The Parable of the Sower

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As we close out another week it is a good time to evaluate how you did over the last week. Here are some questions to think about?

• What were your wins this week? What progress did you make?
• What did you learn this week? What was God teaching you?
• How was your emotional state? 
• What adjustments can you make moving forward?
• What is coming up this week on your schedule that you need to prepare for?
• What needs to get done over the next week?

This time of year is a reminder to play defense and protect the seeds you have sown. In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the parable of the sower. In this parable Jesus says a sower went out to sow seed and he said the seed is the message of the kingdom. What is the message of the kingdom? That we have already been transferred into God's kingdom(Colossians 1:13) and God is with us helping us in everything we do. Our job is to repent which means to turn away from our old ways and rely on a new way of living with God and his kingdom as our source. He has given us everything he has and we have to learn to get out of the way and yield to him. 

But, Jesus said there are 4 possible outcomes for this seed? 

Outcome #1 - The person doesn't get it. They don't understand the message of the kingdom and the seed is stolen away.

Outcome #2 - The person receives the message of the kingdom with joy, but when trouble comes they forget about it and they revert back to their old way. This person is like a seed with no root that gets burned up by the heat. 

Outcome #3 - Weeds and thorns choke out the seed. Jesus said the weeds and thorns are the cares of life and the deceitfulness of riches. When the cares and financial issues come they can steal our focus and choke out God's kingdom from flowing in our lives because they steal away our focus from God being our source.  

Outcome #4 - Produce or yield a harvest of 100, 60, or 30 times what was planted. These are those that receive it in an honest heart and produce a crop with perseverance.  Notice they have to persevere to produce this crop.

We are in a time of the year where it is important to focus on Outcome #3. This is the time of year to watch out for the weeds and thorns as they spring up. Keep your focus. 

I am praying for you.

Daniel

In the Abundant Life Blueprint there are two important things to get established. 

1. The 30 Day Prayer Challenge Process: Pray the 2 minute prayer each day then take a few minutes to listen and plan your day with God. Do the things you know to do and do them with a good attitude trusting that God is helping you. 
2. Daily Communion with Jesus: Communion has the power to change the trajectory of our lives. It is the most important thing. At our house we take communion daily and keep a box of matzo crackers and grape juice on hand.