Threatening Thorns…

Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed… Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants…Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:…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.”
Matthew 13:3,7,18,22

This month we are reading the verses where Jesus shared the parable of the sower to a crowd of followers. You can click the links to read Settling Seed, Seed Snatcher, and Rocky Road if you missed them. The seed is the Word of God. We will continue unpacking the different possibilities for the Word of God settling when we share It or when someone hears It. This week, we’re considering the seed that falls among the thorns. Jesus warns that life can choke the plants that grow from the seed even after they are grown and matured. What does this look like? Let’s think through this. What Word did you receive and cultivate for months or even years that was producing a beautiful result, and then you started to worry what others would think or if it would all work out or if God would really provide? Also, can you think of anyone who started a relationship with God, was growing in their faith, and then all of a sudden it was as if no seed had been planted? Jesus promises us that in Him we can have peace despite the trouble we are guaranteed to find in this world (John 16:33). He also guarantees that when we face temptation, He will always provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). When we are tempted to worry, believe the lies of the enemy, or trust in our own progress or bank account, may we quickly be reminded to weed our faith garden. These thorns have no place in our hearts! We were born to be fruitful in our faith! Be blessed and be a blessing…

Rocky Road…

Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed…Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow…Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:…The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. 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.”
Matthew 13:3,5,18,20-21

This month we are reading the verses where Jesus shared the parable of the sower to a crowd of followers. You can click the links to read Settling Seed and Seed Snatcher if you missed them. The seed is the Word of God. We will continue unpacking the different possibilities for the Word of God settling when we share It or when someone hears It. This week, we’re considering the seed that falls along the rocky road. I would like to pause briefly and say that the Word of God that the seed represents could refer to the Good News of salvation, but I think it also could refer to other guidance from the Word. Meaning, I don’t think this parable ONLY refers to the seed of salvation rooting or not in the hearts of non-believers, but I think there’s also a message for all believers here about the seed of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), Jesus’ teaching to deny ourselves and pick up our cross (Matthew 16:24), and do to others as we would have them do to us (Matthew 7:12)…or anything else in the Word of God. I recommend you reread the verses with this in mind to see if it applies to you in a different way. In my 38 years of life, I have seen this scenario play out many times. Whether it’s the excitement of a new believer that quickly fades away if they do not do the work to deepen their understanding and appreciation for the miracle of grace and salvation. I have also seen this where a sermon was received with enthusiasm and a change was made but when persecution or friction met the believer and their new commitment to be more Christlike, the zeal faded and then poof…the change dissolved. We all need to be aware of the dangers of riding a wave of enthusiasm without digging deeper. We can all do the work to study the Word, pray for fresh revelation, and seek wise counsel in our lives. We can all grow deep roots and beat the odds of the rocky road. Keep sowing. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Seed Snatcher…

Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up…Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 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.“
Matthew 13:3-4, 18-19

Last week we read the verses where Jesus shared the full explanation given to His disciples after He told the parable of the sower to a crowd of followers. You can CLICK HERE to read Settling Seed if you missed it. The seed is the Word of God. We will spend the next few weeks unpacking the different possibilities for the Word of God settling when we share It or when someone hears It. This week, we’re considering the seed that falls along the path. Interestingly enough, my husband and I just experienced this last week when we shared the love of Jesus with someone we met at a park. We could tell that he was not understanding or accepting of what we were sharing. We can probably all think of someone in our lives who has matched this description. They just weren’t ready or had hardened their hearts for one reason or another. Luis and I quickly recognized that it was not our responsibility to see the seed sprout. Jesus calls us to sow seed wherever we go…not just where it’s guaranteed to germinate. The evil one prowls around seeking out seed that has not found fertile ground. It’s the easiest to snatch away of course. Let’s also look inward. Are there any areas of your life that are as hard, dry, and dusty as an old path? Is there a Word that God has spoken to you that is just sitting on the path waiting to be snatched away? Let’s present these areas to the tiller of the Holy Spirit and allow our paths to become seed-welcoming soil. Keep sowing. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Settling Seed…

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 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. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 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. 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. 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.
Matthew 13:18-23

These verses share the explanation that Jesus gave to His disciples after He told the parable of the sower to a crowd of followers. You can click the link above to read the whole chapter if you’d like to read it for the first time or as a refresher. In Luke’s account of the parable of the sower in chapter 8, he explicitly stated that the seed is the Word of God. We will spend the next few weeks unpacking the different possibilities for the Word of God settling when we share It or when someone hears It. For now, let’s take a moment to consider our relationship with the Word of God. How did it start? What (if anything) drew you in? What have been the best times and worst times in your journey with God’s Word? Have you ever felt rejection when you shared the Truth with others? Take time this week to think through the answers to these questions and make a goal for your journey through the Word. I assure you that God has seen it all, heard it all, and knows it all. Nothing we do or say can surprise Him, and I believe He is always pleased with our efforts. If you’d like to read about flowers in the desert and sovereign storms, CLICK HERE. I felt like someone needed that reminder today. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Contrarily Compassionate…

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9

These verses in 1 Peter are a good guide for how we should interact with others. We are called to be contrarily compassionate. Whether the person receiving the compassion “deserves it” or not, the love that flows from God through us can cover over evil and insult so broadly that we can actually be sympathetic, be unified, and be humble in our compassion and love toward others. Are there any relationships, past or present, that you need to apply this truth to this week? Is there an evil that you’ve wanted to repay with evil, whether that be thoughts or actions? Is there an insult or offense that has caused a wedge to grow between you and a family member, friend, or coworker? My pastor said it best on Sunday: “Life is too short and your calling too great to be offended by something small.” You may think whatever the issue has been is not small. It may be or may seem to be really big. What if you take a minute and zoom out, step outside the scenario…in light of eternity, how big is the issue that caused the offense? My prayer is that we can see others through God’s eyes with all the love in the universe and allow His love to transform how we think, act, and live. His compassions fail not…for you and through you. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Marvelous Mercies…

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Have you ever felt used by someone who asked you for something? Maybe it’s someone who abused your kindness or generosity on a regular or semi-regular basis. Maybe it’s one of your kids who enjoyed all the benefits of being your child, but rarely, if ever, showed gratitude for all that you’ve provided for him or her over the years. No matter what the situation, we can all agree that feeling used is not a pleasant feeling. On the flip side, genuine gratitude is a sweet treat and seeks to praise the giver, not the gift. In the same way, when we have needs (which we all do!), we can approach the throne of grace with confidence and exchange our needs for His mercies which are new every morning! We can approach with confidence because our Daddy God sent His only Son, who can relate to our human condition. He knows what it feels like to need a miracle. He knows what it feels like to see no way out. Can I encourage you to approach the throne of grace and focus on God’s face, not his hands? I am convinced that miracles are a glimpse of God’s goodness and marvelous mercies. They are a picture of Heaven. They are not the end, but a means to an end. Miracles are meant to draw us closer to God or into a relationship with Him for the first time. Miracles are not the main event. They are simply meant to bring glory to God as a testimony of His amazing love for His children. We can be sure they are a sign that there is more to come! If you need a miracle today, whether it be financial, relational, physical or emotional, seek His face. Know that He desires your worship. No matter what, He is still on the throne! He will provide what you need! If you’d like to see what it was probably like when Jesus was on earth performing miracles, check out this scene from The Chosen. If you’d like to see more Chosen, go to www.TheChosen.tv/watch. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Non-Consumable Compassions…

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

I would highly recommend writing these verses on a Post-it note and putting them somewhere to be seen every day. This promise is good on the first day of a new season, the 50th, and the 5000th. We are not consumed. We will not be consumed. It may get hot. We may sweat, but we will survive! Why? All of our Heavenly Father’s compassions will be enough. Did you ever notice that the word “compassion” in this verse is actually plural, and “compassions” is not in the dictionary? I believe God is SO compassionate (caring, concerned, understanding), that He does not just have compassion. He has COMPASSIONS for us. Think about that. God loves us so much that He knows all, cares about all, and provides a new helping of compassions EVERY single morning. That is good news if I have ever heard it! He is faithful, and He cannot fail. How can we be a conduit of His compassions for those in our lives? May we stand firm on His caring concern and understanding today, and may we rest our heads on His comforting pillow of compassions tonight. God will see you through. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Living Hope…

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5

Praise God! He is merciful and mighty! These words from the apostle Peter are just as inspiring to us today as they were when he wrote them 2000 years ago. In our Father God’s great mercy, we are born again into lifelong hope because Jesus lives! Because He defeated death, hell, and the grave…we can live an abundant life here on earth and look forward to our Heavenly inheritance. Our faith actually shields us from doubt, and God’s power alone protects us from the attacks of the enemy. Is there any area of your life that is feeling hopeless? Any doubt lurking in your mind about the security of your salvation? Take it from the guy who walked on water, saw miracle after miracle, then denied Jesus three times…God’s grace is sufficient. Our hope is secure, alive, and well! Have you seen The Chosen? I highly recommend you watch the first three seasons through The Chosen app, website, or any streaming platform. It is so well done and really brings the characters of the Bible back to life. May your hope be living and active today. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Staying Still…

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalms 46:10-11

Whenever I feel led to share a certain verse or about a topic, I search past encouragements to see if I’ve written about it before. The fact that I haven’t written about this verse in eight years says a lot. Being still has NEVER been one of my strengths. My parents tell me that they did sitting drills with us often to help us sit still in church, and I struggled with the concept. This morning, I felt the need to be still. When is the last time you were still…and not sleeping? I even have a wall hanging in my son’s room with this verse inscribed because it takes intentionality to learn the art of stillness. There is a huge focus on being still and meditation among the yoga community, but David takes it a step further in this verse. It’s not enough to be still, because you and I both know that when our bodies are still, our minds can still race. In addition to physically being still, we should also know that He is God. Know in your knower!  The definition of know is, “be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.” You can’t know what you haven’t observed. You can’t know deeper without inquiring and processing the information you’ve gained about God. I invite you this week, challenge you even, to take five minutes to be still and invite Him to be with you. If you focus on trying not to focus on the worries and tasks of the day, you’ll most likely spend the entire time thinking about them. I encourage you to focus on Him, think about His love for you, how that makes you feel, how He has amazed you in the past. Think on those things and allow yourself to really know in your knower that He is God. Be blessed and be a blessing…

Fortified Fortress…

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
Psalms 59:16-17

The book of Psalms contains thoughts and feelings for the highest highs and the lowest lows. These verses are at the end of a chapter written by David when he was being sought by King Saul to be killed. Even my worst day hasn’t come close to that day! In the midst of David’s troubles, he cried out to God, declaring Him alone to be his reliable fortress. A fortress was a very real thing in David’s day. If you need some photographic help to picture it, CLICK HERE and scroll down to #3 – David’s Citadel. This is what I picture when I think of a fortress…and of course, God is infinity times stronger than any man-made structure. David also found his strength in God and desired to worship Him through song. In the midst of the chaos, trials, and rejection, we can choose to rely on God instead of our circumstances or our own strength. What situation have you found yourself in this week that can point you towards God’s great love? May we wake up singing of His love! May we meditate on His words throughout the day. May His praise be on our lips from sun-up to sundown. He will never leave us…never crumble…and never run out of steam. Who needs this reminder today? Be blessed and be a blessing…