Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Not so long ago Fred Pratt gave us some good Lifelines on growth, the grass seed struggling to reach the light, growing right up in the middle of the pavement. As I wrote yesterday not all the things which we plant in our hearts are godly or good for us.

I had planted a seed of unforgiveness in my heart. Whenever this weed grew I saw it and cut it off like mowing the weeds in my yard. You see the weed, you do not want to allow that weed to spread its own seed so you cut it off.

I’ve been successful in cutting the weed. I even forgave the man who shot me. I did this for my own sake, to have a pretty lawn. But the root of the weed was still alive and kept growing back. I had failed to kill the root. Recently, during a small group study, I exposed the root stem, and traced it down to the root, so that I might dig it out.

The stem appeared in the form of my being critical of others. The root source of my being critical turned out to be unforgiveness, not of others but of myself. While I could find it within my abilities to forgive others, I failed to forgive myself for all the pain and suffering I had caused over the years.

I quote Philippians 3:3 above as a reminder that forgetting is a sign of forgiveness. Looking back at who I was and remembering the pain was the enemy’s way of keeping my eyes off the prize ahead.

Some of the seeds that are sown in our lives were sown in the “old man” who is dead. Just as a dead lawn can be reseeded and brought to new life, care must be taken to root out the weeds and not just mow them down as they appear.

Heavenly Father I pray You will expose those roots which are not from you in the Light of Your Word, so that we can get to the root of the matter and remove it. AMEN

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Continuing on this week with the seeds we sow in our hearts that produce bad fruit, I would like to address the seed of unbelief. I understand that many if not all of this readership believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. You have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord, you have opened up your heart and received the Holy Spirit as your guide as you walk with Christ.

Given that you have, is your part finished? Can you rest assured in your salvation and go about living your life without doing one more thing to help yourself to “the abundant life”? When you see the words “abundant life” what do you envision? A big house, a fancy car, wealth, are those part of your vision of “the abundant life” or is it more of Jesus in your life?

The seeds of unbelief are sown from an improper understanding and expectation of the promises of God. His promises are sure and true, but if you have an improper expectation, then when you don’t receive what is expected, doubt creeps into your experience. Doubt is the seed planted, and unbelief is the root that bares the bad fruit.

Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Peter sees what he believes is the Lord, and addresses his doubt by asking; ”if it be you”. Peter asks the Lord to prove Himself by asking for a command Peter knows he cannot do in his own strength. When we get caught up in our own doubt, we are not submitting ourselves to God who can do all things.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Will you pray with me please? Father God, lead me in the Way everlasting, I will follow. AMEN