Seeds of Faith- Photo by Jennifer Weiss
You can't be around me very long until you hear me talk about "consequences". It's one of those things that God has placed in my heart so deeply that I tend to talk about it a lot! In fact, I say it so often that people have dreams of me saying it. This has been told to me more than once. For example, a few years ago one of my friends was going through a situation that was very trying. She dreamed one night about her plight and there I was, throughout the dream, telling her that there are consequences for our actions. Divinely, it was very relevant to the events in her life. How true, how true!
When most people think about consequences, they tend to think in the negative. While that is true, it's only half of the story. Righteousness has its reward as well. I don't believe in karma or yin yang, but as a Christian, I am firm on the fact that what we do will reap similar results in our lives. It's the principle of reaping and sowing as found throughout Scripture!
I am a gardener and there is nothing like getting out in the spring and sowing seed... and later harvesting the fruits of your labor. Our family tree attests that many of our "people" were farmers. How I love this analogy in the spirit! I've never planted corn and produced watermelon. I've never planted peppers and raised tomatoes. What I plant; that's what's going to come up... every time!
Perhaps this topic of consequences is strong in my mind today due to the situation my sister is facing with her son's finger being broken in homeroom. He is having surgery today. BTW- to read about how the Lord intervened in their family, go to her blog at hoosiersnavely06.blogspot.com
There are also some things going on in my life that are speaking of reaping what one sows. Even my husband is being affected by a situation at work that bears witness to the results of one's actions.
Good consequences or bad consequences? It depends on what WE are sowing!
Here is some verse that comes to mind:
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for a the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:7-10 NIV
"As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." Job 4:8 NIV
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32: 17 NIV
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and showers righteousness on you. But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception, because you have depended on your own strength..." Hosea 10:12-13 NIV
"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous om every occasion, and though us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
"They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." Hosea 8:7 NIV
"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:18 NIV
So the question for all of us is, "WHAT ARE WE PLANTING?" Consider these words today and ask the Holy Spirit to really examine your heart. Sometimes we get complacent and don't even realize that we are not sowing in the Spirit. It's one of the biggest deceptions of the enemy today. Ask God to weigh your thoughts, actions, and motives in the light of the Spirit. If you approach the Lord in truth and openness to correction, He will show you if you are/ aren't in error.
Let's all make it a goal for this coming year to be one of the "few workers" in the fields of the Lord to sow to righteousness and reap an eternal harvest!
Blessings to your house today, friends! May God plant within you what He desires! See you tomorrow!
