SOAP 09/25/2011; Luke 8:15

Today's reading: Ezra 2,3; Luke 8

S)"¹⁵ But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."

Luke 8:15 (NASB)

O) Jesus breaks down His parable, comparing the condition of a man's heart, to the condition of soil, and comparing His words with seed. Since the words are truth from Jesus, they are indisputably good seeds. There's nothing to do to the seed itself. The variable is in the condition of the man's heart. The above verse is the best-case scenario.

A) The interesting thing about this parable is the idea of tilling the soil of my heart. God's word will not change, its seed will bear good fruit, when it is tended well. The first step is to till the soil (heart). Being submissive to God, humbling my heart, is the quickest way to till my soil. The process, like tilling the ground, can be very difficult, but the more often it's done, the easier it is. To hold it fast is to tend the planted seed (word). It's not enough to simply receive the Word of God. I need to apply God's word, meditate on it, soak in the Spirit of God (living water). I've been doing a good job of tilling my soil, and planting the seed, and now I need to work on watering it more consistently.

P) Father, break my heart. I humble myself before You, acknowledging that I have no idea how to run my life. If there are areas of my heart that have become hard, without me realizing it, then I give You full permission, Lord, to break my heart. Holy Spirit, encompass me, envelope me, cover me with Your presence in my daily life. Draw me in, to regular times of worship and in those times especially, cause the Word that has been planted, to grow through Your living waters, God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.