Establishing Yourself into Good Ground
Jesus taught the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9 which says “and He spoke
many things to them in parables, saying, behold a sower went forth to sow. And
when he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them
up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth; and immediately
they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was
up, they were scorched, and because they had no root; they withered away. And
some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up, and choked them. But other
fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty-fold,
some thirty-fold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear”. This parable was also
recorded in Luke 8:5-8.
When “His disciples asked Him, saying what might this parable be? And He said,
to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others in
parables, that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand”
(Luke 8:9-10). God wants us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He
had displayed His wisdom within His word. We are told to search them out
(Proverbs 2:1-8) “my son, if you will receive my words, and hide my
commandments with you. So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your
heart to understanding. Yea, if you seek after knowledge, and lift up your voice
for understanding. If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid
treasures. Then shall you understand the fear (reverence) of the Lord Yahweh,
and find the knowledge of God. for the Lord gives wisdom, out of His mouth
comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the
righteous. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keeps the paths of
judgment, and preserves the way of His saints”.
Jesus explains the parable of the sower, Luke 8:11 says “the seed is the word of
God”. And in (Matthew 13:18-23) the Bible says “hear you therefore the parable
of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and understands it
not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his
heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the
seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and immediately with
joy receives it. Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while, for when
tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word, and the
care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he
becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that
hears the word, and understands it, which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some
a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty”.
Let us examine ourselves and see where we are. II Corinthians 13:5 says
“examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves”.
Let’s look at the seed that fell by the way side, who heard the word and failed to
get understanding and the devil came and takes away the word out of their hearts,
less they should believe and be saved ( Matthew 13:19). The book of Proverbs
tells us many times to get understanding (Proverbs 3:13-18), says “happy is the
man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the
merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof
than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you can desire
are not to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left
hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one
that retains her”.
And in Proverbs 4:5-10 which says “get wisdom, get understand; forget it not,
neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall
preserve you, love her; and she shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing,
therefore get wisdom and with all your getting get understanding. Exalt her, and
she shall promote you, she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her.
She shall give to your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she
deliver to you. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life
shall be many”.
Proverbs 9:10 says “the fear (reverence) of the Lord Yahweh is the beginning of
wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”.
Remember that the devil can only take away the word that you don’t understand;
so if you need wisdom James 1:5 says if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him”.
Let’s look at the seed that fell onto stony places, he receives it with joy but have
no root in himself, and was only able to endure for a while (Matthew 13:20-21).
You have to develop your root system, so many Christians come to Jesus to
escape the fires of hell, yet don’t fill up themselves with the word of God. We are
told in Ephesians 5:17-20 “wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what
the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled
with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all
things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The word has
to be implanted in your heart (James 1:12,21) says “blessed is the man that
endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which
the Lord has promised to them that love Him. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness
and excel of evil, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to
save your souls. But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
your own selves”. As you feed yourself on a steady diet of the word of God, it
springs down and forms roots. Just like when you plant a seed into the ground, it
has to first take root, and then it comes up. Galatians 6:9 says “and let us not be
weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”.
Let’s look at the seed that fell among thorns, he hears the word but the cares of
the world chokes out the word (Matthew 13:22). We were not created to carry
stress; we are told to cast our cares on Jesus for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7); and
in Philippians 4:6-7 says “be careful (anxious) for nothing, but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Paul continues to tell us what we should
think about, what ever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added
to us (Matthew 6:33), and He was talking about taking thought for your life, what
you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body what you shall put on.
Remember that III John 2 says “beloved, I wish above all things that you may
prosper, and be in health, even as you soul prospers”. We have to renew our
minds to the word of God.
Let’s look at the seed that fell on good ground, he hears the word, and
understands it, and he bears fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty
(Matthew 13:22). Have you ever wondered why some brought forth a hundredfold,
while others sixty, and thirty? Jesus told many people “your faith have made you
whole”. He described faith in different measures, no faith, weak faith, little faith,
strong faith. And He said “according to your faith, so be it done to you”. As you
plant the word of God in your heart, meditate on it, studying the word until you
believe it, and become fully persuaded like Abraham did (Romans 4:21) “and
being fully persuaded, that, what, He had promised, He was able also to perform”.
Jesus said “if you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed. And you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Let us establish our hearts as good ground, because the word of God when
planted will not return void (Isaiah 55:11) “so shall My word be that goes forth out
of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”. Now because we know
that God’s word is true, and it won’t return to Him void. We can therefore stand on
that word and see the glory of God. That is why when you diligently study the
word of God, people will call you weird, even saying that you are trying to live
under the law; the devil knows that the more word you have in your heart, the less
of a chance he can devour you.
Jesus says “if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you
will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much
fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved
you, continue you in My love” (John 15:7-9).
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 27, 2009
Jesus taught the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9 which says “and He spoke
many things to them in parables, saying, behold a sower went forth to sow. And
when he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them
up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth; and immediately
they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was
up, they were scorched, and because they had no root; they withered away. And
some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up, and choked them. But other
fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty-fold,
some thirty-fold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear”. This parable was also
recorded in Luke 8:5-8.
When “His disciples asked Him, saying what might this parable be? And He said,
to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others in
parables, that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand”
(Luke 8:9-10). God wants us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He
had displayed His wisdom within His word. We are told to search them out
(Proverbs 2:1-8) “my son, if you will receive my words, and hide my
commandments with you. So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your
heart to understanding. Yea, if you seek after knowledge, and lift up your voice
for understanding. If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid
treasures. Then shall you understand the fear (reverence) of the Lord Yahweh,
and find the knowledge of God. for the Lord gives wisdom, out of His mouth
comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the
righteous. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keeps the paths of
judgment, and preserves the way of His saints”.
Jesus explains the parable of the sower, Luke 8:11 says “the seed is the word of
God”. And in (Matthew 13:18-23) the Bible says “hear you therefore the parable
of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and understands it
not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his
heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the
seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and immediately with
joy receives it. Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while, for when
tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word, and the
care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he
becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that
hears the word, and understands it, which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some
a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty”.
Let us examine ourselves and see where we are. II Corinthians 13:5 says
“examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves”.
Let’s look at the seed that fell by the way side, who heard the word and failed to
get understanding and the devil came and takes away the word out of their hearts,
less they should believe and be saved ( Matthew 13:19). The book of Proverbs
tells us many times to get understanding (Proverbs 3:13-18), says “happy is the
man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the
merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof
than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you can desire
are not to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left
hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one
that retains her”.
And in Proverbs 4:5-10 which says “get wisdom, get understand; forget it not,
neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall
preserve you, love her; and she shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing,
therefore get wisdom and with all your getting get understanding. Exalt her, and
she shall promote you, she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her.
She shall give to your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she
deliver to you. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life
shall be many”.
Proverbs 9:10 says “the fear (reverence) of the Lord Yahweh is the beginning of
wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”.
Remember that the devil can only take away the word that you don’t understand;
so if you need wisdom James 1:5 says if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him”.
Let’s look at the seed that fell onto stony places, he receives it with joy but have
no root in himself, and was only able to endure for a while (Matthew 13:20-21).
You have to develop your root system, so many Christians come to Jesus to
escape the fires of hell, yet don’t fill up themselves with the word of God. We are
told in Ephesians 5:17-20 “wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what
the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled
with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all
things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The word has
to be implanted in your heart (James 1:12,21) says “blessed is the man that
endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which
the Lord has promised to them that love Him. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness
and excel of evil, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to
save your souls. But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
your own selves”. As you feed yourself on a steady diet of the word of God, it
springs down and forms roots. Just like when you plant a seed into the ground, it
has to first take root, and then it comes up. Galatians 6:9 says “and let us not be
weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”.
Let’s look at the seed that fell among thorns, he hears the word but the cares of
the world chokes out the word (Matthew 13:22). We were not created to carry
stress; we are told to cast our cares on Jesus for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7); and
in Philippians 4:6-7 says “be careful (anxious) for nothing, but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Paul continues to tell us what we should
think about, what ever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added
to us (Matthew 6:33), and He was talking about taking thought for your life, what
you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body what you shall put on.
Remember that III John 2 says “beloved, I wish above all things that you may
prosper, and be in health, even as you soul prospers”. We have to renew our
minds to the word of God.
Let’s look at the seed that fell on good ground, he hears the word, and
understands it, and he bears fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty
(Matthew 13:22). Have you ever wondered why some brought forth a hundredfold,
while others sixty, and thirty? Jesus told many people “your faith have made you
whole”. He described faith in different measures, no faith, weak faith, little faith,
strong faith. And He said “according to your faith, so be it done to you”. As you
plant the word of God in your heart, meditate on it, studying the word until you
believe it, and become fully persuaded like Abraham did (Romans 4:21) “and
being fully persuaded, that, what, He had promised, He was able also to perform”.
Jesus said “if you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed. And you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Let us establish our hearts as good ground, because the word of God when
planted will not return void (Isaiah 55:11) “so shall My word be that goes forth out
of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”. Now because we know
that God’s word is true, and it won’t return to Him void. We can therefore stand on
that word and see the glory of God. That is why when you diligently study the
word of God, people will call you weird, even saying that you are trying to live
under the law; the devil knows that the more word you have in your heart, the less
of a chance he can devour you.
Jesus says “if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you
will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much
fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved
you, continue you in My love” (John 15:7-9).
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 27, 2009
