The Kingdom is as a seed…

In many of Jesus’ parables, he describes the kingdom of God as a seed. This is an important concept to grasp, because many times we are expecting the big sensational breakthrough moment, when it comes usually as a tiny seed. Some people receive on different levels, based upon the condition of their heart, but never underestimate the power of the seed. You might view someone’s heart as a stone, but if that stone has even a little crack in it, that seed can develop roots and grow (eventually breaking up the stone).

You might be laying hands on someone and not see hardly any results. But the bottom line is that you really do not know what happened. They might not have felt an immediate change in their physical body, but once the seed starts taking root, it will produce a harvest.

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (Mark 4:26-28)

Here is an example from last week’s conference in San Diego. Before the evening session, several people gave testimonies of their experiences in God. One such testimony was from two ladies who decided to go out and share the love of God in the community. They came across a lady who was walking her dog. They shared the love of God with her and then asked if they could pray for her. She politely declined the offer for prayer, and they parted ways. After this the two ladies felt pretty bad and wondered if they had done something wrong.

The following day 3 young men went out into the community to share the love of God. They approached a lady walking her dog in the community. (It just so happened to be the same lady as before). When they began to tell the lady about Jesus, her heart was wide open and she was ready to receive. They marveled at how open she was to hear the gospel. Then she began to reveal how yesterday, at the same exact time at the same exact location two ladies spoke to her about the same thing. She mentioned how she declined them and they parted ways. But what the ladies from yesterday did not know was that for the rest of the day yesterday and all throughout the night she was thinking about Jesus and what the ladies had said. So the following day she was ready to receive Jesus. And it was by his grace and mercy that he sent another messenger to her. The 3 young men even prayed for and healed her little dog who was walking with a limp. All of us at the conference rejoiced at their testimony.

So were the three young men more anointed than the 2 ladies who approached her? After all, she received from the three young men, and not the ladies. The answer is no, and that is the absolute wrong mindset to have. We are all on the same team. One may sow the seed, another may water it, but God gives the increase. (I Corinthians 3:6). Our job is just to focus on loving people, by sowing seeds of love. You may be the first encounter, so their heart may appear like stone. If all you ever did was just tell people in your community that Jesus loves them (and really mean it), that is an effective seed by which the Holy Spirit can begin to work on their heart.

Always remember that you are not the one healing and saving people. God has a great and master plan in which he sends people across your path for you to love. If those 3 guys would have decided not to go and speak to that lady, God would have sent someone else to reach her. This is God’s plan, we are just fortunate enough to play a part in it. Never get it confused in your mind, thinking that it is all up to you, and that you are the only one God is using. [that mentality will burn you out]. Reach people because you genuinely love them and want the best for them, not out of religious obligation.

Outreach should be a lifestyle, not an annual activity that your church does to boost its attendance. Trust me, people can tell when its real. Just love people with no expectation of anything in return. If you do this, you will be met without resistance, and their heart will melt from the love of their Heavenly father.

You may be the only real Christian that they may ever see in their lifetime. Allow the love of God to flow through you. And as you are speaking, you will notice the Holy Spirit fill your mind with supernatural insight and compassion to fulfill whatever need that they have (healing, encouragement, a prophetic word, or maybe just a hug).

Stay encouraged and God Bless You!

Troy Anthony Smith is a Pastor, author, and the founder of Demonstrate It, an organization that believes in healings, signs, and wonders. Pastor Smith currently resides in Los Angeles,CA, where he can be found at the grocery stores, malls, and street corners, laying hands on the sick, casting out demons, and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.

Do you desire to learn more about healings, signs, and wonders. Check out my latest book Demonstrate It? On Sale atAmazon.com