By Mark Stumbo
St. Petersburg, Russia
It is a very sensitive situation right now for Americans living in St. Petersburg, Russia. A gap has widened in U.S. and Russian relations more than I have ever seen. The recent conflict in the Ukraine has the potential to directly or indirectly affect us and the work of the Lord in Russia and our contacts in the Ukraine. Not only are the Russians starting to feel the impact of sanctions, but since we live among the people we feel them as well. Prices for food and travel have already started to rise. In the future, I am sure items and services will be limited. We hear rumors from time to time that it will be harder for Americans who wish to life in the country to get visa documents, and that Master Card and American Express will stop doing business in Russia. Already, some 70 billion dollars' worth of investment has left the nation as the world has lost confidence in Mr. Putin, confidence which took him around fifteen years to build.
Right now, there is a tense calm. We are praying for God to give us direction and divine protection as we are unsure what will unfold in the future. Some of our Russian neighbors do not look at us in the same way they did before. We see a storm across the bow of the ship.
Nevertheless, we are still determined to step across the railing and out into the sea of humanity; not to sink in the storm around us, but to keep our eyes on Jesus. We know that if we look at the ominous clouds of uncertainty, we will sink in doubt and self-pity. If we look at the crashing waves around us, we will be drowned by the opinions and feelings of others. But if we look at Jesus -- He shows us the way.
As I write this report, this upcoming Sunday will see three young children from the Sunday School Department being baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the 25th of May, we are planning a city-wide outreach,expecting people to come and break through in the Spirit. This summer we are planning to host a special event reaching out to children through English Evangelism. So, let kingdoms rise up against kingdoms, nations against nations, but as long as the Lord gives us the ability we want to labor in His Kingdom. We are not blind to the struggles around us, but are praying for revival, praying for the expansion of the church, praying and planning for God to do great things!
Editorial Note: Bro. Mark Stumbo and his family are ALJC missionaries home-based in St. Petersburg, Russia, with outreach in numerous places around the nation. They solicit your prayers that revival and a Holy Ghost outpouring will saturate the Russian people, filling them and empowering them to be witnesses any and every where all over this enormous nation. Hearts are hungry, God is willing, laborers are needed, prayer is vital!
Showing posts with label Harvest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harvest. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2014
Protecting the Harvest
A Poem By Marjorie Kinnee
An uneasy restlessness grips me.
Finding no simple solution, I begin to probe deeper,
Touching tender places, bruised and sore,
Seeking the core, the roots.
On my knees I crouch low;
The hot sun scorches my back
And I sweat in the heat..
It's hard work,
Work that I'd rather leave for a more convenient season,
When the sun's rays weren't so hot,
And the ground was softened by rain.
But the angle of the sun tells me
I haven't much time,
So, I poke and sift, pinching off insects
And driving away the pesky birds and bunnies
That would harm my harvest.
My heart is cheered when I pause
and realize that the Lord of the Harvest
Is working close by.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Seed for the Harvest
By Alan Demos
As
Jesus spoke to both the multitudes and His own disciples, He knew
that the Jewish people, however sincere or faithful, had no
understanding of growth and harvest for their synagogues or the
temple. They were people of tradition and Old Testament law. He had
to prepare them to receive other sheep into His worldwide flock of
believers. Several of His parables brought forth principles of the
kingdom pertaining to evangelism, growth and the eventual harvest.
In
the Sermon on the Mount, He taught that they would be “the
salt of the earth,”
and “the
light of the world.”
His plan was for them to influence more than one nation, one city
and one religious group. All three Synoptic Gospels later record the
parable of the sower. “A
sower went forth to sow…” (Matt. 13:3.) In Matthew, Jesus pointed us to the ground when He said, “The
field is the world.”
Luke reveals what the seed should be. “The
seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11)
However humble the packaging, whatever the size or method of
dispersion, the seed must be the Word of God and it
must
be planted in the ground! There we have it! God
wants us to find a field, have the right seed in our hands, and sow!
It
doesn’t take an extensive knowledge of agriculture to be a sower –
just willingness, time, a plot of ground, and some seed.
Have
you found a field where you can labor faithfully for Him?
Finally, we must be patient. The seed we sow will rarely bring an
instant harvest. Our love will be the sunshine; our tears in prayer
will be the water. Yet, the regenerating power of the Word has to
work through burial, germination, plant growth, flowers and, finally,
in due season, the harvest. The faithful sower understands the
principles of the harvest. He labors with purpose, beginning by
preparing the seed. He knows that no two crops reach harvest in the
same time period – the timing is ordered by God. Our Creator
insured in the beginning (Genesis 1:11-12) that
there would be future natural harvests when He created the plants and
the trees with
seed within.
We learn what we need to know about spiritual harvesting by studying
natural harvesting.
Has
the seed been placed within you that will bring forth a harvest?
We
live with fields all around us – big cities, small towns, and
villages. The people into whose hearts we must plant the seed are
not hard to find. They’re at home, at work, at school, on the
streets and in our neighborhoods. How do we turn barren, unprepared
soil into a harvest field? People who don’t believe in God or
know who He is are not candidates for the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Faith in Jesus Christ comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God! The
seed must be sown to bring forth faith!
Jesus prepared for Pentecost by adding knowledge and understanding
that would lead them to New Testament salvation. For three years He
ministered through miracles and healings, taught and preached,
rebuked the wayward and comforted the suffering. Why was He taking
so much time to lay the groundwork?
He
was preparing the ground even as He was preparing the seed.
None
of us will ever be as effective as Jesus Christ, but He expects us to
be both sowers and harvesters! Each of us can hide the Word in our
hearts and minds, find a field, and decide how to plant, using our own
chosen method. Some will pass out tracts to strangers or distribute
literature in a neighborhood; some will preach from a pulpit; some
will teach children in a Sunday School class; some will teach others
in a home; others will just speak gently and persistently with a
friend. No method is more important than another! No venue is off-limits!
The
only requirement is that we sow His Word!
The
written Word of God in a condensed version, a summary or an
introduction, is called a tract, whether evangelistic for the
unbeliever or doctrinal for the believer. Let’s supply ourselves
with Gospel literature to use wherever we walk in our fields. Let us
pray to be led by the Holy Ghost in our sowing. It is not for us to
inspect the soil. We are called to sow on all kinds of ground - good
ground and poor ground. Literature is a time and cost effective
means of connecting God with believers needing more truth or sinners
needing salvation. Literature should go out to those who don’t
know about, or, are not yet ready for, our churches.
A
literature evangelist can easily distribute more than a hundred
tracts
in
the same time that it takes to give a one-hour Bible study!
Literature
ministry fulfills the purpose of God revealed in the parable of the
marriage. The king said, “Go
ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to
the marriage.” (Matthew 22:9).
We can’t wait for them to come into our churches; we must go out
to invite them. Without a doubt, we will not be wasting our time.
“Cast
thy bread upon the waters… for thou shalt find it after many
days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6) SOW
faithfully in faith, and in God’s time, the Harvest will come.
Why
not begin to utilize the wonderful tool of literature in your daily
life
as
you seek to win souls and lay a harvest at Jesus’ feet in eternity?
Editor's Note: Bro. Alan Demos and his wife Valerie have served as UPCI missionaries to the nation of Germany for many years. Bro. Demos skills and experience in literature ministry are legendary. In this article, he presents the concept of a literature ministry. Next month, we will feature a more in-depth look at what sowing the seed of the Word entails and the rewards it brings.
.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Plowing and Planting in Hope
By Charles R. Grisham
Text: I Corinthians 9:10 - "...For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope."
Between sowing and harvest a tremendous amount of work has to be done. Even when the land is idle (during the winter) there is an absolute need for the repairing of tools and machinery.
There's only so much strength in the soil. Different soils are good for different crops. For instance, Georgia's soil grows great peanuts, while North Dakota's soil produces bumper crops of wheat. Too often, the government pays farmers not to grow crops - to let the land be idle. Then, our land lies idle while China (or some other country,) sells us wheat (or whatever). They call this "land management."
What we each have is; time, talent, and treasure. No two people have the same amount of talent and/or treasure. But we all have the same amount of time. We are always planting something. The question is; What are we planting?
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." (Proverbs 20:4) Note: See also Proverbs 6:9, 13:4, 15:19, 19:24, 21:25, 26:16.)
Remember - whatever it is that you're planting, (sowing,) that's what you're going to reap. Corn comes from corn seed, apples from apple seeds, pumpkins from pumpkin seeds, etc.
The increase is the project of God. The Lord's work cannot be done in our own strength. Building for eternity requires the cooperation of both partners.
Text: I Corinthians 9:10 - "...For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope."
Between sowing and harvest a tremendous amount of work has to be done. Even when the land is idle (during the winter) there is an absolute need for the repairing of tools and machinery.
There's only so much strength in the soil. Different soils are good for different crops. For instance, Georgia's soil grows great peanuts, while North Dakota's soil produces bumper crops of wheat. Too often, the government pays farmers not to grow crops - to let the land be idle. Then, our land lies idle while China (or some other country,) sells us wheat (or whatever). They call this "land management."
What we each have is; time, talent, and treasure. No two people have the same amount of talent and/or treasure. But we all have the same amount of time. We are always planting something. The question is; What are we planting?
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." (Proverbs 20:4) Note: See also Proverbs 6:9, 13:4, 15:19, 19:24, 21:25, 26:16.)
PAY ATTENTION!
If you think about it, we take time (actually "make" time,)
for whatever it is that we really want to do.
The LAW of SOWING and REAPING
Remember - whatever it is that you're planting, (sowing,) that's what you're going to reap. Corn comes from corn seed, apples from apple seeds, pumpkins from pumpkin seeds, etc.
- Pray for rain in its' due season.
- The farmer plants in hopes of the harvest.
- Make sure your seed is "certified" seed.
- Study, examine the soil before you begin... break it up... fertilize it.
- If I plant more "me" than I plant "Jesus" - I will reap more "me."
- Within the seed is the pattern (DNA) for the life that is to be.
- Be patient and you will see the fruit of your labors in generations to come (Galatians 6:8)
- God is looking for folks who won't give up in the heat, or drought, or flood, or cold, or whatever. (I Corinthians 3:6)
- Weeding is a hot, dirty, tedious, seemingly thankless task; but we need to be good with the hoe!
- Remember that the soil only has so much energy. If its energy is used up in weeds, there's less energy for the good seed to grow.
- Without a regenerated heart, you cannot recognize the weed or the weed planter. And like crabgrass, once allowed to grow, it will take over and choke out the good stuff.
- A regenerated heart recognizes the good!.
REMEMBER!
The increase is the project of God. The Lord's work cannot be done in our own strength. Building for eternity requires the cooperation of both partners.
"And you shall reap just what you sow,
For the things you plant - are the things that grow;
God's Word shall stand for evermore,
And you will reap just what you sow!"
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The Prayer of a Seed...
Editorial
By Marjorie Kinnee
Text: Psalm 4:1-8
Every seed that is sown is dependent on God's laws of sowing and reaping if it is ever to come to life, growth, and fruitfulness. Soil, seed, sun, wind, and rain are all necessary, common denominators in the process. Seeing this psalm from the perspective of the seed brought the realization that the seed is totally incapable of caring for itself. All the elements that are necessary for its very life are also the very elements that can contribute to its destruction. What's more, it has to die to live!
Vs. 1 - "Hear me... enlarge me... have mercy..." If a seed could talk, surely it would cry out to its Maker. The sole purpose of the seed is to be fruitful and multiply. A seed is often soaked in water before planting to enhance its capacity to hold moisture. Water is one of the basic elements of life.
Vs. 2 - "How long...?" Seems like much of a seed's existence is caught up in waiting, in hiding. It hides in the fruit, it hides in seed packets, it hides in the ground. In each of these places it has to wait. Surely nothing is more tedious than waiting.
Vs. 3 - "The LORD hath set apart him for Himself..." Submitting to the will, the pre-ordained plan and purpose of God is made so much easier when this truth is absorbed and embraced.
Vs. 4 - "Stand in awe... sin not... commune with your own heart upon your bed... be still..." So many Scriptures come to mind about waiting and the strength that comes in trusting in His covenant and promises. There is so much to be said for those who wait patiently for the Lord to bring His good pleasure to pass. Doubtless, it is not easy; but it is a crucial part of dying out.
Vs. 5 - "Offer sacrifices of righteousness... put your trust in the LORD..." No amount of human logic, reasoning, plans, plots, or agendas can take the place of complete and utter, childlike trust. It was that kind of trust that gave the three Hebrew children the strength to allow themselves to be planted in a fiery furnace. It was that kind of trust that brought Joseph through repeated betrayal and treachery. Seeds give themselves freely, trusting God to take care of the harvest.
Vs. 6 - "There be many that say, Who...? ...LORD, [shine] on us..." No matter what the gainsayers and the naysayers say, nothing can go awry if it has the smile of God's approval on it. The seed is dependent upon days of sunshine to warm the soil and bring the seed to life. Folks can doubt all they want to, but God's laws of sowing and reaping take no notice of doubt or unbelief. They're in effect for ever!
Vs.7 - "Thou hast put gladness in my heart..." The hope of the seed is the harvest that is yet to be. During the last supper, Jesus spoke of the time when they would once again gather to eat it anew int His Kingdom to come. He then set about to give His life to birth that Kingdom. Paul tells us Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, for the joy that was set before Him.
Vs. 8 - "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep... only You, LORD..." The seed can commit itself without fear, purely and simply because of Who it is that is in charge of its life - both now and to come. Implicit trust holds nothing in reserve. So it was with the three Hebrew boys... "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:16b-18) Seeds of that sort will always bring forth an abundant harvest!
By Marjorie Kinnee
Text: Psalm 4:1-8
Every seed that is sown is dependent on God's laws of sowing and reaping if it is ever to come to life, growth, and fruitfulness. Soil, seed, sun, wind, and rain are all necessary, common denominators in the process. Seeing this psalm from the perspective of the seed brought the realization that the seed is totally incapable of caring for itself. All the elements that are necessary for its very life are also the very elements that can contribute to its destruction. What's more, it has to die to live!
Vs. 1 - "Hear me... enlarge me... have mercy..." If a seed could talk, surely it would cry out to its Maker. The sole purpose of the seed is to be fruitful and multiply. A seed is often soaked in water before planting to enhance its capacity to hold moisture. Water is one of the basic elements of life.
Vs. 2 - "How long...?" Seems like much of a seed's existence is caught up in waiting, in hiding. It hides in the fruit, it hides in seed packets, it hides in the ground. In each of these places it has to wait. Surely nothing is more tedious than waiting.
Vs. 3 - "The LORD hath set apart him for Himself..." Submitting to the will, the pre-ordained plan and purpose of God is made so much easier when this truth is absorbed and embraced.
Vs. 4 - "Stand in awe... sin not... commune with your own heart upon your bed... be still..." So many Scriptures come to mind about waiting and the strength that comes in trusting in His covenant and promises. There is so much to be said for those who wait patiently for the Lord to bring His good pleasure to pass. Doubtless, it is not easy; but it is a crucial part of dying out.
Vs. 5 - "Offer sacrifices of righteousness... put your trust in the LORD..." No amount of human logic, reasoning, plans, plots, or agendas can take the place of complete and utter, childlike trust. It was that kind of trust that gave the three Hebrew children the strength to allow themselves to be planted in a fiery furnace. It was that kind of trust that brought Joseph through repeated betrayal and treachery. Seeds give themselves freely, trusting God to take care of the harvest.
Vs. 6 - "There be many that say, Who...? ...LORD, [shine] on us..." No matter what the gainsayers and the naysayers say, nothing can go awry if it has the smile of God's approval on it. The seed is dependent upon days of sunshine to warm the soil and bring the seed to life. Folks can doubt all they want to, but God's laws of sowing and reaping take no notice of doubt or unbelief. They're in effect for ever!
Vs.7 - "Thou hast put gladness in my heart..." The hope of the seed is the harvest that is yet to be. During the last supper, Jesus spoke of the time when they would once again gather to eat it anew int His Kingdom to come. He then set about to give His life to birth that Kingdom. Paul tells us Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, for the joy that was set before Him.
Vs. 8 - "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep... only You, LORD..." The seed can commit itself without fear, purely and simply because of Who it is that is in charge of its life - both now and to come. Implicit trust holds nothing in reserve. So it was with the three Hebrew boys... "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:16b-18) Seeds of that sort will always bring forth an abundant harvest!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Proper Preparation for the Harvest
By Rob Brown
Text: Proverbs 6:6-11
The world longs to compete for success - BUT - you can't compete without proper preparation.
The ant is the hardest worker on the planet. It can carry up to five times its own weight. It can build bridges over water. Ants work together, utilizing synergy. The Bible says, "Faith without works is dead." Work identifies your faith. The child of God cannot work under a "little red hen" mentality. We need to be "laborers together!"
Four Ways to Prepare...
Text: Proverbs 6:6-11
The world longs to compete for success - BUT - you can't compete without proper preparation.
The ant is the hardest worker on the planet. It can carry up to five times its own weight. It can build bridges over water. Ants work together, utilizing synergy. The Bible says, "Faith without works is dead." Work identifies your faith. The child of God cannot work under a "little red hen" mentality. We need to be "laborers together!"
Four Ways to Prepare...
- "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..." (Matthew 6:33)
- Bring them into the right atmosphere
- We're not in control of the timing - that's God's
- He's a rewarder of the diligent seeker
- Consistently feed on the Word of God
- A "cheater" cannot expect a reward from God
- Commitment - in this thing for the long haul
- Be filled with the Spirit
- God gives more than you expect (benefits)
- Noah received detailed instructions from God
- Laziness will leave you empty (Proverbs 13:4)
- Diligence (effort) in work is required
- You can't pass a test if you don't study
- Your "lack" will be apparent - it shows
- Laziness is a sin! (James 4:17)
- God has done so much for me - I owe Him!
- He deserves my best effort
- Humbleness will help you handle success (I Peter 5:6)
- God does the exalting in His time
- Allows you to stay passionate and on target
- Gives you the power to maintain your gain
- Helps you see new areas and potential for growth
- Our flesh is subject to pride, which in turn, can thwart/destroy it all
- Humility has room to receive more
- Gets ourselves out of the way so He can move and work as He sees fit
- Pride IS going to be humbled
- We didn't get to this point on our own. It's His mercy, His grace, His strength
- A humble heart knows its lack/s
- A humble heart is teachable
- Pride thinks it has arrived - I've made it!
- When you do your part - God will do His
- Work like everything depends on you and pray like everything depends on God
- Your part - dive in headfirst. A huge harvest takes huge effort
- When you have done all - you can stand
- No pain - no gain
- Church is not forced labor
- "A man persuaded against his will is of the same opinion still."
- God doesn't come in without an invitation. He knocks, but opening the door is our part
- His Spirit woos... draws... convicts
- Our part is to hunger to be part of the Harvest.
Missed Opportunities...
Editorial
By Marjorie Kinnee
Texts: Jeremiah 8:20 - The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Hosea 8:7a - For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."
These are arguably the saddest verses in all Scripture. They speak to the grief of those who have not heard, and to the sorrow of those who have no more hope. There will come a day when mercy's arm will no longer be stretched out. Judgment is certain and unavoidable, but it's not here yet.
There is a charitable organization called the "Forgotten Harvest." It provides food for the hungry. They provide food for the physical man. Jesus focused on the harvest of souls, saying harvest time was not off in some time in the distance, but it was already ripe. His only prayer request was that we pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers into His fields. He also charged us to "work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work."
The Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, said that judgment upon the wicked is determined, but if the wicked one is warned, and if he repents, the mercy of the Lord is available. Both Old and New Testaments declare that God desires repentance - and that turning away from sin in repentance is the one thing that turns God's wrath against sin into His mercy and grace.
The kingdoms of Israel and Judah had repeatedly turned away from God, choosing their own wicked ways despite the warnings and alarms of many prophets. They would not listen. What's more, they imprisoned, tortured, and killed those who warned them of God's wrath and their impending judgment. They were so set in their wickedness they sacrificed their own children to gods of wood and stone; gods who could not see, hear, or rescue them from their folly.
So many opportunities... so many chances... to turn away from sin, to turn away God's wrath. And what about those children? Harnessed to the sins of their fathers and mothers, children of a corrupt generation; their innocence and future hopes were forever ruptured by the ever-present evil that colored every facet of their miserable lives. Talk about a forgotten harvest! What a picture!
History really does repeat itself. We live in a generation like that of Israel just prior to its judgment. We also live under the mandate to live as lights in a dark world. Ezekiel's warning is no less clear today. If we refuse to warn, to sound the alarm; their blood will be required at our hands. The only way to turn the wicked and to bring about God's power to save is to warn them. To speak the truth clearly and in love is both our hope and theirs'.
Daniel prayed a prayer of repentance for the entire nation. (See Daniel 9:3-19.) Prayer and fasting according to the instructions in Isaiah 58:4-9, must be married to the promise of the harvest... The law of sowing and reaping remains in full force. This is the fast God has chosen!
By Marjorie Kinnee
Texts: Jeremiah 8:20 - The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Hosea 8:7a - For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."
These are arguably the saddest verses in all Scripture. They speak to the grief of those who have not heard, and to the sorrow of those who have no more hope. There will come a day when mercy's arm will no longer be stretched out. Judgment is certain and unavoidable, but it's not here yet.
There is a charitable organization called the "Forgotten Harvest." It provides food for the hungry. They provide food for the physical man. Jesus focused on the harvest of souls, saying harvest time was not off in some time in the distance, but it was already ripe. His only prayer request was that we pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers into His fields. He also charged us to "work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work."
The Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, said that judgment upon the wicked is determined, but if the wicked one is warned, and if he repents, the mercy of the Lord is available. Both Old and New Testaments declare that God desires repentance - and that turning away from sin in repentance is the one thing that turns God's wrath against sin into His mercy and grace.
The kingdoms of Israel and Judah had repeatedly turned away from God, choosing their own wicked ways despite the warnings and alarms of many prophets. They would not listen. What's more, they imprisoned, tortured, and killed those who warned them of God's wrath and their impending judgment. They were so set in their wickedness they sacrificed their own children to gods of wood and stone; gods who could not see, hear, or rescue them from their folly.
So many opportunities... so many chances... to turn away from sin, to turn away God's wrath. And what about those children? Harnessed to the sins of their fathers and mothers, children of a corrupt generation; their innocence and future hopes were forever ruptured by the ever-present evil that colored every facet of their miserable lives. Talk about a forgotten harvest! What a picture!
History really does repeat itself. We live in a generation like that of Israel just prior to its judgment. We also live under the mandate to live as lights in a dark world. Ezekiel's warning is no less clear today. If we refuse to warn, to sound the alarm; their blood will be required at our hands. The only way to turn the wicked and to bring about God's power to save is to warn them. To speak the truth clearly and in love is both our hope and theirs'.
Daniel prayed a prayer of repentance for the entire nation. (See Daniel 9:3-19.) Prayer and fasting according to the instructions in Isaiah 58:4-9, must be married to the promise of the harvest... The law of sowing and reaping remains in full force. This is the fast God has chosen!
- to loose the bands of wickedness
- to udo the heavy burdens
- to let the oppressed go free
- to break every yoke
- to deal thy bread to the hungry
- to bring the poor and them that are cast out to thy house
- to cover them that are naked
- to hide not thyself from thine own flesh
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
By Pastor Ken Foreman
Text: Galatians 6:7-10
Basically, the law of sowing and reaping is reciprocation. See Romans 15:27; I Corinthians 9:11; II Corinthians 8:14; and Galatians 6:6. It was instituted in Creation - "whose seed is in itself." Proverbs 11:18 tells us sowing "righteousness" means "a sure reward." Galatians 6:8 says, "sow to the flesh - reap corruption." The world says, "What goes around comes around" and talks about "yin and yang." Fruit bears witness to the kind of seed sown.
There is another law involved in sowing and reaping - seed reproduces itself abundantly. A single kernal of corn yields a plant on which there may be three or four ears of corn. Each ear may contain hundreds of kernals - a thousand-fold return on the initial planting. What kind of harvest you reap depends upon the kind of seed you sow.
Sowing to the flesh uses bad seed and brings a crop of far-reaching corruption. This list speaks for itself; adultery, fornication, lust, rape, abuse, gossip, false accusations, envy, jealousy, selfishness, greed, pride, impatience, covetousness, theft, disobedience, rebellion, anger, wrath, hatred, revenge, murder, violence, sedition, treachery, and betrayal.
Sowing to the Spirit also brings forth a crop. The fruit resulting from good seed being sown is far-reaching - and affects many other lives for good. Here's a starter list; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, kindness, gentleness, faith, temperance, mercy, forgiveness, prayer, Bible reading and study, repentance, giving, hope, a holy lifestyle, fellowship with the believers, witnessing, peace-making, godly wisdom, contentment and grace sufficient for every need. Note that the purpose of fruit is to enhance the prospect of the seed!
Hosea 10:12 declares that if we sow in righteousness, we will reap mercy. Proverbs 18:24 says, if you want friends, you must show yourself friendly. According to I Corinthians 3:4, in "due season - God gives the increase." Wishing and hoping won't do. Planting is our part - life and growth is God's part!
Turnips con't come up all by themselves. Someone has to be a seed planter! See Psalm 126:5. Taking care of the seed includes...
Sow what you want to reap! - in quantity, (II Corinthians 9:6) and in quality (Matthew 13:24, 37-38).
Text: Galatians 6:7-10
Basically, the law of sowing and reaping is reciprocation. See Romans 15:27; I Corinthians 9:11; II Corinthians 8:14; and Galatians 6:6. It was instituted in Creation - "whose seed is in itself." Proverbs 11:18 tells us sowing "righteousness" means "a sure reward." Galatians 6:8 says, "sow to the flesh - reap corruption." The world says, "What goes around comes around" and talks about "yin and yang." Fruit bears witness to the kind of seed sown.
There is another law involved in sowing and reaping - seed reproduces itself abundantly. A single kernal of corn yields a plant on which there may be three or four ears of corn. Each ear may contain hundreds of kernals - a thousand-fold return on the initial planting. What kind of harvest you reap depends upon the kind of seed you sow.
Sowing to the flesh uses bad seed and brings a crop of far-reaching corruption. This list speaks for itself; adultery, fornication, lust, rape, abuse, gossip, false accusations, envy, jealousy, selfishness, greed, pride, impatience, covetousness, theft, disobedience, rebellion, anger, wrath, hatred, revenge, murder, violence, sedition, treachery, and betrayal.
Sowing to the Spirit also brings forth a crop. The fruit resulting from good seed being sown is far-reaching - and affects many other lives for good. Here's a starter list; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, kindness, gentleness, faith, temperance, mercy, forgiveness, prayer, Bible reading and study, repentance, giving, hope, a holy lifestyle, fellowship with the believers, witnessing, peace-making, godly wisdom, contentment and grace sufficient for every need. Note that the purpose of fruit is to enhance the prospect of the seed!
Hosea 10:12 declares that if we sow in righteousness, we will reap mercy. Proverbs 18:24 says, if you want friends, you must show yourself friendly. According to I Corinthians 3:4, in "due season - God gives the increase." Wishing and hoping won't do. Planting is our part - life and growth is God's part!
Turnips con't come up all by themselves. Someone has to be a seed planter! See Psalm 126:5. Taking care of the seed includes...
- Preparing the Soil - "Break up the fallow ground."
- Watering the Soil - "Sow in tears, reap in joy."
- Weeding the Soil - Plucking out the weeds that would choke the good seed.
Sow what you want to reap! - in quantity, (II Corinthians 9:6) and in quality (Matthew 13:24, 37-38).
You Get Out What You Put In
By Rob Brown
Genesis 1:11 - "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."
Fruits by their nature, reproduce themselves. God ordained it so. The apple tree produces apples. The fig tree produces figs. The oak tree produces acorns. The tree is known by it's fruit. What kind of fruit are you producing?
Good seed produces good fruit and the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, faith, goodness, meekness, and temperance; against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) We can only produce what's already inside us. One sows, one waters, but God gives the increase. What kind of fruit do you embody?
Evil seed produces the things God hates. (See Proverbs 6:16-19.) The seventh is an abomination; "sowing discord among brethren." Luke 19:22-26 reveals that wasting "seed" means eternal loss.
Broadcast the seed! Sow it everywhere, anytime, anyplace; make the effort! Mustard seed is the tiniest of seeds, yet, when planted, it grows into a "tree" in which the birds can roost.
Editor's Note: Rob is a vital part of our youth leadership team. Aftter his graduation from college, he is employed as a teacher in an elemntary charter school in Dearborn Heights. This message was both - timely and a blessing to the church.
Genesis 1:11 - "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."
Fruits by their nature, reproduce themselves. God ordained it so. The apple tree produces apples. The fig tree produces figs. The oak tree produces acorns. The tree is known by it's fruit. What kind of fruit are you producing?
Good seed produces good fruit and the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, faith, goodness, meekness, and temperance; against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) We can only produce what's already inside us. One sows, one waters, but God gives the increase. What kind of fruit do you embody?
Evil seed produces the things God hates. (See Proverbs 6:16-19.) The seventh is an abomination; "sowing discord among brethren." Luke 19:22-26 reveals that wasting "seed" means eternal loss.
Broadcast the seed! Sow it everywhere, anytime, anyplace; make the effort! Mustard seed is the tiniest of seeds, yet, when planted, it grows into a "tree" in which the birds can roost.
Editor's Note: Rob is a vital part of our youth leadership team. Aftter his graduation from college, he is employed as a teacher in an elemntary charter school in Dearborn Heights. This message was both - timely and a blessing to the church.
Understanding Sowing and Reaping
By Berris Flemmings
John 12:32 - "If I be lifted up... I will draw all men unto Me."
Ecclesiastes 3:2 - "...a time to plant [sow] and a time to pluck up [reap]..."
II Corinthians 5:17 - "...in Christ,... a new creature... old things pass away,... all things become new."
Sin separates us from God. Yet, as the song says, "Everybody ought to know Who Jesus is." He died for all. He so loved that He gave.
The sower went forth to sow - on various types of soil (all types). We, too, are to spread the Word... sow the seed! Not picking and choosing, but broadcasting the seed wherever and whenever. It's God Who gives the increase. He alone can give life to the seed.
On Athen's Mar's Hill, Paul said, "Him declare I unto you." The world doesn't know Jesus. They're not looking for more of the same they see every day. You need to be different, like God intends, so He can make an impact on your world through you. What to sow...
The farmer sows - and then he waits... He also waters, cultivates, fertilizes, and weeds - and then he waits some more. In due season, he reaps... if he faints not!
Editor's Note: Bro. Berris is a pillar in the church. He team teaches in the Adult Sunday School class, ushers, and serves as a valuable asset to the Kingdom. Thank God for saints litke Bro. Berris!
John 12:32 - "If I be lifted up... I will draw all men unto Me."
Ecclesiastes 3:2 - "...a time to plant [sow] and a time to pluck up [reap]..."
II Corinthians 5:17 - "...in Christ,... a new creature... old things pass away,... all things become new."
Sin separates us from God. Yet, as the song says, "Everybody ought to know Who Jesus is." He died for all. He so loved that He gave.
The sower went forth to sow - on various types of soil (all types). We, too, are to spread the Word... sow the seed! Not picking and choosing, but broadcasting the seed wherever and whenever. It's God Who gives the increase. He alone can give life to the seed.
- Ezekiel's boneyard looked hopeless - but God knew the potential.
- Saul was a persecutor - an unlikely convert, yet he became God's man for his time.
- A caterpiller is lowly and wormlike - but it is transformed into a butterfly.
On Athen's Mar's Hill, Paul said, "Him declare I unto you." The world doesn't know Jesus. They're not looking for more of the same they see every day. You need to be different, like God intends, so He can make an impact on your world through you. What to sow...
- The Word - the Word is the seed!
- Love - "...perfect love casteth out all fear."
- Hope - He's our hope!
- Joy - Rejoice in your Salvation - Your joy shows!
- Peace - He is our peace.
- Patience - Wait for the seed to sprout.
- Kindness - We're living epistles, "...known and read of all men."
The farmer sows - and then he waits... He also waters, cultivates, fertilizes, and weeds - and then he waits some more. In due season, he reaps... if he faints not!
Editor's Note: Bro. Berris is a pillar in the church. He team teaches in the Adult Sunday School class, ushers, and serves as a valuable asset to the Kingdom. Thank God for saints litke Bro. Berris!
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