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

Control Yourself

When it comes to our life, we have nothing to say about our birth and little say about our death, but in between these two events most of the decisions are ours to be made. Are you letting life and circumstances control you, or are you controlling your own life and destiny with God’s help. Don't let life pass you by when you have the God-given ability to make things happen. I've heard it said: You can't control the length of your life, but you can control its use. You can't control your facial appearance, but you can control its expression. You can't control the weather, but you can control the moral atmosphere that surrounds you. You can't control the distance of your head above the ground, but you can control the height of the contents in your head. You can't control the other fellow's annoying faults, but you can see to it that you do not develop similar faults. Why worry about things you cannot cont
Read more

Bounce Back

As a 7th grader in junior high school, I was devastated when I was cut from the starting 8th grade football team and sent to the second team.   I felt disappointed, embarrassed and dejected.   Latter that week, I spoke with my grandfather who passed on these words of wisdom, “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce back that matters.”   I took those words to heart. The Bible says in Proverbs 25:11, “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” I valued his wise words and committed to doing my best for this second string team, instead of pouting and complaining over my sense of failure. I committed to working hard, giving my all to bounce back. It served me well as I entered high school and played on two state championship teams. I learned that day that what happens to me in life doesn’t count as much as how I react to those things.   I had a choice the day I was cut from the team—I could wallow in misery and quit the team, or I could choose to fig
Read more