Today we continue our series entitled, “Expecting the Word to Work!” This is part 23.
We have been studying the parable of the sower for over a month now. Within this study we have looked at the first two types of soil and we are looking at the third: thorny weeds. Let’s get back to it this morning. Jesus said:
“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.” (Mark 4:18,19)
In this parable Jesus teaches us to receive His Word and to allow it be settled in our hearts. God’s Word is settled in heaven, but if it is going to produce in our lives, it must be settled in our hearts. One of the issues that competes with the Word, especially as it relates to being settled or having peace, is the issue of money. Jesus said plainly that the love the money competes with the Word. If your heart is focused on money, it is because you are not at rest in your heart concerning God and His commitment to provide for you. For the next few days we will discuss a topic that is uncomfortable for some believers: money.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. For the Word to work in your life your heart needs to be at rest. When you enter into God’s rest concerning any area of your life, you are showing God that you believe what He said, that you believe He will do what He said He will do. This is called faith. The greatest form of faith is rest. When you are truly in-faith you are not concerned, you know God will make His Word good, so you don’t take on any care concerning the situation. You know the issue is settled in heaven and it is only a matter of time before it is settled in the earth. This is who we are supposed to live. This is the life of faith.
2. If you want to maximize your purpose and potential, you must get to the point where you enter God’s rest where money is concerned.
3. If your heart is open to take on care, fear, doubt or unbelief concerning money, then the anxiety will keep you out-of-faith. When you are in-faith concerning your finances, you know God is your source, you have peace, you have entered God’s rest, and the issue of money is settled in your heart.
4. You must get to the point where you are convinced that God is your source.
a) The day you get to the point where you are truly convinced that God is your source, you will be at rest where money is concerned. Once you are there, the key is staying there. You must never allow anything or anyone to sway you from that position.
b) Everything you need for your divine assignment has already been provided. God prepared for your arrival.
c) God called you to His divine purpose, and along with the purpose, God already stored up everything you will ever need to get it done.
d) When you are pursuing money instead of pursuing God, it is because you don’t trust God where your finances are concerned.
e) You will never enter into rest where money is concerned until you believe what God believes about your provision.
f) When you know God is your source and you believe He already prepared everything you will need for your success, you are not concerned about money. God has millions of ways to get you millions of dollars. Keep your focus, trust and confidence in Him.
We will discuss this further in the days to come.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is tied to Your Word and Your Word teaches me that You are my source! So I choose to pursue You instead of pursuing things. When I pursue You over things, You see to it that things wind up pursuing me. You are my source. You are my supply. I never have a fear of running out. I have faith in running over! Everything I need has already been prepared for me. You bless me abundantly. You give me all things richly to enjoy. I declare: money is not an issue for me. I enter into Your rest where my money is concerned. You bless me to give, save and spend. You give me bread for eating and seed for sowing, and I never run out! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
