“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty” Matthew 13:18-23
As we go into a New Year, we often give considerable thought to our lives, judging whether we have met any of the specific goals we have earmarked to date. We judge our lives by financial markers, career achievement, single or married, married or divorced; whether we are parents or not, if we live in a mansion or on a yacht, a cabin or a cubbyhole; or, whether we need to gain weight or lose pounds. The list can go on forever. Only you know what your aspiration idols are. And, of course, there are those who are privately battling health issues, while just praying to live another day. We all have these aspirations; I fully understand, because, I am right there with you. However, this year, let's try something new.
In the verse above, Jesus offers the Parable of the Sower, where He teaches His disciples the various criteria that determine how followers hear, process, and apply the Word of God in their lives. The parable offers a deeper insight to those of us who are transfixed by the cares of this world and the riches thereof. —Those of us who are so overwhelmed with our desire for achievement, we cannot share the Word of God with others or follow His direction.
When you are making your resolutions and judging your life, instead of trying to figure out which aspirations you have not achieved, try to decipher where you believe you stand with God. —Not a specific standing on a particular fault, but, an overall standing. Let's ask for forgiveness based on the things we know that we've done; and, even forgiveness for the deeds we have forgotten.
Let’s not be like the imaginary tale of the man who got to heaven, only to find out that during his lifetime, he had failed to open any of the more spectacular gifts bearing his name that God had prepared just for Him.
—Custom gifts filled with countless envelopes of blessings left unclaimed; simply because, he had failed to ask for God’s direction in his life. This New Year, let us instead pray for guidance, so that we can achieve all the earmarks brought forth in the Word; and, so that we can receive every blessing that God has already planned for us, leaving not one, single, solitary gift, unclaimed. L.
Study Reference: Matthew 13:18-25
From: "Resolute vs. Resolution." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: pinterest
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