TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 12, 2016.
MATURITY
MATURITY
Complete in natural growth; ripe; fully developed.
Behold a sower went forth to sow, and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up; some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth; and when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.
Matthew 13: 3-6.
In the verses we have put above from Matthew we can all learn a little more about maturity. In this parable that Jesus shared with His disciples and others, also written by Mark in Mark 4 He talks about the life of a tree and its need for more roots then shoots. If a tree puts on a lot of top growth and few roots it is usually unable to get the needed water and nourishment at the roots to sustain itself so that it can grow to maturity.
The lives of people can be likened to that of a tree. There are many people that put themselves on a fast track for success but if that if they neglect to establish a healthy base they most likely will stagger and soon fail. People are just like trees. When they put up shoots faster than they put down roots they become fragile and in danger of breaking, falling or dying.
In Marks explanation of the parable (Mark 4) he recorded that Jesus said some people are like the seed sown on rocky soil because upon hearing God’s Word they receive it quickly and get excited, but many times the excitement lasts only a short time because they do not develop any spiritual roots. Roots are not the least bit attractive but they are the source for strength that makes the rest of the plant productive.
We can learn about maturity in our lives from this parable about trees. Maturity comes from hard work and discipline. Maturity in our spiritual life comes from reading and studying the Bible. We receive our nourishment that allows us to grow spiritually from reading daily God’s Word and communicating to Him through prayer.
The key to spiritual maturity in our lives is reading His Word and praying. But there is another important requirement that many people miss. When we read God’s Word we need to take time to meditate on what we have read. This allows God to work in our lives. Too many of us read the Bible quickly and do not take the time to absorb what God is saying to us. We should ask ourselves this question, “How does this scripture apply to me and what is going on in my life.
Peter instructs us in II Peter 3:18 to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” If our roots grow deep in the knowledge of God we will have the spiritual strength and maturity to resist evil and survive the storms of adversity we face daily in our lives. The roots of stability come from being grounded in God’s Word and in daily prayer.
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:5.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Keep me and my family from being envious of the bright lights of evil that shines brightly in our world. Help us to use the resources You have given us, Your Word and communication with You, to put down deep spiritual roots that will grow us to become mature believers that stand tall and upright in the midst of a dark and sinful world.
 |
| Special Price Only $10.00 Click Here for More |
ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.
If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:
or
Write Ken and Dottie a note
And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.
