5-16-2016

Good Morning All!! 

         Genesis 1:28; “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  

    If you ever watched the old “Star Trek” TV show, you might remember something that was called “The Prime Directive.”  This was the number one rule that the members of Star Fleet were to follow.  Basically what it said was that no member of Star Fleet would do anything that would interfere or alter the development of a planet that Star Fleet landed on.  The members of the crew were supposed to be willing to die before they would do anything that would alter the development of the civilization of the planet.

   We could look at this verse as man’s “Prime Directive.”  God created man, blessed him and gave him these instructions.  The first was to be fruitful while the second was to multiply.  Many often see this as the same thing but in reality they are different.  To be fruitful means to produce to multiply means to increase in numbers.  Think of it in terms of an apple orchard that has two trees.  The apple tree is fruitful when it produces apples.  If I add two more apple trees then the trees have multiplied; there are more trees.  There is a difference that can have a big impact on how we view our life.

    The first thing God directs us to be is fruitful; to be productive.  We are to set out to make a positive difference.  This can involve any portion of God’s creation.  It can mean taking care of the garden or the flower bed.  It can mean caring for animals of all types.  It can mean taking care of people.  It can mean any of a number of active events in which we engage to be productive.  This goes beyond multiplying.  This shows us that the greatest quality is not necessarily procreating but is making a difference to the creation as it exists today.

    In many ways, God is speaking to the men and women who do not have children.  You are still very valuable to God and to the work in his creation.  Anyone, regardless of age, marital status or parental activities can be fruitful.  God has given you talents which will serve him and build his kingdom.  God has works for you in his creation.  So, go and be fruitful.

    If you have musical talent, use it to glorify God and to brighten the day of another.  If you have a green thumb and can grow anything; use this skill to produce flowers for beauty or gardens for food.  If you can listen, then listen to others tell of their life and the stories that are.  If you can take care of animals then make life better for our four legged creatures.  There is no limit to what we can do to be fruitful.  It is mostly seeing that this is a God-pleasing activity.  It is seeing that making a positive difference is part of why we were created.

Father of all mercy, guide me to be fruitful in your kingdom.  Lead me by your Spirit that I may bring about joy, comfort, and peace.  Show me the path to follow and then give me the courage to walk in your ways.  Lead me to be your faithful servant.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret