Hope: A Courageous Journey of FaithSample

DEVOTION - TODAY'S DISCUSSION "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes becuase of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (Matthew 13:19-23 NIV) God calls us to Him and we must answer the call so that He can be deeply rooted in our lives. When He first calls us, we may be rocky soil. Once we respond and faith builds, the rocks are removed and our soil becomes richer.  When we are persecuted for our beliefs and we remain steady in who we are with God, even richer soil develops. Finally, when we start diving into God's word, listening to him even in the darkest times, stepping in faith through pain or confusion, beautiful fruit bearing plants come to life and thrive. God is glorified every step of the way! FROM "TAYLOR'S GIFT" THE BOOK God had helped me stay open to what he was doing – no matter how ridiculous it sounded – and then, he revealed himself to me in way I couldn’t have imagined. I was no longer concerned about failing. With God on my side how could I? Now that I was actively seeking God’s plan in my life, I saw him every day.  Things other businesses worked years to achieve, or other nonprofits one day hoped to have, were being handed to us. TODAY'S REFLECTIONS So what kind of soil are you today? Are you rich soil, full of God's Word deeply rooted and faithful to His will? Pray today for God to enrich your soil, your walk with Him. Pray Philippians 4:13 (AMP) "I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Hi Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."