If you are like me, I can ride on the "high" for a few days, but then, busy schedules, fussy kids, bad attitudes, road rage-ers, etc. come into the picture and suddenly the "high" is waning and I find myself back in the usual rut of survival mode. Anybody else with me?
Luke 8 is the parable of the sower and the soil. Jesus is telling about the Word of God as it is scattered upon the hearts of people. In verse 11, He says this, "This is the meaning of the parable: the seed is the Word of God. Those along the path are ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the Word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among throns 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. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the Word, retain it, and by persevering, produce a crop."
There's our answer! Perspective, Purpose, and Praise!
First, we have to have a change of perspective. Satan is going to try to steal the seed of truth scattered on our hearts. Know that as a fact. Be aware. Know it is coming. Welcome it even....because it is teaching your perseverance....how to keep yourself steadfast even in the midst of distractions and struggles. Isaiah 40:31 says "They will soar on wings as eagles". Eagles eyesight is much much stronger than ours. When we gain God's perspective, He raises us up above life's circumstances to see the whole "forest" instead of being overcome with all of the "trees".
Second, purpose in your hearts to "stay in it"! To retain what God has shown you as truth, we must remain in Him. We must marinate in it and meditate on it. Keep it ever before your mind.
Third, praise God for who He is and for the fact that knowing His truth intimately will set us free! Free from getting caught up in the routines of life, in the mundane, in the struggles. Concentrating on His truth and praising Him for it, keeps our minds on Him, keeps us focused on Him, and actually keeps us raised above life's circumstances that tend to weigh us down. When we praise Him, the devil will flee!
The results? A crop! That crop will be the fruit of Christ likeness developing in you. The glory of God developing in you! And as it develops in you, it can't help but overflow from you and then effect those around you! I don't know about you, but that's what I am after!
So, gain the right perspective. Purpose to keep your hearts and minds steadfast on His truth. And praise Him all the time for all things. Let's experience some BIG crops in our lives coming forth in and through our lives! Let's keep the flames burning that God ignited in us! All for His glory!
Dale and Jena, Thank you for posting this about the Three P's. My husband and I were at Ridgecrest this past weekend with you and we both feel blessed to have heard from God through you. This, now, IS the hardest part, being back at home, and making sure we stay changed and making a difference in our marriage to Glorify God. THANK YOU. Hannah and Justin Sparks
p.s. Jena, see you this weekend in Cullman!!!