In Mark 4, Jesus taught that the Word of God sown into different kinds of ground would produce different results. One type of seed Jesus called “seed sown among thorns.” This is ground that Dennis calls overcrowded.
The overcrowded heart has many things growing. This heart has divided loyalties and divided desires. Though the ground has been fruitful, weeds and other unwanted plants can grow up and make the ground less and less productive.
Jesus’ caution to us is very important. An overcrowded heart may be bearing some fruit, but it produces well below its potential because too many things have been allowed to enter in.
The service that brings the rain is service with our whole heart. As we focus our desires upon God and His will for us, He can bring us into a place of still waters and green pastures—a place of tranquil provision.
The last part of Deuteronomy 11:13 says, “And serve Him…with all your soul.” The soul includes our mind, will, and emotions. It is vital that our thoughts and purposes are in harmony with the desires of our heart.
One of the most important things we can do as believers is to make the determined effort to renew our mind and begin to think the thoughts of God. We may wonder, “How do we think God’s thoughts?” We think the thoughts of God by causing our thoughts to agree with His Word.
Romans 12:2 tells us how to think God’s thoughts: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (NKJV).
The transformation of our lives begins and progresses as we continue to bring our thoughts into harmony with God’s Word. Meditation in the Word of God is one of the ways we bring our thinking into line.
Romans 12:2 from the J.B. Phillips translation says, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within.” We can let the Word change us from the inside out. We can feed on God’s thoughts until they are so much a part of us that they become our own thoughts.
The more we change within, the more the Spirit of God has access to move in us and through us. He is totally committed to our success. Our commitment to obey, love, and serve Him will make that success real.
