Keep the Faith Now

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Sidetracked Scripture "Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." Proverbs 4:27 NLT It is not only what we say that shows the state of the heart but what we follow, our feet have actions that reveal the condition of our souls. Forgetting the things behind us pressing forward to the prize of the calling of God we must keep our eyes fixed, our focus remain on point. Our earnest concern should be about the path we take. Be mindful that we are not to do what the wicked do nor follow the path of evildoers, don't even think about it, don't go that way. It's ok to be misjudged and misunderstood by spiritual and unspiritual people who are ignorant of the power of God and the value of His truth. Don't get sidetracked, look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Example Cause someone to be distracted from an immediate or important issue. To divert or put off. Exercise Read Proverbs 4th chapter We mus...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Forward Scripture "I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13 NLT The Apostle Paul lets us know that he will not contend with the past or present measures of grace, but he is contending to stretch himself to go forward. He realized that he had not mastered many areas of perfection in his life after his conversion. He did not rest on the power and prestige he had in his former life. He did not linger on the fact that he gave orders for many to be executed and imprisoned but now he himself was a prisoner of which he boldly denounced. Paul thinks forward, he forgets about his Jewish privileges and presses on the great race in which his goal is to win. We are time travelers that are moving forward. Paul says we press toward. Example In the direction that one is facing or traveling. Onward, being progressive, future. Exercise Read Philippians 3:12-14 Evaluate ...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Shade Scripture "My people will again live under My shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines." Hosea 14:7ab NLT After God's people had to live in the wilderness again He brought them into a place that signified a new life. God restores His favor upon His people. The shade represented a shelter that covered them and provided relief from the sun. This is a season when God's people will experience a comeback. God in His mercy answers their prayer, He will show them once more His love and restore the blessings of the Lord in abundance. The people repented and prayed to God, in v.8 He lets them know " I am the One who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; and all your fruit comes from Me." Those that sit beneath this Tree will flourish with freshness and vitality. This shade will give God's people the ability to recover and be revived. Under His shad...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Like Scripture "For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God." John 12:43 The power in this world that smothers people's convictions are in regard to the applause and approval of men that one gets. Love of the approval or praise from others as a by-end in that which is good, will make people hypocrites when it relates to religion or their relationship with God. The love of praise or approval is a base principle which is evil and will make a person an apostate. John 12:42 tells us that there were some Jewish leaders that believed the message of the Messiah but would not admit it out of fear. They were afraid to loose the approval of men and that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. They loved human praise more than the praise of God. Example The need for the approval of something or from someone. Like is used to draw attention to the nature of an action or something or someone. Exercise Read...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Fulfillment Scripture "For the time has come for this prophesy about me to be fulfilled. He was counted among the rebels. "Yes everything written about me by the prophets will come true." Luke 22:37 NLT God's plan is coming to pass. Jesus cites the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12 "I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier, because He exposed Himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels." The focus is on Jesus suffering like a rejected one, that He will die a shameful death between two criminals. Jesus identified with us, atoned for our sins and interceded for transgressors. It was neither fate or tragedy, it was purpose. Again in Isaiah 53 but the 10th verse it says " But it was the Lord's good plan to crush Him, and cause Him grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have many descendants. " The passion is accomplishe...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Struggle Scripture "They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, Sit here while I go and pray." He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Mark 14:32-34 NLT In the night before the Romans arrested Him, He went to the garden of Gethsemane, taking three of His friends. Jesus takes them for He needs them to be present before Him in the time of crisis. In the garden Jesus is overtaken with an intense spiritual affliction. He is so overwhelmed that He prays that the ordeal be avoided. He ask God to spare Him of this suffering, He was depressed and filled with grief. The fear of being separated from the Father became the struggle. Luke tells of the bloody sweat to describe the intensity of the crucial moment for the Lord. The battle Jesus fights in this moment He must fight alone,...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Temptation Scripture "Pray that you will not give into temptation." Luke 22:40 NLT Upon arriving at the Mount of Olives, Jesus exhorts the disciples to pray that they not enter into temptation, probably because of His earlier discussion with Simon Peter, that He has prayed that the devil not swift him as wheat. Jesus knows that the disciples will deny Him, a very real danger since Satan is trying to lead them to defect. Prayer will protect them from unfaithfulness and will encourage them to be faithful and persevere. Prayer is important and this is the constant attitude that Jesus needs the disciples to have. In 22:46 "Jesus ask them why are you sleeping, get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation". In Matthew 26:41 He tells them again to "pray so that they will not fall into temptation. "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." In Mark 14:38 He tells them the same, it is repeated in the tree ...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Prayer Scripture "Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, "The scriptures declare, "My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." Luke 19:45-46 NLT After Jesus enters The temple area, He overturns the tables of the money changers, saying; "It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers. He calls the Temple His house, he regarded it as His. The idea of the Temple being a house of prayer seemed not to have entered anybody's mind. The Temple had lost its meaning. Jesus showed the importance of prayer.  There should be individual and corporate prayer, intercessory prayer ( "Peter was in prison but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Acts 12:5), standing in the gap in prayer as Moses had many times for Israel. The design of the T...

Scripture "But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep. "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace." God honors His prophetic word. In Zechariah 9:9 the prophet tells Israel of the King coming to them with righteousness and salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey. Psalm Sunday was God's idea that is why it was told in advance in the Old Testament. Normally a king would ride on a horse, but the blessing comes riding in on a beast of burden. The people were exited of His entry, they thought Jesus would unveil His Messiahship and overthrow Rome. They praised Him' with anticipation "Hosanna!" But as Jesus gets closer to Jerusalem and see's the city He begins to weep. While other's are shouting Jesus is weeping. Jesus wept because what was rightfully theirs was being forfeited because they would miss their moment. They would miss the time of God's coming to them. Their opportuni...

S.E.E.D For Today_ No More! Scripture "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you." Philippians 2:14 NLT Pride fosters in the soul a murmuring and complaining disposition towards God, and a contentious disposition towards each other. Humility counteracts both of them. Paul instructed the Philippians to do everything without complaining and arguing, to engage in everything with a mind full of submission to God, and in love toward one another. Paul expressed to them that whatever difficulties they had to contend with that their conduct be worthy of their high and holy profession. He informed them to never allow your complaining and arguing endanger your eternal welfare.    Example We must never undervalue what may be called negative holiness. We should be as light in a dark world, so we must be careful that no can criticize us for our negative conduct. No More!    Exercise Our conduct and conversation i...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Dealing With The Charges Scripture "And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord's complaint! He has a case against His people. He will bring charges against Israel. "O my people, what I have done to you to make you tired of Me?  ;"when I did everything I could to teach you about My faithfulness." Micah 6:2-3b,5b NLT Now Israel has to face God who is now bringing charges against His covenant people. The form of the case against Israel by the Lord is presented in full courtroom drama. The mountains and the foundations of the earth are the jury called to hear the terms of this lawsuit. In setting forth His case the Lord addresses the people with a question " what have I done to you ?" In v. 3c He says "Answer Me!" God wants to know how have I burdened you? The contempt against Me and my faithfulness to you, why? Has my love for you become a burden? They had no answer. God reminded them how He delivered them ...

                                                         S.E.E.D . For Today Contempt  Scripture "How long will these people treat me with contempt?  " How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about Me?" Numbers 14:11b; v.27:a New Living Translation                        In this chapter of Numbers the children of Israel after receiving the report of the spies on what to expect in Canaan (the promised land) rebel against Moses, Aaron and God. As a result of the report they start babbling immensely, how they should have died in Egypt, how terrible God is, He cares nothing about them or their families, how much better they were in Egypt and their attempt to go back. They went completely to the left. Moses and Aaron begins to pray...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Consequences of Complaining Scripture "The people began complaining out loud to the Lord about their troubles. When the Lord heard them, He became angry, and fire from the Lord began to burn among them. It destroyed some people on the outskirts of the camp." Numbers 11:1 Good News Translation In the first scene of this chapter we see the consequences of complaining. The people grumbled against the Lord because of everything they were going through. God had never failed them He remained faithful in their faithlessness, disloyalty and disobedience towards Him. He led them out of Egypt parted the Red Sea for their exit and then destroyed their enemies. He was with them every step of the way providing what they needed, the manna that He supplied. In the second scene verse 4 we see the grumbling effect continued with the rabble (the riffraff) the mixed multitude that left Egypt with the Israelites, ( "then the foreign rabble or ...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Complain Scripture "When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means bitter"). Then the people complained and turned against Moses. "What are we going to drink? they demanded." Exodus 15:23-24 NLT Andrew Bonar wrote "Let us be watchful after the victory as before the battle, for it's possible to win the battle and lose the victory," which the Jews did after leaving the Red Sea. They forgot that life is a pilgrimage during which we must learn new lessons and fight new battles. One great victory doesn't settle everything, we will always be contenders. We must experience new challenges in order to mature and glorify God. The Israelites just experienced this magnanimous miracle that God performs for there exit out of Egypt. He parts the Red Sea and destroys their enemies right before their very eyes. Shortly after singing and praising God for their deliveranc...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Anyway Scripture " When everything else was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway,  deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do, but on what God said He would do." Romans 4:18 Msg Abraham did not focus on his impotence and say that it's hopeless, he did not consider that at one-hundred years old his body could never father a child, neither did he consider Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. Against all hope he believed God anyway,  was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. He took the right way to receive God's sovereign blessing, through this powerful act of faith he became the father of many nations. Where God is present, there is nothing that lies outside of the realm of possibility. No Matter What, God is able to bring to pass anything, anyhow, anyway . Example Used to continue or resume the thread of a story or and account. Specifically nonetheless or regardless, no matter what. Exercise R...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Turning Point Scripture " Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own." Romans 4:3 MSG Abraham had a choice to make. His decision was between setting out with with his family and belongings for what was unknown to him or stay right where he was. He had to decide between the security of what he already had and the uncertainty of moving under God's direction. All he had to go on was God's promise to guide and bless him. Abraham could hardly have been expected to visualize how much of the future was banking on his decision of whether to go or stay, but his obedience affected the history of the world. Abraham's decision to enter into what God was doing for him was the turning point that established the fulfillment of God's promised and the world was blessed. By faith he believed God, he had kept no law, rendered no service and pe...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Loyalty Scripture "Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him," Psalms 31:23 In this Psalm David describes the Lord as a fortress into which he has entered in trust, prayer and committed loyalty. The fortress is a secure place to enter, so the prayer rest on all the Lord has revealed about Himself, that He is able to provide whatever one's rescue requires. True trust and sole-loyalty to the Lord are inseparable and from that springs confidence and assurance for the future. David's crisis has drained him, despised by his enemies and deserted by his friends, he cries out to God and God hear's his cry for help. He responds to those who call and available to all His beloved who love Him back. Example Your allegiance to someone or something. Your faithfulness to, obedience to, your devotion and commitment to. Whom you give homage and honor. For believers all of this relates to God. Who are you loyal ...

S.E.E.D. For Today_ Discipline Scripture "So I run with purpose in every step, I am not just shadowboxing." I Corinthians 9:26 NLT In this chapter Paul presents himself as an athlete, but he goes on from the metaphor to it's application, his battle is with himself. Paul targets himself with well aimed blows to gain self control over cravings that weaken and cause a person to get distracted or break training so that one crumbles in the middle of the race and is disqualified. Paul expressed to the Corinthians run to win and to win a prize that will not fade away but is eternal. Paul expresses his concerns for disciplining his body, he realized that if he does not train his flesh into obedience he himself can lose the race and be disqualified, ( "I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."vs.27)  So he runs with purpose (aim or goal) and he knows who he is fighting (his flesh, it's lust, cravings) he is not shadowboxing, he is b...

                                                                  S.E.E.D. For Today_ OBEY Scripture "If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15 NLT As Jesus prepares to leave the disciples He goes through what would be called a farewell cycle. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled for He must go away, home to His Father's house reassuring them that He is going there to prepare a place for them and that where He is going they will one day go also. Earlier on He commands them to love one another, but shifts to the level of His expectation of their love for Him. (Paraphrased) Jesus is saying "If with love that is both intelligent and purposeful you love me, you will accept, obey, and stand guard over the rules which I have laid down for the regulation...

In The Year Of the Comeback And Uncommon Blessings S.E.E.D. For Today_ Give Scripture   "Give, and it will be given to you." Luke 6:38 NIV This is all about letting go. Giving is a reasonable trait and the appropriate virtue of any disciple of Jesus Christ. It is also the foundation of the community life of the church. Jesus calls for generosity, while giving a promise. The one who gives will also receive, a persons generosity will always be honored by God. A person's activity of generosity sets the standard of God's reaction. Jesus graphically illustrates with measuring the assurance of the abundance of the sower's blessing. " For in accordance with the measure, it will be measured to you in return."  Example Freely transfer the possession of something and hand it over to someone. The widow in Mark 12:42 who gave our of her poverty all she had to live on, two small copper coins, worth about one cent. ...