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Greetings!
I spent the better part of a half day off Monday fighting bamboo that is overgrown in my backyard. I planted the bamboo to hide some equipment and the plan worked so well that the bamboo was also hiding an oak tree I planted. The oak was planted long ago in anticipation of grandchildren some day climbing in it and having fun. This bamboo was messing with my future grandchildren's abilty to enjoy the oak tree. So, I went on the attack.
After a few hours Kim came out to check on me and found me in a four foot pile of bamboo shoots. All she could say was , "Wow!" As I chopped away at the bamboo, the Lord began to minister to me regarding my neglect. This bamboo has been a blessing and a curse. It accomplishes purpose but requires constant attention or it quickly takes over. Unfortunately, I allowed to bamboo to overshadow the oak and steal the valuable space and sunlight. Now the oak is a half tree that I pray will return to fullness.
As I mused about this massive bamboo, I felt God impress upon my heart that neglect is a killer. In the case of the bamboo, my neglect almost killed the oak. The near death was not accidental but due to neglect ... neglect to prune, care, and tend the oak and the bamboo. The correlation to life is obvious. The things we neglect can kill the things we wish to grow. Our focus must stay on our purpose and keep in mind daily plans that lead to future blessings.
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Consider Your Ways
"2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' 3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" 5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.
~ Haggai 1:2-9 ~ |
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Give careful thought to your ways!
The word of God to Israel was, "Give careful thought to your ways". God was reminding His people that their motives and desires must remain in and on Him first. The people Haggai prophesied to were spending their time on wordily issues and needs and neglecting their relationship with God. As a result, God did not bless the work of their hands nor their plans.
Today, we face the giants of distraction and busyness. There are many things to do and many things to accomplish. Still, God has not changed His mind from the days of Haggai and this prophecy. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus provides instruction on our need for focus and attention to God and His ways; "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Neglect is a killer. Neglect of our spiritual nature and condition leads to crowding out of God's word (Matthew 13:18-23) and we find ourselves chasing the things of the world and flesh while relationship with God slowly slips away. We must give our full attention to the things in our sphere of influence and God's purpose for us in that sphere. If not, the things outside of God that arrest our attention quickly overshadow the things of God that deserve our attention.
Friend, consider your ways. Although it may seem difficult at times to follow God it is always the best thing you can do. We are plantings of the Lord for the display of His splendor (Isaiah 61:1-4). We are oaks of righteousness and the devil is a weed that attempts to choke out God's provision, care, and plan. Our neglect is the thing that kills. Don't neglect your relationship with God and your ministry to Him. He alone is worthy of our attention and focus. Take time today to thank Him, to love Him and to simply enjoy Him as God!
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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