In This 2009, We Will...(5)

Maureen was based in the US. We all know how much Nigerians want to give birth to children in the US. Maureen’s home was usually the home to accommodate Nigerians who wanted to give birth in US. Whenever her visitors came, she showed them the real meaning of hospitality. She gave them rooms and food for free. And all the babies left with a gift from her.

All the while, Maureen was praying for a child. It was okay when her elder ones resided in her house to give birth. But when even the younger ones, nieces that she carried as babies, and younger sisters to her friends started coming to her house, she really longed for the day she will rejoice like they did. The greatest thing about Maureen was that she made each mother that came to her house feel like they were in a 5-star home. She did not complain.

Several years later, she had her own child – in that same home that was the stopover for other women to give birth. Even if you have a heart a stone, if you see the sacrifices that Maureen made, won’t you give her the desire of her heart as long as it is in your power? How much more God?

In This 2009, We Will Sow Seeds

The Bible teaches us that every man will reap what he sows [Gal 6:7]. He that sows sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully [2 Cor 9:6].
Let’s look at different types of seeds
1. The Word of God: - this is a seed you sow into your spirit. It helps with your spiritual growth and builds your faith. This seed later manifests to become a physical reality [John 1:14, Luke 8:11, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9].
2. Tangible Seeds: what a person can feel. Examples include financial support, gifts
3. Intangible Seeds: - what a person cannot feel or touch but can cause a difference. Examples include prayers, service, sacrifices, your time, preparations (like studying for an exam), display of love and affection, attitudes, etc.

Beloved, God appreciates seeds [Gen 8:21-22, Leviticus 19:19].

Let's look at some things in sowing
1. The seed – every seed sown has the possibility to produce fruit/harvest of itself [Genesis 1:11-12, Genesis 1:29, 1 Corinthians 15:38]. If you sow good seed, you will reap good harvest. If you sow bad seed, you will reap bad harvest.

2. The time the seed is sown – every seed has a time that is best for it to be planted. If planted at the wrong time, it will not be productive. When God touches you to sow a seed, do it when He has specified. You can have a million excuses why a later time will be better, but if not done at the right time, it will be a waste. [Gen 8:22, John 12:24].

3. The soil in which it is sown – It is not all seed you sow that will reap a harvest. The ground on which it is sown has to be good [Matthew 13: 4 – 8]. Are you sowing into a person or ministry God has asked you to? Or are you sowing into anywhere your heart desires? Do you feel someone is too rich or too blessed for you to sow into his life?

4. Your expectation of the seed: - When you sow a seed, do you believe that the seed will yield fruit? Do you feel you are sowing in vain? It is your duty to plant then expect every day the fruit of your seed sown knowing that it is the Almighty God who will give the increase [1 Cor 3:6]. If you believe in your seed, sow with diligence [Ecclesiastes 11:4,6, Isaiah 28:24-25].

5. The nurturing of the seed – Paul said “I have planted, Apollos watered…” [1 Cor 3:6a] You will have to nurture your seeds. This will come through prayer, thanksgiving, efforts and sacrifices you will make [Deut 11:10, 1 Cor 3:6, 1 Cor 15: 37-38]. You will also have to prune your growing seed with positive confessions and replacing fear with faith.

You want a car? Sow into the life of someone who is about to buy one. Your seed could be as small as a fire extinguisher for the car or a financial support.
If you want to start a ministry, sow into other people’s ministry.
If you are looking for a job, help your elder ones iron their work clothes.
If you want improved relationships, give more of yourself.

The list of what, how and where to sow is endless.

Three key things to take out of this message is
1. Sow what God has asked you to sow (it usually is a sacrifice)
2. Do it in obedience [1 Samuel 15:22]
3. Do it with a pure heart (fully devoted to loving God with every part of your life, devoid of strife, envy, unforgiveness) because He sees the heart that goes with the seed [Psalm 44:21].

Have a blessed weekend ahead. Remember that they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him [Psalm 126:5-6]. If you have been sowing, look forward to your harvest in this 2009.

In This 2009...
1. We Will Pray for Others
2. We Will Worship the Lord
3. We Will Know God for Ourselves
4. We Will Guard our hearts