SOWING GOOD SEEDS IN GOOD GROUND
by Pastor Mark Taylor
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
What we do with our time, with ourselves, with our friends, and with our attitudes will determine what our future will be. We will either improve, or we regress. If we do not improve, we will go backwards. What we do not use, we lose.
In Matthew 13:3-9, Jesus compares our lives to farmers who plant seeds. He spoke of the kinds of ground the seeds were planted in and the results that came from it. The types of ground represent our hearts and how willing we are to receive the Word of God and apply it to our lives. At the end of His parable he says this: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 13:9). It is very important they we listen to what God has to say to us about living successful and happy lives.
Every day of our lives we are planting seeds that will bring forth a harvest at some point in our lives. God has given us good seed to plant. But many people choose to find and plant their own seeds. A kernel of corn produces its own kind. A seed of doubt, fear, or distrust planted in our minds will produce after its own kind. A seed of unkindness, criticism, worry, or bitterness will produce fruit that will cause us disappointment and hurt. For those who choose to plant these kinds of seeds, the Bible has some warnings. “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” (Hosea 8:7). “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7). Planting seeds of faith, optimism, love, and kind deeds will produce after its own kind. These seeds will produce what the Lord Jesus wants us to have and that is a joyful and purposeful life. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).
Remember the ground is important too. When someone gets ready to plant a new crop it is important to remove the weeds and things from the past seasons. To plant your new crop, start preparing your ground by asking the Lord Jesus to forgive you of the bad seeds that have been planted, and to prepare your heart for the new. When the ground is ready, we can both receive good seed, and plant new seeds in other people’s lives as well. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26). The good seeds will not grow if your heart is not right. Make sure you have a real relationship with the Lord Jesus, and that you are not just playing church. Ask the Lord to “give you a new heart”.
We all need to plant good seeds into good ground. It does take faith to put the effort, time, and energy into planting these good seeds. But faith will provide us with a great reward. For each cup planted, a bushel is reaped. For every good idea given to another, many shall be given to us in return. For every act of kindness and love given, a life of love will be returned. For each seed of encouragement given to another, encouragement will return. “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). It is always a risk to plant, to give, to love, or to serve. But the Lord Jesus said this as a promise to you: "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38).
Do not let springtime pass while you sit idly contemplating the severity of the past winter of life. Rise up from your comfortable chair and enter into the fields where people need to receive the good seeds you can plant. Start planning for a good harvest in your life. It will be beneficial for you to read Christian books that will inspire you to live a better life and motivate you to follow our Lord’s teachings. Read the Bible daily. Listen to uplifting Christian music and watch positive TV programs that will give you the desire to live a holy life. Avoid venues that send out negative messages.
Each day is given to us a new season to plant good seeds into good ground. The thoughts, deeds, dreams, and efforts of today will provide tomorrow’s harvest. To neglect the opportunity given to us today, will delay our better harvest tomorrow. There will be no better time to begin than at this current moment.
Do not get discouraged if you have not seen your harvest yet. It is coming. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10). The Lord Jesus is going to reward you for all you do for Him and others in His name. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We have both the promise of a good harvest in this life and in the one to come. You cannot out give God, out love Him, or out serve Him.
Examine the gifts and talents the Lord has given you and use them to plant good seed. Planting seeds should be the most natural thing you do. It should be easy for you. The Lord has given you the good seed to plant. The Holy Spirit will give you the desire, the directions on where to plant, and the courage to live a life that will produce good seed. We are all going to experience a harvest. Some will continue to plant bad seeds while others will plant good seeds. I hope you plant good seed and that you will plant a lot of it and experience a harvest of blessing and success.
