The Parable of the sower

And the human heart

In Issue 4/2007, we reflected on Jesus calling us to come to Him and learn from Him. In this issue let us look through the parable of the sower and how the human heart can react to His Word.

Read a few times the following text selected for our reflection to see if any of the different types of reactions apply to us.

As we reflect on the Word, the Holy Spirit makes us aware of where we are and how to grow with Jesus.

Jesus says:

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

The one who received the seed that fell on the rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he last only a short time. When trouble and persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

The condition of the heart needs to be changed, if it are to be fruitful. The heart which does not know the message needs to seek for the message.

The heart that has rocky places needs to have the rocks of trouble, persecution and prejudice removed. Likewise, the heart with the thorns, cares and worries of life needs to have them removed as well.

A change of heart is not the sole responsibility of an individual who abides in Jesus. The individual seeks God’s guidance, does what he can and leaves the rest to the Almighty God who is able to do the necessary removal in a surrendered heart.

When we are yoked to Christ by the spirit, we walk with Christ daily.

When we come to crossroads in our life and we are not sure which way to turn, He will guide us and give us His wisdom. We learn to be Christ like in our behavior.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

The above chorus is a favorite of many Christians both young and old and over many years of use, and it has come to be very well known. This chorus has been translated into many languages. It is part of the hymn which is printed in full below.
In times when the cares of life seems to overwhelm, the words of the hymn have been the source of encouragement while the words of the chorus suggest that at these time we should seek and focus on the face of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us pause awhile and let Holy Spirit minister to us through the words of this hymn.

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled ?

No light in the darkness you see ?

There's light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free !

Chorus: Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth, will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Over us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conq'rors we are !

The author and composer of this hymn is Mrs. Helen H. Lemmel who related the circum stances that led her to write this hymn. One day in 1918 a missionary friend gave her a tract entitled "Focused" The pamphlet contained the words:

These words made a deep impression upon her, she could not dismiss them from her mind. She recalls this experience following the reading of the tract.

" Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with no conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The verses were written during the same week after the usual manner of composition, but none the less dictated by the Holy Spirit. "

This hymn, first published in 1918, became popular and was introduced in the Keswick Bible Conference in Northern England in 1922. It found its way to USA in 1924 where it has also become a favorite with many Christians and churches, in particular the chorus.

( Extracted from the book 101 More Hymns )

_____________________________________________

I came across this chorus with some one writing two additional verses in a song book used by the Penang Wesley MSF some years ago, and have their permission to reproduce all three verses for your reflection

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of earth

Will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace

Keep your eyes upon Jesus

Lift your eyes unto Jesus

As you daily walk in his way

Let him fill your heart

With his love each day

As you glo-ri-fy his- great name.

Let nobody else take his place

So that hour by hour

You may know his pow ’r

Till at last you have won

the great race

Prayer request 1:

We believe God is in control and will act in his own way and time. Let us pray for peace in the world, that all the people may live in harmony without hunger, suffering and conflicts brought about by human intolerance and natural disasters of floods and earthquakes

Prayer request 2:

More and more people are getting ill these days.

Let us pray for all those who are ill, that God in His love and mercy will be near them to comfort them in their illness.

Prayer request 3:

Let us pray for our King, the Prime Minister and his cabinet, that our Almighty God gives them the wisdom to rule our country in justice and fairness and ensure rhat the rule of law always prevails in our land.

Prayer request 4:

Let us prayer for the State Rulers, the Menteri Besars, Chief Ministers and the State Excos. that they may also guide the development of their states for the benefit of the people in their states.