How to yield to the river of life in your heart to bear one another’s burdens
What a year! COVID, the US election, and all the personal challenges people are experiencing. By now, I’m sure you know that depression cases are skyrocketing, alcoholism and substance abuse are at record highs, domestic abuse has increased, many people have lost their lives due to COVID, businesses are failing, and more.
If you’re not careful, you can allow all of the bad news to skew your entire perspective of life. In the world, he said we would have trouble, but to be of good cheer because he overcame the world. He also said that there would be wheat and weeds growing together in His kingdom until He returns.
Listen on Spotify | Soundcloud | Apple | YouTube
What a year! COVID, the US election, and all the personal challenges people are experiencing. By now, I’m sure you know that depression cases are skyrocketing, alcoholism and substance abuse are at record highs, domestic abuse has increased, many people have lost their lives due to COVID, businesses are failing, and more.
If you’re not careful, you can allow all of the bad news to skew your entire perspective of life. In the world, he said we would have trouble, but to be of good cheer because he overcame the world. He also said that there would be wheat and weeds growing together in His kingdom until He returns.
Read my last few blogs for more on the parable of the wheat and weeds.
It is vital that the church be the church in these times of uncertainty. We know that God is destroying the enemies of Christ as we speak. His spirit is alive and active in the earth, as well as in our lives. But we also know the enemy’s weeds are growing as well. What are we to do?
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The hope we hold to is the Gospel. We’re delivered from Messianic judgment. We are safe in Christ, and we will experience the restoration of all things when He returns and renews the universe. Until then, we hold fast. Not from a place of dread and fear, but a place of hope.
We already have the victory in Christ. What we allow to influence our hearts will manifest in our lives. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. We must encourage one another, be kind to one another, lift each other up, and bear one another’s burdens.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else
We are to love one another to the degree that we identify with each other’s struggles. Paul warns us against comparing ourselves to one another in times of division. He says that if we will empathize with each other and bear one another’s burdens, we will not pridefully compare ourselves to one another.
What does comparing ourselves to one another have to do with the times we’re in?
Comparing yourself to someone else is the opposite of seeking to understand them and bear their burden. When you step into someone else’s shoes, listen to their story, and understand their journey, you will not be quick to make them your enemy.
We see people comparing themselves to one another in politics right now. We compare and judge based on who someone voted for. We compare and judge based on skin color. We compare and judge based on all sorts of divisive demographics. But if we can lay aside our pride and bear one another’s burdens, we can come together as a church.
Jesus prayed for it, I will not give up on the idea, no matter how bad it gets. Our love for one another is the catalyst for an unbelieving world to desire Jesus (John 17).
How do we get to a place where we lay down our pride and stop comparing ourselves, our beliefs, and our political views to other people? I believe allowing God’s life to flow from your heart is an important component.
John 7:37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
We have to realize that people are thirsty. They are thirsty for righteousness but don’t know it. So they drink of the world’s Kool-Aid. There is a craving to be satisfied by God in the heart of every human, but if they don’t choose to drink of God’s spirit, they will be under the influence of the world.
We must be so influenced by God that His spirit overflows into the world through us. It doesn’t matter the scale, how great or small your circle of influence, YOU MATTER!!! Your display of God’s love to those around you can change the world.
God is seeking to bless others, and he does it through you. Jesus is currently ruling and reigning in the earth through you. Are you exercising your king's decree to love others, or are you comparing the world to your version of right and wrong?
When you compare people to what you think must happen, you set yourself up for disappointment.
The world is dark, and it will get darker. But you are light. You are of the eternal kingdom that can never be extinguished. The world needs to see the church hold fast and experience God’s blessing and provision in the midst of the darkness. God specializes in such things. The world needs to see God’s children walking in His promises. The world needs to see Christ’s body extending a hand of empathy rather than judgment.
Jesus has already won, the world doesn’t know it yet. I want to be a trumpet through which God is announcing His kingdom's victory until He returns. I hope this is your prayer, as well. We need each other, and the world needs Jesus.
Let’s BE the Church and show the world how great our God is!! Open your heart to allow the wheat of his kingdom to grow in your life and make a decision to stop focusing on the weeds. He’s taking care of them as we speak. Stay focused, God’s kingdom is increasing!!
Don’t Freak Out, It’s Going To Be OK
We must remember that Jesus said His kingdom is at hand, it is in our midst (Matthew 4:17, Luke 17:21). He initiated His kingdom when He came to earth as a human, and it has continued to increase since then (Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 4:12-17). His kingdom's ultimate goal is to destroy all of God’s enemies, the last one being death (1 Corinthians 15:26), and bring about the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).
It’s easy to see the darkness, but it takes faith to see the kingdom. You must look at the kingdom with the eyes of your heart. The evil is real, and the kingdom is real. Which one is more real to you? Which one are you allowing to influence your life?
“Evil and things that cause sin” are in the earthly side of His kingdom because mankind has dominion over the earth for a season, we allow it. One day that will come to an end, and there will be no difference between His eternal spiritual kingdom and the physical kingdom of creation. Until then, He is busy destroying His enemies through His church.
Are you allowing Him to reign in your life and destroy the plans of the enemy in your life?
Listen on Spotify | Soundcloud | Apple | YouTube
The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds Part 2
““ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ””
In the parable of the wheat and weeds in Matthew 13, Jesus teaches that two things are growing; His kingdom and evil. At a certain point, He will send His angels to remove everything that is “evil and causes sin” from His kingdom.
Until then, He says, let them both grow together.
Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Why is evil in His kingdom in the first place?
We must remember that Jesus said His kingdom is at hand, it is in our midst (Matthew 4:17, Luke 17:21). He initiated His kingdom when He came to earth as a human, and it has continued to increase since then (Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 4:12-17). His kingdom's ultimate goal is to destroy all of God’s enemies, the last one being death (1 Corinthians 15:26), and bring about the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).
It’s easy to see the darkness, but it takes faith to see the kingdom. You must look at the kingdom with the eyes of your heart. The evil is real, and the kingdom is real. Which one is more real to you? Which one are you allowing to influence your life?
“Evil and things that cause sin” are in the earthly side of His kingdom because mankind has dominion over the earth for a season, we allow it. One day that will come to an end, and there will be no difference between His eternal spiritual kingdom and the physical kingdom of creation. Until then, He is busy destroying His enemies through His church.
Are you allowing Him to reign in your life and destroy the plans of the enemy in your life?
1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Jesus Is King
You know that Jesus is king, but you may not know what is currently happening. Jesus is the preeminent one. God gave Him a name above all names, meaning He has the highest authority. Jesus humbled Himself as a human to face and overcome everything that separates man from God. In this, His Heavenly authority was shared with humanity.
In His sinless life, He qualified to be the sin offering for the whole world. He suffered the punishment for all sin and died the death we deserve. In His obedience and faithfulness in death, Jesus overcame the power of death and the grave. He conquered all the evil spiritual forces and gained all authority as a man.
He rose again as the triumphant God-man and is currently reigning in Heaven. His authority extends to all of creation, but mankind has dominion over the earth, for now, Because He is a man, He can operate in the earth, but He’s choosing to co-labor with His church.
In His collaboration with His church, He is destroying the enemies He overcame in His death, burial and resurrection.
He stripped these evil forces, principalities, and powers of all authority in His resurrection, but He is now enforcing His victory over them by destroying them through His church. It’s the same thing He’s been doing since He came here as a human, going about doing good and healing people who are oppressed by His enemies.
This is not a dualistic battle of equal forces. This is a battle between a dominant, conquering king and an enemy that sneaks around trying to subvert His authority and deceive His citizens.
When we become aware of our king’s victory and walk in His authority, we too experience victory over His enemies.
Wheat and Weeds
Jesus told us this would happen. He said that His kingdom and evil would grow together at the same time. He taught us to remain patient and nurture the wheat. We are not to attack the evil, let it grow, and face its own fate.
This does not mean we make provision for the evil. This does not mean we focus on the evil and darkness. We are not to be afraid of the darkness. We are not to make life plans governed by the presence of darkness. We are not to hide in our homes and churches praying the darkness away. We are not to give up hope on the increase of His kingdom. We are not to watch TV news reports that tell us all about the darkness.
He instructs us not to worry about the rulers of this world. He instructs us to cast our cares on Him. He warns us not to be afraid. He instructs us to recognize that there is darkness, but remember that we are light. He instructs us to walk in the light, so those in darkness come out into the light. He promises that we can reign in this life with Him as He puts all His enemies under His feet.
Hope Or Despair, It’s Your Choice.
Can I be honest for a moment? Some people are so overwhelmed with life that they want the rapture to come tomorrow. They want God to swoop in and fix everything for them. Some folks are so defeated by life that they see no potential for the kingdom to make a difference in their lives or the world. Some people are so full of what’s happening in the world that they think the darkness is winning.
WAKE UP!! The light is winning! The kingdom is growing!! Jesus is reigning!! Whose report will you believe?!
Are you allowing Him to reign in your life? Are you reigning in life with Him? Are you co-laboring with Him and destroying the oppression of the enemy? Or is the oppression of the enemy more real to you than the victory of your king?
When you're watching the news and posting on Facebook about the state of the world, remember that His kingdom is growing too. I see too many people focusing on the evil, the darkness in the earth, seemingly forgetting that we have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into His kingdom. We are in His kingdom NOW.
Fulfill your kingdom assignments. Quit allowing the assignments of the darkness to dominate your thoughts and emotions. Fill your mind and heart with God’s written Word so it will become the Living Word for you. Inject the Word into every facet of your life and watch it grow. Condition your heart to trust God. Think His thoughts so you will be receptive to Him when He leads you.
Jesus told us this would happen. The wheat and weeds are growing together. One day there will be no more weeds, but until then, don't forget about His increasing kingdom.
How can you reign with Him in your life today?
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
We tend to attack evil once we see it. We are quick to condemn sin. We are quick to cast out devils. We are quick to identify people as sinners. We are quick to dismiss teachers that we perceive as dangerous. And the list goes on.
I am not suggesting that we permit sin, entertain false teaching, and let demons continue to harass people, I’m saying that we sometimes need to take a different approach.
Nourishing the wheat is a better strategy. Yes, teach people to repent and turn from sin. Yes, cast our demons when appropriate. But the people who are choosing sin and are allowing demons to harass them need to know who they are in Christ as to walk in freedom from such things.
Listen on Spotify | Soundcloud | Apple | YouTube
““ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ””
Jesus teaches the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-29.
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds (tares) among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
He explains the parable to His disciples in verses 36-43. While there is an obvious focus on end times in Jesus’ explanation of the wheat and weeds, I want to focus on how the principle applies in your everyday life. I will write more about the end time implications in my next article.
Should We Attack Evil?
One thing that strikes me from this parable is how patient Jesus is. There are weeds in His kingdom, yet He says, ‘let them grow together with the wheat, my Father will take care of the weeds.’ We see that “the weeds” are the people of the evil one in Matthew 13:38, but I want to explore how this principle can help us in other areas of life.
For clarity, let me streamline the principle in this article. Don’t pull up the weeds among the wheat because you might damage the wheat while pulling up the weeds. Let them both grow together and harvest the wheat when it’s ready.
We tend to attack evil once we see it. We are quick to condemn sin. We are quick to cast out devils. We are quick to identify people as sinners. We are quick to dismiss teachers that we perceive as dangerous. And the list goes on.
I am not suggesting that we permit sin, entertain false teaching, and let demons continue to harass people, I’m saying that we sometimes need to take a different approach.
Nourishing the wheat is a better strategy. Yes, teach people to repent and turn from sin. Yes, cast our demons when appropriate. But the people who are choosing sin and are allowing demons to harass them need to know who they are in Christ as to walk in freedom from such things.
If you have been involved in ministry in any capacity, you know that you can’t just tell people sin is wrong and expect repentance. In fact, it usually yields the opposite response. But when you help them understand how valuable they are to God, show them His unconditional love, and encourage them as they overcome their failures, they will appropriate grace and live a life that honors God.
But we generally see the church attacking sin. If you ask most people on the street to describe Christians, people usually say we’re condemning, hypocritical, and out of touch. I think that’s because we tend to attack the weeds rather than nourish the wheat.
Practical Application
What does this look like in your personal life?
If you constantly beat yourself up over your failures, you’re attacking the weeds. Of course, the best path is to turn away from sin forever, but that’s not so easy most of the time. We know it’s wrong. We know sins are weeds that choke the wheat. But we also tend to damage the wheat as we are attacking the weeds in our own hearts.
The wheat can be the fruits of the spirit, while the weeds are a temptation. The wheat might be a relationship, but the weeds are how to respond to the other person’s failures. The wheat may be a job opportunity, but the weeds may be a short cut for money. The wheat may be deliverance from past trauma, but the weeds may be attacking the devil.
What is the wheat in your life you are neglecting?
What are the weeds you are attacking in your own life?
God is pruning the weeds with His spirit in your inner man. Sometimes His correction isn’t pleasant, but it will always be loving. God doesn’t prune you by creating external challenges in your life. He prunes by reminding you of who you are and who He is in your own conscience. He prunes you by empowering righteousness and holiness through your heart.
If you experience guilt and condemnation when you encounter truth, that reveals where you have weeds. Should you allow the weeds/sin to remain? Of course not! But the wheat will bear fruit, and the weeds will die if you cultivate and nourish the wheat.
What is the wheat in your heart?
Of course it’s the Word of God, but be specific.
I want to encourage you to develop a habit of going to the Bible to build your understanding of the areas you’re struggling with. Identify the areas in your life that have weeds, and then search the Word to gain God’s perspective of those areas. Renew your mind and experience transformation. Cultivate the wheat, and it will bear fruit. Cultivate the wheat, and the weeds will not choke it out.
A Kingdom Parable: A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump
“He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.””
You only need a little bit of the Kingdom of God in your heart for it to have a good chance to work its way into your whole life.
Mark 4:10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
Jesus told His disciples that he’d give them the secret to the Kingdom of Heaven in the parable of the seed and sower found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4. He famously teaches about the four conditions of the heart and concludes that the receptivity of your heart to His word determines the yield of that Word in your life. In other words, the receptivity of your heart to His word will determine the degree of the kingdom you’ll experience in this life.
He makes other points but wraps up the parable by explaining to them how seeds work. The farmer casts seed in the ground, goes to sleep, wakes up, and knows not how but the seed produces after its own kind.
Rest and Trust
This is your job, go to sleep, wake up, and tend to the Word of God in your heart daily because this process determines how much of the kingdom of God you’ll experience in this life. Sometimes it’s 30 fold, sometimes 60 fold, and sometimes 100 fold. There is no magic formula to get the 100 fold, contrary to what you may hear on TV.
What makes the difference is the degree to which you take heed to what you have heard. Pay attention to the Word of God as you read and ponder, that meditative process will determine the degree to which it bears fruit in your life.
The measure you meet will be measured back to you. Those who understand and apply their heart to the process will receive more and more. Those who neglect this process will lose even what they have. It’s not God giving more or taking away, it’s the process of the seed in the soil or the Word of God in your heart.
If you want more of the kingdom of God in your life, give good measure to the Word in your heart. If you want less, continue to neglect the intentional cultivation of God’s Word in your heart.
It only takes a little bit of the Word to work its way through your heart, but the measure you meet makes the difference. The kingdom of God is increasing. The Word of God works, but only in receptive ground. Most of the world is closed off or hard of heart to God’s living Word. Those who know the mystery are the ones who experience God’s provision and promises no matter what comes our way.
You don’t have to convince God to give you His kingdom, it’s His good pleasure. You can’t make the Word work, it works on its own. You can’t force the kingdom to work for you through effort in any capacity. The ONLY thing you can do is put in the work of faith to be persuaded of God’s character and the agent of His living Word in your heart and life.
“He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.””
The yeast is His Word, the flour is your heart and the dough is the manifested kingdom in your life that brings nutrition. You work the Word like yeast into flour in your heart. You don’t make the yeast spread and expand, it does that on its own. You don’t make the dough become bread, it responds on its own to the yeast. But you do need to fold the yeast into the flour, smoothly and evenly into every corner of your heart and mind. This is the mystery of the Kingdom of God. It works on its own, but you must be receptive and hide it in your heart.
Check out this series for more on this topic
290MB File Size
