It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

Archive for April, 2022

The Spiritual Principle of Seedtime and Harvest, Sowing and Reaping

This world operates on the seed principles of sowing and reaping. It was a spiritual kingdom principle that was established by God in the beginning when He gave the command. He commanded as long as the earth remains there will be seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summerand day and night will not cease. These things will happen as long as the world is in existence so it would be fitting for us to understand and learn these principles. 

Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest,Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” NKJ

We all are living in various seasons in life and sometimes we are in more than one season at a time. In the spring and summer of our lives we are sowing the seeds of life into our families, giving birth to children, starting new jobs and careers and expanding our lives while cultivating new friendships and engaging diverse people. In our harvest time we see the blessing of God as we reap from the sowing of good seeds and investing in our children, families, friends and careers. Our lives are richer, fuller and deeper because we decided to invest in other people and not only ourselves. 

Jesus often talked about the seed as the word of God and sowing the seed of God word into the hearts of mankind.  There is a time to plant and a time to harvest, we live in the summer and winter of our lives as children of the light of day and not in the darkness of night. We are to understand that there will be times that the sun shines bright in our lives. There are also times when we are in the bitterness of winter when everything lies dormant and there appears to be no life at all, and yet the seasons change and spring will come. It is up to us to persevere through those difficult times with hope in God. With faith to believe He is faithful to His word, and that we will yield the fruits of our labor and the harvest will come. 

Mark 4:26-29 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.  But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The kingdom of God is operating on the earth and Jesus speaks of it in the parable of the good seed that was sown and would bring forth a harvest but then the enemy came and sowed wild weeds that became be a trap and a snare. This is what happenedwhen God created a beautiful world for mankind and the enemy came and ensnared and entrapped humanity into sin and death. 

Some people want to question God as to why He allows evil people to live and they want to see them uprooted and destroyed immediately. God knows the heart and the destiny of a person and what we see are people’s bad actions but we cannot see their true heart or their final destination. We all have been in a dark place where if He had given up on us then, we would have not been able to make it. But because of God’s love, tender mercies, compassion and longsuffering, we were able to be brought out of darkness and into His Marvelous Light in Christ. Only God can judge their motives and intent and will know which are good seeds or bad. At the harvest the good seed will be gathered and stored with the king and the bad seed will be harvested with the tares and weeds. 

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 

So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’  But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 

Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

The spiritual principle of sowing and reaping, cold and heat, summer and winter day and night will not cease as long as the earth remains. We will forever have times of dark nights and bright days, warm summers and cold winters and seedtime and harvest times, times when we are doing well and not so well. We cannot determine when we will receive our harvest but we can decide what type of harvest we will gather, as we choose the type of seed we sow. As every farmer and anyone who hasgrown plants knows whatever seed that is planted that is the crop that will be reaped.  

Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest,Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” NKJ

Our present may be difficult times and hard situations but God has given us all the ability to change our future with the type of seed we plant for our harvest.  If we want sweet corn in our future we cannot plant bitter herbs or bitter greens in our present, because karma is real and we will reap what has been sown. But we can always ask God to forgive and pray for a crop failure of those sour grapes we have sown and ask Him keep us on the path of the good seed. 

Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

Live With Death in Mind – Die with Life in View!

People want to live this life as though it is never ending and view death as a final destination. In actuality this life is but a limited time and space and death is our true transition to the eternal.  We should live our lives with our ultimate purpose in mind, which is to reflect God’s glory while we are on the earth and with our eternal destination as our fore view, outlook and vision.

John 17: 3-4 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. NKJ

God made mankind with the intended purpose that they would live forever, but sin brought death and destruction into the world. Now life is but a fleeting moment or as a vapor that is there for a while and will soon pass. Fallen humanity tends to live life for the moment or just for the immediate gratification of its present cravings, desires and wants. Jesus is our example;He lived His life with death in mind knowing He would bring many people into the family of God while giving hope for eternal life. 

James 4:14-15 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 

Jesus lived His life under the shadow of death knowing His ultimate end would be the death of the cross.  This did not makeJesus morbid, dark or woeful because He understood His purpose. Jesus came to die with the purpose and knew He would have eternal life with God the Father and those who would come to God through faith in His life, death and resurrection will also have eternal life.

John 17:1-2 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 

When we understand our created purpose and live life with eternity in mind then we can live a life that reflects and reveals God’s glory. We too can bring the saving knowledge of God the Father to those around us, that they may have eternal lifethrough Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God has given us blessings, talents and gifts that we may be blessed and be a blessing. God had given much land and houses to Israel but told them to leave the corners and the gleaning of their fields for the poor. God is not against us having more but He wants us to be mindful of those who do not have.  Jesus warns us with the parable of the rich man who had plenty, more than he could store, but he decided to hoard his increase rather than sharing and helping those who were in need. 

Leviticus 23:22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’”

Luke 12:16-21  Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’  But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 

Life is not one bad action, misjudgment or a mistake made thatsentences us to damnation forever. Life is the sum of the choices of an individual’s continuous exertion, inclination orambition, which will determine their actions and in due course determine their destiny. Our destiny is not determined by some poor judgment or some shameful act. Our destiny is the combination of the decisions and the unceasing set of actions of our will, which refuses to receive the provision God has provided in Christ.

Isaiah 1:18-20   Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Life is a parenthetical set of time; it has a beginning and an ending. It is what we do with this life from our beginning until our death that will determine our eternity. Many will live this life piling up riches and wealth as though they will live on this earth forever and yet they fail to plan for where they will spend their eternal life and destiny. 

Matthew 25:41-43 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:  for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

Matthew 25:23   His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  NKJ

We are to live this life understanding that death is our ultimateend on earth and it is a part of life. Living with death in mind it can teach us how to live a productive life on earth and can help us to live with our eternal purpose in view. Then we can makeour decisions based on the things that are eternal.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NKJ

It Is Finished! – He Has Risen!

On the day Jesus died on the cross He cried, “It is finished.” He closed one segment in time, a time when mankind was alienated from God because of sin.  Jesus paid the ultimate and everlasting cost for the sin debt that humanity owed. Jesus then ushered in a new era where God’s mercy and Justice came together to offer humanity a new way for eternal life. 

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight

Psalm 85:9-10 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace havekissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. NKJ

In the Old Testament God in His compassion and mercy offered mankind time and space to repent and turn from their evil ways.  God gave mankind a chance to atone and apologize for their sins through the sacrifice of animals. This was only a temporary solution that only covered sin for a while and had to be repeated often.  This was how God – Jehovah, interacted and responded to fallen mankind prior to the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Jesus came as the ultimate sacrifice of God. One that needed no repetition, it was complete in making payment and retribution for humanity’s sin debt in full. 

John 1:29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 

Prior to Christ’s atonement, when mankind refused God’s grace and refused to turn from their evil ways, God would remove His hand of protection. The people were then allowed to receive the full consequences of their actions and decisions. A Holy and Just God required payment for willful disobedience and sin and the wages of sin is death. 

Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Every person will choose to either believe in Jesus and receive the payment He made in full or they will stand before a Holy and Righteous God and give account for their own sins and failings.  Now the question is, whose death will satisfy this payment? We all have a choice, though some may remain quiet on this matter, but silence is a choice in and of its self. 

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;   that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

Jesus lived His life as a man, He died as a man, the Son of Man, limiting Himself to the abilities of humanity. In His death He completed the work God the Father has assigned to all mankind, to live a holy and righteous life, one that reveals and reflects His glory on the earth. Only Jesus was able to complete and bring it to a finish for all humanity. 

Hebrews 9:12-14 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.   For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Matthew 28:6-7 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

Jesus rose as the Son of God, having all power and authority given to Him. He is able to save those who were lost but believe in Him. Though Jesus died and finished the work of salvation alone, He has risen to give life to many who believe, receive and trust in Him by faith.  What we could not do for ourselves Christ did. Jesus lived a perfect life and died the death of the cross for our sins that we may be raised up in the last days to live forever with Him. 

Matthew 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.

He has Risen with a new body that will live forever with God. All who receive by faith Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Followers and believers in Christ are saved but we still have our old fallen nature and bodies that are affected by sin. Because He has risen, we have hope in a new life with new bodies, not marred by sin, that will be like the risen body of Christ.    

1 John 3:1-2 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. NKJ

Because He has risen, I can face tomorrow! Because He has risen all fear is gone! Because He has risen, I know He holds my future! This life is worth living, just because He lives! And because He lives, He is my Hope!

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NKJ

God – Works All Things Together for Our Good.

Just as God foreknew in the garden the fall of mankind and made provision, He has also made provision for every situation we are in. When we are tempted to rebel, rise up in pride, hate or vengeance, God has provided an alternative way for us. It is up to us to seek His way and take the way He has offered us out of our present darkness. At times this way may be one of humbleness and self-effacement, which is contrary to the nature of pride the of fallen mankind.  

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God foresees the traps the adversary has laid and know that we are weak. Though we may fall, God will turn those situations the enemy meant to hurt us and use them to be a benefit and blessing to us and those we minister to. 

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

The things we go through and the lessons we learn often times are not just for our benefit. When these experiences arenavigated well, according to the knowledge and understanding of God’s word and faith in Jesus Christ, we are able to live inhope. These can be life lessons and useful in showing how to reflect God’s glory in hard situation and to those around us. 

Hebrews 12:1, 3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. NKJ

Satan is not all knowing, but he has been observing mankind from the beginning. He has seen our tendencies, bents and the propensities of our appetite, so that humanity may be lured and tempted into his snares. That is why we must control our bodies so not to give the enemy an avenue to come and trap or entangle us into evil and depravity. 

1 Peter 5:8-11 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while,perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

It is our adversary who comes to wreak havoc over our lives, causing death and destruction but God has provided a way of escape. The world has cultivated a pattern of over indulgences,which seeks to fulfill every whim or desire without restraint.This leads to an undiscipline life that seldom tells the body no to its extravagances and excesses. 

As followers of Christ, we should exercise our will and minds and say no to our body’s cravings and appetites. We do this sothat we may run this race and win against the temptations of this world.  No one can run a marathon on the first try. It takes discipline, training and continued practice to run this race. Just as living a life under control is a practiced skill, it is not achieved overnight. 

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air.   But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

It is in the most difficult situations that we find the test of our trust and faith in God. Though we may not understand why we are going through, or why we experiencing this dark phase unable to see the next thing, we can choose to trust God. God is faithful and hope is in His word that He will bring us through every situation, so that we may receive eternal life. 

Micah 7:7-8 Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.

No matter the problem, no matter the situation or difficultiesthat we experience we should hold fast and know that our Hope is in Christ. 

Ruth 3:18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” NKJ

Our hope is our faith and belief in God’s word and His steadfast love for us.

Then we all may say, “I will wait and see how the Lord settles the matter!”

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