I am sending an edited version of EDL from my comments that were sent earlier today. The latter half was rewritten with a different accent and application that better captures what I felt the Lord was speaking to my heart. Today you get two for one!
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“A planted seed initiates a cycle of supply.”
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, will never cease.” Genesis 8:22 NIV.
My thoughts and comments today are about,
“The Potential in Seeds and Harvests.”
No good thing that is said or done is inconsequential. Things that may appear small at first are not always as small as they seem. A simple, small seed can hold a world of potential. Jesus taught that, “[The Kingdom of Heaven] is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” Mark 4:31-32 NKJV. God places high value on small things when they are the right things.
Every enterprise begins small, appearing insignificant at its early stages, except to those who see potential others do not see. Small things have vast potential. They should not be disparaged. The Bible cautions, “Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT. And Jesus noted that, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10 NIV. Faithfulness is learned in small things and responsibility grows in proportion to reliability.
Little things are not necessarily little in value. By that I mean, some little things have amazing potential and could produce big results. For instance, a small seed holds disproportionate potential; a small idea can produce a profitable business; a small kindness can begin a long friendship; a wise word can change a life’s direction. “Now may He Who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NKJV.
This morning, a thought was quickened to my spirit. A planted seed initiates a cycle of supply. God made an irrevocable promise, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22 NIV. In every seed God places a promised harvest. Then every harvest produces abundant seeds that promise even more future harvests. And that cycle of God’s provision continues – seeds producing harvest and harvests producing seeds which will in turn produce continuing harvests.
This repeating cycle of reproduction was designed by God at Creation. “The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11 NIV. From our origin, God provided trees bearing fruit with seeds in it.” With God, it is never, “one and done.” All of His benevolent return results from your simple action of planting seeds and harvesting their results. Solomon wisely advised, “In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6 NKJV.
In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
When you choose the nature and measure of the seeds you will sow, you determine the quantity of your future harvests and the quality of your future seeds. Are you planting seeds today for your future and harvesting the seeds required for the harvests that follow? The Bible also says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV. “A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Read Galatians 6:7-10 NIV.
Today, I pray for you to celebrate the great and Godly potential in yourself and others.
Christian Communications 2017
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