Lent 2016 – Day 1

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Lent 2016 – Day 1

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.[1]

Today is the first day of Lent. Lent traditionally has been a period of forty days devoted to “purification and preparation by weaning one from sin through self-denial and prayer.” It is appropriate then that we begin with the temptation of Jesus for forty days in the wilderness and afterward as he came out. The temptation came as a result of having been led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Jesus had just come from having been baptized by his cousin John and introduced by His Heavenly Father who declared, “You are my beloved Son, in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). His baptism signaled the beginning of His earthly ministry, but now He must spiritually prepare Himself through self-denial and close communion with His Father. On the other side of this period His ministry would begin in earnest.

For what are we preparing. It is more than a holiday we call Easter. We are preparing for all that Easter means. We are preparing for whatever lays ahead. We are preparing for the destiny that has been secured for us through the death, burial, and resurrection of our elder brother Jesus. But whenever we determine to engage in such preparation, because we have embraced that destiny, we will encounter opposition from the enemy of our souls. That Jesus being fully God and fully human was opposed, we can rest assured that we mostly certainly will also be. When it comes we can count on it being intense and persistent, and even when we successfully resist, our enemy will leave only for a season, just to return at a more “opportune time.” But Jesus overcame, and because He did we can as well. Let us, therefore, resolve to spend these forty days in prayerful reflection and preparation for all our Heavenly Father has in store for us.

Dear Lord, there is much from which we need to be purified. We confess that we are not very good at self-denial or prayer. Our life priorities tend to perennially take precedence over our relationship with you. As we begin this period of purification and preparation help us to focus our attention and energies on coming closer to you. Give the courage to be honest with ourselves about those things from which we need deliverance so that we might be more closely drawn to you. This we ask in the name of Your Son and our Savior. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 4:1–13.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 21

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Matthew 17:14-20

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.[1]

A man had brought his son to Jesus to be delivered of a demon that had possessed him and in Jesus’ absence he asks the disciples for their help but they could not provide it. Now in private, away from the crowds where there would be no more public humiliation the disciples ask Jesus why they were unable to heal the boy. Jesus’ responds telling them that it is their little faith. This is a real wake-up call for the disciples. How could Jesus say they had little faith? After all, they had left everything to follow him. The issue was not so much the amount of faith they had, but the ability to use it. Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith but then goes on to tell them that they don’t need very much faith in order to accomplish the impossible. All they need is faith the size of a mustard seed, or as the KJV puts it, faith as a grain of mustard seed. Why does Jesus use a mustard seed?

It was a familiar example. It was often used proverbially by the Jews to signify anything of a small weight or size. It was a small seed. Not much larger than the point on the end of pencil, yet it grew to the size of a tree at least ten feet tall. “It is disease-resistant and hardy. It comes in four different kinds of color: yellow, white, brown and black. And it is described as a TROUBLESOME seed. Mustard seed, when crushed, sets off a pungent odor…it also stings and hurts!” Jesus’ intend was to emphasize the awesome power of even a tiny bit of faith when used effectively. It is encouraging to know that when I find it difficult to operate with great faith my little faith accomplished much more than I can imagine. How is your faith today?

 Our Father and our God, we marvel at Your awesome wonder. You continue to surprise us with Your glory. Thank you for Your Word that continues to bless us with knowledge, wisdom, and insight. Thank you for teaching us faith that can move mountains. We confess our need for greater faith than we have exhibited. We confess our reliance upon that which cannot solve even our smallest challenges. We have tried so many things seeking what only You can provide and have been left disappointed. Help us this very day to begin walking solidly and consistently in the realm of faith. Give us a tangible demonstration of what our faith can do so that we may more completely bring glory and honor to Your Magnificent Name. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 17:14–20.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 20

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Mark 9:14-24

When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” And He answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”[1]

A man had brought his son to Jesus to be delivered of a demon that had possessed him and in Jesus’ absence he asks the disciples for their help but they could not provide it. Jesus rebukes the disciples’ lack of faith, not their lack of ability, and commands the boy to be brought to him. Watching the spirit in the boy react to being in his presence, Jesus asks how long he has been afflicted in this manner. In the process of answering, the man asks Jesus for His help if he is able. Jesus indignantly rebukes the lack of faith in this father, to which the man repents and seeks help for the defect of his faith.

The part of this text that is so striking to me is the faith of the man that is lacking. He asks what seems to be a simple, natural and even understandable question. Heal, deliver, set free my son if you can. It is a question we would ask a doctor if we were to take our sick child to him or her. In such an instance it is an appropriate question, but here it is evidence of a lack of faith. This father realizes the error he has made and so asks Jesus for help. He essentially says, “My faith is deficient. It is weak and it needs to be strong to give You glory.” “Till up that which is lacking in it.” In so doing this man highlights a need that all believers have. It is not in this man’s power to believe, nor does he have the strength to overcome his unbelief. He needs the help of the Lord. Like Him, we need the Lord’s help to believe and to overcome our unbelief.

Gracious Lord, as much as we hate to admit it, we are like this man. We believe but our faith is defective. We have no where else to go, and no one else to whom we can go. You have the Words of eternal life. There is healing and everything else we need in Your hands. Give us the capacity today to overcome our unbelief. Let us be like this man who realizing the error he has made repents and asks for help. Till up that which is lacking in us today so we may give You glory, honor and praise. We ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mk 9:14–24.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 19

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Acts 7:54-60

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.[1]

Many in the west have looked at stories of the murder of Christians as unfortunate factual accounts that happened long ago and only serve to encourage our faith today. The rationale of such an interpretation being that if these ancient believers could hold on to their faith with the very real threat of death then certainly we can hold on to our own in the face of the comparatively minimal persecution we face. But now we see and know that the murder of believers, called martyrdom, is very real. We read about it in our papers, hear about it on television and radio and can see videos of it on the internet. People are beheaded for no other reason than they will not reject Jesus and embrace Islam.

This faith we espouse is costly. Not only does faith require that we do something, it will be the cause of rejection, mockery, abuse, persecution and even martyrdom – death. That is not good news for many who lay claim to being Christian. We run from persecution and cave at the first sight of opposition. We want peaceful, happy, quiet lives devoid of conflict and will do what is necessary to possess it. But that is a false expectation. As far as we can tell Deacon Stephen was the first recorded martyr for faith in Jesus. His story, that actually begins in the sixth chapter with his appointment and ordination, is one of courage and boldness in the face of intense intimidation. Would that our faith was that strong today? How would you respond faced with the very real prospect of death if you refused to reject Jesus? How would you respond watching others murdered before your eyes because they loved Jesus more than life itself? Though it is not our reality yet, world events demonstrate that it could be. Is your faith strong enough to pay the ultimate price?

Dear Lord, we have been so insulated from the realities our sisters and brothers in other parts of the world face daily. We have been so blessed to live in a time and place where we are free to do as we please without fear of persecution. We cannot imagine the horrors being exacted upon Your Church and people all around the world. Our hearts cry out for justice even as they cry out for the protection of Your people. Do not let the martyrdom of Your people go unpunished. Use it to galvanize our faith in You that we might zealously win the lost whatever the cost. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ac 7:54–60.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 18

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Matthew 9:27-29

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”[1]

Is God credible? Can we trust the promises that He has made? Are the exploits we read about in His Word time stamped for an age gone by or are they readily available for His church today? Do miracles still happen in our time or were these merely utilitarian for gathering a people that would eventually become His Church? These are questions many over the generations have asked and that they continue to ask today. They are questions you and I have asked and whether we articulated them in the format I have listed we have asked them by how allow our faith to function. When we encounter these two blind men we find in them following Jesus based on what they heard. They had never seen Jesus perform a miracle but they heard He was able. So they followed Him because they decided that He was credible. They had such confidence in His credibility that they never even considered their personal vulnerability.

Is God credible in your life? Credibility is “the quality of being believable or worthy of trust.” These two men were blind and still followed Jesus, while many who have sight and have seen the goodness, grace and mercy of the Lord will not follow. To rely upon what we can see is not faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” If our faith is to function effectively in this world that is malfunctioning, then we must learn that even if we cannot see our way clear, we have to believe our way clear.

Understand this, the God we serve is a systematic God. Whenever He produces a thing he always provides first. Before He made plants the soil was already in place. Before He made the creatures of the oceans and seas the water was already in place. Once we understand that it is the nature of God to operate in this fashion then we will own that everything we need has already been provided before we were even created. Our breakthrough, healing, deliverance, and promotion have already been provided. We can believe it and receive it because God is credible. Now all we need to do is allow our faith to function based on His credibility.

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for operating according to what we can see rather then by faith. We marvel at the faith of these two blind men who have neither seen Your Son or the miracles He performed and still had enough faith to cry out to Him for mercy. Thank you for demonstrating Your credibility in their lives and healing them according to their faith. May You have mercy on us today for our lack of faith and bless us accordingly. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 9:27–29.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 17

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Matthew 14:25-31

And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”[1]

Living in the realm of faith calls for having confidence in the unknown. Living by faith calls us to go against our nature that demands proofs. It goes against our nature that is hesitant to take risks, to be marked, labeled or to be controversial. Faith demands taking action that often goes against the prevailing winds of societal change. It demands often marching to the beat of a drummer in conflict with the beat to which everyone else is marching. To live in the realm of faith demands faithfulness to a Lord and Savior that calls us to lifestyles always counter to the culture.

We are living right now in times that challenge our faith and faithfulness. Much of the church has chosen to follow along with the direction the world moves. Rather than leading out prophetically in righteousness, the church has more often then not chosen to either remain silent, or to go along in order to get along. Not wishing to rock the boat with truth, they simply make room for every belief rendering truth relative. The great cry of our day is follow your own truth, and the result is that that which is patently false suddenly becomes true and acceptable. We can understand the world relativizing truth, but challenging these views with many so-called sisters and brothers is often met with the response that there is plenty of room in the boat for all of us. But someone has to be bold enough to step out of the boat.

There were twelve disciples in the boat but only Peter asks to come to Jesus. It is a bold move on Peter’s part, but considering the ferocity of the storm and the uncertainty of their security, Peter may very well have surmised that he would rather be on the water with Jesus than in the boat with his brothers. That is the way I feel about where we find ourselves today. I would rather be on the water with Jesus, than in the boat with those who make truth relative. Our faith demands no less. Today, what will You choose to do? Will you remain in the boat or step out on the water with Jesus?

Gracious Lord, we are often tempted to go along with the crowd in order to get along. We hold on to our peace when we should speak out! We wink at relativism and are prone to compromise and accommodation. Forgive our lack of faith when, like Peter, we take our eyes off of You. Help us to maintain our focus on You instead of the ferocity of the storms of life we encounter. Help us also to confidently hold on to our confession in the face of obstacles and opposition from those who do not share our faith. Make us bold like Peter as we step out of the boat onto the water with You. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 14:25–31.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 16

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.[1]

The Apostle Paul had some sort of physical challenge. Many have speculated over the course of time the nature of the challenge, but no one truly knows. All we know is that it was bothersome enough for the Apostle to implore the Lord three times to remove it, which He declined to do. Instead, the Lord tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” If you operate in ministry, particularly power ministry, you may well imagine the possible responses Paul could have had. It is difficult to be used mightily by the Lord to bless others only to suffer lack yourself. It is hard to understand how God can use one as a conduit of His awesome power for healing or deliverance and then decline to manifest that same power in the one through whom He worked so powerfully.

Now, of course, this is the Apostle Paul we are referencing so his response is almost to be expected, but it does raise an important question for how one deals with personal disappointment in the realm of faith. Disappointment generally provides the enemy of our souls the opportunity to tempt us to walk in doubt and unbelief, rather than faith. Used by God to bless others can cause one to be frustrated when it appears that the blessings of God are somehow uneven. God’s answer to Paul reminds us of His sovereignty. His grace is defined “not as a created substance of any kind, but as ‘the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.’” It is God’s unmerited favor over our lives. Paul did not understand why God refused to remove the thorn, but God certainly did telling Paul that “power is perfected in weakness.”

In the realm of faith, we have to rest in the confidence that God knows better than we do why He does some things and allows some others. He knows our end from the beginning. He knows how we will handle the blessings of life and ministry He bestows. He knows our temperament and the attitudes we will have walking in the miraculous power he manifests through us. Disappointment will come, but in the realm of faith we trust and believe that God’s grace is sufficient for us.

Dear Lord, You have done such great and mighty things through us. We have seen Your power poured out miraculously over so many people’s lives. We marvel and celebrate over all that You have done and that You do, but we have been often tempted to frustration and disappointment over our personal circumstances that appear to have been unimpacted by that same power. Help us to trust Your grace more for our lives than we do for the lives of those to whom we minister or lead. Help us to rest in the knowledge that You know exactly what You are doing in and through us so that we might not be led astray by the enemy of our souls. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 2 Co 12:7–9.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 15

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.[1]

Here is the story of a woman of whom Jesus says, “O woman, your faith is great . . .” What was it that made her faith great in the eyes of our Savior? To the casual reader the passage is both difficult to read and understand. It appears that Jesus is both rude and racist, or at least nationalist, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and then He calls her a dog. The disciples thought her to be a distraction because she kept shouting at Jesus for His help.

One of the things you learn about Jesus’ earthly ministry is that He never did anything without intention. He was always ready to teach and instruct. Here was a woman whose daughter was in great distress. She says that her daughter is “cruelly demon-possessed.” This is a cry of desperation. She does not know what else to do, and perhaps she has tried everything she knows to do in her culture and her faith. But here is a man whom she has no doubt heard can perform miracles, and it is a miracle she needs. She is not of the house of Israel. She is a foreigner, a gentile crying to the Lord, shouting, imploring Jesus to have mercy, and Jesus is silent. It would have been reasonable for her to stop and move on but she did not. She was put off, told she was not the right nationality, but she cried all the more. She was insulted but she continued to plead, and give a response that finally got Jesus’ attention.

Jesus commended the woman for having great faith because she would not give up. It was her humble persistence that got Jesus’ attention. “She continued to plead her case with humility even after Jesus didn’t respond the way she wanted Him to.” Far too many quit too soon. Could it be that, like this Canaanite woman, Jesus is waiting to see if we will humbly persist? Walking and living in the realm of faith takes persistence.

Lord Jesus, make us humble like this Canannite woman. Give us such great faith that we will not faint or fall while we wait for our change to come. Give us the capacity to overcome the temptation to give up and quit. Remind us again of your promises that never fail and how You are no respecter of persons. Strengthen us today to display great faith so that others will know and believe that You are God and fully capable of doing just what You said You would do. We ask it all in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 15:21–28.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 14

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Jude 17-23

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.[1]

Everyone needs something or someone in whom they can believe and trust. Even those who claim to be atheists trust in something whether they call it god or not. People who say they are not atheists but spiritual acknowledge a ‘higher power.’ We boldly proclaim our faith in a living God who is ever with us. Doing so gives us confidence for today and hope for tomorrow. Still we also acknowledge how difficult it is to hold onto our faith in a climate that not only denies our faith but also seeks to punish us for having it. Jude reminds his readers that they were taught to expect how the climate would be in the last days. In essence we should not be surprised. The question becomes, then, how do we hold onto our faith in this climate that mocks our faith, and pursues the fulfillment of their own lusts. It is a climate full of divisions and people who create them. It is not interested in the things that please God. There is no pretense to flowing in or with the Spirit.

Jude was writing about what was occurring in his day, but he could have very well been writing about today. Jude tells his readers to hold on by building themselves up on, not in, their holy faith. It is assumed that they have faith (everyone has a measure of faith), but now they have to build themselves up on it, using it. They do so first by praying in the Spirit. Without fixating on whether speaking in tongues is the issue here, let’s just focus on allowing the Holy Spirit to pray for us and through us, giving us what to pray. They build themselves up by keeping themselves in the love of God and waiting anxiously for God’s mercy. These are acts of the will. They do not happen automatically. One must purpose to do them. Then he adds that they should practice it all by having mercy on those in their midst, other believers, who are doubting which serves to build their faith. Jude highlights an issue that is nonetheless real today, and his remedy is still applicable. Today, let’s stop our grumbling and complaining about how bad things are and begin to intentionally build ourselves up on our holy faith.

Gracious Father, we confess to incredible frustration, anger, and even fear as we hear of mean things all around us. We confess to feelings of despondency and depression as we watch the continuing shift from a biblical world view to a carnal, worldly one. We have allowed the constant parade of ‘bad news’ to get the better of us. Help us today to build ourselves up on our holy faith. Teach again to pray. Cause a passion to seek your face to burn within us. Force us to our knees where we can find the strength to overcome. Then restore our joy and hope. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jud 17–23.

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21 Days of Faith – Day 13

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Dr. Logan's Blog

Luke 8:10-15

“To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”[1]

Jesus told a gathered crowd a story, a parable, about a farmer who went to out to plant seed. Some fell alongside the road where it was trampled underfoot, some on rocky ground where it died because it could not get enough water, some among the thistles and thorns where it was choked out, but some in good ground where it grew and flourished. His disciples did not understand the story and began to question him as to its meaning, and today’s scripture is the response Jesus gave them.

In the economy of God there are certain principles that universally govern the universe He has made. One of these principles is that of seedtime and harvest. In Genesis 8:22, God says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Every farmer understands that if there is to be a harvest there must first be a planted seed. But this is also true of everything else in life, it all begins with a seed. For those living in the realm of faith the seed we sow is plainly, the Word of God. If we expect anything from God, it must begin with a seed.

But let us not be foolish in our understanding. Farmers also understand that that every seed does not produce the expected result. There are all types of factors that impact the success or failure of a particular harvest. Jesus lists four such factors that we can say are general in nature and over which we exercise some control but are not exhaustive. There are also other factors that we can neither anticipate or control. These remind us of the sovereignty of God who ultimately is in control of all things. Still the principle remains: plant seed, expect harvest; plant no seed, expect no harvest. What seeds of faith are you planting?

Gracious living God, thank you for providing us guidance and direction in the parables You taught Your disciples. We desire to harvest so much but sow so little. Give us the zeal to study and put into practice Your Word. Help us to understand the principle of seedtime and harvest and empower us to employ it today. Amen.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 8:10–15.

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