Wednesday, June 28, 2006

WORKS FOR WEDNESDAY

I set my cell-phone alarm clock for 7:22 a.m. so I would not miss Wednesday's with Beth on James Robison's, Life Today. As it turned out, setting the alarm was not necessary as the family of Loons swimming nearby lulled me out of my slumber at 6:45 a.m! Just enough time to get up, wash my face, brush my teeth, brew a pot of coffee and get pen and paper in hand for today's topic: The Law of the Harvest.

Good thing I had my first sips of coffee because Beth began her teaching by challenging the audience, "Do you really believe God's Word? Or do you just read it, study it, be blessed by it? Do you sow the Word into your reality?" Picking myself up out of a prone position and propping the pillows behind my back, I sat up knowing I would not be able to view this laying down!

"Sow the Word into my reality?" What does that look like? In our season of tears, season of deep sadness and sorrow, do we really believe what God's Word promises or do we just know what it says and expect His guarantee of the Harvest? Beth suggests: "The harder the test; the broader the effects of that past test--the bigger the ramifications. If God allows you to go through a deeply sorrowful time, when you sow the seeds through a time of tears something huge is on the other side--there is G.L.O.R.Y. at stake! Our entire line is going to be marked by our faithfulness." Phew! There's motivation to be obedient and sow the Seed! Not only are we guaranteed that God will walk through our sorrow with us; future generations will be marked by our faithfulness.

This sowing means that while the seed will never die, the sower (that's you and me) must die a little. For me this means, I must trust God's promises for my prodigal and release my right to----anxiety, unforgiveness, fear, unbelief--my right to be mad! If I truly believe what God's Word says, I must dig deep, plant the seed, and wait for the Harvest. I must not fertilize that seed with doubt, fear, unbelief or destructive behaviors. I must wait for the Harvest. The Harvest is not a fast food harvest--it comes up with just the tiniest of green and begins to grow into a full harvest of JOY!

I have said repeatedly on this blog, my son's journey is moving forward in baby steps. At times, this frustrates me! I want his growth to be steady and growing in leaps and bounds. There I go again, expecting the Harvest to be McDonald's style: Super-sized and fast! This is the part of THIS sower that must die....to guarantee the seed will grow into a full harvest, I must stop throwing weeds into the Harvest! What examples can you think of where you have not died for the Harvest?

For me, I struggle dying to my timing. I want my son's miracle NOW! Yet, when I listen to what Beth has told us this Works for Me Wednesday, I am inspired to die to my impatience. For, there is "Glory at stake."

What miracle are you waiting for? Is your desire so significant that you are willing to set aside your expectations and rely totally on God's guarantee for the Harvest? Are we willing to give up our right to micro-manage, to be mad, to be unforgiving; or are we going to, by faith, die to ourselves and be guaranteed the Harvest? Sounds like a no-brainer doesn't it? But it is hard work! Maybe this post should have been under "Tackle it Tuesday!" For it is hard work! I could post a before picture.....
This is me, struggling with my inability to give up my rights! I'm micro-managing the Harvest, I'm causing the weeds of unbelief, unforgiveness, and impatience to grow along side the precious little seedlings.
The after photo would look something like this! Now, isn't this a little better for Works for Me Wednesday??? When we plant the seeds of our Harvest, we must release them to God who guarantees the Harvest. When we "go out weeping, carrying [our] seed to sow, [we] will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves [of joy with us!]" Praise the Lord....and pass the G.L.O.R.Y!

14 comments:

jen said...

I stop by your blog every now and then but haven't made any comments until now...I read how you set your alarm (early!) to listen to Beth Moore...not sure if you have found this before but, I listen often at work for encouragement...
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/living_proof_with_beth_moore/

you can go back in the archives and listen from past months too...hope you enjoy.

Dawn said...

I don't know how you can think so coherently and give us such a message so early in the morning! You are amazing.

Diane Viere said...

Emily--Anyone who reads your blog--NEVER doubts your love for D! I hope each and every reader who visits my blog--will hold you and D up in prayer as he serves our Country in Iraq. God Bless your heart--may He fill it with peace for this war-torn battle. I'm sure it is very difficult for D (and the thousands others who are stationed there) to balance between their world of war....and their world of home and heart.

From the words of Beth Moore to your ears, "The greater the battle--the greater the GLORY!" We are with you Emily--in a cyberspace sort of way--but with you nonetheless. Keep listening for God to speak to you! I am so glad you heard his whisper this morning--I get goosebumps when that happens! Or as a friend of mine refers to them, "I get God-bumps when that happens!"

Emily--your devotion to your husband....and to your God is evident in your words, your smile....and your life!

Diane

Heather Smith said...

I love your Wednesday's with Beth! This really hit me too. I mean, it's not just enough to read the Word. We have to allow it to change us. We have to spread it around. We have to use it to work on our faults!! Great post!!

great2beme said...

Oh man do we ever have to use it. Just recently my husband and I went to marriage counseling and she sid she wasn't going to set rules or limits for him right now. I was thinking okay then I won't worry about my anger I will just release like he gets to have his freedom. When god gently reminded me my obedience and tears are for him and for me not for my husband or his reaction I must do the right thing even when he doesn't. I of course repented (yet again) and knew I must continue to sow the seeds, but this is so much easier said then done. What a great lesson for us all!

Dionna said...

I needed to hear this as I'm going through a tough time right now. Thanks.

Gardenia said...

Micro managing the harvest....that is good! We really do that! What is my miracle I'm waiting for? The miracle of all my descendants serving the Lord (considering the past ancestors who did NOT!).

Anonymous said...

Oh, you are so good putting it into words. I wanted so much too that everything goes 'snappy'...How did you put it "McD' styly - supersized"...love it...
Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh, I almost forgot again - almost hit the publish button. Beth Moore's teaching are also available on the internet. You can listen to them when you have the time: Living Proof Radio

Brenda said...

Thank you, Diane, for sharing this with us. It is hard not to try to help God along when it comes to our prodigals, especially when we can't see what He's doing on their end.

I KNOW God is going to do miraculous things, but not necessarily on my schedule, and the waiting is the hardest part.

God bless you!

rena said...

The piece about "giving up my rights"...Wow, that is powerful. Thank you, something to ponder on for sure.

Unknown said...

Hi, I came over to visit from Eph2810. Congratulations on your award! I think it's very well deserved. I'm adding you to my bookmarks so I don't forget to return.

I struggle constantly with micro management, trying to do it all myself. I'll have to find it and listen.

God bless your week.

Anonymous said...

My mom has mentioned Beth Moore on James Robinson each Wednesday, and I have to admit, I always forget about it. I think I need some more of her words...they comfort, challenge, and speak to me in a way that few others do.

Thanks for the reminder on this one. I'll be setting my alarm early next Wednesday! =)

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