The Lesson of Growing Good Corn

Photo Credit: snowsoulmate via Flickr

There was a Nebraska farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon...

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. 

"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.

"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."

He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.

So it is in our world. Those who choose to be at peace must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all. 

The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.

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Source:Indianchild.com

Today's post comes from coach Muller, a friend who has a blog called Good Time Stories. For great stories, be sure to check out his blog.

Standing Up to Those Who Ridicule

                                                   Photo Credit – Google Images

Peter is writing this letter to remind about the predictions from the apostles and from Jesus of the coming of those who will ridicule their faith. Reading in 2 Peter 3:1-10, many in the world will doubt the second coming of Christ (v. 3). They will make light of sin and mock at salvation by Jesus Christ therefore they will not be God fearing and will not consider God’s judgment. They will not see the need to seek the happiness beyond this world.

The scoffers will say that God does not intervene in history but Peter uses history to refute this argument by pointing out that past judgment was with water during the time of Noah (v. 6). Many believe the world should get better and better but this goes against scripture which tells us there will be a second judgment of God which will change history by refining with fire.

So, the things we see happening in our world today like disasters, wars, and cultural decay will only confirm our faith. This will indicate Christ is near and make us reach out to more so they can look forward to the happiness beyond this world.

This day with God, let us submit to Him and put His will first in our life. Let us always be prepared by practicing our faith day in and day out. Until the day He comes or calls, let us pray for direction and discipline in His ways.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

Follow the Path Laid Out by God's Word

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For a society to build up a resistance to corruption, we have to believe that small actions over time will build up to make major improvements. We have to look at corruption as the enemy and work together to identify this enemy in order to destroy its grip.

Reading in 2 Peter 2:10-22, we get a description of false teachers who had a grip on society during the time of Peter. They had behavior patterns that were slanderous, their message was empty, and they appealed to the lustful desires of sinful human nature. It is explained in the passage that their fate is not good for they will be destroyed and paid back for the harm they have produced.

Explained also in the passage is that the type of person affected by false teaching is the unstable; those who are taken in by the deceivers. Their own lust gains victory over them because accepting what the false teacher promises requires no effort. They simply continue with their negative habits and attitudes to receive what they want. On the other hand, righteousness requires effort.

The best idea to resist false teaching is to follow the path laid out in God’s Word. As presented in this reading, if we follow our own sinful desires, we become enslaved by whatever our flesh wants but if we submit our life to Christ, we become free. The Gospel message is the water of life that refreshes the soul for anyone who wants to be saved by our Lord Jesus.

This day with God, have confidence in the promise that hope will give optimism in a time of despair; faith will give courage in a time of doubt, and love will bring victory in a time of hate.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

The ONE Who Never Lets Us Down

False prophets have gaps in how they believe a person is saved. They talk about how God is great but not much about their own obedience to Him. Reading in 2 Peter 2:1-9, the fate of such a person is not good because justice will eventually find them out.

Peter gave three historic examples of God’s judgment; the fallen angels in verse 4, the ungodly when the flood covered the earth during the time of Noah in verse 5, and the ungodly when the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were burned to ashes in verse 6.

Just like Lot who was distressed by the lawless men of his time, we may face distressing trials and temptations because of the lawless of our time. When this happens, we can put our trust in God. The Ungodly may get away with evil for a while but eventually they will be brought to justice.

Let us be aware of special meanings or interpretations that belittle Christ. Let us read the Bible so we can recognize false teachings. Let us be thankful for a forgiving God who sent His Son as our Savior.

The love of God in Christ is a gift and this day will be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets each individual free and never lets us down.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

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Google Images

Building the Steps

By adhering to the teachings of Christ, we are building the steps needed to live praiseworthy lives. The apostle named Peter is writing shortly before his death, bringing both warning and hope to believers who receive it. In 2 Peter 1:1-11, he is reminding them to live lives worthy of Jesus who has given power to escape corruption.

We should respond to God’s work for us with great effort to increase positive qualities like faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and brotherly love. What inspires is the promise of a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (v. 11).

When driving a car, there is power but we must steer. So in life, there is power to grow which comes from God. Keep on praying for the power of God and the skill to steer in the right direction. Pray that the power from God helps to equip with the virtues listed above and that one virtue builds from the other.

This day with God will be amazing because of Jesus who is God’s gift to us. God’s work has laid the path and we just need to simply follow the road map. As we continue the journey, we can sincerely believe that there will be fuel for our travel. We can also look forward to enjoying the scenery along the way, celebrating progress, and giving praise as we take a step closer to Him each day.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

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Google Images

The New Year is Knocking on the Door and so is the Spirit of Christ

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. My family attended a great Candlelight service as you can see in the photo. We then went over to my sister-in-laws house to enjoy a meal on Christmas day. Later that afternoon, we traveled to my hometown about sixty miles away to enjoy an evening with my brother, two sisters, and their families.

The person whose birthday we just celebrated is God in the flesh. The Spirit of Christ knocks on the door of our heart. But we are not always ready. Here’s a poem I wrote intended to get us ready: Ready for Each Day.

Friendship is a crucial part of a permanent love commitment. We should lift up those we are committed to; pray for them, listen and care. We are to love what they love and try to do what they ask.

The love of Christ gives us peace and freedom to take risk for He lives in us. Always believe He will help you come through and overcome any situation you face. Accept God’s Wonderful Counselor for life. Here’s another poem inspired by my recent study in Song of Songs: Love Lifts Higher.

As we head into the New Year, I will continue with my postings of the study in Song of Songs; a book that many read as a parable to demonstrate affections between Christ and the church. I should be able to finish this study in a few more days. Then the plan is to post for a while about a study of 2 Peter.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

Worship Service Update

Many think so much about the presents during Christmas when more need to be thinking about God’s presence during this time. The same can be said about other concerns in life. There is much worry about paying bills, washing the car, mowing the lawn, or passing a test when there needs to be more thinking about God and His presence during these times.

Last Sunday at the church I attend, the message was titled “Simple Light”.  Christmas can be very complex; lots of planning, lots of choices, lots of family gatherings to attend. All these things are important but Pastor Steve brought the message to us with some great points about what really matters in bold print below.

Christmas is about a Simple Prediction
A prediction was made in Isaiah 7:14 that a son would be born to a virgin and she will name Him Immanuel.

Christmas is about a Simple Promise
In Luke 1:35-37, an angle told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High will cover her. Many things are hard to understand but when we live in God’s light, things that seem impossible become possible.

Christmas is about a Simple Trust
In Luke 1:38, Mary trusted God and responded that she is the Lord’s servant and accepted whatever He wanted. There are many things in our world today we can’t trust but God has never broken a promise and we can trust that what He tells us in His Word will come about.

Christmas is about a Simple Response
In Luke 1:46-47, Mary responds with praise and joy. We should do the same with Christmas time. Don’t worry – just live life, sing the songs and worship. By keeping worship central in our life, worry will be wiped away.

Christmas is about a Simple Beginning
We think a lot of times that greatness comes from complex ideas but in reality, the most meaningful plans and ideas can come from very simple beginnings.  As recorded in Luke 2:6-7, the birth of Jesus had a simple beginning. There was no room for them in the village inn so Jesus was born and laid in a manger.

Christmas is about a Simple Story
A simple story turns into an amazing one. In Luke 2:17-19, the shepherds told everyone about the birth of Jesus they were astonished.

This weekend, we will continue the sermon series as we lead up to Christmas. If you are not able to attend your local church service (traveling, health condition, weather, etc), I invite you to this link of the podcast where you can listen/watch each sermon message.

As we head towards Christmas day, try to answer this question: What does Christmas mean to me? Then share your thoughts with at least 20 people. Have a great weekend!

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

Photo Credit – Google Images