Joy Seed

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up,
he knows not how.

No man is satisfied with who he is. Every man or woman wants change in some way. Being braver, wiser, more knowledgeable, more influential, or more Christ-like are just a few of the ways we might want to change. Anyone who wants their life or a relationship to go to a new level must personally expect and experience internal change. If anyone wants to change, they must first change their thinking. In the parable of the sower, Jesus described four types of soil and the response to the seed. The seed was God's Word. As we take in God's Word, it will sprout, grow up, and begin to produce everlasting fruit in our lives. As we act on our changed thinking and encourage others to take in the Word of life, we will sometimes be surprised to see how new life springs up in them. But, without the seed, the fruit can not even begin to grow.

A man may hope for his children to be spiritually strong. He might want a strong marriage with a partnership in meaningful ministry. As life draws to a close, a man may want to be able to look back and see lasting results from his life. These things don't happen by accident. These fruits require good seed. But, many men fail to cast good seed into their own soul let alone the souls of those in their family or sphere of influence. There is another type of seed. Bad seed that comes from the world system and it produces temporary fruit like riches, status and pleasure. If we're not careful, the bad seed of wrong values, poor priorities and self-focus can and will choke out the fruit we really want in our families and in our selves. When we experience the fruit that God wants in our lives we will be filled with joy. But, are we planting weed seeds or joy seeds?

May God help each of us to daily get His Word into our souls.

Mark 4:26+, Matthew 13