Thursday, March 29, 2012

Mark 4:26–29

"Jesus also said, 'The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.'"


What does the farmer do here for the seed? Not a lot: He scatters seed on the ground. Then he goes about his business. All on its own, the seed sprouts and grows. The farmer doesn't understand how it happens; he just knows it does. It grows because the principle of life and growth is in the seed itself. The farmer's job is to let it grow and then harvest it at the proper time. Similarly, you can relax in the knowledge that God has placed in every heart what is necessary to grow and live.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Proverbs 11:24–26

"Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.
The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
People curse those who hoard their grain,
but they bless the one who sells in time of need."
In God's economy, money and goods must flow. They must move. Wealth is created through generosity and openhearted giving. If money is an issue for you now, look for ways to give. It may seem counterintuitive, but it is God's way. Actively look for ways to refresh others, to improve their lives in whatever way you can. Then you will also reap the benefits. Live by the rules of God's economy, and you will be included in God's sufficiency.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Exodus 32:9–12, 14

"Then the LORD said, 'I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.'

"But Moses tried to pacify the LORD his God. 'O LORD!' he said. 'Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand? Why let the Egyptians say, "Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth"? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people!' …

"So the LORD changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people."


Moses could have said, "This is my chance to rid myself of the troublesome burden of these people. If God can't stand them, why should I? God said he'd make me into a mighty nation. Yes!" But he did not think about himself. His concern was for God's reputation. That approach had power to change God's mind. Are your prayers more concerned about God than yourself? Those are the kinds of prayers that move God

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Matthew 25:16–19

"'The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.

'After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.'"


The two servants who had been given the most each doubled their income. They acted out of confidence. The servant who had been given the least acted (or failed to act) because of fear. Are there any fears that hold you back from making the most of what you've been given? Ask God to take away these fears—they do not come from him! Have faith that you possess the ability to double what you have been given.