Deep Roots, Bountiful Harvest
My dearest friend’s husband died Saturday night after a long illness. He was a unique, amazing, godly man. It seems trite to say “he will be missed by all who knew him” but you couldn’t know Michael without being won over by his wit and slightly warped sense of humor. He planted many seeds and God used him to reaped a bountiful harvest. He’s lying his crowns at the feet of Jesus.
Then he told
them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his
seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the
birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places…when the sun came up,
the plants were scorched, and they withered. Other seed fell among thorns,
which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil,
where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:3-9
them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his
seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the
birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places…when the sun came up,
the plants were scorched, and they withered. Other seed fell among thorns,
which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil,
where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:3-9
“The enemy will
attempt to uproot, choke, and scorch our budding understanding of our infinite
potential in Christ and our inestimable worth in His eyes.” Crash the
Chatterbox by Steven Furtick
attempt to uproot, choke, and scorch our budding understanding of our infinite
potential in Christ and our inestimable worth in His eyes.” Crash the
Chatterbox by Steven Furtick
Do you see the
correlation between Steven’s words and Jesus’ parable? Steven reminds us that,
even as believers, Satan uses the same old tricks to cripple our security, joy,
and service.
correlation between Steven’s words and Jesus’ parable? Steven reminds us that,
even as believers, Satan uses the same old tricks to cripple our security, joy,
and service.
UPROOT: The birds came and ate it up. Have you ever doubted how much God loves
you?
you?
Too often, I
listen to Satan’s lies:
listen to Satan’s lies:
- “Look at you!
God can’t love you.” He yanks up my peace. - “Are you sure
you’re God’s child?” Out goes my confidence. - “That’s the
last straw! You just sinned once too many!” He tears out my security.
When we run to
God’s Word, He strengthens the roots of our faith:
God’s Word, He strengthens the roots of our faith:
How great is the love the Father has
lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we
are! 1 John 3:1
lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we
are! 1 John 3:1
“I [Jesus] tell you the truth, whoever
hears my work and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life.”
John 5:24 (Emphasis mine.)
hears my work and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life.”
John 5:24 (Emphasis mine.)
SCORCH: the plants were scorched, and they withered. Do you doubt God’s healing presence?
Why is it so
easy to let the enemy singe our joy and thankfulness?
easy to let the enemy singe our joy and thankfulness?
- “This sorrow will soak into your bones and
never leave.” - “Things will
never be any better. God doesn’t care.”
Let God’s Word
blow cool, fresh truth through your heart and mind:
May the God of hope fill you with all
joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
CHOKE:
thorns…grew up and choked the plants. Fears, worries, confusion – Satan assaults our minds with these
to choke our service.
thorns…grew up and choked the plants. Fears, worries, confusion – Satan assaults our minds with these
to choke our service.
- “You aren’t
good enough – God can’t use you!” - “You might as
well not even try. You’ll only fail.”
Let God’s truth
free you: His grace works within you and He will never fail! You are cleansed
and perfected in Jesus.
free you: His grace works within you and He will never fail! You are cleansed
and perfected in Jesus.
How much more, then, will the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the
living God! Hebrews 9:15
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the
living God! Hebrews 9:15
ABOUNDING HARVEST: Seed fell on
good soil, where it produced a crop. Jesus’ words
end with such power and strength for us. Satan might throw doubt, fear, and
accusation our way but God’s grace will flow through us to produce an amazing
harvest. In His love we flourish and bear fruit.
good soil, where it produced a crop. Jesus’ words
end with such power and strength for us. Satan might throw doubt, fear, and
accusation our way but God’s grace will flow through us to produce an amazing
harvest. In His love we flourish and bear fruit.
And God is able to make all grace abound
to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will
abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will
abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Grow in His
Love.
Love.
Rejoice in His sweet hope.
Abound in
His service.
His service.
Get in on the conversation
4 Comments
Hi, I am Sherry Carter. Nice to meet you!
The Conversation
Sorry for your loss, Sherry. May we all have such great testimonies of faith when it's time for us to go home!
Thank you, Mary. We've felt everyone's prayers.
Amazing article! I needed to read these words right now. Thank you for reminding me what God says is truth and what satan says is lies.
When I write something like this, it's always because I need to hear it! I love you!!