Farming Facts

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 5:7-8

It’s A Fact

We will reap what we sow. It doesn’t matter if we are saved or unsaved, if we sow the seeds of our flesh, we will garner corruption. Oh, our salvation is still intact (our inadvertent sinful dabblings will not condemn us), but the fruit of those occurrences will still be manifest.

Manifested How?

I am not proud of it, but yes, I have seen X-rated movies (and more than a few adult magazines) in my life. The very good news is that I have been forgiven for all that illicit activity and (I am happy to say) I don’t consider them any longer. However, those seeds were still planted. So guess what images pop-up from time-to-time when my eyes might happen upon an alluring situation? You guessed it! The reality is that those images would not appear if those seeds were never planted in the first place.

Plant Better Seeds

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

It’s been years since those aforementioned sins of mine and I am pleased to announce that although the ‘images’ are not completely vanished, their appearances are far and few between. Why? Because I have been sowing a new crop of seeds; seeds of faith and seeds of the Spirit, and their fruit is crowding-out the bad fruit—my Spirit crop is overtaking my fleshly one.

Praise Be to God

Be patient. If we are sowing good seed, the yield will be evident in due season and according to God’s perfect timing. So let us not be deceived, we will reap what we sow—God will never be mocked.

COMPASSION dave

Of Boxcars and Thimbles

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:41-42

There is much talk as to what awaits us in Heaven and how the rewards we receive from the Father will be made manifest. One thing is for certain: we will all be pleased because we will all be filled. But what of the vessel, for both a thimble and a boxcar can be filled.

While each star in the Heavens is indeed glorious, they are not the same size; while some are mere specks in the sky, others are enormous. The issue becomes not if we will shine, but how brightly; will we become spiritual midgets or giants.

Does it matter?

Some might say it doesn’t matter—as long as they get to heaven they will be jubilant. That is true: all who make it to Heaven are overjoyed, regardless of their capacity to be filled, or the intensity of their glory. However, I suggest to you that what matters is not our yet-future Heavenly outlook, but our now-present earthly attitude. How happy are you in Jesus at this moment?

I further submit to you that Spiritual happiness is displayed in gratitude, and gratitude manifests itself in works – not works we have to do, but works, or service to the Lord, that we ‘get’ to do.

Do you see the difference?

We don’t have to go to church, we get to go. We don’t have to read our Bibles, we get to. We get to pray, we get to fellowship, and we get to love on one another. We get to share the Good News and we get to be the Body of Christ. We get to shine on earth, and the brighter we shine on earth, the brighter we will shine in Heaven – all for His glory.

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Shine Brighter Right Now--Click on the Compassion banner to sponsor a child

COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group (*where sponsors hang out)

10/W/40 Love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Love is that fruit of the Spirit that allows God’s power to flow through us by way of the gifts that He has provided. Removing love from this blueprint would be akin to removing the oil from your engine’s crankcase. A car without oil will run for a while, make a whole lot of noise, and then stop entirely.

A Better Illustration From God

And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates: a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Exodus 39:25-26

Notice how the bells might be symbolic of the Lord’s gifts and also how the pomegranates represent love; a fruit of the Spirit. Bell-fruit-bell-fruit-etc-etc. Without this buffer of love between each gift, we would be left with a cacophony of metal clanging against metal, but with love in-between, each bell’s clear tone can be distinguished one from another.

Don’t Ever Forget the Love

COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group

While on the topic of love…(*sponsor a child)

Trailer Trash ?

Don't Question Authority

I heard about the movie Expelled and figured I would likely go see it when it comes out, despite the fact that it featured Ben Stein. Don't get me wrong. I like Ben Stein. It's just that I thought any movie with him in it would likely be a sophomoric attempt at coarse humor, the likes of which a 'good Christian' should not partake.

Then I saw the movie's trailer Wow.

I was moved and I am anxiously awaiting for this movies release. It appears that the Lord might just use the movie "Expelled" in a powerful way.Watch the trailer.

Now if only Ben would come to know Jesus as Christ.