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The Test of Time
By now we all should have discovered whether or not those New Years Resolutions we made were able to stand the test of time. The point made is that we all have good intentions of doing the things which we purpose to do, but many times fail to accomplish them. Failure has a deeper and more profound effect on us than we can imagine. The greatest unseen fact is that it is harder to try a second time to accomplish something that you have already failed at. Therefore, many give up, lose hope, and find the situation they had tried to remedy is actually worse now than when they started. In 2 Peter 1:3 the Bible says that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness by His divine power, and through the knowledge of God who has called us to glory and virtue. So, with that ray of hope we must go to the next step to find out how, or what, we must do to operate in that divine power. Mat 13:23 (KJV) “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Anyone who knows God knows that He is not a crutch, but rather He is our complete source of life. It is by His written word, and by His spoken word, that we live and move and have our being. So if we are to live by His word our hearts must be prepared to receive it. If the seeds of God’s word fall upon a hardened heart there will be temporary relief that will not endure. If His word falls upon a heart that is full of desires for riches and cares that come from worldliness the truth will be choked out and deception will soon follow. The question is: How do we prepare our hearts for His saving and powerful word? Jer 4:1-4 (KJV) “ If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. (2) And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. (3) For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. (4) Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.” Even naturally, when seed is planted in the earth, the earth must first be prepared to receive it. There are things that must be removed or rendered ineffective that will hinder germination, and gestation. The word of God will also accomplish what it is sent to do if the ground of our hearts is prepared. We can try any of the solutions the world offers, but they will not stand the test of time if they don’t involve the Lord Jesus Christ, and His word, accompanied by our relationship with them.
-Kurt Thurston February Newsletter 2007 | What Are You Preparing For? | Test of Time Pastor's Journal February 2006 | The Battle | Building the Church part 1 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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