This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. Last week I introduced you to the parable of the sower. Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.” (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
Yesterday we started looking at the rocky ground. These are the people who, as Jesus said, “Hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.” In yesterday’s message I said, “The boundless potential found in the Word of God actually attracts opposition. Satan wants to stop you before you tap into the potential of the Word sown in your heart. So when the Word comes, get ready, because trouble and persecution will come BECAUSE of the Word.” I will further elaborate on that thought today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The potential found in the Word of God is boundless and supernatural. God’s Word can, without question, change your life forever.
- God goes out of His way to sow His Word into your heart, because He knows the power His Word contains. One Word from God can change your situation.
- Satan knows the supernatural power contained in God’s Word. So when God’s Word is sown in your heart, the Bible says he comes immediately to attempt to snatch it away. The supernatural potential contained in the Word of God actually attracts opposition from satan.
- In general, when satan comes after you he is not actually concerned with you, per se. He is attacking the purpose God placed IN you. Satan wants to stifle you before you maximize your purpose and potential in the earth. He doesn’t care if you go to church on Sunday or sing songs throughout the week. What scares him is when you actually attempt to maximize your purpose, to the extent that you cooperate with God, so God can change the world through you. That’s what concerns satan. In like manner, when God sows His Word in your heart, satan comes after the Word. He is not after you, per se, He is after the Word, because he knows what can happen if God’s Word is allowed to produce in your life.
- Jesus taught us to grow by receiving and responding to God’s Word. Jesus put a premium on hearing from God and living by every Word you can see, hear and understand. But Jesus also explained that trouble and persecution will come, BECAUSE of the Word. Satan will do all he can to cause you to give up on God, and the Word you received from Him, BEFORE that Word produces in your life. Satan knows he cannot stop God, nor can he stop the power of the Word. But satan can attempt to get you frustrated. If you get frustrated and give up BEFORE harvest time, then you basically stopped yourself. Satan can’t stop you, but YOU can stop YOU! The only way you can lose is if you quit.
We will discuss this further tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by giving careful attention to Your Word. I meditate and medicate on Your Word day and night. I allow Your Word to produce in my life. I cooperate with You, so You can freely operate in me. I keep my eyes, my heart, and my mind fixed and focused on You. I refuse to give up, cave in, or quit. I will remain focused every day of my life, and as I do, You are able to change the world through me! As You are working through me I am unstoppable! When You are flowing through me, stopping me would mean stopping You and You cannot be stopped! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
