How To Be Fruitful (4)
"The seeds...fell among...thorns." Luke 8:14 NLT
You must eliminate the weeds. In His famous parable of the sower, Jesus said the seed fell into four different kinds of soil. "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" (v. 14 NIV). Notice, three varieties of "weeds" can keep you from growing into spiritual maturity. (1) Worry. You become so preoccupied with everyday cares that you take your eyes off Jesus. (2) Riches. Making money and buying things dominates your life so much that you don't have time for the Lord. (3) Pleasure. Pursuing "the good life" can choke out your spiritual growth. It's okay to have a good time, but you need to protect your priorities. When you have time to shop, go to the beach, play golf, or spend hours watching television yet you don't have time to read your Bible and pray, your priorities are out of balance. You say, "I just don't have time to serve the Lord. I'm too busy. I don't have time to commit." Then you are too busy! You'd better do some weeding. Lots of things in life are not necessarily wrong; they are just not necessary. Maybe you need to cut back your schedule a little to remove the weeds. You have to tend your tomato plants, but you don't have to do anything to produce dandelions; they grow by themselves when you neglect your garden. Getting the idea? If the "weeds" in your life are keeping you from bearing "fruit," it's time to stop talking about it and take action.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
You must eliminate the weeds. In His famous parable of the sower, Jesus said the seed fell into four different kinds of soil. "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" (v. 14 NIV). Notice, three varieties of "weeds" can keep you from growing into spiritual maturity. (1) Worry. You become so preoccupied with everyday cares that you take your eyes off Jesus. (2) Riches. Making money and buying things dominates your life so much that you don't have time for the Lord. (3) Pleasure. Pursuing "the good life" can choke out your spiritual growth. It's okay to have a good time, but you need to protect your priorities. When you have time to shop, go to the beach, play golf, or spend hours watching television yet you don't have time to read your Bible and pray, your priorities are out of balance. You say, "I just don't have time to serve the Lord. I'm too busy. I don't have time to commit." Then you are too busy! You'd better do some weeding. Lots of things in life are not necessarily wrong; they are just not necessary. Maybe you need to cut back your schedule a little to remove the weeds. You have to tend your tomato plants, but you don't have to do anything to produce dandelions; they grow by themselves when you neglect your garden. Getting the idea? If the "weeds" in your life are keeping you from bearing "fruit," it's time to stop talking about it and take action.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
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January
This Year, Glorify God And Enjoy HimHow To Be Fruitful (1)How To Be Fruitful (2)How To Be Fruitful (3)How To Be Fruitful (4)How To Be Fruitful (5)Don't Lose Your JoyThe Pharisee And The ProstituteBecome A WorshiperPeople With A Past (1)People With A Past (2)People With A Past (3)Acknowledging God's SovereigntyDon't Let Your Feelings Control YouLearning From LepersForgive Your Parents (1)Forgive Your Parents (2)Stick With God's Plan (1)Stick With God's Plan (2)Become A ConduitHave You Sinned? God Will Forgive YouHeaven Is RealBe A Restorer (1)Be A Restorer (2)Self-ControlYoked Together With JesusLiving By FaithChoose PeaceSay No To SinBe Courageous (1)Be Courageous (2)
February
Love Wherever We GoA Humble PostureA Fresh StartThe Wonder of CreationNot for Our ComfortSweet SleepGetting What We WantSuccess and SacrificeMortality and HumilityHis Amazing HelpThe Voice of the FatherLiving by FaithNot ForgottenThe Power of LoveWe Are OneWise AdviceBeing SeenLiftSpotting GodLeaning Into GodNever Say "Can't"Love Your Loved OnesThe Challenge of the StarsFollow the LeaderAvoid the DoorPart of the FamilyThe Joy of Good NewsChoosing Celebration
March
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