Forgetting God
Matthew 13:3-8; Matthew 13:18-23
Matthew 13:3-8
3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
Matthew 13:18-23
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Reflection of Bee:
Frequently we use the above parable to emphasize that non-believers are not able to receive the gospel because of hard grounds (hearts). Though that is true, I feel the saddest truth is those who gave up their faith because of the cares of this life... either too poor or too rich. Only few are able to make it and bear fruits.
Since the day I gave my heart to Jesus, I face many trials to test my faith. At times I fell like giving up, yet God's word kept ringing in my mind that He will carry me through. Yes, He had carried me through all my trials of life. Even now, He is with me in my confusions and lost in direction.
Through all these trails God strengthens my faith and trust in Him, and help me bear fruits.
Dear Lord,
I pray that You will continue to preserve my faith in You despite the trials in my life. Keep me in Your mighty arms.
I am so sleepy now... let me have a good sleep tonight.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Reflection of Tommy:
What kind of soil are we? Are we the type on rocky places that welcome God’s message when things are all nice and easy? Or are we the type among the thorns who constantly bogged down and distracted by worries and enticements of the world; never ready to have His Word taken root in our lives?
We need to set our priorities right, by turning off and away from the attractions of this world that keep us from reading and meditating on God’s Word. We need to take time to listen to God and feed on His Word. We need to pray to be strong and receptive to God’s guidance and leading in our spiritual journey, bearing good fruits for His kingdom.
Dear Father, thank You for showing to me again what is more important in this life. Teach me to always have the right perspective on things and putting first thing first. Give me strength, wisdom and peace when dealing with difficulties and confusions. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
