Written 1yr ago..Autumn
The image of tree leaves changing colors from green to varies colors yellow, red, brown, and overflowing leaves in the gutter is best known in the season of autumn. The scorching hot summer that has just past (season of growth) and the chilly breeze of winter (season of rest) slowly looms ahead. Autumn to me speaks of internal preparation for the next season of growth shedding the non-essentials for survival of the cold days to come.
It is a time that god searches our hearts, refines our character and builds us up to be biblical people. God reminds me, through tribulations and obstacles that we faced during the previous seasons, the fruits of our labor will taste the sweetest when we know we have victory that comes from Jesus Christ. So I take to heart that God puts these temporary barriers that he intends us to overcome, to mould and shape our character into our full potential. And God does this because his love for us.
Hebrews 12:4-11 says "my son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves… God is treating you as sons and daughters. For what children is not disciplined by the father? If you are not disciplined then you are illegitimate children and not true sons and daughters"
The choices we make in our daily lives may it be the decisions we make during hardship times or choosing the program on tv to watch, it can either strengthen or weaken our Christian life. Therefore we need to examine our hearts before God, draw closer to his words and understand his will for us. We need to be honest to god with our speech, our actions and our mannerism because the test will come to reveal what is truly in our hearts. Is it of God or of self? Examine our hearts and come back to the core principles of our faith in Jesus, 2 Cor 13:5-6 says "examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith; test yourselves."
As I write this to you today my brothers and sisters, God tested me on the way home. An elderly man of aboriginal descent, bearded, fumed with tobacco smell and rugged clothed stepped onto the bus. (My past experience with aboriginals in my neighbourhood has not been pleasant, I can remember a time I was chased and sworn at for no particular reason) I felt this man was no different from the man in my memory, his behavior was seen as abnormal, he could not keep still in his seat, tossing and turning. His hands wavering around, and his eyes bewildered, people on the bus were either staring at him or ignoring him. My first reaction was to ignore him and try to face the other way as the smell of heavy tobacco and beer penetrated my nostrils. Suddenly, I felt god telling me why are you treating this man like he is the fowl of the earth, he is my son too. My heart melted and I began to pray for him in my heart. Asking for the peace and sovereignty to transcemd upon this man. I continued to pray in spirit as I did not know what else I can do. Within a minute of my prayer, this man turn around stretched out his hands and shook my hands. His faced calmed and his movements became stabilized, he even smiled at me. At that moment, I knew god had responded to my prayer and even giving me a sign that he knows what is in my heart. So I thank god for searching my heart today, to reveal to me if I have taken his word to my heart. I know I could have chosen the easy path to ignore a man in need of prayer, and that would have meant I held onto bitterness and unforgiveness.
Aligned with the season, we need to search our heart, do a reality check to find what we are holding onto is of God. Are we defined by the title we have, the past experiences, the possessions we have, or by our 9-5 work? Just as the trees shed their leaves to save nutrients to supply to vital parts, we too need to strip down to the core of our character to survive the seasons. Therefore we need to look within us, drop whats of no use to us and retain whats good, 1 Thes 5:21-22 "test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil"
The clue to the basic principle that we should have in heart is given in Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus replied, love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, this is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments."
Prayer for the caregroup
Lord almighty, as we come to know that the obstacles we face in our lives are put there for a reason. I thank you for the times of stretching and growth that temporarily is uncomfortable but in the long will help us make the right decisions in our lives. I pray as the holy spirit searches everyone's hearts and finds goodness, may you magnify it and remove those that are not from you. In Jesus name we believe you will do great things in our lives. Amen
Thought that counts
Ask yourself what needs to change within me in order to get to the next level in my character and ministry?
