Luke 8: 11-15
”This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
These verses are more beautiful and meaningful to me now than they have ever been. I realize there have been times I have fallen into each one of the categories named by Jesus. But over the last several years my soil has improved. I know that God’s Word has become central to my life. I hope my growth will bear fruit here on earth. I pray that God will put opportunities in my path, help me to see them, and allow me to grow in love. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
I love this parable. Probably one of my favorites. I liken it to my belief that God plants us as humans where we need to be. If we stray from the word we are taken away from what we need to be doing. If we listen to the word with God's help we can do anything that is set before us. In the days when I had a garden I was always amazed at the tiny seed that became a carrot, another seed that became a cucumber or green beans and on and on. It was because of God's gift to us and our tending to the garden that made those vegetables grow. So much to reflect upon in so…
Luke 8: 11-15
14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Growth takes an honest heart. I sometimes deceive myself through rationalizing and justifying what I know to be true. Sin clouds my mind and heart and distorts the truth. I have been deceived into thinking of sin only as the 10 Commandments and last evening I found a broader understanding of sin. I fall short of…
Luke 8:11-15
15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
This parable means for me that a person must be prepared to receive the word before it will truly benefit them. If we are determined to fight off the devil, will defend our belief when challenged, and will choose Jesus over worldly temptation, then we are ready to be reborn. Our automatic reaction to temptation will be to do the right thing.
Dear Lord I can only work on these human frailties with your help. I know I can fall and get back up with your help. Amen.
Luke 8:11 Dash15 15. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. In the parable of the sower, we all want to be the honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word and produce a huge harvest. Truthfully, that’s what I want to be, but I know that I am often Rocky soil that cannot produce deep roots, or thorns where I let the world’s cares crowd out my time with God‘s word. That is what I like best about Transformers. It encourages me and pushes me to be good soil. Prayer: Gracious God, May I continue to read and understand your words in an effor…
Luke 8: 11-15 I enjoy planting vegetables and flowers and their growth never ceases to amaze. Every healthy seed has the same potential, but the difference between harvesting success and composting failure is their soil environment. I must ensure that the daily sewing of God’s word that I do lands in fertile, receptive soil. There are mornings I rush through my devotions and prayer because of the press of earthly concerns and the fruit of my day suffers for it. The Word does not change, but how it is received makes all the difference.
Prayer - Holy Spirit, cultivate the soil of my heart to receive, nurture and give life to Your Word in the way I live in the world.…