May 2008 Newsletter from the Pastor

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7

The rural community we lived in for almost 10 years depended a great deal on the corn and bean crop. Many farmers also had hogs, but the crops often paid the bills. During our time there we had two summers with little moisture. The hard, brown lawns seemed to crack when you walked in the yard. I remember hearing a farmer tell me that he would much rather have too much rain than not enough. That is exactly what happened one year. (I do not recall if it came the year right after drought-like conditions.)

That spring the rains came and they just would not stop. Some farmers got their crop in early. After hearing how the seed he planted was washed away, I asked a farmer what he was going to do next. In order to have a harvest that fall, he only had one option. If it ever stopped raining, he was going to replant! It did, and he did, and the Lord provided him with a crop. I wonder if farmers understand best that, “A man reaps what he sows.”

Many in our church have been praying for the spiritual well-being of others. An intentional effort has been put forth by many to intercede on behalf of others. Some ‘prayer targets’ are family, friends, work colleagues, or neighbors. Others we have never seen - like Rachel. I received a card in the mail some time ago from a woman on the west coast. She looked on the internet for the closest church to her high school friend’s address. She had not seen Rachel in seventeen years, but has been praying for her to come to Christ. The friend has asked our church to join her in praying for Rachel. I trust that you have been praying (in a way planting seeds) and will continue to do so.

‘An old divine,’ is credited with these sentiments - “When thou feelest most indisposed to pray, yield not to it. But strive and endeavor to pray even when thou thinkest thou canst not pray.” The Apostle Paul put it this way in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” We cannot predict or depend on the weather. But God has told us in His word that any harvest will relate to what was planted. Continue to pray and therefore sow seeds of righteousness. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to bring His crop to fruition in His time.
Pastor Lerud