Daily Bread 11-30-16

Mark 4: 26-29

26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed in the ground;

27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up, he knoweth not how.

28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then that full corn in the ear.

29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

ref. - Matt 13:24 - Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

For those who receive salvation, a seed has been planted. Now there are many things that water that seed and nurture it, but the increase is unexplainable. Some are fed the same word of God and celebrate at great levels, some are slow going. But the seed of the increase and the level of increase is up to God. As Christians we have been called to salvation. What God chose to do in us and what level of understanding he has given us is his business. But along the way there have been many men and women used to not only plant the seed but to water it and nurture it as well. Just as they did for us we are created to do for others. At whatever capacity we have been called we have been called to help one another. The part that we do not understand is that when we have done our job in these people, they have to move ahead and move on with their callings so that they can also fulfill what God has allowed them to possess. The kingdom of God is not so that we can all live together forever in peace and harmony. No, it is to love one another and care for one another. Working what God has put in us to help others to reach the final goal, eternal life. Just as the farmer cannot hold on to a great crop, he must harvest it, so must we allow harvest to come into our lives. When God chooses to increase someone with gifts or talents, we must let him have his way and let them move ahead with their callings. We cannot hang on to them and try to keep them as our gift (or nutrient) has already been used and they are moving towards the harvest. Let us put it this way. We love someone and they serve God right until their last breathe. God comes in and takes them away and they pass on to their eternal calling. Would it make sense for us to hang on to them and try to reteach and re-lead them to the end? No, they have already been harvested by our Lord and their rest has been determined. Once our work is done it is done and there is not one thing that can bring back that person. Same goes for those who God chooses to spring forth from among us. Once he has taken hold, they are his. The greatest gift a missionary could receive is for one who he brings to Church to continue there. the greatest gift that an evangelist could receive is to see souls saved. The greatest gift a teacher could receive is that his students move up and graduate into the next level of teaching. The greatest gift a minister could ever receive is to have another minister spring up from under his care or to see someone endure to the end serving God with all their heart. This would mean that the minister had done his job and that the young one is to be harvested from him and put out in the field to do his own work. The success of the elder minister is noted in God's eyes and he brings that minister more to raise up. for them to try to hold on to that man and try to bring him up again to reach his calling is worthless as the young man has not only been called but chosen by God. So, we must realize that, no matter what timing we think is right, and what rate of increase we think is right, God is in control. When fruit is evident it is time to harvest. Let the ripened fruit be harvested and receive your wage for a job well done!! Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Let us grow and help others to grow too, and have a great day!!!