Saturday, August 10, 2013

Reap Bountifully


Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.  The Father will honor whoever serves me.”  John 12:24-26

Piety

Lavishly he gives to the poor; his righteousness shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in honor.  Psalm 112:9

Study

Change we must.  No matter how much we want to remain in our comfort zone, change is required.  Take Peter…a good Apostle to study because Jesus starts with him.  Peter was just a simple fisherman.  Jesus was preaching nearby and he needed a better perch so all the people could hear his teaching.  Jesus asked Peter – whom he did not know at the time -- to take him out on the fishing boat so Jesus could address the crowds.  Even though Peter might have been very busy trying haul in his catch, he put down his nets and complied with the request.    

When the talk was over, Jesus told Peter where to go out to catch fish.  What would this carpenter know about where to catch fish?  Peter probably rolled his eyes and thought that this itinerant preacher was out of his league.  However, Peter went there anyway.  He cast his nets and caught a lot of fish.

Then, Jesus made a third request (evidently he liked doing things in threes).  He asked Peter to follow him.  Peter changed.  The grain of Peter who was a fisherman fell to the ground and the grain of Peter who became a fisher of men sprouted in its place.

Action


What part of you has to fall to the ground to change?  

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