Sowing, Watering, and Reaping

The farmer will not reap a bountiful crop if he doesn’t first plant seed, and then water and care for the crops as they grow. We generally do not reap the benefits of friendship until we practice being friendly. We can not expect to receive love until we give love. If we are not sowing the seeds of goodness, kindness, and mercy, we will not receive these gifts.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” God’s Word will always accomplish the purpose for which it is given to us. Therefore, it is so important that we know His Word so that God can accomplish His purpose in and through us. Through His Word, He will sew the seeds of mercy, love, and grace in our lives, and we will reap the rewards.

From Dark to Light

I have a particularly difficult time moving from a dark environment to a light one. It takes time for my eyes to adjust so that I can once again see well. In fact, when I simply go outside from inside a store or restaurant, I always sneeze, three times. The great thing about the light is that it completely destroys the darkness, allowing us to see well. Darkness has no power where there is light. Light heals us of the infirmities of darkness.

Malachi 4:2 says, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” Jesus is called the Light of the World. As such, His righteousness dispels gloom, oppression, and injustice. His light brings healing of all brokenness, causing us to leap for joy.

Influence Upon People

Have you noticed that the more time you spend with complaining people, the more you complain? The more time that we spend with happy people, the more time we spend happily enjoying the time and experience. We become like the people we spend time with. On the other hand, people who spend time with us are affected by our attitudes and character.

II Corinthians 13:11 says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” If we want peace and love in our lives, we must take the actions consistent with peace and love. Therefore, we must by God’s Spirit be instruments of comfort, agreement, peace, restoration and joy as we interact with people. Our God of peace and love will be with us as we become these types of people. Then, people who spend time with us will also become people of peace and love.

Equipped Messenger

Suppose you had important information to pass onto someone in a remote area, without access to technology. You want to send this information by a trusted messenger. Giving the messenger the information is only part of this situation’s need. You must equip the messenger with everything needed for the task. So you give them all the training, supplies, warnings, and resources to be able to accomplish the task. So now you have a trusted messenger equipped with the necessary resources.

Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to who be glory forever and ever. Amen.” We trust God to work within us to provide every good attribute and ability to do His will. When we fully trust Him in this way, we please Him by becoming the person He wants us to be and by doing all that He has called us to do. We become His trusted messengers to bring good news to the world.

In His Image

As our children grow up, they relate to us in different ways. At first, they are completely dependent upon us and want to stay close to us. As they grow a little older, they begin to desire and demonstrate more and more independence. As teenagers, the relationship completely changes and often is one of tolerance, rather than appreciation. As they moved into adulthood, they realize that we have more to offer than they previously thought and begin to look upon us with respect. During this whole process, parents have a huge impact upon the lives of their children. We are trying to build them into the image of a confident and mature adult, with compassion for others and a love of God.

Psalm 100:3-4 says, “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” God considers all those who trust in Him to be His children. As His child, we were given new life in order to conform to His image and glorify Him. We are granted the honor of coming into His presence, but we should do so with thanksgiving and praise. When we come to Him, He provides the instruction, leading, and ability to become like Him as we spend time with Him.