Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

When farmers harvest wheat, they need to remove the stalk and the outer shell, called the chaff, to get to the kernel. They have to beat the wheat plant to separate what is useful from what is useless. Jesus uses this as an example of how God will come for His followers. One day God will come for His people like a farmer separating the wheat from the chaff.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:12

“His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

A winnowing fork is used to separate the long stalks of wheat from the kernels. It also beats off the outer layer of the kernel known as the chaff. The heavier wheat kernel would fall to the floor, and the lighter stalk would be tossed into the fire. It’s the kernel that is ground to produce flour. Everything else is useless. Jesus uses this analogy to tell us how God will separate what is valuable from what is useless.

A Warning to Those Who Plot Evil

Most of you have encountered people who are straight-up evil. They don’t have any redeeming qualities, and their words and actions produce strife for all those around them. It’s been that way since the beginning of time. Today’s passage should give you some comfort. God gives a warning to those who plot evil.

‭‭Micah‬ ‭2:1‬

“Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, For it is in the power of their hands.”

Micah is one of the minor prophets. His message isn’t less than the more well know prophets. He packs some powerful prophecy into his relatively small book. Here is this passage he sends out a warning to those who plot evil and comfort to those (read Israel) who are suffering from these scoundrels. He uses the term “Woe,” which loses some of its power in English but shouldn’t be overlooked. Woe means either pain or calamity, and here both could apply. Some severe consequences are coming for those who plot evil.

Taming the Tongue

Ever heard the saying, “He swears like a sailor?” It refers to a person who lets loose with a string of profanities that would make most people blush. It is also symbolic of a person who can’t control their tongue. David knew the struggles that came with taming the tongue. That’s why he prayed that his speech would be acceptable to the Lord.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:14

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”

David knew the power of the tongue. He knew that his words were a result of what he was meditating on in his heart. If he was going to glorify the Lord, he knew that whatever he said had to be acceptable. There were many areas where David stumbled, but his speech wasn’t one of them. Even when he was justified to be angry, he was often humble. This was a result of the fact that he knew God was his rock and redeemer. David knew he didn’t deserve any blessing, and he deserved punishment for his sins, but God showed him mercy.

Give Credit Where Credit is Due

I am always amazed at the arrogance of some people. They are impressed with themselves, and they are not shy about telling people. This is especially true with professional fighters. Their whole mantra is to exude confidence and to intimidate their opponent. King David was a mighty warrior, but he knew where his talents came from. He shows us to give credit where credit is due.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:34-35

“He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great.”

David knew where his strength came from. He was an accomplished warrior, but deep inside, he knew where his abilities came from. It was from the Lord. His hands were ready for battle, but his victory was assured because a gentle God protected him. What made David special was that he gave credit where credit was due. He was humble.

Strength for Your Soul

As I write this devotional, I am exhausted. The last couple of weeks have had several significant events on top of my typical weekly responsibilities. The next couple of weeks are packed with similar events. It would be easy to sit here and feel sorry for myself. When life doesn’t seem to let up, you need to seek strength for your soul from the Holy Spirit.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭14:22‬

“strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

As Paul was planting churches all over the Roman empire, he would often go back and strengthen the disciples. This had to be a great encouragement as many had made a life-changing choice to follow Jesus. The Jew chose to leave the synagogue, which meant the Jewish community excommunicated them. For the Gentile, they were often seen as following a strange cult. Paul would come and encourage them to continue in the faith.

The Curse is Gone

When Adam and Eve committed the first sin, it brought a curse upon the earth. That curse was that sin came with a price tag of death. Since all of us are born into sin, that curse is transferred to us. The only thing that can remove that curse is a perfect sacrifice that appeases God’s wrath. Jesus was that sacrifice, and the curse was removed when we put our faith in Him. In Heaven the curse will be gone forever.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:3-4

“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.”

Sin brought with a curse. That curse was death, along with all of the pain and sorrow that comes along with it. That will all be removed when we get to Heaven. Jesus will be on the throne. The Apostle John refers to Him as the Lamb of God. That is appropriate because Jesus made the necessary sacrifices to be in that place. He has removed the curse by defeating death and now holds all of the authority given to Him by His Father. That throne room is going to be a glorious place where you will freely worship Him.

Freed from All Things

One of the great things that happen in the church is to hear the testimony of how God set someone free from a lifetime of addiction. You hear how their life was near ruin, and Jesus was the only option left and how He came shining through when there was no more hope. Paul talks in Acts how you can be freed from all things by Jesus’ victory over death.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:39

“and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”

Paul liked to debate in the synagogues in the cities he planted churches. He would start there first, and because he had the pedigree of being a Pharisee trained by Gamaliel, he was allowed to speak. He would use the Old Testament to prove that Christ was the Messiah they were looking for. Here in Antioch, he tells them that King David was laid with his fathers and his body turned to dust and bones, but Jesus didn’t see the corruption of turning to dust but was raised by HIs Father. Because of this, forgiveness of sin is offered, and those who believe can be freed from all things. That message usually got Paul booted out of the synagogue by week three, but many there believed and followed him.

I Will Not Be Shaken

There are events in your life that will leave you feeling like your world has been rocked. Successful navigation of those events requires depending on the Lord. There are also minor annoyances that can leave us frustrated and reeling. David understood those and determined in his heart, “I will not be shaken.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:8

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

There is a multitude of things that can rattle your cage every day. It could be something a simple as a misunderstood look that sets your day off on the wrong path. David understood this, and that is why he kept the Lord so close to him. The phrase “at my right hand” refers to something that is right there with you and is easily accessible. Think of your phone and how often you have it in your right hand or somewhere close by.

Jesus Will Make All Things New

Every year, in one of my devotionals, I talk about the strawberry season. I do that because we have the best strawberries where we live. I also do it because it signals that spring has arrived. Spring is the season of new life. The dark days of winter are behind us, and more green starts to appear. Jesus says that when we are with Him in heaven, he will make all things new

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:5

“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

When the tribulation is done, and after all the judgments are complete, this current earth will pass away, and a new heaven and earth will be ushered in. There will be no more weeping or sorrow because Jesus will wipe away every tear and make all things new. This will be the dwelling place of both God and man. It will be perfect in every sense because Jesus is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. It’s hard to picture, but it is exciting to think about.

From the Belly of a Fish

Have you ever got into a predicament where it feels like the walls are closing in on you, and there doesn’t seem like any way out? If that is the case, you can relate with Jonah. Whether your situation was self-inflicted or caused by external influences, Jonah shows us that we care to turn to…