March 5 - "Which Seed?"

I have been thinking a lot about seeds this morning. In fact I woke up with that word on my heart and lips. Perhaps it's because it is time to start our Yard Project 2014 (if you have followed my blogs, you know what this is) and I have been evaluating what needs to be uprooted and what needs to be planted. Seeds are critical to the cycle of life aren't they? My husband will carefully gather seeds and seed packets and then allow them to germinate in a secure and controlled environment to assure that life is given the best opportunity for survival. He nurtures and watches over the seedlings and then once placed in the ground, he is confident in the seeds planted. Now imagine what would happen if the squash seeds produced apples? We would all be disappointed and totally confused. Squash seeds carry the LIFE of the squash within and they should produce squash - not apples. Yes? Isn't that the expectation? The seed itself is closed and nothing visual is offered to assure us that squash will emerge (except on the package), but experience tells us that the seed from the package with a squash on the cover, will produce squash. And I think that is a reasonable expectation. This same principle applies to our lives by the Spirit of God. Sometimes people reason that because someone attends church or calls themselves a believer, a particular life and response to life will be evident. This is not always the case. Is it? But, it should be. Those who are born of the Spirit of God (through salvation) should bear fruit that indicates what was contained in the seed of the Spirit. 1 Peter 1:23 (AMP) says, "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." Our first birth (natural) came through the perishable seed of a mortal, but our salvation birth (Spirit) came through accepting the seed of Jesus into our heart (immortal) and those should produce the evidence (fruit) of life in the Spirit. They should. This Spirit birth is available to all who will call upon Jesus as their Lord and Savior - easy. (Romans 10:9) But once the seed of that truth is implanted, we then must live our lives in such a manner as to demonstrate that the "squash seed planted will produce squash." If we confess that we are believers and our lives display something totally different than God declares in His Word, then others may question if we are bearing the fruit of Jesus. Does my life declare Jesus? I pray that it does, but I am quite confident that there are moments where it doesn't. Here's a simple test: 1 John 3:9-10 (MSG) "People conceived and brought into life by God don’t make a practice of sin. How could they? God’s seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It’s not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here’s how you tell the difference between God’s children and the Devil’s children: The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test." Hoping your Wednesday is a great day filled with multiple opportunities to display the SEED within you. Me too. Talk tomorrow - PK