Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Farming Your Success Pt.1



Mark 4:14-15 (NKJV)
14 The sower sows the word.
15 And…the word…was sown in their hearts.
The parable of the sower illustrates that after investigating the truth found in God’s Word or “The Master’s Book of Success Principles”, people fall into one of four groups.  These groups also teach us important principles that we should apply toward our life’s success goals. Each group represented in the parable responded differently depending upon the condition of their heart.

Verse 14 states, “The sower sows the word.”  The seed sown is the truth contained in God’s Word.  Verse 15 states where the Word of God is sown – in your heart!  Your heart is the part of you that facilitates the results in your life, and what you permit into your heart programs your success mechanism.
The greater your understanding of this parable the easier it will be for you to program your success mechanism.  Three important points will add to your understanding and effectiveness:

1. This parable makes the analogy of the heart being like the ground.  If the ground is prepared properly, the seed sown produces an abundant harvest.  When your heart is free of rocks, weeds, and thorns, it will facilitate positive results in your life.  Taking action with a prepared heart will cause the power of God to move on your behalf.  When that happens, you receive major assistance as you move toward the realization of your God-given dream.

2. The ground does not distinguish between various seeds.  The ground produces whatever gets planted!  If a farmer plants nightshade, a deadly poison, the ground will produce nightshade.  If a farmer plants corn, the ground will produce corn.  Your heart does not distinguish between the various seeds (concepts, principles, and ideas) that you plant in it.  Your heart will return to you an abundance of whatever you plant, but your heart does not distinguish between the various seeds (concepts, principles, and ideas) that you plant.  It is your responsibility to plant a good crop.  If you plant a good crop, your heart will produce positive results in your life.  Apply the principles in God’s Word and your heart will produce success for you.  Your abundant harvest waits for you to plant in your heart the success principles found in God’s Word.

3. There are four possible groups of people and every individual falls into one of these four groups.  Jesus refers to four distinct groups of people in this parable, and only one of the groups produces lasting results.
Group 1: Those by the wayside where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:15)
Group 2: Those on stony ground where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:16)
Group 3: Those among thorns where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:18)
Group 4: Those on good ground where God’s Word was sown (Mark 4:20)

God's Word is our "Farmer's Almanac" of success! It reveals all we need to know in order to be everything God intends for us to be. All we have to do is follow His instructions.

 
“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.” Masanobu Fukuoka

Blessed,
Dr. Tim

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