Watch Over Our Seed

When we sow our flower seeds or vegetable seeds in the ground, we do not just put them there and then never go back. No, we have to water and nourish them so that they can build a good root system to sustain them. We have to make sure we give water when needed sometimes more than others when the heat gets so bad that it will scorch them. Some plants are more delicate than others and need alot of care, and then some develop good roots right off.

It is the same with when we sow a seed into someone's life. When we sow the word of God we can't just walk away and forget about the seed we planted. We have to be faithful to watch over that seed for a while. I don't mean we have to babysit these folks day and night, I mean we need to be faithful to check on them now and again to make sure they are not being scorched and dried up by the enemy. We need to make sure they know where to get there nourishment and water so that they might build a good foundation (a root system). If we just told them about the Lord but never show them how to find His love and their strength in the word, then we have not taken good care of our seed.

I have heard many times in the church that we plant the seed then our part is done. It is now up to that person to do with our seed what they will, we have no more responsiblity to that seed. I have to disagree. As much as the Word of God uses seedtime and harvest as a lesson I believe that is how we are to plant and take care. Never do you plant and forget about it. Now don't get me wrong, if that person does not choose to take care of their own seed then that is their choice. THAT IS NOT YOUR FAULT! God gave us each free will to choose. Whether or not they choose to serve Him or not is up to them. However all Christians know that when you first give your life to the Lord, the enemy is going to come against you. Sometimes we have to stake our plants to hold them up, the same with people sometimes they need a little support as well.

It is not the Pastors job to take care of the seeds we plant. It is our job. You may say, but I do not know what to tell this person about how to take care of their seed. That is what we have the Word for. The Word is our guide to good planting and harvest. Here is the planting chart.

1. Plant the seed with love
2. Water with the Word
3. Love and Nourish with prayer

Sometimes harvest time takes a long while, sometimes harvest comes quickly. Just as different seeds have different germination periods, so do the people you are witnessing to. Some may come to the Lord right off, and some like myself for example may take 20+ years. You say, well I may move away or they may move away. What then? Loving and nourishing your seed comes through prayer for that person. You can always pray for someone even if it is impossible for you to physically be near them. You may plant a seed into some peoples lives and it is in your best interest to not be near that person even if they live down the street. You can still love and nourish them with prayer.

Luke 8 v 11-15...."Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among the thorns are those who, when they heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.......

When we plant our flower beds and gardens we amend our soil so that our seeds get a good start. The way we can amend the heart of the people we are sowing the word of God into, is by sowing always in love. And remember the last part of that passage of scripture. With patience the seed in the good ground bears fruit. What is patience? Patience is LOVE.

When we walk in love and share the gospel with love and without condemnation our seeds will fall onto good ground. We may not see it right off but Love never fails. Remember keep condemnation away from your seeds. Condemnation is like ROUND UP on your plants it will destroy and kill. It is from the enemy not from God.

1 Cor 13 v 8a....Love never fails.....

Romans 8 v 1...there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.....

Gen. 8 v 22...."While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease....

There will be a seedtime and harvest. It is a promise from God. AMEN!

How do we know what words to use when planting a seed. By knowing what the Word says.

STAY IN THE WORD!