| Make Sure the Seed Takes Root
I have been heavily tempted lately to feel discouraged, defeated, depressed and plain old pathetic. I am sure that you all can relate to these times. However, the Lord has taught me over the years that this is Satan trying to get me to follow his way instead of God’s. We have the choice to give in to these feelings and thoughts, but giving in to them is not God’s will for us.
Recently I was reading Matthew 13 and was challenged by a passage therein. This chapter is very familiar to many Christians as it is the parable of the sower. I will not go into the whole passage here for brevity’s sake. In the parable, Jesus says that some of the seeds sown fell on rocky ground, but did not take root and were scorched when the sun came out. When He later explains the parable to the crowd, in verses 20 and 21 He expounds on the part about the seed on rocky ground. The Amplified Bible states in Matthew 13:20-21 as follows:
As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy;
Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away. (Emphasis added).
If I can encourage you in anything today, it is to not let go of your trust and faith in God. Affliction, trouble and persecution will come from Satan because of the Word. The enemy is trying to snatch the seed from you. Don’t let him! Don’t let him tell you that God is the source of your problems, that He has made you sick, miserable, etc. Clean water and salt water cannot come from the same well. God is good; God is the Healer; God is for your good. If you walk away from God and His principles, you will never have victory. I’m telling you, it will not happen on your own strength.
The things that God leads us to do many times do not make sense to our natural minds. Does it ever make sense when you step out in faith? Did it make sense to me to leave a good paying job for what in the natural are uncertainties? No! But you know what? God told me that He will take care of me. Therefore, I will not desert Him who called me to follow Him by faith.
I have been more ridiculed in my life than most of you would ever believe for following God when it didn’t make sense to other people. These things do not make sense to the natural mind. When I spent a year and a half knowing that Dean was the man God had chosen to be my husband, I was ridiculed for most of that time. I was told everything from “Get over it, he doesn’t even like you” to “You’re not his type.” Guess what? Dean and I have been married for over 6 years. The devil is a liar!
When I left a church I attended for years because God said it was time to go so I could move forward in my spiritual life, and in return I was accused of being backslidden, in a cult, not really saved or I would have never left them, did that matter? No! I have been blessed for every step I have taken at the direction of God. We cannot follow God only if we have man’s approval. We must follow God regardless of man’s approval or disapproval.
If you are stepping out in faith on something, do not listen to those who tell you it is impossible, that it will not work, etc. Make sure you have heard from God, then step out and do it! This is why it is crucial that you renew your minds with the Word of God. Learn His ways. Walk out His ways. Grab your Bible and read it for yourself! Don’t just eat whatever man-made slop doctrine someone tries to feed you. I’m sorry for the rant, but I just simply refuse to be defeated by a stupid devil and my even more stupid flesh. May God bless you all today as you walk with Him.
Last edited by spiritfilledwoman; 9th December 2006 at 11:24 AM.
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