I remember years ago when my dad took me along out into the field. I'll never forget as we walked out into the field for a ways till he stopped and down he went on to one knee. Then with his rough and weathered hands from years of hard work he gently moved the black soil aside and carefully searched for life in the moist rich soil. There it was and as though it was the only seed, the only plant in the whole field, all I can remember was, what looked like a rotten bottom to a new plant. Dad carefully moved he soil aside so he could see the seed and what it was doing only days after he had gone back and forth on that quarter of land by our home. He showed me and explained that he could see that there was going to be enough moisture for the seeds to germinate but that soon they would need more rain. He then carefully covered that seed with the moist black soil so it could continue to do what it's purpose was to do.
We went back to the yard where dad was busy cleaning up around the grain bins. Inside the bin was a pile of grain that looked a lot like the seed we had looked at out in the field but these seeds were rotten and could cause a lot of problems if not cleaned up and gotten out of the way of any new seed that would be stored here some day. I also remember grain outside the bin that was in a pile and had sprouted but would amount to nothing as it wasn't in the rich soil needed for healthy growth. I also remember some of the grain was laying on some old boards, they were also trying to grow but without soil covering and out in the hot sun they would soon shrivel up and be lost.
We can sure see our lives in those pictures of the seeds and how our marriage and lives were rotting away and not only that, but we were causing others to rot away as well because of our selfishness and thinking we were just having fun and they would enjoy this life also. We even got involved in what seemed like good organizations that we thought would be great to be a part of and yet we still were going nowhere and our marriage and our lives was still failing. But then we thought we found the answer to all our problems and started spending time with people that had so much wisdom and really cared about us, even our lives and marriage was doing so much better, but it was like the seed on the boards, they sprung up strong but without the rich soil surrounding them they started to wither and die.
Once we chose, to plant ourselves into a solid Bible believing church and surround ourselves with positive and healthy people with solid families, our lives began to expand beyond the old "this is life, make the best of it, get used to it and enjoy it while it lasts". We had no idea as to how to be good parents, how a husband and wife are to treat each other or that the God that we'd heard about and visited once in a while really would, if we only give Him a chance, take us from existence and doing whatever everyone else was doing. To a life that showed us that we were born for a definite purpose and that purpose was so filled with excitement and peace and had a plan that we could live our lives by and on and on, but the best part of it all is that our sins are forgiven we had a new start and we will live forever with the Lord and with our families and friends who have also chosen to believe.
LUKE 8; 5-15
5"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
" 'though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.'
11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
WHY YOU NEED TO GIVE JESUS A CHANCE
#1
Because you have a past
You can't go back, but He can. The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) He can walk into those places of sin and failure, wipe the slate clean and give you a new beginning.
#2
Because you need a friend
Jesus knows the worst about you, yet he believes the best. Why? Because He sees you not as you are, but as you will be when He gets through with you. What a friend!
#3
Because He holds the future
Who else are you going to trust? In his hands you are safe and secure - today, tomorrow and for eternity. His word says, "For I know the plans I have for you ...plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen". (Jeremiah 29:11-13 TLB)
If you'd like to start over, with a new beginning with Jesus today, Diane, I, the board of directors, volunteers and supporters of Crossman Ministries and the Battle River Ranch Camp would ask you to please pray this prayer:
LORD JESUS CHRIST
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask Your forgiveness and now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank You for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.
If you have made this commitment and would like to make contact, please call us. We'd love to talk to you and help in any way we can.
We are praying for all of you reading the blog every day.
Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog.The Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades, life skills and training opportunities for men and women that are searching and find it difficult to get the opportunities needed to develop a productive life skill. Many men and women today have no idea what they could be good at or how to find out their possible skill area or level. We are a faith based training center. Harold and Diane Stephan left a life filled with addictions and bad choices. Their journey has taken them through different twelve step programs and life recovery through a relationship and healing process with Jesus Christ. We would love to hear from you and if you feel this is a program and facility that would help you or someone that you know, or you would like to be more involved with a ministry like this or support it financially we would love to talk to you. God bless you and your family!!!
PRAYER NEED;
THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND ALL IN CHARGE OF HIGHWAY APPROACHES LET US HAVE A NEW APPROACH THAT IS IN A SAFER AREA TO ACCESS THE RANCH FROM THE BUSY HIGHWY.
No comments:
Post a Comment