The Harvest

Today God is reminding me of the principle of sowing and reaping. I know that when He calls me to look deeper there is something I need to be encouraged in. I can see the fields are white and the terms of "reaping and sowing" can mean many things.

The natural order is the farmer planting in spring for the fall harvest. He will prepare the soil in winter to be ready at just the right time in spring to drop those tiny seeds in the ground. Behind every physical there is a spiritual. Jesus knew this of course, for he was there at creation when God breathed life into everything.

When the farmer plants he has control (choices) over the type of crop he wishes to harvest, yet after planting he looses some control over the growth and direction of that seed and maturing plant. He must wait and watch the planting grow from the natural elements. His care for the crop will have an impact on the quality of the harvest. He can supplement water and weed and treat for pests that would weaken or destroy. But he cannot bring the sun or stop the wind and rain. He has to leave that to God.

I see in my natural and spirtual life that my choices are mine to make and the outcome of those choices will be my harvest. I see that I can set things into motion and then I too have to let go and see the consequence of that action. Will they be good or bad? The answer lies in part with what I did in the winter. Like the farmer, did I prepare the soil by diligently working in my field. Did I choose good seed and determine the correct time for planting?

God put the seasons in place for everything under the sun to have a time of maturing. It is very important that I learn from each season and that I know and follow this order. Did I follow the natural and good order for my harvest?

I also see that if I fail to plant and instead harbor the seed I will fail to see any fruit. My self centered action will not bring a harvest of any kind. I will be empty handed while other's will be bringing their yield to the market. How would I then survive the next winter?

I see the deeper meaning now revealed in this principel of sowing and reaping. The partnering with Father God, the giver of all good gifts. The guidance of the Holy Spirit for strength and knowledge to carry out this daily sowing. The time of trusting and waiting for all good things that come to those who wait for the promise of the harvest.

Hope Now by Addison Road (With Lyrics)

Emmanuel

The Cross in Our Bodies

This is a pretty neat story and an interesting thing that few

of us know. It's brief, so please read...

(FROM A DOCTOR)

A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely)

on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio...

And I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned....

But I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway.

He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is...

How He spoke the universe into being... How He breathes stars out of His

mouth that are huge raging balls of fire... etc. etc.

Then he went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God

ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder.

At this point I am LOVING it (it's fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know)

And I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as

I learned more and more about God's handiwork.

I remember so many times thinking, "How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this?"

Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this,

also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart -

how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.

And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!

It was because he started talking about laminin. I knew about laminin..

Here is how Wikipedia describes them: 'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an

integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.'

You see.... Laminins are what hold us together... LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion

molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell.

Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already.

But what I didn't know is what they LOOKED LIKE..

But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)...

Here is what the structure of laminin looks like...

AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it... If you look up laminin in any

scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see.

Daniel 2:20-23

Daniel's Prayer

20"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his:

21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and has made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Mercy Me - Word of God Speak (w/ lyrics)

Word Of God Speak - MercyMe

Are You Listening To God Today?

A message was given at church last night by one of our Pastor's spiritual mentors. An Evangelist who has given his whole life to deliver the word of God all over the world. This man of 70 years spoke God's wisdom over the 1000 or more attendees.

His question to all was "are you listening for God?" in the quiet moments as well as the big moments. During his message he would stop and be quiet for a moment, as if he was losing his train of thought, then he would softly ask God for the words to continue. This wise pastor did not lose his way. He was letting God lead. Fifty years in the pulpit, he knows that the message is the Lord's.

Then he would continue on in great strength and fullness of speech receiving an exuberant response from the congregation. I am so blessed to be a member of a church that is alive and excited to gather, to sing, praise and listen for God to speak.

The church diverse in it's people; full in the body and filled with the Spirit. The fruit of this giving congregation feeds millions yearly. As a result thousands and thousands are accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and lives are healed and restored to God's plan for them. That's the reason for all messages from God, that's what He is saying in that still quiet voice...follow me and feed my sheep.

Let the word of God speak to you right now. Today.

Today's Feature Story

Jerusalem Times

"Capture the Joy"

Breaking news flash, this just in..

A crowd of thousands listen to a man along the way. He drew a crowd it was reported by stating:

"People we do not have to live a life of toil and trepidation. We can have joy even when the economy is depressed and work is scarce."

This wayfaring man dressed in a white robe and wearing sandals continued on with such radical words as "humble men are very fortunate" and "love your enemies".

The peaceful crowd gathered at the base of the mountain listening to his words and stories of enlightenment and encouragement. The people reported that he spoke with such authority that you could hear the wind carry his words all the way down the mountain."

A reporter was called to the scene and this is what he heard.

"Do not worry about things-food, drink, clothes. For you already have a life and a body- and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat-they don't need to sow or store up food-for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

He continued speaking with such conviction that no one spoke as they listened to his every word..

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?"

"So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the masses? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father knows perfectly well what you need and He will give it all to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to."

"So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time."

He spoke for over and hour and then left by way of boat.

The man was called Jesus.