The Reaping Principle!

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 NKJV

The principle of sowing and reaping or planting and harvesting is one that farmers understand only too well. Whatever a person plants and nurtures is what will grow and can be harvested later. Farmers know they cannot plant corn and expect to harvest green beans.

This principle should be a staple for living for all of mankind. Whatever we plant–love, joy, hate or fear and nurture is all we’ll harvest.

If we plant (seed, feed and water) love–then all that will grow is love and all we can reap (gather in from the growth) is love.

If we plant (seed, feed, and water)  hate–then all that will grow is hate and all we can reap (gather in from the growth) is hate.

When it comes to The Word which is what all Believers should be sowing, we understand that one plants, one waters, but it is God who nurtures until harvesting time.

The same is true in the political arena we observe today. All it takes is “one” to plant hatred and bigotry, feeding the seed that may have been lying dormant in the minds of frustrated people. And when the rhetoric doesn’t change, it waters and nurtures the hatred and bigotry until we see a full-blown harvest of violence and negativity in the interaction between people.

Having different opinions about a situation is not justification for promoting hatred and bigotry, but that seems to be the protocol for most who dare to express an opinion about our presidential candidates–on both sides. I can express a differing opinion without resorting to name-calling, but then I’m not nurtured hate and therefore, hate does not spout from my lips or fingertips.

What on earth makes us think that there is a culturally superior group of people on the planet? None of us are perfect, but some of us are mindful of the fact that when we belong to Jesus, we have a higher standard to live up to–one that He determines, not us. We cannot set standards for anyone, but we can assess whether those standards set by God are being achieved.

Seriously, I am fed up with people who spew hatred–at anyone who dares to confront them and in some cases, they are confronting others with their hatred–vilifying anyone who dares to disagree with them. They think (out of their frustration and hate of themselves and their situations) they have a right to malign others, not realizing they are setting themselves up to receive (reap) everything they sow.

If we really want to see what it is we’re sowing (planting), we need to keep a mirror in front of us and see us as others see–and get understanding about what we do. How many times has the republican presumptive nominee called every other candidate a liar and then has been proven to be one? How many times has he called someone crooked and yet he has forgotten his documented business background? Does he do what he does because this is all that resides within him and therefore, that is all that can come out of him? And while he claims that everyone else is not trustworthy, what has he done to engender trust in him? He needs a reality check–someone to remind him that this is not entertainment, but the the real world–where his antics–the profanity and bigotry and lack of wisdom displayed is forging mindsets against him, not for him.

But then again–maybe that’s part of his plan–to just plant, water and nurture hatred and bigotry and then slink away into the tower of ignorant bliss.

I have faith in God and in the American people who will determine who will sit in the White House for the next four years and I know because of my relationship with God and understanding of His Word that He loves us and will not tolerate hatred and bigotry to reign over His Children. When the Spirit of The Lord resides within a person, hatred and bigotry have no room to operate and only love will spring forth from those guided by Holy Spirit.

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What Are We Sowing? (Reblogged)

“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Luke 8:8 NIV)

Jesus said, when seed (The Word of God) falls onto good ground, it will yield a crop (growth) a hundred times more than there once was. He also goes on to say, “he who has an ear to hear, let him hear.” So why does Jesus relate this parable to his disciples and how does it apply to us today? The point being made here is two-fold; both on a spiritual level, but one pertaining to the wealth that God has entrusted us with and the other, the wealth of souls that God has entrusted to us. If we misunderstand God’s intent, we sow discord and doubt into the midst of the congregations and fuel the unbelievers’ attempts to thwart the Word of God.

First, we must understand that the resources (money) that God provides to us are to be used as seed to be sown in good ground. If we are sowing seed (giving money) to churches in which there is no growth and in fact is being used to promote man’s kingdom instead of the kingdom of God, we do God a disservice. We are to be good stewards—weighing carefully how we use the resources God gives us and making sure that our use—will eventually bring glory to God.

We need to make sure that we are wise teachers (sowers) of the Word and our only agenda is to win souls to Christ; not to us. We must make every attempt to fulfill the commission given to us to go out into all the world, teaching the Word, baptizing in Jesus’ name so that all can come into the knowledge of the Truth (God’s truth, not ours).

The flip side of seeing growth and maturity is to see stagnation of both money and people. Misusing the resources will eventually feel like money placed in pockets with holes—steadily being lost along the way. Manipulating the Word for selfish gains will eventually see more space and vacant seats in churches as people leave. For those who have an ear to hear, let them hear.

We must be good stewards of what God has given us. Are we promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ (salvation, forgiveness, and love) or are we just having church? Are we utilizing the monetary resources to assist the poor and the needy, to promote the Gospel, or are we just having church fundraisers? Church leaders must be accountable to the Word. Church members must be accountable to the Word by studying for themselves. Remember, he/she who wins souls must be wise. They who anticipate seeing growth/increase must make sure they are sowing (or watering) in good ground. We must be willing to do deep soul searching and introspection to make sure we are doing everything we can to glory God. He that has an ear to hear, let him hear.

What are you sowing? Are you sowing in good ground?

(Revised and re-blogged from 12/13/12)

‘Fess Up!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9–read all 10 verses).

What an awesome God!  When we were in sin (deliberately doing all the wrong things), He loved us enough to die for us in order to bring us back into right relationship with Him.

Even now, when we know to do better, we don’t always make it, but He is faithful and just (not willing to allow us to sink into our own depravations headed for hell) and if we ‘fess up, He will forgive our sins (giving another chance), and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (making it appear as if we have never sinned).

Sin–a deliberate, wilful act in defiance of everything Godly–committed against/with others or self.

There is no little sin, big sin, worse sin–any act of ungodliness is sin–sin is sin.  Murder (taking a life not in self-defense), fornication (sexual relationships outside of marriage), adultery (when a person who is married has sexual relationships outside of the marriage), lying (not telling the whole truth), manipulation (promoting/leading others in acts of ungodliness), favoritism (showing respect of persons over others–unjustly), complacency (when we know to do right and don’t), hatred (creating problems for others without cause, with malice), and the list goes on and on.

When He forgives our sin, the consequences for our actions are not negated–we are still subject to the principle of “reaping and sowing”.

Why live under a cloud of uncertainty?  Take a good look at all you are doing (hopefully past sins are just that, past) and if there is anything in your life that is not like God, ‘fess up!  Confess it while you have a chance and know His goodness and mercy which shall follow you all the days of your life.

If we love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls–we cannot sin against Him.  If we love our neighbors as ourselves–we cannot sin against them.  The appropriate response to sin–learning to love–works every time. That’s why He does, what He does–Loves!

Are you tired yet?

“And let us not be weary (don’t get tired) in well-doing (doing right); for in due season we shall reap (get what is due us), if we faint not (give up)” Galatians 6:9

I have probably used this passage of scripture again, but it warrants another look.

We are promised in The Word that whatever we sow, that is what we shall have.  So I encourage everyone today to “sow good seed” so that all you get back–your harvest–is good fruit.

If you have been loving the unlovable and nothing appears to be changing–don’t quit–sometimes it takes time for the seed of love to blossom and flourish.

If you have faithful in rendering service to others and it appears that the more you do, the more someone expects–don’t quit–the seed of service takes time, but nourish and watch it bloom.

If you have committed to helping others in their time of need, don’t stop–the seed will develop into an army of help when you need it.

If you have attempted to do everything by the book (The Word), but nothing appears to be working–don’t quit–God is faithful to His Word and His promises to us are “yes” and “amen”.  Your faith has not been exercised in vain–He will bring it all to pass.

We all get tired of doing the right thing when we see others “appearing to prosper” doing the wrong things, but that’s the appearance of things, not the reality.  The reality is that God’s Word is true.  Sometimes, we have to just water, and nurture what we have carefully planted in order to see the growth or yield and that takes time.  So don’t get tired and quit–just patiently wait–and we shall have what we have sown.