Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Turning Stones To Bread

“The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:3

In our quest to faithfully serve God, the danger is in becoming too involved in worthy causes that detract from our individual ministry purpose.

Feeding the hungry is a good thing, but has God called you to spend several hours a week in a soup kitchen? Serving the homeless is a noble cause, but has God called you to volunteer at a homeless shelter?

After Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness following his baptism, he was hungry. The first thing Satan tempted Jesus with was food. Turning stones to bread would have not only solved Jesus’ hunger but many others. Surely he was sympathetic to the needy in his community. Yet Jesus refused Satan’s offer. 

Jesus didn’t lack empathy for the hungry—It simply wasn’t what God had called him to do at that point in his ministry. Throughout the Gospels, we see examples of Jesus feeding thousands rather than sending them on their way after he preached.

Satan will present service opportunities which are charitable yet divert from a more important ministry in that moment. If we’re not careful (or prayerful), we’ll jump at every opportunity to serve, even if it diminishes our capacity to fulfill the role God called us to. 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.”Matthew 13:24b-26.

The flower in the photo above is a daucus pusillus or in lay terms Wild Carrot or Rattlesnake Weed. According to legend, it can be used as a poultice for a rattlesnake bite. Weeds serve as food in the animal kingdom. Like many weeds, this one produces a beautiful flower. 

Weeds can be both destructive and beautiful at the same time. Left unchecked, they choke out vital crops for man. The same is true when we participate in activities, however worthy, when we’re called to do something else for that season in our life. 

The purpose of the enemy sowing weeds is to reduce the Kingdom harvest. 

Are you busy turning stones to bread while the enemy sows weeds in your ministry field? Is the Kingdom work you were called to do getting your leftover time and talent? 

If you feel overworked, overcommitted, or stressed, ask God for clarity in your ministry. Perhaps you’re right where He wants you for spiritual growth. Perhaps not. He might point you in a different direction. 

As we go to the Lord in prayer this week, please remember previous requests including several for employment. Continue to lift up Courtney, Karen, TC’s father-in-law, and Piper’s family battling serious health issues. Remember those who requested prayer for difficult family situations and mental illness including depression. Please pray for one another as we share the Gospel with the unsaved. 

If you have a prayer request, leave it in the comment section below or email me confidential requests. My contact info is under the heading above marked “Talk to Me.”  

Enjoy our song this week,"Revelation Song," by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, as you go to the Lord in prayer.


  God bless,
Laura


11 comments:

  1. wise words once again laura. thank you for your dedication.

    prayer requests:

    bad news on karen. she is headed home today but the doctors have turned her over to hospice. remember her family especially her husband mike.

    tony found out last week at the men's bible study that two more of our Christian friends have been laid off. both had been at their jobs for many years. there names are shaun and terry. most of all pray for all Christians out of work.

    again i ask for prayer for tony's job need. he is still being strung along by jacksonville company and has applied at the cement plant in Newberry that has an opening and it would be such a blessing not only for the work but also because it is so close to his ill parents.

    thanks and God bless to all who pray.

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    1. Sorry to hear that Karen has deteriorated. I will be praying for her healing and strength for her husband, as well. I will continue to pray for Tony and Mike's job situation, and add Terry and Shaun to that. God bless you. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I just read a post similar to this. Guess I need to spend some time in prayer asking God if I am doing HIS will or simply doing some good work. I spend so much time writing...is it really what God wants?

    Thank you everyone for the prayers, please know I am praying for you all as well.

    God bless.

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    1. Good to hear from you, TC. I feel the same at times, especially in regards to how to divide my writing time. Thanks for the prayers. I'm continuing to pray for your situation. God bless.

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    2. Thanks for the prayers. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who struggles with writing in some form or another.

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  3. This post reminds me of our pastor's words, that if we do what we were born to do, we eliminate stress. If we take on more than what we were born to do, it causes stress!

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    1. So true. Thanks for stopping by, Esther. I look forward to hearing from you again.

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  4. Lovely blog/post. His will be done!

    I am now subscribe to you blog by email and GFC. Thanks for the follow on Twitter! Followed back!

    http://itstimetoreadmamaw.blogspot.com/

    Have a Blessed Day!

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. I'm glad you like my blog. I hope you will be blessed by it. Thanks for subscribing. Remember to check your email for the verification link. Once you click on it, your subscription will be active. Thanks for sharing your blog, also! God bless you.

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  5. Thank you for linking up with Scripture Sunday this week. This post offers some very good advice and it is a pleasure to host a link back to your blog.

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    1. You're welcome. I'm glad you found this helpful. God bless you.

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