GROWTH POTENTIAL

In Luke 8:5-15 Jesus uses the parable of the farmer who planted his seed by scattering it across his field to teach his disciples about what kind of heart is needed to be spiritually productive. The seeds fell in four different areas, each having a profound effect upon the outcome of the seed’s (God’s Word) growth potential. One of the landing locations is explained in verse 13; “The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.” 

Just a thin layer of topsoil cradled the seeds above a ground of rocks. As the seed began to take root all of its strength and energy was spent trying push through the rocks. When its tender green shoots sprang upward it had no nutrients from below to maintain its growth potential and thus withered away.  
 
A superficial feeling of joy brought about by the Word may leave a noteworthy impression but not always a lasting one. Is this true of you? 
 
Christ-follower it’s time to take a good look at yourself in light of this text and ask; “Have I been letting the Word go in one ear and out the other? Do I have the appearance that outwardly I’m ok, but my inner life is a no-show? Am I sincerely rooted in love and devotion to Jesus?
 
Lasting growth is upward and downward at the same time. If your heart isn’t soft and doesn’t get nourished by the grace of God you may have some immediate results but ultimately your spiritual life will wither and fade because your growth potential cannot flourish on a rocky, unbroken, unsanctified heart.
 
O Lord, nourish me, let me take root in your love. Let me feel the energy of the Holy Spirit deep in my heart. Plow me Lord! Break up my obstinate nature and scatter your enduring truth into my soul that I may yield your abundant fruit at harvest time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 80-20 Rule

In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that twenty percent of the people owned eighty percent of the wealth. The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.   Although this rule was first applied in Italy when Pareto was looking at the dispersal of wealth, it has since become a rule of thumb for many businesses.   It has been said that 20% of your workforce does 80% of the work, or 80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients.   I think this law comes into play in our lives as well.   Life is 20% what happens to you and 80% what you make of it. There are tons of stories about people who come out of difficult situations — gang life, in and out of jail, drug addiction, broken families, abuse – yet still seem to rise to the top.   And of course, there are many stories of those who have been given everything they would n
Read more

FREEDOM’S PRICE

In 1781, the Fourth of July was named a national holiday and today fireworks, parades and picnics still mark this celebration. Because on July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the thirteen colonies free from British rule. What proceeded and followed this declaration were the historic battles still taught in every elementary school. For six years the colonies shook with the Battles of Concord and Lexington, Bunker Hill and Saratoga. The war finally ended at Valley Forge where British General Cornwallis surrendered to what would be the United States’ first president, George Washington. Two years later the British and the Americans signed a peace treaty in France. Freedom does not come without a price. Through the Revolutionary War our nation’s freedom was paid for by the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who fought for their dream of what would become the United States. The battles were not easy, and the years took their toll on our young nation. In t
Read more

WALK THE TALK

As far as your spiritual life is concerned religious talk is not good enough. The apostle John makes this clear in his little epistle 1 John 2:4-6. If someone claims, “I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. John is not talking about sinless perfection here but rather that a Christ-follower is to relate to others the way Jesus did. In other words we have to walk the walk like Jesus. Walking as Jesus walked begins with loving other people. Christ-followers have tried to make Christianity more difficult than it really is. We’ve make it about church membership, or a particular theological persuasion, or saying the right words during baptism, or what version of the Bible is the only one to be used. The apostle is clear. W
Read more