Luke 12:54-56…
The forecast of faith…
We pay attention to a weather forecast; it is an educated perspective based on certain patterns. The same goes for an economic forecast, and so on and so forth. People are interested in patterns, and they pay attention to forecasts so that they can make proper plans. However, most people fail to discern spiritual patterns. They don’t plan based on the most important forecast.
Jesus is encouraging us to pay attention. Just as it is reasonable to draw conclusions about the weather from making simple observations, He is saying that we should also be able to draw certain conclusions about the times we are living in from observing what is going on around us. He was talking to the religious crowd about His appearance as Messiah, and He would later talk to His disciples about His reappearance at the end of the age.
This applies to our current spiritual life. If we believe certain things are going to happen we act in certain ways, make certain preparations, take certain steps, and we think and watch for certain things. Are we paying attention to the way we are trending (Psalm 1:1-6)? Whatever seeds you are planting, watering, and fertilizing in the soil of your life should tell you what you can expect as a harvest (Galatians 6:7-8). It doesn’t take a prophet to watch the grass grow.
Are you maturing? Do you realize in your heart that God is the one who is bringing you through the seasons of life (Psalm 23:1-6)? Can you help other people see the patterns in their own lives and give a forecast in certain situations (1 Chronicles 12:32)? Can people come to you for advice and get real wisdom?
If we say we are Christians, we ought to be paying close attention to our ways, our witness, our worship, and the Word. Jesus is coming again. The signs of the times are here. It is time to get right with God (Hebrews 12:25-29).
8 comments:
I think this is fascinating! We DO look for patterns and trending in so many facets of our lives. Wow! That changed something for me in how I look at myself and my behavior. What patterns do I show? What spritual patterns do I need to repeat?! Good job papaw. Moo-whah
One must consider what one desires to dwell on. I mean, when we allow thoughts about someone or something to take over and all we want to do is justify ourselves and our thoughts and feelings we will want to talk about it to anyone who will listen and thus the cancer continues to grow. In the same way, when we dwell on Christ and His word we will want to share with anyone who will listen and hope will continue to spring up eternal in our heart.
Blessed be the name of the Lord! His mercy endures forever!
"Can you help other people see the patterns in their own lives..." I would love to have some expenditure on this point! What really comes to mind for me is Should I. That may just be my own lesson in this particular for this day's devotion. I know we are called to confess to one another as Christians (James 5:16)and that if someone does something to hurt us we are called to handle it and not just forget about it (Matt 18:15-17), but are we supposed to be looking at someone else's business and looking for their patterns to see if they are destructive?
I readily admit that I may have something twisted here, and I do lack understanding. BTW- AMEN to whatever seeds we are planting will tell us about our harvest!!!
See it this way: Can people come to you for advice and get real wisdom?
I am glad to see you take this seriously and think it through, it is important not to be passive in our reading.
Hopefully my answer clarifies your question, and thanks for it, because others may have had the same question and this will help them too.
Can people come to you for advice and get real wisdom?
I added that line to the original post. Thanks again.
Whatever seeds you are planting, watering, and fertilizing in the soil of your life should tell you what you can expect as a harvest (Galatians 6:7-8). It doesn’t take a prophet to watch the grass grow.
THIS IS GOOD.
Thanks Mike.
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