James 5:7 – “…see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain”. Seeds must be planted before they can grow.  Seeds must have an early rain to in order take root and grow; then there must be a latter rain for the seed to mature and produce fruit for the harvest.  This is a natural process that most anyone recognizes.  Simply, isn’t it!

The same is true with the God’s Word.  First it must be planted in the heart of a person by preaching and teaching. Then there must be the early teaching of basic truths – the early rain – the watering of God’s Word. Then there must be the latter teaching of more solid truths of how to live by God’s Word.  Simple, isn’t it!  Confused?  No need to be.  I’m sure you’ve heard the terms: “baby Christians” and “mature Christians”    Those two thoughts automatically give the impression of growth.

Peter tells the Church in 1 Peter 2:2 that they should desire the sincere milk of the Word in order to grow.  Paul tells the Church in 1 Corinthians 3:2 that he could only feed them milk and not meat, because they were not able to receive it.  This would indicate that they had not grown and matured enough to be taught with stronger truths –meat – of the Word of God.  Not sure about you, but I don’t want to still be called a “baby”!  So let’s find out how to grow up in Christ.  As a Christian we mature by learning knowledge of God’s Word; learning about obedience, healing, kindness, love, forgiveness, patience, (the list is endless) and taking our place in the Kingdom serving God.

It comes down to this:

First the truth of God’s Word must be planted by the preaching and teaching of His Word before a person can receive it into their spirit (heart) – this is when one is born again – Salvation – accepts Jesus as Savior.

Secondly the Word must be continually heard – the early rain – by preaching and teaching – for a person to grow and mature, and be transformed from thinking like the world, and conformed to thinking like God.  (Romans 12:2)

Thirdly there must be the latter rain of continually hearing of the Word for the harvest of the promises of the Bible to be produced in the lives of believers. This is when we are walking by faith according to the Word of God, receiving the blessings of God in our lives; and testifying of His goodness which again produces a harvest of others being saved and blessed.     (Romans 10:17)

So no matter how we look at it, we MUST hear, and hear, and hear, and hear, the Word of God to walk in the fullness of God’s plan in our lives and to receive the many blessings He has for us; which will also bring blessings to those around us.

I encourage you to make a commitment to make more time to read, study, and learn God’s Word.  Only when we know what our Heavenly Father has said, will we know what He has for us –and be able to receive the many blessings He has for us.  To continually reap the harvest of God’s blessings we must continually grow in His Word.