The Seed Falling on Good Soil!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

‘We often find the Bible as an inspirational book, if we consider ourselves as Christians. Since the Bible was written in ancient times, it does not seem to match with today’s culture. We can see this issue in the Old Testament for instance. We may also can see this issue in the New Testament as well. As worries can get us to nowhere, some of us may deny the Scriptures that do not match with today’s culture.’

Although there is the time different between the Bible and today’s culture, we need to apply the principles of the Bible into our lives. The Bible was written for us to know how to be filled with God’s righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), even though Jesus Christ already has made us righteous in God’s sight by His crucifixion and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, God wants us to know how to live the Kingdom world by instructing us how to live our lives through the Bible. One of my concerns through writing devotionals is that I may not put into practice what I preach. I am good at preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ but not good at putting it into practice. This is probably something that I have to work on. Other than this, I thought about my theological studies. I am wondering how I endured my studies because of my headaches from theology. However, I depend on the Holy Spirit to work through and change my mind to the Spirit’s ways (Romans 12:2). Though working in the church might be hard, I am willing to work in the church in the future because my passion is on the Lord and to build His church up.

The story of the Bible is simple. To sum it up, it is the guidance and revelation book of the Lord and of the Christian life. However, each of the passages have another meaning than natural one, so we have to be open minded and let God speak to us through the Scriptures. I know we also need the Spirit of God to read this book but God is willing to pour His Spirit into those who want to seek, know, and believe in Him (Luke 11:11-13). Since the level of seeking the Lord within me has decreased, I think I have to meditate on the goodness of God. We cannot comprehend Him completely, because of the limitations of our knowledge (Romans 11:33-36), but He desires us to know Him as much as possible (Psalm 1:1-3). While Jesus was praying, He has said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Meditate on Philippians 1:27-28 and ask yourself this question today: “Am I am conducting in a manner of the gospel of Christ?”

The Seed Falling Among the Thorns!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

We often find the Bible as an inspirational book, if we consider ourselves as Christians. Since the Bible was written in ancient times, it does not seem to match with today’s culture. We can see this issue in the Old Testament for instance. We may also can see this issue in the New Testament as well. As worries can get us to nowhere, some of us may deny the Scriptures that do not match with today’s culture.

It is true that worries are stumbling blocks of life. Jesus Christ asked this question: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27) I know this because of my experiences. To be more specific, I think I had anxieties on timing of the school assignments. I thought I was not able to finish the assignments in time. There was one time my due date of an assignment was extended for a week but that was when I realised that I did not put academic references. Other than this, I completely trusted the grace of God and did my best at completing them in time, even though I had to sleep around 2am. Worries may be one of the way of Satan to prevent us from doing the will of God.

Therefore, I believe that we should cast all of our worries to God and rely on the Holy Spirit, instead of worrying (1 Peter 5:6-7). Writing devotionals is probably my powerful experience. Most of the time, I depend on the Holy Spirit as the Spirit empowers me to I write. Because of this, my dream is to be a Christian Writer as well as working in the church. If I was not a Christian and studying theology, my dream probably would be working with Microsoft Office applications. Although working those applications seem interesting and I would get more money from the computer career, I think more of the empowerment of the Spirit is on becoming a Christian Writer as well as working in the church. I care about how I am going to provide myself financially but I do not love money and I rely on God (Hebrews 13:5). Furthermore, Apostle Paul has proclaimed,

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Tomorrow, I anticipate to on writing about the reason that principles of the Bible is so important to us. Nevertheless, meditate on the goodness of God and the will of God. Ask yourself this question today: “Am I focused on God wholeheartedly and doing everything for the sake of Jesus Christ, or am I worrying about how I am going to live on this earth?” If you have worries about your life, then cast all of them to God and make Him as your centre!

The Seed Falling on Rocky Ground!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

All of us have faith whether it is in Jesus Christ or something else. Faith comes belief that we or somebody else can do something. If we have faith to do something, we do not like to give it up. Although my family did not believe that I could feed by myself, I started to practice in feeding myself because of the strong faith I had. I took a step by step and I did not care about messiness I had made when I was eating. Although I still can create mess in eating, I do not mind whether I make mess or not. I care but not as much as wanting to be master at eating desperately. I guess the Spirit prompted me to try to eat food by myself, even though I was not Christian at that time. How amazing the Spirit of God is in the life of believers and non-believers! We may achieve and do something even without realizing the power of the Spirit.

As we should not give our faith up in doing something achievable and practices make perfect, it is same with faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Him grows the best in times of trouble, even though it is hard to believe this (James 1:2-4). How our faith in Him could be nurtured personally other than meditating on the Spirit, if we stay in contentment with everything? When my addiction was on anything other than seeking and knowing Jesus Christ, the judgement day of God has been probably my first thought, such as wondering what God will say and asking myself this question: “Did I live my life with worthiness as a child of God through pleasing God in every way (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)?” Furthermore, if we follow Jesus throughout our lives and stop whenever we want to, then it would have been better not to make decision of following Him from the beginning. Otherwise, we are betraying Him. I have to confess that I betrayed Him several or many times. Because I have wanted to follow Christ and stay in relationship with God intimately, I have made a decision of fixing my issues and believing in Him forevermore!

As one of the rewards of following Jesus Christ until our physical lives is the place at the kingdom of heaven, meditate on Psalm 27:4 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. Make Galatians 5:24-25 as your life Bible verses today and ask yourself this question: “Am I staying an intimate relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and how am I living the Kingdom life right now?”

The Seed Sown Along the Path!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

Although we desire to know the eternal life that God offers us, we sometimes struggle with it and do not know how to earn the heavenly ticket. Hence, some of us may resign from living how God wants us to experience what His kingdom is like and live according to how we want it, as one of the popular proverbs goes like “Live on Earth as it is in heaven.” This is true but I think more specific meaning to that proverb is that God wants us to experience same joy that is filled with the hope of the kingdom of God through living our physical lives on the earth. However, nobody cannot understand the message about the kingdom of heaven because it is completely in spiritual world. This is the reason that God is willing to pour His Spirit into us (1 Corinthians 2). We cannot force Him to pour His Spirit into us, but we can ask Him for it (Luke 11:11-13). He desires us to have relationship with Him though the word of God and prayer and by faith in Jesus Christ. This means that there is no such thing as a heavenly ticket. Because of God’s love, heaven is a free gift of God. All we have to do believe and trust in Him until rest of our lives (Romans 6:23).

Although “Live on earth as it is in Heaven” may mean that we should make our lives to the fullest, we should not be confused empowerment of the Spirit with feelings. The Spirit’s empowerment and the feelings are able to go together but sometimes, feelings are deceptive. For example, I downloaded the game that I really like with decision that it is only for relaxing my mind. If I get addicted to it, I would have to delete it because that is not to glorify God and I do not want to make my own kingdom around it. Addiction probably is one of the best ways that the enemy of God can use to make us go astray from God. However, I wonder what would happen if we get addicted to God through faith in Jesus Christ?

Listen to “Heal Our Land” by Kari Jobe. Ask yourself a question today: “Am I reading the message of the Kingdom through the word of God and living according to it?”

The Content of Matthew 13:18-23!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

While I was writing devotional series on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), I think the Spirit of God was prompting me to share about the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18-23) with you guys next. Although I do not plan what I am going to be write devotional series about until it is right time and I often choose topics of devotionals from websites that do verse(s) of the day, I felt like these Bible verses are right ones to write devotional series about. Because of this and the Spirit’s empowerment as I write devotionals I know that God is not giving on me to become a Christian Writer. Hence, I should not give it up either.

As Jesus Christ explains what the parable of the sower means, the sower probably is Jesus Christ, Himself, and the seed is the word of God. I think the soil is an attitude of our hearts because it refers to someone whether they can understand the word of God or not.

Tomorrow, I will begin devotional series with the seed that is sown along the path. Nevertheless, ask yourself this question today: “Which soil does my heart have in the word of God?”

The Spirit-Led Prayer!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

Some of us may find prayers boring, especially if they are praying for what they want and God is not answering to them. Thus, we intend to forsake the spiritual activity of prayer and we tend to make what we have hoped for to come true by physical actions. Sometimes, we may be confused what to pray and what can work by our deeds, if both of faith and deeds meet together as James 2:14-26 states. I got confused with this issue. I was kept asking close people of mine to pray for my time-management but I was not managing my time practically or I was not capable of doing of everything I want each days of my life. Because of my mentor’s disciplinary words that my life have to be flowed from the Spirit and my realisation of my limitation, I have finally decided I am going with the flow of the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Despite of these circumstances, prayer is probably easiest spiritual activity, especially if we have a great faith in Jesus Christ. It is two-way conversation with God, for we can talk to God and He is able to speak to us through His Spirit. However, we have to align our will to His if we are expecting God to listen (1 John 5:14-15; see also James 4:1-3). This means that we have to crucify ourselves and accept to follow His ways (Mark 8:34-38). Although if we do not know any of His ways, we do not have to worry. Apostle Paul has proclaimed that the Spirit helps in our weaknesses and is interceding for us all the time (Romans 8:26-27). Thus, we do not have to use right and professional words as well. Matthew has declared that God listens to us and knows our prayer-thoughts, even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:5-8). Why do we need to pray, then? It is simple. Prayer builds our relationship to God (Philippians 4:4-7). When my mind was empty and I wanted not to fill my mind with anything, I started to pray. Now, I guess I know what joyfulness of prayer means as I believe prayer is about fellowshipping with God. Hence, I have decided to make it as my habit. When it comes to intercessory prayer, not only we want God’s miracles to happen toward others, but we also can learn things from prayer of others. I learnt that prayer could also be done conversationally by discussing things with other Christians. With this in mind and since I see many written prayers online, I have learned how to write prayers to others. As I was writing prayers, I began to notice that I am encouraging them as well.

Watch YouTube six series of Alpha Prayer Course (Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Perseverance, Listening, and Spiritual Warfare). Meditate on Matthew 6:9-13. Before your meditation, you should note that Jesus is not telling us a mandatory prayer but wants us to have those things in mind. Ask God to reveal what you have to work on.

The Sword of the Spirit!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

Gracious words may comfort us and encouraging words may encourage us, especially through tough times. We often remember those words repeatedly. My mentor has been encouraging me many times, such as telling me that I am valuable to the church. What encourages me the most is that she has much hope in me becoming a Christian Writer. This surprises me as I believe her hope for me is greater than mine. She also gives me Christian books to have a read.

Although close people may encourage us mentally and spiritually, we have to understand that it is much better to rely on God’s word rather than human words. This does not mean that we should separate unity whenever we are trying to meditate on His word. It is good to encourage each other spiritually especially in times of need, so we may gain courage in what is coming ahead. However, what happens if we lose contact with each other? We may lose hope and confidence. Nevertheless, as long as we have right resources, God’s word is always with us in spite of the fact that we have to read and meditate on it. I always carry my iPad with me wherever I go so I downloaded “Bible.is” application and changed it to “Youversion.”

Apostle Paul has stated that the Bible was written to teach us and through encouragements of the word of God, we might have hope (Romans 15:4). Since we have learned that the Bible is the guide book of how to live eternally and we know that God is eternal, His word is supposed to penetrate through our spirit by His Spirit (Hebrews 4:12). We cannot understand His word without His Spirit; we consider them foolishness (1 Corinthians 2:14). In fact, we cannot understand any theology or Spirit-related talks without Him. While I was “not true” or “not yet” Christian, one senior member of the church often came up to me and tell how glorious God is and marvellous His deeds are. However, I could not understand Him because I was unwilling to believe in Jesus Christ and seek Him. In other words, I had not received His Spirit. After receiving the Spirit of God, I realised that I am able to understand theology. Although I lost contact with the senior member, my wish is to have more of theological conversations. My mentor told me that I should become a living word through Christian Writing. She also told me that I use same formatting every time and because I have been starting to notice it, I have to allow the Spirit to penetrate through my spirit as I meditate and write devotionals.

Meditate on 1 Corinthians 2 and ask yourself this question: “Am I allowing God’s Spirit to penetrate through my spirit as I am reading and meditating on God’s word?”

The Helmet of Salvation!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

I believe we do not wear helmets when we are riding a bicycle for fun. I think I did not wear a helmet when I was young but I have fallen once. Fortunately, I did not hurt my head. In some cases, a dangerous injury may occur when we are riding fast, so it is necessary to wear helmets when we are riding any kind of bikes, especially for competitions and when we are riding motorbikes. Although Riding for Disabled Association trains disabled people to ride horses for fun, people have to wear helmets despite of the fact that some of them tend to ride their horses fast.

Let us consider daily routines as bikes. The reason that Ephesians 6:17 states that the word of God is the helmet of salvation is that there is power in God’s word as the name of Jesus Christ is the salvation of human beings (Acts 4:12). Since my mentor e-mailed me that the acronym for the B.I.B.L.E is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, I searched whether there are any acronyms for Bible in Google. One of them is Basic Instructions Before Living Eternally. Since we know that God is eternal (see John 1:1-4), He wants us to put His word into practice of our daily lives (Luke 6:46-49). He desires us to learn how to live for eternity as all of us have been created by God and are created to be the image and children of God (Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 1:4-6). Apostle Paul knew that there is power of God in His word so he proclaims,

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

Tomorrow, I anticipate on writing about why the word of God is often known as the sword of the Spirit. Nevertheless, listen to “This I Believe (The Creed)” by Hillsong Worship. Meditate on Psalm 1:1-3 and ask yourself this question: ‘Am I meditating God’s word throughout my daily life and living according to it?’