|
In Matthew 13:1-9 there is a parable
about a man who went out to sow seed. Jesus spoke this word after He
had gotten into a boat and pushed off shore a little ways so He could
face the crowd. Jesus started this day off by taking a walk to the sea
and then sat down. Many gathered to Him and in an impromptu gathering
He begins by telling a story. (See Matthew 13:3-9) After He had
spoken the parable of the sower, His disciples came to Him and wanted
an explanation of what the story meant. Jesus reveals something about
His Kingdom in this explanation that I feel is important to more closely
examine.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom,
and does not understand it, the evil {one} comes and snatches away what
has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside
the road. (Matthew 13:19 (NAS))
The Word
of the Kingdom of God
It is obvious that the seed here is the word of the Kingdom of God.
Seeds are that which must fall into the ground and die before they can
spring forth. This all happens without any help from man. If man does
try to help this process there will be a mutation. The word of the Kingdom
must come to us through the Spirit.
When Jesus says, "and does not understand it..", understand means to
bring together in a hostile sense. It is used of combatants or battling
to comprehend. In order to put together in our minds what it really
means for God to have dominion over all things, it will take a battle
of major proportions. If that battle is cut short, then what you understand
about the Kingdom will be limited. The reason the battle gets cut short
is explained in the next three words of this verse - "the evil one..."
This is translated in Greek as full of labors, annoyances. Being pressed
and harassed by labors. The Greek is not calling "the evil one" the
devil or Satan, it only refers to being pressed by labor. The Lord is
saying that the battle to comprehend the Kingdom is cut short by pressed
labors and annoyances. In other words, my business keeps me from understanding
the kingdom. Annoyances can keep me from getting anywhere with the Lord.
How many prayers or study times have been interrupted by the annoyances
of everyday life? If not directed by the Lord, even my labor for the
church can be pressed labor. These are the things that keep us from
comprehending the Kingdom as we should. The result of limited understanding
is limited power.
Feeling of Achievement
I've written this article on a computer. The computer aids me in the
writing because it does things for me that I haven't mastered (e.g.
spelling, grammar, etc.). All this help is to allow me to be more creative
and not be bothered by understanding spelling, grammar or many other
things that keep me from a feeling of achievement.
This is the reason the electronic piano was invented. You can play one
note with the left hand and an entire rhythm section starts playing
perfectly. Without any study or practice, you can have a feeling of
achievement. Though it is fun, nothing about music will be comprehended
as you play for hours with one finger on one note.
The reason I don't take the time to learn to spell or play the keyboard
from the beginning is that I'm too busy with the rest of my life to
spend it trying to comprehend something as fundamental as spelling.
The same thing can happen in church. If someone tells me week after
week what the Kingdom of God is all about I don't need to comprehend
this myself. I don't need to seek God for the answers, I just ask the
pastor for what I need.
The feeling of achievement is a strong force in modern life, because
learning and comprehension are battles and require self-discipline.
We, who are very busy, forego this conflict in favor of a feeling of
achievement. After a time, the feeling of achievement is all we strive
for. This is how the "evil one" steals the seed of the Kingdom of God
through pressed labors.
Strength of Man
What else might keep me from getting a hold on the word of the Kingdom
of God?
And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky
places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives
it with joy; yet he has no {firm} root in himself, but is {only} temporary,
and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately
he falls away. (Matthew 13:20-21 (NAS))
Rocky places is taken from the Greek word petrodes which comes from
the root word "petra." We all know that means rock but the metaphor
for petra is explained as, a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness
and strength of soul. If the word of the Kingdom of God is received
by man's own strength of soul he will lose it when persecutions or afflictions
come as a result of that word. I know I have tried to understand God
with all my might and it has accomplished nothing. Only when I allowed
the Spirit to show me who I am and who the true I AM is, that I began
to comprehend some of the sovereignty of God.
Be reminded that this entire parable is a metaphor and the Lord has
hidden its meaning from the Jews, but I believe it is hidden from us
as well if we do not seek Him for an answer.
Distractions
Another way to miss the Kingdom of God is in the next verse.
And the one on whom seed was sown among the
thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world,
and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
(Matthew 13:22 (NAS))
"Worry" is the key word in this verse. It has to do with anxiety through
distraction, (which means entertainment), but it is taken from a root
word meaning to disunite. How many times has entertainment been a distraction
to you and served to disunite you from the Lord? I know there are times
when I need some distractions and relief from my daily life. The Lord
is trying to show us here that He is the distraction I need in my life.
He is all the fantasy world I will ever need. We really need to be distracted
from our lives, not from the Lord.
Jesus goes on to say deceitfulness or delusion of riches will choke
the word of the Kingdom. Remember that riches mean an abundance of possessions.
Having valued stuff is a worse problem than riches. All these are reasons
the dominion of God is not understood or even really believed. If we
all truly believed in the sovereignty of God we would never doubt another
day.
GOOD SOIL
Jesus finishes this parable with the simplest statements that can be
made and the people listening were as confused as we are even after
He explained it.
And the one on whom seed was sown on the good
soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed
bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some
thirty. (Matthew 13:23 (NAS))
The one who understands is the one who finishes the battle to comprehend
and lay hold of, even in a violent way, the Kingdom of the Almighty
God (Matthew11:12). What is Kingdom fruit? Obedience to God is
fruit and that can grow to thirty, sixty and up to a hundredfold.
After spending years leading praise and making CD's that seemed to bless
many lives, the Lord spoke to me through a prophet and said there was
no fruit in my life. I had done much Christian work but I had born no
fruit. Being stunned by this I wanted to know what was meant by fruit.
After some prayer and asking forgiveness, I found that fruit really
is obedience to God.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye
love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another. (John 13:34-35 (KJV))
For me to obey the Lord I had to learn to love. I thought all would
see me as loving if I made CDs and lead praise. All did - except God.
Because you use the gifts the Lord has given you to do good works, does
not mean you have learned to love. If being a disciple of Jesus cannot
be clearly seen by all, then there is a good chance that love is not
apparent in you.
And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom
of God, or by what parable shall we present it? "{It is} like a mustard
seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all
the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, grows up and
becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches;
so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade." (Mark
4:30-32 (NAS))
There is no doubt that the seed of love starts small, but has the potential
to become the greatest thing in your life. Once it has fully grown it
will provide shade and rest for others.
By Don Potter
Web: http://www.donpottermusic.com/
Email:
info@donpottermusic.com
 |
While I Wait
(Instrumental CD)
By Don Potter
$15.00 Instrumental Music CD |
 "I
have to admit to you all (my secret) that Don Potter is probably
my favorite musician . . . or should I call him a 'prophetic minstrel'?
With prophetic clarity and allegorical poetry, Don Potter brings
the Word of God to life in a musical way and in a spiritual way
like none other I've heard. Often in parable form, sometimes in
instrumental-only form.
"In this new release, in instrumental form, is where you will get
a mix of mellow and blue-grass-type music, to something that sounds
like you're at an Irish festival.
"I go to bed at night and often place a (my other secret) $300 noise-canceling
BOSE speakerphone set over my ears and fall to sleep in a 'spiritual
place' listening to Don Potter music. I eagerly await it, each time
Don is about to release his next CD. This one will not disappoint
you, I promise you that!
"Some may be interested to know that Don Potter was the one who
originally produced 'The Judd's' - the mother-daughter duo who became
famous worldwide. A highly gifted musician placed 'in high places'
by God for such a time as this, Don Potter continues to inspire
others with his new releases. I hope you'll get this new CD. Consider
it a pre-order to make sure you are able to get your copy as it
may be up to two weeks before we have it in our hands, though I've
already listened to an advanced copy." -- Steve
Shultz, THE ELIJAH LIST
Listen to Samples!
Close to Home
mp3
wma
rm
While I Wait
mp3
wma
rmFeel free to
order
online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1317
|
 |
Facing the Wall
By Don Potter
$15.00 Music CD |
 "I've
spent many years trying to entertain people and later lead them
into the praise of the Lord Jesus. In the middle of leading praise
one day, I believe I heard the Lord say, 'Go home and play until
you discern My presence.' I did this by facing the wall and playing
the guitar. At first, I could only play a few minutes before the
desire to entertain crept back in. After a year, I could play for
hours and never realize it happened. The pleasure of the Lord was
better than any reward I had ever received. The music you will hear
is the result of Facing the Wall." --- Don Potter
Listen to Samples!
String Dance
mp3
wma
rm
Facing the Wall
mp3
wma
rmFeel free to
order
online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=660
|
"Please forward
this announcement to ALL your friends. Also, they too can subscribe
to DAILY ELIJAH LIST NEWSLETTER so they don't miss current revelation
being posted and important calls to prayer. They can subscribe
by sending an email to:
elijahsubs@qwest.net
To donate by regular
mail, use this address:
Elijah List Ministries (Now
a Non-Profit Ministry)
528 Ellsworth SW
Albany, OR 97321
or call: 1-8.6.6-881-0477 or
1-541-917-0484
If you donate $15 or more to
Elijah List Ministries, we will send you our current tape of the Month
NO_CHARGE. Any
amount over $15 will be tax deductible.
Permission is granted
(and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy
form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them
on your own websites. We ask only that you keep Elijah List website,
email contact info, and author contact information intact. Thank you
and blessings, Steve Shultz, Publisher, The Elijah List
http://www.elijahlist.com
Subscribe to The Elijah List here.
http://www.elijahlist.com/elijahlist_subscription.htm
or to
unsubscribe
Cliquez ici pour souscrire à la Liste Elie en français
ElijahElie@qwest.com
Puede suscribirse a La lista de Elias en español al mandar un mensaje
de correo electrónico a:
lalistadeelias@myexcel.com
|
 Book
"Show Me Your
Glory"
by Bill Hart
$13.99 Book
 Music
CD
"Wings of
an Eagle"
by Gary Szymik
$14.98 Music CD
Listen to Samples!
He Reigns
mp3
wma
rm
Holy, Holy
mp3
wma
rm
I'm Running
mp3
wma
rm
More New Resources...
 Book
Bill Johnson
"When
Heaven Invades Earth"
$13.99
 Book
Joy Parrott
"Parables
in the Night Seasons"
$12.00
More Top Sellers...
 Visit
our Online Web
Store
Asia-Pacific
Tape
Distribution
South
African Tape
Distribution
Tape/CD
Duplication
Service for Ministries
Healing
Room
Directory
Words/Prophecy
Archive
Find
a Prophetic
Conference
Near You!
Receive
the Elijah List
Newsletter in Plain
Text
Have We Lost Our Awe Of God?
By Dennis Cramer
Mar 19, 2004)
Preparing
to Cross Over: Find Three Days to Sanctify Yourself
by Chuck Pierce
(Mar 18, 2004)
"The Power of Remembering" - As Christ's Passion
Becomes Ours
By Francis Frangipane
(Mar 17, 2004)
Saint Patrick - The Man Who Raised the Dead
By Kathie Walters
(Mar 16, 2004)
"Remembering Saint Patrick" - The Truth about
This Great Man of God
by John Doan
(Mar 16, 2004)
Please forward
this to your friends and your own lists. Please also keep the author and
Elijah List info intact. Others may freely subscribe or unsubscribe to THE
ELIJAH LIST by sending an email to:
subscriptions@elijahlist.com
or by going to
www.elijahlist.com.
|
While
I Wait
Since
the Fall
Facing
the Wall
Returning
- Live From Holland
Now
is the Time
