Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 29, 2022
Read Matthew 13:3-23
3 He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter seed. 4 As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. 7 Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. 8 Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. 9 Everyone who has ears should pay attention.” 10 Jesus’ disciples came and said to him, “Why do you use parables when you speak to the crowds?” 11 Jesus replied, “Because they haven’t received the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but you have. 12 For those who have will receive more and they will have more than enough. But as for those who don’t have, even the little they have will be taken away from them. 13 This is why I speak to the crowds in parables: although they see, they don’t really see; and although they hear, they don’t really hear or understand. 14 What Isaiah prophesied has become completely true for them: You will hear, to be sure, but never understand; and you will certainly see but never recognize what you are seeing. 15 For this people’s senses have become calloused, and they’ve become hard of hearing, and they’ve shut their eyes so that they won’t see with their eyes or hear with their ears or understand with their minds, and change their hearts and lives that I may heal them. 16 “Happy are your eyes because they see. Happy are your ears because they hear. 17 I assure you that many prophets and righteous people wanted to see what you see and hear what you hear, but they didn’t. 18 “Consider then the parable of the farmer. 19 Whenever people hear the word about the kingdom and don’t understand it, the evil one comes and carries off what was planted in their hearts. This is the seed that was sown on the path. 20 As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. 21 Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. 22 As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit. 23 As for what was planted on good soil, this refers to those who hear and understand, and bear fruit and produce—in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one.”
Good Morning, Look for an unexpected blessing today!
Each day is a special gift from God. We read in the Gospels that we do not know the day nor the hour that Christ will return, but we are told to watch for the signs and be ready. We should approach each day with our eyes wide open so we don’t miss the blessings that are before us. Some blessings can be tiny and unnoticeable to those who aren’t looking. While other blessings are huge. But like the seed that falls away or is choked, those who are not ready will not even see Christ in his final glory.
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the idea of making disciples of the world. How can I, one person do such a thing? We might be willing, but the task seems impossible. As with any large undertaking, we must break down the task into the smallest pieces and work on one piece at a time. When we work on a large puzzle, we don’t give up after one misplaced piece, so we methodically work on one part. When we accomplish that, we move to the next part.
In Bible study yesterday, we were having this very discussion regarding bringing peace to the world. I have always been a believer in the idea that you must first start with yourself by setting yourself right with God. You must turn over all your worries and make a choice to trust God in all things. As you work through this, you begin to plant seeds of kindness. For each seed that you cast, some will fall into the rocks and some into fertile soil. Those who are ready to hear the message will sprout and begin to scatter seeds as well. Then we get the beautiful ripple effect like a stone being dropped in the water. Ripples of kindness will continue expanding across the world until all are reached.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Help us to understand that we can change the world one person at a time. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: With God’s help, my single act of kindness can inspire many more.
Cast some seeds today! Pastor Liz
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