Parable of the Sower

Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up (Matt 13:3): this is when one hears the word of God and doesn't understand, and the wicked one comes and snatches what was sown in their heart (Matt 13:19). 

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away (Matt 13:5-6). This happens when one hears the word and receives it with joy but has no root in himself and endures for awhile until tribulation or persecution rises because of the word, and they become offended by it, and turn away (Matt 13:20-21).

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them (Matt 13:7): this is someone who hears the word, and the cares of this world and money being the root of all evil choke the word and he becomes unfruitful (Matt 13:22).

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold (Matt 13:8). Someone who has receive seed into good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it, and bears fruit (Matt 13:23). 

In order for the word to flourish, the mind has to be prepared for hearing and understanding the word of God. A stubborn and rebellious heart CANNOT receive the Word! And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom 12:2).

Good Fruits

There is nothing outside of Christ worth pursuing. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant (Ps 25:14). Our only purpose is to glorify our GOD in ALL that we say and do with the good fruits that we bear! If anyone is truly in Christ, a part of the true vine; they will bear good fruit because they really are a part of Him (John 15:1). Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matt 22:37). How do we bear good fruit? By living and meditating on the word of God day and night (Joshua 1:8). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Gal 22:23). We must consistently examine ourselves, and our motives. Are we giving ourselves the "Christian" title without actually living out our name?? We are representations of Christ, and no matter where we are, or who we are around; we will always be Christlike and we will always bear good fruit because we truly belong to Christ.

Be the Light

We must be careful in how we interact with unsaved loved ones, coworkers, and acquaintances, because we are the light and the salt of the world! We are to preach against sin in love, we love them, and our goal is to ultimately minister the Gospel to them. Eventually, they will turn toward the Gospel, or your lifestyle will bother them in such a way, that they won't have anything to do with you anymore because that's how Jesus lived!

Live in such a way that they know you're not going to participate in their sin, they know you're not going to go to certain places, they know you're not going to talk a certain way; you're going to talk about Jesus. And, if they get tired of you, they rejected the Lord. Live in such a way that you present Jesus to them. They can either accept or reject Him, because if we are not presenting Jesus to them, they will never accept, or reject him, and your relationship will not have any effect! Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinth 15:33). ARE WE INFLUENCING THEM, OR ARE THEY INFLUENCING YOU? Are you living in their atmosphere, or are they walking in yours?

With Pride, You Will Fall!

It's great to post and declare God's word, but we MUST watch out for the seed of PRIDE that could sprout and grow when we allow the affirmation of others to get to our heads!! "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things" (Rom 1:22-23). True children of God speak and act with humility! He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8)?

We are to always be OPEN to receiving correction as long as it does not contradict God's word!! Are we consistently examining ourselves, and our motives?

All, or Nothing

You can post and "like" all the Scripture statuses and photos you like, you can wear all the Christian jewelry and clothing you want, you can faithfully attend all the church services and participate in the choir and sing, "Lord, Lord," but if you are NOT right with the LORD, God Almighty; your prayers and VAIN public display are not heard, nor seen by THE FATHER!

How can we be right with God? By wholeheartedly repenting of all our sins (no, your repentance prayer that you recited when you were five doesn't count!), surrendering and submitting to His perfect will by denying ourselves, taking up our cross DAILY, and following Christ by OBEYING Him. If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). As new creations in Christ, our only desire is to please our Master. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Christ wants everything, or nothing.

Subtle Witchcraft

Have you ever shared something on social media, because the photo stated that if you love God, something AMAZING was going to happen if you shared it? And, after you shared it, you realized nothing actually happened? Brothers and sisters in Christ, I know you have good intentions, but that's nothing short of WITCHCRAFT! How does this make the LORD, our God react? "And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger" (2 Kings 21:6). Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:31). Why would sharing something, because we are told something amazing will happen if we do, MAKE THE FATHER DO SOMETHING?! Let's repent and completely surrender to His perfect will, and ONLY receive His Spirit within us.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21).

Whose Approval Are You Seeking?

What matters the most is YOUR OBEDIENCE and SUBMISSION to the Lord's perfect will! Your message of rebuke will not always be well received, or loved by many but the Pharisees were just as anxious to kill JESUS whenever He spoke!! Who do you live to please? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or the approval of man (Pharisees)? 

Your LUKE-WARM messages are not only loved by many people, but by the demons who think they're hilarious!