Sowing Seeds of Peace

This is from one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado (The Applause of Heaven).

Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. —Hos_10:12

"Want to see a miracle? Plant a word of love heartdeep in a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens.

An employee gets a compliment. A wife receives a bouquet of flowers. A cake is baked and carried next door. A widow is hugged. A gas-station attendant is honored. A preacher is praised.

Sowing seeds of peace is like sowing beans. You don't know why it works; you just know it does. Seeds are planted, and topsoils of hurt are shoved away.

Don't forget the principle. Never underestimate the power of a seed."

God Knows Us by Name

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.   Psa 23:1

Sheep aren't smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They need a shepherd to lead them to "calm water" (Psa_23:2 ). They have no natural defense—no claws, no horns, no fangs. They are helpless. Sheep need a shepherd with a "rod and … walking stick" (Psa_23:4 ) to protect them. They have no sense of direction. They need someone to lead them "on paths that are right" (Psa_23:3 ).

So do we. We, too, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour. We, too, get lost.

We need a shepherd. We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us. And we have one. One who knows us by name.

Max Lucado - A Gentle Thunder

A Diligent Search

Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. —Heb_11:6

One translation renders Heb_11:6 : "God … rewards those who earnestly seek him" (NIV). I like the King James translation: "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (italics mine).

Diligently—what a great word. Be diligent in your search. Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your pilgrimage. Let this book be but one of dozens you read about Jesus… Step away from the puny pursuits of possessions and positions, and seek your king.

Don't be satisfied with angels. Don't be content with stars in the sky. Seek him out as the shepherds did. Long for him as Simeon did. Worship him as the wise men did. Do as John and Andrew did: ask for his address. Do as Matthew: invite Jesus into your house. Imitate Zacchaeus. Risk whatever it takes to see Christ.

Just Like Jesus - Max Lucado