Plant, Water, Grow

John 2:19-22 - Jesus ... said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

Our pastor, Terry Fischer of The Church in Wisconsin, shared something with us the other day. He had a talk with a Muslim couple as he was out rollerblading one day. He spoke only the truth of God's Word to them. Although he hit a point where it was evident the husband was uneasy, I know when God's Word is spoken it does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

So he was again in the park taking a walk and thinking of this encounter he'd had and what he could say the next time as a challenge to them. God revealed something about a scripture he'd been thinking on a lot (For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1Corinthians 4:20) He was depending on what God was showing him through the Word but not in the power of it. He was still concerned with the presentation of this Word to others instead of the power of what was spoken to them.

How many times I've attempted to talk about the Lord and was met with uneasiness or a complete shut down by the other person. But the Word was out there for someone to hear. 1Corinthians 3:6 tells us that we plant the seed, Apollos waters it, but God makes it grow. A little background here: The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Corinthians. Apollos was a contemporary of Paul's, knew of and believed in Christ and preached the teachings of Jesus to the Ephesians and Corinthians. Paul planted the seeds in the lives of the Corinthians and Apollos continued... The Word was spoken, it was watered and God will do the work. It is not for us to take credit anyway for "saving" someone. Only God gets the glory. Only God knows what we need to speak as well to certain people. He, through His Spirit, will guide us.

The Word of God does not return void...but it must be spoken. We are to hide the Word in our hearts but we are also called to share it. There's enough of God to go an infinite way. My love for God and His love for me poses absolutely no jealousy in my heart. But He is a jealous God. He wants all to come into His saving grace, He wants none to perish. He uses us to spread the Word like Paul and Apollos. I might be the one who has watered what someone else has spoken! I might be the first to speak.

Above, Jesus spoke something no one understood. It wasn't until later revelation came. What we speak may not seem pertinent at the time, maybe uncomfortable to the  listener but God knows how it will impact their lives. Glory to God and God alone! We hear the Word, we read it, we learn it, we speak it as the Holy Spirit prompts. The Holy Spirit can water as well and then God does what He does best, He opens eyes to His truth in whatever way is best for each individual. Someone may not believe or seek the truth now but it could very well cause belief later when the right circumstance shows up in their life...and perhaps a remembrance of what they'd heard earlier. God knows how to push buttons, bring reminders.

It's our job to throw those words into the spiritual atmosphere. And not just words but actions (which I still need work on...).

Mark 13:11 - ...do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.