Those
who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because
they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself
to each of them." John 14:21 NLT
Jesus taught
His disciples and followers about the importance of obedience through parables.
Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve
disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the
parables meant. ... The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others. The
seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to
have Satan come at once and take it away. 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 others who hear God's word, but all too quickly the
message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the
desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on
good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest
of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" Mark 4:10, 14-20
Have you ever considered God's Words
like seeds? I see God as the farmer—the main owner of the farm—who gives his
hired hands the seeds to plant. Those workers—Christians like you and me—are sprinkling—sowing—God’s
Words in people's hearts.
Some is carelessly thrown onto a busy
path--where people are too busy with earthly things and activities to let
God's Word really grow in their hearts and lives. Satan keeps them distracted
from really living their lives for Christ. There is no place for the word of
God to take root and grow in their hearts.
Rocky soil--The
people hearing God's Word during those times see hope--and are even joyful--but
they aren't grounded in faith--they aren't seeking God with their whole heart.
When they have problems they don't keep trusting God for very long.
Thorns--times
of turmoil and traumatic situations and worldly desires keep the hearts of
these people from growing in the Lord--fruitless.
Good soil--the
hearts of those who listen and obey God's Word. They grow in God's love
and grace--and share the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Many people come to know, love
and grow in the Lord because of the encouragement of these people who listen
and obey God.
 |
| The key is obedience. |
The focus in each case is the hearts of the people. Obedience is the key.
In the Old Testament Hosea prophesied
about the harvest in relation to the hearts of the people.
I said, 'Plant the good seeds of
righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of
your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower
righteousness upon you.' Hosea 10:12
How is your heart? Have seeds of
righteousness been planted there and are you planting good seeds from God's
word--His righteousness--in the hearts of others? Are you being obedient?
Prayer – Jesus—The time will come for
the harvest as John wrote about in Revelation.
Then another angel came from the Temple and shouted to the one sitting on
the cloud, "Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop
on earth is ripe." Revelation 14:15. May the harvest be great and give
glory to the Lord God Almighty.
Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 81, 88, 92-93
© 2019 Text and
photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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