Luke 8: 5-15 - The Parable of the Sower

 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

   When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

   “‘though seeing, they may not see;
   though hearing, they may not understand.

  “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the 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. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for 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. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

In this passage, Jesus is talking about 4 types of people:

1)   “Those on the Path”

This group of people hear God’s word but do not accept it as truth. These are the individuals who do not ever claim to be a Christian. They openly reject the word.

2)  “Those on rocky ground”

These people are the “in one ear and out the other” folks. This group may be “bandwagon kids.” They get really excited when hearing the word, but forget what they have heard once they go on with life. God’s love and the story of Christ does not resonate in their hearts. They are looking to fill a void in their lives and unfortunately they do not fill it with Christ. These may be the individuals that believe they are saved because they have “said a prayer,” but their story ends there. The passage says that they “fall away” because they never had a root. 

3)  “Those among thorns”

I had a long discussion with my community group about this group of individuals. Are they saved or not? We know that the first two groups are not saved and do not know Christ, but this is a grey area. The passage says that they hear but they do not mature.

John 3:15-18 says-

Everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son

According to these verses, All who believe are saved! But I keep going back and forth with this group among the thorns… because the bible also says

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelations 3:15-6

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.  1 John 2:15-16

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. ¹⁴ For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

4)  “Those on good soil”

This is the group I long to be in! I want to fall on the good soil and be on fire for the Lord. I want everyone around me to see the joy I have found in Christ Jesus. If I want to be in this category, there are things of this world and things in my life that I have to be willing to give up. What is acceptable to most people cannot be acceptable to me.

It is really hard in our generation to “draw the line” on what is right and what is wrong. It is not always given to us in black and white. I don’t think there are set rules but I do know I am guilty of accepting things as “ok” because the world we live in says they are. If I am truly living my life for Christ, people should notice something different about me. They should ask, why do you choose to not_____ or why do you _____. (You can fill in the blanks) These types of questions can open the door to witness!

Lately I have felt convicted about some of my actions and the things I have done in my past. Although most people would say these things are acceptable, I don’t want to do things that are acceptable to the world… I want my actions to honor the Lord. I want to be “on good soil!” I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m not going to take my chances and live “among the thorns.” I want to know that I belong to Christ!

Day 30: What will it cost to fulfill God’s Mission/ Plan for my life?

“The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it!” William James

Once we are His, God uses us to reach others. He saves us, so that he can send us out and use us. This means I must give up my plans and accept his. This is not an easy assignment… This is an extremely difficult commitment. Even Jesus had to ask for God’s help.

Luke 22:42- Jesus says- “Father I want your will, not mine.”

Ezekiel 3:18- If I declare that the wicked will die but you don’t warn them, if you say nothing to warn them from their wicked ways so that they might live, they will die because of their guilt, but I will hold you accountable for their deaths

My mission is to impact the eternal destiny of others that is far more important than any job or worldly achievement. The consequences of my mission will last forever, the consequences of my job will NOT.  Nothing else I so will ever matter as much as helping people establish an eternal relationship with God! I should be aware of the people God places in my path, God has not accidentally placed them there.

Acts 20:24- my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

Even now, while I have so much “free time,” Satan uses every distraction to keep me from sharing my faith. He uses almost anything to get me side tracked, I find myself creating silly “to do lists.” Also he is constantly feeding me lies… “who would want to listen to me? What do I know? Especially during the dark, cold New York winter I struggle to stay positive. Yes, I am dealing with so many things but when I sit back and think I have so much more to be thankful for…. But it is extremely easy to believe Satan’s lies!

But God has promised that He will give me all that I need and He has called me to be his messenger.  God has chosen me, I am his witness!

Matthew 6:33- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well

2 Corinthians 2:17- or we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ

1 John 5:10- Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself

1 Peter 2:9- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Lets stop wasting our time and start sharing Christ’s love with others. I would rather speak up and risk rejection than regret! So many people are lost and running after temporary satisfaction; God is the ultimate satisfier and there is more than enough of Him to go around.

Through my adventures in New York, I have realized that my life is so short and He is all that truly matters. I am committing to live my life for Him and building others up instead of worrying about myself. I want those around me to experience the real friendship of Jesus Christ!

Day 29: God's Plan... Not Mine

I had planned on writing about the next chapter of The Case for Faith this afternoon, but I want to dive into something God has placed on my heart. These past four months I have been on a life-changing rollercoaster.  Less than four months ago I was living in Houston, Texas with no plans for relocating. It is strange to think about how drastically my life has changed.

My whole life, I have had a plan. I have always had a “blanket of security.” I have never truly had to lean on God for endurance. I was raised by a Christian family, went to a small private high school, and then went to Texas A&M (Just miles from home). After graduation, I accepted a secure job in Houston and moved back with my sister and parents. My friends were in Houston, I was a leader at church, and I was involved in several other activities. The three things I turn to for security: Friends, Finances,  & Family, I had the best of all three… not a concern in the world, but I always wondered “is this it for me?” When the opportunity to move to New York was presented, I did ask God to open the door if it were where He wanted me, but I admit, I was looking for signs telling me to go! Lately I have wondered why I was so quick to jump at the opportunity? Why was I willing to leave everything behind for this? Why did God gave me such a peace about it at the time? I was sure it would be such a smooth transition. But it has been quite the opposite….

A few days ago, I sat with my boss, Eimear, as we talked about “moving forward.” I shared my concerns and doubts about continuing with her company. God willing, she understood my concerns and offered to help with any future endeavors. Although I am thrilled the chat went well, I am now trying to figure out where to go from here… Ok God… that job got me here, but it was not the best long term fit. What do you want me to do? If I don’t figure it out… there goes my security in finances, my family isn’t here, and my friend pool is pretty small… SOO now I have 0 of those three security blankets.

 Through the mist of challenges, Christ has radically opened my eyes. I moved to New York City to start a new life & a new career, however; Christ had his own reasoning behind the transition. I have questioned… “Was this really the right thing for me... Did I make a mistake?” I am not the type to admit when I have made a mistake, so of course I told everyone back home that I was doing AWESOME! I even think I fooled myself.

Lately, I have spent lots of time digging in the word and opening up to God. Ironically, I am in the loudest and busiest city, but still, I have had more time alone in silence than I ever have before. New York can be a very lonely place… especially during the dark & cold winter. I have definitely felt the loneliness, but it is exactly what I needed. God is showing me the true meaning to life and He is opening my eyes to things I need to eliminate.

I have challenged myself to get plugged in and devote more of my time to Christ. Although I have more free time now, the devil knows how to distract me, he gets me worked up and caught up in so many things. Right now I believe God wants me to draw to Him and take advantage of the stillness… but satan knows my insecurities and he has been trying to get me down. “What if you never find a job,” or “You will never find a job that you like… or one that pays well… You might as well settle.” This is far from the truth!! God created me, He made me great at something… and He has the perfect plan for my life. I just have to trust in Him and wait for his timing.

Many of my quiet times these past few weeks have related to His plan. God gives us so many examples of how he uses our struggles for our own good. (Challenges are used for Greatness!) I recently joined a women’s bible study; we are walking through the Old Testament. This week’s study was on Joseph.

First example of how challenges are used for greatness:

(The story starts in Genesis 37)

Joseph was one of Jacob’s favorite of the 12 sons. He had everything he needed and his life was great. Yet, God had much bigger plans for Joseph. God planed to make Joseph second in command to Pharaoh! However, in order to get him there, he had to endure several challenges. His brothers sold him into slavery; he was accused of rape and thrown into prison! God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams; this talent led him out of prison and into the presence of Pharaoh. When Joseph was the only man who could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, He became second in command. Then, through Joseph’s plan to store up the harvest during the years of abundance, he was able to save many lives during the years of famine!  (including his brothers lives, the ones who sold him!)

Second example:

On Sunday I went to J-High ministry in New York; I joined with the 8^th grade girls. They were discussing the story of Ruth. Ruth willingly returned to her mother in law’s city after husband passed. As a widow, Ruth honored the commitment to her husband’s family. She was not looking for another man, but only to please Naomi, her mother in law. Through Ruth’s obedience, she met Boaz (the night in shinning armor) in the middle of a field! Because she was honoring the Lord instead of worrying about her own interests, the Lord blessed her! Jesus Christ comes directly from the line of Ruth!! Our savior came through obedience during her pain!

WOW… I could continue on with examples, but I want to sum all this up. God allows pain and suffering in our lives for reasons that are unseen and unknown. I don’t know why I am living in New York with absolutely no secure direction, But God knows. He has all the answers! Just like Joseph and Ruth, I am going to choose to walk blindly… I will allow Christ to direct me. Please Pray for me during this journey. I am excited, scared, and ready to see what is next!

Jeremiah 139: 13-16

For you created my inmost being; 
you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. 
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 
your eyes saw my unformed body. 
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.