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Christian
Education Pre-K-12
Richmond Academy
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New Life & Restoration
John 12:24 (KJV) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn
of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it
bringeth forth much fruit.”
The dying process is not fun, but it is necessary for increase. In much the same
way, pruning does not look good at first but it stimulates growth and glorious
beauty. There is nothing worse than humanistic efforts to increase in the midst
of a season of spiritual pruning. Not only will that produce confusion, but it
will also negate the effects of a much needed season of rest. It is vital that
we enter into the spiritual seasons of rest because without that rest there
cannot be restoration.
John 3:30 (KJV) “He must increase, but I [must] decrease.”
All who serve Christ desire that He would increase in them, but not all are
willing to do what it takes to allow the increase. We must realize that in a
time of planting there is not a harvesting of fruit, but instead an opening of
the earth as well as a preparation of its soil. Therefore, Christians must
examine their own hearts and let them be pierced, opened to the seed of God’s
word.
Mar 4:19-20 (KJV) “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh
unfruitful. (20) And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear
the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty,
and some an hundred.”
As we prepare our hearts to receive God’s word, we may discover the need to
remove hard places and other hindrances. Even after these words are set in our
hearts, they must be cared for if they are to mature and multiply. We must allow
the life process of the word of God to flourish by casting down desires for
riches, lusts, and the cares of this world. Matthew Henry’s comments on this
subject will encourage us to press past the complacency that has infected many a
Christian like a life-stealing virus: “This parable contained instruction so
important, that all capable of hearing were bound to attend to it. There are
many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths
of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value
the privileges we enjoy as Disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the
deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great field of the
church, the word of God is dispensed to all. Of the many that hear the word of
the gospel, but few receive it, so as to bring forth fruit. Many are much
affected with the word for the present, who yet receive no abiding benefit. The
word does not leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their
hearts are not duly disposed to receive it. The devil is very busy about
careless hearers, as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above
ground. Many continue in a barren, false profession, and go down to hell.
Impressions that are not deep, will not last. Many do not mind heart-work,
without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the
word of God, by abundance of the world. And those who have but little of the
world, may yet be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit
from those who enjoy the gospel, a temper of mind and Christian graces daily
exercised, Christian duties duly performed. Let us look to the Lord, that by his
new-creating grace our hearts may become good ground, and that the good seed of
the word may produce in our lives those good words and works which are through
Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”
-Kurt Thurston
April Newsletter 2007 |
Perilous Times |
Pastor's Journal April 2006
Building the
Church part 3 of 3 | New Life &
Restoration
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Biblical
Counseling for Leaders
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