Farming

In 1st Corinthians 3, Paul reminds us that it's not a matter of who is sowing the seed of God's Word, nor who is reaping the harvest, but the One to whom people are coming to know through salvation. The passage says:
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

We are called to be part of representing our Lord and relating His message with truth and power. Even though the Bible is clear about how someone can be saved, it is incumbent upon His people to accurately share that way. The fact of the matter is that we are all sinners who need a Savior, and that Christ died for the forgiveness of sin and rose again so that we might have His new life.  While it was essentially a two-step process for Him, we can die to self and live to Him in one simple prayer, resulting in lifelong change.

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In Galatians chapter 6, we see a clear set of Scriptures that address sowing and reaping and remind us that we are called to plant the seeds of God's Word. We can read:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Jerry Rice is a farmer who lives in the Oklahoma farmer near the state line with New Mexico.  He's in his 70's, and not only does he farm, but he plants the seeds with fellow farmers by ministering at farm shows with the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International, or FCFI. 

According to the Enid News and Eagle from the Sooner state, Rice is involved in not only attending shows, but in participating in disaster relief and missions trips at home and abroad. 

One of the projects in which Rice took part was documented in the article:

In the mid-2000s, wildfires burned millions of acres in the Texas Panhandle. Rice coordinated disaster relief to help rebuild barbed-wire fences lost in the flames.

Several families, including 8-, 9- and 10-year-old children, volunteered to help out.

“One of the guys would come by the (FCFI) booth in Amarillo and would say, ‘I cannot believe these people ... just came in and started rebuilding my fences,’” Rice said. “He was an older man, and he was just amazed by that. Every year, he would come by the booth and tell me that same story.”

The article says that Rice is "also is a pastor at a small church in the Oklahoma Panhandle." It reports that he "and his wife went to an FCFI conference in the early 1990s, which kickstarted his involvement."FCFI has been around since 1985, and is devoted to "to encourage Christian farm families and agricultural professionals to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior around the world."

A picture with the article shows an FCFI booth at what appears to be a farm show.  There are scores of what appear to be broomsticks in the picture, one of which is being held by the gentleman who is manning the booth. These are Wordless Walking Sticks, which is a ministry tool that the FCFI website notes has been used to share the gospel with "hundreds of thousands" of people.

The cord at the top of the stick has 5 beads or balls on it.  The picture on the Enid website appears to contain balls at the top.  This is similar to the wordless book that has been used as an evangelistic tool.  Kyle and Laura Martin at the Winter CPE Show had wristbands that contained the colorful beads - their ministry, Time to Revive, also has contributed to a Bible centered around the plan of the salvation.

On this day after Easter, I think it could be helpful just to run through that simple presentation of the true meaning of the cross and the empty tomb.  Here is a synopsis of the plan of salvation depicted by the Wordless Walking Stick from FCFI's website:

The GOLD stands for heaven. We are reminded that "God loves you and wants you to experience his peace and life."  

1. The BIBLE says…
   “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
   “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b)

   The DARK bead represents sin & separation. The site says that we have "a will and freedom of choice."  But, "We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way...We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God."

   The BIBLE says…
   
   “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
   “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

   The RED bead represents Christ's blood.  This is described as "GOD'S REMEDY."  We are told, "Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin through His innocent blood and bridged the gap from God to Man."

The BIBLE says…

“But God commends His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18a)

Then, there's the WHITE bead, which is a reminder that our sins can be washed away, "whiter than snow," as the Bible teaches.

2. The BIBLE says…
   
   “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)
   “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

   Finally, the GREEN bead provides encouragement to grow in the Lord.  The website notes that we can have assurance as a believer.  

   The BIBLE says…
   
   “And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son of God has no life.” (1 John 5:11-12)
   Jesus, God’s Son said… “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my Word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into Condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

   The meaning of the cross and the resurrection have not changed since Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead some two thousand years ago.  Other ideas may creep in to distort the true meaning of these acts to change the meaning of what He has done, but the plan is simple - we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and Jesus gave His life in order that we may be saved.