The sower sows the Word. The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown [in their hearts], but when they hear, Satan comes at once and [by force] takes away the message which is sown in them.
—Mark 4:14-15
If you hear or study the Word, the devil will immediately attempt to steal it from you. He does not want the Word to take root in your heart and begin to produce good fruit in your life. When you learn the truth, deception is uncovered and you are set free. Satan hates and fears the Word. He will do anything possible to prevent you from learning God’s Word.
The reason Satan works so hard to keep you from the Word is simple: He knows the Word of God is a powerful weapon against him. It assures his defeat! That is why it is imperative that you learn to wield the spiritual sword. Reading, hearing, believing, meditating on, and confessing the Word cancels Satan’s evil plan. Tonight, determine to make the Word of God a priority in your life.
Seek the Truth
by Joyce Meyer - posted April 02, 2017The sower sows the Word. The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown [in their hearts], but when they hear, Satan comes at once and [by force] takes away the message which is sown in them.
—Mark 4:14-15
If you hear or study the Word, the devil will immediately attempt to steal it from you. He does not want the Word to take root in your heart and begin to produce good fruit in your life. When you learn the truth, deception is uncovered and you are set free. Satan hates and fears the Word. He will do anything possible to prevent you from learning God’s Word.
The reason Satan works so hard to keep you from the Word is simple: He knows the Word of God is a powerful weapon against him. It assures his defeat! That is why it is imperative that you learn to wield the spiritual sword. Reading, hearing, believing, meditating on, and confessing the Word cancels Satan’s evil plan. Tonight, determine to make the Word of God a priority in your life.
A Life that Makes a Difference
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14–16
Christians are supposed to be different from the world. God’s design and command is for us to live in such a way that we are examples of His power to transform a life. Such a life glorifies God, and it also is a powerful witness to those around us.
A few years back, a man whose wife had attended our church for many years finally made the decision to trust Christ as his Saviour. When I asked him what brought him to that decision, he said, “It was seeing my wife get out of bed every morning to pray and read her Bible, and the way she lived as a Christian around me.” This was not a quick decision—in fact it took ten years of a consistent Christian testimony from his wife before he opened his heart to the Lord.
The tragedy of a Christian whose life does not match his message is illustrated for us in the story of the destruction of Sodom. After Lot (Abraham’s nephew) had chosen to live in Sodom for some years, his testimony seems to have completely disappeared. When God sent angels to warn Lot that judgment was coming, he tried to convince his married daughters and sons-in-law to flee with him. “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law” (Genesis 19:14). If Lot had taken his example more seriously before the moment of crisis, his family and those around him would have been more willing to heed his message.
Matthew 5:14–16
Christians are supposed to be different from the world. God’s design and command is for us to live in such a way that we are examples of His power to transform a life. Such a life glorifies God, and it also is a powerful witness to those around us.
A few years back, a man whose wife had attended our church for many years finally made the decision to trust Christ as his Saviour. When I asked him what brought him to that decision, he said, “It was seeing my wife get out of bed every morning to pray and read her Bible, and the way she lived as a Christian around me.” This was not a quick decision—in fact it took ten years of a consistent Christian testimony from his wife before he opened his heart to the Lord.
The tragedy of a Christian whose life does not match his message is illustrated for us in the story of the destruction of Sodom. After Lot (Abraham’s nephew) had chosen to live in Sodom for some years, his testimony seems to have completely disappeared. When God sent angels to warn Lot that judgment was coming, he tried to convince his married daughters and sons-in-law to flee with him. “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law” (Genesis 19:14). If Lot had taken his example more seriously before the moment of crisis, his family and those around him would have been more willing to heed his message.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The power of a spoken witness reinforced and supported by a truly Christian life is great indeed.
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