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“Apply God’s Principles Every Day” “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 For Christians, God’s Word provides illuminating power in what at times can be a dark world. God’s Word will only become that source of light if we are open to its truths and allow it to deeply penetrate our lives. Jesus describes this in a parable found in Matthew: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-8 The seed in the story represents the Bible, and the different conditions of the soil represent our readiness and willingness to receive God’s Word. Note that not all of the seed sown by the farmer produced the result he was looking for; only the seed that was sown in the good soil. Read Matthew 13:18-23 for Jesus’ explanation of the story. Cultivating “good soil” in our lives means that we allow God’s Word to penetrate our thoughts and influence the motives and attitudes of our heart. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 And also, our willingness to act on God’s Word is central to applying it effectively: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 By allowing God’s Word to penetrate our thoughts and shape our conscience, we can effectively examine our attitudes and motives for the decisions we make every day. When we do so, His Word becomes the most effective guide for living life. “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom (God’s Word), and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 Be encouraged to sow the seeds of the Word of God into your life; reading, understanding and applying it every day. A bountiful harvest of blessing awaits you!