SOWING AND REAPING
SOWING AND REAPING
Galatians 6:7–10 (NKJV)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
I am writing this post with a heavy heart and burden from the countless messages I get and postings I read online. Many of the saints struggle with faith and unbelief. So how does sowing and reaping apply? Are you sowing in faith or unbelief? You have a choice to sow in faith rendering greater faith or sowing unbelief rendering greater unbelief!
Sowing in Spirit and Truth renders greater revelations of Spirit and Truth. Sowing in faith renders greater faith. Sowing in false doctrine renders greater deception and false belief. What I have witnessed is the “picking and choosing” of scriptures by many professing Christians and not embracing EVERY WORD OF GOD AS SPIRIT AND TRUTH. I don’t understand why someone can not openly say they don’t understand a mater of scripture. Do you have to prove yourself worthy or be acknowledged. Why did the disciples ask Jesus so many questions, they wanted to know exactly what Jesus meant in Truth and Jesus was not hesitant to reply. Stop taking your questions to people and bring them to the Lord for revelations of Truth!
Every lie that is spoken or false belief of doctrine that is spoken into people can take root and I personally don’t want to be accountable for that. One of the devils snares is to get into a “debate” because the devil tries to wear you out. Truth is not to be debated as Truth stands alone regardless of belief. Normally when someone tries to debate or “politicize” scripture with me I ask them what has the Lord revealed or spoken to them about this matter and the conversation usually ends at that point. To politicize is based on the majority of what people speak or believe is not necessarily true as WIDE is the path to destruction! Jesus addresses this by asking the disciples “who do people say I am”. Should you believe and trust people or Jesus?
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Jesus often said: Your faith has made you well. Your faith has made you whole. Why do you not believe? Remember the Centurion in Matthew 8 who asked Jesus to heal his servant. He then spoke to Jesus: you don’t need to come but just say the Word! The Centurion had faith in Jesus and Jesus was marveled. The Centurion recognized the authority of Jesus. Please notice I highlighted the word servant! Are we not servants of the Most High God? Then why do you doubt the Word of God? Does Jesus abandon His servants?
Matthew 8:5–13 (NKJV)
The Centurion’s Servant is Healed
Luke 7:1–10
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
The carnal/human mindset is based upon “works” of our flesh, our own belief and understanding and even our own self sufficiency. This troublesome matter gets caught up in our ability to demonstrate goodness instead of revealing the goodness of God, our Lord Jesus. If we are not cautious people will put their faith and trust in us and NOT in Christ Jesus. When you put your faith and trust in a person other than the Lord Jesus when something happens to that person, what happens to your faith and trust? I would rather put my trust and faith in the Lord Jesus who is eternal, Spirit and Truth and the only means of sustaining my physical and spiritual life. Why do you think the Prophets always started by saying THUS SAITH THE LORD, you needed to have faith in the Lord to receive the Word from the prophet. The prophets didn’t come in their own name or words they came with the Word of the Lord. Your faith was to be in the Lord and the prophet was judged by the fulfillment of the Word that he spoke. Jesus fulfilled the Words of the Prophets because it was Jesus’ Word spoken through them!
If the Lord Jesus has entrusted and commissioned you to something then have faith in HIS ability and not your own ability. When you rely on your ability and expectations you embrace a measure of failure of “performance”. With any human expectation there is the possibility of falling short or failure of the desired expectation. This is because we base it upon OUR ability and not the ability and sovereignty of the Lord Jesus.
Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Here we have the prophet Isaiah speaking the Word of God in faith knowing that it will not return void because Isaiah has faith through relationship with God knowing that God is True to His Word. So the Word was spoken in Spirit and Truth and in faith of who God is. Have we as believers reached this point in faith that EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE AND AVAILABLE TO THE SAINTS IN CHRIST JESUS? Notice that the word “My” is capitalized which makes direct reference to the Lord Jesus and not the prophet.
Luke 1:37–38 (NKJV)
37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
I want to put emphasis on the word “whatever” from Galatians 6:7. The word whatever is a very broad and encompassing word meaning many things such as if you do good deeds you will reap good deeds. If you do bad deeds you will reap bad deeds and yes this is correct.
Mary stated that she was a “servant” are we not ambassadors and servants of the Most High and shouldn’t we believe according to the Word of God. I believe deep in my heart that too many Christians are not hearing the voice of God because they approach the written word with an earthly mindset of learning rather then experiencing the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 the Word is living, so we should be experiencing the Living Word Christ Jesus.
When Mary stated her reply she heard the voice of God through the angel the Lord sent. Moses not only had an encounter with the Lord, Moses spoke to the Lord and was commissioned and empowered by the Lord!
If you teach a child basic principles such as the value of a dollar and they purchase something for fifty cents that child anticipates getting fifty cents back. Now this is not theory or knowledge but experienced REALITY! This same principle applies to sowing in faith and reaping in faith! How do you give the Lord the ability to reveal Himself to people if you don’t have faith to stand on the Truth, promises, and Word of God? Foolish belief would be that everyone who went through the seven year famine in Egypt would rely on Joseph when Joseph through all of His hardships revealed the Lord by trusting, believing and having faith and inspiration from the Lord. People only see people but we are no longer just human people we are of a divine nature and people should not only hear our testimony of continued growing faith but get revelations of Christ being the author and finisher of our faith.
So let us expand this principles of sowing and reaping in “the spiritual man”. What you sow in faith you will reap in faith. This is one of the greatest travesties of the Christian journey and getting tossed to and fro in the journey and walk of a saint. This leads someone to call upon another person’s faith because they lack faith themselves. How will you ever grow in faith and see the hand of the Lord in your life when you refuse to believe in ALL of the Word of God in Spirit and Truth believing in faith in Christ Jesus? Put yourself in the shoes of Christ Jesus telling people He was the Resurrection and the Life, can you boldly proclaim the Truth of God’s Word with unbelief? It’s time to die to “what if” and live to “Spirit and Truth”. “What if” comes from your sole and not from the Lord Jesus.
As I told a Jewish lawyer in a legal matter he was handling for me. The Jewish lawyer said this will likely happen and probably this will happen. I told the Jewish lawyer: The Word of the Lord came to me and spoke to me that the victory was the Lord’s and the favor and blessings were mine. I said I do not operate or function on likelihood or probability I operate in Spirit and Truth and I don’t care what “man’s” court determines because ALL of humanity must answer to a higher court which is Christ Jesus. My case was denied two times and we had up to three appeals. The third appeal was approved and the settlement went in my favor. The Jewish lawyer said to me that he never witnessed anyone with my tenacity. I said to him it is not tenacity it is the righteousness of Christ Jesus and I stood in faith that Jesus was true to His Word. When the matter came to a closure after four years of litigation the lawyer gave me his income of $10,000 dollars and he did not accept any income! This unbelieving Jewish lawyer had witnessed the hand of the Lord and sowed into my ministry blessing the Lord Jesus. This Jewish lawyer was a lawyer for many years and thus his knowledge was based on his experiences of court proceedings and potential outcomes so his mind was on what he knew but mine was based on WHO I KNEW, CHRIST JESUS. I believe this Jewish lawyer experienced revelations of Christ and is likely now a believer in Christ. I may have been uneducated in the legal system but this Jewish Lawyer experienced that I was educated in Christ Jesus which witnessed to him. In all of these proceedings the opposing attorney said he would bury me in court as I had not worked in five years of my traveling for the Lord Jesus because I was lazy and looking for easy money. I was standing for truth just as Jesus stood in man’s court revealing TRUTH. Foolish man, WHO CAN STAND AGAINST THE LORD!
Acts 4:13 (NKJV)
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
The Lord has now asked me to share more testimony concerning this legal matter and the victory of the Lord. When my human rights case started there was an attorney at the commission of human rights which attended and over saw the “fact finding” presentation of facts for substantiation of my case. Both parties stated their facts for considerations. My attorney said that it went well and was optimistic. We however were denied and subsequently asked for another attorney from the commission of human rights to hear our case and were denied. So the original attorney from the commission of human rights simply reviewed his notes and denied us a second time. My attorney then asked if I wanted him to appeal the third and final time and ask again for a different attorney to hear our case. Unfortunately the letter of request was received one day to late even though the emailed request was received on time. I had to wait 3 months for the whole commission to assemble to come to a unanimous decision to continue and reopen my case. They reached a unanimous decision to reopen my case and to assign a new attorney to review my case. This new attorney whom I had not met in person reviewed the case notes and said there was probable cause for discrimination. This open the possibility of having a jury hear my case.
My attorney called me and notified me of this and we set up a meeting with the attorney from the commission of human rights. After driving 1200 miles to attend we gathered in the meeting. The attorney from the commission of human rights was a lesbian. I immediately sought the Lord and said Lord she is from the adversary and of the wrong spirit what should I do as I know you will prevail. Lord what should I do as that spirit opposes your kingdom. The Lord spoke to me, “do not cast out that demon she is fighting for you just as she fights for her own human rights of equality as a lesbian”. So I had peace and trust that the Lord was using this spirit for His Glory! Romans 8:28! After reviewing the findings another session would be scheduled to meet with the opposing attorney to seek settlement outside of a formal court trial.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The opposing lawyer told me that he had no intentions of caving in so my attorney asked him to step out of the meeting for a few moments so we could talk. My lawyer said that the opposing lawyer would likely only give me a small offering for comfort. I said no, it’s all or nothing. Here is what I want according to the Word of the Lord. I want what is owed to me not a penny more or a penny less and I want reimbursement for attorney fees which totaled thirty thousand dollars which I did not have. The opposing lawyer returned and within about 15 minutes we settled that all monies owed would be restored and that they would pay my thirty thousand dollars of legal fees accrued. My Jewish attorney then requested two separate checks one to his Jewish Legal Firm and a second which would be his own income made payable to me in the amount of ten thousand dollars!
Now here are points to consider. If I had won the first time how would that have it revealed the hand of God in significance as this lawyer might have believed it was his knowledge and power in victory. The case had to be appealed three times and then the victory of the Lord came. Also, what if I didn’t seek the Lord about the lesbian lawyer and cast out a demon that the Lord was using for HIS GLORY unknowingly to the lesbian lawyer? I only do what I see my Father doing, thus I only do what the Lord tells me to do. Always seek the Lord before doing anything for His ways are not our ways. His wisdom is not our wisdom. His power and might is not our power and might.
Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)
6 So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
What my attorney didn’t know is that the Lord was going to have me move cross country again and those monies my attorney gave me provided for me to move and purchase a home with NO recent credit or work history as I hadn’t worked in over five years traveling for the Lord. I didn’t want to purchase a home and be in debt as I really enjoyed traveling for the Lord. Through prayer and sharing my concerns with the Lord I received peace and clarity that it was the Lord’s will.
I have never shared this testimony of ten years ago but today the Lord has me sharing it with you. Some of you may receive insight and revelation from this testimony.
Deuteronomy 11:25 (NKJV)
25 No man shall be able to stand against you; the Lord your God will put the dread of you and the fear of you upon all the land where you tread, just as He has said to you.
Romans 8:31 (NKJV)
God’s Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Acts 4:13 (NKJV)
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
What the Jewish lawyer called tenacity was really boldness in the righteousness of Christ Jesus! God said it, I believed it and I contended in faith and Jesus gave me the victory. I once had a ministry school call me to leadership for reprimand which was not reprimand but a spiritual attack. The leaders said that I was prideful and arrogant and that I needed the Lord to deal with me and repent. This ministry school was operated by a Jezebel Spirit and principality of Jezebel (ruling authority) and I replied to them that what they called arrogance was confidence in Jesus. I did not come into agreement with the evil and demonic nature of my accusers which were of the devil. The devil will accuse you of what is IN HIM. You must understand that it is not “your identity in Christ” it is “Christ in you” because you are not standing on your own ability! We were created in His Image not our Image in Him. Stop saying our identity, as a dead man has no identity of his own, he is dead! You can’t call upon “your name” you must call upon the “name of the Lord” so who’s identity. The devil knows who Christ is in you! That is why the demon spoke, Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you? Notice the demon makes a comparison between Jesus and Paul. Jesus was mentioned FIRST because the demon recognized and acknowledged Jesus in Paul!
Acts 19:15 (NKJV)
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
Galatians 2:20–21 (NKJV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Galatians 6:14–15 (NKJV)
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
We have two ditches I mention earlier and one ditch is ONLY relying on the faith of salvation and not growing in faith in the Lord Jesus. Now before you go ballistic hear me out as I am rejoicing in the faith of salvation and I know that we overcome by the Word of our testimony, etc. This ditch I am referring to is in reference to growing in faith. If your only testimony is your salvation how have you grown in faith and in revelations of Christ who is Faithful and True? Faithfulness in salvation is wonderful but do you have faith to reach maturity of son-ship not being tossed to and fro? Those of us who have children should desire their children to mature in understanding and wisdom to mature and become moral adults. This would require us to set the principles and them to grow in faith and belief of those principles.
The requirement and necessity of the 12 disciples was the principle of baring witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. By having 12 disciples it fulfilled the requirement from a judicial/legal standpoint of being undisputed testimony. The courts in America are set up with the same principle format. A jury of 12 needs to render a unanimous decision in other words bearing witness to the factual events presented rendering a decision or verdict. Once a matter has been established and witnessed in this manner such as the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus the matter is settled. Each saint can walk in the power of the resurrection you don’t need 12 witnesses as you are called to be a witness for Christ Jesus. I am not stating this to say there are no more Apostles I am saying just as Jesus would say. “IT IS FINISHED”.
The second ditch is leaning on your own interpretation, knowledge or self will. The written Word of God is the authority of God and the problem often is application. No where in the Written Word was this legal matter written that I was a part of. No where in the instructions given to Moses prior to his commission to deliver the Israelite’s was there mention of parting the Red Sea to Moses. I make these points to establish that the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God not only the written Word. You can’t fulfill the written Word without the Spirit of the Written Word.
I never preached the gospel to my attorney as I was not led to do that but through the actions and the sovereign hand of the Lord, Jesus revealed Himself to this attorney by the power of my testimony “The Lord spoke to me and said the victory was the Lord’s and the favor and blessing were mine”. The Lord revealed himself. Why else would this attorney work for free by giving me his earnings so the works of the Lord may continue in my ministry on behalf of the Lord.
I hope you have been encouraged and inspired to sow in faith so you may reap in faith as this allows a true witness to all those around you when the Hand of the Lord comes forth. Christ Jesus is to witnessed and demonstrated to be true to His Word!
Revelation 19:11 (NKJV)
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.