Author: Derek Grier (Derek Grier)

The Parable of the Sower is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus Christ. The four different soil types mentioned in Luke 8:4-15 are representative of the hearts of those who hear God’s Word. Of the four soils, only one is fertile enough for God’s Word to take root and subsequently produce fruit.

When is the best time to worship the Lord? Is it when He blesses us and provides in a way only He can? Or, should we praise His name despite what we are going through? The truth is, no matter what is happening externally in our lives, God is and will always be in complete control. And, more importantly, He is always worthy of our praise.

Do you ever feel overextended in what God has called you to do? It might be in your family, in your work, or in your calling, wherever it originates from, you may feel overextended in our responsibilities. When we feel stretched beyond our limits and capabilities we cannot and will not function effectively. When this happens, we need to remember that God is with us in whatever He has called us to do.

God has a purpose for you. He has had a purpose for you before you existed. While we may think we have well-thought-out plans and goals, oftentimes they actually inhibit God’s true purpose for us. Other times, we encounter hardships on the way to the destination God called us to, and instead of pushing through them with God’s aid, we back down and even turn around.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV) states: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our intake of God’s Word and our faith go hand in hand. When we are intentional about reading, hearing, and studying God’s Word, we will inevitably gain faith in the Lord, His promises, and His future plans.

If your country’s leader signed a law that banned prayer to God – punishable by death – would you immediately pray and thank the Lord? This is essentially what Daniel did when faced with this dilemma. Despite being faced with death, and death by lions nonetheless, Daniel showed an unbreakable spirit and unmatched faith in his God.

When faced with a storm, where do you turn to? Time and time again in God’s Word, we see Him saving, providing for, and protecting His people. We see Him part the Red Sea for Moses, help David slay Goliath, and even helped Peter to walk on water. Our God is anything but limited by what we expect!

Psalm 27 is written by David as he flees Saul, his army, and their plans to kill him to stop his claim to the throne. While any normal person would be scared for their life as they fled the army and king of one of the most powerful nations on earth at the time, David was not. Instead, he took quite a different stance. David recognized that His God was greater than his problem.

Consistency is comfortable. It’s only natural to gravitate towards situations, relationships, and places that we feel safe and comfortable in. But, God’s plan for us doesn’t always have us in places of comfort. Time and time again in God’s Word, in fact, we see His children undergo difficult situations. But these aren’t meaningless hardships, they are used to grow the individual.

In a world of social media and constant comparison, insecurity is at an all-time high. Men, women, and children from all backgrounds, religions, and geographical locations are being caught up in the never-ending cycle of comparing themselves to those around them. When we live like this, however, we are living ineffectively. We can’t compare ourselves to others because we are a unique creation of God with a unique purpose!