Word@Work 041 - Mark 4:7 & 18-19
Published: Wed, 01/16/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 4:7 & 18-19 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 18-19 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (NIV)
Choking is not pleasant, but worse, it can be fatal. As God's Word springs up taking root in our heart, worries can easily put a stranglehold around our relationship with Jesus. Often, Satan does not have to intervene personally - there is quite enough in our confused and hectic lifestyle to put us off our spiritual stroke. We hear the Word and may relish it; we agree with what God says ... and then our minds and hearts get swamped by worries, and Jesus seems far away.
Jesus categorises these troubles into unresolved lifestyle issues, concern over money, and frustrated ambitions. Everybody has at least one of these to contend with, most have all three! Have you noticed how easily relationships or issues at home can erode your concentration at work (and vice versa)? The same is true of working with Christ and letting Him work on us. But there is no way we can live in a spiritually sealed world. The key question is whether we will allow the world and flesh to choke the life of Jesus ... or allow the life of Jesus to order our chaotic private and work lives.
The answer is tested by the degree to which the Word of God bears fruit in us. When we see the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) shaping the way we conduct our business and interactions with others; when we find ourselves glad to share about Jesus and when others are strengthened in Christ because of us - then we know that we are being fruitful. When that is not true, the world and our fleshly nature has colluded to take control away from Jesus and the choking has started. In that case, gardening is well overdue!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to give priority to clearing the ground so that I have time to read Your Word, meditate and pray. Forgive me when I allow worry to push You out. Help me to talk to You about the worries so that You can produce order out of chaos. And help me to be aware of choking believers and give me the wisdom to know how to help them in Your love. For Christ's Sake, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Choking is not pleasant, but worse, it can be fatal. As God's Word springs up taking root in our heart, worries can easily put a stranglehold around our relationship with Jesus. Often, Satan does not have to intervene personally - there is quite enough in our confused and hectic lifestyle to put us off our spiritual stroke. We hear the Word and may relish it; we agree with what God says ... and then our minds and hearts get swamped by worries, and Jesus seems far away.
Jesus categorises these troubles into unresolved lifestyle issues, concern over money, and frustrated ambitions. Everybody has at least one of these to contend with, most have all three! Have you noticed how easily relationships or issues at home can erode your concentration at work (and vice versa)? The same is true of working with Christ and letting Him work on us. But there is no way we can live in a spiritually sealed world. The key question is whether we will allow the world and flesh to choke the life of Jesus ... or allow the life of Jesus to order our chaotic private and work lives.
The answer is tested by the degree to which the Word of God bears fruit in us. When we see the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) shaping the way we conduct our business and interactions with others; when we find ourselves glad to share about Jesus and when others are strengthened in Christ because of us - then we know that we are being fruitful. When that is not true, the world and our fleshly nature has colluded to take control away from Jesus and the choking has started. In that case, gardening is well overdue!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to give priority to clearing the ground so that I have time to read Your Word, meditate and pray. Forgive me when I allow worry to push You out. Help me to talk to You about the worries so that You can produce order out of chaos. And help me to be aware of choking believers and give me the wisdom to know how to help them in Your love. For Christ's Sake, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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