~ by Terry Walters
Mark 4:1-20
You may remember that one of the
Sunday messages during our pandemic
“shelter-in-place” time was on this very passage.
If you don't remember, perhaps you weren't listening
too well. Or maybe you chose at
the time not to listen to the message at all.
That would seem to suggest you were not
being good, fertile soil at the time!
The parable is about how we choose
to receive God's word. Sometimes
our hearts are hardened against the word.
Sometimes we are just too shallow
in our thinking. Other times we get
too caught up in earthly or material pursuits
and God's word and will get choked out.
But the goal is to be good, fertile soil,
so we can grow and be productive.
For plants, reproduction is a natural
part of growth. For Christians, it
seems we think the two can be separated.
We think we are growing, even
if it doesn't lead to production.
The parable links the two.
“The ones sown on good ground ...
produce a crop...” Not might
produce, not should produce.
No ifs or butts, just “hear... welcome... and produce...”
The choice of which soil you
will be is up to you. Being good
soil is the only good choice. The choice
of good soil leaves no choice but to produce!
Prayer: Father, we have read many
scriptures and devotions recently.
I pray that you will speak to
our hearts through these and
help us be productive crops for you.
P.S.: Choose wisely who and what you listen to.
There are way too many voices out there.
Worldly education, politicians, news media,
social media, and even false teachers
within the so-called church. Give us
wisdom, oh Lord. Give us ears to hear.
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