Scripture

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

~Mark 4:18-19, NLT

Quote

There is a difference between humility and low self esteem: humility is content with what it has.

~Elisabeth Elliot

I have always seen myself as the fertile soil or the fallow ground but after listening to one of Elisabeth Elliot’s devotions, I am not so sure. I see three things in Mark 4:19 that every believer should be aware of and guard against. [1] “The worries of life.” The KJV renders it, “Cares of this world.” Young translates in “Anxieties of this age.” The Greek word comes from the root that means to be distracted. I don’t think Jesus has pure evil in mind here: I think He is talking about food, clothing, housing, etc. Not necessarily evil things but things that we need in this life. The sin is to be consumed with worry concerning these needed things. We need clothes, amen! I don’t think clothing is evil. God Himself fashioned the first dress and suit. Where we sin is by putting too much emphasis on clothing and apparel. We need only what is necessary. [2] The second thing Jesus mentions is the “Lure of wealth.” The NASB says, “the deceitfulness of wealth.” People tend to think that money solves all problems but this is not true. Money is like salt water, it will not satisfy your thirst, it will only intensify your thirst. The more you get, the more you will want. Some one asks John D. Rockafellow how much more money it would take to satisfy him and he said, “Just a little more.” [3] Number three is the desire for things. The KJV reads “lust for things.” In other words, a desire for what we want. This is one of the most difficult things we deal with in life: making the distinction between what we want and what we need. God will provide our needs but He never promised to provide our wants.

We get a desire on out mind and we become obsessed with pursuing it. We even call ourselves “praying about it,” but our praying is like the obese preacher who was driving through a town and he saw a Krispy Creme. Immediately, he began crazing a dozen donuts {which he did not need} so he begins mumbling a prayer to the LORD. “LORD you know I don’t need those donuts but I really don’t think You would mind all that much if I had one. I will go around the block and come back buy, if there is an open parking space in front of the Krispy Kreme, I’ll know that it is an omen for me to get a dozen donuts.” Later it was sharing this story in a testimony and someone asks, did the LORD open up a parking place? He said, “Not at first, but on my ninth trip around the block, one opened up.” LORD unless you stop me, I am going to get those donuts is not really a prayer. As a general rule, He will not stop you from pursuing your lust, desires or wants. BUT when you get what you thought you wanted, you will realize it is not really what you want. It is an extremely hard lesson to learn.

Extra

Yesterday was a marathon for a 37 year old but by the grace of God we made it. I got home at 6:30 last night and took a shower and my medication. June said, “What are you doing?” I said, “I am going to bed ASAP.” I feel a bit refreshed today. Everything went well at Joyce COLS and the ladies had a delicious meal. I think it might be the best one ever.

August has zoomed by and September will go even faster. Labor Day less than two weeks away. I hope you have a good day and a great week and thanks for reading the blog.