Unlocking mysteries of Heaven -The parable of the sower - part 3

Unlocking mysteries of Heaven -The parable of the sower - part 3

BY Argie Simonis          

In my 2 previous messages I have been sharing about the parable of the sower from Mark 4:3-20. I have divided the parable into 4 parts, each one for every condition of the heart and I have covered the first 2 conditions. Before you read this 3rd part I encourage you to read the previous 2 so you can have a better understanding of the story. Now let's get to the next condition:

"And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19)

Let me remind you that all these types of heart are progressive steps. No one starts immediately being 100% fruitful.
Here we see that they had a root in the Word but they got distracted by the cares of the world, lusts and other things. The weeds steal the nourishment that was intended for the plant in the first place.
Many people brag about their ability of multitasking, but in fact we should be focused only in one thing:

"Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, 
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13-14)

Multitasking means you do multiple things poorly. If you want to reach your full potential you should be concentrating to one thing. You can never achieve that by having your attention split.
There is a saying "if you want to kill a man's vision, give him 2"! We must understand that we have to be single focused.

12 desciples turned the whole world upside down. That's why it is so important for people called into ministry to get into full ministry. It is not bad to work, but this is the only way to reach their full potential and get the maximum benefit out of the Word.
In Acts 6 we see that the apostles in order to be able to preach the Word, they had to appoint decons so they would not be distracted from their calling.

These distractions can happen even with the family. Family is not bad; it is blessed from the Lord but you have to establish priorities. There must be a balance. If you don't prioritise the Word, nothing will work in your life properly. 

You can become so busy multitasking that eventually you burn out and this can choke the Word in your heart. Don't let your ministry choke the Word. You can minister to people but you also have to let God minister to you in order to be able to give more. If this can happen with the ministry it can also happen with your family, your job, your hobbies, TV etc.

Establish priorities! Don't try to build walls arround you and isolate yourself from the world. The salt becomes effective when it gets out of the salt shaker! Of course you have to do things, go to work, take care of your family, entertain yourself etc, but you have to understand that the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things can choke the Word.

You see, even good things can choke the Word and if satan can't keep you from serving God he will try to push you so hard into serving God that eventually you will not have any time for God! If satan can't keep you out of church, he will try to push you and get you so much involved in church, that you will not have a life outside the church!

As you can see, these is a delicate matter that we should be aware of and not fall into the enemny's trap. Everything needs to be in balance. Become single minded and establish priorities. It may cost you a hobbie or something you may be doing, but it worths it!

Final part coming soon...