Scripture for Today: Psalm 92:13-14 “Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green,”

This tree, if healthy and tapped correctly, can produce sap for decades, some as long as 100 years! I don’t often think about the long involved process to get that pure maple syrup on to my pancakes. But someone went to a lot of trouble. Tapping the tree starts with drilling the hole at the proper season, inserting the spile and allowing the sap to flow into a bucket. Then there is the process of boiling the sap to remove excess water and create the syrup. Reading about the process makes my breakfast that much more tasty!

Today’s verse paints an encouraging picture of those in right standing with God. They are described as trees planted in just the right spot of God’s presence. Regardless of their age, they continue to flourish there being green, full of sap and bearing fruit. That wonderful sap can be seen as the fruit of the indwelling Spirit. But that fruit is most often expressed in relationship to others. Many times, it is in the trials (drilling) that the fruit is seen and used. That love, joy and peace is absolutely something supernatural in the face of provoking people!

Wouldn’t it be easy to live the Christian life without having to deal with provoking people? But it is in those drilling confrontations that what is in me is revealed. And sometimes what is revealed is not so sweet and fruitful! But if I am having some trouble showing that fruit, I need to re-examine where I am planted. It is in His presence and in His power that I can be fruitful. It is His Spirit that sweetens every interaction.

Lord, keep me fruitful, green and full of sap!

Scripture for Today: Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

How wonderful to see people caring for our earth and doing their best in the area of conservation! Certainly it is important to subdue and dominate the earth, the mandate given to mankind in Genesis 1:28. As stewards, we want to carefully conserve and care for what God has entrusted to us. And for the believer there is even more reason. The biggest and best reason for caring for creation is that through it, God’s very existence is revealed.

Today’s verse explains that it is through nature that we clearly see God’s eternal power and divine nature. His creation, as beautiful and breathtaking as it is, is not to be worshiped. His creation is rather to inspire man to seek the Creator. All His works praise Him! (Psalm 103:22) All the works of His hands point to Him and His glory. When we miss this, we miss an even greater mission, which is to bring glory to the God of creation!

There will one day be a new heaven and a new earth. (Rev. 21:1) And that new earth will not even have a sea! Although this does not negate my caring for this one, I want my priority to be centered on the two things that are eternal: God’s Word and man’s soul! As important as conservation issues are, my motivation in caring for this earth is ultimately to point others to the Creator! As C.T. Studd put it, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Lord, help me focus on pointing others to You.

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:20 “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.”

The old television series, “Get Smart” ran from 1965-1970. KAOS (not an acronym) was a international organization of evil. It was the job  of Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 to thwart their sinister threats to the world. Their organization was called CONTROL (also not an acronym) and was a secret government counterintelligence agency. It makes sense to me that the evil ones were KAOS or chaos, while the good guys were CONTROL or under control!

This week we mark an infamous day when the chaos of evil reared its ugly head. And today’s verse talks about what happens when we are not under the control of righteousness. Being a slave to sin is the condition of anyone without God’s freeing power. Sin enslaves and creates all kinds of chaos and complications to a life. But because of the grace of God, we can be taught to say “No” to ungodliness and live self-controlled godly lives (Titus 2:12). Rather than be controlled by sin, we can be controlled by righteousness, leading to holiness and eternal life (Romans 6:22). And self-control is an evidence of the presence of God’s Spirit in the believer (Gal. 5:22-23).

It is obvious to those around me when I am out of control! There is chaos in my thoughts, emotions and behavior. But when I am submitted to the Lord and filled with His Spirit, there is a measure of self-control that was not there previously. He brings order from disorder. There is a sense of calm and peace when I allow Christ to have His way. That illusive self-control is really just allowing Him to have the full control that is His right.

Lord, please be the One in control of my day.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2019)