Parable of the Sower

Luke 8

Vs. 12: Seed that fell on the Path

"...ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes 

away the word from their hearts, so that they may not 

believe and be saved."

We often probably get frustrated, wondering how it is possible for people to not believe in God after having been witnessed to, or after experiencing what we know clearly to be God's hand at work. Have you ever talked with someone about Jesus until you were blue in the face and they just refused to consider anything that you said? In a similar way, sometimes I know I've gotten frustrated from seeing how people can refuse to believe in God, but they find it so easy to 'believe' in something or someone else. How can people actually be convinced that something like abortion OR atheism {or you name it} is good?! This passage in Luke 8 reminds me that we have to remember that the devil truly has blinded people and made them unable to understand, they see but they don't truly see, they hear but they don't truly hear...

2 Corinthians 11:14 "for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." {making it possible for unbelievers to be absorbed and convinced by his ways - he knows how to 'sell a product' to know who don't know better}

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy."

2 Corinthians 4:4 "...the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Vs. 13: Seed that fell on the Rock

"...ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it,

but they have no root. They believe for awhile, but

in the time of testing they fall away."

Times of testing can be the hardest trials we will ever face - as a believer we can find peace knowing that God will use our trials to help us grow. Times of testing will either 'make you or break you'. If you truly love and trust God, if you believe what He says in His Word, than despite our weakness and our pain we can take heart knowing God is refining us. He will use every opportunity to teach us for OUR benefit. We may be broken down, but he will put us back together in a way that is even more beautiful than before. Sometimes the biggest blessings come through the hardest challenges. 

2 Corinthians 12:10 "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

1 Peter 5:10 "and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

Unfortunately, for some their trials and 'times of testing' {big or small} will cause them to fall away. We have to wonder, did they TRULY grasp God's Grace? Did they TRULY understand Jesus' love and the meaning of the cross? Or as this passage says (Luke 8:13) did they have a root? A foundation?

*This reminds me of the builder who built his house on the Rock (aka. God as his foundation) rather than the sand, which washed away. Matthew 7:25, "the rain came down, the streams rose, and the blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it has its foundation on the rock." As the Hymn says {On the Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...}

This should lead us to ask: How do we get ourselves spiritually rooted in Christ? How do we know we are secure when trials and temptations come our way? Psalm 1: 1-6

 - we cannot continue sinning

 - delight in God's word and meditate on it 

(learn it, know it, let it change you)

 - show fruit in your life

 - in hard times, trust God, he is our sustainer

vs. 14: Seed that fell on the thorns

"...those who hear, but as they go on their way

they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures,

and they do not mature."

This verse speaks of 3 things that keep us from growing and maturing in our spiritual walk. Those 3 things are {worries} {riches} and {pleasures}

1. Worrying: shows lack of faith and trust in God. God tells us not to worry and trust that He will provide (Matthew 6:25-34), Rather we should seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness. Worrying may also show too much concern over worldly things, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

(Luke 12: 34)

2. Riches: Constant desire for riches, more wealth, materialistic 'stuff' shows lack of contentment, lack of thankfulness, and a lack of satisfaction with your identity in Christ alone. Hebrews 13:5, "keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have." 1 Timothy 6: 9-10, "those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away..." Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."

3. Pleasures: seeking worldly pleasures (whether it be sex, alcohol, beauty, 'fun', spending money, addictions, status, popularity etc.) again shows lack of contentment with your identity in Christ and his ability to fill your heart soul and mind with every good thing. It shows you are seeking to fill yourself because Christ has not satisfied you. Proverbs 21:17, "whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man..." 1 John 2:15, "Do not love the world or the things in the world." Titus 2: 11-12, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It  teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly possessions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." 

vs. 15: Seed that fell on Good Soil

"...those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, 

retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

1. "hear the word, retain it"...Pray for true faith that only comes from God, through his Grace. Pray that God would continually open our eyes and ears to see and hear and truly understand his truth. 

2. "persevere"... Persevere through trials and temptations. Trust in God. Give him your burdens, rely on his strength. Let God refine you. "You make beautiful things out of dust..."

3. "produce a crop"... Seek Wisdom, not the ways and pleasures of this world. Be in the Word, meditate on it. Hunger to learn more of God and be conformed to the image of His Son. Produce the crop that God intends for, not the 'crop' the world produces {money, wealth, pleasures}

Noble Character

What does it mean to be a wife of Noble Character?

I’ve been a wife for just over nine months now and it’s been quite the journey so far, God has blessed me abundantly. Everyone always told us that our first year of marriage would make the biggest impact on the rest of our journey as it’s the time when we form habits, find our roles, learn how to be married, learn how to live together and the list goes on. As I’ve been re-reading through psalms and proverbs over the past few months, I’ve really been looking for God’s wisdom on what it takes to be a good wife – a wife that reflects my Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve been learning so much and wanted to share just a little from my morning devotions today.

Proverbs 12: 4 says, “A wife of Noble Character is her husbands crown…”

I didn’t look too much into this specific verse, but after giving it some thought I wrote down a few opinions… Why is she compared to a crown? I would assume that ‘back in the day’ a man would be {proud} to wear his crown on his head. It would be probably the first thing you notice when you saw him, and this would greatly affect how you act towards this individual. In a sense, he would be showing it off, showing others the glamorous and probably expensive adornment he was wearing. The crown gave him status, power, reputation, significance, confidence etc. That is why he would wear it – for the meaning it gave it to him. A wife of {Noble Character} is just like this crown. She makes her husband proud, he is joyful to have her by his side. He wants to show her off, he feels she is a part of him – giving him meaning and significance and confidence.

Proverbs 31: 11+12 says, “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

Can her husband trust her? He knows she will not hurt his spirit or betray him, AND that she strives to give him everything GOD values {patience, kindness and love} – look at 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. She will strive to always forgive, always show grace, always be humble and always lay down her own desires and wants to stand by His Side – she will reflect what Jesus did for the church, what greater purpose can one have?!!!!

Obviously you can study verse-by-verse Proverbs 31 for a bigger portrait of the Noble Wife, but I’m going to jump to a different scriptural example…

Ruth! Ruth is described as a woman of noble character in Ruth 3:11, “All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” This can be literally translated to {Woman of Valor}, meaning, “boldness, determination, courage and bravery.” Valor was commonly used to describe great warriors. This reminds me that being a wife is not just a title and role you play and that’s all you have to do for the rest of you life. Being a wife is not always easy, it requires great sacrifice – and even more sacrifice once becoming a mom I’d imagine. Being a wife actually gives you much purpose and opportunity to be bold and do great things for God. Sometimes women might think we give up our ability to do great things for God when we get married, but this is definitely not the case. Supporting your husband and being his God-given foundation in HIS walk of faith, and as he fulfills God’s plans for HIS life, is a HUGE and extremely important role. Gods work in HIS life very much so IS Gods work in your life, along with many other things that God can still do through you individually.

It’s interesting to me that in proverbs, a wife of noble character is said to be “worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). This SAME thing is said of Wisdom, “…For wisdom is more precious than rubies.” (Proverbs 3:13-15 AND Proverbs 8:11) I love this. Most of proverbs are about how Wisdom is SO valuable and we should desire wisdom above all else – God given wisdom. Solomon also then says that a wife of noble character is too, more valuable than rubies. To me this is speaking loud and clear that a wife of noble character is not only to one’s benefit, but it would also be a sign that the man is of great character himself and is gaining in wisdom from the Lord. Also, a woman can not be of noble character and be ‘more precious than rubies’ unless she is seeking out God’s wisdom in her life and growing in her knowledge and understanding of the Lord.

Learning to be a woman of Noble Character is not about a how-to list or a list of do’s and don’ts, it’s about seeking the Lord and putting him continually first in your life, always. Growing in your knowledge and understanding of His word and becoming more like Him. Then, whether you are a wife or not, this will play out in your life and in your relationships and if married, your marriage, and you will be a Noble Woman - a Noble Woman who knows she will never be 'on target'  and therefore who continues to seek more and more growth in her walk with the Lord. 

Random thoughts for a Monday.

Cheers :)