SOW INTO THE SPIRIT

DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 9, 2016

Topic: SOW INTO THE SPIRIT       

Text: Galatians 6:5 – 8                        

Sowing and reaping is part of our life; physically and spiritually. We sow through the words of our mouth (our speech/utterance), through what we give and through what we plant. For us to actually benefit from our world and be useful to one another, we need to sow. Sowing is a way of maximizing our gifts and talents. It holds therefore, that we sow seeds, directly and indirectly. Again, it is also a natural law that whatever one sows, he reaps (Galatians 6:7).

Another interesting fact about the consequences of sowing is that we are known by the fruit we bear (Matthew 7:16 & 20). What you sow as seed is what you will definitely get in returns. The life we live is like seed sowing. Some people sow to the flesh, the devil and the world while some others sow to the Spirit. Jesus taught us that where our treasure is there would our heart be also (Matthew 6:21).

Apostle Paul says in our text that flesh yields nothing but corruption. When you sow into the flesh, you will end up reaping greed, selfishness, etc. Its end effect would be destruction because such person can’t please God. His message here is very important for us in this present generation filled with greed and covetousness. How can someone sow to the flesh? See 1 Corinthians 10:6; compare Numbers 11:4 & 34. The flesh, lusts after material/worldly things (Genesis 3:6 & 1 John 2:16). Are these things manifesting in your life? Repent, before it will be too late. Remember what happened to people like Esau, Samson, Judas, etc.

We can sow to the spirit through self-denial (Matthew 10:24) and commitment to the advancement of God’s kingdom with the wealth God has bestowed on us. Can you mention other ways we can sow to the Spirit? Those who want to acquire heaven and earth without investing their wealth for the well-being of others are sowing to the flesh. There are benefits in pleasing God; obeying God and not our flesh. When we please God with our deeds, we are sowing seeds that we will certainly reap in righteousness.

Food for Thought: Sowing in the flesh is carnal indulgence that will end in moral ruin.

Memory verse: Galatians 6 verse 8

Prayer: God, grant me the enabling grace to sow in the spirit and not in the flesh so I will harvest eternal life in Jesus name. Amen.

SOWING AND REAPING: Devotion for Sunday September 11, 2016

SOWING AND REAPING: Devotion for Sunday September 11, 2016

Text: Ecclesiastics 11:1 – 6       Memory verse: v 6

Sowing does not necessarily mean planting seed only. It is much more than planting. It involves working in a bid to earn a living and giving out what we have in anticipation for something better. It involves investing into something. An example of sowing is investing your time towards the service of God and humanity. When you spend your time in the service of others, you are sowing a seed or making investment. Such investment has rewards that go with it.

So many people are afraid of sowing for so many reasons. Ecclesiastics 11:4 gives insight into reasons why people do not want to sow seed and it is one reason some people don’t pay their tithes too. Tithing and sowing are similar. The wind mentioned in our bible reading for the day could be the house rent, school fees, car maintenance, new clothes, development of a landed property, etc. All these are some of the things people consider and become afraid of sowing seeds or what people consider as more important than sowing a seed.   

Sowing is the only way to reap and to have. You can never reap without sowing. That is very impossible and we cannot avoid sowing seeds because it is what we need to have what we desire. The quality of what you reap is determined by the quality of what you sow as seed. If you sow sparingly, you will certainly reap sparingly. Therefore in sowing, consider these 1. Is what you want to sow, of good quality? Good quality here means what is appreciable. If what you are sowing is not of good quality, you will not reap in good quality (Gal. 6:7–10). 2. Where you sow your seed determines what you will reap at the end (Luke 8:4–8). The best place to sow your seed should be where you will expect reward from God. These include the church (God and His work), the poor, widows, orphans, the destitute, priests, etc (Prov. 19:17). 3. Consider your motive for giving (Matthew 6:1–4). Let it not be to please man, get recognition or in anticipation of a reward from recipients. Summarily, the advice in Eccl. 11:6 should be our guide as we go into the world this week. Sow a seed this week and definitely God will reward you abundantly.

Food for Thought: Certainly, what we sow is what we will reap. If it is sparingly, you will reap sparingly. If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully.

Prayer: Lord, may I sow the good seeds always in words and deed.