North Santa Rosa

Living With Purpose

     I hope you enjoy the guest columnist this week. This is an excerpt from my daughter, Anna Marie Dobson’s blog spot. She is a high school senior and plans to attend Columbus State University after she graduates. You can access her blogs at: notabasicgirl.blogspot.com. She begins with a story from the New Testament:

   

      There is a story told in Matthew chapter 13 of the Bible and it goes like this:

 

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore.3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

 

I don’t know about you, but the first time I ever read this I was confused. I didn’t understand the point that Jesus was trying to get across to the crowd but I kept reading.

 

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:

 

Aha! Finally, an explanation!

 

     19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 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. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 

 

Which seed are you? Are you the one who doesn’t understand it? SPEAK UP. Go to a youth pastor, or the pastor of your church. They will be more than glad to further explain and help you fully understand Gods word. I also would get a study bible too. I got one for Christmas and whenever there is a passage, I don’t seem to understand there is a paragraph at the bottom that explains it for me. I read that, then read the passage again and think “Oh, I get it now.”

 

What if you are the seed on the rocky soil? You understand the message when you hear it, but it eventually rubs off and you forget about it. People often call it a “spiritual high.” You tend to get it after a church retreat, and for a few weeks you are on fire for God, but eventually you get off the high and everything is back to normal.

 

I went on a hike the other day and saw a tree that had been blown over with most of its root system exposed. The tree did not last because its roots weren’t deep enough. If you feel that your roots aren’t deep enough, spend time with God in prayer. Read your bible every day. Last year I used the Jesus Calling devotional book, this year I am using the Duck Dynasty 365 Day Devotional. The more time you spend with God, the deeper your roots grow. Do these things now before you end up like that tree. 🙂

 

 

Are you the seed that fell in the thorns? When was the last time you trusted God with everything? We tend to be little worry bugs from time to time. When I feel myself start to worry, I read this next verse over and over. Matthew 6:34, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

     Worrying is a waste of all of our time. Do not let these earthly things get the best of you. God cares for you and wants us to give everything that is bothering us to Him. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you. 🙂

 

If you are the seed that falls on the good soil, then good for you. Go out and share the good news with others! Witness to others. You can start a prayer group at school, a bible study with your friends where you meet once a week. Be a role model in your family, and friend’s lives. Make a difference in this world. We need more people like you! What are you waiting for?? 🙂

 

Don’t feel discouraged if you are the seeds that fall on the wrong soil, or if your roots aren’t deep enough, because anyone can be the seed that falls on the good soil. We all start at the bottom. A relationship takes two people and God is waiting for you to build your relationship with Him so start today! Go go go! 🙂

 

  • This weekly column is written by Matt Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University, Univ. of West Florida, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, he is Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Jay, Florida and is a Captain (CPT) in the U.S. Army Reserves Chaplain Corp. Matt can be reached by email:  rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living. Visit the Living With Purpose website at www.living-with-purpose.org.

 

Posted by on Mar 23 2014. Filed under Churches, Living With Purpose, Local, Top News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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