Expansion: Your Kingdom ComeSample
Learn to expand like a farmer
Ask any cattle farmer, and he’ll tell you you must learn to weather the good and bad seasons. That rain always comes, eventually. And sometimes it’s wiser not to plant anything because you know it will be dry and it would be throwing good money after bad. But plenty of farmers get it wrong, too, because they can’t control the weather, the stock market, or consumers.
In Isaiah 28:24-26 the writer unpacks the wisdom of the farmer, who knows the seasons and what different crops need. We must ask the Heavenly Farmer to teach us how and when to act on what He’s put on our hearts this season. Discernment and confirmation are key; ask those around you to pray for and with you, and ask God to give you peace and discernment about what He’s calling you to do.
ASK YOURSELF THIS: Am I trusting God’s timing with expansion?
God is asking us to expand, always. But it will look different for us all. The most important thing is that we are willing and listening. God always speaks and wants to ready us and grow us in preparation for the next thing He will do. He always has more for us and for those around us.
When you expand, you’ll be blessed (Proverbs 22:9). When you let God stretch you, just as a mother feels the stretch as her body expands to hold a new life, with expansion comes some discomfort. This season might require some difficult experiences, but it’s worth it! And if we do it for God, it’s never wasted, even if we can’t see the fruit we expected (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Remember, on day one, we read a verse from Genesis about God making room (Genesis 26:22). The verse finishes with a promise that once He has made room, “we will be fruitful.” When God expands, God plants and God brings to fruition. Have faith; He is working, and He will see it through. Let’s go on the Expansion adventure with Him on our way to eternity (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 10:23).
Author acknowledgement: Madeleine Wiedemann
About this Plan
Expansion is a season where you will be encouraged to enlarge your faith, generosity, and belief for greater things in your life and those around you. The theme of Expansion 2023 is 'Your Kingdom Come,' based on the Lord's Prayer. This reading plan explores ideas and challenges we may face as we lean into this season. This month, stop, sit, read, meditate, pray, and act.
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