We got a new member of our family...a puppie!! We are so excited because we lost out two beloved dogs several weeks ago. Anyway thought I would share the news.... : )
The sun is finally coming out this morning..yeah!!!! A pretty cool breeze however, letting us know winter is at the door. The leaves are changing ..so beautiful!
Today's entries are very good..as usual... so please take the time to study them...
Reading: Leviticus 25:3
THE BEGINNING OF DISCIPLINE
God must channel our strength. He does this through pruning off that which is wild and untamed. As you follow the progression of growth, there is the seed that must be planted in the ground. It must be nurtured or overseen by those who have been entrusted with it. Once the seed takes root and grows, eventually the plant or vine must be pruned.
Pruning means to cut away branches that are wild and to cut back the branches that are good. This is the only way to ensure healthy fruit. Otherwise, you may end up with fruit, but it will lack the quality that is beneficial to God and others.
It is important to point out that all fruit reveals something about the seed, the ground, and the one who is overseeing it. Pruning is a vital discipline that keeps the wild aspect of the plant at bay to ensure the quality of fruit.
The Lord was telling the people to plant their fields. For Christians, this means we must fulfill our commission to preach the Gospel. It is our way of planting the field. But, we also must oversee the establishment and growth of the seed. This involves discipling believers. Without fulfilling the second part of our commission, people define the Christian walk according to their old way of thinking, instead of according to the Word of God.
The result is that there are many wild bushes growing in God’s kingdom, and sadly the fruit is not the reproduction of Christ’s life. When people partake of it, it proves to be of an inferior quality that has a mixture in it. The key is discipleship. We cannot properly disciple others if we have not been discipled.
Prayer: Lord, I need to be discipled by Your Spirit in accordance to Your word. Bring forth the proper spiritual discipline in my life. Amen.
Reading: Luke 14:26-27
Reading: Isaiah 5:5-7
I WILL TAKE AWAY THE HEDGE
The vineyard that ends up producing wild grapes after it has been prepared to produce acceptable fruits will have to face the judgment of God. Of course, we are talking about our personal lives. As Christians, we are the fields or the vineyards of God. We have had the necessary investment. After all, the vineyard of our life was bought and paid for by Jesus. The Word has ploughed up the fallow ground of our hearts. The Holy Spirit has brought the necessary nutrients to our lives to ensure fruit. Therefore, there is no reason why God’s vineyard should not produce fruit. There are no reasons but one, and that is unbelief.
The biggest problem among God’s people is that they do not believe. This is why there is such a mixture. If people do not believe Him, they will become thorny towards truth, and lack justice in all matters. They will oppress others, rather than maintain and uphold righteousness. Consider what God is going to do with such a vineyard.
Take away the hedge: A hedge serves as a boundary of protection. God will simply remove His protection and grace from those who refuse to become a fruitful vineyard to Him.
Be broken up: Others will eat what is left of the vineyard after the hedge is taken away. Since there will be no further investment such as pruning in the vineyard, it will be broken up as it is trampled under and allowed to go to waste through neglect.
Hold back the rain: Without rain, there is no hope for recovery of such a vineyard. It will be left to utter desolation. This is the harsh reality of the life of those who do not regard God as their ruler. Wisely take heed to such warnings.
Prayer: Lord, we must have wisdom in all matters. We need to heed Your warnings to avoid utter desolation in our lives. Amen.
DISCIPLESHIP
The Lord Jesus is calling us to a disciplined life. This is what discipleship is all about. Without it, the untamed side of who we are will never be brought into proper order in God’s kingdom.
Discipleship is taken from the concept of living a disciplined life according to the example and teaching of the master. In the case of the Christian, Jesus is the master and Lord of the Christian life. It is the Apostle John who instructs us to walk as Jesus walked if we are going to abide in Him.
Discipleship is what connects us to the very life of Jesus. Granted, we must become identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. But, we must connect to the very life of Christ if we are going to be connected to Him as our Vine.
Today, discipleship is greatly missing. People are being made converts to a certain way of thinking, while they are being made followers of other teachers or schools of thought. As a result, Christianity has ceased to be a way of living. Such a life can only come out of love for the master, devotion to His ways, obedience to His instruction, and wisdom in applying His examples to our walk.
Clearly, Christianity is a disciplined walk where the Spirit is in agreement with God, the soul is lining up to the ways of righteousness, and the body is occupying according to the direction of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to His Word.
What is Christianity to You?
Prayer: Lord, we forget Christianity is not a matter of religion, but it is a way of living and walking through this present world. Give me Your wisdom to walk in Your ways. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
http://www.gentleshepherd.com/
Questions or comments welcome. Email: http://us.mc800.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ministry@gentleshepherd.com
Friday, October 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Choicest Vine....
Good morning to you all out there....
Man are we getting rain and more rain! I thank the Father however, because I have been in a drought and I prefer rain to that.... but I do miss seeing the sun. Fall is setting in and the gleams of winter are already in the air.
Remember to enjoy the cool breezes and the colors changing and take the time to praise the Creator for both. This may be a hard time for you survivors out there but GOD is still in control! Do not give into the fear that this season can evoke.....if you choose to live in fear then you will die in fear....and I am not writing this blog and putting out my testimony for any of you to die, but to find life....peace.... hope.... and love through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. The Real Jesus!!!
Love & prayers,
THE CHOICEST VINE
We have been talking about the adverse effect that remaining wild and in an undisciplined state will have on character, purpose and fruit. In Isaiah we see God trying to woo His undisciplined people back to Himself. He even devised a song for His beloved people concerning His precious vineyard. In this case, Israel was being referred to as His vineyard. He had lovingly planted this nation of people in a fruitful land, the Promised Land. He referred to this land as a fruitful hill. The hill reminds us that these people were preferred and exalted over the pagan nations. Since they were exalted, this field was to serve as a means for God to admire, preserve and honor His work among them.
It tells us how the Lord fenced Israel in. In other words, He dug the ground to plant the vineyard. He chose the choicest vine to ensure its survival, health and fruit. He even built a tower in the midst of it to watch over it.
When we think about the tower in the people of Israel ’s midst, we could relate it to the Law that truly set Israel apart. It even could be the temple that distinguished these people’s calling and purpose to worship and glorify Jehovah God. However, we know that the Bible refers to God as our high tower. Clearly God placed Himself among the people through the Law, as well as placed His name among them as a testimony through the temple.
It was also stated that a winepress was established in their midst. The winepress could be the Law that clearly established judgment among them. However, the reason God put a winepress in the vineyard was to bring forth the fruit of the grape.
As we consider this picture, we can see how the Church also makes up the vineyard. In the middle the vineyard God placed the choicest Vine, Jesus Christ. The Living Waters were uncapped to flow through His vineyard. The Word of God was set forth in order to cultivate and nurture this field. Obviously, there is no reason why God’s people are not producing quality fruit that will bring honor to Him, unless they are still maintaining wild dispositions that refuse to be tamed by His work.
Prayer: Lord, You have done all You can do to bring forth fruit from Your vineyard. However, as Your people, we must maintain Your life in us to ensure the quality of fruit that comes forth. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 5:3-4
WILD GRAPES
We have been talking about those things that are untamed or wild. When we consider that which is wild, we think of those things which are not disciplined. God is clearly a God of order. He works within structure that ensures order and completeness of a matter.
In these scriptures, Isaiah is speaking to the inhabitants of Jerusalem on behalf of God. God had established a vineyard, Israel . He had invested much in this vineyard. The fruit of it was to bring glory to Him.
Instead of this vineyard producing quality grapes, it produced wild grapes. How could this be? The reality is that there was a mixture that defiled the vineyard. Without the proper structure, the vineyard produced wild grapes.
What happened to the vineyard? It is easy to figure out what the mixture involved. It involved idolatry. Idolatry is nothing more than man’s imagination. He imagines that a particular tree, a grove, some dough, a creature, or the sun has spiritual value. It represents something to him. Granted, the tree may look a certain way, the grove may give a certain impression, and the dough may be shaped a certain way, but that does not make it a god. It is man that gives an idol an identity that requires worship. As the Apostle Paul stated, it is vain imaginations that exalt themselves against the real knowledge of God. These imaginations are nothing more than fantasy that opposes, redefines or demotes the true God of heaven.
We must discipline our perception of God to avoid idolatry. We can exalt any god according to our own liking, but there is only one God who can save us from eternal judgment.
Prayer: Lord, we need to discipline our thoughts by bringing them into captivity to You. Lord, I know if it comes from my imagination, it is not of You. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
http://www.gentleshepherd.com/
Questions or comments welcome. Email: http://us.mc800.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ministry@gentleshepherd.com
Man are we getting rain and more rain! I thank the Father however, because I have been in a drought and I prefer rain to that.... but I do miss seeing the sun. Fall is setting in and the gleams of winter are already in the air.
Remember to enjoy the cool breezes and the colors changing and take the time to praise the Creator for both. This may be a hard time for you survivors out there but GOD is still in control! Do not give into the fear that this season can evoke.....if you choose to live in fear then you will die in fear....and I am not writing this blog and putting out my testimony for any of you to die, but to find life....peace.... hope.... and love through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. The Real Jesus!!!
Love & prayers,
Judy
THE CHOICEST VINE
We have been talking about the adverse effect that remaining wild and in an undisciplined state will have on character, purpose and fruit. In Isaiah we see God trying to woo His undisciplined people back to Himself. He even devised a song for His beloved people concerning His precious vineyard. In this case, Israel was being referred to as His vineyard. He had lovingly planted this nation of people in a fruitful land, the Promised Land. He referred to this land as a fruitful hill. The hill reminds us that these people were preferred and exalted over the pagan nations. Since they were exalted, this field was to serve as a means for God to admire, preserve and honor His work among them.
It tells us how the Lord fenced Israel in. In other words, He dug the ground to plant the vineyard. He chose the choicest vine to ensure its survival, health and fruit. He even built a tower in the midst of it to watch over it.
When we think about the tower in the people of Israel ’s midst, we could relate it to the Law that truly set Israel apart. It even could be the temple that distinguished these people’s calling and purpose to worship and glorify Jehovah God. However, we know that the Bible refers to God as our high tower. Clearly God placed Himself among the people through the Law, as well as placed His name among them as a testimony through the temple.
It was also stated that a winepress was established in their midst. The winepress could be the Law that clearly established judgment among them. However, the reason God put a winepress in the vineyard was to bring forth the fruit of the grape.
As we consider this picture, we can see how the Church also makes up the vineyard. In the middle the vineyard God placed the choicest Vine, Jesus Christ. The Living Waters were uncapped to flow through His vineyard. The Word of God was set forth in order to cultivate and nurture this field. Obviously, there is no reason why God’s people are not producing quality fruit that will bring honor to Him, unless they are still maintaining wild dispositions that refuse to be tamed by His work.
Prayer: Lord, You have done all You can do to bring forth fruit from Your vineyard. However, as Your people, we must maintain Your life in us to ensure the quality of fruit that comes forth. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 5:3-4
WILD GRAPES
We have been talking about those things that are untamed or wild. When we consider that which is wild, we think of those things which are not disciplined. God is clearly a God of order. He works within structure that ensures order and completeness of a matter.
In these scriptures, Isaiah is speaking to the inhabitants of Jerusalem on behalf of God. God had established a vineyard, Israel . He had invested much in this vineyard. The fruit of it was to bring glory to Him.
Instead of this vineyard producing quality grapes, it produced wild grapes. How could this be? The reality is that there was a mixture that defiled the vineyard. Without the proper structure, the vineyard produced wild grapes.
What happened to the vineyard? It is easy to figure out what the mixture involved. It involved idolatry. Idolatry is nothing more than man’s imagination. He imagines that a particular tree, a grove, some dough, a creature, or the sun has spiritual value. It represents something to him. Granted, the tree may look a certain way, the grove may give a certain impression, and the dough may be shaped a certain way, but that does not make it a god. It is man that gives an idol an identity that requires worship. As the Apostle Paul stated, it is vain imaginations that exalt themselves against the real knowledge of God. These imaginations are nothing more than fantasy that opposes, redefines or demotes the true God of heaven.
We must discipline our perception of God to avoid idolatry. We can exalt any god according to our own liking, but there is only one God who can save us from eternal judgment.
Prayer: Lord, we need to discipline our thoughts by bringing them into captivity to You. Lord, I know if it comes from my imagination, it is not of You. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
http://www.gentleshepherd.com/
Questions or comments welcome. Email: http://us.mc800.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ministry@gentleshepherd.com
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I bid you peace for the week....
How did you like the title of this blog? I thought we all could use a little peace whenever we can get it living on this planet. Since peace is a state of mind not a place, well.......I shall pass on the peace that passes all understanding and that is through Christ Jesus.....
I have been having a weird week.... not weird in that odd things have happened to me, (although odd things always seem to happen to me). What I mean is weird in that I can feel my spirit stretching in ways I am feeling a bit out of sorts with. You know kind of like when you start a new exercise program and muscles you have not used in a long while or maybe never before start to cramp and complain. You know it is a good thing but it is not always comfortable in the beginning.
I realize I am being a bit vague and maybe I will talk about it a bit more at a later time but suffice it to say....please keep me in your prayers.
I want to thank all of you who got to listen to my interview last night on UFO Encounters live, for taking the time to listen in. I think Ronnie and I are going to be doing a follow up soon. I will let you all know when.
I think Ronnie McMullen and Zeph Daniel are planning on doing something together as in an interview in the future as well and I will post that when I get the info. Ronnie and Zeph are wonderful to interview with.... They always step outside of the religious boxes... I love it!!!
Ok, so here is the next installments from Gentle Shepherd.... I think the two I am posting today are really good to ponder over a while.
Reading: 1 Samuel 24:1-6
ROCKS OF THE WILD GOATS
We are considering the ways of that which is untamed or wild. This story is about the difference between one with an untamed heart and a person who is seeking to learn even more about the disciplines behind God’s promises, faith and patience.
David was the man being prepared to be a future king through discipline in the midst of the rocks of the wild goats. Goats are interesting creatures. They seek high places or pinnacles to stand upon. It is not that they are seeking perspective; they want to establish an impression of independence and dominance. Even though standing on a high place does not give them the position they seek, it does allow them to feel independent and on top of a matter.
The one who fits the example of the wild goat was Saul. He gave the impression he wanted to please God, but he would maintain his independence behind the façade of devotion and dedication. Needless to say, God would strip away all outward facades to reveal an untamed heart. An untamed heart is an independent heart.
When you consider an independent heart, it produces a stiff-neck of obstinacy towards God and rebellious ways. It is always trying to figure a way around God in order to subtly exalt itself above Him, while looking humble and noble. The Bible does not refer to such a heart as independent, but proud.
King Saul’s heart brought him into opposition against God. He lost his right as king over Israel . He was turned over to an evil spirit that tormented him. In this case jealousy was driving him to destroy a righteous man.
Are you guarding your heart against independence?
Prayer: Lord, I Know my heart can become exalted against You, but my desire is to remain humble before You. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 51:17-22
LIKE A WILD BULL
Going through the process of being tamed is not easy. It takes transformation of the mind, a change in the heart, and discipline of the ways. As we consider the undisciplined person, we can see why the Christian life is contrary to the unregenerate person who is not being tamed and trained by the Holy Spirit.
In these Scriptures God is trying to awaken Jerusalem from a drunken stupor. The reality of the people of Israel was that they were in a dull state. The things that drove them were fleshly. The young men were like wild bulls that were finding themselves entangled in a net. The more they struggled in the net, the more enraged they became.
The net was the people’s own doing. They had come into agreement with the unholy. As they became entangled in it, they became more insensitive to God. Now judgment would come upon them. As they struggled, they would become more and more aware of the net that was holding them.
The untamed man is insensitive to God. Such a person simply gives in to the ways of the flesh. Such ways entangle him or her into the net of judgment. This judgment ends in desolation, destruction, famine, and death.
The Lord does plead the cause for such people. The greatest point of His plea is the cross of Christ. It is not only God’s point of pleading with us, but also our point of discipline. The cross of Christ requires us to come into identification with Jesus, but it is also the greatest point of discipline of the untamed disposition within us. To tame our spiritual state and character means death to the old ways, famine to our pride, desolation of the old man, and destruction to our old life.
Is there a net around you, entrapping you, or have you been set free by the discipline of the cross of Christ?
Prayer: Lord, as Your people, we have been made free through the truth of Your cross. Keep me from once again becoming entangled in my old ways. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
www.gentleshepherd.com
Questions or comments welcome. Email: ministry@gentleshepherd.com
I have been having a weird week.... not weird in that odd things have happened to me, (although odd things always seem to happen to me). What I mean is weird in that I can feel my spirit stretching in ways I am feeling a bit out of sorts with. You know kind of like when you start a new exercise program and muscles you have not used in a long while or maybe never before start to cramp and complain. You know it is a good thing but it is not always comfortable in the beginning.
I realize I am being a bit vague and maybe I will talk about it a bit more at a later time but suffice it to say....please keep me in your prayers.
I want to thank all of you who got to listen to my interview last night on UFO Encounters live, for taking the time to listen in. I think Ronnie and I are going to be doing a follow up soon. I will let you all know when.
I think Ronnie McMullen and Zeph Daniel are planning on doing something together as in an interview in the future as well and I will post that when I get the info. Ronnie and Zeph are wonderful to interview with.... They always step outside of the religious boxes... I love it!!!
Ok, so here is the next installments from Gentle Shepherd.... I think the two I am posting today are really good to ponder over a while.
Reading: 1 Samuel 24:1-6
ROCKS OF THE WILD GOATS
We are considering the ways of that which is untamed or wild. This story is about the difference between one with an untamed heart and a person who is seeking to learn even more about the disciplines behind God’s promises, faith and patience.
David was the man being prepared to be a future king through discipline in the midst of the rocks of the wild goats. Goats are interesting creatures. They seek high places or pinnacles to stand upon. It is not that they are seeking perspective; they want to establish an impression of independence and dominance. Even though standing on a high place does not give them the position they seek, it does allow them to feel independent and on top of a matter.
The one who fits the example of the wild goat was Saul. He gave the impression he wanted to please God, but he would maintain his independence behind the façade of devotion and dedication. Needless to say, God would strip away all outward facades to reveal an untamed heart. An untamed heart is an independent heart.
When you consider an independent heart, it produces a stiff-neck of obstinacy towards God and rebellious ways. It is always trying to figure a way around God in order to subtly exalt itself above Him, while looking humble and noble. The Bible does not refer to such a heart as independent, but proud.
King Saul’s heart brought him into opposition against God. He lost his right as king over Israel . He was turned over to an evil spirit that tormented him. In this case jealousy was driving him to destroy a righteous man.
Are you guarding your heart against independence?
Prayer: Lord, I Know my heart can become exalted against You, but my desire is to remain humble before You. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 51:17-22
LIKE A WILD BULL
Going through the process of being tamed is not easy. It takes transformation of the mind, a change in the heart, and discipline of the ways. As we consider the undisciplined person, we can see why the Christian life is contrary to the unregenerate person who is not being tamed and trained by the Holy Spirit.
In these Scriptures God is trying to awaken Jerusalem from a drunken stupor. The reality of the people of Israel was that they were in a dull state. The things that drove them were fleshly. The young men were like wild bulls that were finding themselves entangled in a net. The more they struggled in the net, the more enraged they became.
The net was the people’s own doing. They had come into agreement with the unholy. As they became entangled in it, they became more insensitive to God. Now judgment would come upon them. As they struggled, they would become more and more aware of the net that was holding them.
The untamed man is insensitive to God. Such a person simply gives in to the ways of the flesh. Such ways entangle him or her into the net of judgment. This judgment ends in desolation, destruction, famine, and death.
The Lord does plead the cause for such people. The greatest point of His plea is the cross of Christ. It is not only God’s point of pleading with us, but also our point of discipline. The cross of Christ requires us to come into identification with Jesus, but it is also the greatest point of discipline of the untamed disposition within us. To tame our spiritual state and character means death to the old ways, famine to our pride, desolation of the old man, and destruction to our old life.
Is there a net around you, entrapping you, or have you been set free by the discipline of the cross of Christ?
Prayer: Lord, as Your people, we have been made free through the truth of Your cross. Keep me from once again becoming entangled in my old ways. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
www.gentleshepherd.com
Questions or comments welcome. Email: ministry@gentleshepherd.com
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