Jesus, the Gardener and Cultivator of our Souls

Jesus, the Gardener and Cultivator of our Souls

As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been called to produce.  To produce means to yield something, to bring forth, or bear something.  Our lives are constantly producing ‘something’. Let’s take a closer look at the ‘something’ we are called to yield or bring forth. Last week we looked at how the rain, wildflowers, weeds and tall grass, garden maintenance, abiding in the vine, and digging can impact our garden’s growth and expansion.

Today, I would like us to center our focus on the soil.  The soil is one of the most important elements in producing a beautiful and healthy garden. But what type of soil will we find in our garden?

Soil is the top layer of most of the Earth’s land surface.  It contains the unconsolidated elements of rock erosion, organic decay, bacteria, and fungi.

There are five soil-forming factors:
1. the parent material: the primary material from which the soil is formed i.e. bedrock, organic material, an old soil surface, or a deposit from water, wind, glaciers, or volcanoes
2. climate: the weathering forces such as heat, rain, ice, snow, wind, sunshine, and other environmental forces that break down parent material and affect how fast or slow soil formation processes go
3. organisms: all plants and animals living in or on the soil (including micro-organisms and humans)
4. topography: the location of a soil
5. time: all of the above factors assert themselves over time

In Mark 4, Jesus tells a parable about the sower who went out to sow:

First case: The WAYSIDE

Some seeds fell by the side of the tough, hard path where the soil was not broken up and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Not only could the seed not get beneath the surface, but it was trampled down and afterwards picked up and devoured by the fowls.

Second case: The STONY or ROCKY ground
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth -- "the rocky ground" is a ground that has a thin surface of earth covering the rocky place.

Third case: The THORNY ground
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit -- This case is that of the ground not thoroughly cleaned of the thistles, thorns, and weeds which rising above the good seed, "choke" it. The “thorns” smother the seed reducing it of any light and air, as it drains away the moisture and richness of the soil. Thus it becomes unfruitful; although it grows, it never ripens to full maturity.

The evil here is neither a hard nor a shallow soil, for there is enough softness and depth; but it is the existence that is living within the soil that draws all the nutrients of it away to itself, and so starves the plant.

Fourth case: The GOOD ground
And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit. The qualities of this last soil are the reverse of the other three soils. It is soft and tender, it has depth that allows the seed to take firm root, receives the necessary moisture that provides vitality and strength, and it is also clean grounds. In this type of environment, the seed brings forth fruit.

Are we allowing the deposits of God’s Word to fill our lives? Do we permit the storms of life to break up our stony and hard places? What forms and shapes us, the love of God or pressures of life? Does the climate of our circumstances break us down or build us up? Are we pliable or hard and rocky? Is our garden planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1)? Do we see growth over a period of time?

We must allow the Word of God to cultivate our hearts so that we can experience an outpouring of the manifestation of His awesome power. In time, we will see our gardens filled with the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; and against such there is no law (Gal. 5:22-23). 

Tilt your heart towards the SON!

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Do you know ABOUT Him or Do you KNOW HIM?

Do you know About Him or Do you KNOW HIM?

 

To know only about an individual is never enough evidence to make a reasonable and sound judgment about one's character.  Sure we read or hear stories about people all the time, but basing our assumptions only the premise of what others have said can be very dangerous and misleading.  We can structure a false and unfair personal view and judgment about them without really having or knowing all the facts.

Sometimes the outside of a book can appear coarse and hard, but the saying, 'never judge a book by its cover', does hold some depth. Over the years, I've gotten to know people for myself, and in that, I have learned a valuable lesson.  Not everything said is always true.

To know means to identify, recognize, distinguish; it is an action word, for example, I know (or recognize) the book is on the shelf, I know where the coffee is, I know my schedule, or I know which one is mine (identification).  You are collecting information and facts about people and things all the time.  You learn to identify characters, distinguish the difference between cultures and religion, and so on.

But to know is not enough and you will find that many people usually stay at this first phase - the knowing.  They know that it's going to rain or the road is dangerous because they have heard or read some article about it.  I can know that the weather is bad and the roads are dangerous and yet, still choose to ignore it.  Again, this phase is only a collection of information.

The word knowledge, is a noun, and in view of this topic, means information, facts, and data acquired through a skill, experience, or acquaintance.  This is the second phase.  Many of us know about God, we may have some knowledge about Scripture, but knowledge without understanding is as a light fixture without bulbs. The Scripture says that the entrance of thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (Psalms 119:130).

The word understanding means the ability to grasp, perceive, and explain the meaning or the nature of something or somebody. When I begin to grasp or perceive the value of the knowledge (the information) of God's Word and how it applies to me, this is called understanding.  It is like a light bulb goes off and you say, "Ahh".

The word wisdom means judgment or good sense that comes from the knowledge and experience needed to make sensible decisions.  It is the accumulated learning of life in a particular sphere of activity or interest that is gained through your experience.

Proverbs 1:5 says that a wise man will hear and will increase in learning.  The more you learn is the wiser you become in that area. But if you do not know God for yourself, if you do not open the Bible to read the personal love letters that are written to you, if you only base your faith or belief on the premise of what others have to say, then you risk the possibility of facing a great danger because people can lead you astray.

God is not looking for religion, tradition, superstition, or fiction; he desires and longs for personal intimacy with his beloved.  That's you!  I challenge you to know God for yourself.  Don't just know about Him, KNOW HIM in the full knowledge of His goodness and grace.
He's real folks . . .

Tilt your heart towards the SON!

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We must be willing to alter and adjust so that the process of making or becoming different can take place.

We must be willing to alter and adjust so that the process of making or becoming different can take place.  

Serving God is more than our weekly church attendance and having titles or positions.  You’d be surprised at the many pews that are filled with people who faithfully attend church services, only to walk out the same way they walked in.

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise though.  In Jesus’ days, the temples were filled with such people; they were called the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees were two of the most prominent religious groups in Judaism.  Their religion was outward in form with no inward godliness of heart (Matt. 23:25).  They were all about ‘traditions’ and keeping the letter of the law by their own interpretations.

They occupied their ‘office’ all in the name of the Lord, but their lives were morally lax and worldly.  While appearing to hold to the laws of God, they really denied many of the teachings when they opposed Jesus’ wisdom and miracles.  They’re obsession with ‘keeping the letter of the law’ blinded them from the truth that they were actually doing quite the opposite as they refused to recognize the depravity of their own nature.

If we look around today, we will see the spirit of the 21st Century Pharisees and Sadducees moving in our midst; this mindset or spirit still flows today.  It is ‘working’ rather than ‘worshipping’.  This spirit sits on the church boards, serves communion, handles the Lord’s money, etc.

Jesus’ message is ‘change’ and ‘repent’.  The word change, in this case, is a noun, and it is the process in making or becoming different.  To change in its verb form means alter or adjust.  The word repent means to be sorry, apologize, or ask forgiveness.  We must be willing to alter and adjust so that the process of making or becoming different can take place.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.” God’s Word should challenge us to change daily.  The words Jesus spoke often pricked or offended the Pharisees and Sadducees because of their wicked ways.  Does God’s Word offend or prick our hearts, or does it cause us to humble ourselves and repent?

Tilt your heart towards the SON!

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PATIENCE IS A QUALITY YOU ADMIRE IN THE DRIVER BEHIND YOU AND SCORN IN THE ONE AHEAD.

PATIENCE IS A QUALITY YOU ADMIRE IN THE DRIVER BEHIND YOU AND SCORN IN THE ONE AHEAD.

 

Patience—the ability to wait; endurance, staying power, fortitude; ability to bear prolonged hardship, pain, or exertion; stamina; the survival or persistence of something despite the ravages of time; lack of complaint

It is not how you start but how you end.  The Bible says that the end of a thing is better than the beginning of a thing (Eccl. 7:8-9). 

Our days are identical suitcases—all the same sizes–but some people can pack more into them than others.  While accepting the path of God for your life, whether it seems rough or smooth, remember that God is at work in you.

Although learning to trust in times of adversity has its difficulties, facing unexpected changes opens the opportunity for growth.  Hebrews 6:12 encourages us to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherited the promises of God.

 

We are called to run this race with an unruffled and vigorous  persistence.  The appointed course of the race is set and we must strip ourselves of every unnecessary weight and the sins that so easily entangles us.

Remember, the race is not for the swift nor the battle for the strong but for those who endures to the end.   

Tilt your heart towards the SON!

 

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

http://firstladiesoftheroundtable.org

http://nardagoodson.org

http://predestinedbygod.com

http://damselsinvirtuousattire.com

DON’T MISTAKE ACTIVITY FOR ACHIEVEMENT.  BUSYNESS DOES NOT EQUAL PRODUCTIVENESS, part 2

 

When we assemble ourselves as a united body of people whether in a public assembly or a private gathering, what happens?  Does the power of God flow in our meetings?  Are people’s lives being transformed?  Is the power of the Word actively flooding our hearts causing radical changes?  Are people being refreshed, restored, and renewed?  Is the Word of God bringing conviction and repentance?  Are people coming in one way but leaving differently?   

Although these questions may sound challenging to pastors and ministry leaders, it is a relevant subject that we need to talk about as a church.  I have said it so often and will say it again, churches are getting old but not growing.  Why?

There are many attributing factors, and though I may not touch all areas today, it is my desire to delve deeper into this subject in my future newsletters. 

What marks the success of a growing church?  Is it the size or look of the building?  Can we base it on the amount of tithes and offering collected or the building fund drive?  Is it the accumulative and growing register, prolonged existence of church membership, or longevity of leadership?  Is it based on the size of the worship team or band?  How about the programs we put together, which is comprised of the same circle of people and similar to last years agenda?

While some of these can have some value and weight to what we call “ministry”, the question is still being asked, how effective is this ministry, this church, and what we do?

One of the marks of a growing church is the youth.  Our youth is a relevant part of God’s Kingdom.  Sad to say, many churches have forgotten about our youth.  We try to win them over by singing “How Great Thou Art”, not understanding that it is after they have come into the fold that they will truly understand how great and awesome He is.

Remember when Jesus said follow me, and I will make you fishers of men, and he that win souls is wise?  Well, please understand that all fish do not take the same bait.  Your teenage son or daughter may not embrace the songs, music, and fashion that inspired you in your days or even today.  Sometimes we forget and our drive to cause them to change results in frustration on both parties and does more damage than good.  The same Scripture that commands children to honor their father and mother also says parents do not provoke your children to wrath (Ephesians 6). 

Rest assure that God is more concerned with people’s heart and soul than they are looking on the outside.  Change begins from the inside out. 

We need to teach people how to live but allow the Holy Spirit to bring the conviction.  Lead others to Christ by your love, compassion, and witness as opposed to teaching a dogmatic doctrine set of church rules. 

Doctrine is a body of ideas that are taught to people as truthful or correct.  While doctrine in of itself is not a bad thing, we must proceed with caution, being careful that the rules or principles that form the basis of a belief or policy are not a distorted view or faulty interpretation of the Word of God.

While there is a personal responsibility every believer must take, there is also a heavy liability placed on leadership.  We must be careful that our churches have not become a social gathering or a lukewarm container where the power of God is diminished and the Holy Spirit grieved by the traditions of men. 

Remember, busyness does not equal productiveness.  This newsletter is geared to cause us to look within and see where we can become a better church, a better people, a more effective ministry where those who are hurting or lost can find rest, hope, and the will of God for their lives.

Tilt your heart towards the SON!

Narda Goodson

First Lady of Whitewright, Texas

http://nardagoodson.org

http://firstladiesoftheroundtable.org

http://predestinedbygod.com

http://damselsinvirtuousattire.com