Learning Archives – Brewing Ground

Seeds of Change!

February 13, 2017

Green Thumb?

Well, I am going to be completely honest with you for a moment. I do not think of myself as having a green thumb. I just don’t! I’m able to keep things alive for a while; but, eventually they all seem to face the same fate. It’s sad, but true. However, this fact does not keep me from plants. I WANT to plant seeds and have a green thumb. God made the plants for us to have food, beauty, and don’t forget the health benefits! Getting to connect with God’s creation is always a wonderful thing. I want to be able to plant seeds and grow some of my own food. If I had the time or space to have a garden, my lack of having a green thumb would make me think twice about starting the endeavor. But, I would still like to try. It would be nice if one day it would click and I’d just “get it”. You never know! Until then, I will have to focus on connecting with God’s creation in a different way – planting seeds in a human “garden”.

Seeds From Jesus

This week God led me to a parable told by Jesus during His time here on Earth. Here is what He said.

^“3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; ⁴And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: ⁵Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: ⁶And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. ⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: ⁸But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. ⁹Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9 KJV

Seeds Explained

As the chapter continues Jesus explained the parable to His disciples.

“¹⁸Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ¹⁹When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. ²⁰But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; ²¹Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. ²²He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23 KJV

Seeds For Our Soil

God whispered 2 different things to me about this parable. But, let’s backtrack a little first. WE are the soil. Now, just in case there is any doubt, the soil is referring to our heart attitude and condition. As we hear God’s message, we then have free will to decide for ourselves what we will do with the information in our lives. Our decisions put us into basically 4 types of soil categories. In essence, it boils down to whether or not our soil (or heart) is good for promoting spiritual growth. There is only 1 of the four soil types that actually promotes good, continued growth which allows the plant to bear fruit.

Let’s get back to the first message that God whispered to my heart. It was directed towards each individual person. He said, “Check your soil type. If you are claiming to be a child of God, what soil type group do you fall into? Can you hear and understand my word? Do My seeds grow and bear fruit in your life?” So, check yourself! Let the seeds of your Brewing Ground grow and bear fruit.

Seeds For Others Soil

On to the second message that God whispered to my heart. This message was directed towards us as “sowers”. If we are claiming to be God’s children, then our job is to also be “sowers” of His seed. This parable should encourage us as we are taking on this challenge. It’s not a matter of whether or not we have sown good seeds; we have. But, not every seed will grow. Our job is just to sow the seed. Next comes the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes that seed and speaks to the heart of the individual. Remember, God has given each person free will to decide for themselves whether or not they will have a relationship with Him. You can plant seeds and the Holy Spirit can talk until He is blue in the face; the reality is some seeds will never grow and bear fruit. It is up to that individual to choose for themselves. So, be encouraged! Keep sowing your seeds, pray and leave the rest up to God.

Let’s Brew in God’s Garden!

Thoughts or opinions? Comment below!

New Years Challenge – Will You Accept?

January 2, 2017

Happy New Year

Well, 2017 is here! Each new year always brings with it the excitement and anticipation of the great things that will happen that year (or at least we hope). A chance to start new. An opportunity for change. A chance to do things differently. In anticipation of doing things differently we set New Years resolutions. But, Wait! We are so quick to rush into what’s next that we sometimes fail to reflect on what has been. There is value to be found in 2016! Before we move into 2017, let’s stop and reflect. Where did your Brewing Ground take you? Did you have a great year? Was it a challenge? For some of you, challenging may be the understatement of the century. Regardless of how your year went, I challenge you to find the good in all of it – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is there!

Finding Value

It is easy to find the good in the good things. But, can you find the good in the challenges?

“²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV

Romans 8:28 reminds us that ALL THINGS (even every trial) will be used for our good. Maybe your good is the fact that you survived! The word surviving will hold different meanings for different people depending on the situation. Regardless of what you survived…Praise God – to Him be the glory! You wouldn’t have made it through without Him.

Surviving the challenges and trials of our Brewing Ground holds great value! Let’s reflect! What did you learn from it? What did you learn about yourself? How did it change you? Did you experience God in a new way? How did it change your relationship with God? Were you able to find the good in your challenges and trials? Reflect UNTIL you find the good in the challenges of 2016. Now, thank God for these blessings. Once you have found the good in the challenging parts of last year, then you are ready to think about 2017.

^“10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:10 KJV

Take the renewed you into 2017 armed with the knowledge that God gave you through surviving 2016.

Brewing Ground

It may be a fantastic year for you or it may be full of challenges. In any case, I believe that whatever you face will be what you allow God to make it. You have to choose whether or not to find the good in your circumstances. This is our Brewing Ground; the place where God uses life and the good and bad we face as his refining fire to brew something special in us and refine us into a beautifully unique masterpiece.

^“19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 KJV

God used this verse to remind me that there is always hope while we are in the midst of our Brewing Ground. He can clear a path through thick forest or mountains and put rivers in the midst of our desert to help make the way easier and provide for our needs. God is always with us using every part of our life for good.

“46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ⁴There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. ⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” Psalm 46:1-5 KJV

New Years Challenge

So, 2017 holds great potential. We all have goals and plans; things we want to do, things we want to change. Some of you may have plans for new adventures. Some may have plans for transition and change. This is the whole point of New Years resolutions. To set goals and make plans for what we want to change. So, after reflecting on last year, I challenge you enter the new year with prayer! Pray about what God would have you plan and change. What does He want your resolutions to include? Pray about the upcoming year and what lies ahead – your Brewing Ground. Next, pray some more!

New Years Resolutions – I challenge you to reflect on last year. Then, consult God on His resolutions for you. Be very intentional and thoughtful in what you plan for yourself so that it is in line with God’s plan for you. Write them down. If you happen to get off track – it’s ok! Just start again. You DO NOT have to wait until next January. Anytime is a great time for meaningful change!

^“17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Teachings Of The Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit Series – Part 2

November 21, 2016

There once was a lady named Vanessa. She was given a job by God to blog. To share with all what God was whispering to her heart. The challenge was, she had to learn as she went. In the process of learning, she was served a big piece of humble pie! The best thing to do – just eat it.

Come laugh with me (and not at me please) as I share my story and my teachings of the Holy Spirit this week.

Once Upon A Time

Last week I began a series on jobs of the Holy Spirit. Part 1 of the series focuses on the Holy Spirit’s job as comforter. As I was led to the idea of the Holy Spirit being a comforter, I was inspired! For better or worse, my creative juices immediately began working and I

started writing about beds. It was a logical connection for my brain to illustrate what is being whispered to my heart.

As I was writing, I found myself wanting more information. “I want to know the Hebrew or Greek words that comforter is derived from.” As I was researching, I was coming to the Hebrew word shroud. This did not make sense to me so I double and triple checked and kept coming up with the same information. So, I thought, “This doesn’t make sense; but, I can totally work with this! After all, I’m talking about beds and God wrapping us in His arms and the Holy Spirit comforting us. This fits perfectly with what I am writing!” So, what do I do? Put all of this in the blog post of course.

Humble Pie

Fast forward a week to Part 2 in the series on the Holy Spirit. I began researching the job of the Holy Spirit that I was going to write about this week. Again, I wanted more information about the Hebrew or Greek words and meanings. I kept being led to the word infirmities. As I was looking up the word infirmities, I also kept being led back to a Hebrew word defined as Arnon. Upon further research I discovered Arnon is a river. Well, now it makes even less sense! What does a river have to do with infirmities or the Holy Spirit!?

So, I went back to the directions on how to use my book. Eventually, I see a small box which includes, in fine print I might add, that Hebrew numbers are normal font and Greek numbers are in italics. At that moment it hit me; teachings of the Holy Spirit! I went back to check my research again and verified what I did this week and last. So, of course I had the right number but I was in the wrong language section! Well, Hello! (Part 1 has been corrected.) Clearly the Holy Spirit was teaching me something and wanted me to change what I was writing about this week. This brings me to this weeks job of the Holy Spirit – Teacher. So, let’s get to it!

Teachings Of The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit teaches us truth through different means – guiding, revealing, whispering, and inspiring to name a few.

^“13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13 KJV

John 16:13 calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. It clearly states that he guides us into all truth – God’s truth.

^“10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ¹¹For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 KJV

These verses speak clearly about the Holy Spirit’s focused teaching on spiritual matters. 1 Corinthians 2:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit does not teach man’s wisdom, but only God’s spiritual wisdom. These teachings give believer’s their spiritual discernment and insight to help them through their daily lives.

Spiritual Truths

In that very moment of revelation about my silly mistake, this is what the Holy Spirit was teaching me. More obviously, how to correctly use my book so I can share correct information with all you sweet friends. But more importantly, during that split second there was also spiritual insight and teachings happening from the Holy Spirit.

First, you can’t forget to read the fine print. The details matter. I appreciate this because I am a detail oriented person. I need and use details; they are so important. This is part of what made these spiritual teachings significant for me.
Next, the Holy Spirit reminded me that the details also matter to God. He cares about the details in regards to us and our life. God cares about how we get through our Brewing Ground. He cares about our heart. He cares about how we feel. God even cares about the smallest, even seemingly insignificant, details in our day. And, unlike us, He does not miss a single detail. The Holy Spirit then immediately brought a verse to mind.

^“7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

God even cares about how many hairs are on our head! This seems like an insignificant detail to me; however, it is important to God. The details matter! What are some of the Holy Spirit’s teachings in your life right now? Comment below!

Let’s Brew through the Teachings of the Holy Spirit!