This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing to walk through the parable of the sower. 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)
For days we have been dealing with the “the worries of this life”, or “the cares of this world.” Yesterday I shared message with you that highlighted Mark 4:26-29, where we learned that the Word sown in our hearts will work, night and day, whether we are up or sleeping. The Word is always working to produce a harvest, whether we understand how it is working or not, just as long as we don’t actively work against it. When we worry, doubt God, or take on the cares of this world, we are actively working against the Word. Our cares become weeds that grow alongside the seed of the Word and these weeds run the risk of choking out the Word. This is why entering into God’s rest is so important. Let’s close out the week with a message focused on God’s rest.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The writer of Hebrews told us to labor to enter into God’s rest (Heb 4:11). He was teaching us that we should work hard on NOT working. The point is not to take on the pressure to perform or produce God’s will. This is not easy, because this world is programmed to put the emphasis on human ability and effort. In this world the “go-getters” will tell you that if you want something, YOU have to go out there and get it. You have to go make it happen. Under this scenario the spotlight is on YOU. In Christ the spotlight is on God. In Christ you must learn to NOT do something just because you can. You must get to the point where you are resting in God and only doing what He leads you to do.
- Resting in God is not about inactivity. Resting in God is not about doing nothing. Resting in God does not mean you are not working. Resting in God means you are working while you are resting. You are working while you are trusting. You are not working FOR grace, you are working BY grace. Living this way — doing only as you are led of the Holy Spirit — you can actually work harder and get more done, because it is not you doing it. It is the Father, living in you, He is giving you the words and He is performing the work (see John 14:10, 12).
- The highest form of faith is REST (see Heb 4:10). Truly living by faith means you have accepted God’s Word, you are resting in what He promised, and you are ONLY doing what He leads you to do. When you are this is point the Word can work in your life unhindered. The Word is free to produce a harvest, because you have not produced any weeds (the cares of this world) that are are competing with the Word.
- Don’t allow weeds to get in the way of the Word. Jesus called the cares of this world, the love of money and the lust for selfish desires weeds that can choke out the Word. You don’t have to allow weeds to grow. You can rest in God. Jesus said, “Do not allow your heart to be troubled” (John 14:1). Just like you can ALLOW your heart to be troubled, you can ALLOW your heart to rest. Faith is a choice, just like fear is a choice. You can choose to worry or you can choose to rest. God will allow whatever you allow, so make sure you choose wisely (see John 14:27).
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by meditating and medicating on Your Word day and night. I resist worry, fear, doubt and unbelief. I reject the cares of this world, the love of money and the lust for selfish desires. I trust in You, I take You at Your Word, and I enter into Your rest. I rest from my own works. I rest from my own ability. I no longer rely on human effort to bring things to pass. I work, but I work by Your grace, enabled by Your power, and enjoying You favor every step of the way. Living this way I allow Your Word to work in my life and it produces a harvest IN me, WITH me and FOR me! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
