BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED
Colossians 3:17, 23
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. …
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Steven Curtis Chapman - Do Everything - Official Music - Music Videos
http://youtu.be/d3YLJCOKOzM
The Lord used the prophet Jeremiah to issue a warning to Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 26:4-6
“Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.’ “
But Jerusalem wouldn’t listen. So God allowed the people of Jerusalem to be taken into exile by Babylon. There they would remain for 70 years.
They must have been felt so discouraged and defeated. They were aliens in a foreign land, with no hope for a future. But Jeremiah had another word from the LORD:
Jeremiah 29:4-7
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
My translation – “Bloom where you’re planted!”
Jeremiah told the Israelites to make the best of things. He told them to go ahead and put down roots, to build houses, plant gardens, let your sons and daughters get married, go on with your life. Make the most of the situation. Seek peace and prosperity in your new your city because when Babylon prospers, you will prosper, too.
This is a lesson for me. There are days when I feel stuck in my job. I would love to spend my time studying God’s Word, doing good deeds in His Name, sharing the gospel, teaching His Truths. I love doing those things, and I feel that’s what honors God. But instead, I have a real job I must do to help provide for my family. My real job is not in ministry. I’m a mortgage banker, and I help people get financing for their homes. It’s not exactly the “higher calling” that I desire! But maybe God has a reason for me being right where I am.
Paul says that whatever I do, whether it’s teaching a bible class or helping a client get his loan, I should do it in a way that honors the Name of Jesus. I am an Ambassador of Christ wherever I am and whatever I’m doing. The way I do my job reflects on His power in my life. If I’m not ethical or conscientious in my work, if I’m not giving each customer my very best, then I’m not representing my Lord honorably.
I deal with lots of people in my job. Every day I have opportunities to be “salt and light” to the people I meet. I don’t have to “preach with words”, I can teach by example. What sermon will my life preach today? Will others see Jesus living in me? Or will they see someone just going through the motions of the day, longing for 5:00 to come so I can “clock out”?
God’s people should be known for their excellence. We should always be the ones most willing to do whatever needs to be done and without complaining; we should be the ones who work harder and with more enthusiasm than our co-workers who do not have our Hope. We should be more powerful, more effective, more productive and wiser BECAUSE we have access to the Spirit of God living within us. We have the Holy Spirit with us every moment. And He is more than willing to guide us throughout our day; helping us to make decisions that honor Him, showing us how to do everything we do for His glory. All we have to do is ask and be willing to give Him control.
And I don’t have to be the “boss” or the “leader” in order to be a powerful influence. Every relationship I have should honor Christ.
Colossians 3:18-22
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Slaves (employees) obey your earthly (employers) masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
As a wife, I’m not the head of my family, but I do have a powerful influence on my family. I can honor Christ by submitting to my husband and helping him to be stronger and more effective in all he does. I can be his helper or I can constantly beat him down with my words and disrespect. “Slaves” can equate to “employees” for my purposes here. As an employee I should be respectful of my employer. Whether he’s out of the office or in the next room, I should work diligently at the task he’s given me. If I do that with a sincere heart, I honor my employer but more importantly, I honor the Lord.
Wherever God plants me that is where I need to bloom. He has a plan for me. And that plan is so much better than my plan, so I’m going to trust Him and “bloom where He plants me”. Jeremiah had one more message for the Exiles in Babylon, and that message is for me, too.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD…
“Wherever we're planted, there's something to give thanks for. There's someone to help, a garden to grow, and a life to build. We're in the midst of it all, and God is, too. With his love, we can bloom and we can thrive ... wherever we're planted.” Susan Bennett
http://youtu.be/OHUppFNjy5E - The Motions - Matthew West
It's not about me.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
What's in a name?
God changed Abram's name to Abraham. Abraham means father of many.
Gideon's name was changed from Jerubbaal. Jerubbaal means "Baal judges". Not a great name for one of God's judges. "Gideon" was given the task of delivering the Israelites from the Midianites and the Amalekites who were constantly raiding the country. In Judges 6 we learn that Gideon cut down the Asherah pole that stood next to Ba-al. He cut down the idol to reclaim his people for God. The name "Gideon" means "to fell, to cut down". After that, we no longer hear of Jerubbaal. But exploits of Gideon are found in 103 verses in only 3 chapters - there is more about Gideon than any other judge. Judges 6-8.
There are many "name changes" in the Bible. And they always seem to have meaning or reflect a change in heart or purpose for the name bearer. Paul was no different.
Ephesians 3:8
This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah.
Paul considered himself the least of all the saints, the least of all the apostles. He knew where he had come from and was so thankful for the incomparable riches of being called to be a servant of God unto the Gentiles.
But Paul wasn't always called Paul. When we first meet him in chapter 7 of Acts of the Apostles, we hear of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:55-58
55 But Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, 56 “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they screamed at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. 58 They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
At the martyrdom of Stephen, whose name means "crown" = ), the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young named.... Saul.
The change from Saul to Paul didn't happen when we might expect to happen - at his conversion. We don't see the switch until chapter 13 of Acts.
Acts 13:9-10
This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear God’s message. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (this is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Then Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at the sorcerer 10 and said, “You son of the Devil, full of all deceit and all fraud, enemy of all righteousness! Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord?
There it is! Saul - also called Paul!
We no longer hear about Saul of Tarsus. But we hear plenty about and from Paul.
Why the name change? Did God change Paul's name like He did with Abram to Abraham, or Jacob to Israel? We don't really know for sure based on Scripture. Some think that Paul was just Saul's "Roman" name. It was not uncommon for people to have two names, especially if they had dual citizenship like Paul did. Or maybe Paul changed his own name, to make a new start. Maybe he didn't want anything to do with that man "Saul" who had persecuted followers of Christ. Whatever the reason, whether it was God or Paul himself making the change, the name mattered.
The name Paul means "little, least, humble" and I even read one definition of "Paulos", the true Greek version of Paul, that said it meant "little man".
Sounds to me like Paul was constantly reminded that he was the "least" of the apostles, the "least" of the followers of Christ, but probably just in his own eyes. I certainly don't look at him as the least of any group. He was powerful, humble, passionate ambassador for his Savior. And there's nothing "small" or "least" about that wonderful man of God.
The story of Paul should give us all hope. Saul of Tarsus was heartless and relentless in his pursuit of believers who followed Jesus. He literally hunted them down and either stoned them or took them to jail. But God had a plan for Saul of Tarsus. He took this horrible excuse of a man and changed him forever. If Christ can make that kind of change in Paul, I think he can change any of us who are willing to trust in Him and walk in His way.
Names are important. I looked up my name and found in French, my name, Carol, means "strong". However, the English name, Carol, means "song of joy". I like both of those meanings. They make me hold my head up a little higher. Attributes I hope to have when I grow up. = ) But the German version wasn't quite so grand. In Germany my name means "farmer". I guess I better go plant some seeds for the Lord.
I still answer to "Carol", but I do have a new name now. My new name is "Christian" which simply means follower of Christ. That's how I want to be remembered.
http://youtu.be/CC8puwexBBo- He knows my name - Paul Baloche
God changed Abram's name to Abraham. Abraham means father of many.
Gideon's name was changed from Jerubbaal. Jerubbaal means "Baal judges". Not a great name for one of God's judges. "Gideon" was given the task of delivering the Israelites from the Midianites and the Amalekites who were constantly raiding the country. In Judges 6 we learn that Gideon cut down the Asherah pole that stood next to Ba-al. He cut down the idol to reclaim his people for God. The name "Gideon" means "to fell, to cut down". After that, we no longer hear of Jerubbaal. But exploits of Gideon are found in 103 verses in only 3 chapters - there is more about Gideon than any other judge. Judges 6-8.
There are many "name changes" in the Bible. And they always seem to have meaning or reflect a change in heart or purpose for the name bearer. Paul was no different.
Ephesians 3:8
This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah.
Paul considered himself the least of all the saints, the least of all the apostles. He knew where he had come from and was so thankful for the incomparable riches of being called to be a servant of God unto the Gentiles.
But Paul wasn't always called Paul. When we first meet him in chapter 7 of Acts of the Apostles, we hear of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:55-58
55 But Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, 56 “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they screamed at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. 58 They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
At the martyrdom of Stephen, whose name means "crown" = ), the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young named.... Saul.
The change from Saul to Paul didn't happen when we might expect to happen - at his conversion. We don't see the switch until chapter 13 of Acts.
Acts 13:9-10
This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear God’s message. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (this is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Then Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at the sorcerer 10 and said, “You son of the Devil, full of all deceit and all fraud, enemy of all righteousness! Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord?
There it is! Saul - also called Paul!
We no longer hear about Saul of Tarsus. But we hear plenty about and from Paul.
Why the name change? Did God change Paul's name like He did with Abram to Abraham, or Jacob to Israel? We don't really know for sure based on Scripture. Some think that Paul was just Saul's "Roman" name. It was not uncommon for people to have two names, especially if they had dual citizenship like Paul did. Or maybe Paul changed his own name, to make a new start. Maybe he didn't want anything to do with that man "Saul" who had persecuted followers of Christ. Whatever the reason, whether it was God or Paul himself making the change, the name mattered.
The name Paul means "little, least, humble" and I even read one definition of "Paulos", the true Greek version of Paul, that said it meant "little man".
Sounds to me like Paul was constantly reminded that he was the "least" of the apostles, the "least" of the followers of Christ, but probably just in his own eyes. I certainly don't look at him as the least of any group. He was powerful, humble, passionate ambassador for his Savior. And there's nothing "small" or "least" about that wonderful man of God.
The story of Paul should give us all hope. Saul of Tarsus was heartless and relentless in his pursuit of believers who followed Jesus. He literally hunted them down and either stoned them or took them to jail. But God had a plan for Saul of Tarsus. He took this horrible excuse of a man and changed him forever. If Christ can make that kind of change in Paul, I think he can change any of us who are willing to trust in Him and walk in His way.
Names are important. I looked up my name and found in French, my name, Carol, means "strong". However, the English name, Carol, means "song of joy". I like both of those meanings. They make me hold my head up a little higher. Attributes I hope to have when I grow up. = ) But the German version wasn't quite so grand. In Germany my name means "farmer". I guess I better go plant some seeds for the Lord.
I still answer to "Carol", but I do have a new name now. My new name is "Christian" which simply means follower of Christ. That's how I want to be remembered.
http://youtu.be/CC8puwexBBo- He knows my name - Paul Baloche