Devotionals for the Heart: God's way of taking care of wheat and weeds

Growing Amongst the Wheat and Weeds
A devotional by Anthea Kotlan

I still remember seeing a commercial for a garden weasel.

This tool would easily uproot those pesky young weeds, break them up and mix them with dead leaves to create a beneficial mulch. Regarding weeds in the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ (God’s Son) had a different approach.

Let’s read what Matthew 13:30 (ESV) says about this matter: Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God as He shares a parable about a man who plants good seed for a wheat harvest. Then after he is asleep, an evil man comes to sow weeds in this field. The man's workers offer to root out the weeds, but the man warns that the wheat roots may be damaged in ripping out the weeds. Jesus knows how important it is to allow a thriving wheat crop to develop a good root system. Therefore, Jesus says, “Let them both grow together until the harvest….”. Then Jesus said he will allow the reapers to separate the wheat and weeds and send them to where they belong.

Where will the weeds go? To be bundled and burned up in destruction.

Where will the wheat go? To be gathered into the man’s barn in eternity with God.

Jesus warned His disciples that we will grow up in the church, the Kingdom of God, alongside brothers and sisters who may not be believers. They will appear to be exactly like us, but in the end, they will be sent to destruction.

Now here are some questions for you to answer: Should I figure out who the wheat and weeds might be? Should I be surprised if I find weeds in the Kingdom of God? Can I tell the wheat from the weeds? The correct answer to all of these questions is, “No.”

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus gives His followers examples of wheat and weeds—two people who looked alike until the harvest. Let’s read a few examples from God’s Word (The Holy Bible) about this topic: 

Pharisee and Tax Collector 

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus shares a story about a pharisee who brags about how he is so glad he is not a tax collector. He lists all he has done for God, yet he does not repent for his sins. Meanwhile, the tax collector beats his breast, bows his head, and begs for mercy and forgiveness. Both men appear to be weeds because they are both sinners. However, at the altar, the weed or unrepentant man is revealed. The other man repents and reveals himself as wheat.

Wheat and Weeds at the Cross

The most powerful illustration of wheat and weeds may be at the moment of the crucifixion. Hanging on either side of Jesus were two thieves. These men had both been found guilty of various crimes, and they had been sentenced to death. They appeared to be weeds. One thief even taunted Jesus and revealed his hard and unbelieving heart. But the other believer spoke kindly to Jesus and requested mercy. Let’s read this conversation that took place at the Cross of Calvary:

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

(Luke 23:42 ESV)

Jesus responded with love and the promise of eternity.

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

(Luke 23:43 ESV)

Let’s Pray:
Dear Jesus, You are the ultimate gardener and granter of mercy. Thank you for caring for the wheat and weeds in your kingdom. I am not called to be a reaper or a weed remover. I am called to grow in grace amongst the weeds and be grateful for the gift of salvation. In Your Matchless and Mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1:
“Kingdom Come” by Rebecca St. James and for King & Country. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2:
“Remember Me” by Wintley Phipps. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Anthea Kotlan is a recovering perfectionist with a passion for coffee and tea. 

For almost a decade, she have served in the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast as a women’s ministry leader. Recently, she became part of a team serving women at the Provincial level (the Women’s Leadership Network part of ACNA’s Next Generation Leadership Initiative).

Anthea writes and blogs about soul tending and discipleship, focusing on the psalms on her blog/website.

She is a mom to two amazing adult daughters, a wife of a bi-vocational Anglican priest, and Gran to two grandbabies with another on the way. Recently, Anthea worked with her husband to help plant All Saints, Conroe, which is a brand-new Anglican church plant in Conroe, Texas.

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Connect with Anthea:
Website: www.antheakotlan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthea.kotlan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antheakotlan/

Devotionals for the Heart: Justice

Mary’s Call for Justice
A devotional by Anthea Kotlan

When my husband and I first banned our daughters from belting out show tunes at dinner in restaurants, some might have found this harsh.

They had been raised on a steady diet of Disney movies where the main character often faced a challenge and therefore broke out into song. In the movies, audience participation was encouraged, and lyrics were often shared on screen. My girls imagined their lives as one big movie, and singing loudly became a role for them to play regularly. We certainly didn’t mind such song-filled hijinks at home, but not at Red Lobster. We realized that the other diners might not want to be served up a soulful rendition of “Under the Sea” with their cheddar bay biscuits.

Tucked into Mary’s origin story found in the first chapter of Luke, readers discover Mary breaking out into song with her cousin Elizabeth. Fresh from her first angelic encounter, Mary arrives at her cousin's house. It is the pre-born John who kicks off the party. He leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when he sensed the Messiah was nearby in an adjacent womb.

Let’s read what Elizabeth says in Luke 1:44-45 (ESV): “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary responds with a song we now know as, “The Magnificat.” Let’s see Mary’s words in Luke 1:46-55 (ESV): And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

While the song is beautiful and overflowing with hope-filled lyrics, believers can’t miss the radical nature of what is expressed here. The words themselves are a striking clarion call for justice. Let’s read more about this in Luke 1:51-53 (ESV): “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”

These phrases don’t mince words, but they call for much-needed change. How curious is it that in a patriarchal society living under Roman oppression, the Lord chose to speak a radical message through a young woman with so little social status?

These words are perceived as such a threat that even 2,000 years later, they continue to be silenced. Mary’s radical obedience to God and total surrender gave her a unique opportunity to speak aloud a relevant prophetic message. Today as we read through these words sung by Mary, we see ourselves in the lyrics, “from now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48 ESV). We are living in one of the generations that experienced God’s mercy passing through Mary’s obedience.

In closing, consider this: Spend time today reading through Mary’s song designed to magnify the Lord and inquire of Him, “What do you want me to know about You in this?” How might the Lord call you brave and bold in some way? In what areas of life do you feel oppressed?

Where do you see injustice in the world, and how could you choose to respond? 

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, help me to live in a deeper surrender to Your will for my life. May the example of Your servant Mary inspire me to respond with a boldness that can only come from You. Open my eyes to the injustices in our world today that grieve Your heart. Help me by Your power to serve people in ways that bring glory to You. In Jesus’s Holy Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “His Plan” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Born in the highlands of Scotland, Anthea Kotlan made her way to Texas as a third grader.

After studying the new language at length and mimicking the Houston locals, she found ways to blend in. Years later she floated down the San Marcos River, attended Journalism classes, and completed an undergraduate degree in in Journalism.

After getting married to Bill, she completed a graduate degree in English at Texas A&M. Ever the multitasker, she had two daughters and carried one of them into her graduation ceremony hidden under her billowing graduation gown.

Over the years she has served as a women’s ministry leader in several churches, spoken at women’s events, taught college freshmen English, lead various Bible studies and writes whenever she can on her blog.

Anthea makes her home in Conroe with her husband Bill, a bi-vocational priest and engineer, and spends all the time she can with her two grandchildren, Ian Michael and Margaret Yael.

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Connect with Anthea:
Website: www.antheakotlan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthea.kotlan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antheakotlan/

Devotionals for the Heart: When God calls you into a season of silence

Words and Wonder
A devotional by Anthea Kotlan

I am a logophile. I love words of all kinds and sizes, and seldom can I say I am at a loss for words. Hence my love of writing. When I was in school, word limits seemed so unfair. I want to write more, not less. I also love conversations where words are exchanged in all the best possible ways.

It is not surprising that the Lord would have me raise two daughters who are also lovers of words and communication. Ironically, when they were growing up, my two girls feared one punishment most of all. To be given “a silence” and instructed not to speak. If either of them could not communicate for even five long minutes, it got their attention in ways that very little else did.

During December, many Christians around the world participate in Advent. The four weeks leading up to Christmas allow believers to anticipate the nativity and spend time in quiet contemplation and wonder. Many people prepare for Christmas by re-reading the stories surrounding Jesus’s birth. I can relate deeply to so many of these characters.

In these Bible stories, God used angels to tell certain critical people about what He was about to do. One man, who is given an essential assignment, is a priest named Zechariah. The apostle Luke describes him as “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all commandments and statutes of the Lord” (Luke 1:6 ESV). He seems uniquely qualified for whatever God is going to entrust to him.

One day Zechariah was serving in the temple, and suddenly, everything changed. Let’s read about it in Luke 1:11-12 (ESV): “And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.”

Zechariah reacted to the angel with fear. The story continues in Luke 1:13-17 (ESV): “But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Luke also explains that Zechariah was older, and his wife was barren. Imagine how surprising this news must have been. Let’s read more of this story in Luke 1:18-22: And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.”

When Zechariah expresses both doubt and fear in the face of God’s messenger, he receives an opportunity to be quiet. His sentence of silence would last nine long months while his wife carried an exceptional child. Eight days after the birth, Zechariah would regain his speech just as his son’s name was declared John.

What was God doing for Zechariah during this season of holy hush? What wonders did God reveal during this set-apart time?

Perhaps God used this season of silence to strengthen Zechariah’s faltering faith. He likely spent more time in quiet anticipation than he ever had. Can a silent servant hear more from God?

How might God use silence in your life? Could you practice just five minutes in the presence of the Lord without any words? Could you stretch it to 10 minutes or even more?

How might God speak into our lives if we listened and stopped talking? What wonders would He reveal to each of us?

Let’s Pray:

Lord, help me to seek you in silence in this season. Help me attune my heart to You and what You tell me. Help me to be quiet before Your throne and listen to Your voice. Allow me to hear the assignments You have for me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I'm Listening (Lyrics) Ft. Hollyn” by Chris McClarney. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Born in the highlands of Scotland, Anthea Kotlan made her way to Texas as a third grader. 

After studying the new language at length and mimicking the Houston locals, she found ways to blend in. Years later she floated down the San Marcos River, attended Journalism classes, and completed an undergraduate degree in in Journalism.

After getting married to Bill, she completed a graduate degree in English at Texas A&M. Ever the multitasker, she had two daughters and carried one of them into her graduation ceremony hidden under her billowing graduation gown.

Over the years she has served as a women’s ministry leader in several churches, spoken at women’s events, taught college freshmen English, lead various Bible studies and writes whenever she can on her blog.

Anthea makes her home in Conroe with her husband Bill, a bi-vocational priest and engineer, and spends all the time she can with her two grandchildren, Ian Michael and Margaret Yael.

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Connect with Anthea:
Website: www.antheakotlan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthea.kotlan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antheakotlan/

Devotionals for the Heart: God is still in the business of making miracles!

The Business of Miracles
A devotional by Anthea Kotlan

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."—Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)

I didn't grow up in a Christian home or attend church regularly as a child. However, after becoming a Christian at age 15, I joined a youth group and accepted an invitation to a Christian camp with the other young women.

Upon arrival, I was settling into my cabin and unpacking my suitcase. I realized I had no towel with me for the three-day weekend ahead. I mentioned this to my new friend Tera, and she stunned me with her reaction.

"Here, you can use one of mine."

Such a simple yet generous offer left me standing there stunned. This young lady had met me only minutes earlier, and now she was handing out her possessions to me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Generosity didn't spend much time at my house growing up. Instead, I knew far too much about scarcity and the need to guard one's possessions and avoid being taken advantage of. However, I knew at that moment there was something in the way Tera lived her life that was completely different.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus Christ calls his first disciples. While Jesus is teaching on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, he finds fishermen washing their nets after a long night of fishing. They have completed their night shift and are undoubtedly ready to go home. But, instead, Jesus climbs into Simon's boat, continues teaching, and then tells Simon to go back out to fish again.

Simon might have felt frustrated by Jesus's request. What did Jesus, a teacher, know about fishing?

Simon wants to make sure that no one misses the truth. He doesn't think this is a good idea. He reminds Jesus that they have caught nothing all night. But Simon's worldview was about to be changed forever when he accepted Jesus's invitation.

My worldview was also transformed all those years ago at camp by the generosity of one sister in Christ. She would become one of many women who discipled me with their words and actions. I was newly following Jesus and seeing my whole world turn upside down. The Lord knew what I needed. I gained the use of a towel and a lifetime of friendship.

Simon did as Jesus asked. He sailed out into the deep waters, and Luke 5:6-11 tells us a miraculous fish catch happened next. Those freshly washed nets even broke, thanks to the abundance of the haul. Other boats had to come and assist. Everyone saw the overflowing generosity of God and how Jesus was in the business of miracles and had the power to defy the laws of nature.

This moment changed the trajectory of Simon's life. Jesus told him, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”(Matthew 4:19 ESV)

Simon would be catching souls for life in Christ. He would no longer need those broken nets due to the abundance that Jesus offered him. He was ready to leave them behind and follow Christ as a disciple.

How has Jesus invited you to experience transformation? Is He calling you into doing something that doesn't make sense in the natural? Is He asking you to trust Him in a new way? Cast that net out! Don't miss out on a transformational invitation to so much more than you can imagine.

Let's Pray: Lord, thank you that you always make abundant provision for us when you call us to follow you as a disciple. Help us to see all the ways you are doing this every day. Help us accept your invitations and directives so that we don't miss out on all You are doing. We long to be in step with You by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Born in the highlands of Scotland, Anthea Kotlan made her way to Texas as a third grader.

After studying the new language at length and mimicking the Houston locals, she found ways to blend in. Years later she floated down the San Marcos River, attended Journalism classes, and completed an undergraduate degree in in Journalism.

After getting married to Bill, she completed a graduate degree in English at Texas A&M. Ever the multitasker, she had two daughters and carried one of them into her graduation ceremony hidden under her billowing graduation gown.

Over the years she has served as a women’s ministry leader in several churches, spoken at women’s events, taught college freshmen English, lead various Bible studies and writes whenever she can on her blog.

Anthea makes her home in Conroe with her husband Bill, a bi-vocational priest and engineer, and spends all the time she can with her two grandchildren, Ian Michael and Margaret Yael.

~*~
Connect with Anthea:
Website: www.antheakotlan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthea.kotlan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antheakotlan/