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New Article: The Importance of a Receptive Heart


                In Mark 4, Jesus says, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.  Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times” (verses 3-8).

               In this story, ultimately, the sower is God himself.  The thing to note about him is that he is generous.  The seed is thrown everywhere.  God is not calculating with his blessings.  Rather, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).  God is never the problem.  He gives in abundance.

               The seed is the word of God (Mark 4:14).  It is powerful and productive.  The seed grows and produces in ways we can not imagine or even rightly understand (verses 26-29).  There is nothing wrong with the seed! 

               The only variable in this story is the soil.  That is where you and I come in!  Some people are like soil that has been packed into a hard path.  The seed has no chance to get in and, therefore, it makes no difference in that person’s life.  Others are like the rocky soil.  They become excited about spiritual things, but because they do not grow deep roots, they give up just as quickly.  Others are like the thorny soil where the weeds grow and starve the call of God out.  Jesus says this happens when worries, riches and the cares of this world dominate our thinking (verse 19).  Finally, some are like good soil that accepts the seed and produces a huge crop.

               God is generous.  The word is powerful.  The only question is, “Are we open to what God is offering?”

               Why not give God a chance and see what he produces in your life?

               You might be surprised at the result!

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