(from Marni)Today's devotions got me thinking about "sowing seeds" and a quote came to mind which then lead me to ask ChatGPT to illustrate what my spirit began seeing - the quote was "You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed."Why this quote and what am I trying to share today?Recently, there have been some struggles in my life and at the peak of those struggles there came a time where my flesh wanted to get involved and HANDLE some things.The battle between my flesh and spirit was REAL! During daily devotions there was a day where quieting my mind to even read the Word was such a struggle because my flesh was PLANNING ways it was going to act and REHEARSING conversations that were going to be had ... but all the while my spirit kept fighting for my attention and the daily reading was FILLED that day with instructions that countered my plans and rehearsal.One the of the BIG takeaways that day was in Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” My mind wondered what "hold your peace" would look like since that was MY part in the verse - the Lord's part was He will fight FOR me - my part was hold my peace ... so I went to the BLB (Blue Letter Bible) and clicked the verse to then find the definition of this phrase ... when I found out it meant "hold your tongue and keep silent" I was NOT BLESSED by that at all. I remember telling the Lord well in order for me to do that I'm not going to be able to leave my house today.I closed the Bible for the day and decided to go to the gym - although I hadn't formally planned to resume my fleshly plans for action and rehearsing the conversations ... that is what began as soon as I out there.To say the "fight was on" would be a mild understatement - 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to "Cast down imaginations ... bring into captivity every thought" - not an easy thing when you're in the midst of it. I'm not sure how you attempt this in your life but I talk to myself - "Marni, you are NOT going to act like this - you are NOT going to meditate on this" and then I quote the Word to myself in an attempt to get my mind right. I decided that the BEST way that day to keep my mind busy was to "sow seeds" of prayer for some friends that I knew were going through some similar struggles - "Lord, today I pray for my friend..." and I didn't even get past the name and the tears came that day.I walk circles around my gym inbetween lifts - gotta get those steps - and I remember one lap as I was fighting for composure a verse came into my spirit from Psalms 126 (although I didn't know the chapter at the time) "those who sow in tears shall reap in joy". Time for a lift - as I bent under the bar to place on my body for back squats the tears just silently flowed to the floor and I remember being struck by the puddle they made.My next lap around the gym was a little spirited as I began talking to God out loud - I want you to fight for me but if I'm honest you don't do it the way I want it done! You don't let me SEE it and often time I don't even know for sure you've DONE it! Another lap around the gym and I'm repenting for being a petulant child once again - I trust you God and I will do my absolute BEST to keep my mouth shut!Fast forward to today ... I stumble upon the verses that God walked me through during that battle between my flesh and my spirit and I'm now drawn to the latter part of that chapter that contrasts "seed for sowing" in the weeping process and "sheaves" of harvest with rejoicing ... now you're caught up and I can share the thought process for today.Did God actually fight for me? Was there any harvest for keeping my mouth shut and my hands out of the battle?True to form - I didn't get any inside information from God on HOW he handled His part, but He is not a man that can lie and His Word is TRUE so I know He did ... I was obedient to MY part and I walk in PEACE knowing my truth and let's face it - walking in PEACE is a WIN!My greatest desire in sharing this today is to let someone out there know that the battle between your flesh and spirit is as real and as difficult as it gets, but it is a battle you CAN WIN! I will never be found saying "it's easy" because it isn't, but with persistent and consistent diligence you CAN overcome!Sow ONE seed of obedience - and the multiplication of HARVEST that God brings is worth it ALL!@followers ... See MoreSee Less
The Thurstons - upcoming Music & Ministry Stops. We hope you can join us.Sunday - May 17th @ 10amShabona Riverside ChurchDecker, MISunday - May 17th @ 6pmArgentine Church of the NazareneLinden MISunday - May 31st @ 10amSomerset Free Methodist ChurchSomerset, MISee you there! ... See MoreSee Less
The Thurstons - upcoming Music & Ministry Stops. We hope you can join us.Sunday - May 17th @ 10amShabona Riverside ChurchDecker, MISunday - May 17th @ 6pmArgentine Church of the NazareneLinden MISunday - May 31st @ 10amSomerset Free Methodist ChurchSomerset, MISee you there! ... See MoreSee Less
