GROW DEEP

“…and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.” – Mark 4:27^b

REFERENCE: 

MARK 4:26-29

TO GROW means to progressively develop, to become larger, to increase in size and in amount. It means to mature, become better, more developed or improved in some way. It is to rise or spread. It connotes coming to a place of influence in spiritual things. To grow also means to pass from childhood to adulthood with time. Our text talks about a seed falling on the earth, and sprouting and growing without the sower knowing how the growth came about; demonstrating that each seed has within it the inherent capacity to grow.

Growth is something we all instinctively desire; we will be concerned if a business, ministry, trade, company, family, etc., that we are involved in does not grow over time. Even God wants you to grow; that whatever you do prospers and moves from glory to glory. A child that does not grow gives his parents concern. They will soon seek medical help because a lack of growth suggests an abnormality, an ill-health to be treated.

Growth begins when roots fasten themselves to the earth. Once this is achieved, shoots begin to spring out of the soil in an upward motion. The objective of sending roots downward is to bear fruits upward. However, in between roots and fruits is the phenomenon called growth. Growth is a consequence of health; if a child is healthy, she/he should grow. The same is true in our relationship with God; if we are spiritually healthy, we will be strong in spirit, able to fight off some ‘spiritual diseases’ because of ‘immunity.’ These diseases (fears, bondages, addictions, nightmares, etc.) are often symptomatic of a person’s spiritual health state.

Most sicknesses arise when the body is malnourished, underfed or improperly fed (when certain minerals and vitamins are lacking). Therefore, you need to be rooted, watered and be nurtured in favorable conditions to enable you grow properly. Well-rounded growth enables you withstand adverse conditions and you don’t get blown away by just any wind of doctrine, philosophies, or satanic deceptions. Growth that springs from proper diet will make you stay away from ‘junk food’ like toxic relationships, defiling audio-visual materials on TV or social media, the need to seek affirmation from the wrong cliques or clubs, wanting to trend by misbehavior, etc. Proverbs 27:7 says, “Even honey seems tasteless to a man who is full; but if he is hungry, he’ll eat anything!” (ERV). Therefore, you need to check where you get your ‘nourishment’ from – what feeds your dreams, what informs your appetites/desires, where does your philosophy for living spring from, why do you do what you do and what is your source of belief? The word of God is your sure nourishment and the right ‘environment’ for a balanced and well-nourished life.

For these reasons, do regular checks on yourself to ascertain if you are growing. Ask yourself, “Am I growing in my relationship with the Lord through bible study, prayers and fellowship? Am I growing in my marriage or in my business?” Don’t accept stagnancy, don’t be satisfied with dead rituals, listless living, routine existence and dwarfed dreams. Think BIG corporations, think global, think 1,000 employees, think being on the ‘honor roll’ in school, think large market share, think greater influence, think high returns, think branches, think growing beyond a 3×3 shop to a complex. Most especially in your spiritual walk, think growth and deeper intimacy, think the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit. GOD WANTS YOU TO GROW; GET INTO HIS WORD AND GROW!

PHOTO QUOTE:

ADDITIONAL STUDY

Genesis 26:13, Proverbs 4:20-23, Luke 1:80 & II Peter 3:18

CONFESSION

“Lord, I thank You for my spiritual, physical and mental growth. I thank you that I grow in capacity and scope. As I feed my spirit with the Word of God daily, I become rooted, built up and established in Christ, fully equipped to do the work of the ministry. I bring under subjection every thought, every desire and behavior that will deter my growth. As I feed on the sincere milk of the Word of God, I grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding, I live like Christ with great works following me. Like Isaac, I will grow and grow until I become very great in Jesus’ name, Amen.