- Part 6

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.”

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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?

New Life 2024

April 29, 2024 by Bill 26 Comments

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Recently, I noticed a dead limb in my yard under a tree. I then looked up and saw a limb ON that tree that looked dead but I knew that there was life in that limb and, in time, it would display that life. They both looked dead but I knew the limb on the tree was connected to the roots of life. During this time of year, we can see the evidence of new life everywhere in God’s creation. We have made it through the harsh weather of winter but spring is here…as it is each year. It’s God’s plan.

God has a similar plan for us. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13). Before we were saved, we were already dead in our sins. We were like that limb on the ground, dead, not connected to the tree. But when we asked Jesus into our hearts, we were miraculously connected to the Tree of Life and we then had New Life! But just like the tree, we have to go through seasons. Some seasons are difficult and some are pleasant but we have to go through them. When we hunker down, (that’s Appalachian talk), in the cold, we can look forward to the new life of spring and summer. We must always, with faith and hope, look ahead. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). The apostle Paul was looking ahead and pushing through his troubles toward his prize. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14).

If you’re going through a hard time now, go look at nature and be reminded that there is new life. If you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart, do it today and you will be God’s “new creation” and that New Life will be in you.

Who Are You?

April 27, 2024 by Bill 1 Comment

Each one of us was created a unique person with special gifts and talents to fulfill a mission on the earth. I wrote about this topic a few years ago but have gotten some new insights into it. We are Selected, Directed and Protected. Let’s look at these attributes.

We are Selected. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” (Jeremiah 1:5). Isn’t it amazing that God knew us and had made plans for us even before we were born? We’re special and God is good!

We are Directed. When God chose us, He knew we would need direction. He knew the enemy would always be trying to redirect us to his way. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8). “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” (Isaiah 30:21). We MUST listen, trust and obey, for there’s no other way.

We are Protected. Have you ever been is a dark place but remembered Psalm 23:4? “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” We have to keep going “through”, don’t stop or turn back. God is always there. “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). We are protected from the enemy but we have to stay close to God.

One prayer I often pray for my kids, grandkids and myself is, “God, please make us aware of who we are, what we have and what we can do.” We are God’s special creation, we have special gifts and talents to use and it’s amazing what we can do with what God has given us. But just like an athlete, we must join the team, obey the coach and commit to the challenge. Are you one who will do this? “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

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