"He also said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like.  A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he  does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain -- first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.'"  Mark 4:26-29

In the above passage, Jesus teaches us about the mystery of the Kingdom's growth.  Many times we stress and worry about how to grow the church, or simply how to reach our neighbor.  We fret and wring our hands, feeling sure that we're not up to the task, that whatever we try will most likely prove unsuccessful.  Jesus calls us to recognize the supernatural law of Kingdom growth: If the seed is scattered, there will be growth.  Now we won't be able to predict the growth.  In fact, often-times it seems that the growth comes in spite of us, but it does come.  It is so important for us to remember that the growth does not depend on us.  Now I know that's been said and heard by us a thousand times.  But think about it.  God does not need your expertise to grow his Kingdom.  He uses your humble, often confused efforts to bless people in ways far beyond your ability to imagine.  I see this rule at work in this church right now.  God is definitely at work here.  Tepid Christians are w!
aking up to the joys of white-hot discipleship.  God is bringing people to salvation everytime we turn around.  Everywhere we look God's people are growing in grace and knowledge.  All of this is because of God's immeasurable power at work in and through us.  Tonight, read Mark 4:26-29, and think about what that passage says about your role in God's growth plan.  Grace and peace,

                          Ethan