Ground Breaking

Hosea 10:12 & 13

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity: ye have eaten the fruit of lies:because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

I have been doing the Bible study, "Seeking Him," by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This Scripture, is a part of the first lesson. It hits, hard.

I'll have to admit, I've been a willing vessel-not only to do the work of the Lord and whatever it was I "thought" He wanted me to do....but also, to "not" do what He has wanted me to clearly do (or refrain from). The moments of the latter...is the developing of my "fallow ground."

The ground can get pretty hard and unusable, when neglected...wouldn't you say? The farmer's soil left uncared for will develop weeds, thorns, and pests- these things can & will, totally choke out all the "fruit" that has been planted in that soil...just as the seeds that God has placed in me for later "crop sharing purposes," my soil (soul)-needs to be cultivated. Watered. Fertilized. Kept clean and fresh. Nourished.

The expression, "Break up your fallow ground" (Hsa 10:12; Jer 4:3) means, "Do not sow
your seed among thorns", i.e., break off all your evil habits; clear your hearts
of weeds, in order that they may be prepared for the seed of righteousness. Land
was allowed to lie fallow that it might become more fruitful; but when in this
condition, it soon became overgrown with thorns and weeds. The cultivator of the
soil was careful to "break up" his fallow ground, i.e., to clear the field of
weeds, before sowing seed in it. So says the prophet, "Break off your evil ways,
repent of your sins, cease to do evil, and then the good seed of the word will
have room to grow and bear fruit."

By His Word, I can quickly recognize, that I am STILL , such a work in progress. I have weeds that need to be cleared, and specific thorns that need to be plucked out of my life.

It's time to break up my fallow ground.

I am thankful and grateful today, for a God that knows just what I need, and exactly when I need it. Personal revival. On it's way...in a matter of time. All by choices that I can make (some pleasurable, some painful) -in obedience to Him.

Simple, really. God will easily give us the desires of our hearts... when our hearts are in tune with His will.

What I Learn From my Dogs

Yes, you got the title clear. Seems silly, but so true.

I have two dogs. Mollie, my older dog (about 7), is a Terrier mix- looks like Benji. The younger, Cocoa (9 months), is a Yorkie.

Mollie's personality over time, has become that of total obedience and faithfulness. You couldn't ask for a better animal to keep. She's so smart. Cocoa on the other hand, is a little feisty, sometimes rebellious, A.D.D. sort of dog. So funny, that although they are much alike in species, they are so different in nature.

I watched them this morning, thinking of how much they reminded me of humans and how we family members can be so much the "same in species (DNA), but yet so different in our natures.

Mollie came to me and laid herself down at my feet on the cold floor as I sat down thinking about doing my Bible study. Cocoa, she just did her own thing over to the side on the nice, plush doggie bed. They both get lots of love and taken well care of...maybe even the baby gets more, "because" she's the baby- yet she chooses not to draw near to me this morning.

I realized suddenly that God wanted to teach me a lesson this morning- that what I was viewing was a picture of what we are, as opposed to what Christ WANTS from us- and all for our very best interest.

Mollie, was the picture of what Christ WANTS from us. Cocoa is "what we ARE."

Mollie chose to sit at the feet of her master-no matter how uncomfortable the circumstances were. Cocoa- she was all about herself and her comfort- and to her detriment- she didn't get the blessing of the love poured out on her from displaying her adoration and love for her master. Mollie reaped the benefit of doing what was best for her, and Cocoa didn't. Mollie has matured into knowing that this was the better part. Cocoa is still in the "baby phase" of her life, and missed out.

I suddenly felt the WOW factor. That "ah-ha" moment, when God clearly shows you something about your own self, through something so silly as a pair of dogs.

It's a shame I have to be reminded so much.

Sometimes I am annoyed by Mollie's repetitive following of me, and being right up underneath my feet. She just loving stares up to me with such admiration and faithfulness to her master-whether or not I'm paying attention to her-whether or not I act like I care for HER.

God expects this kind of love and attention from us. We, however, have the benefit that HE will love us madly- at ALL TIMES...and it's never conditional. He's never annoyed by our pleadings, our following Him, our desire to be near Him. He absolutely LOVES it, as a matter of fact.

Scripture gives us clear direction in this...

Jer 29:11-14

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.

*WE MUST COME TO GOD IN AN HUMBLENESS, WITH GREAT LOVE AND EXPECTATION, IN ORDER TO BE SHOWERED WITH HIS CLEANSING & RECEIVE HIS BLESSINGS.

Jam 4:6-8

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but

giveth grace unto the humble.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands,

[ye] sinners;

and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

I'm feeling a bit double-minded this morning. Guilty, is more like it. Guilty of not casting my every care at HIS feet that I may be blessed. Guilty of "not" laying at the feet of Jesus near enough. No WONDER I get overwhelmed with the every day cares of this world much too often. It's my own fault.

1 Peter 5:5-7

Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

This whole dog thing this morning, put me in mind of the story of the sisters in Scripture, Mary and Martha- and how God showed them what the "better part" was. Martha was hung up in trying to "serve" him and be the "good doer," when all Christ wanted from her, was her love in worship- so that He could bless her. He WANTS us to learn of and from Him.

We humans get so hung up in "making things happen," that we tend to sometimes forget WHAT the "better part" is. It is spending time at the feet of the master.

Luke 10:38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him (Jesus) into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

As crazy as it sounds...I am thinking I must purpose myself be more like my Mollie, and less like Cocoa. More like Mary, and less like Martha.

Time to delve into the Word and humbly bow at the feet of Jesus this morning! Purposing a RITUAL of this seems good here... ;)

Give Me Oil In My Lamp

To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.-- George MacDonald

I saw this quote above, today-in an email that I received with Scripture from Matthew 25, 6-13:

"And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." ----- Matthew 25:6-13 (NKJV)

We certainly have no idea when Christ shall come to gather His people up. I had to ask myself upon reading this: Are you REALLY oiling up? Are you preparing the way? Are you preparing with haste, the bride for the Bridegroom?

Or, are you going to be caught unprepared? Unready? Naked before the Lord? I want to be caught with my full armor on...ready for the battle. Ready to withstand whatever must come my way. Ready for His appearing. Ready to receive His Glory. That's a huge commitment if you know the Bible in its truths. You must make ready yourselves, for His returning. You must continually put oil in your lamp, if you want to be ready when the end is here.

With all this bad weather the last couple of days, I must say- you have time to THINK. Stuck in the house, iced-in. I had to think about making sure that there was a flash light by the beds, the water was dripping in each sink and tub, candles were close by, and we had plenty of groceries to get us through a few days. With this weather, we were forewarned.

God has forewarned us that Christ's appearing is to come. Because we were not privy to being given a "day" or an "hour," we must be continually making ourselves ready.

So what does it take to be "ready?" Well, it most assuredly takes accepting Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior. This cannot just be "decided" upon reading something like this. Scripture tells us that we must first, be drawn by God. He must convict us of our sin, show us our need of a Savior, and draw us by the power of HIS Holy Spirit. It does not work for "man" to try to "talk us into" being saved. Man has good intentions, but no POWER. YES, we are to share the Gospel. But- only God can bring the conviction, repentance, and salvation that's needed to give us eternal life. No man on Earth can accomplish that task.

Jhn 6:44

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Jhn 6:65

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

We must also make ourselves ready through the study of God's Word. After all- it IS His "instruction manual" for our daily lives. It's our OIL for our lamps.

The picture above, is one that I took in Africa in September of 2010, while we were passing out booklets of John and Romans. THE GOSPEL. She was fueling, here by reading it right away. Hopefully, it was to either plant the seed for salvation, or to grow her in her spiritual walk with Christ (if she was already saved). Either way- it was an attempt to provide oil for her lamp.

We also must PRAY. God expects us to seek Him.

Isa 55:6

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Psalm 119:9-11 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

I want to be caught with the Word hid in my heart, and expressed from my lips and my actions. With a song on my lips-of praise to God. Souls written down in the Lamb's Book of Life, because I made sure I planted seeds for the Harvester to harvest. All sin, confessed and cleansed white as snow.

A close, personal, intimate relationship with God...not the kind that runs to Him only if I am in trouble. The kind that I seek Him, and I find Him. Daily. The kind of relationship that makes the song come to life: "and He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own...and the joy we share, as we TARRY there...none other, has ever known." These are the kinds of things that put "oil in our lamps."

So, we have to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, just to even HAVE a lamp. No relationship with God = unprepared. Unready. Doomed to a devil's hell.

God forbid, that I would be told by Christ Himself, "depart from Me, I never KNEW YOU!"

How CAN He know me, if I have no real relationship with Him? Do I keep the oil full in my lamp, that it may shine ever so brightly for Him to see me down here? He has to be able to see me, hear from me, and KNOW ME, to take me up with Him when He comes.

We must spread the Word. Time is running out. Get our lamps oiled up. ASK GOD to give you oil in your lamp to keep you "burning, burning, burning."