TOPIC: THE STONY GROUND
MEMORISE:
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: Mark 4:5
READ: Mark 4:16-17
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
MESSAGE
In continuation of my discussion from yesterday about the different kinds of soils, I will examine stony grounds today. The major problem with a stony ground is that it does not retain water sufficiently for the seeds planted in it to grow. Water is needed for seeds to germinate, even though it is God who will determine the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
In Amos 4:7-8, the Lord said that if He decides to withhold the rain, a city will soon go into famine and will start begging another city, where it has continued to rain, for food. When
people invest in ventures that God is not involved in, they are planting seeds on stony grounds. When you consider such ventures carefully, you will realize that they are designed to attract and fool only greedy and desperate people. In my lifetime, I have seen many Ponzi schemes come and go, and I warn those close to me to desist from them. Some listen, but others do not, and they suffer when they lose their money God is and remains our Supplier; when we apply Biblical principles and work diligently with our hands, He will prosper us. Any investment that goes against Biblical principles, such as hard work, diligence, faithfulness, patience, and contentment, is a stony ground. Those who hasten to be rich will not be innocent, and such people will end up piercing themselves through with many sorrows.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Proverbs 28:20
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
Beloved, you must guard your heart against greed and covetousness. You must be content with what you have while working diligently so that God can bless the works of your hands. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, allowed greed to rule him, and he ended up inheriting leprosy. While he could have inherited a double portion of Elisha's anointing, he subjected himself and his lineage to a lifetime of shame, seclusion, and frustration (2 Kings 5:20-27).
Beloved, greed, impatience, and not following God's instructions can lead you to sow on stony grounds. Sowing on stony grounds cannot produce good harvests; it will only lead to frustration. I pray that the Lord will show you the right places to sow, in Jesus' name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me not to sow on stony grounds. Please guide my sowing and bless the work of my hands, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 12-15
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 10: IN CHRIST ALONE
1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
2. In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
3. Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
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