“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss … Continue reading →

1Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant (NASB: Lockman) Amplified: Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. (Amplified Bible – Lockman) … Continue reading →

Now let us return to the Parable of the Sower for a discussion of the final and most important soil of the heart. This fourth soil of the heart is what every Christian should strive for in their walk with … Continue reading →

One of the subjects consistently addressed throughout the Bible is idolatry. References abound in connection with Israel’s struggle with the gods of their neighbors, gods that could be seen, as opposed to their invisible Yahweh. Time and time again, the … Continue reading →

The fifth and final thorn in the Parable of the Sower is the “pleasures of this life.” The Greek word for “pleasures” is “hedone” which means delight, pleasurable sensation, and sensual pleasures. Hedone is pure self-indulgence and lack of control … Continue reading →

The fourth thorn in the Parable of the Sower are “the lusts for other things.” The Greek word for “lusts” is epithymia and means a passionate and strong desire or longing for something and an unbridled craving that attaches itself … Continue reading →

The third thorn in the Parable of the Sower is “the deceitfulness of riches.” Millions of people have been corrupted, ruined and destroyed by the deceitfulness of riches. Wealth has a strong tendency to cause the heart to cry out … Continue reading →

The second thorn in the Parable of the Sower is “the cares of this life.” The same Greek word is used for “cares” so these are still anxious worries that divide and distract the mind and agitate the heart with … Continue reading →

Let us examine the third soil of the heart and what happens when the Word of God is sown into it. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. Now he who received seed among … Continue reading →

Persecution: Pursued With Intense Hostility The second thing that causes the seed of the Word of God to be uprooted from our hearts and wither away is persecution. The Greek word for “persecution” means to chase and follow hard after … Continue reading →