From Plowing Fields to Planting Seeds

Honest questions, thundering statements, tender touches, tough love, that’s our God. Shaking every tree, moving every stone, seeking out the lost sheep in the valley and hills. He’s looking to take us from plowing fields to planting seeds in the hearts of many.

”For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:38-40 NLT

God will get our attention, the choice is ours to turn and follow Him. Isn’t that evident in the Bible? He made a shepherd a king, a humble maiden the mother for His Son. He takes prophets from plowing the fields to planting His Word in the hearts of men.

God is still moving in miraculous ways today, seeking our hearts, not one bit less than yesterday but tirelessly on and on today. God seeks to turn the hard stony soil of our hearts hoping we will make the choice and come to Him.

He has an abundance of seeds to plant in our willing hearts. Seeds of faith and plans for us to prosper. He will take us from plowing fields to planting His Good News, His Word which are the seeds of hope for all mankind.  

Never pushing, but inviting, ever gentle with enduring patience. Step by baby step He leads us to that tender place in His heart that will lead us to have a greater understanding of His miraculous grace and unconditional love.

“…If there are a thousand steps between us and him, he will take all but one. But he will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours. ―Max Lucado The Gift for all people”

From: “The Choice is Ours” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 5, 2013-February 20 2015

 

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber.”

(Psalm 121:1-3 NASB)

 

 

Faith is that Step Between A Promise and Assurance

When you grow up in a large family with several brothers and sisters your natural instinct is to hold back something just for yourself. In our family my younger brother was the one who would bring out his Christmas candy in June! Naturally, we all laughed at him and we would hassle him to share it with us. But it’s not our nature to give away all we have for fear it is the last we will have it again for a very long time, or ever.

 “Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “’The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land’” 1 Kings 17:13-16 NIV

 It was an impossible situation for this woman, and an impressive act of faith  to obey what Elijah told her to do. But she would soon be amazed at how the oil never went dry, and the jar of flour was not used up in keeping with the word  God had spoken through Elijah. But first, she was required to take that step of faith in the promise she was given for her reward. 

 Faith is that step between a promise of God and assurance it will be. Faith is knowing God’s supplies the flour to thrive,  and oil of joy will never run dry. Faith believes that the more love we give, the more love we will receive.

 Life still brings those shortages we so desperately need. We may face mountains of tough times, but God is bigger than any mountain we face. God is still faithful today and still has a never ending supply of all we need. His heart is filled with never ending love and His pockets are full of miracles just waiting to happen.

 By the way, the brother who hoarded his treasures as a child, is today a man of God who  spends his life telling others about Jesus and the miracles he has seen.

 “Always remember you are packed full of potential miracles put there by One who knows you better than anyone-the good God, the Creator who made you.”— Norman Vincent Peale from Expect A Miracle-Make Miracles Happen

 

 “Faith is that Step between a Promise and Assurance” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries©, July 12, 2011

“Ollie Osprey’s Bully Challenge”: an exquisite narrative about Ollie, an osprey who stands his ground against a bully eagle with his friends’ support. “Ollie Osprey’s Bully Challenge” is the creation of published author Dee Kamp, a retired volunteer with grade-school children, a passionate traveler, and a dedicated writer. Kamp shares, “What can an osprey named Ollie do when a bigger, faster, and stronger bald eagle named Eglon moves into his neighborhood and begins to bully Ollie by stealing every fish he catches for his dinner? “Ollie has been trying on his own to figure out how to avoid Eglon, and nothing seems to work. Ollie is embarrassed at how scared he is of this bully and how many times he has failed to protect himself and keep his dinner. “But a good friend, a turtle named Thaddeus, notices Ollie isn’t himself lately and offers some good advice. But can a friend who doesn’t even fly help Ollie? Will his crazy idea work? And can a bunch of noisy, bothersome flock of seagulls really be able to help Ollie? “‘Ollie Osprey’s Bully Challenge’ shows children you need friends to stand against a bully. You need to share this problem, not hide it. “Ollie Osprey has action, suspense, humor, and, a message a child can relate to when they feel they are alone and have no recourse. Ollie has a good ending to a bad situation.” Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dee Kamp’s new book teaches children the power of unity in facing problems in life, especially the common problem of bullying among the youth. Follow Ollie Osprey as he stays strong while being bullied by an eagle with the aid of his friends. View the synopsis of “Ollie Osprey’s Bully Challenge” on YouTube. Consumers can purchase “Ollie Osprey’s Bully Challenge” at traditional brick-and-mortar bookstores or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

"Be anxious for nothing,

 but in everything by prayer and supplication, 

"with thanksgiving, 

let your requests be made know to God; 

and the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:6-7

"Calmly we look behind us, on joys and sorrows past,

We know that all is mercy now,

and shall be well at last;

Calmly we look before us,

We fear no future ill,

Enough for safety and for peace, 

If Thou art with us still."

Jane Borthwick, "Keep a Quiet Heart"