"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."
(Matthew 13: 3-9)
(Matthew 13: 3-9)
Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.
I was wondering how you know if someone is a Christian? It seems as though some people in my life have a strange relationship with Christianity, which concerns me. I know Christians who are close family/friends of mine, and I'm scared of them not being saved. I know that there is no one way to tell, but I'm just curious what you think.
Dear friend,
As you study and ponder this passage, I give you this "micro thought" today:
A seed that has been planted in good soil should be growing. Seeds grow best when they are nurtured with water, sun, etc.
I encourage you to do a topical/word study in the Bible using the words "grow" and "growth" (and other related forms). See what you can find.
In the meantime, I am going to prepare some other thoughts on how we know if someone is a Christian. We'll talk more soon.
Heavenly Father, We want to grow in You, and we want our saved loved ones and friends to grow in You as well. Only You know their souls' condition. We ask You to draw them to Yourself; for salvation, if they do not yet know You, and for nurturing and growth if they do. Will You work in us, to be like You, and to point others to You?
I was wondering how you know if someone is a Christian? It seems as though some people in my life have a strange relationship with Christianity, which concerns me. I know Christians who are close family/friends of mine, and I'm scared of them not being saved. I know that there is no one way to tell, but I'm just curious what you think.
Dear friend,
As you study and ponder this passage, I give you this "micro thought" today:
one identifying characteristic of a believer is
GROWTH.
A seed that has been planted in good soil should be growing. Seeds grow best when they are nurtured with water, sun, etc.
- What are the nurturing factors in a believer's life?
- What elements are nurturing your growth?
- In what ways might you be able to encourage growth in others?
I encourage you to do a topical/word study in the Bible using the words "grow" and "growth" (and other related forms). See what you can find.
In the meantime, I am going to prepare some other thoughts on how we know if someone is a Christian. We'll talk more soon.
Heavenly Father, We want to grow in You, and we want our saved loved ones and friends to grow in You as well. Only You know their souls' condition. We ask You to draw them to Yourself; for salvation, if they do not yet know You, and for nurturing and growth if they do. Will You work in us, to be like You, and to point others to You?
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