Use the links (ctrl+click) on the scriptures to access the bible verses.
Jesus’ eleventh parable focuses on the fruitfulness of those who hear God’s Word. He likens us to the soil, categorizing us into four main groups: (a) the path, (b) rocky places, (c) thorny places, and (d) good ground. According to the parable, birds ate up the seed that fell along the path, lack of nutrients in the rocky, thin soil caused the seeds/plants to live a very short life, worldly distractions choked out the seed planted on thorny ground, while exponential returns came from the seed planted on good ground (Matthew 13: 4-8).
 
In this parable, God and His Christ are represented by the sower, the seed is the Word of God, and we are represented by the various types of soils. The yield refers to other people we influence so they too can become Christians and experience not only the manifold blessings of God on earth, but enjoy the hope and assurance of eternity with Him in heaven.
Do we hear God’s Word, but lacking understanding, end up losing or deriding what we have heard (the path)?
Do we joyfully receive the Word of God, but fall away at the first sign of persecution or difficulties because we are not mature in spirit (rocky soil)?
Do we accept the Word of God, but allow the worries of life or treachery of wealth to cause us to be unfruitful, cold, and eventually, negative influences in God’s kingdom (thorny ground)?
Or are we careful to guard God’s Word in our hearts, fanning the Word into a large flame, and allowing God to use us to love others, and to bring them into His kingdom (good ground)?
What type of soil are you currently? What type of soil would you rather be for the rest of your life?

Lesson of the Week

1. Ask God for understanding and endurance (Ephesians 1:17-19 & James 1:12).

2. Be authentic and God-fearing; do not let earthly riches rob you of life’s real perspectives (1 Timothy 6:9-12).

The ground is meant to be fruitful; we are meant to win souls for Christ through our words and actions. So much has been divinely given to us; therefore, we are meant to yield bountifully!

Understand today that you are blessed so you can be a blessing to others. As the trials and persecutions come your way due to your service to Christ, endure them graciously, for victory has already been won by Jesus.
Be real and authentic in action and speech. Ask God to bless you with a real and enduring fear and respect of Him. Only through this can you obtain real wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 9:10).
Do not let your riches master you; stay humble, stay in control, and ALWAYS ascribe all the glory to God!

No matter what type of soil we are, we can make conscious decisions to become good ground, and to allow His Word grow and flourish in us, so we can be blessings to others.
Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth with God’s goodness, love, and provision.
May the Lord Jesus bless and keep you useful in His father’s Kingdom!

Weekly Nugget: “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:22-23; KJV).

Dr. Kene D. Ewulu ministers from Columbia, South Carolina, The United States.
All scriptures were linked from www.biblegateway.com

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