Today we continue our series entitled, “Expecting the Word to Work!” This is part 41.
We have been studying the parable of the sower for months. In this parable Jesus talks about a sower who planted seed into four different types of soil. We recently started looking at the fourth type of soil. Let’s go back to it today.
Jesus said:
“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.” (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The condition of your heart impacts the yield it produces.
a) Jesus likened your heart to soil and His Word to seed. God’s Word is sown into the soil of your heart. The better the condition of your heart, to more God’s Word will produce in your life. It’s really that simple.
b) The more you die to self and grow in God, the more God’s Word is able to produce the harvest it was intended to produce. It’s not because the Word changes. It is because you do. The more you die to self and ‘get out of the way,’ the more space you give God to move and His Word to work.
c) If your life is about you, then your heart will be full of self and selfish desires. But when you die to self and you make your life about God (and His desires for your life), God’s Word is free to flourish IN you and produce fruit FROM you.
2. Since your heart is so important, protect what gets down into it.
a) The Bible says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT). Another translations says, “Everything you do flows from your heart, so guard it above all else.” As you can see, guarding your heart is absolutely critical.
b) The same seed went into the good soil and the non-productive soil. The condition of the soil impacted the harvest the seed was able to produce. Likewise, the condition of your heart will either be conducive to the Word of God working or it will keep the Word from from working in your life.
c) If you want to ensure your heart is ready to receive and produce a Godly harvest, you must protect what gets down in it. Your eyes and ears are gates into your soul (heart). You cannot allow garbage to flow unfiltered through your eye and ear gates, and then expect the condition of your heart to be conducive to a Godly harvest. Garbage-in, garbage-out. Godliness-in, Godliness-out. The more you put the Word of God through your eyes and ears, the better positioned you will be to experience God’s best.
3. Live a submitted life.
a) Repent as often as the Holy Spirit makes you aware of something you did wrong. This continual commitment to living Godly and holy will position you to be good ground daily.
b) Your focus/attention matters. The attention you give to the Word of God can either unleash its power or keep the power from being unleashed. So make a decision, right now, that you are going to give the Word of God the attention it deserves.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is tied to Your Word. By faith I declare that I am good ground. My heart is conditioned for Godliness. I am free of all distractors. I am free of all ungodly desires. I repent daily. I protect my heart by carefully and prayerfully considering what I allow through my eye and ear gates. My heart is conditioned to receive, believe and unleash the power of Your Word. Your Word works in me and for me, because my heart is a breeding ground for the supernatural. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
