Sunday, March 17, 2019 -
I was blessed again to have Kathie, William, and Josiah visit me. But I am still concerned that Kathie still seems to be very tired and in much pain, so I must continue to battle for her well-being and confront Satan in the name of Jesus to leave her alone!
And today, for the second or third time within a week, the “parable of the sower” was brought to my attention. Tonight, “C” wanted to share with me something he’d read. It actually could be called the “parable of the heart,” because the seed needed the right kind of soil to grow. And the soil, in this parable, is synonymous with the heart of individual men and women. Jesus Himself tells us this in Luke 8:12. In the first example, the seed never even sprouts because after hearing, the devil causes the hearer not to believe. Then there are those who hear and become very excited, yet the gospel never really takes firm root in their heart, yet temptation draws them away because there is nothing in their lives to cause it to develop deep roots in their hearts. There is no commitment to growth – no Bible study, no prayer, no Christian fellowship. It is more or less an acceptance on their part of the truth with their mind, but not with their hearts. They do not make Christ the Lord of their life and do nothing to build that relationship. It would be like marrying your wife but never consummating your relationship; where your life never changes from being a “single” man!
And then, there is the seed that falls among the thorns – the heart distracted by the cares of the world that chokes out any commitment made to the Lord. Let us be those with hearts like the good soil, “who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15). When we bear fruit, through the filling of the Holy Spirit, our lives will exemplify love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Yet we must recognize these are attributes unobtainable through our own efforts or power or abilities. They are the fruit of the Spirit, which comes from an abandonment of self and self-will to the power of the Holy Spirit to work through us. Then, and only then, can He use us! Christ’s death on the cross alone provides victory over self. His death alone victory in our lives over sin. His passion for righteousness becomes our passion. And that passion draws people to Hm. I see it here in my current surroundings very evidentially. Yet that doesn’t mean we won’t suffer for the sake of the cross, as we are called to participate in His suffering, and to find joy and hope in it!