Corona Devo 3042
We sprinkled some seeds for Christ a couple weeks ago (invited a group of about forty people to church), but alas, none of the seeds took root.
One person thanked us our invite, but no one else acknowledged even seeing the invitation, let alone considering it.
If I am honest, that was a little disheartening.
Do we sometimes feel fruitless when trying to share Christ with others?
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galatians 6:9
Has the Lord put someone on our hearts to share God's love and truth with? Is there a person, a group, a team, a coworker, a family member, or a friend that we could have an influence for Christ with?
Persevere today! God is working behind the scenes in ways that we may never know, but He utilizes His people as seed-planters in His Kingdom.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. (7) So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (8) The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. (9) For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. ~I Corinthians 3:6-9
~~~
After-the-fact of the Sunday-morning church invite, one fellow followed up and said that while his family attends their own church, they would like to get our families together to get to know each other. And so we did!
A little spaghetti and salad and spiritual (and side) conversation later...we have new friends and so do they: each other! They were an encoeuargement to us...and us to them!
That seed fell on some good soil...we just didn't know it at the time!
Keep tilling the soil of people's hearts and planting seeds for the Lord today! The harvest is up to Him.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:19-20
~~~
Not one other person responded to our church invite, and I was sad to realize that no one else in the group wanted to seek God alongside us.
But that was not the case.
Weeks later another member of the (invited) group approached us and shared that a couple members of their family had wanted to join us for church, but another member had veto-ed the idea because they felt intimidated about "not knowing enough" (about God and church) to accompany us.
And my second thought was: You don't understand the Lord's heart and love (and mercy and grace) for you.
God has no pre-requisites! The Bible invites us over and over again and in many different ways to (just) come to God. No experience necessary. No prior (spiritual) clean-up necessary. No Biblical-knowledge required.
Just come, and God will take care of the rest.
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30
- Come near to God and he will come near to you. ~James 4:8
- “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (17) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. ~Revelation 22:16-17
~~~
We sprinkled some seeds for Christ a couple weeks ago and we thought that none of the seeds took root...but that wasn't the truth: God's Truth.
Persevere today! God is working behind the scenes in ways that we may never know, but He utilizes His people as seed-planters in His Kingdom. However (good news!) the harvest is up to Him.
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. (4) As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. (5) Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. (6) But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (7) Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (8) Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (9) Whoever has ears, let them hear.”...
(18) “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: (19) When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (20) The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. (21) But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (22) The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. (23) But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” ~Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
~~~
Are we seeking to have an influence-for-Christ today with our employees? With our customers? With our children? With our managers or bosses? With our team or coach? With our spouse? With strangers?
Persevere today! God is working behind the scenes in ways that we may never know, but He utilizes His people as seed-planters in His Kingdom.
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. ~Luke 8:15
Comments
Post a Comment