Introduction
========= ~ Mark 4:3-8 ~ "Hearken; behold, there went out a sower sow: and it came pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprung up, bcoz it had no depth of earth: but when the sun was up, it was scorched: bcoz it had no root, it withered away. Some fell among thorns, the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded not fruit. And others fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some 30, some 60, and some 100."
REASON #23- SOME DO NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD SOIL AND BAD SOIL.
The quality of the soil affects the SEED.
That is why Jesus never invested time in debating w/Pharisees. He was the Son of God. He knew it. It was their responsibility 2 discern it. He knew they were "fools and blind" (Matthew 23:17).
Yet, He took time 2 go home w/the tax collector, Zacchaeus. U C, He discerned soil worthy of His attention and time.
Two thieves were crucified beside Christ. One received mercy. One did not. Why? The thief who believed in the Divinity of Jesus reached out. Jesus responded. Both thieves had needs. Both needed the miracle of salvation. But, Jesus took the time 2 respond 2 the one who reached out--the good soil.
Jesus taught the importance of observing the quality of the soil. "Hearken; behold, there went out a sower 2 sow: And it came 2 pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground where it ad not much earth; and immediately it sprung up, bcoz it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and bcoz it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
"I feel so sorry 4 them. They are out of jobs. They need money. They are really going thru a great financial trial at this time," she said tearfully. "So, what does he do everyday at your home?" "Well, they usually sleep in until 10:00 or so. Then, they watch TV. They are waiting 4 doors open," she explained.
"Does your daughter prepare your food while u are at work every day?" I asked. "Oh no, She does not like 2 cook!" "Does your son-in-law wash your dishes, clean your house, or has he waxed your car, mowed the grass while u are gone 2 work these days?"
"Well, he is kind of depressed right now. He really does not feel like working. And, I hate 2 ask him anyway," was her reply.
I showed her in the Scripture the commandments that Paul wrote the church at Thessalonica. "For even when we were w/u, this we commanded u, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (II Thessalonians 3:10). He called those who did not work 'disorderly' (II Thessalonians 3:11).
The Apostle Paul instructed us 2 avoid having any fellowship w/those who refuse 2b productive. "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company w/him, that he may be ashamed" (II Thessalonians 3:14).
Now, a lazy person is not necessarily your enemy. But, his unproductivity is 2b noted, confronted, addressed and penalized (II Thessalonians 3:15).
That is unproductive soil.
Refuse 2 sow SEED into a church that is against financial blessing. Why would I support any ministry that is in direct rebellion 2 the Laws of provision according 2 Scripture?
Refuse 2 sow SEED into someone who refuses 2 work when doors open. "Well, Mike, I am out of work." Well, u might want 2 define that little differently, since God has only promised 2 'bless all the work of thine hand" (Deuteronomy 28:12). U C, u can find work. Anybody can find some kind of work. It may not pay $40 an hour at first. It may not be the easiest thing u have ever done. But, work is everywhere u look in life.
Refuse 2 sow SEED in someone who is unteachable. "I really need help. We cannot pay our bills. Can u help us at this time?" one of my relatives asked me rather boldly one day.
"Let's sit down. I want 2 review your finances w/u," I replied. "Give me a list of what u owe. Show me what u are doing 2 earn money. I am going 2 give u some advice, and if u will follow this advice, I will consider investing in u."
He did not have the time. Think about it! He did not have enough desire 2 prosper 2 even provide me a list of his bills and enter into a counseling session w/me. He was unqualified 2 receive any SEED. That is bad soil. "Poverty and shame shall be 2 him that refuseth instruction: but the that regardeth reproof shall be honoured" (Proverbs 13:18).
Look 4 good soil continually. Now, there are many people near u that are good soil. Hundreds of ministries deserve your best SEED sowing. Look around u. Evaluate. Observe those who are productive around u. Boaz did this when he saw Ruth, he instructed servants 2 make it easier 4 her 2 secure a harvest, "handfuls on purpose."
I love 2 sow SEED in young ministers. U C, they are emptying their lives into the gospel. Some have left good jobs and promise of fortune 2 help broken lives become healed. They do not have the rewards of momentum. Great reputations have not yet been established. I believe this produces great fruit.
I love 2 send money 2 ministers who are spreading this gospel of provision and prosperity. I know their warfare. They are despised by the world, misunderstood by the church, and fought by those who do not understand t he message of prosperity. So, I want 2 provide them SEED 2 keep this message of supernatural harvest accessible 2 the hurting.
I love sow SEED in proven ministries. They have fought a good fight. They have kept the faith. They have endured. Endurance should be honored.
"Mike, every time I plant a SEED in your ministry something happens in my ministry." a minister explained recently. Well, I really appreciated his statement, but I felt a little embarrassed. He continued. "Mike, there really is a difference when I sow SEED in good soil. It seems that my harvest comes quickly, w/great excellence, and I feel at peace about my SEED sowing."
Sow SEED into those who have helped u.
Sow SEED into those who have given u wise counsel and correction.
Sow SEED into the lives of those who have stayed loyal and faithful.
Sow SEED into those who are willing 2 labor, toil and empty their life our 4 the cause of the gospel. "And let us not be weary in well doing: 4 in due Season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).
Many are not carefully choosing the soil where they sow their SEED. That is one of the reasons they will never reap the 100-fold return God would like 4 them 2 experience.
Let us pray:
"Father, where should I be sowing? Reveal the soil that will produce. Show me... I will not waste my SEED on unproductive soil. In Jesus Name. Amen."
========= ~ Mark 4:3-8 ~ "Hearken; behold, there went out a sower sow: and it came pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprung up, bcoz it had no depth of earth: but when the sun was up, it was scorched: bcoz it had no root, it withered away. Some fell among thorns, the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded not fruit. And others fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some 30, some 60, and some 100."
The quality of the soil affects the SEED.
That is why Jesus never invested time in debating w/Pharisees. He was the Son of God. He knew it. It was their responsibility 2 discern it. He knew they were "fools and blind" (Matthew 23:17).
Yet, He took time 2 go home w/the tax collector, Zacchaeus. U C, He discerned soil worthy of His attention and time.
Two thieves were crucified beside Christ. One received mercy. One did not. Why? The thief who believed in the Divinity of Jesus reached out. Jesus responded. Both thieves had needs. Both needed the miracle of salvation. But, Jesus took the time 2 respond 2 the one who reached out--the good soil.
Jesus taught the importance of observing the quality of the soil. "Hearken; behold, there went out a sower 2 sow: And it came 2 pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground where it ad not much earth; and immediately it sprung up, bcoz it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and bcoz it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
And others fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some 30, and some 60, and some an 100" (Mark 4:3-8).
Refuse 2 sow SEED into a non-giver. My treasured friend, Mack Timberlake, taught me this. Suppose u have a son-in-law that needs financial help. What do u do? Do u hand him money? Or, do u provide him an opportunity 2 earn it? There is a great difference. A lady approached me one night after a meeting and discussed her plight w/me. Her son-in-law and daughter had been staying w/her 4 several weeks."I feel so sorry 4 them. They are out of jobs. They need money. They are really going thru a great financial trial at this time," she said tearfully. "So, what does he do everyday at your home?" "Well, they usually sleep in until 10:00 or so. Then, they watch TV. They are waiting 4 doors open," she explained.
"Does your daughter prepare your food while u are at work every day?" I asked. "Oh no, She does not like 2 cook!" "Does your son-in-law wash your dishes, clean your house, or has he waxed your car, mowed the grass while u are gone 2 work these days?"
"Well, he is kind of depressed right now. He really does not feel like working. And, I hate 2 ask him anyway," was her reply.
I showed her in the Scripture the commandments that Paul wrote the church at Thessalonica. "For even when we were w/u, this we commanded u, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (II Thessalonians 3:10). He called those who did not work 'disorderly' (II Thessalonians 3:11).
The Apostle Paul instructed us 2 avoid having any fellowship w/those who refuse 2b productive. "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company w/him, that he may be ashamed" (II Thessalonians 3:14).
Now, a lazy person is not necessarily your enemy. But, his unproductivity is 2b noted, confronted, addressed and penalized (II Thessalonians 3:15).
That is unproductive soil.
Refuse 2 sow SEED into a church that is against financial blessing. Why would I support any ministry that is in direct rebellion 2 the Laws of provision according 2 Scripture?
Refuse 2 sow SEED into someone who refuses 2 work when doors open. "Well, Mike, I am out of work." Well, u might want 2 define that little differently, since God has only promised 2 'bless all the work of thine hand" (Deuteronomy 28:12). U C, u can find work. Anybody can find some kind of work. It may not pay $40 an hour at first. It may not be the easiest thing u have ever done. But, work is everywhere u look in life.
Refuse 2 sow SEED in someone who is unteachable. "I really need help. We cannot pay our bills. Can u help us at this time?" one of my relatives asked me rather boldly one day.
"Let's sit down. I want 2 review your finances w/u," I replied. "Give me a list of what u owe. Show me what u are doing 2 earn money. I am going 2 give u some advice, and if u will follow this advice, I will consider investing in u."
He did not have the time. Think about it! He did not have enough desire 2 prosper 2 even provide me a list of his bills and enter into a counseling session w/me. He was unqualified 2 receive any SEED. That is bad soil. "Poverty and shame shall be 2 him that refuseth instruction: but the that regardeth reproof shall be honoured" (Proverbs 13:18).
Look 4 good soil continually. Now, there are many people near u that are good soil. Hundreds of ministries deserve your best SEED sowing. Look around u. Evaluate. Observe those who are productive around u. Boaz did this when he saw Ruth, he instructed servants 2 make it easier 4 her 2 secure a harvest, "handfuls on purpose."
I love 2 sow SEED in young ministers. U C, they are emptying their lives into the gospel. Some have left good jobs and promise of fortune 2 help broken lives become healed. They do not have the rewards of momentum. Great reputations have not yet been established. I believe this produces great fruit.
I love 2 send money 2 ministers who are spreading this gospel of provision and prosperity. I know their warfare. They are despised by the world, misunderstood by the church, and fought by those who do not understand t he message of prosperity. So, I want 2 provide them SEED 2 keep this message of supernatural harvest accessible 2 the hurting.
I love sow SEED in proven ministries. They have fought a good fight. They have kept the faith. They have endured. Endurance should be honored.
"Mike, every time I plant a SEED in your ministry something happens in my ministry." a minister explained recently. Well, I really appreciated his statement, but I felt a little embarrassed. He continued. "Mike, there really is a difference when I sow SEED in good soil. It seems that my harvest comes quickly, w/great excellence, and I feel at peace about my SEED sowing."
Sow SEED into those who have helped u.
Sow SEED into those who have given u wise counsel and correction.
Sow SEED into the lives of those who have stayed loyal and faithful.
Sow SEED into those who are willing 2 labor, toil and empty their life our 4 the cause of the gospel. "And let us not be weary in well doing: 4 in due Season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).
Many are not carefully choosing the soil where they sow their SEED. That is one of the reasons they will never reap the 100-fold return God would like 4 them 2 experience.
Let us pray:
"Father, where should I be sowing? Reveal the soil that will produce. Show me... I will not waste my SEED on unproductive soil. In Jesus Name. Amen."
No comments:
Post a Comment