<< Matthew 13 >>
New International Version 1984
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear.â€
18“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.â€
One way I have found to gain greater understanding of the Bible is to look at the Parables and apply them to my life. They are relatively easy to understand regardless of where I am in my walk, but thought provoking enough to keep me focused. I am not an educated teacher of the bible this is only my life application, my perspective may change in years to come.
I often think of the people that sowed seeds (words of God) in me through out my life. They impacted me in different ways and lasted different amounts of time.
I am sure many seeds were dropped on me and the devil just swooped down and ate them like the birds in the story. I was oblivious to them, and can not recall them.
Some even sprouted, however, they landed on rocks. I remember looking at my sister in law, so peaceful, so into God. I wanted that. She would share the Bible with me, I would get excited to have what she had. My desire was emotionally based. I just wanted to feel better, peaceful, faithful. This desire in me would be short lived, when either a crisis, or success happened it all went away. SCORCHED.
Many, many weeds that choked out any growth at one point.
My weeds
Vengeance -Getting back at those that hurt me
The list of weeds choking out the Truth of the Gospel goes on and on.
Now Good Soil, Kingdom Living, This is where my roots are growing, they are being watered by the bible, Christian community, Prayer. I have had a garden before, it requires work. It constantly needs nourishment, water, and sunshine. Not works, faith, but I have to actively seek The Lords guidance.
Good Soil- Garden of Eden
This Parable also reminds me of sowing seeds into others lives. They are all at different places, maybe the seeds do not take root in good soil, but if it is the Lords Will, I need to keep sowing.
Dear Lord Thank You for all the believers You sent to sow seeds in my life. Lord by Your strength, and Your guidance lead us all to have good soil, which produces abundant crops. Thank You Jesus Amen
New International Version 1984
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear.â€
18“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.â€
One way I have found to gain greater understanding of the Bible is to look at the Parables and apply them to my life. They are relatively easy to understand regardless of where I am in my walk, but thought provoking enough to keep me focused. I am not an educated teacher of the bible this is only my life application, my perspective may change in years to come.
I often think of the people that sowed seeds (words of God) in me through out my life. They impacted me in different ways and lasted different amounts of time.
- Youth ministers being a loving witness
- Ladies I worked with over twenty years ago, one in particular despite any circumstance she relied on her faith to get her through, she is a very loving caring woman. There was something about her presence that I wanted.
- A guy and his family that were very devoted to the Lord. He was forgiving, caring, and gave me bits of Gospel
- My sister in law, we were in church one time singing, I looked over at her and she looked so peaceful.
- Tracks left on my car
- Many in my son's community that spoke truth
- Bible stories I heard as a child
- There are many more, my point is many seeds were sown into my life
I am sure many seeds were dropped on me and the devil just swooped down and ate them like the birds in the story. I was oblivious to them, and can not recall them.
Some even sprouted, however, they landed on rocks. I remember looking at my sister in law, so peaceful, so into God. I wanted that. She would share the Bible with me, I would get excited to have what she had. My desire was emotionally based. I just wanted to feel better, peaceful, faithful. This desire in me would be short lived, when either a crisis, or success happened it all went away. SCORCHED.
Many, many weeds that choked out any growth at one point.
My weeds
- Kids activities-soccer, wrestling, grades, dancing, basketball, baseball etc busy busy busy
- Financial concerns- fear of not having enough consuming me
Vengeance -Getting back at those that hurt me
- Marriage- How to make it better, how to make my husband what I needed
- Extended Family-Drama, Drama, Drama
- Body Image- Dieting, Exercise, thoughts of calories, points, fats, numbers on scale
- Phone- At times I spent hours a day on the phone
- Unworthiness
- Fear
- Unforgivness
- Multiple business started, most became very successful and time consuming
- Self Help- numerous books, therapists, workshops, etc
- Humanistic world view
- The lies of the devil
The list of weeds choking out the Truth of the Gospel goes on and on.
Now Good Soil, Kingdom Living, This is where my roots are growing, they are being watered by the bible, Christian community, Prayer. I have had a garden before, it requires work. It constantly needs nourishment, water, and sunshine. Not works, faith, but I have to actively seek The Lords guidance.
Good Soil- Garden of Eden
This Parable also reminds me of sowing seeds into others lives. They are all at different places, maybe the seeds do not take root in good soil, but if it is the Lords Will, I need to keep sowing.
Dear Lord Thank You for all the believers You sent to sow seeds in my life. Lord by Your strength, and Your guidance lead us all to have good soil, which produces abundant crops. Thank You Jesus Amen
