Hello Fellow Christians,
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23
At times in my walk, I’ve felt like I’ve been all three of these kinds of hearers of the Word. I’ve felt like I wasn’t sure I could ever be good soil on a consistent basis. What I discovered was whenever I felt like I was “rocky ground, not understanding the Word along the path, or among the thorns” that I just needed to ask Jesus for His help to be good soil. He’d help me overcome any spiritual lack (like the jealousy, bitterness, anger, frustration, fear and self-pity that plagued my spirit making me want to give up) in my life to encourage me to grow and become stronger in Him. He’s teaching me how to take the destructive thoughts of my flesh, and the enemy, captive. He’s so close to us and ready to help us. That’s why He sent us the precious Holy Spirit, our Helpful Comforter.
Oh thank You, Jesus, for Your faithful, steadfast love, mercy and care of our lives.
Mark