Parables of Christ - Part 11

The Growing Seed

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241013 - The Growing Seed - Parables Of Christ - Part 11

Mark 4:26-29 KJV

[26] And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; [27] and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. [28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. [29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.4.26-29.KJV

Note for 20241013

It is time, when it is time. We know that the day of the Lord is appointed in time and only our Father in Heaven knows the day and hour. However, we can know that the harvest is near, by keeping watch on the season and observing the fruit of mankind. When iniquity abounds...

[12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24 KJV)

The text today indicates though, that sometimes, the progression of something can be missed, even if we keep a close watch on it. For those that were around when the seed was planted, we can know where the plant came from. In trees, it can be years before a tree produces fruit, what still of mankind?

Acts 14 KJV

[22] Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

At times, it might feel like we are going nowhere, that we are not progressing; we may even feel that maybe GOD has forgotten about us. It is then when we must be on guard that we do not say, "my Lord delayeth His coming." To produce much fruit, unfruitful branches may have to be pruned. Just as impurities must be removed, in the smelting process of precious metals. How often do we learn of the Love of GOD, when we are saved from a situation or illness? It seems that man can mostly only learn in hindsight.

So, let me give you another testimony from my life, where GOD preserved me for the day I am standing in.

Back, in the late 1990's, when I was still a policeman, I was in pursuit of armed robbery suspects. I was alone in the police vehicle, the only one in pursuit at that time. I was driving and calling on the radio for assistance, giving updates of where we were and in which direction we were going. All along, I had my sidearm in my right hand ready to fire a shot, whenever it was possible without risk to innocent life. The suspect, who was a passenger in the minibus escape vehicle, was firing shots off at me. The chase went on for what seemed to be an eternity. At some point, the suspect quit firing at me, and at the time I did not think much of it. In the end, the chase was brought to an end, when both suspects were shot down by another policeman who had joined the pursuit.

When we went to the vehicle of the suspects, on inspecting their weapons, we found that a round had jammed the chamber of the weapon the suspect used to shoot at me. It was as if GOD reached out of heaven, placing his hand on the weapon and saying, "Not today."

Today I am still alive to testify about my salvation on that day from that particular situation. I have many testimonies like that, to the point that I can select one that fits best to the testimony I am giving. But to me they all happened. Every single one, and when your life is in danger, it is often not in the moment that you know that the LORD is keeping you safe, despite your circumstances. At that moment, I did not know how powerful the testimony of it would be, more than two decades later. That is oil in my lamp, which keeps my flame burning for Jesus Christ our Lord. Others may still sway, or guess and hope; but the LORD afforded me the fortune of knowing beyond a shadow of doubt. Who would have thought that the policeman I was back then, would dedicate his life to the testimony of the Word of GOD today?

Now, this was seen. It was witnessed, as the healing of my shattered maxilla (upper jaw) was witnessed by the sergeant who was operating on me, after it was crushed by 8 blows of a baseball bat in an assault. Even as I was received in the emergency room, dead on arrival; and now I am yet alive, still the words, "not today" is true. So is it for all of us each day. As that old enemy of GOD seeks to corrupt and kill the children of the Living GOD, still His Right Hand is on us, and the words, "not today" applies. The LORD is my Protector. It is by His Love for me, that I am kept day by day, until my fruit is ready to be harvested for heaven.

What I want you to see today, is though you might not see it, GOD is keeping you the same way. The measure of breaths that He has accounted for you, won't run out until the number of them are full. You might not see what GOD is doing for you in the unseen spaces. You might not see failing brakes start to work for your sake, in another car on the road. Those of us that are fortunate, experienced the impossible, like a bullet getting stuck in the chamber of the weapon that was brought against me, jamming the sliding mechanism from working on that day to bring my end earlier than GOD intended for me.

All these things, as horrible and terrifying as they were in the moment; the cases of abuse and even molestation, false witness against me and even in some cases where the accusations were not false and I was guilty; all of them was fashioned in such a way that today GOD can get the glory in them. There is a verse in the Word of GOD that probably has more authority for me than most, and this is it...

[Romans 8:28 KJV] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Through much tribulation must we enter into the Kingdom of GOD. And, my tribulations might not be over yet, but because of what GOD has done for me personally, I can trust in Him.

For many that may look at me, even who may have said that I am GOD forsaken and cursed for all that I have gone through in my life; even as I faced death on my sixth birthday, in the threat of a firearm, nonetheless, GOD said, "not today." I am still alive to testify for Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

What he has done for me, He will do for you. And while my day may come some day, as for now, it is still not now. But, when that day comes, when today is that day, I have countless days when it was not. The unseen mercies of GOD count for everyone of mankind. We live by the Mercy of GOD alone. For man in his corruption, are like vessels of hate until brought into the faith, when the new man is formed in the Love of GOD. Sinners saved by Grace that is who we are.

So, my advice: Think twice before you judge a book by its cover. For the growth in man can not always be seen, but it will be full at harvest time. For the fire or for the Kingdom of GOD; that, GOD will judge.

Selah, Shalom.