BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND

The gospel makes salvation available to all (Rom 10:9-13).  The Great Commission sends believers with the gospel to all (Matt 28:18-20).  The gospel preached by the early church turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).  We need to return to those thrilling days of old!  We need a move of God that restores our first love as well as a passion for the lost.  We need a move of God just as they did in Hosea's day.  The people needed to break up their fallow ground.  What did Hosea mean when he called for this to happen among his people?

WHAT IS FALLOW GROUND?
Fallow ground was once productive but now lies in waste.  Once there were abundant harvests from this soil.  Now here are but weeds and thorns and thistles.

Hosea could identify with the need to break up the fallow ground.  Remember Israel's glorious past in regards to God's blessings: The Red Sea miracle, manna, water from a rock, cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to name but a few.  Consider the nation's sad condition that prompted Hosea's prophetic call:  Idolatry (mixing Baal worship with the worship of God), relationships with ungodly nations for the purpose of military strength and turning their back on the God who delivered them.    

We, too, can identify with the need for this call to break up fallow ground in our lives today.  Churches have grown cold and indifferent to the things of God.  Pastors and churches have compromised the message of the gospel in order to grow their church.  Some churches seem more like social clubs the churches preaching the gospel.  Christians sit back and soak while sinners die and go to hell.

WHAT DOES FALLOW GROUND PRODUCE?
Fallow ground produces thorns and thistles.  The cares of this world choke out the Word of God.  The deceitfulness of riches causes wrong priorities.  Idolatry replaces total dedication to God.  Fallow ground produces the root of bitternes.

We sing of a sweet, sweet spirit in this place.  But bitterness often lurks beneath the surface of singing saints.  Bitter believers are easily offended and are quick to cause divisions in the church.  Fallow ground is often the result of apathy and laziness.  Lazy Christians are slow to do what God has commanded.  Lazy Christians hold back from service to the God.  Lazy Christians find excuses for not getting involved.  Lazy Christians find that their lives are unproductive.

HOW CAN FALLOW GROUND BE BROKEN UP?

Fallow ground can be broken up by the plow of God's Word.  The Bible is a mirror that enables us to see ourselves as we are.  The Bible also enables us to see ourselves as God sees us Fallow ground can be broken up by repentance.
Fallow ground can be broken up by humility and prayer (2 Chron 7:14).

Is your life ready for God to work in it?  What will it take to break up your fallow ground?  Are you willing to pay the price to see a move of God

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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