Today we continue our series entitled, “Expecting the Word to Work!” This is part 37.
We have been studying the parable of the sower for months. 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)
The major issue with the people Jesus likens to the thorny ground is that they have allowed their lives to become “full of other things.” God made plans for them before the world began, He sent them to the planet at just the right time, and He even set the conditions for them to walk in their purpose, but they selfishly made their lives about themselves. If you make your life about you, your desires, and the pursuits that were birthed in your heart, then you will miss out the desires and pursuits birthed in the heart of God for you.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The key to success in life is not complicated. God made plans for you before you were born. Once you are Born-Again you are in position to hear from God concerning those plans. Purpose cannot be decided, it must be discovered, because God decided before the world began. Success then, becomes a discovery of purpose and a manifestation of God’s plans through your life. It’s really that simple.
- You can never be a success outside of God’s plans. If you spent your life “successfully” becoming someone you were never supposed to be, then you never truly succeeded.
- The Word of God is designed to be the framework by which you are trained by God to walk out His plan for your life. But the Word of God will not work for you if you stubbornly live your life on your own terms. Divine power is unlocked by earthly submission.
- If you get consumed with selfish pursuits and self-centered priorities, the Word of God won’t do much for you. The power of the Word will be stifled by your commitment to your own priorities.
- The Word of God only works when the God of the Word is your LORD. If He is LORD, then it means you are not. You are not the captain of your own ship, you are not charting your own course, and you are not doing whatever you want. You are doing what you believe you LORD wants you to do.
- The commandments found in God’s Word and the instructions received directly from the Holy Spirit are NOT suggestions. God expects us to DO what He says. This is what made Jesus so successful in the earth. Jesus only said what He heard the Father say and He only did what He was led of the Father to do. His power was derived from His submission. Learn from Him.
- God gave you the right to choose. You have the freedom to make your own decisions. You can choose whatever you want. However, if you want to be successful, you will never choose self over God! When you choose self over God you are making yourself your own LORD, and you are going to have to deal with the repercussions of your decisions.
- God has given you the right to choose. You get to decide whether or not you will submit to or simply disregard God and His instructions. This freedom can either help you or hurt you. Choose wisely!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is tied to Your Word and the plans You made for me before the world began. You are my Lord. You are in charge and not me. I submit to You in all my ways. My life is about You, Your plans and Your Kingdom purposes for me. I lay my life down as a sacrifice. Jesus died for me. His death was my death. So His life is now my life! I place divinity over humanity daily. As I do, You are free to live IN and THROUGH me. As Jesus is, so am I, in this world! Because You are my LORD! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
