After 34 years with Jesus, the most important thing I've learned is...

After 34 years of walking with Jesus, my daughter asked me, "What is the most important thing you've learned?"

Immediately, I answered, “The seed you plant, determines the life you will live.”

In Mark 4:26-28, JESUS explains the importance of seed.

And He said,“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

Notice, HE says, the seed sprouts and grows yielding crops by itself.

I’ve learned that the seed you plant, determines the life you will live.

What are we planting in our garden of life?

Believe it or not, we’re all given a choice to serve God or remain with the vile one (all are born into sin, under Satan, until we are born again). The rebirth (becoming born again) points us toward heaven, erases our sin and allows us to fellowship and communicate with God like Adam and Eve before they fell in the Garden of Eden. And, just like Adam and Eve, we all have a garden to tend.

I encourage you to plant good seeds in your garden (your life) and expect good things to come up, knowing that you will reap what you sow.

Now, all seeds need water to grow. There's no way around that, so prepare for some rain in your life and trust God through all the storms. The rain will cause you to grow and bring forth a harvest. I speak from experience. Let your good harvest be used to benefit, strengthen and help others. Let the fruit from your garden consist of love, joy, patience (long-suffering), peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness (gentleness and consideration of others), and temperance (self-control); for these fruits bring glory to our Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ!

[And] You shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever you do shall prosper.

Psalm 1:3

What about bad seed? How can I get rid of it?

At one time or another, we all have planted bad seeds in our garden. Many a time, I’ve prayed and asked God for a crop failure of my bad seeds! I’ve asked Him to uproot the bad seeds I planted, and so can you.

Here's what you can do:

1. Repent - God already knows what's been done. Repentance shows humility and remorse. It's an acknowledgment that we’re in agreement with God’s standards, instead of our own fallible man-made rules and standards. It's a humble admission that God is right and we are wrong.

Remember, the Lord does not despise a contrite (remorseful) spirit; instead, HE is there to bless you and revive you. HE will show you mercy... and mercy trumps (is greater than) judgment.

Isaiah 57:15 reads:

For this is what the High and exalted One says—

He who lives forever, whose name is Holy:

“I live in a high and holy place,

but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and to revive the heart of the contrite."

2. Plant Lots of Good Seeds - Go about planting more and more good seeds so that the good outweighs the bad. Ask God for help to do what is right and then trust Him. He has your best interest at heart.

By the laws of sowing and reaping, your seeds HAVE TO produce of their own kind. Good seeds produce good harvest, and bad seeds produce bad. When you think your life is headed downward, it can start to turn upward by your good seeds.

So, the ONE thing I’d like to share is, plant good seed!

God bless you all. Apostle Tracey Smith @salvationlive.com