Layman's Lounge
Keeping the Charge
- Details
- Category: A Deeper Word
- Published: Tuesday, 15 June 2010 22:43
- Written by Mark Neddeau
- Hits: 1075
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. Zech 3:7
-AND-
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 2 Tim 1:14
Friends, this week someone helped me see that being a Christian is a lot like tending a garden. You cannot just start a garden in the spring and then neglect it for the season, hoping to harvest whatever comes up in the fall. You have to keep it. Weeds come up regularly, needing removal and control. Animals attack it, eating the tender shoots and new growth which springs out, keeping the garden stagnant and damaged. Weather affects it, and it needs watering, cultivating.
Jesus gave us something very precious...FAITH. He gave us new hope and a new realization that has helped some of us sprout from lives of alcohol and drug abuse, sexual depravity, anger, self-loathing, and begin a new life of love, peace and joy. But that life needs WORK. Every single day you should start with prayer - an evaluation of the condition of your spiritual garden. You need to weed out the behavior and attitude that will choke new growth. Watch for predators that seek to destroy your joy and peace, setting in place guards of faith and joy to crush the enemy and love your neighbor. HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS the Bible says, hold fast...that means having done all to stand, stand therefore - knowing that the charge of faith is a precious one, and can be easily destroyed if you are not working the soil that is your heart. How many gardeners out there have seen their efforts frustrated by lack of effort, or inconsistency? On the other hand, how many have seen great success, and been able to share the FRUITS of their labors with loved ones and neighbors by diligently working their gardens all season long? Be diligent friend! Examine yourself and keep the charge; the faith, so that you will find places to WALK when others just stand by in their defeated nature and wonder how you do it.
In Love,
Elder Mark and Sister Dana
-AND-
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 2 Tim 1:14
Friends, this week someone helped me see that being a Christian is a lot like tending a garden. You cannot just start a garden in the spring and then neglect it for the season, hoping to harvest whatever comes up in the fall. You have to keep it. Weeds come up regularly, needing removal and control. Animals attack it, eating the tender shoots and new growth which springs out, keeping the garden stagnant and damaged. Weather affects it, and it needs watering, cultivating.
Jesus gave us something very precious...FAITH. He gave us new hope and a new realization that has helped some of us sprout from lives of alcohol and drug abuse, sexual depravity, anger, self-loathing, and begin a new life of love, peace and joy. But that life needs WORK. Every single day you should start with prayer - an evaluation of the condition of your spiritual garden. You need to weed out the behavior and attitude that will choke new growth. Watch for predators that seek to destroy your joy and peace, setting in place guards of faith and joy to crush the enemy and love your neighbor. HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS the Bible says, hold fast...that means having done all to stand, stand therefore - knowing that the charge of faith is a precious one, and can be easily destroyed if you are not working the soil that is your heart. How many gardeners out there have seen their efforts frustrated by lack of effort, or inconsistency? On the other hand, how many have seen great success, and been able to share the FRUITS of their labors with loved ones and neighbors by diligently working their gardens all season long? Be diligent friend! Examine yourself and keep the charge; the faith, so that you will find places to WALK when others just stand by in their defeated nature and wonder how you do it.
In Love,
Elder Mark and Sister Dana