What Kind Of Seed Are You?
"Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the man scattering seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" Matthew 13:18-23 NLT.
So, in what category do you think fall into? I asked myself the same question some months ago, and at first I claimed to be in the last category, that is those who truly hear and understand God's word, and also produce fruits. But not after a while, the Holy Spirit convicted me, and reminded me how often I cared so much about doing well and worried a lot, which as a result made me focus so much more on "the gains" rather than He who gives the gains. Though I was already born again, had the Spirit of God living in me, I still had more worry than I had the love of God. My saving grace was that the Holy Spirit made me realize my problem, and he helped me out of it. Now, no matter the category in which you fall into, the Holy Spirit is ready to upgrade you.
Are you are one of those who do not understand the word, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you, and make you understand before the evil one snatch it away from you. And if you are among those who fall out of Christ due to persecution, or are in one problem or the other, and you are not yet strong in the faith, ask God for the grace to be well rooted in Him. It is normal to have problems even as Christians, only that our joy is Jesus has already overcome the world for us. (Read my previous post: 'your joy or problem', for more on this).
To those in the category that I used to be, hmmm, that's a big one, because, really you are sure of your salvation, but little did you know that your worry is hitting at you, and quietly displacing your salvation. Moreover, if one is not careful, one could end up insulting God out of frustration, God forbid. So ask God to search your heart and tell Him to reveal those issues of life that's taking up the space of the word in you. Are you so worried about making money and being rich, or is your worry about making Forbe's highest list of celebrities?
Well, I agree this life is filled with issues, and one is prone to worry about one thing or the other, but don't let the worry crowd out the word and take the better part of you. Define your priorities, put God first, and other things would naturally take their place at the bottom. That way, your worries won't displace your salvation.
Finally, if you are truly in the last category, I tell you congratulations, and keep the good work going, but, let he that thinks he stands take heed lest he falls. Shalom.
So, in what category do you think fall into? I asked myself the same question some months ago, and at first I claimed to be in the last category, that is those who truly hear and understand God's word, and also produce fruits. But not after a while, the Holy Spirit convicted me, and reminded me how often I cared so much about doing well and worried a lot, which as a result made me focus so much more on "the gains" rather than He who gives the gains. Though I was already born again, had the Spirit of God living in me, I still had more worry than I had the love of God. My saving grace was that the Holy Spirit made me realize my problem, and he helped me out of it. Now, no matter the category in which you fall into, the Holy Spirit is ready to upgrade you.
Are you are one of those who do not understand the word, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you, and make you understand before the evil one snatch it away from you. And if you are among those who fall out of Christ due to persecution, or are in one problem or the other, and you are not yet strong in the faith, ask God for the grace to be well rooted in Him. It is normal to have problems even as Christians, only that our joy is Jesus has already overcome the world for us. (Read my previous post: 'your joy or problem', for more on this).
To those in the category that I used to be, hmmm, that's a big one, because, really you are sure of your salvation, but little did you know that your worry is hitting at you, and quietly displacing your salvation. Moreover, if one is not careful, one could end up insulting God out of frustration, God forbid. So ask God to search your heart and tell Him to reveal those issues of life that's taking up the space of the word in you. Are you so worried about making money and being rich, or is your worry about making Forbe's highest list of celebrities?
Well, I agree this life is filled with issues, and one is prone to worry about one thing or the other, but don't let the worry crowd out the word and take the better part of you. Define your priorities, put God first, and other things would naturally take their place at the bottom. That way, your worries won't displace your salvation.
Finally, if you are truly in the last category, I tell you congratulations, and keep the good work going, but, let he that thinks he stands take heed lest he falls. Shalom.
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