Message from Darren Johnson, Development Director

“And some (seeds) fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold. When He had said these things He cried, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’” Luke 8:7-8

There was a time when I really wanted to live my life for Christ, but felt powerless to do it. I tried to read the Bible, but every time I read it, it was dry, it wouldn’t resonate with me. One day, out of desperation, I prayed that God would make the scriptures come alive to me. He led me to this parable about the sower. He showed to me, in a very powerful way, that my life was so consumed with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world that it was choking the effect of His Word in my life. He revealed to me that I had to cast my cares upon Him and get rid of the things that were choking my spiritual life. When I did this, God opened up the Bible to me in a totally new and powerful way. My devotional life became an exciting time where God would speak to me in a very personal way. My life began to produce fruit that was pleasing to Him.

Perhaps you find yourself in the same place that I was: desiring to live your life for Christ but with no power to do so. I want to encourage you not to give up. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. Get rid of the things in your life that hold you back from experiencing all that God wants for you. Make time to read the Bible daily and you will begin to see incredible fruit, a hundredfold, coming forth from your life. It will be exciting!