Need for Seed

Need for Seed

2 Corinthians 9: ⁶ Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop. ⁷ You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly. ⁸ And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause. ⁹ As the scripture says,

 

“He gives generously to the needy;
    his kindness lasts forever.”

 

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Both of my grandmothers were not the best cooks, but were always willing to give me food in their house where I borrowed a bed for the time I was there. They weren’t rich, in fact, quite the opposite. But they gave GOD to me in generous doses.

 

• I complained about their food.
• I complained about their bug laced homes and horrible water and discomfort.
• I complained about their constant mentions of JESUS.

 

Paul speaks about a different currency, namely “seed.” This is GOD’s currency and HE is the benefactor who supplies HIS seed. Paul suggests that everyone who takes GOD’s currency and spreads it around generously will grow a large crop.

 

My Observations

• There is a huge need for GOD’s seed and HE wants me to provide it.
• Everyone may not have money but GOD gives them and me, seeds to plant in other’s hearts.
• Seeds and bread seem to be highly important to GOD.

 

When I am greedy, I only see “giving” as a transfer of “my” money to an organization. I mean, I look at my bank account as a measure of how “generous” I can be. I then hear messages about “faith” being based on money amounts given. BUT GOD sees currency differently.

 

HE sends comforters to crying people, joyful to the hurt, peaceful to the angry, loving to the lonely, patient to the impetuous, good to the bad, gentle to the rough, self-controlled to the wild, faithful to those who give up easily and lastly, kind to the unkind. GOD sees and appreciates HIS seeds planted; and grows a rich harvest. I am glad HE provides the right seeds at the right time.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writer means about a “small” and “large” crop?
• If you had no money, what can you give generously to someone?
• Will you use your GOD given gifts to spread the Good News about JESUS in a way that only you can deliver it so HIS kingdom will grow a large, rich harvest?

Why Remember?

Why Remember?

! Corinthians 11: ²³ For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, ²⁴ gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God's new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”

 

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Hurt by the circumstance, I had forgotten all the good times when laughter ensued from the house. Bitter attacks and missing people left five individuals wounded and seemingly, forever separated. The enemy had devoured us, or so he thought.

 

• There have been circumstances in my life that attempted to erase the good that happened.
• There have been situations in my life that tried to remove the great memories that happened.
• There have been obstacles, barriers and thieves, that tried to steal the wonderful things that happened.

 

Paul addresses divisiveness by giving the training he received directly from JESUS. “Remember ME.” Paul mentions the teaching of JESUS as HE spoke to HIS disciples before HE was crucified. JESUS knew times would get difficult and Satan would seek to divide by turning up pride, hidden lies and hardened hearts. HE wanted them to remember what HE had overcome.

 

My Observation

• JESUS wants me to remember that HE overcame all my sins, when I sin.
• JESUS wants me to remember that HE loved me more than any human could ever love me.
• JESUS wants me to remember that HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me and I am never alone regardless of how things may seem.

 

Remembering JESUS is extremely important. I mean, if I think “I” did things on my own, then pride would creep in. Remembering JESUS controls pride. If I dwell on the hurt and the pain, I forget that HE felt pain and hurt, just for me. When I remember that JESUS died and was raised from the dead, my hurt and pain stings less.

 

When I feel all alone, I remember that JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me. HE begs for forgiveness of my sins and provides the right words when I need them. Remembering the good helps heal my wounds.

 

Challenge

• What good things do you remember that the enemy is trying to steal from you?
• Do you think remaining stuck on the circumstance, even for years, will help you heal from wounds?
• Will you remember the good and especially what JESUS did for you so the HOLY SPIRIT can provide the comfort you seek today?

Head Knowledge

Head Knowledge

Acts 8: ¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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“Why do I have to know this?” I asked myself. I mean, I will never use this information. I sat in class and daydreamed, thinking of things I could be doing. I looked forward to my next class that was in my major and was only minutes away. I stopped listening and opened a book for the next class.

• There were times when I learned the information only to take the test.
• There were times when I understood the concepts but did not care about the information.
• There were times when I heard the information but did not take it to heart.

Philip preached about JESUS and many people understood and took action by being baptized. It was the right thing to do. But Peter and John were sent to pray for those who had this fresh knowledge. Many people accepted the HOLY SPIRIT in their hearts after the prayer and laying of hands.

• GOD wants me to plant seeds in the hearts of many.
• GOD wants me to know that someone else may water the seeds.
• GOD wants me to know that even someone else may see the increase of the seeds I planted in their heart.

Preaching about the great news of how JESUS saves  can sometimes be a group effort. Something I say can help a person stop rejecting JESUS, but this may only be temporary. Someone else may come along and say just the right thing to make it permanent.

When it comes to free will, we all have a choice to accept the HOLY SPIRIT or reject HIM. My life’s purpose is to help people accept HIM by believing they need to be saved by JESUS who died for us all and is alive because HE was raised from the dead. I have this belief in my heart.

• What do you know about JESUS and are rejecting?
• Are you trying to be GOD by thinking of your own concepts of what GOD is?
• Will you obtain “heart knowledge” by believing in JESUS as your Savior so you can receive the HOLY SPIRIT today, gaining everlasting life?

Growing

Luke 13: ¹⁸ Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

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Furious, I stormed into the grocery store. I grabbed whatever I was purchasing and went to the counter. The cashier looked at my face and did not bother to say anything but the amount owed. Silently I paid and left.

• There are times when I show my anger to many people.
• There are times when I show my disappointment to many people.
• There are times when I show my hatred, fear, lust, prejudice and greed to many people.

JESUS describes the kingdom of GOD as a mustard seed planted in a garden. This seed grew and became a large tree for which many birds nested in its branches. How does a seed parable apply to me?

• GOD says to me “Each day you plant something whether you like it or not.”
• GOD says to me “You can sow seeds for MY kingdom or sow seeds for yours every day.”
• GOD says to me “You are MY seed and I plant you where I need you, for the time I need you, and I will grow you into a large tree.”

Each and every day I have a choice to make. I can make people miserable and adversarial or I can choose to be with people and show them GOD is in control in spite of my problems. Even my absence speaks volumes and plants a seed. Once I realize GOD has placed me somewhere for HIS purpose, it makes me think differently.

Wicked people aren’t as wicked and the argument I was about to jump into doesn’t seem worth winning when I choose GOD. Showing GOD’s love is important to HIM. When I choose to do so, especially when I don’t feel like it, HE grows me beyond my belief.

• What seeds are you growing?
• Are you making many people miserable around you?
• Can you choose to have GOD grow you to a point where you are growing other people for HIS purpose on a daily basis?

Patient Fruit

Luke 8: ⁹ Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”

¹⁰ And He said, “To you it has been given to know the ^[f]mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that

‘Seeing they may not see,
And hearing they may not understand.’

¹¹ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ¹⁵ But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

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“When will I ever be respected?” I said frustrated. I mean every word I said seemed to be stolen by someone in the room and credited to them. I decided I had enough. “I quit” was my solution to the situation. My patience had grown thin.

• Sometimes I want what I want, when I want it.
• Sometimes I get frustrated by circumstances out of my control.
• Sometimes I lose my patience for things going on around me.

JESUS explains the parable of the sower. HE sums up all of life in a few brief sentences. HE basically says that life will have temptations, interruptions, difficulties OR fruit. It is my choice.

• GOD says to me “Bear fruit with patience.”
• GOD says to me “Hear MY word and place it in your heart.”
• GOD says to me “Ask me for a noble and good heart.”

My selfish heart has more statements that revolve around me. The more I’m focused on me the more life can beat me up. GOD wants me to see more than me. HE wants to remove my blindness so I won’t fall into life’s holes so easily. HE gives me patience to not only endure trials, but to accept grace HE has for me and those who are disgusted with me. HE loves my fruit.

• Are you bearing GOD’s fruit?
• Are you so focused on yourself that no one else matters?
• Can you have patience through trials and with “that” person today?

Helpless and Mighty

Mark 4: ²⁶ And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. ²⁸ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

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When the car stalled out for the fifth time it seemed like we would never get home. The two hour journey had now turned into six. My cousin and I sat there waiting yet again for something miraculous to happen. After fifteen minutes I started the car again. This time it made it all the way home.

• Sometimes I have problems I cannot fix.
• Sometimes I have a desire but no solution.
• Sometimes I have an immediate need but have no way to meet that need.

Helpless is never a fun feeling but it is definitely useful. Looking back on the car situation, I can truly say that it was only GOD that brought me through that situation. I had nothing to offer, no power to give.

• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”
• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.”

In my weakness GOD’s might is made perfect. GOD is the one who knows how seeds sprout in this story. JESUS lets HIS disciples know that the power comes only from HIM. I am supposed to go out and plant seeds of love, knowledge and faith to many and let GOD grow the seeds.

As much as I may want someone to believe in CHRIST, I am helpless BUT GOD is mighty! HE wants me to be ready for HIS harvest so HIS glory will shine bright.

• Are you ready for GOD’s harvest?
• Can you stop fearing and allow GOD to deliver you the way HE wants to?
• Will you continue to spread the seeds of GOD wherever HE sends you?

Overcoming Barriers

Mark 4: ¹³ And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. ¹⁶ These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. ¹⁸ Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰ But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

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Station four was my nemesis. It was the part of the obstacle course that I could not overcome. The gym teacher required that I do ten pullups before moving on to the rest of the course. “Ten? I can’t even do one!” I said to myself.

• Sometimes life feels like a huge obstacle course.
• Sometimes life has big things in it that seem hard to overcome.
• Sometimes life deals out difficulties that seem impossible to overcome.

Ailments, broken relationships, poor grades, job pressures, job loss and death of loved ones are a few obstacles that have kept me from shouting from the mountain that GOD is awesome! I mean how awesome is HE when I am standing out in the rain, getting soaked waiting on a bus? GOD wants me to get stronger.

• GOD wants me to open my eyes to see Satan trying to steal GOD’s promise of peace and his attempt to replace it with worry.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes to understand there will be tribulation and persecution so I need to prepare myself.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes to know I am susceptible to lust of money, lust of power, and lust in general.

When I feel scared, worried, lustful or judgmental, GOD wants me to get my answers from HIM instead of acting on impulse. HE enables me to see that in the middle of a trial, I can still bear fruit for HIM. HE wants me to quiet down, seek HIS face for direction and actually go where HE leads me. There is where I will find fruit for HIS kingdom!

• Have you given up on GOD?
• Do you feel more worried than full of praise?
• Can you look at what GOD has said about your situation in HIS word and act accordingly?
• Will you accept HIS message of peace for you today?

Two People

Matthew 13: ²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

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Every day I have a choice of which person I will be. Person one in this passage sowed “good” seed and person two sowed “bad” seed or weeds. Each seed grew in the story.

• Some days I sow bad seed of fear, worry and doubt.
• Some days I sow bad seed of lust, slander and rage.
• Some days I sow bad seed of self-centeredness, self-promotion and self-righteousness.

There are many reasons I sow these seeds, none of which are good. BUT GOD wants me to prepare myself for something different.

• GOD wants me to prepare myself daily to sow “good” seeds.
• GOD wants me to seize every opportunity to plant something “good.”
• GOD wants me to seek out situations where I can say something “good.”

Complaints, slander and arguments weaken my “good” seed. In fact, every negative word I speak grows in weird ways I cannot imagine. GOD wants me to speak the “Good” seed about HIS SON especially when I feel like spreading bad seed.

• Which person will you be today?
• Will you choose to sow GOD’s “good” seeds or your own seeds which could contain weeds?
• Can you identify negative words and positive words that come from your mouth?

Time to Grow

Isaiah 28: ¹⁶ So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.

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²³ Listen and hear my voice;
    pay attention and hear what I say.
²⁴ When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
    Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
²⁵ When he has leveled the surface,
    does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
    barley in its plot,
    and spelt in its field?
²⁶ His God instructs him
    and teaches him the right way.

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²⁹ All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
    whose plan is wonderful,
    whose wisdom is magnificent.

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It didn’t hit me until I was driving and the radio station faded out. The morning sun was shining in my face and I was headed to my new residence with bright aspirations. I finally realized this is not a drill. I was now about to embark on my career journey. Was I ready? Did I know enough? What if I fail?

• There are times when I get nervous.
• There are times when I am stricken with panic.
• There are times when I have fear that causes me to race around lose sleep.

Being unsure of myself has popped in and out of my life numerous times. Sometimes I look at my abilities and shutter. Can I do the thing that I am facing?

• GOD says to me “I have laid a precious tested, cornerstone as your foundation.”
• GOD says to me “I will be your instructor and teach you the right way.”
• GOD says to me “I have a wonderful plan for you.”

I should be unsure of myself because in life I am way in over my head. BUT GOD has “magnificent wisdom” and a “wonderful plan” for me. I must place my trust in HIS strength and let HIM fight my battles. HE is the one who prepares me and HE is the one who tells me when I am ready to grow. HE wants me to turn from preparation and go into planting seeds of encouragement. GOD is truly magnificent!

• Are you nervous about your abilities?
• Are you scared to try something new and more difficult?
• Can you stop relying on your abilities and start relying on GOD’s “precious and tested” foundation?
• Will you believe that HE has a better plan for you than your plan?

I Better Mean What I Say

Psalm 101: ¹ I will sing of your love and justice;
    to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
² I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
    when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs of my house
    with a blameless heart.

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“You are sorry you got caught” the officer said to me in reply to my apology. Prior to being pulled over I quickly said “Oh GOD, Please, please, please don’t let me get a ticket!” The officer was right. I was not sorry for what I had done, but I sure was mad that I had to pay.

• There are times I don’t like justice.
• There are times I don’t want to sing praises because my heart is too hard.
• There are times I refuse to yield and end up with consequence rather than blessing.

One day as I was zipping down the road with a coworker, I was pulled over. After claiming my ticket, I sped off only to be pulled over a second time. Fortunately the second officer asked “Where are you going?” He knew the business we were visiting and let me go with a warning! “I better be careful” I said to myself.

• GOD has forgiven me for my sins but allows “crops” to grow where I sow seeds.
• GOD has forgiven me for my sins and wants me to plant seeds of life rather than death.
• GOD has forgiven me for my sins and HE desires that I enjoy HIS rules rather than getting mad at how HE works in my life.

Living sinless, or as the author says “blameless” is pretty difficult. I will inadvertently sin; BUT GOD wants me to stay away from sin anyway, not because HE will hit me in the head with a bat but because I love HIM. HE knows there is power in modeling my behavior after HIM. HE knows I should have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The more fruit I bear the more GOD blossoms in my life.

• Are you bearing fruit with your current behavior?
• Do you think GOD is after you in a bad way or a good way?
• Can you believe GOD loves you and wants you to delight in HIS way rather than pouting that you are not getting yours?
• Will you turn your anger into praise for GOD’s justice?

Learning to Follow

Psalm 15: ¹ Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

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Grousing at the horrid conditions of not having a full breakfast at meetings was something I couldn’t get into. “We should be thankful for what we had” was my thought. Then the company cut back on randomly giving away tee shirts. “Come on! This place can afford a lousy tee shirt, I groused!”

• Complaining blinds me more than I know.
• Complaining hardens my heart to hearing.
• Complaining leads to slander that is very hard to reverse.

I never knew that the seed of complaining grows an ugly vine within me. I mean even the smallest complaint can grow a tree of superiority, arrogance and a deserving attitude that does not draw people to GOD. How can I counter my complaining attitude?

• GOD says to me “Utter no slander” even when the crowd is doing it, especially about leaders.
• GOD says to me “Do no wrong to your neighbor” even when the neighbor is crazy.
• GOD says to me “Cast no slur on others” especially racial, sexual, age or class.
• GOD says to me “Despise a vile person” which is difficult when I too am vile so I must give the person to GOD.
• GOD says to me “Honor those who fear ME, who trust ME, who keeps oaths when it hurts, who does not change their mind, who lends money to the poor without interest, who does not accept bribes” which means I must recognize these traits in others. 

Getting rid of my complaining seeds is not easy, but the more I can spit the poison out of my mouth the more GOD replaces my seeds with fruit.

• Are you a complainer?
• Have you spread slander about a person who is not in the room with you?
• Can you reduce your poisonous words and replace them with praise?
• Will you learn to follow JESUS’ ways and be gentle, even to your enemies?

What Goes Around Comes Around

Psalm 7: ¹⁴ Whoever is pregnant with evil
    conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
¹⁵ Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
    falls into the pit they have made.
¹⁶ The trouble they cause recoils on them;
    their violence comes down on their own heads.

¹⁷ I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
    I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

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“I’m gonna tell” were my words to my brother. We had gotten into an argument over something trivial and my method of resolution was to bring in the judge.  Moments into court my expectations of a favorable ruling turned into dismay when I realized I was now on trial. My parents quickly cross examined my motive and sentence was passed. We both got it!

• When I sow seeds of discord I reap discord.
• When I sow seeds of discontent I reap discontentment.
• When I sow seeds of disruption I reap disruption.

Looking back, GOD thwarted my evil plans every time. It seemed like other people could get away with things but when I tried I would get caught. When I would get mad at someone I was the one who had to bring peace otherwise I would fall into a hole.

• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE, I will repay” so I can’t repay evil with evil.
• GOD says to me “Love one another” so my evil plans will fall apart if I am not acting in love.
• GOD says to me “Whatever you sow is what your will reap” so my evil seeds will grow along side of my good seeds.

GOD is not a “respect of persons”, in other words HE is not prejudiced at all. HE does not like evil from me or anyone else. HE puts me in the same pot with others when I think I should be in the “special” pot. But then I realize, this is a good thing. HE sees other people as righteous just as HE sees me. HE gave HIS SON to all who believe and it is my job to sow the seeds GOD gave me.

• What seeds are you sowing into the lives around you?
• Are you sowing seeds of grace or complaint?
• Have you complained about “that” person to others?
• Will you begin to sow the seeds of “Love” “Hope” and “Grace” into people?