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Mark 4:26-29

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The phrases, “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven,” are mentioned close to one hundred times in the gospels. Both phrases describe the place where Jesus is ruling and reigning. In the past the kingdom of God was wherever Jesus was present. Now the kingdom of God is in the heart of every believer. In the future Jesus will return to establish an eternal kingdom. Today’s passage is a parable speaking about the future kingdom.

In the first phase, the sower scatters the seed on the ground. The message of Christ is presented. In the second phase, God takes over. He sovereignly germinates the seed and causes it to grow. The fertile heart produces grain. Then when the grain is ripe, it is time for the harvest—the gathering. Jesus calls His own to His eternal kingdom.

Are you ready for the final harvest? Do you know for certain that Jesus will gather you to Himself? Have you trusted in Jesus as the only way to have a relationship with the living God? Following is a prayer that will guide you in this decision. Make the prayer your own and trust in Jesus as Lord, Savior, and final Harvester.

Lord Jesus, I am not sure where I stand with You. I want to be certain that when You come for me, I will be ready. So right now I trust in You alone as the One who paid the penalty for my sins on the cross. I trust in You as the only One who can forgive me and prepare me for an eternal relationship with You. I transfer my trust from myself—who I am and the things I do—to You the One who has done for me what I could never do for myself. I pray in Your name. Amen.

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