He wants to build you into a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” There is new life and promise in Jesus! He wants to take you and your past and rebuild you into something uniquely new.
-Courtney Owens
Now, it would it make sense for Liberty to wish she was spotted like Gator? Or for her to feel ashamed because her head is bigger than his? No! And why does this not make sense? Well, because she was never intended to be like Gator, she was intended to be like Liberty.
It seems silly for a dog to wish to live outside of its design and purpose. Yet, that is what so many of us do, wishing to be like someone else or be in someone else’s position. When the truth is that we are not intended to be a carbon-copy of someone else.
God is a magnificent Creator! He is a Creator of beauty, details, and diversity. Just look at the trees! Even every Sycamore tree looks a little bit different- despite them all being the same type of tree! So why do we expect to be exactly like someone else when even creation has unique variations?
God has made each of us specially. David praises God for this in Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
“13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
Doesn’t that just give you chills (the good kind)?! So much detail, love and attention was given to you, by God, to make you as you are. You are made to be more than a carbon-copy of someone else. You are fearfully and wonderfully made!
But it does not stop there. God also has a calling and purpose unique to you! If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a part of the body of Christ. That means that you have a unique role that you are to fill (check out Romans 12:4-5 for reference). The body of Christ functions best when everyone fills their own roles. Just like there would be trouble if your big toe decided to reside on your forehead, there is dysfunction when we try to claim callings/ roles that God has not called us to. Yes, an eyebrow is more glamourous than a toe, but both are equally important. And we should remember that we are not missing out on anything just because our calling looks different from someone else’s (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). (For more about your calling and purpose check out Transformation Church’s sermon “What is my purpose?”)
I say all that to say this: each of us are built different! And if you do not know Jesus, or maybe you do but you have not accepted Him as your Savior, He wants to build you into a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” There is new life and promise in Jesus! He wants to take you and your past and rebuild you into something uniquely new.
-Courtney Owens
.Week 6 - Found in the Wilderness
This week, in our summer devotional series, we are taking a look at a man who tried to run away from his problems named Elijah. Sometimes in our life, we try to run away from what God has called us to do, or just try to run away from Him in general. But, the fact still remains the same that God will find you in the wilderness.
In December of 2011, Lauren Weinberg was driving in northern Arizona near Winslow when her car got stuck in more than 18 inches of snow. She was found nine days later, when US Forest Service employees patrolling on snowmobiles found her car. She survived on two candy bars and she drink snow, but not the yellow snow. Lauren said, “I am so thankful to be alive and warm. Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers, because they worked. There were times I was afraid, but mostly I had faith I would be found.” This story goes great with where we will be today. While Lauren didn't runaway, her story is a great example of how God finds us in lost places. Let's take a look at Elijah's runaway story in 1 Kings 19.
In December of 2011, Lauren Weinberg was driving in northern Arizona near Winslow when her car got stuck in more than 18 inches of snow. She was found nine days later, when US Forest Service employees patrolling on snowmobiles found her car. She survived on two candy bars and she drink snow, but not the yellow snow. Lauren said, “I am so thankful to be alive and warm. Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers, because they worked. There were times I was afraid, but mostly I had faith I would be found.” This story goes great with where we will be today. While Lauren didn't runaway, her story is a great example of how God finds us in lost places. Let's take a look at Elijah's runaway story in 1 Kings 19.
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
1 Kings 19:1-17 NLT
15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
1 Kings 19:1-17 NLT
At the start of this passage, we read that Elijah ran away from his problems. Jezebel sent a note to Elijah that told him she would murder him. Elijah didn’t know what to do, so out of fear he ran. There are a couple of chapters before this story where Elijah had done some crazy miracles that he had to rely completely on God to do. He prayed and trusted God would end a drought. He defeated over 400 false prophets. He raised a widow’s child from the dead. All these things happened because he trusted God would do them. Once he is given a death threat, though, he fled the scene into the wilderness.
Sometimes for us, when we encounter fear, we runaway. When we feel God isn’t there, we flee from our calling. We go into the wilderness to try and hide from God. When we are down or do things we know we aren’t suppose to, we try to avoid contact with anything that identifies with Jesus. We may avoid going to church. We avoid texting friends back. We start slipping back into our old ways of life. We do what we can to hide from God. We try to flee the scene like Elijah did. But, here is the reality.
God finds us when we try to run away.
God sent an angel to Elijah to tell him to prepare for the journey. The angel gave Elijah food and drink to restore his strength. Elijah had ate enough to support him on a 40-day excursion to Mount Sinai. See, even when we run away, God still finds a way to rescue us. He found Elijah and He sent an angel to him. He finds us, too. Think about the many times that you have tried to hide or run away from God. He finds ways we would never thought possible to rescue us. Even if we have been in hiding for 40 years like Moses in the Old Testament, He still finds us. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less. He loves you as you are. He will constantly reveal Himself to you. God loves you and accepts you. There’s no need to run from Him, but when we do, He will seek us out and find us.
When we give up on God, He doesn’t give up on us.
In this passage, Elijah told God he had enough. He told God to just kill him because he couldn’t take it anymore. Elijah was done. He was giving up on all that God had done through him. Sometimes we do that, too, right? When things become hard, we just give up. We say it’s too hard and I can never do it. But, in reality, if we would just persevere and try, we might be able to. God never promised that we will have it easy. He, in fact, promises that we will struggle (John 16:33). There will be tough times in our lives. We will want to give up, but that’s when we need to persevere the most. Sometimes, it takes pain to make us stronger. Have you ever heard the phrase iron sharpens iron? Or, have you seen someone forge a sword? For it to be formed, the metal has to be placed in extreme heat until the metal nearly starts to melt, then the metal is pounded until it is in the correct shape. Like that sword, we have to be burned and pounded and experience pain until we are the product God is crafting us to be. God lets pain happen, so that we can learn to rely on Him. Often, as we see with Elijah, God will speak through that pain. He doesn’t give up on us even when we want to give up on Him. This leads to this last point.
God still uses us after we try to hide from Him.
After all is said and done, God still calls Elijah to a good work. God doesn’t let Elijah just give up. Even after he complained to God about his situation, God didn’t even respond to his excuse. He commanded Elijah to go back the way he came. He gave Elijah all these instructions and Elijah listened. Even when we want to just give up, God still calls us. Sometimes, it takes difficult seasons for us to be called to our ultimate purpose. Sometimes, we need to suffer and experience pain, so that we can realize God does indeed have a greater calling for us. When we are in the wilderness, God will call you to a greater work. Often in the wilderness, especially when we have tried to run away from God, it is His calling that shows us the way out of that specific wilderness. If you are in the wilderness today, we pray that you will seek what God is calling you towards. That may mean you need to accept Jesus into your heart for the very first time. You may need to forgive that person who hurt you tremendously last week. Or maybe, you need to ask for forgiveness for hurting someone. Know this, God hasn’t given up on you and He is always searching for you. Just call out to Him and He will come by your side.
We love you all,
CSF Staff
.Week 5 - New Wine
One of my favorite worship songs is ‘New Wine’ by Hillsong. I love it because I think it goes well with Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine. Most of us know the story. Jesus is friends with some people who are getting married and gets invited along with His mother and new disciples. During the reception, the wine runs out. Mary knew Jesus could do something so she told the servants to do what Jesus tells them to do. Jesus takes the six stone water jars that each hold around 20-30 gallons each and He turns them into wine. I love the master’s response. He told the groom the best wine is served first and after the guests have made merry, the cheap wine is served, but the best was saved for last.
This is what I love about Jesus. He always goes above and beyond. He gives Peter and Andrew a miraculous catch of fish. There were multiple times when Jesus fed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread and fish and had more bread leftover than they started with. In this story, Jesus turned water into wine. There are a couple of things I want us to take note of when it comes to this story, but first let’s read it:
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him.
9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
John 2:1-11 (NASB)
Jesus is the only named character in the story. Everyone else remains unnamed. It’s clear that the purpose John had in mind was to point to Jesus as the main character in this story. This story reveals a facet of Jesus’ messianic mission as the bringer of joy and redemption. This is symbolized by an abundance of delicious wine He created from water.
It would have been embarrassing for the bride and groom’s family. It would have been shameful in this day and age to run out of wine at a wedding ceremony. Jesus didn’t have to turn the water into wine. When His mother came to Him with the news that the wine had run out, Jesus answered His mom by telling her His time had not yet come. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I feel that Jesus saw the concern on His mother’s face and realized how hard it would have been on the bride and groom to run out of wine to give their guests. She learned to rely on Jesus and He honored her faith like He does the Canaanite woman (Matt. 15:21-28).
Jesus doesn’t take the easy way out. It could have been cheap, but Jesus doesn’t do cheap. He miraculously turns the water into wine and probably the best wine any of them had ever tasted.
In the end, Jesus does the same with us. In the crushing and pressing of life, Jesus is making new wine out of us and we are better than we were before because of Jesus. He has made you new and with purpose found in Him. Let Him continue making new wine out of you.
-Ben
This is what I love about Jesus. He always goes above and beyond. He gives Peter and Andrew a miraculous catch of fish. There were multiple times when Jesus fed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread and fish and had more bread leftover than they started with. In this story, Jesus turned water into wine. There are a couple of things I want us to take note of when it comes to this story, but first let’s read it:
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him.
9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
John 2:1-11 (NASB)
Jesus is the only named character in the story. Everyone else remains unnamed. It’s clear that the purpose John had in mind was to point to Jesus as the main character in this story. This story reveals a facet of Jesus’ messianic mission as the bringer of joy and redemption. This is symbolized by an abundance of delicious wine He created from water.
It would have been embarrassing for the bride and groom’s family. It would have been shameful in this day and age to run out of wine at a wedding ceremony. Jesus didn’t have to turn the water into wine. When His mother came to Him with the news that the wine had run out, Jesus answered His mom by telling her His time had not yet come. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I feel that Jesus saw the concern on His mother’s face and realized how hard it would have been on the bride and groom to run out of wine to give their guests. She learned to rely on Jesus and He honored her faith like He does the Canaanite woman (Matt. 15:21-28).
Jesus doesn’t take the easy way out. It could have been cheap, but Jesus doesn’t do cheap. He miraculously turns the water into wine and probably the best wine any of them had ever tasted.
In the end, Jesus does the same with us. In the crushing and pressing of life, Jesus is making new wine out of us and we are better than we were before because of Jesus. He has made you new and with purpose found in Him. Let Him continue making new wine out of you.
-Ben
.Week 4- Soil
I am very fortunate to have parents who introduced me to the Lord early in my life. My parents planting that seed in my heart early helped me begin to form tiny little roots of faith from the ages of 3 to 17 as I went through all of my phases of life (yes, including a “rebellious phase”) in their household.
Maybe you’re like me and your family introduced you to the Lord. Maybe you’re not, and you didn’t hear about Jesus until you came to college. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle. Whatever the case, there comes a point where we all must decide if we are going to follow the Lord or follow the world. Because there’s no in between. It’s an everyday decision, and the consistency of that decision being the Lord or the world will dictate the maturity and faithfulness of our relationship with the Lord God. It dictates who we are grounded in.
Jesus explains this well in Matthew 13 as he tells the parable of the sower. As big crowds were gathered around him to hear all He would say, he gives this image to the people:
“‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they immediately sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose, they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.’” Matthew 13:3-9
Now, this probably doesn’t seem like a great explanation but, trust me, it is. After speaking these things, Jesus explains the parable to the receptive disciples. This isn’t just a lesson in agriculture. These four soil scenarios represent four real scenarios people face in life when responding to the gospel (the seeds), the good news Jesus is bringing.
1. The seeds on the path. The wayside path’s soil represents those who hear the Word of God but never understand it and, therefore, cannot bear fruit. The evil one, Satan, is the birds who devour the seeds. The enemy works to keep people in the dark, hardening their hearts so they will never understand the gospel. In Jesus’ time this would include the scribes and Pharisees.
2. The seeds on the rocky ground. The rocky ground represents people who receive the Word of God enthusiastically but the gospel never takes root, there is no depth. When trials and persecutions come from following Jesus, they are much like the seedlings who get scorched in the sun. A flash of excitement and enthusiasm in receiving the Word and then burn out. The person’s fruitfulness withers and falls away.
3. The seeds among the thorns. The thorns, in this case, are the cares of the world that burden and take hold of us. There is fertile ground around the Word. Roots can begin to grow. The truth is being grounded. But then this growth comes into competition with the things of the world that distract us from God. Greed, lust, envy, any idol, you name it. The “cares of this world” and the “deceitfulness of riches” threaten to choke out God’s Word and their fruitfulness.
4. The seeds sown in good soil. The good soil is one with a heart that is prepared to receive the gospel and one that will produce much fruit. The Word bears fruit in this person’s life. Greens (love), beans (joy), potatoes (peace), tomatoes (patience), you got it (etc.)!
At some point in our lives, I believe any of us can experience any of these situations. Which situation do you think you are in right now? Are you facing a difficulty in understanding God’s Word and feel like you don’t truly understand the gospel and what it means for us? Have you found yourself burning out quickly, after being so eager? Do the burdens and things of the world weigh you down and distract you from God? Or have you been able to see fruit being borne out of receiving the gospel, keeping the Word of the Lord in your heart constantly, and growing deeper in your relationship with the Lord?
I want you to reflect on these things and do a self-assessment, a spiritual GPS, a soil survey if you will, of where you and God are right now in your relationship. God’s already all-in, and He wants you to be too. He wants you grounded in His Word and for you to grow and bear fruit. Then assess the environment you’re in too with God, it plays a huge role in how you grow with Him.
I also want to encourage you with this today: if you didn’t catch it, the only thing that is changing in this parable is the soil/environment. The seed is always the same, and it is always good. Just like the gospel is always the same, and the gospel is always good. That is a truth we need to cling to.
Rachel Zimmerman
Maybe you’re like me and your family introduced you to the Lord. Maybe you’re not, and you didn’t hear about Jesus until you came to college. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle. Whatever the case, there comes a point where we all must decide if we are going to follow the Lord or follow the world. Because there’s no in between. It’s an everyday decision, and the consistency of that decision being the Lord or the world will dictate the maturity and faithfulness of our relationship with the Lord God. It dictates who we are grounded in.
Jesus explains this well in Matthew 13 as he tells the parable of the sower. As big crowds were gathered around him to hear all He would say, he gives this image to the people:
“‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they immediately sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose, they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.’” Matthew 13:3-9
Now, this probably doesn’t seem like a great explanation but, trust me, it is. After speaking these things, Jesus explains the parable to the receptive disciples. This isn’t just a lesson in agriculture. These four soil scenarios represent four real scenarios people face in life when responding to the gospel (the seeds), the good news Jesus is bringing.
1. The seeds on the path. The wayside path’s soil represents those who hear the Word of God but never understand it and, therefore, cannot bear fruit. The evil one, Satan, is the birds who devour the seeds. The enemy works to keep people in the dark, hardening their hearts so they will never understand the gospel. In Jesus’ time this would include the scribes and Pharisees.
2. The seeds on the rocky ground. The rocky ground represents people who receive the Word of God enthusiastically but the gospel never takes root, there is no depth. When trials and persecutions come from following Jesus, they are much like the seedlings who get scorched in the sun. A flash of excitement and enthusiasm in receiving the Word and then burn out. The person’s fruitfulness withers and falls away.
3. The seeds among the thorns. The thorns, in this case, are the cares of the world that burden and take hold of us. There is fertile ground around the Word. Roots can begin to grow. The truth is being grounded. But then this growth comes into competition with the things of the world that distract us from God. Greed, lust, envy, any idol, you name it. The “cares of this world” and the “deceitfulness of riches” threaten to choke out God’s Word and their fruitfulness.
4. The seeds sown in good soil. The good soil is one with a heart that is prepared to receive the gospel and one that will produce much fruit. The Word bears fruit in this person’s life. Greens (love), beans (joy), potatoes (peace), tomatoes (patience), you got it (etc.)!
At some point in our lives, I believe any of us can experience any of these situations. Which situation do you think you are in right now? Are you facing a difficulty in understanding God’s Word and feel like you don’t truly understand the gospel and what it means for us? Have you found yourself burning out quickly, after being so eager? Do the burdens and things of the world weigh you down and distract you from God? Or have you been able to see fruit being borne out of receiving the gospel, keeping the Word of the Lord in your heart constantly, and growing deeper in your relationship with the Lord?
I want you to reflect on these things and do a self-assessment, a spiritual GPS, a soil survey if you will, of where you and God are right now in your relationship. God’s already all-in, and He wants you to be too. He wants you grounded in His Word and for you to grow and bear fruit. Then assess the environment you’re in too with God, it plays a huge role in how you grow with Him.
I also want to encourage you with this today: if you didn’t catch it, the only thing that is changing in this parable is the soil/environment. The seed is always the same, and it is always good. Just like the gospel is always the same, and the gospel is always good. That is a truth we need to cling to.
Rachel Zimmerman
.Week 3 - Through
In my personal Bible reading plan, I just got finished with the book of Ruth. I personally have always heard about how wonderful the characters are in this story, from the perspective of romance (Boaz & Ruth) or the perspective of family (Boaz redeeming Naomi's family) but there is something else that stood out to me too... but we'll get to that in a moment.
A little bit of background first... up until this point, I have read through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, & Judges. The language in these first 7 books deal with a lot of "God said this... God did this... People said this & people did that..." but what it interesting about Ruth is that there is hardly (if) any mention of God speaking directly to individuals. Instead, we see the character of God through His people.
I hear a lot of people say they want a relationship like Boaz & Ruth, that they are searching for someone like these people--which are pretty amazing people to model a future partner with! But beyond that, I challenge you to take a pause right after this question to read through Ruth & look for characteristics of God through these characters. Ready? PAUSE.
What did you come up with? Here's my personal working list...
I see faithfulness & compassion in Ruth who was dedicated to helping Naomi to the point of working in fields for food for them both. Remember, these are two women who are foreigners & poor. Ruth spends so much of her time working to feed Naomi who has lost so much.
Then there's the trust & wisdom of Naomi who insisted on Ruth & Orpah go back home so she wouldn't be burdening anyone. She has lost so much, but is still willing to go on with the strength of God alongside Ruth. She is trusting that she will be fed, taken care of, despite her social & economic status. We can also see her wisdom as she advises Ruth what her next steps are in redeeming the family with Boaz.
Lastly, the provision & generosity of Boaz who provided for Ruth & Naomi, not only through material possessions like food, but also through marrying Ruth! By marrying Ruth, he brought honor & restoration to this family, helping their social status, giving Naomi more children through Ruth, & doing so in a righteous manner.
We see how God isn't directly mentioned or spoken about often in this book... but we absolutely see the ways God works through the lives of those who love & obey Him. My hope is that we can see how God works through us as well. We are able to do good things & be good things when we let ourselves be empowered by His Spirit. We are constantly being shifted & shaped to be more & more like Him. When this happens, we see His provision, His wisdom, His faithfulness, & all these things mentioned above.
How have you seen God working in your life lately? How can we be more aware of this in the future? Maybe it's time to pray for something to be worked out now
A little bit of background first... up until this point, I have read through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, & Judges. The language in these first 7 books deal with a lot of "God said this... God did this... People said this & people did that..." but what it interesting about Ruth is that there is hardly (if) any mention of God speaking directly to individuals. Instead, we see the character of God through His people.
I hear a lot of people say they want a relationship like Boaz & Ruth, that they are searching for someone like these people--which are pretty amazing people to model a future partner with! But beyond that, I challenge you to take a pause right after this question to read through Ruth & look for characteristics of God through these characters. Ready? PAUSE.
What did you come up with? Here's my personal working list...
I see faithfulness & compassion in Ruth who was dedicated to helping Naomi to the point of working in fields for food for them both. Remember, these are two women who are foreigners & poor. Ruth spends so much of her time working to feed Naomi who has lost so much.
Then there's the trust & wisdom of Naomi who insisted on Ruth & Orpah go back home so she wouldn't be burdening anyone. She has lost so much, but is still willing to go on with the strength of God alongside Ruth. She is trusting that she will be fed, taken care of, despite her social & economic status. We can also see her wisdom as she advises Ruth what her next steps are in redeeming the family with Boaz.
Lastly, the provision & generosity of Boaz who provided for Ruth & Naomi, not only through material possessions like food, but also through marrying Ruth! By marrying Ruth, he brought honor & restoration to this family, helping their social status, giving Naomi more children through Ruth, & doing so in a righteous manner.
We see how God isn't directly mentioned or spoken about often in this book... but we absolutely see the ways God works through the lives of those who love & obey Him. My hope is that we can see how God works through us as well. We are able to do good things & be good things when we let ourselves be empowered by His Spirit. We are constantly being shifted & shaped to be more & more like Him. When this happens, we see His provision, His wisdom, His faithfulness, & all these things mentioned above.
How have you seen God working in your life lately? How can we be more aware of this in the future? Maybe it's time to pray for something to be worked out now
.Week 2 - Intake
Adam Caldwell~
Last night at Asher's (my youngest) end of year program, they sang the children's song "Be Careful Little Eyes". It was cute. It also can come across as ominous if I let my mind wander, but the main point that struck me as I listened to these kids sing was this... our intake is very, very important.
What is your intake like right now? What I mean is...what's going into your mind, in your heart? What are you hearing through the day and what are you seeing?
When I was a Sophomore in college, there was a month of my life that I pretty much lived off of Ramen noodles. I love Ramen noodles to this day, but I was poor and dumb and was living off of water, carbs and salt. I honestly felt like I was going to die by the end. If I did that now, my blood pressure would reach unsustainable levels. But as it was, even as a nineteen year old with a supercharged metabolism, my body could not sustain that kind of thing being what fueled me.
We know this about food and our bodies, but often we handwave this idea when it comes to our mental, emotional and spiritual health. So I ask again...what have you been intaking?
Paul tells the Phillipians. in Philippians 4:8... Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Paul knows that if we are to have a thriving faith with Jesus, that we need to have minds turned toward good and beautiful things. He also knows that those things (read that verse again) have greater depth than the things that we often get distracted by. (Ramen pales in comparison to a home cooked meal) My prayer for us all is that our intake would reflect our love for Jesus.
Reflect:
Ask the Lord to point out intakes that are harmful or unhelpful to you. Confess those things.
Think on what things could be good intakes for you.
Action:
Spend time purposefully intaking excellent and praiseworthy things.
Last night at Asher's (my youngest) end of year program, they sang the children's song "Be Careful Little Eyes". It was cute. It also can come across as ominous if I let my mind wander, but the main point that struck me as I listened to these kids sing was this... our intake is very, very important.
What is your intake like right now? What I mean is...what's going into your mind, in your heart? What are you hearing through the day and what are you seeing?
When I was a Sophomore in college, there was a month of my life that I pretty much lived off of Ramen noodles. I love Ramen noodles to this day, but I was poor and dumb and was living off of water, carbs and salt. I honestly felt like I was going to die by the end. If I did that now, my blood pressure would reach unsustainable levels. But as it was, even as a nineteen year old with a supercharged metabolism, my body could not sustain that kind of thing being what fueled me.
We know this about food and our bodies, but often we handwave this idea when it comes to our mental, emotional and spiritual health. So I ask again...what have you been intaking?
Paul tells the Phillipians. in Philippians 4:8... Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Paul knows that if we are to have a thriving faith with Jesus, that we need to have minds turned toward good and beautiful things. He also knows that those things (read that verse again) have greater depth than the things that we often get distracted by. (Ramen pales in comparison to a home cooked meal) My prayer for us all is that our intake would reflect our love for Jesus.
Reflect:
Ask the Lord to point out intakes that are harmful or unhelpful to you. Confess those things.
Think on what things could be good intakes for you.
Action:
Spend time purposefully intaking excellent and praiseworthy things.
.Week 1 - A Prayer for Each Day
Ben Lock~
What does your prayer life look like for each day? For some of us, we have set times
each day where we are in prayer to our Father in Heaven. This might look like a prayer
in the morning, a prayer for a meal, a prayer before bed, or even a time during the
middle of the day to pray to refocus ourselves. If this is you, then you’re awesome! For
the rest of us, we’d like to pray more, but don’t. We make up excuses to get us out of
prayer, when God just wants to hear from us. We get up as late as we can before class,
so no morning prayer. We think we’ll be up for it in the evening, but what happens? We
fall asleep before getting to it! Some of us feel as if we don’t know how to pray. Others
make prayer look so easy, but we struggle to find the words to say to God. Do you know
what the good news is? God’s Story, the Bible, is filled with prayers that we can read,
memorize, and meditate on! Here are 3 examples of prayers found in Scripture that you
can pray through each day:
The Shema
In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, we’re given a prayer called “The Shema” that was a daily prayer
of the Ancient Israelites. These couple of lines come from a collection of speeches that
Moses gave to the next generation before they entered the Promised Land. The word
“shema” is Hebrew for “listen.” It was originally a calling for the Israelites to listen to
these wise words of Moses and to deeply apply them to their lives. The Shema is still a
good prayer for us to pray each day in the morning and evening and it’s a reminder for
us of what our mission as followers of Jesus is; to love God with all of our hearts, all of
our soul, and all of our strength. When we do this, the rest of our faith flows through us.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments
that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk
about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down
and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
The Lord is My Shepherd
This prayer is found in Psalm 23. God is referenced as a caring shepherd over His flock,
which is us. It’s a reminder for us that with God, we can remain hopeful and at peace
regardless of the circumstances. Through the darkness, in the presence of our enemies,
and even when things go well for us.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
The Lord’s Prayer
It’d feel dirty if the Lord’s Prayer wasn’t a part of this! This prayer is found in Matthew
6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4. Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray because there
were hypocrites who were babbling on and putting on a show. Anyone can say words
that sound good, but Jesus wanted to make sure His disciples had a prayer life that
drew them deeper to the Father. It’s a simple, but powerful prayer that recognizes God’s
glory, a foretaste of God’s Kingdom on Earth, an ask for spiritual food, forgiveness for
sins, and for a way out from the temptations that would come from the evil one. It’s
simple, easy to memorize, and a good prayer to connect with God on the daily.
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Here they are! Three prayers for you. All of them are found in Scripture. My hope is that
today, tomorrow, and the next day, you would begin making prayer a habit in the
morning and the evening by picking one of these prayers. Watch what happens as you
connect with God this week!
What does your prayer life look like for each day? For some of us, we have set times
each day where we are in prayer to our Father in Heaven. This might look like a prayer
in the morning, a prayer for a meal, a prayer before bed, or even a time during the
middle of the day to pray to refocus ourselves. If this is you, then you’re awesome! For
the rest of us, we’d like to pray more, but don’t. We make up excuses to get us out of
prayer, when God just wants to hear from us. We get up as late as we can before class,
so no morning prayer. We think we’ll be up for it in the evening, but what happens? We
fall asleep before getting to it! Some of us feel as if we don’t know how to pray. Others
make prayer look so easy, but we struggle to find the words to say to God. Do you know
what the good news is? God’s Story, the Bible, is filled with prayers that we can read,
memorize, and meditate on! Here are 3 examples of prayers found in Scripture that you
can pray through each day:
The Shema
In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, we’re given a prayer called “The Shema” that was a daily prayer
of the Ancient Israelites. These couple of lines come from a collection of speeches that
Moses gave to the next generation before they entered the Promised Land. The word
“shema” is Hebrew for “listen.” It was originally a calling for the Israelites to listen to
these wise words of Moses and to deeply apply them to their lives. The Shema is still a
good prayer for us to pray each day in the morning and evening and it’s a reminder for
us of what our mission as followers of Jesus is; to love God with all of our hearts, all of
our soul, and all of our strength. When we do this, the rest of our faith flows through us.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV)
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments
that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk
about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down
and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
The Lord is My Shepherd
This prayer is found in Psalm 23. God is referenced as a caring shepherd over His flock,
which is us. It’s a reminder for us that with God, we can remain hopeful and at peace
regardless of the circumstances. Through the darkness, in the presence of our enemies,
and even when things go well for us.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
The Lord’s Prayer
It’d feel dirty if the Lord’s Prayer wasn’t a part of this! This prayer is found in Matthew
6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4. Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray because there
were hypocrites who were babbling on and putting on a show. Anyone can say words
that sound good, but Jesus wanted to make sure His disciples had a prayer life that
drew them deeper to the Father. It’s a simple, but powerful prayer that recognizes God’s
glory, a foretaste of God’s Kingdom on Earth, an ask for spiritual food, forgiveness for
sins, and for a way out from the temptations that would come from the evil one. It’s
simple, easy to memorize, and a good prayer to connect with God on the daily.
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Here they are! Three prayers for you. All of them are found in Scripture. My hope is that
today, tomorrow, and the next day, you would begin making prayer a habit in the
morning and the evening by picking one of these prayers. Watch what happens as you
connect with God this week!