Prepare the Soil

  “Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

— Mark 4:15-20

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Your Parable of the Sower shows me three obstacles to sowing in good soil: demonic strongholds, a lack of rootedness, and worldliness. As a pastor who is looking for good soil, I am also called to prepare the soil. 

For those who hear the Word but allow Satan to come and steal what was sown in them, I am to plow up the hard hearts and tear down demonic strongholds. Jeremiah 4:3 says to "break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among the thorns." Lord, soften soil today so it can penetrate the earth of our hearts.

For those who hear the Word and receive it with joy but fall away when persecution or trouble comes, I am to help them grow deeper roots that go beyond the thin layer of topsoil. Ephesians 3:17 NLT says, "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong." Lord, help us to be rooted and established in Your love so your Word goes deep into the soil of our souls.

For those who hear the Word, but allow the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things to choke the Word, I am to reveal the truth about the deceit and desires of this world. 1 John 2:15 says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them." Lord, open our eyes to the things we love that are an obstacle to Your Word taking root.

Gracious Lord, as I pastor this flock and teach Your Word, help me to remove obstacles that steal, obscure, and deceive us from Your Word. May Your Word penetrate my heart today in places that were previously hard, thorny, or shallow. Plant deeply into my soul today.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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