wisdom

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 6

I will…

I watched this trailer today, coupled with this new song titled, “I Will.” It’s so moving and truthfully, convicting, and began a series of questions within my heart and mind…

Often as Christians, we sing songs like this with bold, declarative statements of Christiansese: “I will,” “I surrender all,” “Tear Off the Roof (to get to You),” and “Champion;” yet, I then see the conflicts within the Christian culture, and I wonder are we really ready to give our all? Are we truly at the place where we’d do all it takes to be in His presence and to share the gospel to save a life, even if it cost us our own?

If I’m honest, I’ve struggled with this question numerous times; so, I’m not pointing the finger as if I’m ready and you’re not. But that doesn’t void the validity of the question. My personal struggle and prayer that I’d be ready doesn’t nullify the urgency that we all should be searching our hearts for this answer.

There will come a day soon when the liberties we now enjoy may not be so welcomed. There will come a day, maybe not as far off as we might think, that grabbing a Bible, going to church, or freely sharing the gospel with someone on the street corner might not be overlooked by those who can arrest us, charge us, and take our very lives.

And we need to be prepared NOW for that probability. We need to be searching our hearts NOW. We need to be allowing God to refine us of the self preservation in which we live and drawing us closer to Him to become the soldiers of the cross whom we claim to be in this present day, rather than live under the pretenses that we might be that person.

If we don’t prepare now, we will never become tomorrow what we aren’t becoming today.

So, let me end with these heart checks. It’s not for me to know, but I’d love to know maybe you struggle with these honest questions, too.

Yet, if for nothing more, my prayer is these questions will awaken your soul to any slothfulness that might hiding in the recesses of your heart. My prayer is these might cause us all to do a deep heart evaluation and “report for duty,” if you will, to a King who is coming to take His children home and Who has commissioned us to win the lost because He desires to take more than just you and me…

When’s the last time you invited someone to your church? And they came?

When’s the last time you shared your faith with someone who doesn’t know Him?

When’s the last time you prayed the “sinner’s prayer” with someone and watched God transform their life?

When’s the last time you discipled a new convert? And stuck with him/her through the highs and lows of their faith)?

When’s the last time you saw someone veer from the Truth, and you confronted them with that truth?

When’s the last time you saw someone living in sin, and you confronted them of the wrong and the dangers of it to help them see the Truth?

https://youtu.be/kKBQrWWX570

…and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:47

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Acts 2:40-43

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 5

Thoughts on my heart today…

What brings you joy? I’m not talking about the happy go lucky, goofy smile you plaster on while your heart is shattered. I’m not talking about the stoic half grin you portray as darkness closes in. I’m talking about the deep down, overwhelming joy that overflows into that guttural laugh that can’t be quenched. I’m talking about the pure “spring in your step” that only gets lighter when the rain begins to fall.


That kind of joy is everlasting. That kind of joy isn’t man made. That kind of joy can’t come from any other source but in the depths of your soul where faith is born. That kind of joy can only come from the One who created you, loves you, died for you and longs to redeem you and take you to eternity one day.
That kind of joy is worth everything you’ve got.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 4

My thoughts for today…

What unsettles you? What brings you panic? What brings chaos to your mind?

What disheartens you? What brings you deep sorrow? What brings you guttural pain?

What creates apathy within? What brings aloofness? What brings neglect and avoidance to your soul?

The answers to these question can be found more in your actions rather than your words. As the old adage goes, “Words are cheap…. (But) Actions speak louder than words.”

Seek out those answers with passion. And then, turn to the One who can bring peace that surpasses all understanding. He can settle all that unsettles you.

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 3

Where is your hope today?

Where is your promise?

Is it in the stock market, your bank account, or you job?

Is it in your friendships, your families, or your loves?

Or is it in your education, your wisdom, or your intellect?

All these things will pass away on this earth. All these things will be in vain.

If you will but trust in the One who created all things.

If you will but trust in the One who gave you breath and strength to breathe.

He will be all you need. ❤️

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:7-8

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Day 2

My thoughts for the day…
If we are to be Salt & Light, how salty and how bright should we be? Salt cures food from rottenness (dying). A light shines to dispel the darkness. If we are to be Salt & Light in this lost, dying and dark world, we may need to evaluate our hearts and our intent.

If our intent is to live without conflict, peace with everyone, never causing a stir, we may be serving the wrong God. Jesus was so bold and told so many of their wrong that they killed Him just to get Him to shut up.


Salt can bring life, flavor, and enjoyment to a midday meal. It can also be bitter, irritate and bring sting to a wound, but it will bring healing through the pain. Light can bring comfort, strength, and clarity to eyes in a darkened room. It can also be glaring, burning, and explosive to those same eyes when concealment is desired.


May we be the Salt & Light that brings life, that brings healing, that brings strength, and ultimately, brings redemption and hope to a lost and dying soul.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Starting a new blog “series,” if you will, with thoughts and messages that I hope will stir your own heart. I hope these will challenge your thinking, convict your heart when needed, and deepen your search for truth. Our world needs hope, and I’ve found the One who can give it. I hope you will indulge me while I introduce Him to you… ❤️

Day 1

The message of my heart this morning…
To gloat or to groan today exposes the character of our heart. To have withdrawal or move toward action in this era exposes the intent of our purpose. Apathy, anger, or adoration toward our King in this moment exposes the very foundation upon which we stand.


May we, as Christians, be who He called us to be. We are to pray and to put our faith into action that many may know Him so that our God may be glorified. We are to pray for our city that it may prosper. We are to pray for our leaders that their hearts may be turned toward our King.


May we praise Him today for what He’s done, celebrate what He’s doing, and give Him glory for what He’s yet to do! He is a GREAT God who was and is and is to come!


Let us now not grow comfortable or neglective of the assignment He has given us. We are called to walk out our faith in action that our testimony may be evident to those who would believe. May we bust through the gates of hell fervently, and may we set the captives free by His power alone. We’ve been silent and distracted for too long. It is time for the Church to be the Church.


May we bless our neighbor, bless our nation, and bless our God as we join shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand to fight the good fight of faith!! It’s not time to take a break.
We’ve got work to do. ❤️🇺🇸❤️

Numbers 6:24-26:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Pride or Purpose?

/ The WheatandTares

Having purpose is so important, and it is motivating. But when your purpose becomes an attitude of competition only to put down someone else, that pride will be your downfall. That downfall may not come to you immediately, but it will come. Eventually, it will come.

Purpose should be an inner competition of better self. Purpose should be an outward vigor of thriving through hardships. purpose should be an omnidirectional display of helping someone else to achieve their dream.

When purpose meets awareness of another, that purpose becomes a superpower that is not easily stopped. When purpose meets denial of self for the life of another, that purpose becomes almost invincible.

Choose purpose over pride. Self-denial over self-absorption. Compassion over competition.

And you’ll be amazed at the world you can create.

Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:18-20

Modern or Vintage?

/ The WheatandTares

Vintage or modern?

Which are you?

Traditional or trend?

Old fashioned or contemporary?

One isn’t better than the other.

One isn’t more important.

Yet, it’s the soul of the matter that counts.

If classic is your standard, yet you’re unyielding to learn something new, your rust will begin to show.

If state-of-the-art if your thing, yet you’re ridged to receive wisdom from the past, your polish will begin to chip.

Conventionalism without adjustment for change doesn’t allow for growth.

Modernization without adjustment for proven failures doesn’t allow for depth.

It takes both to progress beyond what has been.

It takes both to establish success moving forward.

Truthfully, one without the other only brings certain death to both.

 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Don’t Teach Tolerance

/ The WheatandTares

Not really a whole lot to add here.

It’s just good old fashioned truth.

Let’s do better. Let’s live better. Let’s be better.

Tolerance and intolerance is subjective to who’s defining it and who’s regulating it.

Good and evil is clear cut from absolute truth.

I know. Truth today has been relegated to relativity that has made it cheap and sold to the highest bidder.

But real truth, the Only Truth, can be found.

We might just have to search for it a little deeper than just below the surface…

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, andthe life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:6

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32

Acts of Love

/ The WheatandTares

Ever have someone in your life who pushes back on your new opinion?

Ever have someone who says, “Don’t go that way,” and it just gets under your skin?

Ever have someone close to you give you a sharp rebuke with no apologies, no wavering, no rebuttals?

Ever have someone challenge you to be better, to go deeper, to go farther, than you ever thought you could?

If yes is your answer…

Don’t get mad, offended or hurt.

Don’t resist, ignore or refuse.

Don’t turn away, push away or reject.

If that person is above reproach and has been a faithful friend,

Embrace that person because he or she cares.

She cares enough to tell you where to get off at.

He cares enough to tell you the truth.

They care enough not to leave you on the wrong path or fill you with poisonous flattery.

True love will always be truthful.

For true love cares more about the soul.

Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Provers 27:5-6