Protect Your Treasure
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 7:54AM 
Greetings, Friends!
Susie Larson here...
And to those visiting, I say welcome!
I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.
Lately I've been studying the different parables in the Gospels. I've so enjoyed taking my time, walking through the history, and understanding the context of Jesus' teaching.
Something struck me the other day and I can't wait to share it with you.
Do you remember the old fable, Jack and the Beanstalk?
Jack and his mother were destitute and yet Jack "irresponsibly" traded their last material possession for the seed that would someday save them.
In one of the parables, Jesus taught how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of seeds, it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so the birds of the air can come and perch in its branches.
In her study, "Secrets Jesus Shared," Jennifer Kennedy Dean wrote this: "The leaves of the mustard shrub were believed to help everything from stomachache to toothache. The mustard plant, once planted, was nearly impossible to eradicate."
To the world, it seems foolish to sell out and base all our hopes on the promises and the love of God. But to the Believer, we believe because we know we are receiving more than we could ever provide for ourselves.
The Kingdom of Heaven comes to us in seed form and we lay hold of it by belief.
When we first come to Jesus, and we receive His seed planted in us, we have no idea what a treasure we've received.
Some come to Jesus because they want to know for certain that they're going to heaven.
Others come to Him because they are sick and tired of the heavy load and want to enjoy a measure of peace.
We all come because we have a need, but none of us can truly comprehend that to which we've been given access.
We receive the seed, when we receive Jesus as our Savior. And as we grow and live and walk in Christ, we comprehend more and more what it means to belong to Him.
What first came to us in seed form will be the very thing that will heal us, restore us, revive us, and nourish us. As God's Kingdom increases and spreads its roots in every area of our lives, we are strengthened and prepared for our marvelous calling.
That little seed will grow all of these things in us - that is - provided we cultivate an environment for growth.
Jesus offers another parable of the various seeds that fall on different types of soil. All but one kind of soil thwarted the destiny of the planted seed.
Due to the weeds of worries and stresses and the endless pursuit of wealth, the healthy seed can be choked and its life cut short.
If we really believe that the life of God planted in us has the power to save, restore, refresh, forgive, and establish us, we will protect God's incredible investment in us.
Just as a pregnant woman makes daily choices with her baby in mind to give it the best possible chance at life, we too must make daily choices to protect what God has deposited in us, for if we do, it will produce such life in us that we will not be moved!
Jesus was planted in the womb of a young teenage girl. He grew to be a young man that forever changed history. He'll come back again as the Lion of Judah, in command of legions of angels and heavenly hosts. Oh, the treasure that was planted in the womb of sweet Mary!
And oh, the treasure of God that was planted in you!
Let other things go, but don't lose sight of the promises God has planted in your soul.
Guard the treasure, for in due time, you will reap beyond your wildest dreams.
A Special Note:
Dear Friends,
I will be taking the next several weeks off from posting on my blog but guess what??? You are in for a real treat! I've arranged to have a number of my author friends post in my place. Some of them are bestselling authors; all are amazing women.
Treat yourself to a wonderful surprise and stop by each week to see what they have to say.
Bless them by leaving a nice comment.
I love and appreciate you all so very much.
Peace and Joy to you this season~
Reader Comments (2)
You are always so faithful to stop by!
Thanks for the wonderful encouragement.
Be blessed this holiday season!