Psalm 5

Luke 8:11-15

Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are the ones who hear;then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts,lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among the thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares,riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But, the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart,keep it, and bear fruit with patience.

 Jesus goes into explaining the parable of the sower. His first of many parables. What's interesting about this, is that none of His disciples understood what he meant when he first spoke in such a way, “why do you speak to them in parables?” So that they can get a glmpse of the glory to come. They were mysteries to many. And of the four gospels John is the only one not to mention it. He explains to us, the importance of good soil. Why we must choose to accept, believe, and bear fruit. Why it's important to listen! And stand girded. And it all starts with some soil ( good ground in Christ) and a seed ( some faith)

  The 3 gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke, use different words to interpret Jesus’ parable but ultimately have the same message. The Word, Receive, the Enemy, and Believe. Those by the way side will never truly grasp who and what God is, because of how quickly Satan snatches it away. Those on the rocks, see and hear but for a moment and then can't discern any longer. Those who fell among the thorns are stuck in idolatry. Never really wanting to pursue God. Having trust issues never  allowing God to enter in. I am forced to think about the Israelites. How they'd have everything the LORD promised them. Joy,abundance, deliverance...and then captivity. Like they never knew God. 1 Timothy 6:9 says “ but those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” So if it's the things of the world we desire then so be it, it's the wrong purpose for living. We learn it one way or another.

  As followers and disciples of Christ we are the seed that fell on good ground. We've heard the message, we have received the word. Are we dying to our selves daily? Are fruits being produced? Is there a physical detachment happening in your personal life that is causing a spiritual attachment to Christ? Matthew would go on to say he who indeed bears fruit, produces some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty!

  That's wild to think about. You're doing everything for the Glory of God and now it's just flowing out of you. Abundance. I want to continue to stay in that good soil. I want roots coming out of roots. I have to start somewhere. Colossians 3:16 says “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Today, and everyday this week I will teach and admonish my sisters in Christ with a psalm a day.