There are certain parables, that the more I read them, the more clarity and understanding I receive about myself. I have prayed often over what is written in *Matthew 13:3…“Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside…5 Some fell on stony places…7 And some fell among thorns…8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”* I have read this parable and listened to different teachings on this over the years, but recently I began to look at this in a little bit of a different way. For many of us, we think “I am definitely the good soil” and then we remember friends that were all of the others, who are no longer around. I began to take this parable a little more personally, evaluating my own heart before God. I am not sure if anyone else can relate, but I realize that at different times I am all 4. As it is explained later in the chapter, I have heard the word of God, and at times, did not understand and let the enemy take what was planted away. Then, there are times that I received the Word with joy, and when persecuted I have stumbled and not done what God had called me to do. Also, there have been times when the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the busyness of life, have distracted me and I was unfruitful for the Lord Jesus. There have even been seasons when I knew exactly what God was asking of me, yet I delayed in obedience because of fear or uncertainty, and in truth, delayed obedience is disobedience. At times I have mistaken activity for fruitfulness, only to discover that my heart had drifted from simple devotion to Christ. The Lord has been faithful to reveal areas of my life that still need His plow and His pruning. The more I examine myself in the light of His Word, the more dependent I become upon His grace. I am learning that good soil is not the result of my own strength, but of God’s continual work within me. What encourages me is that the Great Sower has not stopped sowing, even when my heart has not always responded as it should. How many times has the Lord spoken clearly, yet I have treated His voice as a suggestion rather than a command? How often have I asked for more revelation when I have not yet obeyed what He has already shown me? These thoughts humble me and remind me that spiritual maturity is measured not merely by what I know, but by what I obey. My heart’s desire is to produce a crop a hundredfold for the kingdom and yet I know that I fail more times than not. I have come to realize that the greatest danger is not open rebellion, but becoming comfortable with a form of godliness that bears little fruit and being complacent in my behavior when there is only an audience of One. The Lord is not merely seeking my agreement with His Word; He is seeking my surrender to it. It is one thing to hear the truth, but it is another thing entirely to allow that truth to change the way I live. To trust in Jesus for fruit as well as for life is one of the most important things a child of God can do. I like what Charles Spurgeon said on the subject, “He has to leave the seed in the care of the Lord who gave it to him, for he is not responsible for the harvest, he is only accountable for the care and industry with which he does his work. If no single ear should ever make glad the reaper, the sower will be rewarded by His Master if he had planted the right seed with careful hand.” I have experienced that there are days when I have to preach the word of God to myself more so than to anyone else. My beloved brethren, let us encourage one another daily, knowing that we are all works in progress under the loving hand of our Savior. May we never grow weary in allowing Him to cultivate our hearts, remove the thorns, and deepen our roots in His truth. Though we may find ourselves in different seasons of growth, we are united in our need for His mercy, grace, and transforming power. Together, by the strength of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God alone, let us press on with confidence, believing that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. Please pray for me as I pray for all who read these words, for God to open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and our hearts to feel, as well as a desire for obedience for all He wants us to do with us, in us, and through us, and may we all produce a hundredfold for the kingdom, in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.