The Fields of Victory

Seeds of Honor or Seeds of Despair

by David Fleming

Battles are fought to be won. In winning, the victor has opportunities for new beginnings for the vanquished. History gives examples of the victorious causing pain, punishment and misery to his enemies. He has sown seeds of despair. On the other hand, if the victor shows mercy, kindness and perhaps even generosity to those defeated, there is better opportunity that he has truly won, not only the battle but also the war.
We can refer this example to many areas of life, not only the battles of men. Most specifically I refer to our battles with Satan. When battles with sin come and victory is ours, what do we allow planted in our fields of victory? What do we do about those around us who have overcome sin? If we do not sow seeds of victory then that field becomes, by default, filled with seeds of despair.
You who are acquainted with planting, in field or garden, know that once a field is plowed, it must be planted or it will be taken over by wild grasses, weeds, or unwanted plants. So it is with sin, we remove it and then we must replace it with things good and honorable or else it will return to its unusable state.
Much of the year 2003, God willing, is still before us, filled with opportunities of every kind. There are mission works at home and abroad, missionaries to support, students of the Bible needing help and support, local evangelistic opportunities, works and programs of the congregation, opportunities for self-growth, and edification.
We continue to be a growing congregation, with growing needs. We need more seating (pews are on order), more classroom space (improved, but we're still working on it), improvement and upkeep on facilities (Spring workday March 8; outside repairs and upkeep of facilities being evaluated; the elders are working with the committee for the old auditorium and soon improvements in that area will be taking shape, as well as additional office space), transportation needs and upgrades (we are presently looking into vehicle safety, proper driver training, and evaluation of the vehicles plus evaluating the needs of the congregation and the proper use of the vehicles). As you are aware, these items are costly and in all things we must remember it is the Lord's money we are spending. We must spend it properly and not just to satisfy our own whims.
If we, as members, see a need or opportunity to serve and neglect to do as we should, we may be pushing a burden onto our brother or sister. We may have "fields of victory" before us this year; let us be planters of "seeds of honor" and not "seeds of despair" in this year 2003.

• The Fruit of Souls - Apr 08, 2007
• Church Growth - Oct 08, 2006
• Two Services: Not Every Visitor will Tear the Roof off to Hear Jesus! - Mar 19, 2006
• Growing Families - Feb 05, 2006
• Beware of Weeds - Jul 31, 2005