Don’t Shun the Acorn
We were blessed and honored to have Rich Vreeland back with us this week. Before the service, his beautiful wife, Patti, made sure everyone had an acorn. It made sense once he started preaching. He talked about: Planting Seeds and Cross Pollination.
In Pennsylvania, the harvest is coming to an end for the season. As believers, the “Harvest” never really ends...
Planting Seeds
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Did you catch that first word : “All”? Not just some, not most… ALL!
The scripture corrects, and despite our trepidation, correction is good. Some of our biggest moments in life happen when we admit we are wrong. Let’s face it, we do not know everything. Only God does. Knowledge can be our fall.... Look at Adam and Eve in garden.
Isaiah 53 is also known as the forbidden chapter. Some Jewish Rabbis skip it when reading in Synagogue as to not read the prophesy that clearly points to Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
We all have to be careful not to skip verses, not even the ones that are uncomfortable or seemingly boring because it is ALL inspired by God.
We also have to be careful not to see ourselves as righteous. We are not God. We should not judge. We should seek the wisdom of many Godly leaders - not just one. Like Rich put it…Listen to everyone, eat the meat, and spit out the bones.
Ephesians provides Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth…
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ~ Ephesians 3:14-17
Paul is saying, “You guys are doing great, but you need to keep growing.” Aren’t we all there?
Rich encouraged us to get on our knees to pray. If we honor God on our knees, it's the same as worshiping Him.
The truth is, for us believers, we bring the Holy Spirit with us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. We have the power to ask the Holy Spirit out into the places where we are.
Cue the acorns.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. ~ Ephesians 3:18-19
Where do we get the power? The Holy Spirit.
How deep is His love? How high is His love? Our minds can't comprehend God's love for us.
He wants to give us the desires of our heart. Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. When God denies you something, it is because you're not ready. He knows what we need and when we need it.
Cross Pollinate
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
As believers, we can't isolate ourselves. We can't close ourselves off to people from other churches.
Again, read and listen to as much as Godly, Biblical correction and guidance as you can. Discernment of the Holy Spirit will help you listen, eat the meat, and spit out the bones.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” ~ Matthew 18:19-20
How can an acorn grow? It starts when the seeds is planted.
When God gives you an acorn, it can grow into a mighty forest.
Be careful not to judge people how you see them... God hasn't given up you, so don't give up on others.
Rich ended with this Doxology:
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
Rich and Patti are both retired (or as Rich says, “unemployed”) and heading into the missions field. Pray for a mighty move of God as they help train and equip more acorn planters!
