Pulling It Together

(Matt. 13:18-23) “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.  As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

(Matt. 12:25) (ESV) Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

One of the things I do when I’m ready to study my Bible is pray to the LORD and ask Him to open my eyes to understand His word, and open my heart to receive His truths. It’s important that you understand whatever it is you’re trying to learn, because if you don’t understand it, you won’t be able to use it, or use it correctly/effectively. When we’re trying to step up, we can almost always count on the mockers, ridiculers, and those who want to jeer and jibe, and maybe even cause us harm. This is all Satan inspired and geared to cause us to give up and stay down where he wants us. The important part of this scripture is “..he has no root in himself.” Now can you see how important it is that you know who you are in Christ Jesus, and that you know you are His?! Satan tried it on Jesus, Himself, in the wilderness. Finally, it’s easy to get caught up in the glory of a victory, and forget who the glory belongs to. We can fool ourselves into believing we deserve the glory, and become “little gods unto ourselves.” It’s also very easy-and Satan will surely help you with this one, and gladly-it’s easy to get caught up in trying to win, or at least survive the rat race (the cares of the world). Pretty soon, there’s no time for the LORD/Lord. We need to pull our attitudes, thoughts, decisions, and actions all together, and in alignment with God’s will and word on whatever it is we’re trying to overcome, or trying to accomplish and achieve. I can’t lose that 30 pounds if I’m eating chocolate brownies, cheeseburgers, and fries every day, and not exercising. I can’t get that Master’s degree if I’m not studying and working on the projects I need to complete to get that degree. It all has to line up together; so we need to be vigilant and nip those attitudes and doubts, and anything else that would trip us up, in the bud.

The last part of this parable gives us a revelation about thirty, sixty, and hundredfold. You’re not always going to be the absolute best in the whole world. (That’s the wrong goal anyway, though. You’re supposed to be the best you can be.) You’re not always going to get it as fast as someone else gets it. But every gain you get leaves you a little broader base to work from on your way to the next level. (2Cor. 3:18)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, August 21, 2022, 12:47 p.m.