Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

13 October 2024

Reading From Matthew 13, Luke 8

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

 –Luke 8:11-15

     There is much to be gleaned from this parable of Jesus.  It breaks my heart that the Word of the Lord would be stolen away by Satan from those who need it.  We all need it.  There are many ways that the enemy of our souls can spoil our goods such as distraction, temptation, and discouragement.  We must be on guard against his schemes and protect those who are new to the faith and most vulnerable.  While it’s not healthy to helicopter pre-Christians, it may be beneficial to warn them of what the devil will try to do.  He does not want people to truly receive the Good News.

     Many millions of people attend church, but not everyone who attends a service is a born again believer.  Some individuals have an epiphany decades into their church membership that they are not truly saved.  Excitement does not equal genuine faith.  Faith, hope and love abide and endure, but enthusiasm, if it is shallow and of the flesh, will fade.  Real power and passion for ministry comes from the Holy Spirit, who causes a well to spring up within us that will never dry up.

     Our present reality is filled with concerns, pursuits, and entertainments that are distractions from what really matters.  It is difficult to remain focused on spiritual matters that require faith when there is so much that demands our attention in the physical realm.  What we fail to realize is just how much power and influence spiritual forces exert on the world around us.  If we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything else will fall into place. 

     I want to receive the Word of God joyfully, put it into practice in my daily life, and go deeper with the Lord.  I want to build my life on the solid foundation of Christ and His Word so that when the storms of life come, me and my household will not be shaken.  It doesn’t mean that life won’t be hard, but it means that the house that God builds will not fall.

I believe that the Holy Spirit can and will guide us into all truth as we trust Him to do so. A few helpful ways we can deepen and strengthen our roots are to choose to be faithful to worship, pray, study and meditate upon the Scriptures, encourage one another, and share the love and message of Jesus with others. It is vital to fight through seasons of discouragement by clinging to the gleaming, bright hope found in the Bible.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word.  It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  I pray that I would hide Your Words in my heart that I might not sin against You.  Reveal Yourself in a fresh and new and exciting way as I hear from You through the pages of Scripture.  In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.”

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

 –Colossians 2:7

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

–Ephesians 3:17