The Bible is a story. The story actually. Within the Bible we find the stories of Jesus’ days on Earth. Some great lessons are in the Bible, lessons we can use to live our lives the way that Jesus intended. Everything we need to live a wonderful, fulfilling life is in the Bible. The key to this fulfilling life is right there for the world to see if we only take the time to look, to listen, and to live the words.
Jesus gives us many lessons in the Bible but we have chosen to begin our journey with Jesus in the Parables. My church recently did a study on some of the parables and there were things that really stood out to me and spoke to where I am in my life right now. We hope that you will spend some time finding help or solace in this place as well.
THE SOWER
Matthew 13:1-9 and Matthew 13:18-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around them that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed feel among the thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still others fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
This parable gets to the heart of what is wrong with so many of us in todays world. We are imperfect humans looking for a perfect life. Some questions to ask yourself from this:
“What does the parable tell us we should be doing with the word?”
“How do worries choke the word?”
“Are you living a fruitful life?”
“What signs have you gotten that the soil of your heart is changing away from good?”
“What habits do you have that help cultivate good soil?”
“Who has permission to tell you the truth about the weeds growing in your life?”
We can probably see ourselves in each of the situations where seeds(the word) have fallen. We have heard the word and not understood so the evil one snatched the word and we were left with nothing. We have heard the word, understood and found joy but it did not take root (we could not grow). Or we heard the word, understood, found joy and let the world get in the way and choke out the word making it fruitless. Hopefully we will all be entering this season, if we are not already there, where the seeds have fallen in good soil. Where we will take the word and cultivate it and grow in our faith and have the fruitful yield that Jesus wants for us.
We all have different people in our lives that we value. Do you have someone in your life that helps to keep you on the right spiritual track? Are you like most of us and just wing it from time to time hoping that our seeds fall in good soil? My husband is not afraid to call me out when I am not doing the right thing, and its appreciated but a sister in Christ is a great gift that we can give ourselves to help us on our journey with God. As our blog grows hopefully we will cultivate relationships with other Christian women to compliment and grow in our own relationship with God.
We also need to carve out a block of time each week to spend alone time with God. “Quiet Time” to spend with God and his word that is just for us. Can we all commit to give ourselves this gift of time with God each week? Below is an affiliate link to a Quiet Time Journal (I may make a small commission from this link).
Week One THE SOWER: Personal Time
- Memorize Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law
- Before you open your Bible each day, open your heart to the truth of Gods word. Pray, Dear God please open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your word. Amen
- Commit to quiet time.
Quiet time verses:
- Psalm 119:18
- John 15:5
- Galatians 5 21-23
- John 10:10b
- 2 Corinthians 13:5
Be sure to hit the subscribe button so that you will get notified when the next Parable is available and we can spend more time in Gods word. Thank you for allowing us to get all up “In Your Faith” as we continue our walk with Jesus.
In Your Faith 