Today's Devotion
Thursday, December 4, 2003


"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will
say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in
bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."  (Matthew 13:30)


Today's Thought

If you're like most of us, you've probably just considered a "tare" to be a
weed that grows amongs the wheat, one that can be spotted easily with the
eye, and is easily plucked out of the field prior to the harvest.  However,
in doing a little "word study", there are a couple additional attributes of
a "tare" that are worth looking at . . . ones that actually speak volumes
into what Today's Verse is really all about!

Are you wheat or are you a tare?

Wheat is a grain . . . a "tare", however is more than just a weed, it is a
"false grain"  The word "tare" comes from the Greek word, "zizanion" which
literally means "darnel or false grain".  When the farmer looks at the
field, it is nearly impossible to tell the wheat from the tares!  They are
the same color, the same height, the same shape, grow in the same soil, and
from all appearances are the same.  It is only upon careful inspection that
he can tell the "tare" from the "wheat" . . . the "false" from the
"genuine"!

The Church, unfortunately, is full of "tares" who are growing up amongst the
"wheat".  The difference is that the "tares" are a false grain . . . they
have no substance, no fruit, no purpose for anything other than to fill up
space.

Without being so quick to judge others we feel may fit this description,
let's turn our eyes inward to make sure WE don't fit this description
ourselves!  Let's examine our own hearts . . .  Is our love for the Lord
genuine?  Is our heart right toward God and our fellow man?  Are we bearing
fruit, or do we just appear to be fruitful?  Do we long for sweet fellowship
with the Lord, or do we seek after other "fellowship"?

God's remedy for "tares" is certainly not something we want to reap in our
own lives.  If we don't find true and genuine love and zeal for God, it's
time to get back to the basics and reconsider our relationship with the
Lord.  Perhaps we've thought all along that we were OK, but suddenly we feel
that we're not.  Let's pray and ask God to forgive us for the qualities of a
"tare" we are suddenly aware are hiding in our field.


TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Father, I confes to you that there are areas of my life that more
closely align with the description of a tare than of wheat.  I fall so short
of deserving Your forgiveness and and there's nothing I could do to earn
your mercy.  In fact, I
am deserving of nothing short of death and eternal separation from You.  I
have read in Your Word that I can never be good enough on my own merit to
gain eternal life and make heaven my home, that Jesus is the only way, that
He is the Lord and Saviour of all creation, and that it is by His shed blood
that I'm accepted in the beloved.  Lord, help me to pluck out the tares in
my life one by one as they are exposed in the mirror of Your Word.  Please
forgive me, Father, and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness, and create in
me a new heart.  Make my life a sweet-smelling sacrifice unto my Lord Jesus
Christ for it is in His name I pray, Amen!


Have a blessed day!

Jan Ross
rross@...

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness." (Psalm 84:10)