Archives for May 2024

Two or Three

May 25, 2024 by Bill 26 Comments

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

I read recently about the strength and synergy of being together. It mentioned a heavy steel cable that supported a large bridge. The cable was made from many smaller cables and wires that, individually, could not be effective but together supported the bridge and the traffic on it.

A symphony was also mentioned. Many instruments, with different sounds, joining together to produce a wonderful melody. One instrument might be OK but together, there is a great difference.

The togetherness we experience when we gather in church can be the same. We are better together and there is power. ”And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1). We know what happened there. And then there is prayer. The Word says when there are “two or three” but, as demonstrated above, the more there are, the power can be increased. I experienced and felt this over the past year when hundreds were praying for me during my cancer trial. It was very encouraging to hear, “I’m praying for you and my church is too.” There is power in numbers.

So, let’s be together as we journey the Path of Life, let’s support each other. “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25). Can we say, “Hey, I’m with you.”

Uncategorized

The End Zone

May 25, 2024 by Bill 1 Comment

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve;” (Joshua 24:15)

Many of the revelations I get from God come to me as images or videos. Being a former coach, many of these are related to sports. Today, I want you to picture a football field.

First, you’re looking down on the field from above. In one end zone you see Satan standing there with some of his people. In the other, you see Jesus and some of His own. Next, the view switches to the sidelines where many people are standing. You also see people ON the field standing on every yard line from the 50 yard line to the 10 yard line, some closer to Satan’s end zone and others closer to Jesus’. These people are moving toward Satan on the left or toward Jesus on the right. You also have many in the stands on both sides of the field cheering. One cheering for Satan’s “team” and the other, “a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) for Jesus. Those in the stands and on the sidelines have already made their choice of which end zone they went to and are cheering on those on the field who are trying to make a choice.

Those on the field are moving slowly in one direction or the other. Satan is showing some tempting things in his end zone to draw those on the field to him. Jesus is holding His arms out, with His nail-pierced hands, showing His love to welcome them to come to Him. People on the field are drawn to one side or the other and move, some slowly and others quickly, toward the end zone they want to be in. They go from the 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, then cross the line to a deceptive, laughing Satan or a loving Jesus. Can you visualize this scene?

So my question today is…where are you? In the stands, on the sidelines, on the field or in one of the end zones? If you are not on Jesus’ team, you can go there today. Even if you’re on Satan’s team, you can leave and run to the other end zone. And, if you die without joining God’s team, you are automatically in the other end zone forever. So, choose you this day who you will serve. (Joshua 24:15)

Pruning

May 25, 2024 by Bill 5 Comments

The grape vines in my yard are just beginning to put out leaves from the tiny buds that appeared a few weeks ago but they are looking pretty sparse now. I remember this same vine as a child as it grew in my grandfather’s yard, (mine now), up into an apple tree nearby and got bigger and bigger every year. However, I have learned the process of pruning.

At first, as I cut off a substantial length of the vine, I thought that I was wasting valuable buds that would produce leaves and grapes. But I had learned that you should only keep 10-16 buds on each cane so the energy of the plant will be concentrated on that small number, thus producing bigger and better grapes. It was good to cut off some of the extra vine so the remainder would be better. And the old, diseased, weaker or dead parts, they definitely have to go for the good of the vine.

Jesus said in the 15^th chapter of John, “…my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Pruning hurts. Giving up part of yourself is hard to do. But, if you want to be productive in the Kingdom of God, it must be done. Lots of vines and leaves may look good but you know what happened to the fig tree that had no fruit, (Mark 11). As Christians, God wants us to produce fruit; to be productive but to do so we have to shed the parts that are not producing for the Kingdom.

I’ve learned that just as I have to prune my grapes, the parts of me that are unproductive must be cut off as well. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me…” (Psalm 139:23-24), and cut it off. Not my will Father, but yours be done. It’s up to us. If we want fruit, we must submit to the pruning. Are you willing today to ask the Master Gardener to begin work on you?

Archives for May 2024

Two or Three

The End Zone

Pruning

Thanks for reading

Recent Posts

Archives for May 2024

Thanks for reading

Recent Posts

Tags