By Victoria Hughes

Mark 4:30-32
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

We start out as seeds and are capable of such enormous growth. As we grow we find ourselves capable of sharing what we know of God's word and possibly "lodging" or taking someone under our wing as they learn of God's love.

John 12:24, 25
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

When we are in the world we are alone. We know that we must lose our lives. This is not a physical death. Someone who loves God more than himself makes Jesus Christ his lord [Rom 10:9,10]. We know that God loves us. We also know that the Bible teaches us how to live. Therefore, it does mean that we give up our own desires to take on following God's Word. We give up loving anything more than God and his Word. Once we have done this we are ready to be planted.

First, it must be a healthy seed, as a rotten seed can not grow good fruit. And we all hope to be a healthy mustard seed. Secondly we need the proper soil.

Matthew 13:3-7
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Further on in Matthew Christ goes on to explain what the parable teaches:

Matthew 13:19-23
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

This parable explains to us the importance of fully understanding. For if we do not understand then we have no ability, no basis, no foundation with which to fight off the attacks of the adversary. This also shows us that fertile soil, a believer of the rightly divided Word, is essential to the growth of the seed.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In verse 22 it states that the seeds in the thorns are those who become overly concerned with worldly goods. [Those who choose to love something more than their love for God.] This prevents a believer from bearing fruit. This is the reason we need to be surrounded by like-minded believers especially when we are new to the Word.

Then there is the seed that goes to fertile soil. That is the believer that hears and understands the rightly divided Word. Those are the believers that are capable of bearing fruit plentifully. That is who we want to and hope to be.

The next step for a seed is germination.
A seed should be surrounded by soil, compacted, in order to germinate. As we learned in the last scripture, we need fertile soil to grow. We can compare this to being supported by like-minded believers. As we are planted we are covered all around (by the Word), however, in order for the seed to germinate it can not be buried to deeply. That would be like having someone always believing for you and not allowing you to believe on your own. You might even be able to compare it to a package of seeds. It is opened, planted, and then buried too deeply. After a few years, if the soil is not turned, the seed will never have the chance to grow. A point will come when it is no longer strong enough to. You may even find that the seed will rot.

Another analogy is that at this stage it is in complete darkness. This is the world. Then it is watered. The seed is being fed. This is when the Word is shared with us. Then the light heats up that soil. That light is God's word. And before you know it, the seed has sprouted. It reaches up past the soil and feels the light on it's own. I compare that to the moment we are born again.

That leads us to our next step; light, which is essential in order for plants to grow.

1John 1:5b
God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

So the light that we need is God and His Word. We need to communicate with God daily. And if the plant world is any indicator we should have between 6-12 hours of direct to indirect light daily. And while there are various sources of light, ask any gardener, there is no substitute for the real thing. What I am trying to say is that daily we need to read and study Scripture, pray, speak in tongues, [perfect prayer], and most importantly we need to believe in God's Word.

A plant also needs water in order to grow.

John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

When we water a seed, we are providing nourishment for life. In our lives we have the ability to bring others to God and to eternal life. When we provide that watering, not only is the person we are sharing with blessed but we too are blessed.

Proverbs 11: 25
The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Next there is pruning. As we come to know God's word we realize that there are parts of our lives that need to be let go of. We prune out the things in our lives that hold us back from doing the Word. There is a season for each plant when pruning needs to be done. Some plants require pruning in the early spring while others prefer the fall. If it is not done in the proper season for that plant it can cause illness or even death of the plant. Pruning rids the plant of undesirable parts as well as helps the plant to grow better the next season. After we are pruned we go into a time of healing and then new and more vigorous growth.

John 15:1,2
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

After a while, for some it is weeks for others it is years, we are ready to bloom. When we bloom is like when we speak in tongues, it is a sign for all to see that there is God in Christ in us. And when we blossom we are preparing to yield fruit.

John 15:3-8
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

When we live in the Word we will be able to produce fruit. And a person who does not live in the word is pruned and removed. These pruned parts can be likened to the parts of our lives that hold us back from being the best we can be. When we read the Amplified Bible, verse 3 is explained as the disciples who had been pruned. They had been prepared to bring forth fruit.

Further along, in verse 16, it tells us that we were chosen to bring forth fruit and that it would remain.

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Matthew 7:17-20
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Just like it says we are not capable to produce bad fruit, as long as we abide in Him. It also reiterates that there are parts of our lives that need to be pruned. Further more it reminds us that others will know that we are sons of God by the fruit we bear.

Malachi 3:11, 12
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

I realize that this verse is talking about plants, but as you can see it provides a visual image of just what God will do for us. We have God's hedge of protection around us. He will not allow the adversary to win. He backs down the adversary on our behalf all the time. He will not allow our fruits to be destroyed nor will he allow them to be squandered before they are ready to be used.

I realize it is difficult for many people to believe that God will do all this for you. Let's face it, we are only human. Sometimes it is hard for me to accept that God will do this for me. It can be especially difficult if we sit there and say "But I don't deserve it". Guess what, You're right. I don't deserve it either. The great thing about God is that He sent His only begotten Son so that we would not have to earn it. All we have to do is let Him. We accomplish that by trusting in Him and in His Word.

However there are those who do come to the rightly divided Word who have been so hurt while searching for it by others who claim to have that truth, that they may have great difficulty truths God's Word holds. These are the plants that need extra love and care. Maybe they need to be staked or given another form of support until they are ready to stand on their own; that stake or support system is provided by our prayers.

You might even find that at times, no matter how strong you are, you need support. Take ministry leaders for example; they are enormous plants, such as the vine. Most often they need to be trellised in order to be fully exposed to the light and to keep it growing in a healthy manner. Our prayers as well as it's own gives God the ability to support the "plant", to lift it up and allow it to bask in the sun light.

Let us get back to our little mustard plant. We have given it proper soil, water and light. Perhaps it even needed to be staked, for support, for a time. It is now fully equipped to grow a healthy root system. We know from our earlier parable that the healthy root system is the foundation for the plants growth. It is the culmination of knowledge of God's Word which provides us with the ability to trust God. Once we have established our healthy root system, our foundation of God's word, we are like the tree that is planted by the living waters . . . we shall not be moved!

Psalms 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The living water is also the source of our joy. Without it we would wither away as in the next verse.

Joel 1:12
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

Our lives should be more than just a nice existence; it should be a joyful experience. As we receive blessings from God you will notice that it is with peace and joy that we accept them. If it is not then perhaps they are not from the true God or we are not accepting the gifts that our Father is giving us.

Finally, the Bible speaks of harvesting.

Matthew 13:24-30
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Further on we see the explanation:

Matthew 13:37-40
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

We are living in the Word, but we are still on the earth that is filled with tares as well. God gives us the ability to rise above the tares, live in a world among them, and to not be destroyed. In this field most of us grow together in clumps. There are some who have been separated from us by the plants of the tares. But in the end God knows our hearts and will separate us from the tares and join us together.

Matthew 9:37, 38
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

There are many who wish to believe and to know God's word. And daily we strive in bringing all those of good seed into one of our large clumps in the field. Our roots grow stronger when we are together.

John 4:35, 36
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Each of us has our own abilities and talents. When these are put together with the gifts God has given us, we find that each of us has a strong suit, which most, if not all, of us are more than happy to use in a way to encourage and support our fellow "seeds and plants". And while some of us may have the ability to lead an entire ministry, others have a strong suit to heal, or perhaps to be an ear to listen or a shoulder to rest upon. No matter how small or insignificant we think what we have to offer is, God has given them to us for a greater purpose, which we may not know. We all have our own special long suits/strong suits/abilities to use. And as we go out into the world, planting good seed of the Word of God, we will be blessed for using them according to His riches and glory in Heaven.