The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:1-2 Have you ever thought about David and wondered how a shepherd boy could become a man after God's own heart—a man so strong in spirit that God chose him to be king of Israel? I have. In fact, I asked God about it, and He showed me that revelation was what turned David into such a spiritual powerhouse—revelation that came to him through hours of thinking about the things of God. I imagine the day he wrote Psalm 23 he was just sitting and singing praises to God and meditating on His goodness. Just fellowshipping with Him when suddenly the anointing of the Lord came upon him and he said, "The Lord is my Shepherd!" Suddenly he thought about the sheep he watched over as a boy, I faced death for those sheep. I led them where pastures were green and waters were cool, clean, deep, and peaceful. He kept on meditating on that until it started to thrill him. When the lion and the bear came, didn't He prepare a table before me in the presence of those enemies? He gave me victory. My God! My God will fight for me. The Lord is my Shepherd! I shall not want! That revelation welled up in David so strong that the devil couldn't beat it out of him. So when Goliath tried to make a fool out of Israel, David went after him. Goliath was able to scare off everyone else, but he couldn't shake David because he had a revelation inside him that said, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for my God is with me. That revelation enabled David to say, "I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts" and to send a rock sailing into that giant's brain. Is the devil out to destroy you? Do what David did. Meditate on God and His Word. Sing praises to your King. Fellowship with Him until the revelation of who He is in you starts to thrill your soul. Then tell the devil, "You're not going to kill me. The Lord is my Shepherd!" Hit him with the rock of revelation knowledge, and you'll knock him flat every time. Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 Kenneth Copeland
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Because you are a sower, you can stand on the promise God made in His Word:
2 Corinthians 9:10-11AMPC And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. God has promised two things to those who are sowers: (1) They will never be without seed, and (2) He will increase their resources for sowing. All sowers can attest to the truth of these promises. In the book of James, we see that faith without works is dead. When Abraham was willing to offer, or sow his son Isaac in obedience to God, the Word says Abraham’s faith was made perfect. The Amplified translation says his faith reached supreme expression. James 2:22 You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works. Our faith, no matter what endeavor we apply it to, does not reach its full expression until we sow something. Make the decision now, to become a sower and enjoy a lifetime adventure in faith, fully sustained by the greatest spiritual law: the law of seedtime and harvest. Q: When it comes to sowing and reaping, what’s a seed?
A: Agriculture is the first thing we think about when we hear the phrase “seedtime and harvest.” It’s what comes to mind when we first read about it in Genesis 8:22, where we are promised that while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. But you don’t have to look very long to see that the principle of seedtime and harvest, or “sowing and reaping,” applies to every area of our lives. The law of sowing and reaping is a God-instituted process that will exist as long as we are on this earth. We see this in Galatians 6:7-9. Here the law is applied to the consequences and rewards of decisions a person makes in life: “You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Notice that these verses speak of seeds being sown in every area of life from financial to social, from sowing and reaping from the sinful nature or from the Spirit. The great news of the gospel is that through Christ the wages (or harvest) of our sin can be washed by His blood, and we can enter into an abundance of never-ending life: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God’s plan is to provide good seed for you to sow. Second Corinthians 9:8-11 tells us God provides seed for the sower. His plan is to not only meet our needs but for us to have plenty left over to sow to every good work. We encourage you to trust the Lord to provide you with good seed to sow, whether it’s a financial seed, a kind word, a gift of service or an act of obedience. God will multiply the seed you sow! Jesus said in Luke 6:38 that if you give “you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back”! Source: KCM Question of the Day December 20 We have all heard about:
Sowing and Reaping Giving and Receiving Seedtime and Harvest: They pertain to the same principles. -Sowing and Reaping: Galatians 6:7-8MSG Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. -Giving and Receiving: Luke 6:38MSG …Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” -Seedtime and Harvest The Law of Genesis says in Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Let’s set the stage with a PROFOUND TRUTH: EVERYTHING IN LIFE STARTS WITH A SEED! EVERYTHING IN THE EARTH WORKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST! Say that out loud! EVERYTHING IN LIFE STARTS WITH A SEED! EVERYTHING IN THE EARTH WORKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST! Say it again! EVERYTHING IN LIFE STARTS WITH A SEED! EVERYTHING IN THE EARTH WORKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST! We will be learning about the principle of SOWING AND REAPING Many of us fail to operate in this law. God has set this law into motion – and if we are going to receive the results promised then we must operate according to the Law set forth by God. Gal 6:7 says, Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. Every choice has a consequence. If we make a wise, godly decision, we can expect God to reward us for our faithfulness. If we make rash or sinful choices, we can anticipate negative consequences. In other words, you reap what you sow, and later than you sow. Although the Law uses agricultural (natural) terms, it applies to spiritual things and all of life. Warning: Again, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked”. One of the most common mistakes that we make is living as though rebellion against God has no consequences – in this life or the next. Mocking the Lord includes laughing or sneering at His laws and being arrogant toward Him. Some people think that if they don’t believe in God, it doesn’t matter what the Bible says. But whether spiritual principles are accepted or denied, they apply to everyone. Those who sow and continue sowing to the Spirit can expect God to reward them. Galatians 6:9 says, And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Our focus is primarily sowing and reaping monetary seed, but we also have these other Opportunities: 1. Sowing to the Spirit is an act of faith, as such, it is possible only during our time on earth. We must take advantage of the opportunity we have to serve God Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith Galatians 6:10. 2. Sowing to the Spirit includes things such as talking to people about Jesus, giving books, or encouraging others to listen to radio or television broadcasts. 3. All of us have the chance to sow into the lives of other people. Seed can be small acts, like telling someone God loves them, offering to pray for a sick person, or showing kindness to a stranger. Make a decision today to sow seeds of love, patience, and truth. You will reap what you sow. There is no escaping this eternal Law. People need you to make an eternal difference in their lives. Take the time to plant seeds of righteousness, and you will reap a harvest of eternal rewards. When we sow seed, we MUST sow in faith. Jesus Himself constantly compared faith with a seed being planted or sown to get a desired result. He said in this familiar Scripture: Matthew 17:20…If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. From time to time all of us have faced mountains of need; spiritual problems, sickness, family needs, fear, financial needs and many more. The Good News is that the LORD tells us what to do to get these mountains removed. What do we do to get the mountains removed? WE SOW OR PLANT A SEED OF FAITH The Bible says in Romans 12:3 part b, …God has dealt to each one the measure of faith. Not “A” measure of faith, but “THE” measure of faith. We all get the same measure. We all have faith and each of us has the same potential to develop our faith. It is up to us to develop it. The Bible talks about No faith (Mark 4:40); Little faith (Matthew 8:26); and Great faith (Matthew 8:10) It is up to us to feed our faith, to exercise or use our faith, and to develop our faith! The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 Jesus compares the workings of the kingdom of God to planting seed in the earth. “When the seed is sown,” He said, “it grows up….” Notice He didn’t say that it would occasionally grow up. Or it grows up if it is God’s will. He said, “It grows up and becomes greater,” period. God’s economy is like our economy – up one day and down the other. It’s always the same and always works perfectly. If the requirements of good earth, good seed, and good water are met, there will always be growth. It’s inevitable. So if you have a need, don’t panic. Plant a seed! The seed may take the form of money, time, or some other resource you have to give. But no matter what form it takes make sure you put life in it by giving it in faith and surrounding it with praise and worship. Say, “LORD, as I bring You my goods, I bring myself. I give myself to You – spirit, soul, and body.” Then pray over that seed. Fill it with faith, worship, and The WORD. Then plant it. You can rest assured – it will grow up and become greater! Q: When it comes to sowing and reaping, what’s a seed?
A: Agriculture is the first thing we think about when we hear the phrase “seedtime and harvest.” It’s what comes to mind when we first read about it in Genesis 8:22, where we are promised that while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. But you don’t have to look very long to see that the principle of seedtime and harvest, or “sowing and reaping,” applies to every area of our lives. The law of sowing and reaping is a God-instituted process that will exist as long as we are on this earth. We see this in Galatians 6:7-9. Here the law is applied to the consequences and rewards of decisions a person makes in life: “You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Notice that these verses speak of seeds being sown in every area of life from financial to social, from sowing and reaping from the sinful nature or from the Spirit. The great news of the gospel is that through Christ the wages (or harvest) of our sin can be washed by His blood, and we can enter into an abundance of never-ending life: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God’s plan is to provide good seed for you to sow. Second Corinthians 9:8-11 tells us God provides seed for the sower. His plan is to not only meet our needs but for us to have plenty left over to sow to every good work. We encourage you to trust the Lord to provide you with good seed to sow, whether it’s a financial seed, a kind word, a gift of service or an act of obedience. God will multiply the seed you sow! Jesus said in Luke 6:38 that if you give “you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back”! Source: KCM Question of the Day December 20 WEEK 1
We have all heard about: Sowing and Reaping Giving and Receiving Seedtime and Harvest: They pertain to the same principles. -Sowing and Reaping: Galatians 6:7-8MSG Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. -Giving and Receiving: Luke 6:38MSG …Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” -Seedtime and Harvest The Law of Genesis says in Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Let’s set the stage with a PROFOUND TRUTH: EVERYTHING IN LIFE STARTS WITH A SEED! EVERYTHING IN THE EARTH WORKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST! Say that out loud! EVERYTHING IN LIFE STARTS WITH A SEED! EVERYTHING IN THE EARTH WORKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST! Say it again! EVERYTHING IN LIFE STARTS WITH A SEED! EVERYTHING IN THE EARTH WORKS ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST! We will be learning about the principle of SOWING AND REAPING Many of us fail to operate in this law. God has set this law into motion – and if we are going to receive the results promised then we must operate according to the Law set forth by God. Gal 6:7 says, Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. Every choice has a consequence. If we make a wise, godly decision, we can expect God to reward us for our faithfulness. If we make rash or sinful choices, we can anticipate negative consequences. In other words, you reap what you sow, and later than you sow. Although the Law uses agricultural (natural) terms, it applies to spiritual things and all of life. Warning: Again, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked”. One of the most common mistakes that we make is living as though rebellion against God has no consequences – in this life or the next. Mocking the Lord includes laughing or sneering at His laws and being arrogant toward Him. Some people think that if they don’t believe in God, it doesn’t matter what the Bible says. But whether spiritual principles are accepted or denied, they apply to everyone. Those who sow and continue sowing to the Spirit can expect God to reward them. Galatians 6:9 says, And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Our focus is primarily sowing and reaping monetary seed, but we also have these other Opportunities: 1. Sowing to the Spirit is an act of faith, as such, it is possible only during our time on earth. We must take advantage of the opportunity we have to serve God Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith Galatians 6:10. 2. Sowing to the Spirit includes things such as talking to people about Jesus, giving books, or encouraging others to listen to radio or television broadcasts. 3. All of us have the chance to sow into the lives of other people. Seed can be small acts, like telling someone God loves them, offering to pray for a sick person, or showing kindness to a stranger. Make a decision today to sow seeds of love, patience, and truth. You will reap what you sow. There is no escaping this eternal Law. People need you to make an eternal difference in their lives. Take the time to plant seeds of righteousness, and you will reap a harvest of eternal rewards. When we sow seed, we MUST sow in faith. Jesus Himself constantly compared faith with a seed being planted or sown to get a desired result. He said in this familiar Scripture: Matthew 17:20…If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. From time to time all of us have faced mountains of need; spiritual problems, sickness, family needs, fear, financial needs and many more. The Good News is that the LORD tells us what to do to get these mountains removed. What do we do to get the mountains removed? WE SOW OR PLANT A SEED OF FAITH The Bible says in Romans 12:3 part b, …God has dealt to each one the measure of faith. Not “A” measure of faith, but “THE” measure of faith. We all get the same measure. We all have faith and each of us has the same potential to develop our faith. It is up to us to develop it. The Bible talks about No faith (Mark 4:40); Little faith (Matthew 8:26); and Great faith (Matthew 8:10) It is up to us to feed our faith, to exercise or use our faith, and to develop our faith! The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 Jesus compares the workings of the kingdom of God to planting seed in the earth. “When the seed is sown,” He said, “it grows up….” Notice He didn’t say that it would occasionally grow up. Or it grows up if it is God’s will. He said, “It grows up and becomes greater,” period. God’s economy is like our economy – up one day and down the other. It’s always the same and always works perfectly. If the requirements of good earth, good seed, and good water are met, there will always be growth. It’s inevitable. So if you have a need, don’t panic. Plant a seed! The seed may take the form of money, time, or some other resource you have to give. But no matter what form it takes make sure you put life in it by giving it in faith and surrounding it with praise and worship. Say, “LORD, as I bring You my goods, I bring myself. I give myself to You – spirit, soul, and body.” Then pray over that seed. Fill it with faith, worship, and The WORD. Then plant it. You can rest assured – it will grow up and become greater! Because you are a sower, you can stand on the promise God made in His Word:
2 Corinthians 9:10-11AMPC And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. God has promised two things to those who are sowers: (1) They will never be without seed, and (2) He will increase their resources for sowing. All sowers can attest to the truth of these promises. In the book of James, we see that faith without works is dead. When Abraham was willing to offer, or sow his son Isaac in obedience to God, the Word says Abraham’s faith was made perfect. The Amplified translation says his faith reached supreme expression. James 2:22 You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works. Our faith, no matter what endeavor we apply it to, does not reach its full expression until we sow something. Make the decision now, to become a sower and enjoy a lifetime adventure in faith, fully sustained by the greatest spiritual law: the law of seedtime and harvest. Your attitude is a seed that determines your destiny.
Attitude is a reflection of what is going on deep inside a person. Attitude is something we can’t fake. We may go to church with a smile on our face, but pretty soon, if we don’t like the music or we think they spent too much time on the offering, our attitude is going to reveal how we really feel. The root cause of a negative attitude is the belief that nothing good is going to happen. This belief stems from not really believing God’s Word. When you spend more time in the world than you do in the Word, you are not thoroughly convinced, or fully persuaded, that God means what He says. And if you are not convinced that you can depend on God, your attitude will reveal it through your thoughts and words. The only remedy for a negative attitude is spending time in God’s Word, allowing His thoughts to become your thoughts and His words your words. There are times when we can defeat the devil with just our attitude. We just have to determine that no matter what he says or does, it’s not going to affect our positive attitude. Proverbs 4:20-22 say, My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Once you take charge of your thoughts, your words, and your attitude, and sow them as good seed, you begin to see a positive change in your material and financial sowing. (We can’t talk about the law of seedtime and harvest without including our finances and material possessions). The Word says money is a seed. Clothes can become seed, your car and your lawn mower. If you own it and it’s yours, it’s a seed. And because you are a sower, you can stand on the promise He made in His Word. |
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