The Parable of the Sower

Can I just start by saying what a truly remarkable blessing the Beth Moore simulcast was? I have much to think about - pray about - as a result of the past two days.

Beth's focus was The Parable of the Sower, which can be found in the Book of Luke.

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'"

"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 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." Luke 8:5-15

From the moment I discovered last night what Scripture Beth would be teaching to, I was convicted. You see, I remember very well reading this parable earlier this year during my Bible study. And I remember how I sat there afterward in prayer because I wasn't sure what kind of "soil" I was...of course I wanted to think I was good soil...but was I really??? Oh, I had so much turmoil and doubt. Because what if I was ROCK? What if my faith couldn't stand up to trial or temptation? What if??????

It was so reassuring to revisit this Parable that Jesus told and see it in a new light. The light of our current circumstances. And to know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I am, indeed, good soil. Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy!

And then Beth spoke Psalm 126:5-6:

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."

She said this is a promise from the Lord...if we go out and sow the seed of God (His Word) during our times of trial and crisis, watering that seed with our tears, we will reap the harvest with songs of joy!! What a promise to stand on!!

Oh - I could go on and on...I came away with such treasure! I'm sure I'll be sharing more over the coming days and weeks as I pray about what I learned and gain greater understanding.

To my good friend "M"...I love you and I'm so glad we had this time together to grow in our love for the Lord! What a blessing you are to me! See you in church tomorrow!

I wish you all a beautiful Sunday!