Today’s Encouragement is, “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.”Matthew 13:22 NLT
Worries Of This Life –
Jesus explained His parable in Matthew 13:18/23 for us. He explains that the seed, which represents His Good News, is spread freely and generously everywhere, without limitation. But the receptivity of the soil, which is our response to His Truth, is the determining factor in the life, growth, and fruit.
In today’s verse, there are two examples of what can ‘crowd out’ (ESV says ‘choke’ ) God’s Truth, “the worries of this life and the lure of wealth.”
The worries of this life! Notice he doesn’t say pains, past experiences, injustice, misfortune, setbacks, or failures. It isn’t what happens to us; it is our thinking, our mindset, that controls us!
We choke out, crowd out God’s truth when we worry!
Worry is a habit, and a choice! He clearly tells us, “Don’t!” (Matthew 6:25-34). Because it is corrosive, worry eats away our faith like cancer! It chokes out and crowds out the Truth of God’s Word.
The antidote to worry is trusting God. He is for you. He cares for you. He is our protector and provider. Worry feeds fear, crowds out God’s truth; it is poison to our souls. God’s Truth, His Word, brings hope, faith, and peace!
Thank You, Father, for so clearly teaching us the destructiveness of worry. We choose to believe Your Truth, trust You for everything, and refuse worry and fear, so that Your Truth can bear fruit in our lives. We pray in Jesus’ Name.
I Will Trust In You
Heavenly Fuel
https://youtu.be/a1YEQVFzE1M?si=PqvS-WiFEizv1Ykk