Not all is yours “You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” John 4:37-38 NLT In my years in ministry I’ve noticed a very distinct pattern with…
Why wait “Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the…
Slow growers “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down….
Ask for harvesters “These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 NLT Our garden came along and the vegetables grew beautifully to my expectation. We…
Seeds of obedience “When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him.” Genesis 26:12 NLT I know the soil in our garden, and so each gardener knows his own soil. But to suddenly sow in different patch of soil, brings a lot…
Trust the process “His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ “This is…
Thorns “Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.” Luke 8:7 “The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never…
Rocks “Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.” Luke 8:6 “The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall…
Footpath “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.” Luke 8:5 “The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take…
Different soil for different seeds “Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds…
