S: Mark 4:8 NLT- Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
O: Jesus sat on a boat while He spoke to the mass crowds that settled on the sea shore. He began to speak to them in parables. He tells them the story of a farmer who planted seeds on many different types of ground. Some seeds fell on the footpath and were devoured by birds, others fell in shallow soil and sprouted quickly, but were scorched by the sun because their roots lacked depth. Some seed fell among thorns so when the plants grew, they were choked and could produce no grain. Finally Jesus describes the seed that fell on fertile soil, that produced a crop, thirty, sixty, and even one hundred times greater than what was planted.
A: This parable always reminds me that where you plant, is just as important as what you plant. Although this passage is referring to planting the Word of God to specific groups of people, the same principle can be applied to many different areas of life. As a husband, and a father, if I plant more love into my work than my family, my family suffers. Where I choose to plant my love is important. As believers it's important to consider where you choose to invest things, because the place you invest will determine the outcome. You can put a good thing into a bad place, and the instead of the good thing flourishing, it never reaches it's full potential. We should be very careful that our efforts are being invested in the right place. The Bible says in Psalm 92:13 NIV, "planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God." The purpose of planting is growth. Planting ourselves in God's House will always give us fertile soil in which our lives will grow, and flourish. The longer you are planted, the deeper the roots, the more you grow. Where you are planted will be a blessing to you, but the fruit you produce from being planted in the right place will be a blessing to others.
P: God thank You for allowing me to be planted in Your house. The longer I'm here, the more fruit I see. I'm thankful my planting has produce fruit for my family, as well as my brothers and sisters in Christ. Allow me to continue to grow in Your presence, and under Your care. Amen.
