Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Measure.
To this day, that morning in Bible Study remains imprinted in my mind. I remember where I was sitting, I can hear her tone of voice, and I remember the words she spoke. It is well over twenty years and the lesson she brought has never been forgotten.
Let me share it simply. She read the Scriptures …
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38, NKJV)
Jesus’ words, right there in front of me, in red in my Bible because He spoke them Himself to the disciples long ago.
He reminded them and us that we reap what we sow. But He went further than that as Jesus always did.
We not only reap what we sow but we reap in the amount we sow. In the measure.
Back to that morning …
She had brought a few items for illustrations. A tiny measuring spoon, a few measuring cups, and something else which she kept hidden in a box.
“Do you want to receive forgiveness, or grace, or mercy, or love in a teaspoons worth? Perhaps a half cup? Then dole out just that much.”
The point being we truly all want much more than a minute amount but we often measure out a small quantity. She spoke for a few minutes on the ways we withhold. And then she made her point as she unveiled her last item …
“I want a dump truck full of forgiveness. I want the Lord to say, ‘Back it on in and pour it on her liberally, for she has not used any measure but poured it out.”
The principle of sowing and reaping has most often been applied to the giving of money. Jesus applied it to much more – the giving of ourselves.
“For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
~ Jesus ~
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Fresh Market Friday and Faith ”˜N Friends .
I love picture lessons – honestly, we never forget them! I have one on GRACE – I will never be able to get it out of my mind. SO GOOD. Neighbors at FMF!!!
There truly is something to be said about the power of an illustration.
So vivid! Thanks for sharing that memory!
Joanne,
What a great teaching lesson. I’ve been trying some new recipes lately and it has me getting out my measuring cups and spoons more often. Love the nuance that we not only reap what we sow, but we reap in the same measure. Like you, I want a dump truck full of grace 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
May we focus not only on the what but the measure. Blessings to you, Bev!
Amen! Loved this, Joanne! I want a dump truck load of forgiveness too. Such a good reminder that we reap what we sow. The measure matters.
I’d like a dump load of forgiveness too! 🙂 “The principle of sowing and reaping has most often been applied to the giving of money. Jesus applied it to much more ”“ the giving of ourselves.” Amen.
Teaspoon or truck load? Great illustration! It really makes you think about what we offer and what we ant in return. Thanks for sharing, Joanne!
want not ant!🙄
I love that the speaker used measuring cups as an illustration. Such goof stuff friend! .