A trash compactor is often used by homes and businesses to reduce the volume of trash. A trash compactor has a motor inside that operates a press, which lowers into the trash receptacle, compacts the trash, and then raises back up so more trash can be added. The trash is now packed together… no long can you distinguish the grocery receipt from some junk ad… it is all just a mass.
Mark 4:18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but their focus is drawn away by the worries of this life, the false glamour of wealth and all sorts of other ambitions creeping in choke life out of what they heard so it cannot produce fruit.
The word for choke here is a compound word that carries the idea of compressing together
There are days when everything presses in on me as if I was in a trash compactor. I sit down for a quiet time and as I read something strikes me and I know that the LORD is talking to me… maybe it is to let go of something or maybe HE wants me to write a letter to that friend but then out of the blue a worry about one of the kids pushes into my mind, and I glance up and the color of the book across the room catches my eye and reminds me that I need to mend that jacket or an idea for my newest project jumps into mind from nowhere like a light turning on. The urgent need I felt to pray or to write that letter to encourage my friend is lost somewhere in the shuffle.
See how easy it is for things to creep in unnoticed and steal our focus, choking the life out of what GOD spoke to us?
I have found something that helps me keep focused. When conviction or an assignment is given I immediately jot it down on paper. When a worry barges in demanding my attention… immediately I give it to GOD letting my requests be made known with thanks giving. I write it down as I place it in GOD’s capable hands(1) Then I jot down that idea that seems to illuminate my new project bringing in a clarity that had been missing.
Instead of jumping from thought to thought, by putting each of these things on paper, I am enabled to refocus on my priority for the moment.. being with GOD. By talking to HIM about all of these things individually brings me HIS perspective and I can trust that as HE has promised, HE will direct me in each.(2)
I love that last thought of Mark 4:19: the Word has life and it will produce fruit (3) if we focus on it. Since that is true how very important it is to focus on the Word that GOD speaks to me. (4)
GOD has not given me light/ understanding/ a word for me to put it aside or under a basket. HE has given it for me to use and show to others. Therefore I must pay careful attention to what I hear. If I use it more will be given to me. But if I don’t use it, I will lose it.(5)
Hugs
Sharon
(1)Philippians 4:6NLT Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank HIM for all HE has done. 7 Then you will experience GOD’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. HIS peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Mark 4:18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but their focus is drawn away by the worries of this life, the false glamour of wealth and all sorts of other ambitions creeping in choke life out of what they heard so it cannot produce fruit.
The word for choke here is a compound word that carries the idea of compressing together
There are days when everything presses in on me as if I was in a trash compactor. I sit down for a quiet time and as I read something strikes me and I know that the LORD is talking to me… maybe it is to let go of something or maybe HE wants me to write a letter to that friend but then out of the blue a worry about one of the kids pushes into my mind, and I glance up and the color of the book across the room catches my eye and reminds me that I need to mend that jacket or an idea for my newest project jumps into mind from nowhere like a light turning on. The urgent need I felt to pray or to write that letter to encourage my friend is lost somewhere in the shuffle.
See how easy it is for things to creep in unnoticed and steal our focus, choking the life out of what GOD spoke to us?
I have found something that helps me keep focused. When conviction or an assignment is given I immediately jot it down on paper. When a worry barges in demanding my attention… immediately I give it to GOD letting my requests be made known with thanks giving. I write it down as I place it in GOD’s capable hands(1) Then I jot down that idea that seems to illuminate my new project bringing in a clarity that had been missing.
Instead of jumping from thought to thought, by putting each of these things on paper, I am enabled to refocus on my priority for the moment.. being with GOD. By talking to HIM about all of these things individually brings me HIS perspective and I can trust that as HE has promised, HE will direct me in each.(2)
I love that last thought of Mark 4:19: the Word has life and it will produce fruit (3) if we focus on it. Since that is true how very important it is to focus on the Word that GOD speaks to me. (4)
GOD has not given me light/ understanding/ a word for me to put it aside or under a basket. HE has given it for me to use and show to others. Therefore I must pay careful attention to what I hear. If I use it more will be given to me. But if I don’t use it, I will lose it.(5)
Hugs
Sharon
(1)Philippians 4:6NLT Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank HIM for all HE has done. 7 Then you will experience GOD’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. HIS peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
(2)Proverbs 3:5KJTrust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE (in reality) will direct your paths. 7Be not wise in your own eyes:
(3) Mark 4:26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
(4) John 9:4NLT All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the One who sent ME for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.
(5) Mark 4:9And JESUS said, “He who wants to hear, let him be listening [consider carefully what is being said) and he will understand.”
Mark 4:21 JESUS said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 22For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24"Consider carefully what you hear," HE continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25Whoever has (understanding) will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he (Luke 8:18thinks he) has will be taken from him."
Mark 4:21 JESUS said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 22For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24"Consider carefully what you hear," HE continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25Whoever has (understanding) will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he (Luke 8:18thinks he) has will be taken from him."
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