February 14, 2024

Matthew 13:1-9 (HCSB)
The Parable of the Sower
13 On that day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.  2 Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore. 3 Then He told them many things in parables,  saying: “Consider the sower who went out to sow. 4 As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. 6 But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered. 7 Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. 8 Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown.  9 Anyone who has ears  should listen!”

Pastor HD Jones
A farmer lives for the harvest.  We have some friends that are farmers and it is a very interesting way to make a living.  Sometimes there is a bountiful harvest with large rewards and then there are the lean years.   No matter what the outcome, it requires the same amount of work.  A farmer can do all the right things and yet have a bad year.  So much of his/her success is dependent on God’s provision.  No rain then no crop.  Evangelism is similar in that we should live for the harvest but also be reminded that God is the one that gives harvest.  We can share until we are blue in the face but that will never make a person become a Christian.  No, our job is to share the good news with all kinds of people.  Some will be the hard ground, or rocky ground or the thorny soil.  Only God can change a heart.  The sad thing is many Christians never plant any gospel seeds.  Be intentional this week to share Jesus with someone.