{"id":25662,"date":"2019-05-14T03:30:41","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T10:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=25662"},"modified":"2019-05-14T10:57:56","modified_gmt":"2019-05-14T17:57:56","slug":"may-14-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2019\/05\/14\/may-14-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"May 14, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cCursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Genesis 3:17-19<\/p>\n

Bless the Weeds<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The picture above shows what some would say are weeds, but I see the love of God even in His cursing of the ground. The tiniest of flowers are there on those weeds and it makes me think that God just really, really didn\u2019t want to curse the ground but had to. Sin requires a payment. That payment is death.<\/p>\n

Ezekiel 33:11 says: \u201cSay to them: \u2018As I live,\u2019 says the Lord GOD, \u2018I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Can you hear God\u2019s plea? Turn,\u00a0turn<\/u>\u00a0from your evil ways! Why should you die?<\/p>\n

I decided to study David Guzik\u2019s commentary on Genesis 3:17-19. He said, \u201cThe curse promised thorns and thistles, and we remember that Jesus was crowned with thorns (Matthew 27:29). In this vivid way, Jesus bore the curse for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Guzik then quoted Spurgeon: \u201cThis curse of the earth was on his head, and wounded him full sore. Was He crowned with thorns, and do you wonder that they grow up around your feet? Rather bless Him that ever He should have consecrated the thorns by wearing them for His diadem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, Jesus wore the curse upon His head where rightfully belonged a crown that puts the crowns of England to shame. Those tiny flowers speak of the beauty of love and I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever think of a weed the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrecious Jesus, as I learn more of You and the love You have for all of us, I am undone. Thank You that there is beauty that breaks the curse if we just turn, turn from our evil ways and believe and trust You. Thank You for wearing the thorns so that we may have a crown of life. In Your Name we pray, Amen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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