To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Eccl. 3
Today I thought of this scripture, and of a word I once read by Marsha Burns.
In a vision I saw a man pluck a piece of ripe fruit from a tree. He ate the fruit and planted the seeds that would grow other trees. And I heard the Lord say, “You will not only reap at this time, but you will also sow seeds that will produce a long-term, significant harvest that will last for years. Be thoughtful and deliberate in your planting.” Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS
I love this word! This sure sounds like God to me. During times of reaping, we must remember to keep sowing. Keep planting. As this word says, be deliberate in our sowing.
Deliberate is defined in the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary as; To weigh in the mind; to consider and examine the reasons for and against a measure; to estimate the weight or force of arguments, or the probable consequences of a measure, in order to a choice or decision; to pause and consider.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Proverbs 11:25 says, The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.
Luke 6:38 says, Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Most of us know these truths – as we give it will be given unto us. That truth alone is great news. Add to that this word from God, and the news only gets better. Our seeds in this season will cause a long-term, significant harvest that will last for years! I don’t know about you but that brings me great joy!
I am excited about this season of reaping AND I am even more excited about the anointing that is on my giving during this season. We are literally sowing into our future. Praise God and thank You Jesus!
Perhaps we have entered into a time of 2 Corinthians 9:8, which says; And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
When you give, don’t just throw your seed into the ground…sow deliberate seeds. And do so knowing you are sowing a seed that will produce a long-term significant harvest that will last for a lifetime.
