Word@Work Luke122 - Luke 8:14
Published: Thu, 06/10/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
STRANGLED TRUTH
Luke 8:14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. (NIV)
The Gospel is very Good News: that is why so many find it initially attractive. These people may believe that God is there, but somehow cannot bring themselves to trust Him. Jesus said they are like ground covered by thorn bushes on the perimeter of a field. If seed is scattered there, it will germinate and start to grow until the seedlings get choked by the undergrowth. The seed of God's Word is still potent, but the distractions of people's self-centred lives give no room for the truth to mature in their lifestyle.
Worries, riches and pleasures have one thing in common - they all encourage us to focus on ourselves. Worries demand that we find a solution to problems by ourselves. Money and possessions seduce us with desire to have them for ourselves, and when we have got them we change our lifestyle to serve and protect them. Pleasures are never enough to satisfy us, we always want more. So instead of being free to enjoy God's blessings and be thankful, we become slaves to our possessions, ambitions and circumstances until they effectively own us!
That kind of life gives little room to hear the Lord, and no peace of mind to explore His Word. People struggling with thorny issues find that they have no desire for God's Word because they are too busy trying to be in control of life. Whatever they do understand is quickly drowned out by the noise of immediate demands. Of course, the real solution is to give God's Word the space to breathe into your soul. Fail to make the Lord your first priority and everything else will scream for your attention until your spiritual life shrivels to nothing. But place the Lord in command of your life and see how He replaces the selfish worries, treasures and pleasures with purposefulness, peace and joy!
Prayer: Wonderful Lord. Thank You that Your Word is designed to bless me, my family and work colleagues and to give us all new life in Christ. Please forgive me when I get obsessed with trying to control my own life so that I ignore Your Word, and fail to trust You to be in command of everything that affects me. Help me to wake up to the dangers of the thorny distractions which demand my attention, so that I can put them under the authority of Christ. And help me to help my friends and colleagues by encouraging them to do the same. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The Gospel is very Good News: that is why so many find it initially attractive. These people may believe that God is there, but somehow cannot bring themselves to trust Him. Jesus said they are like ground covered by thorn bushes on the perimeter of a field. If seed is scattered there, it will germinate and start to grow until the seedlings get choked by the undergrowth. The seed of God's Word is still potent, but the distractions of people's self-centred lives give no room for the truth to mature in their lifestyle.
Worries, riches and pleasures have one thing in common - they all encourage us to focus on ourselves. Worries demand that we find a solution to problems by ourselves. Money and possessions seduce us with desire to have them for ourselves, and when we have got them we change our lifestyle to serve and protect them. Pleasures are never enough to satisfy us, we always want more. So instead of being free to enjoy God's blessings and be thankful, we become slaves to our possessions, ambitions and circumstances until they effectively own us!
That kind of life gives little room to hear the Lord, and no peace of mind to explore His Word. People struggling with thorny issues find that they have no desire for God's Word because they are too busy trying to be in control of life. Whatever they do understand is quickly drowned out by the noise of immediate demands. Of course, the real solution is to give God's Word the space to breathe into your soul. Fail to make the Lord your first priority and everything else will scream for your attention until your spiritual life shrivels to nothing. But place the Lord in command of your life and see how He replaces the selfish worries, treasures and pleasures with purposefulness, peace and joy!
Prayer: Wonderful Lord. Thank You that Your Word is designed to bless me, my family and work colleagues and to give us all new life in Christ. Please forgive me when I get obsessed with trying to control my own life so that I ignore Your Word, and fail to trust You to be in command of everything that affects me. Help me to wake up to the dangers of the thorny distractions which demand my attention, so that I can put them under the authority of Christ. And help me to help my friends and colleagues by encouraging them to do the same. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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