The Parable of the Sower
As we learn in Matthew 13, as I read more about what is
happening in the world, current events, etc, I am reminded of the Parable of
the Sower, please let me explain.
As you recall in the Parable of the Sower, there are 4 types
of ground, though all the same seed. Packed soil, hard to penetrate so birds
take; stony ground, can penetrate but not take root; thorny ground, takes root
but is choked out; and then the good soil that flourishes and produces a
bountiful harvest.
So how does that apply to the world around us? Well growing
up, I used to think that we were one soil; or a country, region were a certain
soil. However, now I realize that just as God sows in all regions, He reaps in
all regions.
For
example, did you know that in Ninevah (present day Iraq) the part that IS is
trying to take over, and start a Caliphate, they blew up the tomb of Jonah and
Daniel. Talk about seeds that took root!
Also there were as recently as 1.5 million Christians in the region dating
back to the 4th century AD. What a stronghold for Christ in a dark
place.
Jeremiah said
a long time the following verse: Jeremiah 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city
where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in
its welfare you will find your welfare.
“In its
welfare you will find your welfare” not sure what all that means, but pertinent
words for those on the mission fields living in far off places.
Ezekiel
states: Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this
was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had excess of food,
and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. Wow not the sexualty that we
always think of Sodom and Gomorrah, but “did not aid the poor and needy.” How
often do we do that?
For
example, we think of Post-Christian Europe, yet who was the first country to welcome the exiled Iraqi
Christians, France of all places.
This
past week, (thank you for your prayers) I was able to work with an Italian
group with a Spanish ICU team. The Lord was good, and both caths, and all 8
kids are doing very well, (Praise the Lord, we have not lost a post surgery
case since March!!). These same
teams have also been to Cambodia and Uzbekistan, not the most hospitable places.
Now yes they are more humanitarian than Christian, but they still take all of
their vacation time to go help needy children. How many of us can say that?
Please enjoy the attached video: http://flipagram.com/f/Gpe1Dv7u6M summary of the Italian teams visit, (managed
to stay out of most of the pics, haha)
Sometimes things seem so cut and dry, and yet, please read this
interesting article on the “Ebola drug” that saved the life of our friend Dr
Kent Brantly (praise the Lord he is better!! Can’t wait till he can see Amber
and the kids again). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28708632 Ethics: resolving the Ebola
Dilemma What are the ethics of
using Experimental drugs to treat Ebola?
During Ramaddan , I encountered a Muslim man “prayer walking” around the
church next to where I eat lunch . Yesterday while rounding at the hospital,
many Muslims were feeding the poor in the hospital, but where were the
Christians I wondered? (still beating the Methodist to KFC, ha)
All around us we think Christian countries: US, Uganda, Kenya; post
Christian countries: France, Italy, Spain; Muslim countries: Iraq, Syria,
Jordan, yet in all of these countries God is working. He is calling people to
Him, sowing His seed. And maybe, just maybe some of the worst stony ground or
thorny ground is on our Christian countries, where it is easy to be a
Christian. Yet we miss the good soil in the non-Christian countries. Europe might be post-modern, or post
anything, yet God’s people are still making an impact in the world.
May we pray
for all those who suffer for the name of Christ; are seeking Him, but have not
found Him yet; but also for those who are being choked out or lacking water.
Uganda is their now. Missionaries came started schools, gave jobs, taking care
of poor, and people were Christian; now Muslims are doing the same starting
schools, giving jobs, taking care of the poor, and people are becoming Muslim,
the same people! That is not good soil!
Please pray for Sub Saharan Africa. In the 90s the Arab League wanted
all of the Africa to be Muslim, and they bombed or killed to do so. That woke
up the church, and they were strengthened. Now the conversions are much more
gentle, and mosques are springing up everywhere.
In
summary:
1.
May we not be like Sodom and neglect the poor
and needy. We have to examine our own hearts and which soil are we now.
2.
May we seek the welfare of the city where God
has placed us, for in its welfare we will find our own.
Prayers:
School starts August 14th
Heart camp August 25-29 please see attached an article about the last heart
camp in May
SP-UG retreat August 26-28
Through the camp and retreat may His seed take root and reap
a bountiful Harvest for His glory throughout Africa and the world from Ugandan
missionaries (He is doing that in and through South Koreans!)
Praises:
Good surgical camp last week, even being able to help a
Southern Sudanese Dinka girl Akon (my first people group), and a girl named
Ruth who is was on CHP’s list who is now healed!!
Thank you for all that you do, your prayers, your gifts, and
your encouragement. May we see the
needs in our world and respond in His Love!!
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