Sow positive things; as God sees us, not as the devil sees us. 2010: Learn to sow and grow! Where and how do we sow? 1st: sow into yourself! Sow positive things; as God sees us, not as the devil sees us. Isaiah 55:11 (NIV) 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. There is an old story about a happy little boy who went out into the field wearing a baseball cap. In one hand he carried a baseball, & in the other a baseball bat. His face bore a look of tremendous confidence. Cocking his bat, he tossed the ball into the air, saying, "I’m the greatest batter in the world!" Then he swung & missed. "Strike one," he said. He picked up the ball, examined it, & then threw it into the air again. As he swung, he repeated, "I’m the greatest batter in the world." Once again he missed. "Strike two," he said. This time, he stopped to examine his bat to make sure there wasn’t a hole in it. Then he picked up the ball, adjusted his cap, & tossed the ball into the air for the 3rd time. He repeated again, "I’m the greatest batter in the world," & swung with all his might - & missed for the 3rd straight time. "Wow" he cried, "What a pitcher. I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!"

What do we sow? Hosea 10:12 (NKJV) 12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

Righteousness: Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV) 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“Break up your fallow ground”: It is already your ground: Joshua 13:1 (NKJV) …and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. Yos 13:1… dari negeri ini masih amat banyak yang belum diduduki.

“Seek the Lord”: Intimacy: can’t be done at church only If we live to be 75: 3 years: education - grade school, high school & college. 7 years: eating 14 years: working 5 years: riding in automobiles or airplanes. 5 years: talking with each other

1 year: sick or recovering from sickness. 24 years: sleeping!!! 3 years: reading books, magazines & newspapers. 12 years: amusing ourselves - watching TV, going to the movies, fishing, etc. If you never missed church since birth: 5.5 months! We must set our priorities right!

2. Sow into your relationship with God Maz 34:10 Singa-singa muda merana kelaparan, tetapi orang-orang yang mencari TUHAN, tidak kekurangan sesuatupun yang baik. Intimacy – Intercession - Influence

God’s Promise: Yesaya 43:18-19 firman-Nya: "Janganlah ingat-ingat hal-hal yang dahulu, dan janganlah perhatikan hal-hal yang dari zaman purbakala! 19Lihat, Aku hendak membuat sesuatu yang baru, yang sekarang sudah tumbuh, belumkah kamu mengetahuinya? Ya, Aku hendak membuat jalan di padang gurun dan sungai-sungai di padang belantara.

Songs 5:2 2Aku tidur, tetapi hatiku bangun Songs 5:2 2Aku tidur, tetapi hatiku bangun. Dengarlah, kekasihku mengetuk. "Bukalah pintu, dinda, manisku, merpatiku, idam-idamanku, karena kepalaku penuh embun, dan rambutku penuh tetesan embun malam!" “The cost of intimacy”

3 I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again 3 I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them? 3"Bajuku telah kutanggalkan, apakah aku akan mengenakannya lagi? Kakiku telah kubasuh, apakah aku akan mengotorkannya pula?" The 1st cost of intimacy: comfort We do have a longing for Him, but many times we are too comfortable to respond I have… (done this, this much, this way for years)

3 I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again 3 I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them? The 2nd cost of intimacy: convenience How can… (I do a different thing, different time, different way now)

Luk 14: 16Tetapi Yesus berkata kepadanya: "Ada seorang mengadakan perjamuan besar dan ia mengundang banyak orang. 17Menjelang perjamuan itu dimulai, ia menyuruh hambanya mengatakan kepada para undangan: Marilah, sebab segala sesuatu sudah siap. 18Tetapi mereka bersama-sama meminta maaf. Yang pertama berkata kepadanya: Aku telah membeli ladang dan aku harus pergi melihatnya; aku minta dimaafkan.

19Yang lain berkata: Aku telah membeli lima pasang lembu kebiri dan aku harus pergi mencobanya; aku minta dimaafkan. 20Yang lain lagi berkata; Aku baru kawin dan karena itu aku tidak dapat datang.

Piece of ground: property Five yoke of oxen: profession Married a wife: relationship These are things that can confine us in comfort and convenience that will eventually cost our intimacy with God! A missed opportunity with God is one of the most tragic thing that can happen to us.

5Aku bangun untuk membuka pintu bagi kekasihku, tanganku bertetesan mur; bertetesan cairan mur jari-jariku pada pegangan kancing pintu. 6Kekasihku kubukakan pintu, tetapi kekasihku sudah pergi, lenyap. Seperti pingsan aku ketika ia menghilang. Kucari dia, tetapi tak kutemui, kupanggil, tetapi tak disahutnya.

The 3rd cost of intimacy: our composure Mar 10:46 Lalu tibalah Yesus dan murid-muridNya di Yerikho. Dan ketika Yesus keluar dari Yerikho, bersama-sama dengan murid-muridNya dan orang banyak yang berbondong-bondong, ada seorang pengemis yang buta, bernama Bartimeus, anak Timeus, duduk di pinggir jalan. 47Ketika didengarnya, bahwa itu adalah Yesus orang Nazaret, mulailah ia berseru: "Yesus, Anak Daud, kasihanilah aku!“

48Banyak orang menegornya supaya ia diam 48Banyak orang menegornya supaya ia diam. Namun semakin keras ia berseru: "Anak Daud, kasihanilah aku!“ 49Lalu Yesus berhenti dan berkata: "Panggillah dia!" Mereka memanggil orang buta itu dan berkata kepadanya: "Kuatkan hatimu, berdirilah, Ia memanggil engkau.“ 50Lalu ia menanggalkan jubahnya, ia segera berdiri dan pergi mendapatkan Yesus. 51Tanya Yesus kepadanya: "Apa yang kaukehendaki supaya Aku perbuat bagimu?" Jawab orang buta itu: "Rabuni, supaya aku dapat melihat!“

52Lalu kata Yesus kepadanya: "Pergilah, imanmu telah menyelamatkan engkau!" Pada saat itu juga melihatlah ia, lalu ia mengikuti Yesus dalam perjalananNya.