Water with praise
The sower sows the word. Mark 4:14
This passage is the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds. At the beginning of Mark 4, Jesus told a parable about a farmer that went out to plant his crop. He said some of the seeds fell by the wayside. Apparently while the farmer was going to where he intended to plant his crop, some of the seed fell along the way. Some also fell on stony and rocky ground. Then some fell in the thorns and thistles. However, the only crop that produced fruit was the seed that was intentionally planted in well prepared ground. It is also important to note that the seed planted in good ground did not yield at the same rate. Some produced 30, some 60 and only some 100. What made the difference?
In today’s reading, Jesus explains the teaching on sowing seed. He starts by telling the disciples that the seed is the word. He is talking about God’s word, but I want to take it a step further and say it is God’s word of purpose on an individual’s life.
This is something the Lord showed me recently when I was going through a rough season. During that time, I felt unmotivated and uninspired to pursue the things God has called me to do. I began to question why am I doing these things, and does it even matter or make a difference in anyone’s life? The stress I was feeling from personal circumstances was pulling me down and taking over the desires of my heart. I was still spending time with God and praying about the crisis, but I was not feeling any relief or peace about any part of my life.
When I read Jesus’ explanation of the parable, I was reminded about this struggle that I had just come out of. I remembered how He had shown me that the tribulations, persecutions, cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things are all distractions of the enemy designed to knock me off course. These were working hard to get me there. Then as I was driving one day a song came on and I began to praise and worship my Father for His ability and faithfulness to take care of the distracting situation and keep me on course with Him. By the time the song was over, I was refreshed, I was renewed, and I was restored. I felt the peace of God come over me and He once again established the desire of my heart to continue in the good plans He has called me to. It was like fresh water on the dry ground of my heart. That praise turned the dryness of my life into a flowing river of joy because of the things God was doing at that time.
Today I want to encourage you to watch over the seed of God’s word of purpose for your life. Be attentive to nurture and care for the plans He has laid out for you. Don’t let the cares and concerns of problems derail you from the path of righteousness that you have been called to. Then remember to water the seed of those words regularly with praise and thanksgiving for Who He is and what He has done and is doing right now in your life. Access the areas that you feel weak in and put some extra “water” of praise and worship in those places. Soon you will see results jump from 30 – 100-fold because you did not let the distractions of life uproot you or choke your harvest before it was ready.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 4:14-25
14 The sower sows the word.
15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
The Daily Dose 