Author: Ben Bourland

Ben’s QT Thoughts (Part 1)->me:  The last two days I have spent time in 2 places – 1) Deep study into the parable of the Wheat and Darnel Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) and Jesus’ explanation of the parable to the Disciples (Matthew 13:36-43).  2)  The start of the book Pastor Steve suggested – The Praying Life by Paul Miller.  What has been awesome is that what I am learning through book is helping me to hear the Lord in His gift of understanding regarding the passages I have been stewing on.  I cannot recommend this book enough.  I am already on chapter 8 and I can’t stop listening.  I am applying what Paul Miller suggests in the ways to pray and it is already having an impact.  The passage on the Wheat and Weeds is one of the great times where Jesus clearly explains the parable.  In a nut shell, A sower planted good wheat seeds and while the workers were sleeping, the enemy planted weeds among the good wheat seed.  The weed seed (Darnel) was very similar in appearance to the wheat while growing but still discernable.  The workers wanted to pull the weeds but the sower said ‘no’, because some good wheat might be uprooted when pulling the weeds.  The sower said, ‘Wait until the harvest and then I will tell my reapers to gather the  weeds up first and toss them into the fire and then gather the good wheat into my storehouse.’  Part 2 will come this afternoon.

“As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.” Matthew 13:22 ->me: This time the soil is good, but it is already taken up.  So, here is where my mind went today when I read this passage and dwelt on it.  God’s seed of Truth and the Living Word is being thrown out, but I am the one who is in charge of my soil.  QUESTION: What is the frequency in which God (the sower) is sowing His seed?  Is it only in season (once in a while) or is it being thrown out all the time.  ANSWER: Don’t really know yet (more reading to do and it is possible that I can’t know).  RESPONSE:  I must have my soil always ready!  If my soil is full of rocks (indecision and a lack of total surrender and dependence on God -> easily swayed with unbelief and discouragement) then I must do the work to remove the hard material that keeps the roots from going deep (I think God fills in the gaps the rocks leave with good soil if I allow Him).  If my soil is choked out with the thorns, thistles, and weeds of earthly pleasures, pursuit of wealth, fleshly desires, and coping devices – then I must starve them of the food and water (attention) they are getting.  I do this long enough and those thorns, thistles, and weeds will die and leave beautiful soil behind.   Lord God, help me identify the rocks just under the surface of the soil and have the strength to starve any remaining weeds in my soil so that I may receive seed that will produce 100 times that which was sown.

“As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.” Matthew 13:20-21 ->me: This word from the Lord is so helpful to me today in understanding those in my life who are living this out.  To start a race does not mean you have finished the race. Here the word is received (but not ‘understood’) with joy, but joy without understanding and commitment cannot last the course.  Affliction, trouble, and persecution come from the outside and persecution is deliberately inflicted, and usually implies a religious motive. Falls away is literally ‘is tripped up’; it is not a gradual loss of interest, but a collapse under pressure.  My test comes when trial presents itself, when opportunity to reflect Jesus comes when it is not popular to do so, in the quiet moments when no one is looking, and ultimately when I am faced with impossible odds.  Do I pass the test by staying true to the One Almighty God of the Bible?  Do I stay grounded and pursuing of the character of God even when things are going perfectly?  In one swoop the Lord has helped me understand those around me who exhibit this ‘seed’ and at the same time has shown me I am in true fellowship with Him understanding, deeply, the gravity of the Spiritual implications of God’s, character, word, truth, and grace.

“For this nation’s heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn and I should heal them.”  Matthew 13:15 ->me:  Ummm, wow.  I am pretty blown away to come upon this verse today in my quiet time.  I look around and see all the passion and focus on the political and social issues of the country and here we have Jesus answering the disciple’s question – “Why do You speak to them in parables?”.  Today I started my journey through the 13th chapter of Matthew, the 8 parables taught by Jesus.  He started with the parable of sower and the various types of ground the seed landed on.  What really hit me was what Jesus said about why He uses parables “To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” Matthew 13:11  This is profound!  To you it has been GIVEN to KNOW – this is another instance where as a true follower of Jesus, in fellowship with Him, I have an ability to comprehend and understand the spiritual ramifications of Jesus’ teaching while others do not.  Thank you, God in Heaven, for the ears that hear your voice and the eyes that have the ability to see You in Your purposes.  As I venture out tonight and spend time with co-workers for the 4th of July, help my family and myself reflect You…that you might grant others the ability to see the secrets and mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven!

“Someone said to Him, Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.  But He replied to the man who told Him, Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?  And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all]His adherents, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers.  For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!” Matthew 12:47-50 ->me:  This last week I really began to see what Jesus was talking about in this passage.  Spending time with kids and adults who are sold out to service to the King, in service to Him, helps you see that when we are bound together in Spiritual purpose the relationship will be stronger than blood.  Our relationship with the Lord and each other will last into eternity while our biological family relationships are only for here on earth.  I don’t think that Jesus was trying to insult His family; I think He was just taking the opportunity to make a big point.  I am so thankful that a majority of my earthly family is also my eternal family…a double blessing.