The Parable of the Sower

Sower                                

Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23; Mark 4:3-8, 14-20; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15

The Sower parable is about our heart condition (soil) and how we are responding to the Word of God (seed). Are we going to be unresponsive (the seeds that fell on the path), impulsive (the seeds that fell on to rocky ground), preoccupied (the seeds that fell into the thorns) or responsive (the seeds that fell on good soil)?

I have sown many type of seeds in my 18 year adventure with God.  I think we all start out as the sower where their seeds fell on the path and birds ate them.  It has taken time for me to understand how to “root” my heart into the Word of God.  The bible was so hard for me to understand, I felt like I needed a secret decoder ring to help me figure out what it was saying.  But you know, that was the enemy keeping me from the truth, and I couldn’t tell you when exactly the Word of God all started becoming clear to me, but I will tell you I never stopping KNOWING that it was important. 

I kept surrendering parts of my life, allowing my flesh (sin) to die and giving God access to all my darkest parts and somehow, someway, through the grace of God, the Word became alive.  Now, if someone had told me that 5 years ago, I would of thought, “wow, I want that to happen to me”. You know…I believe God knew my heart and knew deep down I really wanted to be rooted in His word.  It doesn’t happen by accident though.  It didn’t “fall on me”.  I pursued, prayed, studied and kept after God knowing in my heart of heart it was the end all answer to what I needed to be worthwhile to God.  My desire to please God was more important than giving up sin or my time (due to laziness) to study the Word.  I still battle the knee jerk nature to want to entertain myself first and study “later”, even this morning, I almost fell to that temptation instead of doing this devotion, but I said to myself, “God is more important, and when I study His Word, and have it fresh in my mind – it makes the difference in the day of how I treat myself, how I treat others and how useful I am, so I’m going to my God my priority”.   I confess, I don’t win this battle every day (today I did), but sometimes I don’t.  I try to focus on my progress not on whether I’ve “arrived”. 

The bottom line for me is, I don’t want to throw my seeds on the path to be eaten by birds, or on rocky soil.  I don’t want to be preoccupied with the world that the seeds are distorted with worldviews (thorns).  I want to be ROOTED and I want to produce a good, healthy harvest.  For God, for myself, for my family and friends, I want to be “fruitful”.  The desire to bring Glory to God in all the things I say and do (I know it’s a big goal!) is what motivates me to keep pushing through and deepen my roots.

I found these 4 steps in how to make your seeds fall on good soil from a Mars Hill sermon and I wanted to share.  The notes in the parentheses are my thoughts.

• Follow the Holy Spirit (find where the Spirit is moving and be a part of it)
• Hear and hold fast the the Word (really hear it, ask God to help you understand it, ask people who you know understand it for help)
• Have an honest & repentant heart (every time you slip up - and you will - repent immediately to God and to the person you may have sinned against.  Don't let time go by or it will get harder, or you could just plain forget!)
• Cling to Christ w/perseverance and patience (Always, ALWAYS talk to Jesus whether things are good, say thanks, or things are bad, ask for help and understanding.   Be patient, we think we are in a hurry but it takes time for roots to grow so don't give up.

Father God, I thank you for Jesus and this parable.  He gives me a clear picture of what type of “sower” I want to be.  You give me your Word to study so that I may be a sower who sows on good soil (my heart) so that I may be fruitful with this life you've given me.  I thank you for all your grace, mercy and many chances for me to be able to even get this far with my understanding.  I thank you for answering my prayers when I asked for help in understanding your Word when it seemed so foreign to me.  Thank you for opening my eyes, thank you for allowing me to serve your purposes.  Please continue to renew my heart (soil) and allow me to become further rooted in your seed.  I only want to have the heart of Jesus, thank you for allowing me to transform.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.


*The bold words are from Mars Hill Church sermon notes.

Scriptures:

Matthew

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,sixty or thirty times what was sown.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Mark:

3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Luke:

⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴ The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

New Wine in Old Wineskins

New Wine in Old Wineskins    

              

Matthew 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22; Luke 5:36-39

In this parable Jesus is speaking to the incompatibility of the Old Covenent/Judaism and the new one which is based on Gospel, grace, kingdom and church.  Grace and law do not mix.  Jesus is telling us that the Gospel is new and not to be intertwined into the old but whole by itself, entirely different, not to be integrated into the legalism of the old, Judaism is incompatible with Christianity.  Before today, I never knew that was what He was talking about.  

Yesterday I was on the receiving end of someone trying to mix the old law with new law.  Well, really they were just putting some "old" law on me and forgetting completely about the "new".  They put their “rules” before another human beings feelings and potential to serve God.  I know their intentions were "justified" to be good intentions, but unfortunately I felt they were blind to the larger picture.  I was majorly disappointed in how this person was viewing another and was stumped as to why they were unable to see the potential and instead wanted to make a judgement and put them in a “box” that seemingly made them unusable and unwanted.

God can use broken people and people who are struggling with sin.   My broken parts are what makes me able to relate to others and gives me an opportunity to share my testimony and then I can give Glory to Him.  The legalistic nature of others is what kept me from wanting to go to Church and associating with other Christians.  Somewhere deep inside I knew this was not what Jesus was teaching.  This was the “old wine”.  The “new wine” is about love, grace and acceptance.  Jesus went to eat/drink with sinners because he was saying “I accept you”.  He didn’t stand in front of the room and tell them all how despicable they were.   Nope – he said that to the Pharisee’s, the legalistic and religious people. 

A man came in off the street desperate for help.  He kept telling me all his christian associations and wanting “prove” he was in need and was "worthy".  I looked straight at him and said “Stephen, it wouldn't matter to me if you were a Christian, homeless or who you know or don’t know, if we have the resources to help you – we will.”  He replied to me, “That’s the first I’ve ever heard anyone say that before”.  

Now, how sad is that?  This man has never felt that unconditional acceptance IN A CHURCH.  I think that’s why God has me here, He knows we need people who will stop making judgments about people’s sin (and even that is sinful – to be judgmental) and just sit and eat with him.  You know, he asked me to pray for him, and I took his hands and prayed.  An hour later, we were able to get him a hotel room for the night. 

I believe Jesus wants me to meet people where they are.  He wants me to meet their need if possible or find someone who can.  That’s why I am here.  So, while I have respect for the “old wine”, I will not mix it with the “new wine”.  It's incompatible.  Love will always win.

Father, thank you for sending Stephen to us yesterday and we were able to meet his needs.  Thank you for putting in me a new heart so that I can care and love the unlovable.  Thank you for putting people in my life that challenge my thinking and make me dig deeper and seek your answers.  Thank you for allowing conflict in my life so that I may get better at handling it with righteousness and truth.  Bless my enemies for they are making me stronger in my faith and helping me grow in my spiritually.  Help me to know each moment your way to respond to people when they offend or mistreat others.  Help me to know what the Holy Spirit wants said so that Your will can be done.  You know the hearts of everyone, use my words for your good.  I surrender all of myself to you.  Amen.

Matthew:

¹⁶ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Mark:

²¹ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. ²² And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

Luke:

³⁶ He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. ³⁷ And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. ³⁸ No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. ³⁹ And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”

Wise and Foolish Builders

Wise and Foolish Builders                                                               

 Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49

Jesus’ message is very clear to me.  Listen AND obey and you get a stable life through every storm, through all suffering, through all life’s challenges you will be anchored to the truth and you won’t wash away in your own grief, suffering and self-destruction. 

I’ve lived this.  I heard the truth, ignored it because of selfishness and convenience and my house was washed away MORE THAN ONCE.  The only time I remain stable is by staying close to the Word of God and obeying using self discipline and self control.  Obeying is the key!  Knowing the truth is not enough.  Setting aside my selfish ambitions, selfish desires and lack of control and discipline was the only answer. 

Yeah, I still stumble and take a step back once in a while because I get caught up in the world’s views and thinking I want what the world wants me to have (commericials!) but I don’t stray far enough to get blown away in the storm any longer.  One little gust of wind and I’m back in the Word --anchored (why do you think I'm writing devotions).  You know why?  Because I'm done with creating train wrecks and wasting enough my life on self-destruction, hurting people and doing things "my" way.  Jesus says “the rain comes down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against your house; yet it did not fall”.  I needed to build my foundation on Jesus.  I have been through many storms and experienced many people/things beating against my house, yet only with Jesus as my center has my foundation remained standing.  I will continue to study His word and obey knowing in full faith and confidence my house will continue to stand through the many storms ahead.

Father God Almighty, thank you so much for sending Jesus to us!  Thank you for the Holy Scriptures and for the teachings that have changed my life so dramatically.  Thank you for your anointed teachers who are fulfilling the call on their life in order to help me with mine.  Please bless my friends, my teachers and my enemies for teaching me about myself.  Thank you Jesus for your love and endless chances.  Amen.

Matthew

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Luke:

⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Light of the World

Light of the World                                                                                            

Matthew 5:14-15

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Jesus says we are a light, not to be hidden but to provide light to all those around us. Yet, when things get heavy for me, my natural inclination is to retreat to where there is nobody around me and I can feel safe.  The enemy wants us to feel fear, wants us to be exhausted and wants us to believe the lie that we are “unusable” to God.  Why do I want to retreat?  Usually it’s because I’m tired and I just want peace and for some reason I think I can find peace in the middle of nowhere with nothing but nature.  The trick is to find peace in the middle of chaos – this thing called life – where people every day challenge our thinking and our peace.  It’s clear that Jesus wants us to not hide.  It’s probably the only reason why I don’t move to the middle of nowhere and turn into a hermit.  It sounds so good though.  When you are a “lamp” you expose yourself to all the darkness around you…and maybe you can reflect light in the perimeter around you, but beyond that perimeter at some point begins darkness again.  Just this morning I was thinking how nice it would be to “retreat”.  Thankfully I’m reminded by this scripture that I’m not here for me, but here for God, to provide light to the darkness…because where there is light, darkness cannot exist.  So, maybe I just need more alone time with God before I charge into the world each day and make myself exhausted.  Maybe that’s the message to me.  Slow down, renew my mind with the truth and then maybe I can have peace among the chaos and provide some light to those around me.  

Father, God, help me at this very moment to not crave peace somewhere away from everyone but help me to crave peace right here in front of everyone.  When everything starts to get ‘weird’ and feel heavy, help me to still be the light, to encourage those who are discouraged and to remember that I’m to be a “lamp” providing light, His light, to those around me.  Help me get my energy back and help me to have the wisdom to find your will and stay in the middle of it.  I pray for Angels to stand guard around me and I bind all the enemies plans in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Self Acceptance "moment"

The other day I was reading a friend's status on FB (and mind you this person is so beautiful inside and out) and she made a comment about how hard she works at trying to lose weight and her boyfriend hardly has to do anything and he lost 13 lbs.  We were having a discussion about how "perfect" she is just the way she is, and it occurred to me that God may not always let us go where we want to go until we accept ourselves where we are.  When you don't love yourself, you are not in harmony with God's word about "loving yourself", we are actually "sinning" when we don't love ourselves.  Could it be that the reason I also get "stuck" when trying to lose weight or change my appearance, it's because God is saying "NO!  Love yourself the way you are first!!"  Hmmm...something to think about.

Someone to Blame by C.S. Lakin

A Christian story that tugs at your heart. A family suffers a loss to which most of us would be devastated. Matt, Irene and their daughter, Casey, try to leave behind their heartbreak by moving to a new town hoping for a fresh start, only to discover instead of forgetting the past, situations force the past into the light starting a healing process. The truth shall set you free. Someone to Blame is hard to put down. Just when you think you know what's happening, there is a corner turned. This is a story of fear, blame, guilt an then --restoration. A family reconciled.

Thank you C. S. Lakin for a great novel- I am personally inspired to be mindful of my words, body language and parenting style! God loves us all, He is indiscriminate. All it takes is one good example, like Irene, to be the spark that starts the fire! A+++++

Book Review "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo

There is something exciting and believable about a four-year old's description of meeting Jesus. This book is a story about Colton Burpo's experience for "3 minutes" in heaven while on the operating table fighting for his life. Told by his father (a pastor in a small town in the Midwest), the facts as Colton presents them are believable and credible!!

Colton answers questions such as:

• What does Jesus look like?
• What do Angels look like?
• How is Jesus dressed?
• What do people look like?
• Who sits on the throne of God?
• Who else is in Heaven with you?
  

If you want to be inspired by a story of what Heaven is like, what Jesus is like, and who and what we encounter after we leave our bodies (backed by scriptual text), read this book. It's startling to me how a 4-year old can have such accuracy in his descriptions!

"Heaven is for Real" is a book you won't put down until you finish! A+++++++++