Psalm of the Day: Psalm 100
Wisdom for the Day: Job 19:16-29
Scripture Reading: Luke 8:4-15
The third caution contained in the parable of the sower is to beware of the cares of this world. Our Lord tells us that the hearts of many hearers of the Word are like thorny ground. The seed of the Word is choked by the multitude of other things, by which their affections are occupied. They have no objection to the doctrines and requirements of the Gospel. They even wish to believe and obey them. But they allow earthly things to get such hold upon their minds that they leave no room for the Word of God to do its work. And hence it follows that however many sermons they hear they seem nothing bettered by them. A weekly process of truth-stifling goes on within them. They bring no fruit to maturity.
The things of this world form one of the greatest dangers which beset a Christian's path. The money, the pleasures, the daily business of the world are traps to catch souls! Thousands of things, which in themselves are innocent become little better than soul-poisons, and helps to Hell.
Open sin is not the only thing that ruins souls. In the midst of our families, and in the pursuit of our lawful callings we have need to be on our guard. Unless we watch and pray these temporal things may rob us of Heaven, and smother every sermon we hear. We may live and die as thorny-ground hearers!
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to be heavenly minded and put the cares of this world aside.
Action Plan: Examine the things that get in the way of my spiritual life and choke out the things of God. What are my greatest distractions and how can I avoid them?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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