Trouble and Persecution

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)

We have been focused on the rocky ground.  This soil represents 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 the message a few days ago 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.

1.  The Word of God attracts trouble.

a)  Here is the definition of “trouble” from Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (1828 edition): To agitate; to disturb; to perplex; to put into confused motion.

b)  When God sows His Word in your heart, the Bible says trouble will come BECAUSE of it.  Satan will do all he can to agitate, disturb, perplex, and confuse you.  Satan does this because he knows that if you FOCUS on that Word, if you meditate and medicate on it day and night, it will change your life from the inside-out.

c)  Satan is powerless against God and His Word.  Satan knows he cannot stop the power of the Word of God.  But if he can trouble you long enough to get you agitated, irritated, and disturbed, he knows he can cause you to lose your FOCUS and without focus you run the risk of derailing yourself from your destiny.

2.  The Word of God attracts persecution.

a)  Here is the definition of “persecution” from Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (1828 edition): Severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations; the infliction of pain, punishment or death upon others unjustly, particularly for adhering to a religious creed or mode of worship, either by way of penalty or for compelling them to renounce their principles.

b)  Satan knows that if you receive a Word from God and you stand on that Word, the Word will produce Godly change IN you and then Godly fruit FROM you.  This is why he puts pressure on you to give up while you are standing.  And this is why God tells you, “Having done all, STAND!”  And when you feel like you can’t keep going, the Holy Spirit will say, “Keep STANDING for I am STANDING with you!”

c)  The three Hebrews boys were persecuted for what they believed.  The heat in the furnace was cranked up 7X hotter than normal.  Level 1 fire was enough to kill them.  Cranking the heat up to Level 8 was not going to change anything.  But this is exactly what satan does.  He will crank up the heat on you, putting pressure on you, hoping you will give up, cave in, and quit.  But like the Hebrew boys, refuse to give up.  Even if you get thrown into the fire, we serve a God who will GET IN THE FIRE WITH YOU!

d)  Don’t allow any pressure or persecution from the enemy to cause you to lose your focus!  You shall reap… if you don’t give up!

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 understand how the purpose and potential You placed IN me, along with the purpose and potential found in Your Word, will attract trouble and persecution.  That’s okay.  I shall not be moved.  I shall not be shaken.  I shall not be swayed.  I keep my heart and my mind fixed and focused on You.  Even if the devil cranks up the heat on me, even if he intensifies the pressure, I refuse to quit.  I am focused and I will remain that way all the days of my life!  No devil, demon or demonic influence can derail me from my destiny!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.