Monday, November 30, 2009

A Lesson in Humility and Faith




Both of these pictures depict different stages of the mustard seed, from the seed to the full grown plants.

Daily Inspiration from the NIV
Jesus said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." Mark 4:30-32

The King James Version says it like this: And he said, Where unto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

To me, this is one of the most meaningful and important verses in the Bible. If we don't have faith, then we have Nothing. All hope is lost. People make the mistake of interchanging the words hope and faith. To make this point stronger, Faith is the Substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not see. Hoping is more like a wish, where as Faith is Believing it will happen.

Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this Mulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you."
Luke 17:6

I'm sorry, I just cannot get used to the NIV Version of scripture. Please allow mew to reiterated this verse in KJV.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by teh root, and be tou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. Luke 17:6 Now that's the way I learned it.

Bible Seeds
Why is it that this specific lesson is one of the hardest to get used to? Are we as a human race so addicted to control that we don't want to ask for help, even if we know that He always knows whats best for us, because He can see into our future? Are we really that vain of a species? We all need to practice giving up control a little at a time if need be. It's one thing not liking to be controlled by other humans, but our Creator is a different story.

Todays Seed: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

KJV
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

"What will I do?" We often ask that question when confronted with a tough decision. We don't know which way to turn. We are confused and sometimes frightened. Who can we trust to give us direction in the tough issues of life?

James instructs us that the first place to turn is to God. Why do we tend to seek the answers elsewhere first? Do we think that God is not interested in all the little details of our lives? god does care. He cares about every detail. Our daily decisions are important to him. He is always ready and waiting to give guidance and direction when we ask him for wisdom.

Perhaps we don't ask God for directing because what we really don't ask because we are afraid he might ask something from us that we are not willing to give. Or maybe, when we ask, we don't really listen to hear his answer. God only wants what is best for us. he knows the future and can be trusted to direct us in the way that will ultimately bring us the greatest blessing.

Dig Deeper: For James, wisdom is a practical thing. It is not philosophic speculation and intellectual knowledge; it is concerned with the business of living. Christian wisdom is knowledge of the deep things of God as they apply to daily like. It is essentially practical.

Weed & Water: When you are wrestling with decisions, turn to God for direction. Go first to your Bible. Ask yourself, "what are the principles in God's Word that apply to my situation?" Ask God, in prayer, to direct you to those passages.. If you cannot find direct answers n Scripture, then turn to other Christians whose wisdom and counsel you respect. Often books written by respected Christians can give wise counsel. God works in many ways to answer our requests.

Sprout & Scatter: As we learn to wait and trust the Lord for wisdom in living, we will become an example to others. People may seek up out for help n discerning the answers to their problems. As we grow in faith, trusting the Lord for answers to the daily problems of life, we also grow in wisdom. We can help others discover wisdom by our example of trusting God for answers.

Think about it: Where do you need wisdom right now?

How can you discover what God wants yo to do?

Prayer Pot: Dear God, please give me wisdom for ......

Wisdom has two parts: listening and learning.
Good night and May God Bless!
PJ

4 comments:

alisha said...

pj- alisha again. sorry i'm commenting on a different post than the last one...anyway, sorry the follower button didn't work- weird. i guess try again sometime? or not- either way, i am glad you are following us!~

alisha said...

yes, you can surely post us on your prayer list! i commented that on your blog but maybe it didn't work. my followers list is at the very bottom of my blog screen. perhaps i should move it back to the side. anyway, that's where it is! :)

lynette355 said...

you know waiting to hear God is the hardest part. i always want to rush right in and do it myself. Not lack of faith as much as lack of patience.

Anonymous said...

The mustard seed. I like that.

Dear God, please give me wisdom for helping my husband and his family through their grief of the recent suicide in their family.