What is The Depth of Your Seeds?

Listen to this apologue and afterward, we will go deeper. “And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; behold, there went out a sower to sow: 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.

“And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred” (Mark 4: 2-8, KJV).

Many May Not Like It, But There Is a Distinction

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him for understanding. He told them that they were allowed insight as children of God. But not those who walk in the flesh.

Don’t misunderstand why this is so. Even though the disciples could not fully see or understand themselves, at times. They were developing an intimate relationship with Him.

This is why Jesus spoke, “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear; and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins be forgiven them” (Mark 4: 12, KJV).

Understand the allegory premise. With the exception of the seed that fell on good ground, there was no depth. No intimacy.

Seek To Understand

Jesus even warned the disciples. “Then He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand and grasp the meaning of all parables?” (Mark 4: 13, AMP). He was warning them that superficial feelings without change, and growth are not enough.

Recently I shared this scripture and I want to show you, its relevance. “[But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting]” (Matthew 17: 21, AMP).

“These [in the first group] are the ones along the road where the word is sown; but when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them” (Mark 4: 15, AMP).

Here is a stark realization because we have all been here. Whether it has been days, months, or even years.

Don’t Remain in The Wilderness, Without Understanding

“It is [only] eleven days’ journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-Barnea [on Canaan’s border; yet Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before crossing the border and entering Canaan, the promised land]” (Deuteronomy 1: 2, AMP).

Do you understand? Because I spent 20 years in a relationship that was never ordained by God. Meditate on that for a moment.

“In a similar way these [in the second group] are the ones in whom seed was sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy [but accept it only superficially]; and they have no real root in themselves, so they endure only for a little while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they [are offended and displeased at being associated with Me and] stumble and fall away” (Mark 4: 16-17, AMP).

As Parents, We are Responsible for Our Child’s Spiritual Growth

Let me give us as parents a revelation. Revealed to me by the Spirit. We will answer for this. I will confirm this twice.

1) “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22: 6, AMP).

and 2) “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism (of which even I had been guilty of when I did not know better, a spiritual, generational curse.) or indifference to any of them] (even as was shown to me), but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6: 4, AMP).

This is important because this second group is more likely to resent God. Even in their selfishness, lack of accountability, or being held to a higher standard by their parents. Spoiled and entitled. Parents purposely putting one against the other, and more.

Be Doers and Not Just Hearers Only

“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things that creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4: 18-19, AMP).

They are the ones who glorify God as long as they don’t have to truly have a relationship with Him. They love the “razzle-dazzle” and the ability to wrest the scriptures to benefit themselves. They know the Bible inside out but have no substance. With hardened hearts, they are the blind leading the blind. Having a form of godliness…Those who believe that it is not of God if they aren’t monetarily prosperous.

“And those [in the last group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on good soil; and they hear the word [of God, the good news regarding the way of salvation] and accept it and bear fruit -thirty, sixty, and a hundred times as much [as was sown]” (Mark 4: 20, AMP).

The strength of empathy

Because I have been poor and abundant in the spirit, always and even more so now. Founded on a rock. Practicing my unwillingness to compromise.

And although I am not perfect, knowing that if God is for me, who can be against me? Because the riches of this world are of Satan. And can be ripped away in an instant. Then what are you established and rooted in?

Be as Paul was, “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life] whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
(And here it is. Keeping it in perspective.) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4: 11-12, KJV and 13, AMP).

Always coming from a place of love and truth!!!

Originally written on June 28, 2023.