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Outreach lesson: Sowing & Reaping

Biblical Vibration: Matthew 13:31-32 “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed,

which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”” (NIV)

In ministry, let’s just be real - in daily life, I’ve come across people who are financially strapped, yet would like to help their communities grow in a meaningful way. Many times the demands of life, financial stresses, pressures, and familial obligations have trapped them into thinking that a small contribution or donation will not make a significant difference. If you have listened to Lesson 44: Do Not Worry, you know I’ve been there too. In many instances, people become stagnant, not knowing where to plant seeds that will produce a great harvest. When thinking about how to utilize my time and resources best, the 1st action I’ve learned to do is to pray. God always provides little clues and other times, tectonic events to confirm that I’m on the right path. When you have a fraction of money, you especially want to make sure that good seeds are planted in “good soil.” Verily, verily I say unto you (I could not resist saying that =),

although Karma may not seem like an obvious Christian principle, I believe Proverbs speaks to these ideals, and thus my belief, simplistically is “doing good deeds brings forth beneficial rewards.”

Over the past month, the phrase “I did the best I could” has kept coming to my mind. After pondering this statement, God leads me to scrutinize situations in my life and to assess whether “I did the best I could” or if “I did all that I could do.” After a week of introspection and prayer, in every single situation, the verdict rendered was that “I had done everything that I could do – within reason and sometimes beyond.” There is a distinct difference between the two statements. “Doing the best that you can do” implies that more could be done. This statement is also a tell-tale sign of someone who has not come to the point of real accountability and is thus making excuses. “Doing all that you can do” implies absolutely nothing else could in reason, be done. “All” indicates that you went the extra mile or even 2 or 3 (understanding that many people have unrealistic expectations or make unconscionable demands of you although they would NEVer ever do it themselves. (Luke 11:46) Doing all that you can do signifies that your

choices or actions were righteous, not self-righteous, just and blameless and that you can sleep with a clear conscience.

How do these revelations fit into Sowing & Reaping? Jesus states in Matthew 13:12, “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” If you evaluate your assets and think, “I do not have anything of value,” then your mindset is

blocking potential blessings in your life. For example, God has blessed me with provision and favor, yet money-wise, sometimes by my own standard, I do consider myself to be a little unfortunate. Imagining if only for a moment, TTS could help so many people if, so many things I could do if, items crossed off the Needs List if... Even so, these longer term desires are expelled in faith-based prayers. 98% of the time, my state of mind is God is good. I love God for bringing me through... God, I thank you for sending Jesus to save us. God and Jesus, I love you. Despite any “lack” in my life, my speech is not inundated with

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complaining, despair, or selfishness, which can lead to egocentric behavior and horrible choices, ergo blocked blessings. For example, let us explore a hot button topic in North Carolina; education. Each year articles are written, and news stories produced highlighting deficits in school budgets. How children in poor neighborhoods are suffering, “leaving poor children, in these impoverished neighborhoods ill-equipped to compete in the capitalistic market, we live in” a quote from a liberal ☺ neighbor. As knowledge is power. The state of the school system became truly personal several years ago when “shooting the breeze” with some middle school aged black youths. They had minimal resources but genial personalities. They wrapped me in beautiful smiles and invited me into their world, giving me details – the good and cry worthy. Since then, I’ve been concerned, just not knowing what else to do? I felt defeated (a few years later, the Vitality Assessment was assembled for young adults and seekers). One day, a parent with little financial means began to testify about “doing all that she could for her children.” She walked away from her cart, leaving me, a startled stranger, to watch over 2 of the cutest, kindest and sweetest children. Although she later conveyed worry about her children’s future, she did not blame or complain. Her attitude, this attitude led me to pray intensely; God, what can I do to help poor and needy children? Not having any children of my own, (although I confess, at times people appear to me as children, the John 17’s, and are then referred to as “my babies”) left finding viable solutions for poverty-stricken children and families overlooked.

Soon after, while putting groceries away one pleasant day, “Box Tops for Education” and another school fundraising program’s logo fully captured my attention. In all honesty, how these programs are managed has not been a research priority, nonetheless saving “tops” has been a goodwill gesture established in my life that is prayerfully helping to at least decrease the deficit. That sunny day, my box top collecting began with the designation of a Ziploc sandwich bag. After about a year or so of collecting more than $25 of these seeds, prayer was entered regarding which school to sow them. The next day, Lynn (whom you get to know more in the Vitality Assessment) was working, and we began to converse about the price of school supplies, of all things. When asking her if she collected “Box Tops,” she admitted that she could not afford some of “those brands” with a slight look of disappointment. I slowly pulled the Box Tops out of my purse and handed them over to her; she was elated and beamed! This is not a brand endorsement, nevertheless if you could have witnessed her smile… priceless. (Visionaries, close your eyes and ask God to show you.)

The point, there is something that you can do, no matter how small your budget. It may take some creative resourcefulness, planning, prayer, and/or wise sacrifices, but there is something that you can do – even if is it is an ingenious idea or lending a helping hand, combined with prayer. Another example, a retail chain offers a program that provides a 5% contribution of your total purchase to the school of your choice. Now admittedly, my “shopping cart total” is not immense; yet over time that 5% adds up. I could have easily, dismissed the program, making excuses about having no children, instead, research was done. The moral, cast out that “I don’t have _______________, so I can’t help nobody but myself” selfish, defeatist mentality and start praying to God about where you can help and what you CAN DO.

Sometimes I’ve sown in places and wondered, wow, did that seed make a difference? Then it occurred to me how many times I’ve been blessed by someone else planting a seed of kindness. Recollecting times when the “floodgates of heaven” opened and blessings rained down for a day or for a season. Thinking, yes God, thank you for that outpouring. God has also revealed that seeds planted 15 years ago are now maturing and blessing the Kingdom of God, the garden in which it was planted, and those connected to them. The thought of sowing seed was never a concept growing up and even into adulthood; (1st

Corinthians 13:11) to me it was just being nice; treating people how I want to be treated. (Matthew 22:39-40)

, the (you really have to read Lesson 9 located on the Wellness page.) If you are not

planting seeds in good soil, expect to reap gleans and understand, other people, are trying to find those gleans too (Ruth 2). If you sow good seed in good soil, your blessings will flow at just the right time.

Occasionally, however, you may have to enrich and till soil, before a seed can be sown. God will supply if



you are acting according to your purpose either way. It is your choices and heart that decide whether or not He entrusts you with more (Matthew 25:14-30) or spanks you and gives your blessing or “talent” to one

who is doing something fruitful with their talents, gifts, money, and abilities. If the latter happens to be you, don’t be envious or upset, get to work and pray, “God, how can I earn some talents, In Jesus name.”

Enrichment Application: gaining perspective

Instructions: Read the following scriptures; Matthew 13, John 4, Proverbs 11, Matthew 25, and 1st Corinthians

13 and note your thoughts.



Gaining perspective: TTS’ sowing Examples

The Training Solution’s Donation Inventory for ABCCM 12/2014 2 Wilderness Journal Gift Sets, 6 Vitality Assessment Gift Sets, 3 Treat Yourself Gift Boxes

Private Information

Private Information



In-Kind Support Provided by The Training Solution from 2009 – 4/12/12

Organization Item Quantity ~Value

AC Reynolds High School 100% Cotton Resume Paper

250 Sheets 2 $ 30.00 For: Student Job/College

Usage Box Hanging File Folders 1 $ 4.00

11 Rocket Drive 25 Pack of Invitations 1 $ 15.00

Asheville, NC 28803 500 Box 25% Cotton Envelopes 1 $ 8.00

Received by: Secretary 25 Pack of Gold Foil Seals 1 $ 5.00

DATE: 3/8/2011 Blue Yarn Ball 1 $ 2.00

TOTAL Donation $ 64.00

Fairview Library

For: Children's Creative Time 100 Sheet 25lb Multi-Colored

Cardstock 1 $ 8.99

Date: 3/8/2011

For: To decrease waiting list

Date: 2009 The Shack by William Young 1 $ 9.00

1 Taylor Road

Fairview, NC 28730

Received by: Librarian

TOTAL Donation: $ 17.99

Stephens Lee Center

For: Everyone/Workout Room

Dates: 2/2011 & 3/2011 Healing/Management/Educational Books 6 $ 7.50

30 G W Carver Avenue Attaché 1 $ 30.00

Asheville, NC 28801 32 pack 16oz Water Bottles 2 $ 13.00

Air Fresheners 2 $ 2.00

Clean Up "Signs" 16 $ 6.00

Magazines 4 $ 5.00

Used Exercise Gloves 1 $ 2.00

Pack of 10 Greeting Cards 1 $ 2.50

Date: 4/2012 Healing Magazine Subscription 1 $ 27.00

TOTAL Donation: $ 95.00

TOTAL DIRECT COMMUNITY DONATIONS $ 176.99

Instructions: Think of ways that you can sow positive, healthy, biblically inspired seeds into your

community. These plans do not have to be expensive, just thoughtful. Note your thoughts.



Enrichment Application: Sowing

Instructions: Over the next month, document all the seeds you plant, the place where you planted them,

and what type of soil you believe it is. View TTS’s Seed Registry on page 5 for guidance.

Sowing Example: When trying to perfect an “Herbed Cornbread” recipe, an extra batch was made for a few guys that made me feel like a Queen. When receiving the cornbread, my “taste testers” were grateful, being a little spoiled by the treats they had grown accustomed to receiving. The following day, as the door opened, serious faces transformed into brightly shining lights with Kool-Aid smiles that produced energy that felt like the warm sun caressing my face on a lovely day. One young man, licked his lips as he exclaimed “OMGosh that was the best cornbread, I ever, EVER, EVer had. It was light, not greasy, perfectly seasoned – (what did you put in it, someone inquired), not sweet… (AWEsome another interjection) Dude, it didn’t make it through the stop light, another added.”

Date Name Place Type of Seed Soil Type



Enrichment Application: Reaping

Instructions: Note 2 months from the date you planted your 1st seed here: _________________. Mark

your calendar. On or near this date, return here to answer the following questions.

Reaping Example: Since day one, the gentlemen at Enterprise Rental Car have always treated me with the utmost respect. They have been my “taste testers,” brothers, sisters, uncles, friends, baggage handlers, encouragers as well as concierges. Well one hectic day, there was only one car left in the lot, my rental. This is the day I realized what an “economy car” truly is. They treat everyone with kindness, but that day God revealed just how much they always “considered me,” my lifestyle – favorite colors, my ministry needs, and even the weather when choosing my rental – true guardians. Please, pray for these future leaders.

1. Has your life improved? 2. Have doors been opened for you that left you wondering, “God, how in the world or only you God?” This principle is called favor. 3. Have needs been provided at prices that have left you astounded? If yes, how? 4. Have there been situations that you made think “No WAY” and then God made a way? 5. Note any additional blessings or favor that come to mind. Maybe your wife or child was blessed. 6. Do you believe that sowing good seed had anything to do with these reapings? Why or why not?



7. Note 1 month from the date you complete this Enrichment Application here: __________________. Mark your calendar. Come back on or near this date, review your answers, connect any dots – meaning if any revelations regarding Sowing & Reaping have manifested notate these nuggets of wisdom, and finally jot down any additional blessings.



Gaining perspective: Hope for the “poor and Needy.”

If you are interested in finding the more impoverished schools within your city or state, the following is a step-by-step guide as to how the information for Asheville City Schools was obtained.

Research Inspiration 1. Typed in “Asheville, NC Schools” on the internet. 2. Clicked on “Asheville City Schools: Homepage.” 3. Scanned over the website. 4. Found the telephone number at the bottom of a page. 5. Called the telephone number and spoke with Ms. Elaine. 6. Ms. Elaine was gracious, leading me step-by-step to the information on Asheville City School’s

website. 7. Ms. Elaine instructed me to click on “Departments.” 8. Next to click on “School Nutrition.” 9. Next to click on “Free & Reduced Percentage Reports.” 10. Enthusiastically, I jumped the gun and clicked on “SY 2015-2016”. 11. Then Ms. Elaine chimed in ACS Demographics 8-31-15.pdf, which led to

Okay, you got me. I was not led precisely here, however with a little creativity and work, voilà!

1. Visit Biblegateway.com or the Bible search website of your choice. In the search box enter “poor, needy.” Choose the 3 scriptures that “speak to you.” Note them here.

2. What are the top 3 “poor and needy” schools in your city?

2. Where are they located? Example: 60 Ridgelawn Rd, Asheville, NC 28806.


http://www.ashevillecityschools.net/files/_IDJKH_/223acc3e11e2e9b53745a49013852ec4/ACS_Demographics_8-31-15.pdf


3. If you do not already have a “needs-based project.” Think and pray about how you can help the people, families, or children in these underserved areas? Example: I’m kind of a perfectionist, my printers have come to know this. Sometimes when we notice a flaw or imperfection, they will often “donate” these items or drastically reduce the price. The 1st time this happened, I advised the manager that the items would be donated to a local charity. On another occasion, an amiable Methodist Minister, Joy Moss, spoke up, “I would like one, I don’t care about the imperfections.” The manager looked at her, gave one to me, and I, in turn, gave it to her. This year (2015), I’ve made several additions to the Vitality Assessment, and a few Starter Journals were printed with “very minor flaws.” I’m thinking, praying about visiting the 28806 area in an “Angel Giving” fashion and gifting them to whoever is courteous to me. I’ve done this before, in several places. Christmas 2014, at a Dollar Tree, an impoverished young mother did not get angry when the associate called me to the front of the line. God lead me to provide her with two options, the $5 bill in my purse (as her cart was brimming with Christmas gifts for her children) or a Bible Decoder gift set which was in the car. In faith, she decided to wait (although the clerk did give her a huge smile and a nod of assurance) for me to return with her reward. She was thrilled, and after peaking inside exclaimed, “this is the nicest gift I’ve ever gotten!” Please pray for her.



4. Plant a seed on ProphetessStephanieSpear.com and know that your seed will be utilized in a manner that will help to produce good fruit for you, the recipient, the community, TTS Ministries, and the Kingdom of God. Check here when the seed is planted. Note how much here: $_______ Date: __________

5. Note the blessings and favor that manifest in your life after planting your seed.

6. Pray to know which “blessings” are attributed to a specific seed you planted. Take into consideration, a bit of the harvest may have been gleaned by others, some of the seeds may not have fully matured while hoping that each seed was planted in fertile soil. Some actions may have been to “till the soil” so that other seeds could be sown later, to produce excellent crop in the due season. In a few of my cases, the soil was rocky, but God knew those people would “replant” the seeds in good soil. Note your revelations.



“We need a better basketball court” HFE Staff

28806 Highlights

http://hallfletcher.ashevillecityschools.net/pages/HallFletcherElementary

TTS


Outreach lesson: Sowing & Reaping · 100% Cotton Resume Paper 250 Sheets 2 $ 30.00 For: Student Job/College Usage Box Hanging File Folders 1 $ 4.00 11 Rocket Drive 25 Pack of Invitations

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