UNDER DEVELOPMENT
       
Mark 4: 26-29 reads,
       
He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the
ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,
though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain — first the
stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is
ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (NIV)
       
When Jesus first gave this parable of the scattered seed, only a few followed Him.
       
Imagine if a pollster had surveyed the population of the Roman world and asked two
questions: (1) “Have you ever heard of Jesus?” and (2) “If you have heard of Him, do
you think anyone will be even aware of His existence 100 years from now?”
       
The results would probably not be much different from those who today are predicting
the decline or demise of Christianity.
       
But Jesus sees clearly into the future and knows that His message will have great
effect. He is the One who scatters the seed (His Word). The soil is humanity in
general, and you in particular.
       
Jesus knew nature and nurture. He understood plant processes — that nothing springs
up from the ground full blown. It goes through a process of germination, growth and
development until full potential is reached.
       
That’s the way it is in your life and in mine. We don’t all at once become mature
followers of Jesus Christ.
       
I was 10 years of age when the “seed” of conversion entered my life. Actually, in
the middle of the night I dreamed I had missed the Lord’s coming. I awakened in the
darkness and shook with fear. I promised right then and there that if He had not
returned, I would serve Him. And I have.
       
But I knew little then compared to what I know now. I didn’t understand the Bible, I
couldn’t explain the major doctrines, and I didn’t know where that childhood
decision would take me in life.
       
Christ’s followers acknowledge both miracle and development. Healings may take place
immediately, but learning takes time. It’s developmental. Jesus, in this parable,
tells us that over time His Word will bring growth and maturity into our lives.
       
In the natural, none of us arrived from the womb as adults. My birth weight of 7
pounds is not where I am today. My birth length of 21 inches has stretched to about
72. If my mother were alive, she could no longer carry me in her arms.
       
Just as biological growth takes time, so does spiritual development.
       
I love the epitaph on Ruth Graham’s grave, the wife of Billy Graham. One day they
had driven through a work area on the highway, and she saw this sign: “End of
construction. Thank you for your patience.” She told Billy, “That’s what I want on
my tombstone.”
       
Whether we use the illustration of construction or seed growth, the result is the
same. God is not finished with you yet. You are to keep growing until “the harvest”
— until the “end of construction.”
       
Jesus’ parable, however, does not deal only with personal spiritual growth in you.
It’s also about the larger Kingdom.
       
From the first handful of believers, the followers of Christ over centuries have
grown into multiplied hundreds of millions. And His kingdom will continue to grow
all the way until He comes again for us!
       
Would you join me in this prayer of response?
       
Lord Jesus, You never put an age limit on growth in You. There are areas of my life
where You still seek growth. May I continue to be fertile ground for Your life
growing in me — keep me farm-able and fruitful!

Mark 4:26-29)"> Mark 4: 26-29 reads,<br />        <br /> He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the<br /> ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,<br /> though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain — first the<br /> stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is<br /> ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (NIV)<br />        <br /> When Jesus first gave this parable of the scattered seed, only a few followed Him.<br />        <br /> Imagine if a pollster had surveyed the population of the Roman world and asked two<br /> questions: (1) “Have you ever heard of Jesus?” and (2) “If you have heard of Him, do<br /> you think anyone will be even aware of His existence 100 years from now?”<br />        <br /> The results would probably not be much different from those who today are predicting<br /> the decline or demise of Christianity.<br />        <br /> But Jesus sees clearly into the future and knows that His message will have great<br /> effect. He is the One who scatters the seed (His Word). The soil is humanity in<br /> general, and you in particular.<br />        <br /> Jesus knew nature and nurture. He understood plant processes — that nothing springs<br /> up from the ground full blown. It goes through a process of germination, growth and<br /> development until full potential is reached.<br />        <br /> That’s the way it is in your life and in mine. We don’t all at once become mature<br /> followers of Jesus Christ.<br />        <br /> I was 10 years of age when the “seed” of conversion entered my life. Actually, in<br /> the middle of the night I dreamed I had missed the Lord’s coming. I awakened in the<br /> darkness and shook with fear. I promised right then and there that if He had not<br /> returned, I would serve Him. And I have.<br />        <br /> But I knew little then compared to what I know now. I didn’t understand the Bible, I<br /> couldn’t explain the major doctrines, and I didn’t know where that childhood<br /> decision would take me in life.<br />        <br /> Christ’s followers acknowledge both miracle and development. Healings may take place<br /> immediately, but learning takes time. It’s developmental. Jesus, in this parable,<br /> tells us that over time His Word will bring growth and maturity into our lives.<br />        <br /> In the natural, none of us arrived from the womb as adults. My birth weight of 7<br /> pounds is not where I am today. My birth length of 21 inches has stretched to about<br /> 72. If my mother were alive, she could no longer carry me in her arms.<br />        <br /> Just as biological growth takes time, so does spiritual development.<br />        <br /> I love the epitaph on Ruth Graham’s grave, the wife of Billy Graham. One day they<br /> had driven through a work area on the highway, and she saw this sign: “End of<br /> construction. Thank you for your patience.” She told Billy, “That’s what I want on<br /> my tombstone.”<br />        <br /> Whether we use the illustration of construction or seed growth, the result is the<br /> same. God is not finished with you yet. You are to keep growing until “the harvest”<br /> — until the “end of construction.”<br />        <br /> Jesus’ parable, however, does not deal only with personal spiritual growth in you.<br /> It’s also about the larger Kingdom.<br />        <br /> From the first handful of believers, the followers of Christ over centuries have<br /> grown into multiplied hundreds of millions. And His kingdom will continue to grow<br /> all the way until He comes again for us!<br />        <br /> <strong>Would you join me in this prayer of response?</strong><br />        <br /> Lord Jesus, You never put an age limit on growth in You. There are areas of my life<br /> where You still seek growth. May I continue to be fertile ground for Your life<br /> growing in me — keep me farm-able and fruitful!</p> ">

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For Jews and Christians, however, pitting God and the laws of nature against each other in this way is an absurd mistake; for it is the very lawfulness of nature that points to a divine Lawgiver. In the Bible, God gives laws not only to the people of Israel, but to the cosmos itself, as in Jeremiah 33:25, where he declares his fidelity to Israel in these terms: “When I have no covenant with day and night, and have given no laws to heaven and earth, then too will I reject the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David.”

Barr also provides an interesting take on the relationship between scientific laws and miracles. Read the whole thing.

Jeremiah 33:25, where he declares his fidelity to Israel in these terms: “When I have no covenant with day and night, and have given no laws to heaven and earth, then too will I reject the descendants of Jacob and of my servant David.”</p></blockquote> <p>Barr also provides an interesting take on the relationship between scientific laws and miracles. Read the whole thing.</p> ">

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THE LEARNING PRINCIPLE

Mark 4: 24-25 reads,

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (NIV)

I signed up for a beginning course in piano my first semester in college.

I considered myself a quick learner and thought that within three months I would play the piano with the best of them. My teacher, however, insulted me on the first day by placing in front of me a Clara Thompson beginning piano book designed for first-graders.

But my teacher had it right. No one can become a concert pianist in a few weeks! I needed to start with the basics. Much to my chagrin, I had no talent for even that. I couldn’t seem to make the movement of my fingers on the keyboard and my feet on the pedals line up with the squiggly notes on the score in front of me.

At the end of the semester I dropped out. I’ve long since forgotten all I learned, and today I cannot even play the simply little ditties I learned back then.

My experience illustrates the principle Jesus is talking about — use it or lose it.

Some read these words of Jesus and falsely assume He is endorsing a form of economics: The rich get richer and the poor get poorer (which they often do). But He’s really addressing issues of discipleship.

Jesus challenges us to “hear.” He says there’s a relationship between listening and capacity. You can bring to Jesus the capacity of your measure: Is your desire to know Him the size of a thimble, a cup, a glass, a jar, a 50-gallon drum?

Your capacity to “hear” lies with you. You can bring whatever receptivity you will. And, to the extent of the capacity you offer, He will fill it up. “It will be measured to you — and even more.”

Notice the “even more.” There’s a lot more spillover from a 50-gallon drum than there is from a thimble. Your willingness to grow in Christ determines the size of the spillover!

In short, Jesus says that what you do today determines what is given to you tomorrow. If you choose to become stagnant, then more cannot be given you; and you risk losing even what you have.

Jesus’ learning principle applies to all areas of discipline. If you pray regularly, then prayer will grow; if you start praying spasmodically, then sooner or later you’ll quit praying all together.

The same holds true for reading or study of the Bible, giving, witnessing, stewardship of time and talent, or deepening of relationships.

I asked a friend of mine who had been married for more than 30 years, “How is it that you have such a successful and happy marriage?”

She answered, “Oh, my husband and I work at it; and every year we read a book specifically on the subject of marriage to help us in our relationship.”

What was the secret? They had not stopped growing in their relationship, and more was being added to them.

You must never reach a time in your Christian journey when you feel you’ve done enough, and that from here on out you can coast. There is never a time in your Christian life when it is all right to stop growing, because when you quit then you go into reverse. You lose what you had.

Would you join me in this prayer of response?

Lord Jesus, help me so that I never become stagnant in my walk with You. Keep me on the growing edge. I desire to be full and overflowing.

Mark 4:24-25)"> Mark 4: 24-25 reads,</p> <p>“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (NIV)</p> <p>I signed up for a beginning course in piano my first semester in college.</p> <p>I considered myself a quick learner and thought that within three months I would play the piano with the best of them. My teacher, however, insulted me on the first day by placing in front of me a Clara Thompson beginning piano book designed for first-graders.</p> <p>But my teacher had it right. No one can become a concert pianist in a few weeks! I needed to start with the basics. Much to my chagrin, I had no talent for even that. I couldn’t seem to make the movement of my fingers on the keyboard and my feet on the pedals line up with the squiggly notes on the score in front of me.</p> <p>At the end of the semester I dropped out. I’ve long since forgotten all I learned, and today I cannot even play the simply little ditties I learned back then.</p> <p>My experience illustrates the principle Jesus is talking about — use it or lose it.</p> <p>Some read these words of Jesus and falsely assume He is endorsing a form of economics: The rich get richer and the poor get poorer (which they often do). But He’s really addressing issues of discipleship.</p> <p>Jesus challenges us to “hear.” He says there’s a relationship between listening and capacity. You can bring to Jesus the capacity of your measure: Is your desire to know Him the size of a thimble, a cup, a glass, a jar, a 50-gallon drum?</p> <p>Your capacity to “hear” lies with you. You can bring whatever receptivity you will. And, to the extent of the capacity you offer, He will fill it up. “It will be measured to you — and even more.”</p> <p>Notice the “even more.” There’s a lot more spillover from a 50-gallon drum than there is from a thimble. Your willingness to grow in Christ determines the size of the spillover!</p> <p>In short, Jesus says that what you do today determines what is given to you tomorrow. If you choose to become stagnant, then more cannot be given you; and you risk losing even what you have.</p> <p>Jesus’ learning principle applies to all areas of discipline. If you pray regularly, then prayer will grow; if you start praying spasmodically, then sooner or later you’ll quit praying all together.</p> <p>The same holds true for reading or study of the Bible, giving, witnessing, stewardship of time and talent, or deepening of relationships.</p> <p>I asked a friend of mine who had been married for more than 30 years, “How is it that you have such a successful and happy marriage?”</p> <p>She answered, “Oh, my husband and I work at it; and every year we read a book specifically on the subject of marriage to help us in our relationship.”</p> <p>What was the secret? They had not stopped growing in their relationship, and more was being added to them.</p> <p>You must never reach a time in your Christian journey when you feel you’ve done enough, and that from here on out you can coast. There is never a time in your Christian life when it is all right to stop growing, because when you quit then you go into reverse. You lose what you had.</p> <p><strong>Would you join me in this prayer of response?</strong></p> <p>Lord Jesus, help me so that I never become stagnant in my walk with You. Keep me on the growing edge. I desire to be full and overflowing.</p> ">

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HONORARY GENERAL PRESBYTER—PETTUS T. PALMER

WHEREAS,     Pettus T. Palmer has served the Mississippi District Council of the Assemblies of God for 34 years as secretary-treasurer; and

WHEREAS,     He served as pastor of various churches in the Mississippi District as well as sectional presbyter for many years prior to serving in the district office; and

WHEREAS,     He has served as a general presbyter of the General Council for the past 34 years; and

WHEREAS,     Pettus T. Palmer meets all the General Council Bylaws qualifications for recognition as an honorary general presbyter; and

WHEREAS,     Article IX, Section 3, paragraph h, page 91, of the General Council Constitution makes provision for persons with such distinctive history to be named an honorary general presbyter of The General Council of the Assemblies of God; therefore, be it

RESOLVED,   That Pettus T. Palmer be elected by this General Council to the position of honorary general presbyter of The General Council of the Assemblies of God.

Sponsor:  Mississippi District Council

General Presbytery

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HONORARY GENERAL PRESBYTER—CHARLES E. CRANK

WHEREAS,     Charles E. Crank has faithfully served the Indiana District Assemblies of God with distinction for 53 years as an evangelist, pastor, district, and national leader; and

WHEREAS,     He has served the Indiana District Council for 2 years as youth director, 4 years as secretary-treasurer, and 29 years as superintendent; and

WHEREAS,     He has served The General Council of the Assemblies of God as a member of the General Presbytery for 37 years, and has chaired and served on many other boards and committees; and

WHEREAS,     He has served as the Great Lakes Area executive presbyter for 6 years; and

WHEREAS,     Article IX, Section 3, paragraph h, page 91, of the General Council Constitution makes provision for persons with such distinctive history to be named an honorary general presbyter of The General Council of the Assemblies of God; therefore, be it

RESOLVED,   That Charles E. Crank be elected by this General Council to the position of honorary general presbyter of The General Council of the Assemblies of God.

Sponsor:  Indiana District Council

General Presbytery

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HONORARY GENERAL PRESBYTER—JAMES K. BRIDGES

WHEREAS,     James K. Bridges has served this Fellowship with great distinction as a minister of the gospel for 54 years; and

WHEREAS,     He has faithfully served the North Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God in pastoral ministry in Dallas, Greenville, and Waxahachie, as well as pastorates in Houston, Texas, and Wichita, Kansas; and

WHEREAS,     He has served as vice president of academic affairs at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and served as chairman of the school’s Board of Regents from 1985-93; and

WHEREAS,     He has served the North Texas District Council as sectional presbyter, executive presbyter, general presbyter, assistant superintendent, and then as superintendent from 1981 until 1993; and

WHEREAS,     He has served The General Council of the Assemblies of God as general treasurer from 1993 until 2008; and

WHEREAS,     This Fellowship has been blessed by his spiritual leadership, practical wisdom, and faithfulness to Pentecostal doctrine; and

WHEREAS,     It is proper and fitting to honor those who have served among us with distinction, integrity, and a desire to enrich the lives of others; and

WHEREAS,     Article IX, Section 3, paragraph h, page 91, of the General Council Constitution makes provision for persons who have reached at least 60 years of age and have served on the General Presbytery for 20 years or more, or have served on the General Presbytery as a General Council executive officer for 8 years or more, to be chosen as honorary general presbyter; therefore, be it

RESOLVED,   That James K. Bridges be elected by this 53^rd General Council to the position of honorary general presbyter of The General Council of the Assemblies of God.

Sponsor:  North Texas District Council

General Presbytery

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