Mark 4 – What kind of Soil are you?

Mar10

Good evening y’all. Today we are looking at Mark chapter 4

Be Blessed 🙂

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In verses 3 to 8, Jesus tells us about the different kinds of soil. He goes on to explain 2 his disciples in verses 13 to 20 the meaning of each soil and it’s implications.

I am going to do a quick summary on each. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will minister to us and help us realise where we are and give us the grace to make the necessary amends. Our goal is it be the fertile soil which produced a great harvest.

1) The footpath soil –
These are the ones whose hearts are hardened and unreceptive to the word of God. There is no room in their lives for God’s word at all. They believe they don’t need His help and can get through life on their own. Jeffrey E Miller had this to say about this kind of Soil-

“This soil represents a hard heart that doesn’t permit the Word of God to penetrate its surface. These individuals are in control of their own lives; they have all of the answers. They are unteachable, and the Word of God falls upon their deaf ears.” (Www.bible.org)

Are you a footpath soil?

2) Shallow soil –

These ones who hear the word and are immediately filled with excitement but it doesn’t last enough to produce any effect in their lives. They lack a personal relationship with The Word Himself – Jesus, so when the storms and challenges of life come, they are unable to stand. No wonder Paul prayed that we will be deeply rooted in Christ

Are you a shallow soil?

3) Thorny soil –

These ones hear the word and receive it but somewhere along the line, life happens to them. They become too busy for God or distracted by the activities of life. They don’t have time to tend or nurture their relationship with God. The more they leave it unattended, the more the thorns keep growing and eventually the relationship withers away …

Are you a thorny soil?

4) Fertile soil –
These ones who hear the word of God and accept it. They embrace the word with faith and run with it. The Word transforms their lives and produces fruits. Their lives impact others around them. They are not ashamed to tell others about their faith.

Are you a fertile soil?

Our ultimate goal is to get to a point where our hearts are the right condition for the word of God to grow in us and to impact the lives of those we come in contact with. Where the cares of this world do not overwhelm us. Where we have learnt to put into practice Matthew 6:33 which says seek ye first the Kingdom of God and it’s righteousness….. Where we have learnt to surrender it all to God and let His Spirit lead us.

I pray God removes every barrier that’s stopping us from becoming a fertile soil. That we will learn to cast all our  anxiety and fears for tomorrow on Him and keep looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. In Jesus ‘s Name. Amen

Thanks for joining today. Pls feel free to share your thoughts.

Have a blessed evening 🙂

***With God all things are possible***

Mark 3 – Are you a member of God’s family?

Mar9

Good evening y’all. Welcome to day 3 of our study from the book of Mark.

Today we will be looking at Mark chapter 3.

During my study time, I stumbled on an article on the chapter from bible.org that really blessed and challenged me.

Its a lengthy article but i have tried to extract some bits out to include in the blog. i suggest you read the full article if you can here.

Be Blessed 🙂

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A Follower’s Calling – Mark 3:7-35 by Jeffrey E Miller

We have been called to God’s family (3:7-19) –

Jesus chooses a motley crew of followers: Four blue collar fishermen, one hated tax-collector, one radical member of a violent political party, one doubter, and one betrayer (known to Jesus). We know virtually nothing about six of these men, whose names never appear again in Mark’s Gospel. Although the word “family” has not yet occurred in this chapter, Jesus has nevertheless established the pattern of a family with these disciples. This pattern has three components.

First, Jesus “names” them apostles. The text does not say that He “called” them apostles, nor that He “appointed” them apostles. It uses the specific Greek word meaning “name.” Furthermore, Peter, James, and John receive additional “names” from Jesus. Isn’t that the first step for a new member of a family? Isn’t that what happens when you enter a family? When we are called into God’s family, He gives us a new name. What name has God given to you? I like to think that when a person is born again the Father breaks open His book of baby names and states, “Ah, a new precious child. What shall I name this one?” I would imagine that book contains names such as “Patient One,” “Joyful One,” “Servant,” “Trusting One,” “Courageous One,” “Honest One,” “Faithful One.” What name has the Father bestowed upon you? Are you living up to that name?

Second, these disciples are called to “be with Him.” Isn’t this the next stage for a member of a family? A child is born, named, and then “with” the family for a period of time—usually about 18-20 years. During this time the children are taught, trained, and prepared for life. In the same way, Jesus seeks to teach, train, and prepare these disciples for ministry.

Finally, after a period of time “with Jesus,” these disciples will be sent “to preach and to have authority to cast out demons.” After receiving the training and preparation, the disciples will be sent out to accomplish ministry. In the same way, children are born, named, with their family for a period of time, and then sent out into life. While you and I are not apostles in a technical sense, our job is quite similar. Are you and I following that pattern within God’s spiritual family? We have been born again, named, and with Jesus. Are we now accomplishing the ministry we have been trained and prepared for? I wonder how many of us like the “be with him” part but not the “going out” part. You and I are irrevocably called into God’s family just as these disciples were.

We have been called to obedience (within the family) (3:31-35) –

Having concluded that He has gone insane (Mark 3:21), Jesus’ family has now arrived to collect Him (3:32). When notified that His family awaits Him outside, Jesus redefines for us the notion of family while conveying an allegiance to those who acknowledge and do the will of God. There is a stronger bond than that of flesh and blood; even Mary’s relationship with Jesus was not close enough. She had to become His follower. Who is the true family of Jesus? Those who follow him with a lasting response in word and deed, of course. Put simply, those who do the will of God. Remember that in the Gospel of Mark, actions speak louder than words. As members of the family of God, you and I have been called to obedience within that family.

I am always impressed when I see folks walking dogs without leashes. What marvelously obedient animals. When I see a dog on a leash I know two things about that dog: 1) he has a master, and 2) he doesn’t know that he has a master. Remove the leash and your dog is sure to get himself into trouble. He will run out into traffic, eat something he will later regret, eat something you will later regret, bite someone or frighten someone, destroy something, or simply run away. Hence, the leash.

Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, “The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master.” Have you found your Master? Are you a member of God’s family? Then as one “dog-on-a-leash” to another “dog-on-a-leash” I ask: When will we begin to obey our Master? Why is it that every time the leash comes off we get ourselves into trouble? How long before God can trust us enough to remove the leash, knowing we will walk in obedience by His side?
One of the most profound prayers I’ve ever heard simply states:
“Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.”

– excerpt from https://bible.org/seriespage/4-follower-s-calling-mark-37-35

Thanks for joining today. Pls feel free to share your thoughts on the chapter.

Have a blessed evening 🙂

I am blogging through the book of Mark with Good Morning Girls. Check us out at www.goodmorninggirls.org

***With God all things are possible***