I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. - 1 Corinthians 3:6
The farmer works hard, and he works smart. The time spent in the winter is all in preparation for spring and summer work. They don’t immediately plant seeds on unprepared soil. Farmers have to understand the weather. They have to understand rain cycles, dry cycles, when it's going to snow, and when it's going to be cold. They also have to understand which soil won't handle the best seed. They have to understand when to plant, and later when the crop is in the perfect position to pick it. A lot of thought goes into having a successful harvest.
As a believer, we should be like farmers. No, the crop is not corn, wheat, or barley. Instead, the crop that we sow is the seed of the word of God. And just like a farmer, we should know the soil we're planting in and the right time to plant the seed.
With some people when you talk to them and want to share the word of God, their heart may need some plowing first. When their heart is ready, plant the seed. Sometimes, we don't get to see that seed germinate. Just like the Bible says, some plant the seed, some water, some get to see the harvest. But our job is to plant seed (tell others about the gospel). Sometimes we get to water it, sometimes we get to see the harvest. But just like a farmer, we have to understand that there's a lot of preparation. Sometimes there's a lot of waiting.
One ministry recommends that if it is difficult to talk about spiritual matters with strangers or even friends, ask a neutral question like “have you ever thought about the afterlife?” Sometimes that can get a conversation going in the right direction to determine if now is a good time to plow, water, or harvest. No matter what, let us get the gospel to the world by being a careful farmer for the Lord.
This devotional has been adapted from the message, Consider Your Role, preached by Pastor Dr. Doug Mann.
Click here for the complete message.
Click here if we can pray for you.
The farmer works hard, and he works smart. The time spent in the winter is all in preparation for spring and summer work. They don’t immediately plant seeds on unprepared soil. Farmers have to understand the weather. They have to understand rain cycles, dry cycles, when it's going to snow, and when it's going to be cold. They also have to understand which soil won't handle the best seed. They have to understand when to plant, and later when the crop is in the perfect position to pick it. A lot of thought goes into having a successful harvest.
As a believer, we should be like farmers. No, the crop is not corn, wheat, or barley. Instead, the crop that we sow is the seed of the word of God. And just like a farmer, we should know the soil we're planting in and the right time to plant the seed.
With some people when you talk to them and want to share the word of God, their heart may need some plowing first. When their heart is ready, plant the seed. Sometimes, we don't get to see that seed germinate. Just like the Bible says, some plant the seed, some water, some get to see the harvest. But our job is to plant seed (tell others about the gospel). Sometimes we get to water it, sometimes we get to see the harvest. But just like a farmer, we have to understand that there's a lot of preparation. Sometimes there's a lot of waiting.
One ministry recommends that if it is difficult to talk about spiritual matters with strangers or even friends, ask a neutral question like “have you ever thought about the afterlife?” Sometimes that can get a conversation going in the right direction to determine if now is a good time to plow, water, or harvest. No matter what, let us get the gospel to the world by being a careful farmer for the Lord.
This devotional has been adapted from the message, Consider Your Role, preached by Pastor Dr. Doug Mann.
Click here for the complete message.
Click here if we can pray for you.