​"Historical Reaping and Sowing"Galatians 6:8
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Thoughts for Today:From the beginning of humanity's creation, the principle of sowing and reaping has been in full force and effect. What was true for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is true today. Adam reaped what was sown -- as has every single person since. So it doesn't matter if you're a saint, sinner, believer, or non-believer; and it's true for every race, sex, nation and society. No one escapes from the law of the harvest. Not even the most powerful empires -- not the Romans, Persians, Mongols, Russians, Byzantines, British, or even the Hans (Chinese). And it its equally true for the United States of America and each of us personally.

The Old Testament taught repeatedly on this subject. For example:

Job 4:8: "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."

Proverbs 11:18: "A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward."

Hosea 10:13a: "But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception."

Isaiah 17:10-11 (RSV): "For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge; therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and set out slips of an alien god, though you make them grow on the day that you plant them, and make them blossom in the morning that you sow; yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain."

In the New Testament, Jesus taught the principle of the harvest in different applications, as did Paul and James (James 3:18: "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness"). Although our actions are extremely important, we must also realize they are simply the result of our thoughts. (James 1:14-15: "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived [thoughts], it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.") Therefore, if we want to control our actions we must first gain control over our thoughts. How? Paul explains in Romans 8:6 (RSV): "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Which is the same general concept Paul is teaching in our passage today.

Questions to Ponder:On what is your mind set? Is it on the desires of the flesh or is it on the mind of the Spirit? Has the constant pressure and routines of life taken you away from the Lord's will? What does the Bible say is the consequence of separation from God? How will you change your thoughts today?

"What Seeds are you Sowing?"Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Thoughts for Today:The law of the harvest is irrefutable, irrevocable, incontestable and undeniable. And it does not have to be believed in to work. Just remember this: If we go out and become involved in some sort of sinful activity and then come to the Lord in humility and repentance to say, "Lord, forgive me, I know I shouldn't have gone there, done those things, or said that," He forgives us. However, the sin we planted will still have consequences -- and a final result that may be very unpleasant.

This law of planting and the harvest applies to much more than just sin and a lack of righteousness. How so? If we want friends then we must be friends. (Proverbs 18:24: "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.") If we want life and peace, then we must think on the things that produce life and peace. (Romans 8:6: "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace," and Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.")

We would think someone a fool if they complained about a lack of crops to harvest if they never planted any seeds. But in the church and the world in general, I hear people complaining all the time about not receiving anything when they haven't taken the time to plant a single spiritual seed. Doesn't it make logical sense that we first need to sow before we reap? Natural seeds take time to germinate, grow and then produce a harvest. Therefore, it wouldn't be wise to wait until we are in desperate need to begin sowing.

Questions to Ponder:We're all planting all the time. The question is: Are the seeds, and therefore harvest, going to be positive or negative? What have you been planting lately? Are you intentional?

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