Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Seed is an often used ‘Jesus Word’.
Bibles have red letter editions highlighting the words of Christ. The problem is, the entire Bible should be written in red, because every word in it is the words of Christ.
Seed is one of the many ‘Jesus words’ in the Bible that people notice and take in many different ways.
Some pastors use the word ‘seed’ in their sermons, but don’t assume it’s always about money. Any pastor that uses that word ‘seed’ might be talking about completely different subjects.
Jesus says in His parable that the seed is His Word. Some may use seed as a description of a financial offering. Some may use it to manipulate people to give them money. Those that use their pastoral responsibilities wrong are less than 1% that I know personally. 99.9% of the pastors I know put me to shame, both character and holiness wise. Noble men trying their best to please God describe almost all the pastors I know. Same thing with people in general.
I know some people that are naughty. Remember there is only one race, the human race. Bad people consist of less than 1% of all the people I know in the human race. 99% of the people I know in the human race are just normal guys trying to figure it out. Did you know that the word race is not a ‘Jesus word’ because it causes strife and contention (fruits of Satan). Satan loves calling people black and white to cause division by the actions of a few.
Don’t judge any group (pastors, skin colors) by the actions of a few bad apples.
Words are thought bubbles. They create images. When I say ‘children’, for example, I mean all of God’s children. From -9 months (in the womb) to 120 plus. In God’s eyes they’re all His kids. That’s why I want an old folks home as well as an orphanage.
‘Seed’ is a word God uses in many ways. Here, Seed is the Word of God meaning the ‘thought seed’ is what you get from hearing the Word of God. These seeds are Good (Godly), good thought seeds.
The words you get from a filthy mouthed movie star or rap singer for example are bad thought seeds. Also, new age motivational speakers that worship man instead of God, plant bad thought seeds. Control what you listen to, and see, and you control your thought seeds.
Be careful who you listen to. Satan said ‘surely you won’t die’. Look how that turned out! Be careful little ears what you hear!
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Personally, I don’t think pastors asking for money using the word ‘seed’ instead of ‘offerings’ are wrong. Just different vocabulary. Out of love for others, I myself ask for money, but I don’t use the word ‘seed’. I just ask for money to feed, school and protect impoverished children. (Never for myself).
I am not terrified of asking people for money in order to help others. Nor ashamed for trying to help people in dire need. Other than prayer, I know of no other way to really help a brother out. Nor do I mind when others ask me for money. It’s a part of life.
I look at money as something like a tool. Say a hammer. If I use the word ‘seed’ or ‘donation’, it doesn’t matter, as long as I ask for it honorably. On construction sites, if someone asks me to use my hammer, do I get offended? No!! I will either help them or not, depending on if I have it available and have the Lord’s leading. If someone gets upset at you for asking for money to help others, or for mentioning the ‘Jesus word’ (seed), it’s ok!
Spend time with people who need to hear about Jesus and other Christians you can peacefully talk to without quarreling.
I see seeds as any type of deposit. Seeds are small. Sometimes microscopic. Always insignificant. You need to prepare the soil first, plant, water, feed and protect them. Jesus said the seed is the Word. You first have to have fertile soil to receive the seed, the thought. Then, you must nourish it and let it grow.
The type of seeds that I want to talk to you about today are ‘thought seeds’, that come as a result of something good, like the Word of God, or from something evil like Shirley MacLaine saying ‘she is god’. Spoiler alert, she ain’t. But, amazingly enough, it’s baffling that some people receive nonsense like that.
Thought Seeds – The hardest battle of any war is the first one, the battle in your mind. You have to take a ‘thought seed’ and plant it in fertile soil. It doesn’t have to be your original thought. It can be something you heard or read. But now the seed is planted because your mind (the soil), was already plowed and prepared.
You have a disposition to receive the thought seed, either for good or bad. You water it (if it’s from God) with the Word and Godly influences and thoughts. Or you water it with worldly influences, if it’s not from God. Either way you have to nourish, weed, and water it. You do that by:
Dwelling on it.
Meditating on it.
Speaking it, verbally repeating it and telling others about it.
That’s why some drug addicts and prostitutes become noble saints of God and some good people end up in mental wards and prisons.
Whatever ‘thought seeds’ someone is receptive to is dictated to where their private passions, thought lives and attitudes are at. What is planted into their seed specific fertile soil, and how they will take care of it.
If it’s a bad ‘thought seed’, you can control it, if you want. Weed it out so to say! You can’t use the excuse ‘the devil made you do it’. You have control on what you dwell on and nurture. God tells you to because it’s possible!
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Same thing to have good ‘thought seeds’. The best remedy for bad ‘thought seeds’ is constant tilling and weeding and planting good ‘thought seeds’.
According to A.W. Tozer, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us”. Some say that thinking deeply about God can help us renew our minds and be spiritually transformed.
Others suggest ways to take care of your good thought seeds by worshipping God daily, such as:
Starting the day with God
Praying intentionally
Writing down things to be thankful for
Journalling (that’s what these Newsletters are. A public journal.)
Turning complaints into praise
Enjoying God’s creation
Loving others
Reading His Holy Word
Paul said it the best though. From prison!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Good Thought Seeds or bad? Your choice!