Read Mark 4:7, 18-19
Choose One: a Life Of Trust And Confidence Or A Life Of Worry Worry Worry!
We continue with the parable of the sower planting seeds which fell on different soils. So far we’ve discussed the seed on the hard soil and Rocky soil. Today we are discussing the seed that fell among the thorns.
Vs 7: As the seed began to grow, the thorns also grew with them. As a result it choked the seeds so that they yielded no crops.
Vs 18-19: Jesus explains what this portion of the parable means. The seed is God’s word and the thorn represents a heart that has received the Lord but is in a constant battle between the things of God and the things of this world. There’s a constant battle. The person wants to walk faithfully with the Lord but the worries of this life, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things hinders ones walk with the Lord – a lot!!! So much so, that no fruit is produced for the Lord through this person’s life.
There’s nothing simplistic about this issue. God calls us to be obedient to his word. To love him. To trust him. To persevere. To be patient. To walk in faith. This is great advice and it’s all Scriptural. The sad thing is the devil wants to CONSUME us with so many things to worry about. He wants us to get SIDETRACKED from our investment in doing the work of the Lord so that we become UNPRODUCTIVE in our lives. He wants us to worry about our finances and to be captivated with the things of this world – Fun Things! We’re either worrying about stuff, or working hard to get stuff. In fact, we fight harder to get stuff than we fight to spend time with the Lord.
What are you worrying about? Do you really believe God loves you? I mean, he died for you. In fact he died in your place. That’s love! But do you believe he loves you so much that he even wants to take care of your needs? Not necessarily all your wants, but all your needs. His plan is the best plan, and if we mess up that plan, guess what? He’s not caught off guard and already has a plan for redemption and forgiveness, and a plan of newness for your life. A plan that will bring glory to his name.
Living a life that is worry free, or living a life that is NOT captivated by the things of this world, can be very difficult.
MY ADVICE IS THREE THINGS:
1. Keep INVESTING into God’s word. Make this a priority.
2. Take AUTHORITY in Jesus name against the devil. Rebuke him! Remind him he has no right to your heart and mind. You belong to the Lord!
3. SURROUND yourself with positive and faithful people who can pray with you and encourage you often. We all need encouragement and accountability.
Choose to do something versus nothing. To do nothing means you’re going to worry which gives the enemy a foothold in your life.
