A Variety is Good

“The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:12

Walk into any modern grocery store and you will see bins of fruits and vegetables. Each came from a seed, but how different they are in color, texture, and taste. What a variety! We all have our favorites, and probably a few we’d turn up our noses to if served to us.

Is it not the same with us believers? We each are to plant seeds of salvation, yet our Lord uses our uniqueness to attract others to Him. Some of us may be common as oranges or apples, or more of an acquired taste like pomegranates or kiwis. How about a strawberry that shows off its luscious seeds on the skin, drawing people to its sweetness? Or a lemon that may seem sour, but adds so much flavor to other foods.

There are two points that stand out for me in Genesis 1:12 as we considering how Christians are to bear fruit, drawing others to Christ and helping to nourish them in the faith by our actions and words. First, God designed a variety, but they were all seed-bearing. Second, He saw that what He had created was good.

Perhaps our seeds seem almost non-existent as in a banana. Or maybe they are as obvious as those in a slice of watermelon. It doesn’t matter. God created us in a variety of ways with an array of talents in order to communicate His love and truth to a diversity of people. To a world hungry for the Truth, you are just as attractive sitting in your bin as I am in mine. And that’s good!

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us individually. Thank You for the seeds You produce in each of us to attract others to You. Keep us from wishing to be a watermelon when You have made us to be a lime. Remind us that we are Your creation and that You deem that as good. We pray this through Your Son. Amen.

Take Action

Describe yourself as a fruit. What are the unique qualities that draw people to your bin? Pray that God would give you opportunities to attract others to Him.

 

Praying for a Change

James 5:16

Hanging above the door in our house, my mother’s favorite plaque constantly reminded us, “Prayer changes things.” From an early age, I witnessed this powerful truth through her example. She’d tell me about some difficulties she was facing and then have me pray about them with her. And later, she’d always be sure to give God the glory when sharing the awesome news that He had answered those prayers.

Indeed, this is our confidence: Anything we pray for that aligns with the Father’s plan will be granted. And the more time we spend with Him, the more we’ll come to understand His will and how to pray for it.

Remember, prayer doesn’t change God’s mind, but it does transform the believer’s heart. Some requests are granted immediately, simply because our Father is good and He loves to give His children gifts. Other requests may require time or certain divine preparations before they can be given. We, meanwhile, must simply persevere in prayer.

Whatever the Lord’s response or timing, we trust that He has only the very best in store for His children. That means we might not receive exactly what we’re asking for, but something even better. Such is God’s great pleasure, for He alone perfectly knows each heart’s desire and wishes to fulfill it.

Our most powerful tool for shaping the world and lives around us is always available. Prayer lets us witness God’s hand in any situation. And as we give attention, time, and perseverance to conversation with Him, we find there’s no limit to what He can achieve in people’s hearts and circumstances.

All is Possible!

All things are possible for one who believes.

Mark 9:23

Many professed Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they forlornly think that this is the inevitable state of believers. This is a mistake, for “all things are possible for one who believes”; and it is possible for us to arrive at a place where a doubt or a fear shall be like a migrant bird flitting across the soul but never lingering there. When you read of the high and sweet communions enjoyed by favored saints, you sigh and murmur in the chamber of your heart, “Sadly, these are not for me.”

But, climber, if you exercise your faith, you will before long stand on the sunny pinnacle of the temple, for “all things are possible for one who believes.” You hear of exploits that holy men have done for Jesus—what they have enjoyed of Him, how much they have been like Him, how they have been able to endure great persecutions for His sake—and you say, “But as for me, I am useless. I can never reach these heights.”

But there is nothing that one saint was that you may not be. There is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of assurance, no place of duty, that is not open to you if you have but the power to believe. Lay aside your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of your true position; you are impoverished not because you have to be but because you want to be. It is not right that you, a child of the King, should grovel in the dust. Rise! The golden throne of assurance is waiting for you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to adorn your brow. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and eat lavishly every day; for if you believe, you can eat the royal portion, your land will flow with milk and honey, and your soul shall be satisfied in God. Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await you in the fields of faith. “All things are possible for one who believes.”

Family Bible reading plan

• Jeremiah 36 , 45
• Psalms 9