Thursday, March 28, 2013

March 28

Luke 8:4-21

New International Version (NIV)
4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“‘though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.’[a]
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 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. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand

16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
************************************
vs5-12: Do I listen casually when truth is being spoken, so that I can easily move on to the next thing, forgetting what i have heard?

vs. 13: Or, do I hide the truth in my heart, protecting it with prayer and contemplation, so that when testing comes, the truth will not be stolen?

It is just too easy in today's world,  to be consumed with our lifestyle, pursuing more and more material things, seeking more and more pleasure, so that the truth can not grow in our hearts. We don't have time for the study and perseverance that it takes for God's truth to take root in us.
But to grow in faith is EVERYTHING! No material gain will have meaning if we don't cultivate a life of faith...believing in the Lord for all that we have and all that we are.
Study the Word of God, the Bible, to find His truth.
Meditate on His Word, and let it become deeply rooted in your heart!
Knowing those Bible Truths will help you through every hard time.
and that is TRUTH you can depend on!
 

No comments: