Choices are for the Living

Choices are for the Living    

John 12:24, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

photo credit - iknow2.net

Readers, as I was dead heading my flowers the other morning and a thought passed through my mind, the thought was in order for new flowers to bloom I had to remove the dead ones.  Most of you know about sowing and reaping, you plant a sunflower seed, and you reap sunflowers.  You plant daisies, you will reap daisies, but have you ever stopped and thought about the dead heading process?  The reason you dead head your flowers is to extend the bloom time. Dead heading is a removal of spent flowers before they have a chance to set seeds and distract the plants energy away from producing flowers.  It’s interesting because the goal of all flowering plants is to produce seeds for the next generation of plants.  Delaying the dead heading of your garden will only prolong the production of flowers and beauty in your garden for the next generation.  When you detach dead flowers you are encouraging new growth.  You are essentially encouraging the plant to send up another supply of healthy flowers.  How many of my Readers would be satisfied with one harvest of flowers when you could have several?  All you need to do is take the time to dead head your garden.  Well, this brings me to my point, some of you have allowed a seed to be planted,  you have allowed the seed to be watered, and you have experienced a small harvest, but God wants you to continue to experience the harvest.  Let me explain, I know some of my Readers have had great victories in your life, you have been healed of diseases.  You have had a great financial breakthrough in your businesses and home.  You have broken through the barriers of depression, loneliness and self absorb attitudes only to find yourself right back in the same place.  Why? I believe it’s because you refused to dead head your harvest, you refused to pull off what is dying so the new could sprout.  You continually speak dying words, dying thoughts, you have allowed your words to occupy your garden for too long.  Where you once spoke life, you now speak death.  Where you once filled your mind with thoughts of your Lord and Savior, you now replaced your thoughts with yourself.  Where you once put your faith in your God you are now trying to obtain confidence through your bank account, job, marriage, your right standing in your community has become more valuable than your right standing with God.  Remember the goal of all flowering plants is to produce seeds for the next generation of plants. What kind of seeds are you producing for the next generation?    Do you constantly need council, approval, and pampering because of your past?  Because you won’t let God deliver you; dead head you.  Readers, many of us need to spend sometime at the throne of our hearts dead heading what is clearly dead so God can allow new growth for the next generation.  What are we leaving behind? Choices are for the Living

Dead heading my garden one flower at a time expecting new growth 

Faith Builders Ministries

Michele Davenport

For prayer or questions please contact me at my new email address fbmin02@gmail.com

To order my books, “Ripened on the Vine,” a true account of my life, living among the dead. “From My Heart to Yours Devotional,” poetry book with scriptures and the study of some Hebrew and Greek words. Go to our web page  www.fbministries.com

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The Three Most Influential Women in My Life and the gifts they left behind

1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."

The first gift from the most influential women in my life was a quilt which belonged to my mother, whom I lost December 12, 2007 she will be the number one Influential women in my life.  She was my best friend, my cheerleader, and my greatest fan.  My mother was not your typical mother, she endured many loses, disappointments, and heartaches, which eventually led her to a heroin addiction.   My mother suffered at the hands of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for one third of her life.  The quilt represents restoration, reconciliation and reconstruction which were the patches God used to stitch us back together as mother and daughter.  Through God’s love I was made whole.  Through His forgiveness, I was empowered to forgive, through His example I was able to follow, through His compassion I was able to walk in her footsteps if only for a moment I understood the pain she endured.  The lesson in the quilt for me is our lives are but a patchwork of moments that we endure, enjoy, and experience on various levels.  Those moments in our lives create our quilt the same patches that had caused us pain are the same patches God uses to cover us in His love and mercy. Every quilt has a story to tell. Some quilts are in the early stages of becoming a quilt you can’t in actuality cover with them, although they offer only a few patches to warm your feet, what patches they have, they offer believing one day to extend enough to cover. Other quilts just crossed over the finish line, the last stitch has been sown the last patch has been put in place, and they are ready to extend their life’s experiences to help you.  At first their quilt stays in their closet but as life goes on they find themselves gravitating to the quilt so others can be ministered to through their experiences. One day they look up and realize someone sitting in their house covered in their quilt while sipping on a cup of coffee, the healing begins as they share their life about their God.

photo credit - filminthefridge.com

 Then there are the quilts that are tattered and torn sown with years of wisdom.  Oh sure, when you cover yourself with them they have holes and the breeze seeps in but the warmth of their lives keeps you content with its ability to comfort you.  You are so consumed with their stories of long ago, about how their God brought them through you forget about the holes, you stop feeling the breeze, your mind has gone to a place of peace as your body responds to the warmth of His presence. Every quilt has a story will you tell yours?

The next gift from one of the most influential women in my life is a rolling pin, which was given to me by my grandmother whom I also lost in 1998.  She also taught me many lessons throughout my walk; one of the lessons was how to sit quietly before God, not asking for nothing just listening to His voice.  Another lesson she etched deeply in my mind was; patience is a virtue, which we are not born with.   Patience comes through our trials. 

My grandmother showed me how to roll my cares upon Jesus so when I use the rolling pin I always remember what my grandmother taught me, sit quietly before your God, be patient in your sitting, and roll your cares upon Him. 

The last gift is an apron, which brings me to the third and final influential women in my life to this date, my Aunt Linda.  My Aunt Linda has also in turn taught me many values on my road to wisdom and she is still teaching me.  Several times while growing up I had the opportunity to be a witness, to observe her while she mothered her children, while she served her husband, and her church.  I watched her relentlessly work through the day and night contending to others, being a witness, praying, teaching, loving, and giving without taking inventory of her.  My Aunt is a servant first, she does not require being served she finds her true joy in living the life of a servant that’s where she is most comfortable, and in that very place is where she made the most incredible impact on my journey.  As I watched her I experienced the heart of God. I learned the art of being a mother, a friend, and a true lover of the Word of God.  I learned about people, and the desire to be loved with action, not with action words. 

photo credit - mdstrength.com

 As I wear the apron I pray her mantle falls upon me. I pray I would put others first, learn the beauty of a servant’s heart, and the joy of making a difference in the lives of others each day I live.    

Thank you for allowing me to share my family with you.  I hope in some small way I have represented them in such a manner that even from Heaven they have made a difference in your life.   I pray that you will find three of the most influential people in your life and share with them how they have written on the slate of who you have become.

Choices are for the Living

Listen Readers, I had an awesome opportunity to serve in my community and I wanted to share my amazing experience with you. I went to the Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry located at 1311 Sanders in Harrisonville and helped distribute over 15,000 pounds of food to over 300 families it was truly a blessing to work a long side of these wonderful people who were accurately living it out for the Glory of God, they are living God’s Word not just discussing it.

 If you live in Cass County and are interested in volunteering for this worthy cause please contact Delbert (816-769-4988) at Shepherd’s Food Pantry they need volunteers every Friday from 2-6pm. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)  Choices are for the Living…Make a difference, volunteer. Any and all donations are welcomed….   
Casting my net for Jesus

Michele Davenport

If you have questions or comments please contact me at my new email address fbmin02@gmail.com

To read my testimony, “Ripened on the Vine,” go to www.fbministires.com

     

Choices are for the Living

Choices are for the Living

Luke 8:22-25, “One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into the boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep.  A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked His disciples.  In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this?” He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”

As I was pondering the scriptures above I noticed some obvious facts. The first fact I noticed was Jesus gave the disciples a word in verse 22, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” The second fact that caught my eye was, they obeyed. “So they got into the boat and set out.”  But it was when they got into the boat their faith was challenged, “As they sailed He (Jesus) fell asleep.  A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.”  Readers, sometimes its right after we make a decision to obey we find our greatest challenge.  After they were in great danger I noticed in verse 24, their faith was perishing, “The disciples went and woke Him saying, “Master, Master we’re going to drown.” Wow!  In the middle of their challenge they panic.  Jesus got up rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm fell asleep and all was calm according to verse 25.  Then Jesus looked at them and asked, “Where is your faith?” Still in verse 25, “In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the wind and the water, and they obey Him.”

photo credit - deafministries.com

 “Who is this?”  Remember they said this after Jesus had cast out a demon, heals Peter’s mother in law, provides a miraculous catch of fish, heals a man of leprosy, heals a paralyzed man, and heals a man’s hand that was shriveled up.  I know that Jesus didn’t pick the twelve until Luke 6 but they were certainly a witness to the astonishing acts of Jesus.  Then Jesus teaches about loving your enemies, criticizing others, fruit, and building your house.  Now I could leave it at this and it would be enough but there is more. After Jesus’ incredible teaching He raised a widow’s son from the dead, eases John’s doubt, teaches about the four soils, describes His true family, which is those who hear God’s Word and puts it to practice.  Lastly, Jesus calms the storm and its right after this when our eyes fall upon those famous words, “Who is this?”

  I remember a time when the doctors came to my husband and I and told us our oldest daughter had a rare blood disorder, that her blood was the blood of a dying child.  The Lord gave us a word through the prophet Isaiah, “And by His wounds we are healed.”  Then we stepped into the boat.  But as life would have it our faith was challenged, the doctors kept performing one test after another, but we refused to panic because our mentality was not “Who is this?”   Our mentality was we know who our God is He is Johavoah Jirah; my provider, Johovah Rapha; the Lord that heals, El Elyon; the most high, Johovah Shalom; the Lord is peace, Johovah Mekoddishkem;  the Lord who sanctifies you and Johovah Shammah; the Lord is there.   Listen Readers, we better know who God is and the power He carries through His name.  Many of you are going through your own trails even as your reading my column, but may I say to you; “Get a word from God, get in the boat, refuse to waiver, don’t panic, and watch your God calm the storm".

 Choices are for the Living

Hanging my red cord out the window so others can be saved

Michele Davenport

If you have a prayer request or questions please go to my new email fbmin02@gmail.com if you want to order my books “Ripened on the Vine”, a true story about my life, or “From My Heart to Yours Devotional” go to www.fbministries.com

Fan the Flame or just live with a spark

Choices are for the Living

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 Timothy 1:5-9 says, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holly calling, not because of your works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."

Paul is encouraging Timothy who at this point has a congregation of about 60,000 members in the church of Ephesus.  Paul is reminding Timothy where he came from, the lineage of his mother and grandmother. Paul was telling Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God, which was in parted by the laying on of Paul’s hands.  Many of my readers have came from the same kind of back ground as Timothy, you have a Christian lineage that goes clear back to your great, great , great grandparents, but you have turned your back on the faith.  You have lost sight of your purpose in life.  I would say you have forgotten, but I know all too well that you have not.  Oh yes, you remember the faith of your ancestors.  You remember how your grandmother would rise early before anyone else so she could be alone in the presence of her God.  Her God did not look like the God we have carved into our image in modern society, No, her God was a God who was rightly feared, her God stood alone, and there were no other God before Him. Her God is the God of the universe, who with His every word spoke the world into existence.  Her God kept her through the tough times, He had written her name on the palm of His hands as Isaiah 49:16 told her he would, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."       

When did you decide your walls were no longer before God?  When did you stop believing in His existence? You might be thinking to yourself that was harsh, but really if you are not depending on Him then you’re putting your belief in you.   We are taught in society that we need to believe in ourselves, that we can do anything we set our minds to.  We are taught to reach for the stars, go for the American dream, climb the corporate ladder and kick whoever is in front of you off.  

Galatians 3:3 O foolish Galatians!!! Who has bewitched you? Galatians 3:3 are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?   

What happened to make you turn your back on the one person who could help you? Are you so foolish that you think you can do a better job with your life than God?  We work so hard in our society that we miss out on the only thing that will ever really matter for eternity, our relationship with our one true God. Do you want to know what you are taking to Heaven with you? Your relationship with God, that’s it, not your nice car,  beautiful house, diamonds or furs, nor your golf clubs, fishing poles, or  boats, No, all your taking with you is your relationship with your God.  We are missing the point of our lives; our assignment is we are the assignment. Romans1:25 Paul is saying, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, (in Greek it says the lie), and worshiped and served created things rather than the creator who is forever praised. The lie is the lie spoken in the garden. ‘Did God really say?” We have doctored the word of God to fit what we are comfortable with it saying.  For example; John 6:63 says, “It is the Spirit who gives life the flesh gives no help at all.”  But we give the flesh all the glory and occasionally call on the Spirit. Another example; Matthew 22:36-39 says, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  Now we love God with only a portion of our heart, our leftovers if you will, only what we think we can afford to let go of, as far as our soul goes we let our soul  wander aimlessly around in search of an improved more easily obtainable truth, and  for our mind’s they are consumed with worry, discontentment, competition, and jealously, our minds are on the things of the world.  Second is like it we shall love our neighbors as ourselves. Do you? Who is your neighbor? Is your thinking so shallow that you have resided that your neighbor is whoever lives next door to you.  When you read this passage of scripture did you run to your dictionary to retrieve the definition of neighbor to make sure you didn’t love someone who did not make the list?  Who does Jesus say your neighbor is? Go to your Bible and read Luke 10:25-37. Your neighbor is the man in the ditch, anyone who is in need. What about Matthew 5:44 it says, “But I say love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The world teaches revenge the world teaches un-forgiveness.  This is what I mean about doctoring the word to fit our comfort level, we have decided on our own theology and then invited Mr. Theo to slip into our bed of feathers with our electric blanket , to blend in the atmosphere of our choices,  to accommodate the people who are not comfy with the unadulterated truth the written Word of God. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

 Paul was reminding Timothy where he came from.  Readers, I understand that many of you did not come from such a lineage as Timothy, but if you are a born again believer you have the lineage of Jesus and I am reminding you, you were created for more, but yet you have found yourself being content with less.  You have been easily satisfied with becoming your own doctor to the Word of God you have performed many surgeries to get the Word to say what you want it to say, and to look like you want it to look. Try reading the Word just as it is written nothing added or taken away and see what you believe. Choices are for the Living….Choose to believe…

For prayer or questions please email me at fbministries@comcast.net

To order my book, “Ripened on the Vine, “a true story about my life, or my Devotional, “From My Heart To Yours,” go to www.fbministries.com