Word@Work 048 - Mark 4:28-29
Published: Fri, 01/25/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 4:28-29 All by itself the soil produces corn - first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. (NIV)
The Mastermind catch phrase "I've started, so I'll finish" is an apt description of the way in which God works through His Word in our lives. When Jesus says that the corn grows "all by itself", He means that the farmer cannot add anything to the growing process because the life is in the seed.
Most of us are disappointed by the rate of our spiritual progress; and when we think we are doing brilliantly, we might be slipping backwards! But as we submit ourselves to the Word of God, bit by bit we find that the life of God is growing in us. Although conversion may be a point of crisis which we can look back to, a lot of the staging posts on the journey are unremarkable. Nevertheless, growth occurs. Often, we may not notice until someone points out how much we have changed. Occasionally we may have one of those 'reality' moments when it hits us how much God has changed us, say, compared with last year.
When God grows His life within us, He is not just looking for us to have more knowledge of Him and better habits - He is also looking for us to be able to shed more seed into what may seem like a barren landscape. The final harvest will come when Jesus returns and all those who belong to Him will be gathered as His very own. All the others will find their destiny described in Matthew 13:38b-40. A sobering thought, when one thinks about nice respectable colleagues and pleasant friends but all outside of Christ. That is why we need to sow God's truth into their lives.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for working in my life even when I do not realise it. Much of my spiritual progress has little to do with me and I am so grateful for Your patience and indwelling power. Help me to scatter the seed of Your Word, so that You can work in the lives of those I work and live with. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The Mastermind catch phrase "I've started, so I'll finish" is an apt description of the way in which God works through His Word in our lives. When Jesus says that the corn grows "all by itself", He means that the farmer cannot add anything to the growing process because the life is in the seed.
Most of us are disappointed by the rate of our spiritual progress; and when we think we are doing brilliantly, we might be slipping backwards! But as we submit ourselves to the Word of God, bit by bit we find that the life of God is growing in us. Although conversion may be a point of crisis which we can look back to, a lot of the staging posts on the journey are unremarkable. Nevertheless, growth occurs. Often, we may not notice until someone points out how much we have changed. Occasionally we may have one of those 'reality' moments when it hits us how much God has changed us, say, compared with last year.
When God grows His life within us, He is not just looking for us to have more knowledge of Him and better habits - He is also looking for us to be able to shed more seed into what may seem like a barren landscape. The final harvest will come when Jesus returns and all those who belong to Him will be gathered as His very own. All the others will find their destiny described in Matthew 13:38b-40. A sobering thought, when one thinks about nice respectable colleagues and pleasant friends but all outside of Christ. That is why we need to sow God's truth into their lives.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for working in my life even when I do not realise it. Much of my spiritual progress has little to do with me and I am so grateful for Your patience and indwelling power. Help me to scatter the seed of Your Word, so that You can work in the lives of those I work and live with. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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