PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Different Kinds of Learners)

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  Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:1-15.
  

  "The seed is the word..." Luke 8:11(KJV).
  The first set of learners let the seed drop on the wayside, and because they are not given to thinking things over, they never retain the words.
  The second group of people have a stony heart, they are often bigoted and set in their ways. They stand on opinions, because they don't like to follow things through, though they care to contemplate things, they don't follow thru. They fail to realize that just as there are different kinds of ball games, so are there different rules. Among these are the bigots: religious, political, etc., and most critics.
  The third group really have broad (more fertile) minds, and among them are the enlightened. They never produce any fruit to maturity, besides weeds, thorns and thistles. Their crops may be of economic value, but in the end are not better than weeds and thorns, as they often like every good they do to work for them, or fetch them immortality, instead of letting those things come as bonuses, for their wholesome inputs. Secondly, most don't know crops of spiritual value (metaphorically speaking), and so they either plant little or none, but ultimately, do not nuture any to maturity. I know some will argue that, it is all a part of life. Probably, but do you knowingly plant a thorny crop or flower at home? Possibly, you may have it in your premises, but will you in your room?
  The last group are the excellent-minded, who produce fruits, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and others a hundred fold (MARK 4:20). These, "Bring forth fruit with patience," (LUKE 8:15--KJV); "According to how they understand" (MATTHEW 13:23--KJV paraphrased). Note that, even thirty percent is excellent in this situation, so long as the crops are nutured to maturity. These know that, you can bump into things spiritually or mentally, as you can physically. So they conscientiously follow things through. They also bear responsibility for their actions, and always make amends where necessary, irrespective of who started it. However, they also know the thin line between here and there, according to how each understands [basic or central truths (EPHESIANS 4:13-16--TLB or NLT)]. The Bible warns against being overnice or -wicked, both extremes destroy (ECCLESIASTES 7:15-18). God bless you. Please visit my blogs: www.insightandforesight.wordpress.com and www.allroundknowledge.blogspot.com for more.

HARNESS YOUR POTENTIALS

INTRO: "Every idea crying to be released, is a potential" -- Dr. Myles Munroe ("Understanding Your Potentials" paraphrased).

Below is an outline of things you require to harness your potentials.

 

Dream: Have a dream that can bless others positively, and submit to the right process, so that it can deliver the realization of it into your hands.

Note that the process transforms you. You become what you give yourself to. And the process you employ will determine if your success will last or not:

"As the patridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and in his end shall be a fool" _{(JEREMIAH 17:11--KJV).}

Apply Your Faith: “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language: and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they imagined to do” _{GENESIS 11:6 (KJV).}  “...desire, when it has conceived, gives birth...” _{JAMES 1:15 (AMP).}  “Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak” _{2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 (RSV).}

Write out your dreams in the form of affirmations, and keep declaring them every day. [An affirmation is a statement of confirmation or a declaration that you now have or have achieved a specified thing.]

Back your affirmations with Scripture (Bible verses), that support your claims. There is a subtle line between truth and error. Avoid error! However, if your affirmations are not Scripture-based, you have one foot, if not both, in error. Avoid substituting God with “universal mind,” “universal intelligence,” “cosmic force,” etc. Confessions are powerful and can invite demonic influence into your life. Do not rejoice and relax that it delivered to you your heart’s desire anyway. There is a life after life, and it is eternal. Do not salvage this life, only to lose eternal life. It is possible to salvage both, even by the same process of releasing your faith.

The Bible says: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

“Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” _{COLOSSIANS 3:1-3 (KJV).}

Note the expression, “Set your affections.” Desire is the first step in faith. After it comes proclamation (or affirmation), which should be followed by works (positive steps). [Read James 2: 14-26, and Philippians 3:12-16.]

Your desire defines it. Affirmations work into you the mindset that can retain blessings at that level, however high or low; please always go higher, and also channels men and resources to you, over and over again. Then it is your duty to organize all that has been channeled to you, into the desired design.

Have A Workable Plan: Simplicity and flexibility are the keys. Your plan should be simple and flexible. Let it fit into your daily routine, and possibly change it where necessary.

Read The Best Books First: I once heard this saying somewhere, "Read the best books first, or you might not have the opportunity to read them again."

If you hate to read, start learning with audio books and pamphlets, from authors with uncanny insight. (A list is provided at the end of the book.)

Choose Your Team Players Wisely: "A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder--watch out!" _{(PROVERBS 27:6--GNB).}

"Choose your crew wisely"--50 Cent.

Avoid the lazy, the insincere, especially; and the overbearing. They do not actually appreciate your potentials or believe in you enough.

Be Diligent: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" _{(EPHESIANS 5:15-16--KJV).}

Take Inventory: "Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don't last forever, and the crown might not be secure for the next generation" _{(PROVERBS 27:23-24--NLT).}

Do the following:

1. Keep records;

2. Have targets and a time-frame for accomplishing each; and

3. Evaluate your progress from time to time.

Invest In Others: "You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others" _{(2TIMOTHY 2:2--NLT).}

Family Value System

A family’s value system is most crucial. It is the moulding block for their characters and perspective to life.

Below are basic values every family should have in the order of their importance:

1. Family Altar: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” _{PROVERBS 22:6 (KJV).}

Ensure that your family has devotion twice daily. Gather together morning and night, to study the word of God and pray. And see to it that each person has his or her personal quiet time (that is devotion), daily. Encourage praying in tongues and prophesying. Contrary to the popular opinions, they are not for show, neither are they strictly for private use, but for the edification of one and all (1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 14, 18, 39-40).

Charity begins at home. Pupils are first taught in class and made to practice In class, and afterwards are given assignments on the same things, to strengthen them.

2. Knowledge: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” _{PROVERBS 4:7 (KJV).} Knowledge is multi-faceted. You need spiritual, intellectual, social and financial education. With knowledge comes insight and foresight. To have correct understanding is to know what knowledge precedes (or is more important than) the other. Spiritual wisdom is of value unto all things, both in this world, and in that which is to come (1 TIMOTHY 4:8).
3. Mutual Understanding: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to the other” _{JOHN 13:35(KJV).} You do not have love one for the other if you cannot put the interest of the others in view. Apologize if you have hurt anyone’s feelings. You are not sorry, if you are patronizing. Don’t patronize your maid, children or spouse. Let your love and consideration of others be without hypocrisy. Don’t be satisfied with the result of things only because you are having your way, [whether by hook or crook].

When children are crying about a thing or when your wife is complaining about something. Their approach may be childish, insensitive or manipulative; now don’t endorse pettiness or selfishness, however, whatsoever they are complaining about is real to them. What you require is an appropriate message (that is explanation) that will draw them out of that level of thinking perpetually with time. But in the meanwhile, you can make an alternative arrangement that does not glorify foolishness. And never hesitate to let each member of the family know how much you love him or her. even if there has been bad blood. It has to stop somewhere.

4. Discipline:”Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” _{PROVERBS 22:15 (KJV).}

After putting the above in place, as they are more important, then you can pull out your stick, or enforce corrections here and there.

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” _{PROVERBS 13:24 (KJV).}

5. Means: “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty” _{PROVERBS 10:15 (KJV).}

With the principles you have learnt from this write-up, you should have known by this time what assets you want to own, because money is important in raising a family. However, it is the least important of the family-, and character-moulding blocks.