Devotionals

SEED THAT TRAVELS

by Debbie Kennedy
09/21/21
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There is just something about seed! Good seed. We are dependent upon a variety of seed as farmers. Spring is usually when I really think about seed as that’s the busy planting season on our farm and nursery – Central Washington Nursery, LLC. Our motto – “From Little Seeds, Big Trees Grow”.  So true – little seeds produce big plants. Late June, as I processed through the paperwork to import, by air, about 1,000 pounds of cherry seed all the way from Germany into Washington state, some deeper thoughts ran through my heart and mind. We had to resort to a source all the way overseas to obtain the seed we needed. That’s been a new adventure.  Traveling seed – that’s what it was! Thank you, Lord, for providing seed of all varieties.

Of course, my thoughts ushered me into my heart which spoke whispers of the seeds of truth that were planted there. Brothers and sisters, don’t you love it when you are beckoned in heart, in mind and in soul to the “seed” that is truly vital?!  God’s words!  The Bible, written more than 16 centuries ago with more than 40 writers took part in its creation. From what I researched, it is translated in 690 languages, and it sells more than 100 million copies per year. Wow, now that continues to amaze me to this day. The spread of God’s spoken love in His words.  I’m thinking – now that’s seed that has traveled and produced much! Let’s go refresh and delight on some SEED! Let’s potentially cultivate and stir up the seed in the garden of our hearts?! Jesus teaches

 The Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

Mark 4: 1-25 (NIV) – Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore. He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on the footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on the shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants, so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted. Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the other parables meant.

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.

Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of the parable, how will you understand all the other parables. The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.

Parable of the Growing Seed

Mark 4: 26-29 (NIV) – Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle for the harvest time has come.

Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4: 30-34 (NIV) – Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches and birds can make nests in its shade.”

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, continue to cultivate what you plant in our hearts. Our world may look like it’s in chaos in so many aspects, yet we choose to believe what YOU say in your word- we fix our eyes on the things above…the unseen. Your word never returns void, nor do You fail us. We love You, praise You and choose to believe that Your seed always will produce within us if we remain in YOU and do what YOU say that will benefit us and grow us- good fruit in our lives. Thank you for sweet fellowship with YOU Lord.  Amen