Luke 8:15 NLT
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
No matter how noble or distinguished, good is no substitute for God; it’s actually the enemy of God.
Compost is made up of yard waste and kitchen scraps.
It eventually turns to the best compost.
God can turn the seemingly wasted things in our lives into fruit-bearing, joy-giving life.
Psalms 40:1-3 NLT
1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
The breath of the Spirit and the water of the Word serve as daily reminders of His grace and love poured over our wasteful things, creating a joyful thankfulness for how far we’ve come.
Romans 8:27-28 NLT
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
God takes the valueless, stinky, ugly mess of our lives and brings the most glorious value.
The curse of the Tree that Jesus died on.
The torment of the crucifixion.
The ransom for our lives paid by our innocent Savior.
A picture of redemption so completely agonizing that God had to turn away. Jesus endured it all for the joy set before Him. We were that joy.
Psalm 103:12-13 ESV
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Psalms 32:1-6 NLT
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
TIFAW
I am thankful for God’s grace that takes my bad choice, my missed step, and my worst moment and turns it around for my good.
Remembering what Jesus has delivered me out of gives me hope and the humility and grace to live differently.