Day 22: Planting a Divine Seed
Intention
To understand how the seeds of the Gospel we plant, turn into a mighty harvest!
Scripture
“Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour.” – John 4:36-38
Important Note
This month so far, we have focused on praying for the elections; thank you to everyone who has been involved so far! As a part of the GO movement, every year May is GO Month where we have a special focus on GOing into the world with the Gospel. So we finish off this month’s devotions and nightly meetings focusing on praying for GO22!
Reflection
You may be surprised to know the context of this scripture, and you will probably know the scripture just before it …
Verse 35 ~ “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
Sometimes when this verse is used in isolation, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Jesus has just ‘reaped’ a harvest after speaking with the Samaritan women at the well. But He goes on to make a point of saying how important sowing is if we are going to have a harvest. It is only after the ‘hard work’ of sowing that the harvesters reap the benefit of the sowers’ labour.
So, what hope do we have of reaping a harvest here in Australia without planting seeds? Zero! If you ask God for a vegetable harvest in your garden and don’t plant any seeds, then you will be sorely disappointed! Sowing and then reaping is both a natural law and a spiritual law: we reap what we sow.
Sometimes when we share Christ, we can get discouraged if the person we are sharing with doesn’t respond immediately.
I want to encourage you today! Sharing a seed of the Gospel is ALWAYS a powerful thing to do. It is a divine message — the “power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16) — and is absolutely crucial if we want to see a harvest. You would never plant a seed and immediately get out your sickle ready to harvest. As we know, it takes time for a seed to germinate and grow before bearing fruit.
It is wonderful when we see people surrender to Jesus, and many people have been doing so, particularly during the fear and uncertainty surrounding the last couple of years. However, we are reaping the benefit of someone else’s seed that they have planted. So regardless of the response, rejoice that you are part of the process. The sower and the reaper can be ‘glad together’!
Do you want to see a mighty harvest in Australia? Plant some seeds today! Let’s saturate Australia with seeds of the Gospel and pray that God would move upon that seed to bring transformation!
This Saturday is GO Day. Last year, about 50 million Christians were involved in sharing the Gospel to over 300 million people! Will you be a part of the movement this year? Whom do you know that you could arrange a coffee with and share how Jesus has changed your life?
Not sure how to share the Gospel? Why not download the G7 App from your App Store? It has instructions and a 30min tutorial video inside the app. Mainly, it is just reading and tapping. You can do it! What about sharing a Gospel video on social media? Have a look at this one.
Be encouraged. GO for it!!!
Video
Prayer
Father,
We thank You that You are our HOPE in these uncertain times. We look to You. Give us the courage to show others this hope through sharing the powerful seed of the Gospel. We pray for the seeds planted around Australia, that many would surrender to You.
Bless the GO Movement and all our brothers and sisters around the world reaching out with the love of Jesus.
Amen.
Author Bio
Stuart is the Australian Coordinator for GO Movement and the founder of Train To Proclaim Inc. He is passionate about equipping Christians around the world to share the gospel in a loving and jargon-free way. He has produced a number of training videos a free downloadable evangelism course, and gospel resources including the G7 (Gospel in 7) app. Stu resides in Brisbane with his wife Maria and 4 children.
Prayer Points for GO20 Good News Sharing Month
- Pray for five people during May and share the Good News of Jesus with them. Acts 1:8
- Pray for a Revival and Transformation for our nation, and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Australia. John 3:16
- Pray that the Lord of the harvest will thrust out labourers into the Gospel harvest. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people around the world this May during GO2020. Mark 16:15
We invite you to support this Prayer Campaign to multiply prayer to see every believer become active in sharing their faith with friends and family. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom, Life and the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.
[Donate Here]
Join us for our daily one-hour Zoom prayer call:
- DATES: Every night for the month of May
- TIME: 8PM AEST
- ZOOM URL
- ZOOM MEETING ID: 776881184
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