Reaping A Bountiful Harvest

How many times do I see people come to church hoping to reap a harvest of blessing only to walk out the door empty and dry in their spirit? Many of them never change, never try again, and they simply walk away for good.

Sometimes I look around the church during worship service and I see people in all levels of obedience to the Laws of Sowing and Reaping.

I’ve heard it said often, and I have said it often, “You will only get out of the service what you put into the service.” That’s one of the Laws of Sowing and Reaping. The scripture plainly says that you will reap what you sow. The question is what are you reaping right now in your spiritual life with the Lord? Perhaps a better question would be, what are you sowing into the Kingdom of God?

I see those who are in financial difficulties all the time and I know that a lot of their problems are the result of sowing and reaping laws. They never plant any seed with their finances. They may cast in a little here and there but it’s certainly not enough to plan on a bountiful harvest. It has always been my experience that those who will give the most without grudging will always be the ones who will reap the greatest blessings in their finances. Isn’t this what Paul was saying?

This message isn’t just about the giving of our finances. Our church and its people have always given graciously and the needs have always been met. Our harvest in this area has always been more than sufficient.

But what about the other areas where we need a harvest? We need a harvest in souls! We need a harvest in answered prayer and miracles, signs and wonders! We need to see some new crops arise that will bring spiritual prosperity to our church and our world.

We want to reap a harvest of souls being saved but where is the sowing of the seeds of prayer and fasting on the behalf of those who are lost?

We want to reap a harvest of a strong faith and closer walk with the Lord, but where is the sowing of the seed to bring these to past.

We want to reap a harvest of sanctification and holy living but where is the reaping of sacrificial giving?

Before every harvest there has to be a sacrifice; a sacrifice of love, hard work and determination.

If we are going to reap a harvest of love, we must sow love one for another. If we want to reap a harvest of lost souls, then we must sow our soul in travail and prayer for the lost. If we want to reap a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost then we need to sow the seeds of prayer and seeking the face of God until the answer comes. If we are going to reap a harvest of answered prayer and miracles that happen before our eyes, then we must sow the seeds of prayer and faith first.

You can’t reap a harvest without first planting the crop and the seeds. We must develop the purpose in our heart that we want to the Holy Ghost poured out upon God’s people in a greater measure than ever before.

There is a teaching going around called “40 days of Purpose”. Now I don’t necessarily adhere to everything that is taught in these classes but I have to admire their willingness to plant a seed of study and training. They will reap a harvest for their work. That’s the Law of Sowing and Reaping. Even if you reap the wrong things you will still get a crop.