Preparing the soil of your heart.
Roots “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me,…
It only took One “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.” John 12:24 NLT The wonder of Gods creation always leaves me in worshipping awe. That only one, tiny…
Not all is yours “You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” John 4:37-38 NLT In my years in ministry I’ve noticed a very distinct pattern with…
Why wait “Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the…
Slow growers “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down….
Ask for harvesters “These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 NLT Our garden came along and the vegetables grew beautifully to my expectation. We…
Seeds of obedience “When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him.” Genesis 26:12 NLT I know the soil in our garden, and so each gardener knows his own soil. But to suddenly sow in different patch of soil, brings a lot…
Trust the process “His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ “This is…
Thorns “Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.” Luke 8:7 “The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never…
Rocks “Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.” Luke 8:6 “The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall…
