Morning Devotional 040725 Scattering the Seeds of Faith

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  April 7, 2025

Galatians 6:1-10

1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too. 2 Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are important when they aren’t, they’re fooling themselves. 4 Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. 5 Each person will have to carry their own load. 6 Those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher. 7 Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. 8 Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not get tired of doing good because in time, we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.

Good Morning. Restore with a spirit of gentleness!

Don’t give up! Easier said than done. Consider all of the things you have started and never finished: projects, plans, resolutions . . . 

Gardening teaches many things. 

First, if you plant the seeds and do not nurture them, the sprouts will wither and die. 

Second, you can follow every step, and the seed will not sprout, or the potted plant will die. Ultimately, we are not in control. 

Third, some plants take years to produce fruit. For example, most fruit trees take from 4-10 years to produce fruit. When we lived in Southside Virginia, there were lots of timber farmers. I remember seeing a sign on one farm stating the year the trees were planted. It made me realize that in the lifetime of one farmer, you might harvest only two to three times. Remarkable patience is required!

Fourth, your crop sprouts and is in the process of producing abundant fruit, and then the rains don’t come, the temperatures rise, and your crop burns up in the field. Ultimately, we are not in control.

Finally, each crop, each season, is a blessing from God, who makes all things possible. 

I have great respect for farmers. They know all of these things, yet they faithfully prepare and plant each season and then turn it over to God. As I ponder these thoughts, I see the farmers smiling as this refreshing, life-giving rain falls this morning.

We are called to plant the seeds of faith wherever we roam, much like a spiritual Johnny Appleseed. Some of the seeds will fall on rocks and perish, while others may be choked by weeds. For those that take root and sprout, we must nurture them to fruition, no matter how long it takes. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! You made us to be strong, but then we want to be in control. Help us do the things you call us to do while releasing control back to you. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Plant the seeds, nurture the new growth, and allow God to work within you and your seedlings. 

Scatter the seeds of God’s love everywhere you go! Pastor Liz