Daily Bread 4-19-17

Hebrews 6:7-9

7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8  But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9  But, believed, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, thou we thus speak.

      If we watch the earth as it operates, and we look at the field, we can see a prime example of how we must grow spiritually.  The farmer provides the fertile ground, the water and plants the seed.  If the plant comes up and flourishes, it means that it has used all of the things that the farmer has provided and has become fruitful. If it does not grow, even offered the same nutrients as the rest of the plants, or if it bears a different kind of fruit(thorns and briars), it is hoed up or it is killed by the same nutrients that feed the good plants.  The unfruitful plant or the one that refuses to grow is not treated the same as the fruitful plant. It is not harvested and used to provide for others as well as supply for the farmer, it is cut down and destroyed.  This is much like what God has provided for us.  He has provided plenty of fertile ground, plenty of water(even telling us that the water will be springing up from within us), and has protected us from the things that will destroy us.  Now we have had to see some weeds or unfruitful plants be uprooted if we have been around for very long, but as long as we keep progressing and growing, providing the types of increase that please God, we remain under his blessing. This is why we are given this clean Gospel by Christ and continued through the Apostles and disciples. Just as the Apostle Paul said that he believed that the Hebrews could do better, the word of God today is giving us a gentle nudge forward as well. Through this scripture and the will of God we, today, are being told that someone knows that we can do better.  That we can grow more in Christ.  That we can become obedient to and bring forth the things that accompany salvation and not of the world. This is why we are pushed by men of God to increase.  It is not for private gain or for man made agendas, it is for us to grow closer and ever more fruitful to the one who planted the seed that created us in the first place. It is for us to grow spiritually.  God is not wasting his time and neither are men of God who try to get us to live a life that is pleasing to God.  They are doing exactly what God has called them to do.  The question we must each ask ourselves today is; Am I doing what God called me to do?  Can I do better?  If so, what am I willing to do to get better?  All of the information is within the word of God and all of it's promises are still available through his Holy Spirit and in Jesus Christ. Do I want to be harvested in a manner that will help others and provide for the Lord, or do I want to be cut down and burned? God knows that we can do better, both as ministers and congregation, so why are we holding back? One day we will be judged as useful or worthless, which will it be? Let's strive to be on the useful end of things so that we may one day, walk in glory with the Lord!!! Have a great day!!!