Planting for the future

Have you ever heard the term when talking to a Christian, "They bear fruit".  Do you know what that exactly means?  It means they are being Christ like, they are showing others how Christ was/is.  They are showing an example of what God expects from us.  Alot of times you can see someone and know if they are walking with Christ or not, just by their words and actions.  No one is perfect of course, but by simple lifestyles can show a great amount of their walk.

 

Colossians 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God . . .

So tonight while I was reading my "One month to live" book, I came across today's message and wanted to share.  In John 12:24, Jesus explains, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernal of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds."  The seed has to go into the ground, and in the silence of the ground, it dies.  All alone there, it opens up to bring forth life.  In the same way, we have to die to ourselves--to our selfish desires and goals and dreams--so we can plant an unselfish seed.  If we invest in peoples lives, then our legacy becomes like a giant oak, providing life for generations to come.

There is life in the seed; there is nothing but rocks inside the pebble.  The seed has power and potential in it; it produces life.  Unfortunately, some of us spend our time planting rocks--no potential, no life, no fruit.

Most farmers will tell you that where you plant is almost as important as what you plant.  A seed has potential, but if its planted in bad soil, theres not going to be any fruit.  The soil in Jesus parable represents different types of lives, and the first one represent a callous life.  Jesus describes it this way: "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is the seed sown along the path (Matthew 13:19).  This is the picture of people who are not interested in spiritual things at all.  They're just living for themselves, planting selfish seeds.  The impact of their lives will be like a footprint on the beach-here today and gone tomorrow.
 

The next type of soil represent a comfortable life.  This is the picture of people who have committed their lives to following Jesus but are not growing deep in their relationship with Him.  When problems and stresses set in, they give up.  "The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away" (13:20 -21).  These people think that when they become a Christian, their lives will always go smoothly.  But the Christian life is not about comfort; its about character.  God grows our character when we step out and plant seeds of faith, and it usually stretches us and makes us feel uncomfortable.  In fact, "without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).  God never promised a life that's convenient and carefree.  He does promise us an abundant life of joy without worry if we'll look to Him daily for our needs.  When we trust Him, life is a daring adventure where we step out in faith and become fully alive.  He is a great God who wants to do amazing things in our lives.
 

Yet other seeds fall on a type of soil that represents the crowded life.  This likely describes most of us.  This seed begins to grow, but then the thorns and the weeds run rampant, and the young plant is chocked out.  "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth chock it, making it unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22).  This is the picture of people who start to follow God but surround themselves with things that wont last and cant produce life.  Their days become completely crowded with too many items--many of them good things--that compete with what they know to be true.  Soon the busyness chokes out time for their relationship with God.  Just as in any relationship, the more time we spend with God, the better well know Him.
 

The final type of soil is the rich, fertile ground of the complete life that Jesus describes: "But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown"(13:23).  This is a picture of people who receive Gods truth, plant it deeply in their lives, and yield an impact that's felt for generations.  That's what God wants to do in your life, but you must never lose sight of your fundamental motives: Why are you planting? Whats your purpose or goal in life?  "Do not be deceived:  God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows" (Galations 6:7)
 

If you plant temporary things, you are going to harvest temporary things.  If you plant eternal seeds, you are going to be harvest eternal fruit.  If you plant generosity, you are going to harvest generosity.  If you give grace and compassion, you are going to get grace and compassion.  Whatever you give out in life, you are going to get back.
 

If you want to know that your life matters, then you  must be willing to plant eternal seeds in the fertile places of your life.  When you focus on knowing Gods Word and commit to loving others selflessly, you can expect a bumper crop of blessings in your life.