The four most important stages of our spiritual growth.

Jesus gave us a picture of how our spiritual life would grow.
He told the parables of the four major growth areas or lack there of.
1. Seed sown by the wayside
2. Stony ground
3. Cares of this world
4. Good ground.
We all have come through or are going through these stages in our life.
Mark 4:3-8  (Jesus speaking)
"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.  And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. (the birds represent the enemy)

Some seed fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and it immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth,
"But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away,  And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. (Thorns represent demonic influence, strongholds in your life)

But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced; some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
We can see these stages in Peter's life and Paul's, clearly.

Good ground is ground that has been tilled and plowed, and watered in the word, ground that has been taken care of, getting rid of the things that hinder growth.

Jesus explains what the parable means so that the disciples will understand.

Mark 4:13-20 (Jesus explains the parables)
14. "The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown.  When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;  and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time.  (Notice they do hear the word)
Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble, "Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20. "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, and some sixty, and some a hundred."

Beloved, do you see your own spiritual growth here?  I sure do. God is faithful to keep putting that word in us until we reach the place where we bear fruit. Fruit in our life and for God's kingdom.

I remember years ago, when the Lord spoke to my heart and said, stay with those you minister to, until they reach good ground.
I have done that, remembering what Jesus said, and have lived to see the fruitfulness in their life. Only the Holy Spirit could do the work needed.

God bless your day
Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus
Joy








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