Hardened

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“Hardening of the heart ages people more quickly than hardening of the arteries.” ~ [think exist]

“I tell you now! You can’t have it your way!” yelled the deputy to a belligerent, young male inmate escorted by one deputy. More deputies were summoned over the radio as this inmate started fighting with one deputy who was escorting him from their unit to bring him to the Clinic and be evaluated.

“No, Ma’am! But these deputies will make me do it!” he blurted out to me when I asked him if he wanted to hurt himself.

“She’s just trying to help you! Answer her appropriately!” a cutting remark from one of the deputies wove in through our conversation.

“I’ll see if I can give you something to help you sleep like what you requested. But I’m sorry that I can’t give you any psych meds. Not until the psychiatrist has evaluated you and ordered something specific, the nurses cannot give you anything related to your mental health condition. I just want to request for you to be patient because I would try to have someone from Mental Health Services see you sooner!” my eyes trying to have a contact with his. His head remained looking down on the floor, only to look up when he wanted to say something in between or tried to free his wrists from the handcuff behind his back.

“You’re always patient. Thank you,” whispered one deputy.

“Because getting angry at him will not help in anyway. Thank you,” I replied.

How could I respond with anger? Knowing that he had a history of ingesting 2 bags of heroin and was treated at the hospital. He was fortunate to remain alive. He was one of those who was always in and out of jail for drug violations. Growing marijuana. Selling other drugs. Robbing places to sustain this ill habit. I could imagine the judge warning him many times to change. But trapped in this dangerous vice, he chose to not listen. His heart became callous to good advices.

Strong conviction for God’s Word lacks nowadays among many people. Many are doing things based on what is right on their own eyes. “Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him.” - Ephesians 4:18-19. As believers, we can’t do anything to change a blind person and with a hardened heart. That is the work of the Spirit. “My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren‘t important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow.” - 1 Corinthians 3:6,7.

“Apollos watered…” It is allowing a person to see Christ through us. Through our actions. We are here to plant and water. But we must leave the “growing part” to God. It is frustrating to share the Good News to someone with a hardened heart. But we must persevere. Let’s start with examining where our own hearts are… [Matthew 6:21 - “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”]

Which pot are you when the seeds [Word of God] got planted in you?



13This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' - Matthew 13: 13-15 [Parable of the Sower]

Sowing the Seed: Evangelism Stories for Children

Divine Nature - Sowing the Seeds of Faith & Scripture Study

15 comments:

  1. Wow, this is a powerful post...both your testimony of the patience we need from the body of Christ, and the video about the pots. It's true that we must be healthy in spirit to grow in Spirit. I appreciate and admire your work...God has planted you in a place that most of us would run from, but you are a gift that God is sharing with those in dire need of a Savior. Planting the seeds are all we can do..it is He that waters. There is much more in this post than is readily seen...I want to really ponder the scriptures you've shared...such good counsel and so needed in the world today, especially in the church.

    Thanks so much for your comment on my post and for your prayers. Sorry the link didn't work...I posted a video of the song that was on the link...hope you'll have a chance to go back and listen to it...I think it fits into your job as well as into my life...one day at a time.

    Blessings, dear sister in the Lord,
    Mary

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  2. So true about being convicted by the Word Wow, love that video. Yup, still gowing! Amen.

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  3. Thanks for sharing such truth sis, love you.

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  4. It is always so very important to remember that we are the ones who plant the seeds but we cannot make the seed grow. It is so much easier not to get frustrated with people if we know that. Otherwise we think that our labor is in vain because we do not see the fruit growing. And we feel like we are laboring for very little profit. But if we know that it is God's job to bring forth the growth and we know that He is not a slacker and always fulfills His part, then we know that growth will come and it will be in due season at just the perfect time. This was such a great reminder!! Thank you!

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  5. Thank you for what you are doing with the love of Christ.

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  6. Thank you for speaking the truth in love. In your face to face interaction with people daily, you are the light to the world that does not know the Lord. As you said: "planting seeds of faith watering, allowing a person to see Christ through us. Through our actions." The Lord is in the ministry of the saints and working in the lives of every heart prepared by the Holy Spirit for your Christian hands. Blessings, Brian

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  7. HE is faithful to water the broken vessels through all who are willing to do HIS will. I am thankful for all HE is doing in and through our lives!

    I have been praying for you and thinking about you. My allergies are terrible. It has been a tough weekend, physically. I pray you are much better and doing well.

    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

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  8. A great reminder that we can only plant the seeds and wait for God to provide the increase. That's where our patience MUST come in. His promises can be counted on!

    Great post Sis!

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  9. So TRUE friend!!! Great post!!! Have a blessed week!
    Wylie

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  10. I am so glad that God placed you where you are to minister to those inmates. I know it's a hard row to hoe, but I'm so thankful you are there in that prison. I pray that my heart will remain soft. Love and (((hugs)))

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  11. It takes a special kind of person to do the job that you are doing...God has placed you there for a purpose and He will provide you with everything you need to accomplish His will. I also loved that video. Your blog brings back old memories when I was still working with criminals and inmates. God's blessings. Lloyd

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  12. Wonderful words, Rosel! Great post and great video!!

    Have an abundantly blessed week!!

    He is Faithful!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  13. You are so precious Rosel. I know I often say this, but you are such a blessing to your coworkers and to the prisoners. What an example you are to all you meet.

    My friend and I were just discussing today how God brings conviction, but if we choose to ignore His conviction, we finally get to the place where we don't notice it anymore. Yes, our hearts get hardened and numb don't they?

    I pray that would never happen in my life.

    Bless you!
    Beth

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  14. Rosel,
    I loved the "pots" youtube video! Thanks for showing us this "parable!"


    ~Jean

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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