What If ...

Matthew 13:3, 7 & 22 Then Jesus spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

The seed being sown in this parable represents the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. The different type of ground that the broadcast seed lands upon represents the condition of the human hearts that hear this Word of trust and salvation. Of all the soils that Jesus spoke about, why only mention the thorns … the cares of this material world and the deceitfulness of riches? This week, our Men’s Bible Study group took a field trip to go together to see the new Christian movie titled “What If …” at the local theater. The story of a man (Kevin Sorbo), who leaves his fiancé and ministry plans for fame, fortune, and living big in the material world, but God sends an Angel (John Ratzenberger) to show him what his life would have been if he hadn’t gone the way of the thorns. The Lord gives him a second chance to figure out true happiness, straighten his life out, and be the minister, the husband, the father, and man that God intended him to be. The Christian message is priceless and these are the movies that we need in our culture today. It’s never too late for the God of the second chance. Hope you see can it too.

Matthew 13:8-9 & 22 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces.

We are here for a reason. We are here for a purpose. We are here for a mission. Let’s not miss it. Being a coach, I work to instill the three D’s to success (Dedication, Desire, & Determination) that build. But there are the three D’s to defeat (Doubt, Deception, & Distraction) that tear down. Proverbs 4:23 tells us “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Why? Our sin nature of the flesh uses emotional & sensual lies of materialism as a deception and distraction from the will of God for our lives. Dedication to the Lord, desire for His holy word & will, and determination to know and live by the truth takes a conscious effort. Let’s walk in the Spirit and never have to wonder “what if…". May we keep our hearts "good ground" always.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWNT69KJ9vo

Philippians 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

In Christ, Brian