Today we continue our series entitled, “Expecting the Word to Work!” This is part 48.
We have been studying the parable of the sower for months. In this parable Jesus talks about a sower who planted seed into four different types of soil. For the past few days I have been talking to you about managing your expectations while you are waiting on God to do what He said He would do. Today we will continue to flow in that vein.
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)
So what does this mean to you today? I have a few things I want to share with you about this. The more I meditate this thought, the more God speaks to me about it. Please open up your heart to receive.
- In this parable Jesus does not put the emphasis on the seed (which is the Word). He actually puts the emphasis on the soil (that represents us). The power to produce is in every seed sown. However, each soil must receive the Word and then HOLD ON to the Word LONG ENOUGH for it to produce.
- If you do not properly manage your expectations, the anticipation you have for manifestation of God’s promises can crossover into anxiety. One day you are excited about God doing what He said He would do. But the next day — because God did not do what you expected WHEN you expected it — you get frustrated, stressed out and disappointed with God to the point where you feel like your life is out of control. Don’t let this happen to you. Manage your expectations correctly.
- Every believer wants strong faith, but many fail to properly understand how to measure its strength. The strength of your faith is not in HOW BIG you can believe God, it’s in HOW LONG we you believe God! After Peter walked on water Jesus said he had little faith. Jesus did not say this because Peter’s faith was weak. The man actually walked on water. Jesus said it because Peter’s faith was SHORT. He only had a short-burst of faith. Anyone can believe God for a few steps. God is looking for you to believe Him for the long haul!
- The issue with the rocky ground people is that they GIVE UP on what God said just because trouble and persecution came BEFORE the harvest. They were okay with what God said. They got excited about the thought of harvest. However, they were not prepared for the storms they were required to ride-out before the harvest came due.
- It’s okay to get excited about a promise, but you must also be prepared for the processing you will have to undergo before God releases the size of blessing He promised. When you are in the middle of the challenges you are facing BECAUSE of the Word God spoke over your life, take the opportunity to encourage yourself. Look in the mirror and say, “You are not being punished! You are being processed!”
- If you cannot overcome the pressure you must endure in the space between the promise and the performance, you are not qualified to experience the harvest from the seed God planted in your heart.
- If you have an expectation of the promise, you must also have an expectation of the processing you will have to endure to get ready for it. So manage your expectations correctly. The size of the harvest God promised should give you an indication of the amount of processing you will be required to endure before you SEE IT come to pass!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is tied to Your Word. I know You will do what You said You would do in my life. But I also know I must be processed to be able to carry the weight of the anointing associated with the assignment. I am NOT being punished. I am being processed and I am open to it. I ride out the storm. I hold on long enough to experience the harvest You promised. I am able to do this because I manage my expectations correctly. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
