Bible Ballistics: What Crop Are You Expecting??? Vol. 6#02

Many in our area of the country are connected with agriculture in one way or another. There are farmers who plant crops-corn, wheat, sorghum, and other grains for human and animal consumption, as well as those who raise livestock of varying kinds. There are also some who plant produce for direct human consumption—tomatoes, beans, squash and other fruits and vegetables. Agriculture has a simple principle that every farmer or rancher follows, and that is simply, ‘what you put in, you get out’. Or in Biblical terms:

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

Sow a lot and you generally reap an abundant crop. If you are stingy with the seed, then you’ll receive a much smaller harvest. This is a true spiritual principle as well. Our choices can be the seeds we sow, yet God’s principles of the harvest hold true:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  Galatians 6:7-8

In other words, ‘junk in, junk out’. You only get out of something what is in it. Sometimes it’s what we’ve put into something that we get out, and sometimes what is already within something will naturally come out. If you squeeze a lemon you expect to get ‘lemon’ juice out of it, but if the lemon has dried up or is bad you won’t get anything of value out of it. Scripture teaches us that what is ‘inside’ will come out. This is an oft-ignored principle and idea within our culture, even in Christian circles. We want to go our own way and yet retain the blessings of God. We want to ‘claim the name of Jesus’, while we ‘live like the devil’!!!

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:17-20

Our words and our actions reveal what is in our heart. What do my actions say to the world about me? About You? Are we choosing wrong and still expecting ‘right’ results? It will never work out that way!!! Let’s look a little closer at the message from Galatians 6:7-8:

 “Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

 that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

We have the God-given right to choose in this life, but we cannot separate our choices from the consequences that will be produced. Scripture makes clear that we cannot circumvent God and His sovereign rule over this world. God has established His principle of ‘choices and consequences’, which simply put, says that we are free to choose but we are NOT free to set or choose our own consequences. Scripture is replete with references to choosing well, with the consequences in mind:

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deuteronomy 30:19

And my favorite of all, from Joshua, as he gave his people a powerful challenge, and the call is as profound to us today as it was those thousands of years ago. Let’s consider the verses as we did above:

“ Now therefore fear the Lord,

  and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the Lord.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua made it clear that we have a choice, just as we saw in Galatians 6:7-8. We are free to choose but choices bring consequences.

So to make a long story short (which I seldom do!!!) we must choose wisely. What choices are you making today? Are you thinking ahead to the consequences? Are you trusting God to lead and direct your steps? He will!!! What do your actions reveal about your heart? What are you trusting in? Who or what are you following? Let’s look at Proverbs 3:5-8, as we sum up our time together.

“Trust in the Lord (how)

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

(and the consequences???)

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes:

fear the Lord,

and depart from evil.

(and the consequences???)

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  (God’s direction & supply in our lives!)

Who are you choosing to serve? Your actions will reveal your choices. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve”! With Joshua, I’ll trust my ‘consequences’ to the Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ as I serve and obey HIM!!!

“as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”!