In September, I had the Lord lay on my heart a significant series called “What’s the condition of your soil?”
It’s from Mark Chapter 4 where Jesus talks about the parable of the sower, it’s interesting that Jesus references this parable and remarks, “If you don’t understand this, how can you understand all the other parables?”
This is a vital portion of scripture and revelation to understand how the Kingdom of God functions and that it all starts with a seed in our hearts.
There are a few things we must remember, and I would like to highlight them in this blog:
1. The Word of God is incorruptible seed. – 1 Peter 1:23
2. Our hearts are the soil where the word gets planted or sown. – Mark 4:14-15
3. It’s our responsibility with the help of the Holy Spirit to identify our heart (soil) condition.
– Proverbs 2:1-4
4. It’s our responsibility to guard, protect and maintain our hearts – Proverbs 4:23
The Word sown into good soil always produces.
Mark 4:14-15 NKJV
The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown.
When they hear, satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
You can clearly see from the above scripture that the Word is the seed we sow and that the soil is our actual hearts where it is received. This is why it is vital that we protect our hearts and ensure we are putting the Word of God into our hearts diligently and then guarding that Word (seed).
The Word of God sown in good hearts (soil) must produce visible Godly fruits in our Lives! This is why it is impossible to remain unchanged, untransformed, or not bearing fruits if our hearts are open and receptive.
True disciples bear much fruit.
John 15:5, 7-8 NKJV
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
God’s design for creation is that each seed produces after its own kind. The same is true for the seed of the Word, that it would produce after its own kind.
Healing seeds produce healing.
Faith seeds produce faith.
Love seeds produce love.
Stewardship seeds produce stewardship.
Prosperity seeds produce prosperity.
You get the point. What areas are missing some fruit in your life? Your marriage? Your finances? Your health? Your faith? It’s probably in proportion to the lack of seed you are placing in your heart or the condition of your heart, maybe to that area specifically.
As believers or disciples of Jesus we are called to bear fruit. It is something that is expected by God and His Word that we do. Furthermore, in John it says, bearing fruits brings glory to God Himself.
I love the various translations below. They truly give us a picture and emphasis that a true disciples, bears fruit according to the Word, and that this is not up for debate, it’s an automatic package deal that should be evident.
GNB: and in this way you become my disciples.
NLT: When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.
NIV: showing yourself to be my disciples.
Review the 4 soil types mentioned in Mark 4:15-20
- Wayside (Unresponsive person / Closed to the Word)
- Stony Ground (Impulsive / Double minded person)
- Thorny Ground (Preoccupied person / Seeking first the world)
- Good Ground (Responsive person / Open and hungry for the Word)
We are called to guard our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
The word Keep really means to;
Guard
Protect
Maintain
How much you value something will determine how you much you protect and maintain it? How would you protect and maintain your family, your marriage, your relationships, your vehicles, or property?
Well, the same application is true with our hearts and the Word of God in our hearts. In other words we are really called to be “Watchman” of our hearts and the seed placed in them.
One of the ways we can guard our hearts is through prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
There is something about prayer and intimacy with the Father, (not YouTube or Facebook), one on one time in the Word of God as well as in communion with the Father is vital, especially in this time we are living.
It’s amazing what it says, when we learn to go to God with all our cares, worries and anxieties, the peace of God will be the very thing that guards our hearts and minds.
I want to encourage you in this season.
Firstly, stir up a hunger for the Word so that you can receive the Word through quiet time, through Sundays and through the Holy Spirit. Cherish it and value it. Learn to incline your ear to hear what God is saying to you.
Secondly, become steadfast in the Word, rooted like a tree yet grounded like a building so that your faith has a firm foundation in the Word of God.
Lastly, learn to cast all your cares upon Him for He cares and seek first the Kingdom of God, His way of doing things and being right.
Then all I can say is get ready for much fruit in your life, your marriage, your family, your relationships, your purpose, and your destiny.