Introduction: Walk outside. Listen. You can hear the buzz of thousands of insects called Cicadas. Is this apocalyptic? While it is not a direct fulfillment of Bible Prophecy, there is a parallel with both the Old and New Testament.

1. Locusts in the days of Moses! (Ex 8:12-15) – “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt”

Out of these terrible plagues God sent an east wind and these locusts consumed the Egyptian’s crops. Locusts, unlike cicadas, devour everything – trees, crops, etc. Do you believe that God can still send judgments upon the earth? What about today?

2. Locusts like creatures in the tribulation! (Rev 9:3-5) – “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.”

Technically speaking, this will be during the tribulation – a terrible time on earth when Jesus Christ pours out His wrath in the form of trumpet judgements. While cicadas are not a fulfillment of this prophecy, it is a reminder of this horrific judgment that is yet to come. Therefore, as CHRISTians we need to be warning others today to flee from the wrath to come. Are you doing that?

Introduction: Where’s the fruit? What is the best way to produce fruit? Does Christian character Count?

Listen to the parable of the sower:

Then GO & SOW!

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold” (Luke 8:5-8).

Consider 3 parts:

1. Plowing the Soil! (Luke 8:5,12) – “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” 

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

If the ground is not prepared to receive the seed, it will not sprout. Therefore, plowing is necessary. It breaks up the soil enabling the seed to germinate and then develop a root system. The Holy Spirit is the plow agent! Does your heart need plowing? If it’s like this writer, then it usually does. 

2. Planting the Seed! (Luke 8:11) – “The seed is the word of God.”

When the Bible is being taught either it falls on deaf ears or it is taken in with a glad heart. Which is it with you?Probably, it depends on when? Right? Remember. Reading, hearing, studying, meditating, and memorizing are all ways to take in the Word of God.

3. Producing the Sprout! (Luke 8:4-12) – Did you notice the 4 responses to reading or hearing the Word of God, even reading this devotion?

* Stealing the seed

* Scorching the seed

* Squeezing the seed

* Sealing the seed

The devil will take it. Persecution will wither it. Worry will choke it. But a good heart (plowed & ready to receive it) will embrace it!

Conclusion: Since our heart needs to be plowed constantly in order to receive the Seed (Word of God), let’s let the Holy Spirit plow it.

Then pray for a receptive heart. Allow the SONSHINE, the Holy Spirit to rain, and respond with wise decisions. Then we can GO and SOW!

Introduction: How do Israel’s festivals “Passover”, unleavened bread, and firstfruits relate to the Christian life? This devotion will discuss what is going on in Israel this week, namely Passover. What is the origin? What is its meaning? How can we identify with this annual event in Israel?

1. Passover’s origin? (Lev 23:1-2) – “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.”

TIME OUT! That is what these Festivals are all about. Israel was to take a TIMEOUT. It does us all good to STOP and take a TIMEOUT. Remember this was God’s plan for Israel.

Do you need to take a TIMEOUT?

2. PASSOVER’S Meaning? (Lev 23:3) – “On the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover.”

When we take Communion or the Lord’s Supper, we are looking “back” at Israel’s deliverance from Egypt with the Passover lamb. At the same time, we are looking “in” at our relationship with Jesus Christ being a part of His body, the Church. 

3. How do we identify with the PASSOVER? (Matt 26:29) – “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

The best is yet to come! 

Are you looking forward to celebrating the marriage of the Lamb and then the marriage supper of the Lamb?

Conclusion: How do you like this TIMEOUT? PASSOVER. Take a TIMEOUT today and thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for what He has done, what He is doing and what He will do.

Remember: Where there are trials, there are blessings! (James 1:2,3)

Introduction: Have you ever seen a scare crow? What did you think? Did it scare you? Actually it is a fake version of a human being. The purpose of a scarecrow is to scare animals off one’s garden or crops.

Does it work? Do the animals get used to it? Usually if it is left out long enough, some of the smarter animals or (dumber), according to which way you look at it, will figure it out.

Jeremiah writes concerning this matter: “They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go” (Jer 10:5).

One other translation puts it this way: “They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field; They cannot speak; They have to be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not be afraid of them, For they can do no harm or evil, Nor can they do any good.”

The Hebrew word is תֹּמֶר: (to’-mer), which means palm tree, or a post. He is talking about idols the heathen build (ex. totem poles). Of course, today we have more sophisticated idols. But in the end they cannot help us!

Jesus Christ should not be substituted for idols of this world. 

Do you have any idols?

Conclusion: Just like a scarecrow is fake and cannot talk, CHRISTians can build their idols (scarecrows), which are not real (fantasy world). Ultimately, they will fail, but Jesus will never fail!

Introduction: How can we Rock our World? Have you ever set up any “Ebenezer’s”? You ask, “What is that”? In the book of 1 Samuel, God had His people to establish some Ebenezers.

It was during a time when Israel was at war with the Philistines. In fact, the enemies of Israel had not only defeated them but also took their Ark of the Covenant. However, bad things happened to them. Boils began to spread across their camps until finally after seven months they got two momma cows to take the Ark away on a cart back to Israel.Next, twenty years passed by and once again they attacked Israel. So what is an Ebenezer? It is a commemorative stone: אֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר, (eh’-ben haw-e’-zer). By definition, it is a stone of the help.

How can we Rock our World?

1. By Resisting the devil’s DECEIVERS! (1Sam 7:1-4) – “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Time to clean house! Here was a call for a spiritual awakening. And the people obeyed. Do you think our nation needs an awakening?

Will you pray?

2. By Remembering the Lord’s Ebenezers! (1Sam 7:5-12) – “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”

Have you set up some spiritual stones where the Lord has helped you?

3. By Reaching out to UNBELIEVERS & BELIEVERS! (1Sam 7:12) – “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”

Conclusion: The way to Rock your world is to set up some stones. Go back and reread this devotion and passage to get the gist of what our Lord is saying.

Introduction: When purchasing land one of the first things that needs to be done is finding and establishing the boundaries. Boundaries are important.

In fact, throughout our Christian life, we need to keep boundary lines.

“Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it” (Deut 19:14).

1. Personal spiritual landmarks! (Prov 4:23) – “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Explain: Setting boundaries on and around our heart & mind means allowing certain things in, but blocking destructive things out. How are you doing? Remember, the Spirit of God is our guider – referee. When He blows the whistle a foul has been committed. 

How are you doing?

2. Personal financial landmarks (1Tim 6:6-10) – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Getting in debt over our head because of covetousness, should be a boundary line. Being a good steward with those things our Lord entrusts us with should be a boundary line. How is your checkbook? Do you have boundaries? Should you establish some today?

3. Personal vocational landmarks! (Col 3:22-24) – “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Knowing while we work our jobs, ultimately we are accountable to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, since our testimony is at stake (boundaries), we should do the best we can for the glory of our Lord and as a witness to our coworkers. 

Conclusion: These are just a few boundaries that we need to set. Truthfully, as we grow in the Lord some our our boundaries change – for the better – enhancing our first priority which is to “Know Jesus and let Him be known. Check over the list and see what needs to be adjusted.

Then follow thru on what our Lord reveals.

Introduction: There’s nothing like a drink of cool water on a hot day! This is especially true when we drink from LIVING WATER!! May we suggest to you that we drink this refreshing water daily. 

Here are some encouraging Scriptures that point out this truth.

1. Drinking Joyful Water! (Isa 12:3) – “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

This well is deep and satisfying! Can I get a witness?

2. Drinking Living Water! (John 7:37,38) – “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

Notice Jesus said “rivers”. He did not say trickles, creeks, or drops! Please also pay attention to the fact that this water is LIVING; in other words, it keeps us alive because it has LIFE – GIVING POWER!

Conclusion: Here. Take a drink. Watch the RIVERS flow!

Introduction: Do certain people “REFRESH” you? Philemon was one who was a REFRESHER instead of a DEPRESSER. 

How did he REFRESH the saints?

1. He was Vision – Minded for the SAINTS! (Philemon 1:7) – “…the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

2. He was a JOY – GIVER! (Philemon 1:7) – “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

3. He was an ENCOURAGER! (Philemon 1:7) – “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

The word “consolation” is παράκλησις,(par-ak’-lay-sis), which means a calling to one’s aid, encouragement, or a comfort. 

Are you an encourager?

Conclusion: Will you be a REFRESHER? The saints in the world need it!

Introduction: Don’t let anyone steal your crown! By the way, be diligently praying and serving that you may receive a crown. John writes to encourage the believers in Philadelphia to hold on to their crown.

1. Why? Because some will try to take your Crown! (Rev 3:11) – “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

We were made to be OVERCOMERS! Did you notice that all of the Churches (7) listed in Rev 2 -3 are encouraged to OVERCOME! Do you know how? The answer is because Jesus is an OVERCOMER (John 16:33; 1John 5:4,5). 

Conclusion: Our Lord reminds us and these Churches that the New Jerusalem is our final destination. Therefore, Hold On!

Hold On to your Crown – Rewards!!