Key Passage
"But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person that hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and makes fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more."
— Matthew 13:23 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
While much of the seed doesn't produce fruit, that which does is wildly productive. The key is the soil's receptivity and fertility. Jesus says this refers to the person's willingness to really listen and the gift of really understanding what he says. When a person really listens and is committed to be good soil, Jesus gives the gift of understanding, and growth and productivity come about naturally. Jesus' whole point in telling this parable is to not only explain why so many find their walk in Jesus unproductive, but also to drive home the point that each of us is responsible for how we hear his message. We determine our hearts' receptivity. If we want to be good soil, we can be. If our will is to seek after God's truth, we'll find it! God gives his blessing of understanding and productivity to those who diligently seek him in faith.
Prayer
Holy God, please share with me your wisdom so that I may know your truth. Give me understanding that I may live your will. Please forgive me for having been inattentive to your word in the past and unwilling to pay the price to learn your truth. I want to know your truth and be set free to live a productive life in your service. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. We pray these things for you: that you will know fully the things that God wants; that with your knowledge you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things; that you will use these things to live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that you will do all kinds of good things and grow in the knowledge of God; that God will strengthen you with his own great power; that God will strengthen you, so that you will be patient and not quit when troubles come. Then you will be happy and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have the things he prepared for you. He has prepared these things for all his people who live in the light (good).
— Colossians 1:9-12
Because you have these blessings, you should try as much as you can to add these things to your life: to your faith add goodness; and to your goodness add knowledge; and to your knowledge add self-control; and to your self-control add patience; and to your patience add service for God; and to your service for God add kindness for your brothers and sisters {in Christ}; and to this kindness for your brothers and sisters add love. If all these things are in you and they are growing, then these things will help you to never be useless. These things will help you to never be worthless in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
— 2 Peter 1:5-8
Without faith, a person cannot please God. Any person who comes to God must believe that God is real. And any person who comes to God must believe that God rewards those people who truly want to find him.
— Hebrews 11:6
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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"But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person that hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and makes fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more."
— Matthew 13:23 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
While much of the seed doesn't produce fruit, that which does is wildly productive. The key is the soil's receptivity and fertility. Jesus says this refers to the person's willingness to really listen and the gift of really understanding what he says. When a person really listens and is committed to be good soil, Jesus gives the gift of understanding, and growth and productivity come about naturally. Jesus' whole point in telling this parable is to not only explain why so many find their walk in Jesus unproductive, but also to drive home the point that each of us is responsible for how we hear his message. We determine our hearts' receptivity. If we want to be good soil, we can be. If our will is to seek after God's truth, we'll find it! God gives his blessing of understanding and productivity to those who diligently seek him in faith.
Prayer
Holy God, please share with me your wisdom so that I may know your truth. Give me understanding that I may live your will. Please forgive me for having been inattentive to your word in the past and unwilling to pay the price to learn your truth. I want to know your truth and be set free to live a productive life in your service. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. We pray these things for you: that you will know fully the things that God wants; that with your knowledge you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things; that you will use these things to live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that you will do all kinds of good things and grow in the knowledge of God; that God will strengthen you with his own great power; that God will strengthen you, so that you will be patient and not quit when troubles come. Then you will be happy and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have the things he prepared for you. He has prepared these things for all his people who live in the light (good).
— Colossians 1:9-12
Because you have these blessings, you should try as much as you can to add these things to your life: to your faith add goodness; and to your goodness add knowledge; and to your knowledge add self-control; and to your self-control add patience; and to your patience add service for God; and to your service for God add kindness for your brothers and sisters {in Christ}; and to this kindness for your brothers and sisters add love. If all these things are in you and they are growing, then these things will help you to never be useless. These things will help you to never be worthless in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
— 2 Peter 1:5-8
Without faith, a person cannot please God. Any person who comes to God must believe that God is real. And any person who comes to God must believe that God rewards those people who truly want to find him.
— Hebrews 11:6
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
