The Miracle of Multiplication – John 12:23-26

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I was blessed to hear this message in person last Sunday and thought I would share it.

23And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 12;23-26

What a counter to what we humans, at least this one, think. We often think more is better, greatness comes without sacrifice – like you are lucky, like the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

The Bible tells otherwise. When I am weak, God is strongest in me. Less is often more. Go figure!

A man will be satisfied… – Proverbs 12:14

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“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.”

Proverbs 12:14

My Pondering:

This passage is so good for two main reasons; 1) good words and 2) deeds that return.

We read that words matter. Choosing and using good words, fruitful ones are so important. God has given us the cognitive ability to choose what we think about. Unlike the animals, running on instinct and reaction, we have the freedom to do good or evil, to respond to a situation. To shape it by how we interpret it. Yes reality matters and so does attitude, and the words, the self-talk, and other-talk which results.

Do you think about what you think about?

Do you think twice and speak once?

Are your words good and edifying or laced with negativity, slander, excuse and profanity?

Good words and their attached thoughts are not enough though. We need to carry them through to action; to deeds.

This scripture is laden with the GOLDEN RULE. That deeds return. So let’s make them good ones or not at all. It promises that ‘the deeds of a man’s hands’ AKA his work will return to him. It promotes the concept of he who is diligent in his endeavors will reap an according harvest. Not always, not immediately but sooner or later, what goes around – comes around.

The pontifical Benjamin Franklin is quoted to have said, “God helps those who help themselves”. I further say, “God helps most those who help others with meaningful deeds while living to glorify God”.

My prayer:

LORD, lead me in Thy ways this very day. If you give me a tomorrow, the same. In a way with words and deeds that makes You smile.

Help me to speak fruitful words and produce good works. I realize working in my own strength will deliver limited, if any, results. Certainly nothing that carries into eternity apart from You. Help me to by a multiplier. To abide by You exponentially.

“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,
and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.”
Proverbs 12:14

Time is money – Benjamin Franklin

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Time is money –
Benjamin Franklin

My Ponderings

Yes it can be used for that. And money can buy you some time.

You can earn more money but not more time.

Money is precious but time more so, if used well.

Let’s appreciate and use both time and money to their fullest.

While at it, let’s always love people and use money (not the other way around).

He who reads the news…

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That is so true.

“I read the Bible and the newspaper every morning so that I know what both sides are up to.”

Zig Ziglar

And the more we know the God of the Bible, ‘the things of this world grow strangely dim’ like the old hymn speaks of.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

2 Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!

3 His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

God helps those… Benjamin Franklin

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God helps those who help themselves.
Benjamin Franklin

My experience confirms this pithy statement. And I have also found, He also sometimes helps those who can’t help themselves like going up on that old rugged cross for us.

This is one of those age old paradoxes.

Let us do all we can with all we got while trusting God that our best is good enough and He’s got the rest we need. He is the ultimate Hero and different Maker.

What about you? Can you confirm, deny and/or supplement this?