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.
Jesus described three types of weeds in the thorny ground: the cares of this world, the love of money, and everything else people want. I covered the first two earlier in this series. Today we will look at the third. The King James Version calls it a “lust for other things.” As I prayed over what to share with you this morning, the Father led me to discuss the fear of losing out.
It’s essential to remember that obeying God’s teachings is of the utmost importance, especially when it doesn’t align with our personal desires. Many people tend to disregard or disobey God’s instructions because they fear missing out on something they crave. However, this approach prioritizes our own desires over God’s plans, which is a mistake. Choosing God’s will over selfish desires is a major key to becoming the man/woman you are called to be. You must be committed to obeying God, even when it is difficult or less gratifying in the short term. Ultimately, following God’s path will always be better than choosing the selfish route. In the long term, the only way to truly lose out is by choosing self over God!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. If you know what the Bible says about something, but then choose to disobey it in pursuit of a selfish desire, you are placing self over God, pride over purpose, and temporary over eternal. Guess what? In the end, you will have to reap the harvest of your shortsighted decision.
2. Walking with God often means taking the “long view” in life. Living a life pleasing to God may cause you to avoid shortcuts, deny yourself quick and ill-gotten gains, and choose hard decisions that build character over easy ones that eat away at it. But in the long run, living this way will produce a life that is fulfilling, rewarding, and life-producing, both for you and for all those who come in contact with you.
3. You are never “losing out” when you choose God’s will over a selfish or worldly desire. When it is all said and done, choosing the hard right will always prove greater than the easy (or selfish) wrong.
4. Sacrifice is a seed! Anything you sincerely sacrifice for God (placing His will above your own) becomes a seed that will produce a Godly harvest.
5. God will never be in debt to you! Don’t ever think you are losing out when you are placing God first. Whatever you give up for God will become a seed, and He will see that you reap a harvest on every seed sown!
6. You cannot ever lose [anything] by choosing God and giving Him first place in your life. Trust in God’s faithfulness. Develop an unshakable confidence in His promises and plans for your life. You must get to the point where you can rest in the assurance that every step taken in obedience to His Word will lead to blessings beyond measure.
7. Don’t fear losing out. What God has waiting for you on the other side of your obedience is His best. His best will always be greater than anything you would have ever come up with on your own. Simply put, God’s plans are better than yours! God ensures that decisions aligning with His will bear fruit beyond our expectations.
8. The fear of losing (or missing) out often stems from a lack of contentment in God’s provision. Learning to be content in God (and His plans) empowers us to see His blessings in every circumstance, eradicating any desire to chase temporary pleasures.
9. There is freedom in surrender! Surrendering our desires to God brings freedom and peace. Let go of the need to control outcomes and entrust your life fully into His capable hands. God is the one who controls outcomes!
10. God’s love and grace are amazing. God loves us so much that He does not require us to be perfect. He knows we will make mistakes, and He called us anyway! So even when we have fallen prey to fear-driven decisions, God’s redeeming love can turn our mistakes into opportunities for growth and blessings. If this point applies to you this morning, and you know you have messed up, please don’t remain in error. Repent now! Ask God to forgive you. Forgive yourself. And then open your heart to what God has for you next. You will find that God’s grace made space for your mistakes and will STILL bless you, despite your flaws and failures. That, my friends, is what we call #TheGraceLife!
11. Don’t fear losing out. The only way you can lose is if you remain stuck in your stubbornness. Repent. Open your heart to God. Choose His will over your selfishness, and you will find God’s blessing waiting for you on the other side of your repentance!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I choose Your will over selfish desires.
I trust in Your abundant provision and walk the path You’ve set before me.
With a “long view” of life, I embrace choices that build character and lead to a fulfilling life in You.
I know that obeying You means I never lose; the sacrifices I make become seeds for divine harvests in Your perfect timing.
Father, I rest in Your faithfulness, finding blessings beyond measure as I walk in obedience to Your Word.
In surrender to You, I experience true freedom and peace, knowing that You are in control of all outcomes! You have the final say in my life!
You are moving pieces around the chess board for me. Therefore, even when I don’t understand what You are doing, I choose obedience over certainty.
Your love and grace redeem my mistakes, turning them into opportunities for growth and blessings.
With Your strength, I fearlessly pursue Your best for me, content in Your provision and rejecting temporary pleasures.
I choose the hard right over the easy wrong, anchored in Your promises and guided by Your Spirit.
Placing You first ensures I am never in lack; You provide abundantly for all my needs.
Today, I release stubbornness. I am quick to repent. I follow Your path, and I walk into the future You planned for me! This is a future filled with Your divine blessings.
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!
