Introduction: Where’s the fruit? What is the best way to produce fruit? Does Christian character Count?

Listen to the parable of the sower:

Then GO & SOW!

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold” (Luke 8:5-8).

Consider 3 parts:

1. Plowing the Soil! (Luke 8:5,12) – “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” 

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

If the ground is not prepared to receive the seed, it will not sprout. Therefore, plowing is necessary. It breaks up the soil enabling the seed to germinate and then develop a root system. The Holy Spirit is the plow agent! Does your heart need plowing? If it’s like this writer, then it usually does. 

2. Planting the Seed! (Luke 8:11) – “The seed is the word of God.”

When the Bible is being taught either it falls on deaf ears or it is taken in with a glad heart. Which is it with you?Probably, it depends on when? Right? Remember. Reading, hearing, studying, meditating, and memorizing are all ways to take in the Word of God.

3. Producing the Sprout! (Luke 8:4-12) – Did you notice the 4 responses to reading or hearing the Word of God, even reading this devotion?

* Stealing the seed

* Scorching the seed

* Squeezing the seed

* Sealing the seed

The devil will take it. Persecution will wither it. Worry will choke it. But a good heart (plowed & ready to receive it) will embrace it!

Conclusion: Since our heart needs to be plowed constantly in order to receive the Seed (Word of God), let’s let the Holy Spirit plow it.

Then pray for a receptive heart. Allow the SONSHINE, the Holy Spirit to rain, and respond with wise decisions. Then we can GO and SOW!