Loosen Up

This short little four part series help us see the need to a broken heart before God. Step one towards "If It Ain't Broken Than Fix It" was the willingness to destroy our self-will. Step two was to stop being self-reliant, self-confidant and independent. This last step is one that only God can perform for us but we have to be willing to ask.

Scripture is full of illustrations about seed planting. Even Jesus used the illustration of the planting of the seed of the gospel and how it would respond based on the place it landed when sown. In fact, that is a critical part of reaping what you sow…paying attention to the soil in which something is planted. More so, we need to pay attention to the condition of the soil in which something is planted! The principle of reaping what you sow is nothing new:

Galatians 6:7-9 tells us "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. {9} Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

According to this verse – what we sow is exactly what we will reap. Seed choice is critical when it comes to wanting to reap a great harvest of good fruit! We have to sow the proper seeds. Hosea prophesied to Israel about something similar:

In Hosea 10:12-13 we see this principle: "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. {13} But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,"

When you want a good harvest that represents Godly traits and character – you must sow into your life seeds that will produce that as a harvest. Careful seed choice is important. But I want to tell you something equally as important – sow into soil that is prepared to receive what is sown! You can see this instruction by Hosea when he says "break up your unplowed ground".

Isn't it true that if the ground or soil is hard then the seed will fall there and never sprout roots that dig deep and grow. The seed will fail. Principle Three for "If It Ain't Broken Than Fix It" is to ask God to till up the soil of your heart. We need to ask God to give us an attitude (the softened soil of our heart) that will welcome the seed truths of righteousness, holiness, love, grace, mercy, truth and other Godly character traits that produce the right kinds of fruit. It is my pray and commitment to ask God to continually plow through my heart and break up the clods of hardened earth that are there. I want Him to remove the pockets of pride, self-will and self- confidence that exist and break through so that when new and fresh seed from the Word of God is planted in my heart it takes root, grows and produces fruit in my life that will honor God.

If It Ain't Broken – then Fix It. Get broken before God and live broken before God.

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."