Garden of Ps

~ 4 Broad Areas of P Gardening ~

There are at least three broad areas of Ps to be cultivated, and at least one to be avoided. 

Perspective  ~  A Proper Perspective is essential.  We need to keep the long-term—the eternal—in view at all times.  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (Matthew 16:24-27).  The bottom line: don’t sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the immediate.  Keeping a Proper Perspective is a critical foundation for successful Christian living.

Peace  ~  A Proper Perspective will lead to Perfect Peace.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4). 

Prayer  ~  Persistent Prayer is an absolute key which helps create the Proper Perspective leading to Perfect Peace.  “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 

Our Prayers require a Passion to know Him, love for our families, and empathy and concern for the lost.  This in turn requires Persistence, Perseverance, and Patience.  Our Prayers should be People-oriented (Christ died for all), and we should have Productive Priorities in our lives and in our Prayers. 

As those three critical areas of the Christian walk are developed it is essential to be on guard for the fourth “P” which is Pride.  Pride can be likened to weeds in your garden of Ps.  Weeds come in so many different forms and are a constant battle for any gardener. 

Pride  ~  Personal Pride is a high-priority tool of Satan.  In fact, there is a root of Pride in every sin.  Pride in your spiritual garden is similar to physical weeds in the way that they quickly Propagate in every aspect of our lives including our Possessions, Position, Power, Prestige, etc.  The results are many including Pickiness and Pettiness.  “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).  “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

Practical Conclusion  ~  A Christian’s life (or leadership) is effective based upon a combination of their correct doctrine/theology and a personal lifestyle which is in harmony with their beliefs. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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