How can we ensure our lives yield "a crop useful to those" as described? Receiving the Rain: Opening Our Lives to God’s Provision “For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.” (Hebrews 6:7) • God sends steady “rain” through Scripture, prayer, worship, fellowship, and providential circumstances. • A heart that eagerly “drinks in” this rain—rather than letting it run off—begins the growth process (Isaiah 55:10-11). • Practical steps: – Schedule unhurried daily Bible intake (Psalm 1:2-3). – Respond to conviction immediately; obedience keeps soil soft (James 1:22). – Gather with believers who spur growth (Hebrews 10:24-25). Breaking Up the Fallow Ground: Repentance and Humility • Hardened soil resists seed. Likewise, unconfessed sin blocks fruitfulness (Hosea 10:12). • Repentance is more than sorrow—it is turning, tilling, making room for fresh seed. • Ask God to reveal hidden stones: bitterness, pride, envy. Remove them promptly (Psalm 139:23-24). Rooted in Christ: Abiding Daily “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) • Union with Christ is the root; every useful crop grows from this relationship. • Abiding looks like: – Conversational prayer throughout the day (1 Thessalonians 5:17). – Trusting His promises when trials scorch (Jeremiah 17:7-8). – Depending on the Spirit, not self-effort (Galatians 3:3). Fruit Inspection: Evidences of a Useful Crop • The Spirit’s produce is unmistakable—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). • Personal usefulness also shows up in: – Edifying speech that builds others (Ephesians 4:29). – Generosity that meets practical needs (2 Corinthians 9:8-11). – Disciple-making influence (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2). Serving the Field Hands: Blessing Others with What Grows • Crops are meant to feed people, not decorate the field. • Pray each morning, “Lord, who needs today what You’ve grown in me?” • Share Scripture insights, testimonies of God’s faithfulness, acts of service, financial help—whatever fruit He’s produced (1 Peter 4:10-11). Guarding Against Weeds: Perseverance and Holiness • Weeds—worldliness, false teaching, complacency—choke usefulness (Mark 4:18-19). • Ongoing vigilance: – Test every message by Scripture (Acts 17:11). – Cut off influences that smother zeal (1 Corinthians 15:33). – Maintain gratitude; it crowds out grumbling weeds (Colossians 3:15-17). Looking Toward Harvest: Motivation and Reward • “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) • God notices every hidden act of faithfulness and will “reward each according to his work” (Matthew 16:27). • The ultimate harvest is His “well done” and the eternal blessing that follows (2 Timothy 4:7-8). |
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