November 24, 2018

Plant Good Seeds

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

– Mark 4:18-19

We want to be like everyone else. We want our church to be able to “compete” for members and money with all the other churches in our area. We get so focused on numbers and “what works” that we lose sight of who we are in Christ.

When the direction of our churches becomes more about being like everyone else, then we’ve lost sight of who we really are in Christ. We are not all called to be the same when it comes to how things are done. Our focus should be on the Word of God. Our trust should be in Him alone.

But we trust ourselves. We trust our leadership. We trust in concrete things like attendance records and bank statements. We fight among ourselves and criticize each other. We forget it’s not about what we want, it’s about what He wants.

Jesus told this parable about seeds that are planted. Some seed are stolen by Satan almost immediately. Some seed never really take root. And some seed grow among thorns and are overtaken by the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for things. Those focused on things of the world will never be fruitful. Jesus is clear about that. So why do we waste time and money trying to manipulate those things to make our churches appear larger and more prosperous than they are? Why do we chase numbers and money instead of chasing Jesus and trusting Him to provide what we need?

Priorities. I wrote about that yesterday. But priorities aren’t just about what we do as individuals. It’s also about what we do as a church. It’s about what we focus on as a church.

I had a pastor once who really stepped on toes when it came to finances. He wasn’t concerned at all about money. As he explained one Sunday, all he really cared about was whether the church was doing what God had called it to do. To him, it was all about basic belief. God provides what we need when we step out in faith to do what He has called us to do.

We get that backwards so many times. I’m not talking about being fiscally irresponsible. But I am talking about having a deep faith that directs our steps, even when the numbers tell us something different.

In our town, there’s a rapidly growing church that focuses on performance and small group involvement. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not criticizing it at all. But what bothers me are the churches that insist on adopting those same elements, even when it doesn’t fit the “personality” of that particular church. It’s not about following the call of God. It’s about chasing numbers and trying to be like your neighbor instead of being the best you that you can be.

Discord so often happens in churches because people are so intent on getting their own way that they lose sight of what church is all about. We are the body of Christ. It’s about Him. That’s all. It’s about Him.

Don’t let copycat syndrome destroy what’s good about your church and the people who are part of it. Be the church He created you to be and trust that the seeds you plant will land in fertile soil and produce much abundance in the days and years to come.

April 29, 2018

Plant Seeds of Faith

“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among the thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” – Mark 4:14-20

Yesterday I picked English peas. There aren’t too many yet but I have high hopes for more to come. I am so excited!

I’ve never planted anything before. I’ve hoed weeds. I’ve picked more vegetables than I can count, then shelled and prepared them for the freezer. But I’ve never been the one to plant the seed. That was always my Dad’s job. But he’s gone now so it was up to me.

I didn’t go blindly into my adventure. My cousin helped me put the plow on to prepare the soil. I asked at the co-op how deep to plant the seeds. I planted them with a hoe. Sometimes simple and steady are the best methods.

Isn’t that true when talking with people about our faith? We all want to make the big splash, to give the dynamite talk, to bring others to their knees before God. But talking to people about our faith is rarely what draws them to Jesus. Oh, it’s important to share. I don’t mean we should stay silent. But people learn more when they observe how we actually live our lives of faith.

One thing I’ve come to know is that those who preach the gospel loudest (I’m not talking about pastors here) are usually the ones who are most focused on themselves. They’re trying so hard to win people to Jesus but their heart is about looking good instead of bringing God glory. Unfortunately for everyone, it shows.

It’s like the people who go to church every Sunday, get very involved in their church, then spread lies and deceit around like it’s candy. They are quick to judge everyone but themselves. Hypocrites are what they’re called. There’s a double-mindedness that makes them think the “rules” don’t apply to them.

I am not a perfect person. No one on this earth is. But when we try our best to tend the soil where God has planted us, we end up producing in ways we never imagined.

I have no idea how many peas my tiny garden will produce. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I planted seeds in good faith, tended the soil on a regular basis, and rejoiced as the plants grew and blossomed into something so incredibly amazing.

Do the same for the people in your life. Plant tiny seeds of faith, tend them well and rejoice in every small victory. It’s amazing what can happen when a few seeds of faith are planted in good soil.