Sow in the Spirit

~~~KeEp YoUr HeAd Up~~~

Learning about REVIVAL from the story of a SEED

‎-->Why we must Die to our flesh/ Give up total control of our lives (sow) in order to truly live a life full of life/ be revived by the Spirit (reap).

-->Revival starting with us then spreading :)

1.)"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." (John 12:24:26)

2.)"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9)

3.)"Those who sow with tears

will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them." (Psalm 126:5-6)

4.) "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)

5.)He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”----> REVIVAL SPREADING!!!!!!! :D :D :D (Matthew 13: 31-32)

God is soo smart! (duh!) :) and soo good :D

Be encouraged! :)

[Photo by Lupita Davila]

(Nov. 17 2011)

Let's surrender all our burdens (our all) to Jesus so that He can give us rest and fill us up with His Holy Spirit for His glory, for His Kingdom and for our good =) There's HOPE! After the pruning season, there will be a harvest, a season of joy (joy that is complete) :D So let's hang in there, and hang on His every Word, all of His promises! :)

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." =) (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

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Update (2/1/12)

Of late I've been really thirsty for more of God. And He keeps telling me in different ways and through different people to "wait on Him." Last weekend, after getting the same answer I asked Him, "uhm...so what am I meant to do while I wait for You?" I turned to the Bible and randomly read Psalm 50. You can read the whole thing but I wanna highlight these 3 verses:

14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15 and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

23He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

I felt God had answered my question through those verses. I realized that by thirsting for more of God (asking for God to reveal more of Himself to me) I became blinded to what I already have, what He has blessed me with and all He has done for me and hence I became ungrateful. Don't get me wrong, God really desires that we seek Him and that we ask Him for anything, but He wants us to ask with a thankful heart- thankful for what He has already done and for the more He is capable of doing. So this was Saturday night that I read this and I was excited to apply it-> To thank God more which prepares the way for Him to reveal more of Himself to me :) You probably heard the saying, "God dwells within the praises of His people" so true!

When I went to IV Church the next day, someone shared and I got another tip. I want to be more thankful to God. How do I thank Him? I can just tell Him, sing and dance for Him and I can give to His church, His people. Sowing in the Spirit is not just done spiritually, it is also in physical action ("...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." -James 2:17).

The person who shared read 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15. It's so good! Loaded with promises! Take a read =)

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

May God continue to bless us as we praise, pray and seek and as we give back to Him with thankful hearts :) Let's keep sowing! The harvest is about to be revealed!
(Also let's be good soil so that He can keep sowing into us. The harvest is not just around us but it starts within us- we shall bear His fruit. He is sowing seeds into us and the rain is falling. The seeds are growing underground that's why it may seem like nothing much is happening right now. He is rooting and grounding us in our identity and security in Him. Just a little longer and what's been growing under the surface shall spring forth! Glory to God! :)