Scatter!

Daily Reading:  Mark 4

The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4.26-29)

Devotional Thought: I have a little garden plot next to my garage.  In growing season, I often go out and check on the progress of my plants.  It's a mystery as to how they do it.  I can't make them grow, but I plant them, fertilize them, water them and weed them.

That's how the Kingdom of God works.  It mysteriously grows by itself.  But we're not off the hook.  There are things we can do.

In order for the Kingdom to grow in us, we need to plant the seeds in our hearts through worship, prayer, scripture, acts of kindness, mercy, and love.  In order for the Kingdom to grow in our church, we need to plant the seeds of serving, giving, inviting, and praying.  In order for the Kingdom to grow in our world, we need to plant the seeds of witness, compassion, involvement, and consistency.

The Kingdom has a life of its own, but that life will only grow where the seeds are planted.  Two people can live in the same house, attend the same church, be part of the same community, but if one is actively planting seed and the other isn’t, in whose life will the kingdom grow?  Two churches can be on the same street in the same community and have the same mission, but if one is planting Kingdom seeds and the other isn’t, which church will grow?  You get the picture. 

Jesus said that forceful men and women take hold of the kingdom of God (Matthew 11.12 and Luke 16.16)!  We do that when we "scatter seed on the ground.”  No scattering = no Kingdom growth.  So, you and I do have an impact.  We do make a difference. 

Get out and scatter some seed!

Prayer: Lord, you have placed the Kingdom of God within me.  Help me to scatter the love, the light, and the life of the Kingdom wherever I go today.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 3.1-8

1 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;

2 many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah

3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah