Skip to main content

🌱PARABLE OF THE SOWER (3) 🌱

 


[The stony ground]


"And He taught them many things by parables and said unto them in his doctrine, 'Hearken, behold, there went out a sower to sow. And it came to pass that as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 


And some fell on a stony ground where it had not much earth, immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, it was scorched and because it had no root, it withered away’. Mark 4:2-6


Not Much Earth

The stony ground represents the second phase in the heart and faith level of a believer or one who is yet to be saved. Here, God's Word is sown and immediately it springs up. 


This condition is better than the way side at least. At this stage, you receive God's Word with gladness and immediately begin to act upon it. 


Consequently, the Word begins to grow towards fruition and then before the fruits show up, a season of tests set in. The sun beams on it.


The plant could not withstand the scorching, and so it dies. The insufficiency of foundation causes the Word to die. Earth here represents conviction.


Until you come to a point where your heart is fixed on the authenticity and potency of God's Word, you'll keep losing revelations and insights. 


Jesus explained in verse 16 that the Word, just like a seed has roots. The roots are meant to create stability and firmness. Roots do not grow in the air, they thrust deep.


The depth here is your fixed and unwavering confidence on the faithfulness of God. When it is available, God's Word digs its roots into your heart.


The Trial of the Word

Jesus acknowledged in verse 17 that trials and persecutions arise for the Word' sake. Bishop TD Jakes said in one of his teachings said that all the challenges we face are trials on our faith, no matter the kind. This is what Jesus meant here. 


If a tree survives the scorch of the sun and the turbulence of the wind, then in due time, it will bear fruits. 


The tree that would easily fall is one without firm roots. This means that whenever you receive God's Word, if the devil cannot steal it at reception, he will come back through troubles to shake the Word in your heart.

This is God's counsel endure, stand!


Endure Hardness, Keep Standing

Paul said to Timothy, "Thou therefore endure hardness like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2Timothy 2:3


The same Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:27 said that our light affliction which is for a moment, works for us a far more, exceeding, eternal weight of glory. 


In verse 16, he encouraged us not to faint, although the sun scorches us and our roots seem to wobble. In his letter to the Ephesians, he said, 'Having done all to stand, stand therefore...' Ephesians 6:13


This goes to give a premonition that situations will rise to challenge the Word of God you have received. Then your faith in the Word will make you unmovable.


The challenges wants you to let go of the Word, so that you will lose the fruits of the Word. Do not be offended by the Word. Endure and still keep the Word.


You may look foolish before others as you act out your faith, but keep on. He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. Endure. Keep on holding on. Remain blessed.

 

#GoodlifeWrites

Comments

Post a Comment

Posts most visitors viewed

PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

Jesus teaches on forgiveness “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, who took account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26) The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all'. 27 Then the Lord of the servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28) But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence. He laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me that thou owest’. And his servant fell down at his feet, and besought him saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all’. 30) And he would not listen, but went and cast him into prison till he would ...

PARABLE OF THE TWO WORSHIPPERS

(The story of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee) a. “ And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. b. "Two men went up into the temple to pray. One, a Pharisee and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in a week, I give tithes of all that I possess’. c. “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heavens, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner’. d. 'I tell you', Jesus continued, 'This man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18: 9 – 14) Do not Trust in Yourself/Your Works Jesus shared this particular parable because he wanted to cor...

UNITY AND TOGETHERNESS

The scriptural guide to a peaceful coexistence " I say to all of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and each one of you judge him according to the amount of faith that God has given him. (Verse 3) " Love one another warmly as brothers in Christ and be eager to show respect to one another . (Verse 10)  " Show the same spirit towards all alike. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourself as wise. If someone does evil to you, do not pay him back with evil. Try to do what all men consider to be good and honest. (Verse 16-17). " Do everything possible on your path to live at peace with all men. Never take revenge my friends, instead let God's wrath do it. For the scripture says, 'I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.' " (Romans 12:3, 10, 16 - 19) This is God's Way; It May Not be Popular    The recommendations promoted in this article may not s...

PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

Jesus' lessons on covetousness, greed and giving " And he spoke a parable unto them saying, 'The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he (the rich man) thought to himself saying, 'What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?' And he said,  'This I will do: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 'And this I will say to my soul (the rich man continued), 'Soul, thou has much goods laid up for many years. Take thy ease, eat, drink, and be merry.'  "But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night, thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou has gathered?' So is he that lay up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God." (Luke 12:16-21) The Story    Something led to this parable being shared. Someone in the congregation Jesus taught brought a petition: 'Master, speak to m...

NOT JUST A GOD, BUT A FATHER (1)

“And Jesus said, 'As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then your Father in heaven will give you good things to those who ask him!' ” (Matthew 7: 11) Parents Care   Have you seen a mother monkey bear hee young on her shoulder at her bosom? Such a lovely view!  I remember watching a monkey dragging her baby with a crocodile who violently pulled the baby into the water. After a long struggle, the monkey won. She took the baby, but unfortunately, the baby died. However, the monkey was partly satisfied that she returned with her kid. She kept her down, cleaned the stains and blood from her skin and patted with her hands in a bid to revive the baby, but to no avail. For a long time, she sat there with the baby. She had done her very best. She cared. How Much More the Father of Us All   That is an example of a mother monkey, demonstrating so much concern for her young in danger. All around you, you notice how c...

I AM HE

Revealing the person of Jesus “ The woman said unto Him, ‘I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ. When He comes, he will teach us all things’. Jesus said unto her, ‘I that talk to thee, I am he’. ” (John 4:25 – 26) Are You Expecting a Saviour? At this time, the Jewish community had always expected a messiah, a sort of saviour who would save them from the grip of their tax masters. The prophesy common among the Jews then was that the Messiah will establish the kingdom of God, thereby nullifying the oppressive government. The Samaritan woman also anticipated this messiah. I am He πŸ‘€ Right beside this woman, was the very Messiah she and the rest of the people were waiting for, but she never knew. Right beside her was the living water, but she never recognized.   Remember, in the early verses of this text, Jesus had told this woman that if she gave him a drink, he would give her water that she would no longer thirst. Yes, Jesus is the living ...

Injured Conscience

In 2019, I wrote on Paul's counsel to the Roman churches concerning their dealings with one another, especially the new converts. The early church was blessed with multitude of converts. Their spirits had been saved, but their minds had to gradually undergo RENEWAL, and that would be achieved through teachings and love. Teaching, because as these converts fellowship with the believers, they learn the ways of God, and the doctrines of their new faith. It would take a gradual process for them to DECONSTRUCT the old doctrines in their hearts and ADAPT to the new things they were learning. Since they were religious and conscientious people, intolerance was easily found in their dealings with the converts. Paul advised, 'Him that is weak in faith, receive ye, but not to doubtful disputation.' Romans 14:1 This means they should avoid unnecessary arguement with believers who shared variant perspective on religious issues.  If you know better, Paul advised that you should treat th...

Sister Hannah

Woman of faith. You see, you're wearing the same kind of faith Hannah wore before Samuel came? I'm spite how challenging, you never show it. Your in-laws' antagonism notwithstanding you're standing strong. I need not remind you that you are more than a conqueror! πŸ’ͺ I love your support to the Children Care Foundation to carter for the orphans. I remember you started that long before you got married. πŸ’™πŸ’™ God is a Rewarder, remember? Hanny, don't count the years, count God's faithfulness. Remember the testimony of Madam Uwah I told you of? God showered her with five! In three years! The first pregnancy was triplet, the second duplet. After 11 years of waiting. πŸ™Œ πŸ™Œ She's taken in again.. Hehe.. Now prayers has started. God abeg, not again... πŸ˜„ But that's the God of restoration a work! πŸ™ŒπŸ™Œ Hanny, I thank God for preserving your home. I keep praying for you and your husband. I love the way you care for the maid as your child, that's so kind of ...