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IBS 11 - Luke 8:11-15

Luke 8:11-15
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are chocked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

I’ve been all of these.
I’ve had times in my life where I heard, and then the devil came and took away the word from my heart. I didn’t believe and was fully living in the world. I heard the word, but it went in one ear and out the other. I didn’t ever think about it. It wasn’t in my heart. That was when I was growing up and was oblivious to the whole “Jesus” thing. I never listened. 
There’s been times when I received the word with joy, but I didn’t have root. I took in what is said and I’m super excited about it. That usually happens at camps and I get on that “spiritual high”. I would go home all pumped and ready to start new, but then life would start again. God would throw tests at me, and I would fail them. They made me mad and as a result, my heart would turn cold towards the word. It made me mad, not wanting to hear it anymore. 
Then there were those times when I did hear. But just like it says, “life’s worries, riches, and pleasures” would get in the way. I wasn’t strong enough to keep the word in my heart, and I fell for the world. This was the one I struggled with the most. I got so caught up on the way people saw me, thought about me, and everything, that I would dismiss God’s word. I put so much of my attention and identity in things that weren’t Him. He wants me, he’s chasing after me, he’s fighting for me. And I just sat there telling Him no, and looking to others for approval.  
I’m ready now, to hear the word and retain it. To absorb as much as I can. I want to learn the word, to know it. I want it in my heart. If it’s fully in my heart, then it’ll be easier to stay with the word. If I fully believe it and understand I won’t waiver. I will be strong in the Lord. “Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night…” Joshua 1:8. I have to have the word to stand. To fight the battle. If I retain it, I will become a good warrior. Good warriors have to put on their armor. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17. 

Application: I will memorize Luke 8:11-15. 


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