Good Soil: Part 5

Again, if you have been reading this series of devotions you know that I have encountered many obstacles this past year in planting food plots. I had to deal with some very hard deeply compacted soil from logging equipment. I came across some shallow soil with sand stone lying underneath. I even had to deal with patches of briar bushes that sprung up without me knowing. However, I am glad to say that these were not all the conditions that I had to face this past year. Lots of the ground I planted food plots in was good soil. This ground was well prepared with good chemical composition. The seeds that fell into this soil yielded some awesome looking food plots. Many of these plots were what I would call average looking. They turned out just like I expected them to. On the other hand, some did far better than I have ever seen; they more than exceeded my expectations.

Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

I would like to start out this devotion with a probing question of the text: What is the main emphasis of the text or what subject matter makes up the majority of this verse? Yes, you are correct. It is the fact that seed falling into good ground produces fruit and lots of it. You see the way you can tell if a soil is good or not is in its productivity. Good soil produces fruit bad soil does not. Now, here is another question for you: Is your life today producing any spiritual fruit? Have your witnessing efforts brought forth any new believers? Have your diligent prayer efforts brought forth the salvation of a family member? How often have you showed or brought forth genuine love to a stranger? Have you found or brought forth joy in the midst of your most trying obstacles? Are you at complete peace with the Lord? How patient have you been lately? Is your faith completely in the hands of God or is it in your own hands? I could go on and on with these questions and analogies, but I think you get the picture. I genuinely hope your answer was Yes. You see folks the good soil is a picture of a good heart that is completely submissive to the Lord and His Word. This is a heart that is open entirely to God’s Will and listens eagerly to God’s Word. A heart like this yields a life that produces lots of spiritual fruit.

However, if you answered No, then your heart needs a little work. I want you to know that any Christian’s heart can lose its good rating. A good heart can become hardened due to a sudden death of a friend or family member. A good heart can become shallow due to a lack of personal devotion time spent with the Savior, caused from too much time spent focusing on self. A good heart can become overwhelmed by the briars of life. The worries and wants of this world can and will choke out the life of any Christian. Nevertheless, there is still hope. That callused, shallow, and overwhelmed heart can become good again with just a little preparation. Just like a good disk will do to any unprepared soil, the Word of God cuts deeply into ones heart. It softens while adding a newness and freshness to ones heart. It removes the briars of life and will allow you to get a fresh start on life. God has other tools in His barn also that He can use to reclaim His soil if you would just open your heart unto Him.

Friends allow the Word of God to constantly find fertile ground in your hearts. Always be open and receptive to His Word no matter the situation. And remember, a good soil rating takes constant care and preparation. However, pleasing The Lord by offering Him the fruits of your labor will be more than worth it come harvest time. I know the Lord knows all things and this would never happen, but I would love to hear the Savior say, “Wow! You produced fruit that was far better than average and have exceeded my expectations.” However, according to the Bible He definitely could say this, “Job well done my good and faithful servant.” What a great privilege and blessing we have in service to the kingdom, as well as The King.
God Bless and Happy Hunting.

Posted by Mark Newell