Consider This

2 Corinthians 9:¹⁰ “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”

Yesterday, we began to tap into the wisdom of the farmer that we need to find new strength and prepare for the future harvest. And the first is Plant Good Seeds. You must plant good seeds. Sometimes, the reason we are worn out inside is we are doing the wrong things in our lives. We are planting bad seeds. You must plant good seeds. In my conversation with the millet farmers, they said they want a better harvest in future. They believe in God for a better future. This leads us to the second thing the farmers do that we must do.

You must Expect A Good Harvest. When the farmer plants, the farmer expects a good harvest. So, he is already making plans to take his millet or tomato harvest to the market. He starts negotiating with buyers based on his expected date of harvest. And he is negotiating his supply chain, all because he is expecting a good harvest. And when he gets a good harvest, guess what he does first? He prepares the seed for the next harvest. Don’t get weary. You draw strength when you see the harvest, the value, and the results in your mind’s eye. There are a lot of things in life where you don’t see the harvest immediately, but you have to anticipate it.

The third thing is the farmer Understands That There Is Always A Gap Between Sowing And Reaping. So, the farmer cannot get tired because he knows that when he plants a seed, it takes time for it to germinate and go through the cycle before he gets the harvest. The farmer does not plant the seed on one day and brings the sickle the following day hoping to harvest. So, if you think like a farmer, you will see value even in that small sprout, the low hanging fruit, and even in the small results. And when you see value, it infuses you with strength to go forward.

If you are going to find strength (and you will find your strength in the Name of Jesus), You have to Decide On The Vision For Your Life. Secondly, you have to Decide On How To Navigate Stress. Thirdly, you have to See Value And Results In What You Do. The fourth thing is you have to Find Encouragement In The Cross Of Jesus. Hebrews 12:^2-3 “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! …Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.” (GNT, emphasis added). Consider Jesus and find encouragement in the cross of Jesus.

Prayer (hymn): In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see; For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me. …I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown. Amen!