Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
In this parable, the man who sows the seed goes to sleep at night, wakes up in the day, and does not know how the work grows. I feel qualified for that role - clueless and sleeping on the job.
Too many of us experts think we know all about how the work of our ministry is “supposed” to grow. But, what winds up happening is that the mysterious and miraculous element of the Kingdom is replaced with strategic plans, demographic studies, and colored flow charts and plans of attack.
We sacrifice pure, organic power for hard work and little results. Professing to be wise, we have become fools.
Yahweh blessed Isaaac, and prospered him, and made all that he had to thrive under his hands. 1. His corn multiplied strangely, Gen 26:12 - Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
In Gerar, where Isaac was, Sixty-fold was a good harvest but One Hundred-fold was rare.
And on top of that, Isaac didn't even own the land that he was sowing on.
He had no land of his own, but took land of the Philistines, and sowed it; and (be it observed for the encouragement of poor tenants, that occupy other people's lands, and are honest and industrious) God blessed him with a great increase. He reaped a hundred fold;
And notice the emphasis on the time: it was that same year when there was a famine in the land; while others hardly reaped at all, he reaped plentifully. Isa_65:13, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry,
Psa_37:19, In the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 2. His cattle also increased,
Gen_26:14. And then, He had great store of servants, whom he employed and maintained.
(READ: Have everyone turn in their bibles:)
2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
If you are not a giver, then I want to implore you to begin to give. Not just once or twice – but make it your lifestyle.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Message:
Luke 6:38 Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
It's not just in finances, but it's in your talents and abilities. It's in your time and your giving yourself to the ministry – What can I do? If you come to Church here and receive of this ministry and you give nothing back, you are a Dead Sea. If you have an inlet you must have an outlet. It's not normal or natural or scriptural if you take but don't give.
The economy is tanking and will get worse – Our only survival is to give and keep giving. Seed time and harvest – as long as the earth stands – that's the system of the Kingdom of God.
KJV
Pro 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Message:
Pro 11:24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Pro 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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