"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

Service Before Self

The Sower Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 (ESV)  Spring time is pretty much here in Northern California and I have started my gardening. As preparation for Spring my husband and I laid out some grass seeds. We have a large area on the side of our house that the kids often play games or we will gather for a neighborhood BBQ. We laid the seed in hopes to have a beautiful field of lush grass for our neighborhood activities.  We laid the seed one day. The next day the birds had came and started taking the seeds. Then another day we learn that the housing office has planned to spray the grass for weeds.  All I could think is the birds are stealing the seeds and now housing is going to spray for weeds and kill what is left of the newly laid grass seeds.  This got me thinking of a parable Jesus told. If you have your Bibles turn to Matthew chapter 13 verses1-9 and verses 18-23.  It says,  "That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”  Skip a few verses and Jesus explains the parable of the Sower:  Starting in verse 18.  “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23 ESV)  The one thing that stands out to me in these scriptures is the Sower. The sower is not responsible for which seeds take root and which seeds do not. The sower's job is to throw out the seeds. As Christians we are called to share the Good News of Christ. The Good News is the Gospel message. "Christ died for our sins... he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).  1 Corinthians 3:7 says, "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."  As you go out and share your faith with the world remember it is not your responsibility to "give growth" but it is your responsibility to plant seeds. Step out today and share your faith with others. Then let God do the rest.  Until next time keep planting seeds.  From one military wife to another.

The Sower

Hi friends. It's me Carmen. Zechariah 4:10 part A says, "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin."What small beginnings do you sometimes despises? I am currently potty training in this season of life {small beginnings}.... But the truth is The Lord rejoices to see the work begin. The small beginnings lead to maturity. In our Christian walk the small beginning can look differently but they too lead to maturity, completion. Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." If you have your Bible handy, turn to Nehemiah chapter 8.Verses 1 through 3 says,"And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law."Skip down to verses 8 through 12It says,"They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them."When the people heard the Word they began to mourn and weep. There was a conviction of sin.Can you understand their weeping? Has there been a time The Lord showed you a new scripture and you realized you had been sinning against The Lord? I can't speak for you, it breaks my heart when I realize I have sinned against The Lord. I have a tendency to beat myself up when I realized I have sinned. But here we see in scripture that the leaders are not coming down hard on the people. Not once but twice they tell the people, "do not be grieved". Then the leaders say, "to make great rejoicing, because the words that were declared to them." The New English Translation translates verse 12 like this, "So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food with others and to enjoy tremendous joy, for they had gained insight in all matters that had been made known to them." When we read scripture there will be times we are convicted of sin, but rejoice you now have insight. The work can now begin. The Lord is rejoicing over you.These insights will lead to maturity in Christ. 1 Peter 2:2-3 says, "Like newborn babies, you must crave spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for the nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." Cry out to The Lord for nourishment. If you have a hard time understanding scripture pray James 1:5. It says, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." He isn't mad at for your lack of insight or wisdom of His Word. He wants us to ask Him for the wisdom. With insight or wisdom maturity can begin. We can start growing up as mature believers in Christ, no longer newborn babies! Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)What a beautiful thought, The Lord is singing over you! As you read or hear scripture this week if The Lord conviction you of sin don't ignore it or mourn. Confess the sin that The Lord has revealed to you. If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, don't turn away from Him, He is not angry. He is ready to receive you. Believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then confess your need for Jesus to save you. Let The Lord rejoice over you with loud signing because the work can now begin. He will bring it to completion.Till next time, rejoice for the work has begun.From one military wife to another.For more information on salvation go to the website. www.MilitaryWivesFellowship.com Go to the Pillars of MWF page. Then watch the video under the title "Gospel" called The Cross with Billy Graham.

Hi friends. It's me Carmen. Zechariah 4:10 part A says, "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." What small beginnings do you sometimes despises? I am currently potty training in this season of life {small beginnings}.... But the truth is The Lord rejoices to see the work begin. The small beginnings lead to maturity. In our Christian walk the small beginning can look differently but they too lead to maturity, completion. Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." If you have your Bible handy, turn to Nehemiah chapter 8. Verses 1 through 3 says, "And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." Skip down to verses 8 through 12 It says, "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them." When the people heard the Word they began to mourn and weep. There was a conviction of sin. Can you understand their weeping? Has there been a time The Lord showed you a new scripture and you realized you had been sinning against The Lord? I can't speak for you, it breaks my heart when I realize I have sinned against The Lord. I have a tendency to beat myself up when I realized I have sinned. But here we see in scripture that the leaders are not coming down hard on the people. Not once but twice they tell the people, "do not be grieved". Then the leaders say, "to make great rejoicing, because the words that were declared to them." The New English Translation translates verse 12 like this, "So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food with others and to enjoy tremendous joy, for they had gained insight in all matters that had been made known to them." When we read scripture there will be times we are convicted of sin, but rejoice you now have insight. The work can now begin. The Lord is rejoicing over you. These insights will lead to maturity in Christ. 1 Peter 2:2-3 says, "Like newborn babies, you must crave spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for the nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." Cry out to The Lord for nourishment. If you have a hard time understanding scripture pray James 1:5. It says, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." He isn't mad at for your lack of insight or wisdom of His Word. He wants us to ask Him for the wisdom. With insight or wisdom maturity can begin. We can start growing up as mature believers in Christ, no longer newborn babies! Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV) What a beautiful thought, The Lord is singing over you! As you read or hear scripture this week if The Lord conviction you of sin don't ignore it or mourn. Confess the sin that The Lord has revealed to you. If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, don't turn away from Him, He is not angry. He is ready to receive you. Believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then confess your need for Jesus to save you. Let The Lord rejoice over you with loud signing because the work can now begin. He will bring it to completion. Till next time, rejoice for the work has begun. From one military wife to another. For more information on salvation go to the website. <a href="http://www.MilitaryWivesFellowship.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.MilitaryWivesFellowship.com</a> Go to the Pillars of MWF page. Then watch the video under the title "Gospel" called The Cross with Billy Graham.

Rejoice the Work has Begun

Scripture Reference: Luke 5:1-11; Isaiah 30:18"As we walked my daughters saw some fishermen filling up their tanks. My girls wanted to run over and have a look. The fisherman shook his head and told them he didn’t have any fish yet, but if we came back in an hour the boat would be there with tons of fish, some over 200 pounds. That sounded exciting so we decided to stick around for a while longer."

Scripture Reference: Luke 5:1-11; Isaiah 30:18 "As we walked my daughters saw some fishermen filling up their tanks. My girls wanted to run over and have a look. The fisherman shook his head and told them he didn’t have any fish yet, but if we came back in an hour the boat would be there with tons of fish, some over 200 pounds. That sounded exciting so we decided to stick around for a while longer."

Military Wives Fellowship Podcast: Fishing

Military Wives Fellowship Podcast

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