Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtI was twenty-five years old when I bought my first house. It didn't take me long to realize I had a laundry list of things I had to do to keep up a home!After the first winter in that house, I had the joy of repairing the parts of my lawn that had been killed by winterkill. I was in my mid-twenties at that time and fairly inexperienced in home upkeep. I also liked to do everything in a hurry. I was too young and immature to appreciate the old adage, "If you are going to do something, do it right."
After buying grass seed, I would sprinkle some over the areas of dead grass from the winter kill. Then I'd water it. A couple of weeks later, I’d be frustrated because most of the seed had not germinated. I asked a few friends if they knew a better way to get grass to grow. And Yes, there were directions on the grass seed box, but who had time to read directions much less do it the way they recommend? That would take too much time to read—(at least two minutes.) I’d get varied advice from friends on what to do. One person told me that raking the grass seed in would work. The following year I tried that. It didn't work. Please forgive me for how stupid this sounds. I'd keep trying some version of sprinkling the seed on top of the dead grass and watering it, even though it didn't seem to work. (Immaturity extracts a high price!)Finally, a true gardener found out about my frustration. He said, Tim, you can either cut out the damaged lawn and replace it with a new piece of sod or do what I tell you which will take more time but get perfect results. I asked him what to do. He said it would be hard work—more than just throwing some seed. First, he said, start in the spring just after the temperature is steady at about sixty degrees. This weather is perfect for growing grass at that time of year because the slightly cooler weather helps the ground stay moist longer, and it's warm enough for the seed to germinate. Both are critical to the seed germinating. He then told me to take a gardening fork (a small hand tool to till up an area) and run it over the winterkill a section at a time. I was to rake out the dead grass and dispose of it. Then sprinkle the seed over the tilled area and work it into the soil with the gardening fork. He prepared me. Your yard will look ugly for about three weeks. Then, he said, comes the most important part to get perfect results. You need to water it at least morning and night for a week to ten days. The seeds need to STAY moist to germinate and then need water as they sprout and grow. If you do this, I guarantee you will see the results you want. I did what he said, and it has always given me perfect results.Over time, I learned that the three critical things to repairing my lawn are parallel respecting God's way for us to pray and see results. They are:
1.) Meditate on God’s Word. God’s Word is called incorruptible seed, meaning it is a perfect seed that has the potential to always get results. Meditate on the word of God before you start your day—before life and your day get too busy. Your intentions might be great, but as much as you promise yourself that you will do it later, you probably won't! Jesus called the word of God, seed for our heart. Here is how we work the seed (God’s Word) deep into the soil of our heart where it can germinate. Sit down and read from God's word until it speaks to your heart. When it does, stop reading and meditate on it. Why is it speaking to your heart? What is God telling you do? Write down one scripture of promise relating to what God was speaking to you. Meditate on it all day Keep that verse in your pocket so that if you forget it, you can look at it again. It will remind you of what you read and even help you memorize scripture. It's a great challenge that's life-changing!2.) Confess and pray the Word of God over what it is you are trying to accomplish. The Word of God is an incorruptible seed. Confessing what God has said is like raking out what's dead and putting in the incorruptible seed of God’s word. His word is His will, and He says in 1 John 5:14-15, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him." When you meditate on God's Word, it's like tilling that good seed into the soil. It gets into your heart and builds your faith. When you pray what you've meditated on, you know His will, and you are praying His will in faith! (Example: "Lord, your word says that 'You are my ever-present help in time of trouble.' I thank you for helping me in my situation today according to your word, in Jesus name Amen!"3.) Continue praying every time you get a chance —ESPECIALLY when you are praying over something critical. It's not a works thing meaning more prayer equals better results. No, praying often helps you think about God and His word and chase out the unbelief that comes again and again when facing difficult circumstances. Unbelief has to be defeated, and prayer is not only talking with God; it reminds you of His love and power, His promises, and that He is working in your life as you trust Him. It squashes unbelief like a bug!Prayer is also the equivalent of watering. It germinates God's word so that it takes root in your heart. Prayer petitions the heart of God according to His will. The Holy Spirit will help you remember to pray and pray often. Turn off your car radio. Turn off the distractions you can control. Water the seed of your requests with the prayer that will cause your answers to sprout! Let your prayer be filled with thanks for what God is doing and will continue to do!Jesus said in Mark 4:27 (NIV),"Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how." When we learn God's Word and pray in faith, God works whether we know it or not!It took me about three years of no results before I learned and was willing to put in the effort to grow my grass the right way. For the last 43 years, I've had a lush yard of green grass—the result of following good instructions. These are also the principles that help you build a solid spiritual house. They are both about planting seeds and watering. I wasted the first three years of effort because I was immature and shortcut my efforts. I did not respect how God has ordained sowing and reaping to work. I used to think I didn’t have time. Now I know that the only way to get the desired results is to make the time and do it right! This is how the Lord builds a house. This is how to avoid building your home in vain—doing what you think is the work but getting zero results.Psa 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
If today's Fresh Manna was a blessing to you, please hit the "LIKE" button below! And if you'd like to tell me why, write me at FreshMannaFeedback@gmail.comHelp us reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
or Donate Here:How Are Your Donations Used? click here Published by Pastor Tim BurtCopyright© 2024. All rights reservedhttps://TimBurt.org
