Introduction
========= REASON #22- THOUSANDS ARE UNWILLING 2 START THEIR HARVEST WITH A SMALL SEED.
Acorns can become oak trees!
But, most people keep waiting 4 their 'ship come in' b4 they begin the sowing cycle. U must start w/what u have.
This Principle of Beginning is Powerful. Every long journey starts w/the first small step. Millionaires started w/their first nickel. Great companies have humble beginnings. U can go any where u want 2 go...if u are willing take enough small steps.
Look at Mary Kay Ash. She had just a few thousand dollars and a couple of shelves of products. But, she started her business. She focused on her future. Today, she is worth over 300 million dollars, and her business is worth 2 billion.
Look at McDonalds's hamburger chain. From a humble beginning, it has become the most successful hamburger chain on the earth. It started w/a little hamburger that became popular in a town.
If u keep holding on 2 the SEED u have today, it will never become a harvest. U must be willing 2 start your harvest w/whatever God has already placed in your hand. I sat in a banquet many years ago frustrated. The speaker stirred me. I desperately wanted 2 plant a SEED of $1,000 check," I whispered 2 the LORD. "U have $10 in your pocket. Plant it." "Oh, I need my $10 tonight. But, if You would give me $1,000, I promise 2 sow it," was my answer.
My mind started churning. How could I get more money 2 sow? I thought about my little office. It was in my tiny garage in Houston, Texas. That is where I studied, prayed, and also where I had a row of shelves that contained the only product I had in my ministry--one long-play album of music. 500 of those albums were on the shelves. That was approximately 6 to 8 months of sales 4 me. Then it hit me. "Start w/what u already have."
Little hinges can swing huge doors. I could give him those 500 albums. If he sold them for $6.00 each, he would make $3,000 for his ministry. I made the decision. "Brother, I wish I had a lot 2 give u. I wanted 2b able 2 write a check for $1,000, but my ministry is just beginning. I do have 500 record albums. If u would receive them from me, u can sell them in your crusades, If u sell them for $6.00, u wold have $3,000 for your ministry." (I thought I had 2 3xplain this 2 him!)
Twelve months passed. One day, while sitting in Nairobi, Kenya, at a missionary's home, the mail came. It contained a scribbled hand-written note from a major television minister. "Mike, I heard your record album. I want 2 purchase 40,000 of them 2 sell thru my television program. Please rush me 40,000 albums. I will send u a check 4 them next week." I shouted all over that room.
The profit enable me 2 purchase a beautiful white Lincoln Town Car 4 cash! It launched an entire different Season 4 my life and ministry. I was on air every time I drove up 2 a church 4 a crusade. Why? I started w/whatever was already in my hand.
Last week, a lady wrote me a check for $5.00. She was embarrassed. She said, "I'm so ashamed 2 send u such a small check, but it is all that I have." I was reading her letter about 2:00 in the morning after coming in from a major meeting. My heart was so stirred. U C, what she was planting was enough 2 impress God.
He knows how much u have.
He knows how little u have.
Your obedience always secures His attention. U do not have 2 write God a huge check 4 $100,000 2 move His hand toward u. U simply have 2 obey the inner voice of the Holy Spirit w/whatever u presently possess.
Remember the incredible scenario of the widow? "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in 2 mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto u, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:41-44).
She started her harvest w/what she had.
have sowed jewelry, cars, clothes into other lives. I have planted 100s of 1,000s of books and tapes as special SEEDS. U C, everything u have is a SEED.
If u keep it today, that is your Harvest. But if u release it, it becomes a SEED. What u presently possess is only a SEED of u sow t into soil. When u keep it in your hand, it becomes the only harvest u will ever have. Look around u. Is there a piece of furniture that a widow needs at her house? Could u volunteer 2 hours a week at your home church? That is a SEED. Start with what u have.
Are u good at repairing automobiles? Discuss w/your pastor your desire 2 repair the automobile of any widow in your congregation, as a SEED of Love.
U are a walking Warehouse of SEEDS. U have more inside of u than u could ever imagine. But, u must take the time 2 inventory everything God has given u.
Do not permit pride 2 rob u of an opportunity 2 plant a SEED. When the offering plate is passed, even if u only possess $2.00 in your pocket--plant it.
Get your harvest started.
As a parent, teach your child the importance of sowing something consistently in the work of God. It may only be a dime or a quarter. But, they will create a flow and river of harvest that will outlast every attack against their life.
Millions are waiting 4 more. They refuse 2 start their harvest w/a small SEED. it is one of the reasons they will never receive everything God wants 2 send 2 them. "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase" (Job 8:7).
What u have will create anything else u want...if u sow it.
Let's pray:
"Father, show me the SEEDS You have already given me. I make a decision 2 sow any SEED You desire regardless of how small it now appears. You will multiply it back when I need it the most today. In Jesus name. Amen."
========= REASON #22- THOUSANDS ARE UNWILLING 2 START THEIR HARVEST WITH A SMALL SEED.
Acorns can become oak trees!
But, most people keep waiting 4 their 'ship come in' b4 they begin the sowing cycle. U must start w/what u have.
This Principle of Beginning is Powerful. Every long journey starts w/the first small step. Millionaires started w/their first nickel. Great companies have humble beginnings. U can go any where u want 2 go...if u are willing take enough small steps.
Look at Mary Kay Ash. She had just a few thousand dollars and a couple of shelves of products. But, she started her business. She focused on her future. Today, she is worth over 300 million dollars, and her business is worth 2 billion.
Look at McDonalds's hamburger chain. From a humble beginning, it has become the most successful hamburger chain on the earth. It started w/a little hamburger that became popular in a town.
If u keep holding on 2 the SEED u have today, it will never become a harvest. U must be willing 2 start your harvest w/whatever God has already placed in your hand. I sat in a banquet many years ago frustrated. The speaker stirred me. I desperately wanted 2 plant a SEED of $1,000 check," I whispered 2 the LORD. "U have $10 in your pocket. Plant it." "Oh, I need my $10 tonight. But, if You would give me $1,000, I promise 2 sow it," was my answer.
My mind started churning. How could I get more money 2 sow? I thought about my little office. It was in my tiny garage in Houston, Texas. That is where I studied, prayed, and also where I had a row of shelves that contained the only product I had in my ministry--one long-play album of music. 500 of those albums were on the shelves. That was approximately 6 to 8 months of sales 4 me. Then it hit me. "Start w/what u already have."
Little hinges can swing huge doors. I could give him those 500 albums. If he sold them for $6.00 each, he would make $3,000 for his ministry. I made the decision. "Brother, I wish I had a lot 2 give u. I wanted 2b able 2 write a check for $1,000, but my ministry is just beginning. I do have 500 record albums. If u would receive them from me, u can sell them in your crusades, If u sell them for $6.00, u wold have $3,000 for your ministry." (I thought I had 2 3xplain this 2 him!)
Twelve months passed. One day, while sitting in Nairobi, Kenya, at a missionary's home, the mail came. It contained a scribbled hand-written note from a major television minister. "Mike, I heard your record album. I want 2 purchase 40,000 of them 2 sell thru my television program. Please rush me 40,000 albums. I will send u a check 4 them next week." I shouted all over that room.
The profit enable me 2 purchase a beautiful white Lincoln Town Car 4 cash! It launched an entire different Season 4 my life and ministry. I was on air every time I drove up 2 a church 4 a crusade. Why? I started w/whatever was already in my hand.
Last week, a lady wrote me a check for $5.00. She was embarrassed. She said, "I'm so ashamed 2 send u such a small check, but it is all that I have." I was reading her letter about 2:00 in the morning after coming in from a major meeting. My heart was so stirred. U C, what she was planting was enough 2 impress God.
He knows how much u have.
He knows how little u have.
Your obedience always secures His attention. U do not have 2 write God a huge check 4 $100,000 2 move His hand toward u. U simply have 2 obey the inner voice of the Holy Spirit w/whatever u presently possess.
Remember the incredible scenario of the widow? "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in 2 mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto u, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:41-44).
She started her harvest w/what she had.
have sowed jewelry, cars, clothes into other lives. I have planted 100s of 1,000s of books and tapes as special SEEDS. U C, everything u have is a SEED.
If u keep it today, that is your Harvest. But if u release it, it becomes a SEED. What u presently possess is only a SEED of u sow t into soil. When u keep it in your hand, it becomes the only harvest u will ever have. Look around u. Is there a piece of furniture that a widow needs at her house? Could u volunteer 2 hours a week at your home church? That is a SEED. Start with what u have.
Are u good at repairing automobiles? Discuss w/your pastor your desire 2 repair the automobile of any widow in your congregation, as a SEED of Love.
U are a walking Warehouse of SEEDS. U have more inside of u than u could ever imagine. But, u must take the time 2 inventory everything God has given u.
Do not permit pride 2 rob u of an opportunity 2 plant a SEED. When the offering plate is passed, even if u only possess $2.00 in your pocket--plant it.
Get your harvest started.
As a parent, teach your child the importance of sowing something consistently in the work of God. It may only be a dime or a quarter. But, they will create a flow and river of harvest that will outlast every attack against their life.
Millions are waiting 4 more. They refuse 2 start their harvest w/a small SEED. it is one of the reasons they will never receive everything God wants 2 send 2 them. "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase" (Job 8:7).
What u have will create anything else u want...if u sow it.
Let's pray:
"Father, show me the SEEDS You have already given me. I make a decision 2 sow any SEED You desire regardless of how small it now appears. You will multiply it back when I need it the most today. In Jesus name. Amen."