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?”