Planting Seeds of Encouragement

Send us Fan MailToday we are discussing planting seeds of encouragement within ourselves and wherever we go. Let’s begin with the story that Jesus told of the parable of the farmer scattering seed. Luke chapter 8:5-8 states, "A farmer went out to plant his seed.  As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.  Other seed fell among rocks.  It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.   Other seed fell on among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted! In verse 11 Jesus states “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word.” So Jesus, himself, identifies the seed as God’s word. And this seed is powerful and important in the life of a Christian. Just as seeds must be planted to grow….God’s Word must be received when planted and nurtured in a believer’s heart to experience transformation and to produce spiritual fruit. Salvation converts our heart to a heart that is spiritually rich soil so the seed (the Word of God) will grow into an abundant harvest for God’s kingdom. When we focus on the Word, we focus on God, who communicates and reveals himself to us.When God’s Word takes root in our hearts, we are transformed and want to share the gospel with others and this is called planting seeds.  It is such an honor to be able to share the story of God’s grace and mercy that has been revealed to us in the Bible.  When we plant seeds of the good news, God has the most beautiful and powerful ability to take that seed and disperse it for His glory in such a huge way for a bountiful harvest. And as God’s Word is shared, it can grow or cause growth to happen. God's word, planted in human hearts generation after generation, continues to produce a harvest of believers.