Many of us remember when we first became Christians, how passionate, excited, and in love we were with the Lord. Over time, that feeling can slowly fade into dullness and routine until we get to a phase of life in which we are simply protecting our Christian reputation. What was once precious to us can become common and familiar, causing us to stop being grateful for what we have. This is not a good place to remain in our Christian walk.
There are two kinds of lives: the unplowed and the plowed. The man of an unplowed life is contented with himself and the fruit he once bore. He does not want to be disturbed. The spirit of adventure is dead within him. To be has taken the place of to become. He has fenced himself in, and he has fenced out God. He is steady, "faithful," always in his accustomed place, and something of a landmark in the little church. But he is fruitless. The plowed life is the life that has let down the protecting fences, by repentance, and sent the plow of confession into the soul. The unction of the Spirit, the pressure of circumstances and the distress of fruitless living have combined thoroughly to humble the heart. Such a life has put away defense and has a yearning desire to be obedient to the will of God. And as always, fruit follows the plow. The bible says in Hosea 10:12 - "Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rain righteousness upon you." Years ago I heard a song called "Change My Heart Oh God", and I would sing it over and over as a prayer to God. It went like this: Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true, change my heart Oh God, may I be like you, You are the potter, I am the clay, melt me and mold me, this is what I pray.... For 30 years now, God has been answering this prayer, melting and molding me into His image and His likeness as I surrender my life to Him. Little did I know when I prayed that prayer how much work was to be done in Me as I decreased so He could increase. It is a daily walk. Less of me and more of you Lord! In every denomination, local church or individual Christian, God works as long as His people live and walk by faith: He ceases when they no longer need His help. Invariably where faith is struggling to advance against hopeless odds, there is God sending "help from the sanctuary."
Miracles follow the plow!
Mark 16:20 - "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following"
