Tag: Mitch

Worth More than Sparrows

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13828/day/15

Sometimes, I look around at what this devotional calls the VUCA world and I am astounded that God has not destroyed us yet. There is no place, however, that God’s presence cannot be felt and His touch be on us, in spite of the sinful world we live in. I am not a part of the birding community, but I relate to the LBJ’s of this world, the “little brown jobs” that seem to be everywhere, doing their thing, looking for food, tweeting and surviving. I want to know that I matter to God and His Word assures me that I do. I want to know that even in the midst of a world where nothing makes sense and seemingly few acknowledge His sovereignty, He sees those of us who do know Him and who want to know Him better. I am encouraged that He cares for me more than for the sparrows. But I am also encouraged that He cares about all His little creatures, too. It always boggles my mind that the Creator of the Universe knows my name, has numbered the hairs on my head, captures my tears and sends me friends just when I need them to listen. God is always there. He is never silent. And He always cares. That’s my encouragement for today.

For those of you praying for Mitch, he was taken off of the ventilator on Wednesday night, had surgery on Thursday afternoon and is doing better. He is not out of the woods yet and the doctors say he has a long road of recovery ahead. For those who missed the original post, Mitch is the BIL of my niece in CO and was rushed to the hospital last week in kidney failure and with a high temperature. In exploratory surgery, a toxic ulcer was discovered, he was diagnosed with sepsis and his heart began to fail in addition to his kidney. This young man is only 36 years old and has a young family, with his wife over six months pregnant with their third child now. Please continue to keep Mitch in your prayers. Prayer does work…when the doctor saw him Tuesday, he said that Mitch would need a miracle to live long enough to have surgery. He got that miracle…so let’s continue to pray for complete healing and restoration to his family that needs him. Like each of us and each sparrow, God sees Mitch, his beloved wife and his two (almost three) young children. May He be merciful and gracious and send him home fully healed and praising God for the miracle that is his life!

What Are You Planting Today?

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App7 Comments

Every morning when I get up, I thank God for awakening me and for a new day. Then, I get busy getting ready for my day…shower, brush teeth, take morning meds, etc. Finally, I end up in my recliner in the den with my iPad on my lap and start reading and studying my Bible and devotionals. I want to make a commitment to add something to that routine. I already pray, but I have found that many or my prayers are surface ones…just barely touching the surface of the needs of myself, my family and others. I want to spend time waiting on God to show me what He wants me to pray about for a person or for other people. Right now, there is a young man named Mitch who is in his 30’s, has two young children and a beloved wife who is six months pregnant. On Monday night, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance with a high fever and his kidneys failing for an unknown reason. The doctors did exploratory surgery and discovered a toxic ulcer leaking in his abdomen, but he is too weak for them to repair it. Meanwhile, his heart started to fail. He is on a ventilator and the doctors say he needs a miracle. So, I would like you to plant seeds for Mitch and his family today, coming before God’s throne and asking for that miracle that he needs. God knows exactly the touch that his body needs in order for it to begin to repair itself and heal.

When we plant seeds, we frequently think of what will come from the harvest. And most seeds we plant are for ourselves. Let’s reach out to others like Mitch. He is a stranger to me, but I was contacted by a family member asking for prayer. So, I will sow seeds for Mitch and others whom God brings to my mind who need a touch from Him, of healing, comfort, grace and love. We may never see the harvest, but we can plant the seeds. Giving doesn’t have to be finances; it can be time and energy and effort. God wants all of us dedicated to serving Him, not just our wallets.

Plant Generously

In his second letter to the believers in Corinth, Greece, the apostle Paul expressed His gratefulness for their commitment to generosity before challenging them with this statement:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul knew that God had established some common-sense principles when it came to generosity. All throughout Scripture, we see both natural and spiritual implications of this cycle.

Natural: If you plant a few seeds in the ground, you will reap a small harvest. If you plant hundreds or thousands of seeds in the ground, you will reap a large harvest.

Spiritual: If you spend your time, money, talents, or energy investing in a friend, a stranger, a ministry, or the next generation, God can certainly multiply those efforts.

But Paul also makes it clear in the surrounding verses that you shouldn’t just give to get. If you do give, you should do so willingly and cheerfully—not begrudgingly.

What we sow with the right heart, God will surely multiply what we produce.

Proverbs 11:18 says, “…the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Hosea 10:13 says, “You have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception…”

Instead of seeds of selfishness, anger, or pride, let’s plant seeds of selflessness, peace, and humility.

Ask yourself: How am I investing my life? What types of seeds am I planting? Am I trusting that God will multiply my efforts when invested with the right heart?

Take some time to reflect on what you’re planting and reaping today, and ask God to direct your steps.