Promise or Provision?

Growing up I always had a roof over my head, food to eat, and a bed to sleep in. My parents didn't ever have to promise me the basics of life; they had already provided them. It was then up to me to go inside, eat what was set before me, and sleep in the bed provided me. My parents, like so many others, made promises to me. If I did what they asked, certain things they promised came to pass in my life. Picking dandelions, for instance, resulted in a promised nickel. With so many dandelions to pick, hard work resulted in the promised coins coming to pass in my hands, once my hands were clean after digging up those pesky dandelions.

God has promises and provision for all, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic background. As with both illustrations given, there's a difference between a promise and a provision. Let's take a look at each, starting with a provision.

God's provision is something already made available, such as salvation. When a person desires to become saved, a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), Jesus doesn't die, again, on the Cross. No God's part, through Jesus, is done. Provision has made for every person-past, present, and future-to be saved, to become a child of God. It's a matter of believing what God has done and declaring it to be true in that person's life.

God also makes promises. Example: God promises to bless those who'll honor Him with their finances, by tithing (Malachi 3:10). Those who give above and beyond the tithe have a promise of a return on their giving (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10).  Unlike His provision,  however, God's promises are conditional. In this case, God's part takes place once ours is done. With tithing,  God's blessing occurs after we tithe. Every time.

It would be sad, actually, if food was placed before a hungry boy who then asked his mother for something to eat. Here, provision has been made; all the child needs to do is  use his fork to receive the food, and eat it. Even if it's broccoli. Provision, not promise.

On the other hand, a person wanting income needs to first work before getting paid. The employer promises to pay the worker after the condition of so many hours of work has been met. No work, no pay. That's a promise, not a provision.

A lot things well-intended Christians are asking God for have already  been provided. Things like love (Romans 5:5), power (2 Timothy 1:7), and strength (Psalm 27:1; Ephesians 6:10)  have already been provided to every Christian. On the other hand, wisdom is something to ask for (James 1:5).

As you can readily see, there's a difference between God's provision and His promises. God's promises are always conditional; His provision is unconditional. Understanding whether something from God is a promise or provision is making a difference in my life. If not already, I know it can make one in yours as well.

The Value of Your Testimony

Not every Christian is called to preach from a platform, to children or youth, or on the mission field. Not everyone is gifted to regularly speak in front of groups of people. Every Christian, however, has something so valuable, yet often overlooked: their personal testimony of what God did for them to bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. Since no two testimonies are alike, what you have to share will vary, in some measure, from what others have to say.

What is a testimony? A testimony is testifying (telling) to what God has done in someone's life. It usually includes sharing how that person came into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It can include what God is now doing in that person's life, as well as what differences God has made, since becoming that person's Heavenly Father.

Everyone Christian has a testimony, whether it has ever been shared with someone or not. Everyone who values his/her salvation experience has a testimony worth sharing. Everyone includes you, whether you think it's valuable or not.

What God has done in your life is valuable to God and, hopefully, to you. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your salvation (with His Blood). Now that's something worth sharing.

I was part of the so-called Jesus Movement, that started in the late 1960s. Even though I never killed killed anyone, never spent time in jail (by the grace of God), took drugs, or engaged in premarital sex, I was still a sinner in need of a Savior. Once saved, I got around other Christians, some who had been through some "stuff." While attending a Christian school, I heard numerous students tell of how God delivered them out of this or that lifestyle. What a thrill to see a life redeemed from sin and washed clean for Jesus.

Unfortunately, there was a tendency to "rate" testimonies: the darker the other life, the more glorious the testimony. Delivered from drugs, promiscuity, and satanic worship? Praise God. Been a Christian since as far back as you can remember? That's nice. Ho hum.

Regardless of that former life, your testimony is valuable to more people than you think. Someone is waiting to hear what God has done in your life. Your personal testimony is often more easily related to than many sermons and is, hopefully, shorter.

So, what's your testimony? What has God, through Jesus Christ, done for you? Are you willing, as opportunity arises, to share your (brief) testimony? Then ask God for opportunities, and always be ready to tell what the Lord has done for you.

Sharing your testimony with this ministry might be a way to get started. You can share your testimony with us at: info@hubertgardner.org. I'd certainly like to read yours.

Guard Your Roots

Trees, plants, fruits, and vegetables have roots. Weeds do too, but I'll focus on the positive. Whatever seed is planted will produce roots. Those roots provide the grounding and stability needed for that tree, for instance, to survive, grow, flourish, and fulfill its destiny. The same is true with Christians. Every Christian has been planted, if you will, into Christ by the Holy Spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 12:13. We've been placed into what the Bible calls the Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head; we are the Body. As with any new life in the natural, we must begin to grow roots. Those roots lengthen and strengthen as we hear God's Word, believe it, and act like it's so in us.

Without a strong root system trees stop growing. Sometimes they die. Why? In part because the roots weren't protected; they weren't watered, kept weed-free, and allowed, in the case of an apple tree, to bear fruit. The same is true in our lives. Without a strong root system of God's Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and service, spiritual growth is stunted, even ended.

Neither God nor I want that to happen. Our root system depends on us to guard it, to see that it has every opportunity to reach its potential, in Christ. Our root system-our foundation if you will-needs our constant vigilance. It's up to us to, as Proverbs 4:23 points out, to keep (guard, protect) our hearts with all diligence. Why? Because the devil is a meanie; he'll try everything to keep your roots from even getting started, much less growing. If he can't do that, he'll try to isolate you, to keep you from influencing others to grow in Christ.

Guard your roots. Make the time and effort to check your roots, your foundation, to ensure that they are being fed what they need, to grow as they ought. Make sure your roots are both lengthening and strengthening. Someone out there needs to see your life as a living example of what the Christian life looks like in everyday life. Without your roots in place, branches and fruit won't be much to look at.

How well are you guarding your roots? What are you doing to ensure your roots are growing on a consistent basis?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2015-2024

Easter Egg Hunts in Life

As a boy, Easter egg hunts were part mystery, part tradition. The tradition was having them while being young; the mystery was finding all those colored eggs and candied "accessories." The hunt began with one written clue that, when properly understood, directed me to another clue in either our house or yard.The reward of finding and following successive clues resulted in possessing many brightly-colored eggs, as well as enough edible goodies to last at least a few days-maybe less. Our Christian walk is similar to those hunts of yesteryear. God gives us enough information to get us from one point to another in life. He never gives us the whole picture, so to speak-never gives us every clue at the outset. Doing so would eliminate having to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Doing so would cause us to take steps out of God's order, depending on our own wisdom and strength. In addition, we would miss out on the character development we acquire doing things God's way. Like the Easter egg hunt clues, God's steps are given in order, in order for us trust Him for the next clue, if you will.

The rewards for trusting God are more than any earthly Easter egg hunt ever promised. God not only rewards us in Heaven, but rewards us along the way, of obedience to walking in His steps.

What about your life? Are you trusting God for each life-step, or do you prefer to know all the steps at once, then hope you get them in the right order, each one taken at just the right time?

Where is Jesus?

No, Jesus isn't missing; He's not lost. He knows exactly where He is. The problem isn't with Jesus. The problem is with people who think they know where Jesus is-only to find out that He isn't where they thought He was, who then taught others what they thought. I've heard for years, as many of you have, that we should bring people to Jesus, at the Cross. Yes we should bring people to Jesus. He's our Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Friend, and so much more. But to the Cross? No, not to the Cross. Why? Because Jesus isn't there.

Where is Jesus? When Jesus left this earth He went to Heaven, sitting down on His throne, at the right hand of God, according to Hebrews 10:12. As many have said, you don't sit down until the job's done. It took Jesus's death, burial, resurrection, and seating for our salvation to become a reality. His job wasn't complete until He sat down in Heaven, at the Father's right hand.

Where is Jesus? He's in Heaven, seated at God's right hand. Getting people to Jesus means going into His Presence in Heaven. Not at the Cross; not at the empty Tomb; not to anything made with hands. No, get people to where Jesus has been for nearly 2,000 years-in Heaven, at the right hand of God. That's where Jesus is. That's where we need to bring people who need Him: to His Throne.

We should commend all those who are bringing the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus. The Cross and Tomb are, however, empty. There's a throne in Heaven for everyone in need of salvation, healing, deliverance, and supply. That's where Jesus is.

I hope that this simple truth will help you in ministering to others, as well in your own life. Write and let me know how it is.

A Special Offer For You

The print version of my book, “Born to Win: A Study Guide for New Believers," is now available anywhere in the United States, for the special price of only $5.00, shipping included. This is a savings of 50% off the regular price of $ 9.99. Payment in U.S. funds, by check or money order only. Again, this offer is valid for U.S. orders only. Please mail payment to Hubert Gardner Ministries; 6089 E. 56th Street; Tulsa, Ok 74135.

This 90-page book, covering basic, foundational truths, is helping new believers of all ages in their relationship with God. In addition to helping new believers, it also serves as an easy-to-read refresher guide for those more "seasoned", in Christ.

Once you've read the book, write and let us know how this book is helping you in your walk with God.

Write us at: Hubert Gardner Ministries; 6089 E. 56th Street; Tulsa, OK 74135

You can also contact us by email, at: info@hubertgardner.org

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2015-2024

Bamboo and You

Learning about bamboo is a study of parallels between natural and spiritual growth. Bamboo growth is affected by soil, moisture, and temperature. Actually a member of the grass family, bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet. In ideal conditions bamboo can grow as much as three feet in a 24-hour period. Pound for pound, bamboo can be stronger than concrete or steel. Similar to goldfish in a pond, bamboo will grow as large as its surroundings will allow. The bigger and better the surroundings, the bigger the bamboo.

Like bamboo our lives are governed by our surroundings. Our heart’s attitude towards God’s Word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and our surrounding conversations each influences our spiritual growth.

Unlike the bamboo, however, we can choose our surroundings. Regardless of our backgrounds we can choose to allow our hearts to be good "soil" for the planting of God's Word. We can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in the way we should go. Additionally, we can choose to place ourselves in an environment of Truth, including the words we engage in.

How tall do you want to grow in life? Can you see yourself growing up spiritually, much as the bamboo does naturally, with no limits?

Here are some "environmental" changes you can make to boost your spiritual growth: Changing what words have been used in speaking to others-or just someone in particular.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2015-2024

What's Your Standard?

Outside of Washington, DC sits the National Institute of Science and Technology, better known as NIST. Here numerous calibration devices are housed, including one particular atomic clock. This clock serves as America's source of time. Originally known as the National Bureau of Standards, the agency is the source for lengths, weights, and many other calibrations. Our lives also need standards to live by. A life devoid of standards is a life tossed to and fro at the whim of circumstances.  This kind of life has no purpose to fulfill.  Purposes without standards cannot thrive in any country, culture, or community.

Lots of standards vie for our attention. From "Do your own thing" to "My way, or the highway", standards of varying degrees of commitment are there for the taking, With one exception standards change depending on situations, social demands, and past experience (s). That one exception is the Bible, God's written Word. The B-I-B-L-E.

What's your standard? What is the measuring stick for your life? By what standard is your time, work, socializing, and spending calibrated? Is it what feels good, what worked yesterday, or is your personal standard a work in progress? If not already, have you examined God's Word to see how it can be the standard for your life? For your today, tomorrow, and forever.

God's Word works in every country, culture, and circumstance. It doesn't matter what your background or present circumstances are-God's Word works. God's Word is the one standard everyone can truly live by. In any neighborhood, village, shelter, and locality. On both sides of the tracks, God's Word works. All the time. Every inch along God's path for you.

Our job is to find out what God is saying to us now, then see His Word working in us. A good way to find is by starting with the basics.

For those interested in learning the basics of the Christian life I have written Born To Win: A Study Course for the New Believer. This easy-to-read book is for first-time Christians, as well as those who would like to "brush up" on the basics. No matter how long you've been a believer, the basics will never get old. Timeless standards.

This book retails for $9.99, plus shipping. For a limited time you can purchase as many copies of this helpful book for just $ 5.00, including shipping, while supplies last. Orders must be prepaid by check or money order. Mail orders to: Hubert Gardner Ministries; P.O. Box 35373; Tulsa, OK 74153.  Offer good in U.S. only. Those outside the U.S. are encouraged to purchase the digital version on either Kindle or iBooks.

How would you define your standard? How long have you had it? How well is it working for you, at this time of your life? Discuss.