Good Ground

 

    

    

 

    

 

 

Matt 13:8-9

 

8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

NKJ

 

Today's  verses outline the optimal conditions for yielding a bumper crop.  When the ground (in this case, the soil of our heart) has been tilled until it is soft, the seed can readily be imbedded in the ground.  After that, it is easily received and  nurtured.  The right amount of rain and the right amount of sun, causes the seed to break forth  out of the ground, growing strong and mighty shoots.  Plants that have deep roots and produce an abundant crop.  As Jesus explains:

    

Matt 13:23

 

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

NKJV

 

 

I have seen it all of my years in church.  Two people receive Christ around the same time.  One is excited about his/her conversion, but never really seems to be overly zealous. The other person could be described as "on fire."  They just exude passion, zeal and interest.  They consume Bible study after Bible study.  They are in church every time the door is open.   Fast forward five years.  The first guy attends a lot of Sunday's and has a testimony of being a Christian.  The second guy is now heading up men's ministry, is a youth sponsor and is mentoring new converts.  They were both saved under the same teaching.  In the same church.  At the same time. Why is the one fruitful a hundred-fold and the other only thirty?

 

The amount of attention, focus and care we give to tending our soil makes a huge difference in the outcome of our crop.  I have noticed that on the years that I really add the Miracle Grow to my plants, they spread quickly and I have abundant, cascading flowers.   The years I don't, I have puny, small flowers.  The difference between the two is quite astonishing.

 

The amount of prevalence we give to the Word of God, worship and fellowship is directly proportional to our spiritual state of "bearing much abundant fruit."  God never gives us more of Himself than we truly desire. Producing an increase on the seed of His Word must be a fervent desire  that translates into action.

 

Dear Lord, help me to be good soil to receive your Word and bring forth an abundant harvest.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.