WHEAT AND WEEDS
Bernadette Keene
Today’s Scripture: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Theme: “Weeding” and judging is not our role; our job is to encourage each other and give life.
WHEAT IN BLOOM
Have you ever seen a wheat field in full bloom? I have, and it is such a beautiful sight to see. Katerine Lee Bates, the author of America the Beautiful, was so awestruck by the wheat fields in Kansas City that she was inspired to write about them, comparing them to “amber waves.”
Yet there is something more beautiful about wheat that should not be overlooked by followers of Jesus. Jesus compares himself to a grain of wheat in the gospel of John, stating, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24, ESV). He uses this as an example for believers to follow as well. As we die to the ways of the world and become more like Christ, sharing the gospel, and living out the two greatest commands; to “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37b, 39b, ESV) new wheat sprouts up. Focus on planting those good seeds and leave the weeding up to God.
There are times in life when we all need encouragement. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 43:1-3. In this passage we are reminded that we do not have to fear when we fall on hard times. God reassures us that we belong to Him and that as we walk through the deep waters of life and rivers of difficulty, He is with us and that He will keep our heads above the water. The fires of oppression will not consume us, for He is the Lord our God. As we experience the truth of God's word in our own lives during times of hardship, we can then encourage others to trust in God to sustain them when they experience hardships.
Make It Personal: I remember a time in my life when I was treading deep waters. I was experiencing three major life events and was struggling and praying my way through them. It often felt like I was drowning in sorrow as I poured out my heart to God and feeling like He wasn’t hearing me or didn’t care. I was walking along the beach one evening praying, and shouted out to the heavens, “I just want to find a nice big shell!” When I looked down, right in front of me was a nice big shell… God heard me and placed a shell at my feet to remind me that He had not forgotten me. I want to encourage you today to keep praying because God does hear you, and as He encourages you, go out and encourage others.
Pray: Lord, help us to remember the grace, mercy, and love You have shown to us as we work out our salvation. We all fall short of You, so help us to extend that same love and grace others when they need it. Help us to encourage others the way the way You encourage us. Amen.
Read: I Samuel 16:7, John 12:24-26, Matthew 22:36-40, Philippians 2:4
Weekly Memory Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, ESV