Today’s Scripture Readings:
Psalms 28:1-9
Leviticus 7:28 - 9:6
Mark 3:31-4:25
Proverbs 10:5
Today’s Scripture Focus: Mark 3:31 - 4:25
Mark 4:3-7 (NIV) "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.
There
are many obstacles to fruitful Christian living. Some of the seed of
the word is stolen. Sometimes because of "rocky soil", it gets
started quickly but withers. Sometimes the thorns choke the word
so that it does not bear grain.
Our first obstacle is Satan himself. He steals the Word. If we don't read or hear it, he has already won the battle. No wonder he works so hard to keep us from reading and apply the Word in our lives. Never underestimate the enemy. He is very good at tempting us with many good things that keep us from the best--and those good things often crowd out our time in the Word. He knows our weakness -- our vulnerable places-- and he focuses on those. Stand firm and resist him.
Another obstacle to fruitful Christian living is "trouble or persecution". As we go through the tough times of life, some who had started well lose ground. Anger, bitterness, discouragement and a whole host of other emotions cause our faith to wither. The Word without faith only withers and dies. Yet the very same trials are intended to bring maturity and growth. Keep your eyes on Jesus in these trying times that you don't lose hope--persevere to the end.
Another obstacle to fruitfulness is "the things of this world". Our things--our possessions--often becomes objects of worship. Often the good gifts we are given become play things that keep us from the Kingdom work we are called to do. Entertainment is a major thorn in our culture. Materialism often makes thorns of houses, cars and other possessions. Jesus also mentions "worry" as a thorn. All of these thorns choke out the word and keep us from being fruitful.
God's desire for our lives, though, is that the Word will be applied and will grow in frutifulness. Christ's character and priorities will be ours. His character lived out in us will do much to bring many others into the kingdom.
Mark 4:20 (NIV)
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
May the Lord make each of us fruitful for his glory.
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 29:1-11
Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Mark 4:26 -5:20
Proverbs 10:6-7
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.
Our first obstacle is Satan himself. He steals the Word. If we don't read or hear it, he has already won the battle. No wonder he works so hard to keep us from reading and apply the Word in our lives. Never underestimate the enemy. He is very good at tempting us with many good things that keep us from the best--and those good things often crowd out our time in the Word. He knows our weakness -- our vulnerable places-- and he focuses on those. Stand firm and resist him.
Another obstacle to fruitful Christian living is "trouble or persecution". As we go through the tough times of life, some who had started well lose ground. Anger, bitterness, discouragement and a whole host of other emotions cause our faith to wither. The Word without faith only withers and dies. Yet the very same trials are intended to bring maturity and growth. Keep your eyes on Jesus in these trying times that you don't lose hope--persevere to the end.
Another obstacle to fruitfulness is "the things of this world". Our things--our possessions--often becomes objects of worship. Often the good gifts we are given become play things that keep us from the Kingdom work we are called to do. Entertainment is a major thorn in our culture. Materialism often makes thorns of houses, cars and other possessions. Jesus also mentions "worry" as a thorn. All of these thorns choke out the word and keep us from being fruitful.
God's desire for our lives, though, is that the Word will be applied and will grow in frutifulness. Christ's character and priorities will be ours. His character lived out in us will do much to bring many others into the kingdom.
Mark 4:20 (NIV)
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
May the Lord make each of us fruitful for his glory.
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 29:1-11
Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Mark 4:26 -5:20
Proverbs 10:6-7
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.