Keep On Sowing! By: Robert A. Searles When we go forth to sow the seed of the word of God, we must expect that not every single seed that we sow will take root and grow and bring forth fruit for the glory of God. Just as when the farmer sows seeds of grain, some seed will fall by the wayside and be lost, or the birds will devour them. Some seeds fall into rocky places where there is not much to nurture them, and they are left for the sun to wither them away. Some seeds fall among thorns which choke them up and hinder their growth. When the word of God falls upon an unsaved person's ears for the first time, if God has not prepared that person's heart to receive the seed of the word, even as the farmer has prepared the soil to receive the grain seed, then the seed falls upon dry ground, and Satan is ever around and ready to snatch away the seed of the word of God. Some people have had their hearts stirred by God and are ready to receive God's truth, and for a little while the seeds spring forth, but before long the heart is dried up and hardened by trials and tribulations, and no fruit is produced. Then there is the seed that has fallen among thorns. The thorns represent those who at one time, with joy and gladness, have received the word of God, and for a time it sprang up in them to produce healthy plants for the Lord and for a season bore fruit; but because of associations with the wrong kinds of people, or associations with worldly things, the cares and riches of the world, have choked them and now they no longer grow and bear fruit. But there is always that small percentage of seed which is sown and falls into good ground. The good ground is the person who hears the word and understands it, and in him the word grows and bears fruit. We who are sowers of the word of God must not become discouraged when some of our seed falls by the wayside, or upon dry ground, or among thorns, because some will always fall upon good ground. That which falls upon good ground will bring forth abundantly for the Lord. “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth, and when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them, but other fell unto good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13: 3-9. “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath he no root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulations or persecutions arise then because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed unto good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit ,and bringeth forth some an hundred fodl, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13: 18-23. Brought to you by: Telehelp Publications Christian Loiterature Ministry www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com www.telehelp-publications-bookshelf.myshopify.com