Nougat 14

What do we do when we share the Word and despite the fact of accepting Jesus, the person falls away? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Siblings, we are all called to sow or water. As believers, our task is to preach (sow) and teach (water). We sow by words and deeds, and we teach by unpacking biblical concepts for others who might need a little encouragement or explanation. In one sense, because our lives are visible books about God’s love, we are all preachers. Or at least evangelists. (Remember that joke about the taxi driver and the preacher? They both get to Heaven, and the taxi driver gets more stars than the preacher, because those who took the cab were always making ‘deathbed confessions’ and the preacher had fewer converts? Something like that).

As evangelists, living the Acts 1:8 commission, we bear witness of Jesus anywhere we are , using words when necessary. The act of being witnesses to Jesus is seed sowing. Since it is both our lifestyle and our spoken testimony, we don’t always have the opportunity to follow up,. However someone may have been convicted enough to invite Jesus into their hearts. Their total conversion is partly about their pursuit of Jesus upon accepting Him as Savior. And that’s where things sometimes waver.

However, there’s the matter of follow up, where we provide guidance, encouragement and support for those who make the step of Faith. That’s watering (with a bit of fertilizing added for good measure). I believe that sometimes this is where we falter as believers. Maybe it’s because we are learning ourselves, fearful of saying the wrong thing, or just lazy. But the only way to ensure that the seed planted doesn’t get eaten by the birds of the air, is to live consistently and to offer opportunities for others to grow in the knowledge of Christ. And where possible, we do follow up with those persons new to the Faith.

Of course, there’s nothing like the power of prayer. We can choose to commit those persons impacted by our lived or spoken testimony to God’s care. And as we pray, we invite God’s Spirit to fill the void and increase the blessings in their lives. So let’s commit the ones we know are struggling, and those who recently accepted Jesus as Lord to the care of God’s Spirit right now. In Jesus name amen

May all we seek be found in Christ