The Fruitful Heart

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8).

 "And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine," (Mark 4:2)

We see, here, that this doctrine was of Jesus. Jesus was teaching in parables so that people could not receive His message in their minds but through their spirits. The Holy Spirit teaches the Christians all truths.

The human heart is like receptive soil to the seed of the Word of God. Jesus used this analogy in the parable of the sower (see Mark 4:3). The soil that the seed fell on represents four categories of hearers' hearts, four different reactions to the Word of God: the hard heart, the shallow heart, the crowded heart, and the fruitful heart.

First, there is the hard heart, the seed that falls along the roadside. This represents people who hear the Word of God, but never really believe.

 "And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up." (Mark 4:4)

Jesus is the great sower of the seed (Word of God). Not all who hear this Word will receive it. This is an explanation by Jesus about the different way the world and its people receive the Word of God. The sower is the same in all cases (Jesus). The seed (the Word of God) is the same in all cases. It is in the way it is received that is different. Jesus, Himself, would come back and explain in detail what this parable meant, and it will help us in other parables to look for the hidden meaning. Not all who hear the gospel receive it. Satan is depicted as the fowl of the air. Satan has come to steal and destroy the Word.

Then there is the shallow heart. That is the seed that falls on stony ground. This signifies the people who hear the Word of God and receive it with joy, but because there is no root to sustain them, they wither.

"And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:" (Mark 4:5)

"But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away." (Mark 4:6)

All of us who have been in church for any length of time have seen the type of person who is indicated above. An evangelist comes through town, and he is so thrilled with the message he goes down front and makes big commitments to God. In a few days when his friends have laughed at him and he runs into hardships, he falls by the wayside. On fire for God for a few days, but his fire went out.

Next, there is the crowded heart. That is the seed that falls on ground where weeds choke out its growth. Slowly and surely, these people, busy with the cares and riches of the world, just lose interest in the things of God.

"And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit." (Mark 4:7)

These are people who are trying to keep one foot in the world and one in church. They still lust for the things of the world while claiming to be  Christians.

Finally, there is the fruitful heart that receives the Word. The seed falls on good ground and the plants produce a rich harvest.

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8).

We see, here, Christians who receive the truth and live daily upright lives. These Christians are in for all of eternity. Troubles and lust of worldly goods will not turn their heads. They will follow Jesus, whatever the cost. These are fruit bearers, messengers who tell others of Jesus and add to God's kingdom to the best of their ability. Some of them just get a few saved, but some of them get hundreds saved. Perhaps, the different amounts have to do with where they are located and how many they have opportunity to witness to.

Also, we can easily see that being someone with a receptive heart is what we all need to be. We not only receive the Word for ourselves, but go out and share it with others and lead them into full knowledge of God and His salvation. Some of us may not come in contact with many people, and we may not produce but 30. Others who have an opportunity to witness to large groups may get a hundred saved. The important thing is to bring as many into the kingdom as you possibly can. Be a fruit bearer for God.

We are the ones who determine what kind of soil our hearts will be. We decide whether we will have a hard heart, a shallow heart, a crowded heart, or a receptive heart. 

This is exactly what James meant when he said, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).

The Word of God cannot work in our lives unless we have a receptive hearts.

Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the seeds that found their way into our hearts, and for the grace that allowed them to bear fruit in our lives!

May your Word find good soil in our hearts so that we will continue to grow “in every way more and more like Christ” (Ephesians 4.15) and so that we will follow wherever you lead!
Send your Spirit to go before us and to prepare the way in front of us. May people’s hearts be receptive to you so that we may bear much fruit for your kingdom, for your honor and glory! Increase in us, Lord, the faith you have given us, and bring to a harvest worthy of heaven.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

Commit Your Goals and Dreams

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:3).

You commit your works unto the LORD by doing everything His way. Esteem His precepts to be perfect and sufficient (Proverbs 3:7; Psalms 119:128). 
If you totally leave your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). 
Joshua found the first walled city in Canaan to be easy doing it the LORD’s way (Joshua  6:20)

You commit your works unto the LORD by doing them unto Him. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). 
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). 
Everything works out for those loving God, for they are the ones appointed to glory according to His eternal purpose (Romans 8:28)!

You commit your works unto the LORD by turning them over to Him. You do this by prayer with thanksgiving (Phil 4:6; Col 4:2). 
If you keep your mind fixed on the LORD Jehovah, rather than your dilemmas, you will find perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3-4). 
When facing a great army, Jehoshaphat led a public prayer meeting, where he prayed among other things, “Neither know we what to do” (II Chronicles 20:1-19). God fought the battle for Him! 
The Lord Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled – believe also in me” (John 14:1).

You commit your works unto the LORD by trusting Him for the results. It is vain and distressing when you think the results depend on you. The results depend on Him, and He suggests you take a nap! (Psalms 127:1-2)
Once you have made reasonable plans, turn the rest over to His gracious and sovereign will (Proverbs 16:9; Psalms 37:3-7; Jas 4:13-15). 
Such trust will fix and establish your heart without fear, regardless of your situation           (Psalms 112:7-8).

How do you view the coming year? Do you look forward to fresh possibilities and renewed potential? Or do you cling to the familiarity of the waning year?
Whether we like it or not, time hurls us forward. The New Year stretches before us like a blank white piece of paper. Why not take advantage of the clean slate the New Year provides and set some goals to work toward? As you set goals, be willing to take steps out of your comfort zone. But remember, making the goals realistic for your age and stage of life will determine whether the goals are attainable.

Following are some areas in which to consider goal setting:

Spiritual goals 
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.(John 15:5) 

Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen. Decide to devote some time and energy to jump-starting spiritual growth:

1. Read the Bible through. Even if you’ve done this before, consider doing it again. God will show you fresh truths when you dig into His Word. Read-the-Bible through guides are available from a number of sources. 

2. Get involved in a structured Bible study. There are lots of many options. If your church doesn't offer group Bible studies, check to see if studies are offered in your community at Christian bookstores or other churches.

3. Decide to share Jesus without fear. Make witnessing a priority.

Mental goals 
 “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” (Proverbs 1:5) 

Challenge yourself mentally by taking steps to learn or try something new.

1. Do in-depth library or Internet research on a particular subject – a country, a religion, or         historical event. Take notes on what you’ve learned.

2. Enroll in a continuing education class at a local college or tech school.

3. Get your whole family involved in learning a foreign language.

4. Volunteer to teach English as a second language.

Emotional/Relational Goals 
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. (Colossians 3:12-13) 

Often we need to work on emotional issues or strained relationships, but continually avoid doing so because of the difficulties involved. Consider goals in the following areas:

1. Forgiveness – Decide to extend the gift of forgiveness for an old hurt. You'll gain a new sense of freedom because you no longer carry a grudge.

2. Patience – Practice patience in areas where you are historically impatient.

3. Anger management – Make a conscious decision to control your anger and determine its sources.

Physical Goals 
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Following the marathon overindulgence of December, most of us need to get serious about maintaining the temple that is our body. Decide to:

1. Enroll in an exercise program and go! It’s easy to have a gym membership, but it takes discipline to actually attend and work out.

2. Deny yourself those tasty morsels that do nothing to adorn the temple. View food as fuel for the machine instead of gratification for the taste buds.

3. Have a family plan that encourages physical activity and togetherness.

This coming New Year, I want to press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus, not looking back to what I did not get done. I like to reflect on what I did accomplish for God’s Kingdom and then move toward what I can do in this year.

I have seen people live in their pasts and it places them in dark and lonely arenas. There is no life in the sea of regrets and hurts. That is a place of hopelessness and despair. Why stay there? We have the choice to live in the grace of God while praying His word over our lives for blessings like success, health, and prosperity. We need a new mindset: we are no longer victims of our past circumstances. They will not rule our lives. We are more than survivors – we are conquerors.

How do we arrive at such a place to step into that new realm? It's determination to resist being pulled back or pulled down, and the realization that we can’t change the past. We can and do have the opportunity to live out today and our tomorrows holding onto God's Word.

So, what are your goals and plans for the New Year? Do you have great dreams and laudable goals? I hope so. But, please join me as I seriously look at why I set the goals I do and make the plans I make. In the afterglow of Christmas, that great season of giving, let's make sure our plans for the future are not selfish or based on envy, lust, or greed. 

Instead, let's set our hearts to reach great heights for God's glory and to do great things to be a blessing to others. Otherwise, all our attempts to reach great things ultimately will end in chaos, heartbreak, and destruction.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16)

Have Faith, Dream BIG

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren. (Genesis 37:5)

What are your desires in life? What do you “wish” to see come to pass? 
What kind of vision do you have? Do you dream big?

Joseph had a dream that was bigger than he was. This dream was bigger than his family. While this dream was big, it wasn’t bigger than God!  That's what we must remember.     God is great and He is able to do great things. If we step out in faith and in the will of God, nothing is impossible.

So, what is your vision? What is your dream? 
When you set out to please God, He places desires in your heart and then gives you the ability to achieve them, so long as you have faith follow Him.

Today's Prayer
Eternal God, please be with me as I seek to set goals for the coming year. I want to do great things for your glory. Please use me to accomplish your will in the world in which I live and in the group of people to whom you have sent me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen