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.

I Like Fruit!

By Rufus M Parker

Text: 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."

I like fruit. No matter what kind of fruit, I seem to like all of them. When God created the world; on the third day,when He made the fruit trees, He 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." Notice the fruit trees were to produce after his kind because the seed was in itself.

We will produce after our kind. If we are complainers, we will reproduce complainers. If we are gossipers, we will reproduce gossipers. If we are liars, we will reproduce liars. Because the seed is in the fruit and we will produce after our kind.

If we are Christians and are born again of the water and the Spirit, then we should be producing the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, etc., because the seed is in the fruit - and the fruit is in the seed.

_____________________

Editor's Note: Bro. Parker, former missionary to Okinawa and Mongolia, is now pastor of Calvary Apostolic Church (UPC) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He has written a number of books, and publishes a daily blog called "Morning Manna." Here is a link...  http://morningmanna-parker.blogspot.com 

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.)

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!"

Patience Until...

By Marjorie Kinnee
Editorial

Text: James 5:6-7 - Be ye patient therefore, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

As we proceed through this year of "Sowing and Reaping," the theme for July is "patience." Pastor Foreman has taught several excellent lessons concerning the nature of and the need for patience. Each one has been a blessing and an eye-opener; we have benefitted from the Word of the Lord.

Life brings a multitude of situations in which one must go through. Although we'd like to go around, go over or under, or in some way escape it, we come to the understanding that there is nothing else to do but go directly through. As the game says, "Do not pass go, do not collect $200,00."

"...Patience works experience..." and, "Let patience have her perfect work" become like a mantra. Yet we find ourselves saying with the prophet, "How long, O Lord?"

What if God says that about us? We know that during His earthly ministry, Jesus had several "How long...?" moments. We know He became frustrated with the complaints and rebelliousness of the children of Israel, both in the wilderness and in their continual backslidings as they dwelt in the promised land. Obviously, the spiritual obliviousness of the disciples tried His patience. Yet, His Word tells us He is longsuffering, that He is in the business of transforming us into His image, and that this process takes time and much patience on His part. Is it any wonder then, that we too need a healthy dose of patience?

James telling us to be patient until... He says it twice: until "the coming of the Lord." Giving the example of the farmer who prepares the ground, sows the seed, adds the fertilizer, pulls the weeds, but has to wait until the process is complete before he can harvest the fruit of his labors, James leaves no doubt. Yes, there's much work involved, but nothing is finished until the wait is over.

We've long referred to the Rapture of the church as "the coming of the Lord" and there are numerous Scriptural reasons for that thinking. Moreover, all the waiting will come to perfection when the Lord ushers His Bride into His presence forever. But... there appears to be more than the Rapture involved here, much more...

Any time the Lord Himself comes into your situation, it is the coming of the Lord. Salvation, healing, deliverance, intervention, wisdom, understanding, godly counsel, and even death are all evidences that the Lord has come. Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks of the kinds of situations which bring about the coming of the Lord. Psalm 23 abounds with pictures of the trust and patience needed when the Lord is your Shepherd... "maketh me lie down, leadeth me, restoreth, with me, comfort me, prepares a table, anointest my head, goodness and mercy follow me, I will dwell." All these are indications of the need to be patient. We have heard of the patience of Job, he said, "...all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." (Job 14:14) 

In the process of time... If God can wait for the early and latter rain to be complete before catching His beloved Bride away unto Himself; then hold on, settle yourself. "...When that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away." (I Corinthians 13:10)

"Behold, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh!"

The Seed is the Word

Editorial by
Marjorie Kinnee

Text: "Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God." (Luke 8:11)

Both Matthew and Luke record the parable of the sower. Identifying four types of soil, Jesus spoke of things easily understood in an agricultural society. Farmers knew all about stony ground, about weeds and thorns, and about hungry fowls of the air. They also knew that fertilizer and crop rotation upped their chances of an abundant harvest, which was the goal of every farmer. But when He explained the parable to His disciples, Jesus likened the soil to the hearts of men. Thus, while the hearts of men varied in their ability to receive, grow, and bear fruit; He began His explanation with an absolute fact. "The Seed is the Word of God."

From the beginning, the Word of God was powerful. The very first record of the Word of God ia found in Genesis 1:3 - "And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." Hebrews 4:12 tells us "...the Word of God is quick, [alive] and powerful..." The apostle John launched his gospel with this truth... "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) And in his first epistle, John says, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;... that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us:..." (I John 1:1, 3)

New Life Apostolic Church has been immersed in our theme for this year; "Reaping the Harvest." Each month, throughout the year we're focusing on particular aspects of that theme. Bible Studies, sermons, and devotional messages highlighting various facets have blessed and inspired us to "sow the seed" diligently and in faith, expecting an abundant harvest.

One thing is sure - with good seed, a good harvest will follow. Even seed stored in Egypt over thousands of years in the tombs of the kings; once planted, it grows and flourishes. Jesus said, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth alone." The laws of harvest are immutable. Though seed may lie dormant for a long time, even over centuries; but when planted in good soil, it will come to life. Why? Because the life is in the seed! Jesus also said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63b)

This is why you may plant a seed of truth in the heart of someone, then you and/or he moves away to a distant place. You never see each other again. Rest assured, that seed still has all the potential it ever had. Somewhere, sometime, in God's time, it will come to life! (See John 4:35-38.) It's God breathed!

Let's consider the breath of God. Genesis 2:7 tells us that God breathed into man's nostrils "the breath of life, and man became a living soul." That was the physical birth of man. Since then, every child born into this world has to take that first breath. Without it, the child is stillborn. Ezekiel related his vision of the valley of dry bones - a vast army of slain [dead] soldiers. Although the scattered bone were miraculously joined together and muscles and skin covered the carcasses, they were still a bunch of dead bones and skin until the breath of God came. As Ezekiel prophesied to the winds, they blew across the slain. The breath of life entered and they lived again - a great and mighty army. (See Ezekiel 37:9-10, 14.)

When Jesus talked with Nicodemus, (John 3:1-8) He drew a correlation between the natural, physical birth and the new birth - a work of the Spirit - and referred to the wind. Later, at the close of His earthly ministry, Jesus "breathed" on His assembled disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." (John 20:22)

Is it any wonder then, that when the Day of Pentecost was fully come... "Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)

We are laborers together with Christ. The work He began in the earth has been entrusted to us who believe and obey His commandments. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation, crying "Be ye reconciled to God!" (See Isaiah 55:8-13.) "So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

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!

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...

1. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..." (Matthew 6:33)
1. Bring them into the right atmosphere
2. We're not in control of the timing - that's God's
3. He's a rewarder of the diligent seeker
4. Consistently feed on the Word of God
5. A "cheater" cannot expect a reward from God
6. Commitment - in this thing for the long haul
7. Be filled with the Spirit
8. God gives more than you expect (benefits)
9. Noah received detailed instructions from God
2. Laziness will leave you empty (Proverbs 13:4)
1. Diligence (effort) in work is required
2. You can't pass a test if you don't study
3. Your "lack" will be apparent - it shows
4. Laziness is a sin! (James 4:17)
5. God has done so much for me - I owe Him!
6. He deserves my best effort
3. Humbleness will help you handle success (I Peter 5:6)
1. God does the exalting in His time
2. Allows you to stay passionate and on target
3. Gives you the power to maintain your gain
4. Helps you see new areas and potential for growth
5. Our flesh is subject to pride, which in turn, can thwart/destroy it all
6. Humility has room to receive more
7. Gets ourselves out of the way so He can move and work as He sees fit
8. Pride IS going to be humbled
9. We didn't get to this point on our own. It's His mercy, His grace, His strength
10. A humble heart knows its lack/s
11. A humble heart is teachable
12. Pride thinks it has arrived - I've made it!
4. When you do your part - God will do His
1. Work like everything depends on you and pray like everything depends on God
2. Your part - dive in headfirst. A huge harvest takes huge effort
3. When you have done all - you can stand
4. No pain - no gain
5. Church is not forced labor
6. "A man persuaded against his will is of the same opinion still."
7. God doesn't come in without an invitation. He knocks, but opening the door is our part
8. His Spirit woos... draws... convicts
9. 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!

1. to loose the bands of wickedness
2. to udo the heavy burdens
3. to let the oppressed go free
4. to break every yoke
5. to deal thy bread to the hungry
6. to bring the poor and them that are cast out to thy house
7. to cover them that are naked
8. to hide not thyself from thine own flesh

"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward... And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, abd thy darkness be as the noonday." (Isaiah 58:8,10)  

Tell Them to Come!

By Pastor Ken Foreman

Text: Luke 14:16-24

"Tell them to come that My house may be filled." The master in this parable was depending on his servants to take care of his feast - and those who were bidden to come to his feast.

Our job - Sow the seed! (Invite them!)

Food in the Scripture is usually associated with victory, celebration, gathering, and fellowship. Supper is the last meal of the day. Evening is suppertime - night is coming.

It is the evening time of the church age! Contrary to popular opinion - God does want His house to be full! (verse 23)

Come! - The master sent out the invitations, then followed up with a servant on the day of the feast. (Matthew 11:23)

Come! - "All things are now ready!" But the invited guests began to make excuses. Seems they were all on the same page.

1. Bought a piece of ground - gotta check it out
2. Bought five yoke of oxen - gotta prove them
3. Married a wife - I cannot come

Note: All these had received their invitations, had R.S.V.P.'d, yet waited til the last minute to let their host know they weren't coming.

Come! The master says, "Go quickly to the lanes and streets of the city and bring in the halt, maimed, blind, and poor."

It was done, and the servant said, "There is still room!"

Come! The master says, "Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in!"

1. When someone refuses you, don't take it personal, they're not rejecting you. (I Samuel 8:7)
2. Seek the Master for additional instructions
3. There will be a full house. The supper was a sure thing; it was going to happen!
4. Let the celebration begin - with whosoever will! (Revelation 22:17)

The Seeds of Joy

Editorial by
Marjorie Kinnee

Text: Psalm 107:21-22 - "Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declate His works with rejoicing."

In a recent devotion, I read that the New Testament Greek word, chairo, is translated as both joy and grace. It's also the center of the Greek word for thanksgiving. The author suggested a connection and I began to ponder on the significance of this concept.

My mind drew a pathway between thanksgiving and joy and found it paved with grace. It came to me that the seeds of joy are implanted by and in a thankful heart, and, that thanksgiving is the soil in which joy grows best. I began to think about people I have known who displayed a heart of thanksgiving. To a man, (or woman,) each name and face that came to mind were persons of joy. It radiated from their faces and in their actions. What's more, many of the other "fruits of the Spirit" were also manifest in these joyful ones.

It appears as though I've stumbled onto a secret, that really isn't a secret at all! It does require a bit of "seek and ye shall find," but it's not hard to see once you know where to look. We know that Jesus is the Author of our joy, so when we begin to think on His goodness and grace toward us, our families, our friends, and in general; thanksgiving is artesian - it just springs up and flows out.

If joy springs up out of a thankful heart, it behooves us to begin to voice our gratitude. Once we convert our thinking into the thankfulness mode, the reasons to be thankful are like the spores of dandelions, prolific and broadcast on and by the slightest breeze. The Joy dishwashing soap people used a commercial some years ago. It simply said, "Your Joy Shows." How appropriate!

If you want to radiate the joy of the Lord to the lost and dying world around you, cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. It's the seedbed of your joy!

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...

• 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.

It takes time! Be patient! (See James 5:7.) "Due season" is when God says so.

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.

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.

• 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.

The Word (seed) is alive - applied it changes, transforms. The wise man build his house upon the Rock. The foolish man builds on sand. Rain and winds come to all - only that which is built on a sure foundation survives.

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."

It is important to note that suffering works in us - to His glory.

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!