This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
We have been looking at “The Mother of All Parables.” Let’s get back to it today. Jesus said:
(Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
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.
We have been looking at the rocky ground.
Jesus identifies three issues with these types of people:
(1) They do not allow the Word of God to go deep into their lives.
(2) They keep it only for a short time.
(3) As soon as trouble or persecution comes (because of the Word), they are quick to give up!
Today I will focus on the words, “They keep it only for a short time.”
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. God plants His Word in your heart as a long-term investment.
— Jesus said believers, like rocky ground, only keep the Word of God for a short time. This was not a compliment. This means Jesus expects us to keep God’s Word down in our hearts for the long haul. Let me ask you: is that your attitude toward the Word? Do you receive a Word from God as something to hold on to for an enduring change, or do you see it as something for the moment?
— Many people get excited by a Word they receive from God in church, but unfortunately, they can’t remember what God said the next day.
— God does not give you a Word for entertainment. He gives it to you to produce a supernatural change in your life. Don’t see the church as a place to get entertained. See church as a place to get changed.
— If you retain, remember, and rehearse the Word God sows in your heart, you will be rewarded. It will produce a life-changing harvest IN YOU and FROM YOU. But this will only happen if you endure with the Word. To be clear, the Word endures. The Word works. But many believers fail to endure along with it. As a result, they give up before harvest time. Don’t let this be you!
— Don’t allow the Word God spoke to you to fall off you like water falling off a duck’s back. The God of the Universe loved you enough to speak to you. Don’t be causal with God or His Word. Honor Him enough to cherish what He says, obey what He commands, and follow where He leads.
2. The Word will endure, but will you endure with the Word?
— Jesus said, “The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.” (Mat 24:35). The Word of God is infallible, immutable, inexhaustible, and supernatural. When you meditate and medicate on God’s Word day and night, you position yourself to think like God, to represent Him on the earth, and to experience His best.
— The Word of God works. The question is: Will you work the Word?
— Keep your mind fixed and focused on God and His Word. This way, you will not be swayed by opposition or dismayed by current events. Remember, trouble will come. The Word of God will even attract it. But you don’t have to be troubled by trouble!
— God wants you to endure, persevere, persist, and stand firm, knowing that the Word of God will produce in your life. It will happen at just the right time! (Ecc 3:1).
3. Enduring with the Word of God is your key to transformation and the manifestation of God’s promises.
— Recognize that God’s Word was not given to you for your entertainment. It’s not just a “good book” to read. It is God’s Word. His Words are alive within the pages. It is a divine tool for producing a supernatural change in your life. Embrace the Word as a catalyst for transformation rather than a temporary source of inspiration.
— Avoid allowing the Word to slip from your memory. Cultivate a habit of retaining, remembering, and rehearsing the Word of God. Meditate on it day and night, allowing it to take root in your heart and shape your thinking and actions.
— Honor God by cherishing His Word, obeying His commands, and following His leading. Let your love for God and His Word be evident in your obedience. Embrace the principles and truths found in the Word, aligning your choices and actions with its teachings. When you live in accordance with God’s Word, you create an environment for transformation and become a living testimony of His power and faithfulness.
— Stay committed to the Word, even in the face of challenges or opposition. Refuse to waver in your faith, knowing God’s promises are true and unchanging. Hold fast to the Word, knowing that what God said will come to pass in your life at just the right time!
4. The Word of God will never change, but if you meditate on it, it will change YOU!
— Understand that the Word of God is unshakable and everlasting, surpassing the transient nature of the world. Meditating and meditating on God’s Word positions you to think like Him, represent Him on the earth, and experience His best.
— Realize that the Word of God is not passive but active. It requires your participation and engagement. To see its power manifested in your life, you must actively work the Word through obedience and alignment with its principles and truths.
— You will be amazed at what you can endure and overcome when you fix your heart and mind on God’s Word. When you meditate and medicate on God’s Word day and night, you will be unswayed and even unbothered by the opposition that is drawn by your purpose. Your faith will empower you to rise above circumstances and walk in victory.
5. Walking in the Word: holding on long enough to see what God said.
— Recognize that the Word of God is effective and powerful, capable of producing tangible results in your life. Your role is to align your thoughts, words, actions, decisions, and behaviors with the principles and truths of the Word. And you must keep doing this until you see what God said. You must never give up on God or His promises to you.
— Walk in faith and confidence, knowing that every Word God has spoken over you SHALL come to pass in the fulness of His timing.
— It’s only a matter of time before you SEE (in your hands) what God SAID (in your heart), but you cannot give up!
— The only way you can lose is if you quit. But if you keep coming back to Today’s Word, I will not let you quit. Say this, “THERE IS “NO QUIT” IN ME!“
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I acknowledge that Your Word is not mere entertainment but a divine tool for transforming my life. I embrace Your Word as a catalyst for enduring change, not just a temporary source of inspiration.
I commit to retaining, remembering, and rehearsing Your Word. I meditate on it day and night, allowing it to shape my thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
I honor You by cherishing Your Word, obeying Your commands, and following Your leading.
I remain steadfast in Your Word, refusing to waver in my faith, even in the face of challenges or opposition. I hold fast to Your unchanging promises, knowing that what You have spoken will come to pass at just the right time.
I fix my heart and mind on Your Word, remaining unswayed and unbothered by opposition drawn by my purpose. I endure and overcome, empowered by my faith, walking in victory.
I walk in Your Word, holding on long enough to see what You have spoken come to pass. I align my thoughts, words, actions, decisions, and behaviors with Your Word.
Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
