The different types of soil equated to different kinds of hearts. Hard hearts "must be plowed up before they can receive the seed, and this can be a painful experience... Shallow hearts represented emotional hearers who ... don't really understand the price that must be paid to become a genuine Christian ... When persecution and difficulties begin, the enthusiasm wanes and the joy disappears." Crowded hearts belong to those "who do not truly repent and remove the weeds out of his or her heart -- worldly cares, a desire for riches, a lust for things -- and the good seed of the Word has no room to grow." Fruitful hearts belong to "true believers, because fruit -- a changed life -- is the evidence of true salvation."
"The more we heart the Word of God, the better we are able to share it with others."
"In the parable of the sower and the soils, the Lord suggested that much of the seed scattered would fall on unproductive soil. This fact could discourage His workers; so in this parable He reassured them 'in due season we shall reap if we don't faint.'"
"Faith must always be tested. It is not enough for us merely to learn a lesson or be able to repeat a teaching. We must also be able to practice that lesson by faith, and that is one reason why God permits trials to come to our lives."
"Jesus slept in the storm because He was truly secure in God's will ... the greatest danger was not the wind or the waves; it was the unbelief in the hearts of the disciples. Our greatest problems are within us, not around us ... It was their unbelief that caused them fear, and their fear made them question whether Jesus really cared."
Father, the word "fear" really showed up a lot in this chapter. It made me realize how susceptible I am to it as well. Calm my fears and help me develop the faith in You that I need.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford