“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”
Matthew 13:20-21
This is the story of the sower and the seed.
Jesus is the sower and the seed is planted in people of different circumstances. The seed is the gift of salvation.
We are discussing today the seed that is sown in stony places. Jesus is referring to people who have a shallow understanding of Jesus and lack a strong root in the divine presence.
They receive the gift of salvation with joy but it fades away. They stumble when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word of God.
We live in the End Times and the coming tribulation and persecution will cause many people to turn away from God. The Christ follower will face a world filled with darkness and the evil leaders will attempt to convert all believers to worship a false god or face death.
We need to prepare for the tribulation by developing a strong root in Jesus. This happens through vigilant prayer, reading the Bible to build our lives on the precepts of Jesus and listening for the voice of Jesus.
Jesus desires for a believer to live for Him above all else. We must let go and turn our lives over to Jesus. This is the act of giving up our independence and personal desires to seek the good, acceptable and perfect will of Jesus.
Most importantly, the believer must have a strong and personal relationship with the Living Christ. Most believers have a superficial presence with Jesus.
This will only happen to those who meet the Living Christ and experience His greatness and glory. This takes place when you make a decision “Not my will but Yours be done” and walk with Jesus under the authority of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will reveal the compulsive behaviors and attitudes blocking the power of God in your life. He sees everything in your impoverished personality and desires to refine you into the character of Jesus.
Jesus will reveal and convict a believer of his natural desire to live for self and defy the ways of God. The believer must confess His sins and seek repentance through the blood of Jesus. He should have an open and willing heart to change.
Stumbling with Jesus happens because we act impulsively without inquiring of the Holy Spirit. Commit your works each day to Jesus and walk in oneness with Him anchored to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is your only hope in this world!
Hal Hollister Ministry 