Faithful Sowing (Mt 13:8) by Pastor Ron Burtz

24 Jul Faithful Sowing (Mt 13:8) by Pastor Ron Burtz

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).  Leaders.  Guest Authors.
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“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” ~ (Mt 13:8) (full readings)
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Pastor Ron’s Reflections:  In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower a farmer goes out to plant seeds using the ancient method of simply grabbing a handful of seed and casting it across the soil. The results vary according to whether the seed falls on soil that is fertile, hard, shallow, or overgrown with weeds. But while the outcome varies, one thing is constant: the sower keeps faithfully planting the seeds expecting a harvest.  Unlike other parables, Jesus took time to explain this one to his disciples saying that the seed represents the gospel of the kingdom, and that the different soils represent different individuals and the condition of their hearts. While not specifically mentioned, the sower is presumably anyone who takes it upon himself to carry out the Great Commission by proclaiming the good news of redemption and salvation through Christ to a lost world.  One principle taught by the parable is simple:  keep proclaiming the gospel trusting God to ready the soil of people’s hearts to receive it.  The same is true of our Pro-Life message:  We will not always encounter open hearts and minds as we call our culture to choose Life, and we might even face outright hostility and rejection, but it is our duty to keep sowing the seeds and trusting God to bring about the germination, growth and eventual harvest in His time.  “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6.
* Pastor Ron Burtz is pastor of the Evangelical Free Bible Church of Wall, South Dakota. He has a passion to preach the Word and to see revival and spiritual awakening come to America. He and his wife, Tammy have three grown children.

Faith Challenge:  Are you faithfully sowing the seeds of the gospel of life as you walk through this world? Are you praying that God will prepare the soil of people’s hearts to receive His word, and listening for His instruction as to where to cast the seed?
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed & Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Saint Sharbel Makhluf
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Faith Quote: “Preach the Gospel always.  If necessary, use words.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
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Through Christ Our Lord,
Pastor Ron
Isaiah 40:31