2 Corinthians 9 Sow Many Seed

2 Corinthians 9 NIV
For the last few years, I've attempted to plant a garden. I sow very few seeds as my garden is very small. Someone in my household does not want a garden infringing on the space that belongs to the driveway. In the fall, I reap almost nothing. In order to reap a harvest we must sow generously.

Likewise the church on earth is like a garden. In order to reap a good harvest. In order for the church to grow, we must plant many seeds. We must scatter the seeds everywhere we go. We are to scatter our gifts to the poor and he who supplies the seed will increase our store of seed and enlarge the harvest so that we can be even more generous.

So that we can be even more generous.... Get that? The harvest is not for ourselves, no matter what the prosperity preachers preach. It's not about new cars and fancy homes. The harvest is so that we can be generous in assisting those in need. The harvest is so to help us plant even more seeds so that the church might continue to grow.

St. Paul encourages the people to give generously to the offering with cheerful hearts. In this way we supply the needs of the Lord's people as well as bring about many expressions of thanks to God.

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." (vs 12-13)

Sow many seeds, that the harvest might be abundant and glory given to God. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 8:1-15 Planting for the Kingdom

Luke 8:1-15 NIV
As Jesus is traveling about the region proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, he tells a parable about a farmer sowing seeds. Not everyone is getting what he's talking about. They're a bit lost. He tells them, “'Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.' His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'""(vs 8-9)

Do you get it, yet? It's about the kingdom. It's about how and why it grows. It's all about the Kingdom of God for you and for all who would hear and believe. Faith, after all comes by hearing. (Rom 10:17) Jesus' proclamation was about the Kingdom of God. Those things that he did and taught, they were so that the Kingdom would grow and be edified. They were so that you and I would know life in the Kingdom; life in His presence for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J


P.S. I'm afraid I sometimes give up on putting in the right quote marks in the right place at the right time - so for those of you who know grammar well; forgive me.

Ezekiel 17 - Promises and Treaties

Ezekiel uses a parable of two eagles and the shoot of the cedar tree for his prophecy today. It is reminiscent of the parable Jesus told of the seeds being sown on a path, in thistles, on rocky ground or in good soil. (Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8)

But, unlike the parable Jesus told, the vine that was planted in Ezekiel's parable in good soil, may grow, but it will be uprooted. It has been given all the good gifts so that it may thrive. It is planted in good soil by an abundance of water. But, it will be uprooted. "Will it not wither completely when the east wind strikes it—wither away in the plot where it grew?" (Ezek 17:10 NIV)

Israel was struck from the east. They were uprooted by the King of Babylon for their unfaithfulness to the covenant they had made with God. To make matters even worse (if they can be worse), Israel's King breaks a treaty with Babylon, thinking that the King of Egypt is going to be able to help them. He can't. What God ordains, God ordains and God is not happy with these covenant breakers.

When one gives his word, when he makes a covenant with God or another, he would be wise to keep it. He would be better off not making a treaty than to make one and break it. A man's (or woman's) word ought to be trustworthy.

Unfortunately, we all make promises that we do not keep from time to time. I have tried to get in the habit of not making promises to my grandchildren. I can tell them I will do this or that for them on a certain day or a certain time. But, it doesn't always happen that way. Things come up. Emergencies come up. Somebody throws another iron into the fire. The grandchildren pressure me to make promises to them. If I must promise, I can only promise to try, with the help of God. I do not know what tomorrow may bring.

Humankind is a pretty untrustworthy lot. Sadly, promises and treaties are broken all the time. But, God promises to make a new covenant, a new treaty.

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish." (Ezekiel 17:22-24 NIV)

Ezekiel, chapter 17, ends with these words: “I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.” Unlike humankind, God does not go back on His Word, on His treaties. Thanks be to God for the prophecy of Good News has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our LORD!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ecclesiastes 11 - Enjoy The Work of Your Hands

Diversify? Interesting chapter today... Solomon, a king who grew to be quite wealthy, gives us advise on how to make money. He suggests we not "put all of our eggs in one basket." Invest in various ventures and be open to exporting your goods. He also suggests that entrepreneurs might need to pursue more avenues than one: "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." (Eccl 11:6 NIV)

All in all, pretty good advise, if you are motivated enough to listen and actually follow through. It will take a bit of a sacrifice to work both day and night at various ventures to be successful in the things you desire. Solomon also warns that for the young who spend their lives in enjoyment there will be consequences. There will be many days of darkness for those who spend their youthful days in pursuing only pleasure.

There have been some amazing advancements in science and technology by young people who have begun very young to pursue their avenues of interest. Actually, there have been advancements in all areas of our lives because of young people who have decided to spend their days and nights with their noses to the grindstone. We will all have to work. As I remind our young people, if you also want to enjoy life, seek a career that you will be happy in for most of your life will be spent working at something. Enjoy the work of your hands. Use the gifts that God has given you. Whether it is in the field of science, technology, health care, the arts, a service industry or production; no matter what you are called to do, it is best to put your heart in to it and learn to enjoy it. Do it well so that God might be glorified!

I have enjoyed all of the positions, I have ever held. One of the most enjoyable was as a landscape contractor. It was a small business in a very small community. But, I grew enough, fast enough to have two part time employees.  Basically, I contracted with local and state government agencies as well as individuals to maintain parks, cemeteries and other lawns. In the winter, I plowed snow. Since I am not afraid of solitude and actually enjoy, it was enjoyable for me. There is lots of time to be alone with and pray to God while you're mowing or weed eating. I enjoyed this career very much and I actually made some money at it. I closed it, when I was called as a missionary to the Keweenaw by the ELCA. A lot has happened since then. I have been open to knew and diverse opportunities. One of the things that gives me joy is to see our young people grow up and pursue avenues of their own interests and being successful at it - no matter what it is they choose to do. It always brings joy to my heart when I see a young man that I confirmed a few years ago, or one of his employees, busy working in the community on their lawnmowers. I am very proud of him and hope that he enjoys that calling as much as I did when I worked in lawn care. He doesn't need my endorsement. But, I'm going to give it anyway.... If you need a lawn care worker call CD Lawn Care (Chad Dompier) from Pelkie.

We all have to work to eat... and even to have money to enjoy life. But, when considering your future, think about what you enjoy doing, what gives you pleasure and those things that you are actually interested in and pursue a career in that. If it's really money that you think will give you the greatest pleasure, you probably should think again. You will have to work most of the days of your life, so learn to enjoy it or you're going to end up spending most of your time in misery.

God's Peace - Pr. J