Tuesday 7/31/12 Reap What You Sow 2

Mark 4:3 - "Listen!  A farmer went out to sow his seed.  4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path and birds came and ate it up.  5 Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.  6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root.  7 Other seed fell among thorns which grew up and choked the plants so that they did not bear grain.  8 Still other seed fell on good soil.  It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."  (NIV)

Dear Father in Heaven.  Start us off clean this evening, dear Father, wash away our stains of sin, forgive us as we start to read and understand a message from You.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Our prayer list today is just as yesterday.  Prayer requests for Betty Deardorff, for Patsy Emig, for Dutch Webster, for Vicki, for Joe, for Jere, for Ruth, Sarah, and please pray for our son Matthew.  Traveling protection for Grant and Wanda as they travel on vacation.

7/31/12  Reap What You Sow!  Day two.

I want to talk to you today about what you might be sowing today, and I am not talking about your garden or like the farmer ... I am not even talking about what you might be sowing when it comes to your children or  your grandchildren.  I am talking about what you are sowing to better yourself, and/or come nearer and nearer to God.  Before we sow any seed anyplace else, we need to sow good stuff into our own minds, body and soul.  You have heard me say many, many a time that you need a GOOD church, one where the pastor preaches the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as found in the BIBLE.  So let's look at how this should be done.

First:  We need to start out clean, get God to take away our sins.  This we can call taking the weeds and junk out of the garden so when we start to plant, the bad stuff, the things from our past, will be gone.

So let's take care of that first step.  Now I cannot do this one for you ... Ready,

Dear Father in Heaven, please help me clean the junk and stains of sin out of my body, mind and soul.  Wash me clean, dear Lord.  I ask that in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Second:  Next we need to get the earth ready, or in this case our body.  So after we are cleaned up by God, what do you think is next for us?  REPENT, repent, we must now repent from our sins, try our very best not to sin again and again.  This could be very hard for we get into our "bad habits" and seem to want to go back to our old sins.  So let me put in the words of John The Baptist, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is near."

Now let me put in a quote from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."

What  might be next?  Let's look.

Third:  We  have been cleaned and in faith we have repented.  Now we need to ask God into our  hearts. We need to get saved, we need to be born again.  So let's take a minute right now and go to Jesus and in faith, in faith ask Him into our hearts.  Do this in faith, brothers and sisters ...

Dear Father in Heaven, I need You, Lord, I really need You, please come into my heart and save me.  I would appreciate it if You would put my name in the big book ... In Jesus' name I make this request. Amen.

Four:  Now we have been cleaned, we have repented, and we have asked Jesus into our hearts.  So now what is left to get done?

Five:  Time to go to work for Jesus, go into the fields of harvest and tell others about sowing those seeds, and starting with one's self ... It is time to go to work for Jesus telling the Good News of Jesus Christ.  It is time to go to work for Jesus feeding the hungry and putting clothes on the naked.  And most of all trying our best to be clean, remain clean, we need to bring others to the feet of Jesus to be saved.

Dear Father, thank You for saving our souls.  Please help me walk with You each day.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Now go forth sharing your blessings as God gave you.  Give them in faith and watch them grow.  Love ya, Pastor Dan.