“And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time” (Mark 4:16-17a).
This is the most important parable in God’s Word. It’s about the miracle working power of the Word of God. In this parable, Jesus tells us how Satan attacks Christians.
“The sower sows the Word…and some fall on stony ground….” Now notice the characteristics of the stony ground: when they hear the Word immediately they receive it with gladness, but because they don’t have any root in themselves, they only endure for a time.
In other words, they allowed the cares of this world to bombard them with worry and concern, which is fear.
A care will choke you. Jesus said one of the tools Satan uses to stop the power of God from working in your life is the cares of this world. Luke 8:14, says being “full of care” will stop you from producing fruit.
The problem is we care too much of what other people think of us. Listen, if you’re trying to live up to public opinion instead of what God told you to do then it will stop you from going forward.
When the Lord called me to the ministry, nearly everybody I knew disagreed. Then when the Lord instructed me to leave my job and go to Bible school, they literally laughed in my face. They could not see how this was going to work. But then they didn’t need to; after all, I was the one being called, and all I needed to do was trust God. But I’m here to tell you that if I had cared about the opinion of people, I wouldn’t be a minister today.
First Peter 5 told us to roll the whole of our care over on God once and for all, for He cares for us. You don’t have to worry about what people say. The Lord is on your side. He is your refuge, your fortress, and your God. Just put your trust in Him. He will satisfy you with long life and show you His salvation, healing, deliverance, and prosperity.
Start saying what God said about you. God said, He will supply all your needs. God says that you are the healed and not the sick, and that you are the strong and not the weak. Yes, you are an over comer in Christ Jesus.
So forget public opinion and make a decision to cast every care on God because He will take care of you.
Scripture References: Mark 4:14-23; Luke 21:34; 1 Peter 5:7
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).