The lesson of the sower

We find this week's lesson in Matthew chapter 13

Below is the scripture read it carefully and keep in mind that the seed is God's word. The good ground is a tender heart that is open and ready to recieve that word.

Matthew 13 verses 3-9 and 18-23

3 )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: 8 )But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 )Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus now explains the parable

Jesus many times would speak to the crowds in parable which was like telling a story. He told these stories to get a message across to the people.

In this parable he is teaching about seeds being planted. Did you know that when you go to Sunday school or church and hear God's word taught or preached that seeds are being sown?

If we will listen with not only our ears... but with our hearts then the seed (God's word) will fall into good ground where it can take root and grow and finally bring forth fruits of its own.

Did you know that God's word is alive? Yes ..it is not like any other book and it's words can bring you life. New life in Jesus.

When we let God's word sink into our hearts , it will take root . roots are necessary for a plant to grow. We can be rooted in God's word and we cannot be moved to believe anything else . It is very important for us to read God's word and to try to learn from it.

We know that naturally when you plant seeds that they must be watered and they must have sunlight. So we must also let the word of God be watered by his spirit and drawn upward by the warmth of God's love and we can bring forth fruit .. spiritual fruit unto salvation.

When we let God's word work in us it will produce fruits. Once you have been saved then you can continue to grow stronger and stronger in God's word. Did you know that a christian needs God's word as their spiritual food every day? Just as our natural bodies need food to nourish us and help us survive .. so the newborn Christian needs the word of God each day to nourish our soul and to grow thereby!

Eventually a plant will bloom and bear more seeds or fruits.

We can become strong enough and mature enough to spread God's word (the seed) and it can feed other people's soul . Fruits can come from us which is others that we may help lead to salvation in the Lord.

In order for any farmer to plant he first prepares the soil. There will be a time in your life that the ground of your heart feels as if it's been turned upside down . You have the word planted in your heart and when the spirit and the Love of God begins to draw you from that place of darkness into the upward light of a new life you will know it . Seeds cannot grow in hard ground. We are told in the bible not to harden our hearts but we must give our hearts to Jesus when we feel that tug in our hearts to move to what the word and the spirit is leading us to do. We must obey his word and his spirit.

We must open our hearts to Jesus just as the three wise men back in Bethlehem did when they followed the star and found Jesus. That star was a great light which represented Gods holy spirit leading them . When we follow God's leading we too can find him and open our treasures (our hearts ) unto him and ask him to come in.

I hope when that time comes for you in your life you will open your heart to him. Maybe you feel that tug in your heart today? If you do, obey his spirit and follow what you feel God would have you to do.

Salvation is a personal one on one relationship between you and God. You must follow his spirit , whatever he tells you to do. Pray for yourself if you feel that need today and let God lead you on how to pray. If you desire him to be your savior then seek that from him.

John 3:16 says that : For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

It's not Gods will for you to go through life alone and without him . He wants you to be saved. He wants you to go to heaven and live with him someday. Maybe that time has not come in your life yet.. maybe you do not feel the urge today .. but when you do then is the time to pray and seek God and you will find him .

Let his word fall into the good ground of an open heart today.

Perhaps that time has already been and if so that is wonderful. If you have been saved, read and grow from God's word so that you may be a help to others. Spread the good news!

If you have been saved I would love to hear your good news!

Send me an email to [email protected] or write it on a piece of paper and mail it to :

Karen Brooks 8636 Childress Rd Powell , Tn USA 37849

DID YOU KNOW

that when one sinner repents that the angels in Heaven rejoice?

Yes when you ask God to save you the angels in heaven are happy that for you and are praising God!

Luke 15:10

Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the prescence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Kids question:

What does repent mean?

The word repent means to be very sorrowful for our sins and to turn away from them and ask Gods forgiveness.

CREATION STATION

Lessons from the anthill

As I may have already told you , we have a little Anthill habitat at our house right now and we are observing these ants and trying to learn something from them .

The bible tells us in Proverbs to " Go to the Ant and consider her ways and be wise".

This week we observed the little ants burying or hiding their food.

I thought of the verse in psalms

psalm 119:11 " Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I may not sin against thee".

Children , when we learn God's word we are "hiding it" in our hearts.

When I was young I read alot and memorized alot of scripture and it has stayed with me through the years. Many times in my life those scriptures have come back to my remembrance and helped me through different situations. I urge you to learn all you can while you are young. Just as these little Ants were storing their food for future nourishment , so we can store God's word in our hearts for our future needs.

Activity for the week.

Plant some seeds and watch them grow!

You can "Grow tall in the word by reading it each day!"

We hope you will join us for lesson three!!