I would
like to further develop the topic of fallow ground from yesterday's post.
What
is the fallow ground? Fallow ground is fertile soil that was once productive
but has gone dormant or unproductive either by choice or by encroachment from
outside influences.
The passage in Jeremiah tells us to "not sow among thorns," the meaning of this verse is sowing the good seed
amongst the people in this world's control systems can have negative repercussions upon our
lives, even though we are told to be salt and light, our influence needs to be
supported upon the encouragement from the word of God and His spirit, as well as
other believers, and not what the world promises.
The Kingdom of God is opposed to this
world and its ways; the world seeks for us to profit as the eventual end of our efforts above all else. God's Kingdom elevates new life as a result of all the energy given
for His purposes.
We can be a proper influence upon the world, but we must
always be on guard against the enemy's schemes and surround ourselves with likeminded
brothers and sisters of the faith who share the same goals and ideals of God's Kingdom.
"Discover creative ways to encourage others and to
motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions
of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as
some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we
should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each
other onward as we anticipate that day dawning." Hebrews 10:24-25
(TPT)
Each of us has "fallow ground" in our lives in
one form or another, this isn't a judgment call about our choices in life, but
more recognizing that we are all human and we do have
areas in our lives that the Lord is calling back to Himself so that He can be
in everything that is connected to our lives.
Another way of looking at fallow ground is to look and
see if there are any areas in our lives where we have been given a clear word
from the Lord in the past, we may have let the enemy obfuscate that word to
such a degree that we have become ineffective and weak? Or maybe we have taken
a position of not wanting to offend others with God's word, so instead of speaking the truth we have put ourselves in a
compromising position rather than standing firm in faith regardless of the
consequences.
Still, others may have been called to speak out regarding fallow ground in the people they encounter, that is where the gentle tug of the
Holy Spirit can do His mighty work in the hearts of others.
Remember it is the love of
Christ that is calling people to Himself, and we must be mindful that it is His
love in us that is wooing us to share this message, so we must share this
message with tenderness, and the same mercy and compassion that we ourselves were offered in Christ Jesus.
"You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe
yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy.
Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing
kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with
others."
Colossians 3:12 (TPT)
In the Old Testament, when a field produced a good crop
for seven years, the ground was required to sit fallow (unproductive) for a
year to allow the nutrients to build back up in the soil so the ground would be
restored. Typically, when a field is fallowed, the cattle are allowed to eat
and graze on it.
The purpose of fallowing is for the animals to fertilize
the land to stimulate the health of the field.
Fallowing, in this sense, is also called the
"Sabbatical year."
The Lord is calling out to many of us that our Sabbatical
year is over, the time of rest has ended and it is time to allow the seed to be
once again planted in our spirit as it calls us to grow a new crop of His
righteousness in us and in others.
"When the light shines, it exposes even the dark and
shadowy things and turns them into pure reflections of light. This is why they
sing,
Awake, you sleeper!
Rise from your grave,
And the Anointed One will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:13-14 (VOICE)
We have been given such great promises in Christ, and those
promises are coming closer to their fulfillment as each day passes. The Lord's
return is imminent, and we must be prepared for the return of our master and be ready
to fulfill the purpose for our salvation, which is to rule and reign with Him on the earth.
So until that day comes, heed this counsel from Paul:
"So be very careful how you live, not being like
those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are
living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life
for his purposes." Ephesians 5:15-16 (TPT)
Be Blessed;
Stephen Barnett
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