“The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. ‘But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.’”
Mark 4:18-20 (TMB)
The seed is the Word of God. The ground is our heart. The seed is perfect. What determines whether or not we will receive a harvest is the condition of our heart. Sometimes, we can read the Word or even hear the Word in church, but we struggle to see a harvest in our lives. It’s not because the Word doesn’t work, but because everything else in our lives is competing for our focus, time, and resources. If we allow other priorities to fill our schedule, or we’re more concerned about working longer hours so that we can buy the nicer house or better car, we are still trying to be in control of our harvest. Before we know it, we find ourselves weary, frustrated and spending less and less time with God.
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. God desires for us to SURRENDER ALL 24 hours to Him. When we give over our daily lives and schedule to Him, He gives us the wisdom and supernatural ability to do everything He purposes for us to do. God multiplies our time, brings an increase of provision, surrounds us with His favor, and opens door that we could never open on our own. When we allow Him to fill our schedule and plan our days, the Word that we receive in the secret place will be planted in the good ground of our hearts. We are then able to embrace what He has called us to do and experience a harvest in every area of our lives that is beyond our wildest dreams.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
When I first came to Word of Life, I was so hungry for God’s presence. I read my Bible daily, attended service, went to the training classes, volunteered to serve others, and joined a Life Group. As I grew in God’s Word, I saw my life being blessed. I got promotions in my job, increase in my finances, and even became a Life Group Leader, winning my family and friends to Christ.
One of my dreams was to open a dance studio, and God opened the door for me to do that as a side business. As time went on, I started allowing it to take up more and more of my schedule, and eventually I found myself saying “no” to serving in church and ministering at various opportunities. Soon after that, my studio enrollment started declining and I found myself financially struggling. When I would pray, I couldn’t hear God’s direction anymore. Until one day, I said, “Lord, I’ll give you my Sundays. The whole day belongs to you and I’ll serve you all day.” The Lord responded back, “Only Sunday?” It was then I understood that God was asking for my complete surrender. Instead of fitting God into my schedule, He was asking me to trust Him with it all. The moment I did, I experienced a harvest beyond my wildest dreams. Within 3 months, God opened the door for me to begin my special friendship with the man who is now my husband. Together we are fully engaged in the G12 Vision and living our best life fulfilling His purpose. (Calvena Sautia)
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“In the secret place, I hear God’s Word and embrace His plan for my life. I surrender my time, talent, and treasure for His purpose. God’s Word is planted in the good ground of my heart and I receive a harvest beyond my wildest dreams.”
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.
