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 10:1-24 Go and Tell

Luke 10:1-24 NIV
Jesus had appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two to go ahead of him to the various towns. The harvest, he said, was plentiful but the workers are few. (vs 1-2) Their goal, it appears, is to be gathering the people for the Kingdom.

In this country, as well as many others, the church appears to be in decline. This can be attributed to many factors, including a lack of faith. Faith will inspire us to walk miles to do what it is that we believe we are called to do. Yet, multitudes in congregations around the globe do not feel that they are called to share the Good News with anyone. It is a private matter, I hear. Are our neighbors not worth saving. How can they be saved unless they believe? How can they believe unless they hear? Who will go and tell? Who will participate in the harvesting?

Pastors sometimes become chaplains to their little flocks. They focus only on their little flock; neglecting the needs of the people who are outside the sheepfold. They neglect the telling of the story to; except to the little flock that gathers on Sunday mornings (sometimes they neglect to even tell them). Not going outside of the circle (or box) and sharing the peace, sharing the story of what God has done for us is devastating to the visible church. Without the story of Jesus' great love for all people; what is left? Not much; except for maybe a museum to the traditions of the generations that have lived here before us. Without Jesus, there is nothing.

So, let us all go and share the peace of God; share the story of His great love for us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 12 - When Is Not The Priority; The Kingdom Is

"The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” (Dan 12:7 NIV)

Who can know the time of the end? Multitudes have worked on the prophetic numbers here and elsewhere in scripture. It's been nothing more than mere guess work. The date can not be known. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32) So why do so many people spend so many hours trying to figure it out? For me, it's kind of like politics in the church. We have greater things to be about. Namely, we are to proclaim the good news of eternal life in the Kingdom of God, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Dan 12:1-3)

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (Dan 12:13)

Not everyone will hear the message; but, that does not excuse us from telling the good news so that all who hear might believe and receive their inheritance in the Kingdom of God. In short: the mission field is way too big to spend time arguing with our brothers and sisters over secular politics or to be sitting around counting the days. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." (Matt 9:37)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 61 - The Garden Grows

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness   
   and praise spring up before all nations." (Isa 61:11 NIV)

We had a very late spring this year. Planting came late. Yet, it has not stopped the gardens from sprouting. They have become quite lush just in the few weeks since the seeds were planted. If the soil is good and the seed is planted, there will be a harvest as the plants come to full growth.

And... in the fullness of time righteousness and praise as sprung up before all the nations. Of course, there are those who reject His righteousness and refuse to praise or refuse to see any cause for praise; just as in my garden there were a few seeds which just refused to sprout. I don't know if the soil was not worked enough in those areas or if the seed was just plain bad.

But, the garden grows and righteousness springs forth as we give thanks and praise for the harvest through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J