And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
Mark 4:16-17
The year of open doors is upon us. As we pray and meditate on what is to come to pass this year, let us also prepare our hearts to apply wisdom in every moment. In Proverbs 4:7, God’s Word tells us that getting Wisdom is the principal thing. By this understanding, we know that gaining wisdom is the most important and fundamental approach that should direct our choices in 2024. As we press toward the mark of the high calling of God, each of our hearts will take center stage and be put on display. The focus will be on the ground of our heart and the atmosphere of humility that surrounds it (or the lack thereof). To create humility, God supplies us with His Word and sows it into our hearts as seeds. The seed of the Word of God holds the power to develop an atmosphere that humbles our ground. The genesis, or original state, of the ground of the heart determines if a seed grows and becomes fruitful or forfeits its harvest. The manifestation of God’s will in our lives will be insistent on this ground and therefore God Himself will test it. God said He came and sowed the Word on stony ground, and those who heard the Word, immediately received it with gladness, (Mark 4:16). During Life Church services, we shout “I Receive!” because we are happy that God will do something marvelous in our lives. We honestly believe that what God spoke will come to pass. But there is a condition, a heart-condition, to truly receive what God has for us. In Mark, Chapter 4, Jesus continues to tell us that those who received the Word sown with gladness had no root in themselves. The root is the part of the heart that supports and nourishes the seed. It lives in humble ground, free from pride, selfishness, and greed. But the same ones that received the seed would only endure for a time. Because they are immediately offended after any affliction or persecution comes to them, for the Word’s sake. What does this tell us? An offended heart is a stony heart and if our heart is stony, there is no good ground for God’s Word to create new beginnings in our lives. Family, we have officially crossed over. It is now 2024. Our hearts should not be stuck in 1994. We have received prophetic instruction, but we cannot properly move on it if we are wounded by the very persecution that comes to test the strength of the Word in us. Offense comes when we question the validity of what God said (or who He sent to help us). We become distressed believers in a split second. But I am here to encourage you that the tests will only come for the Word that was spoken over your life. I am here to tell you that even if your heart is stony, do not fret. God says that He will give you a new heart, (Ezekiel 36:26). When our hearts fail us, the Word says that God is the strength of our heart, and our portion forever, (Psalm 73:26). If we cultivate, which means to prepare and develop, the necessary ground of humility, we will pass the test of affliction. Remember, that God loves you and wants the absolute best for you. Now it is time to ensure the success of God’s Word in your life. No more wilderness. No more cycles. The year 2024 will be a year of no fear. Armor yourselves with a heart of humility and watch what God will do!
Article by Amorita Shambulia. Instagram : @ProphetessAngell
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