Good Ground

I am a subscriber of the Harvest Ministries daily devotional from Pastor Greg, and I just wanna share with you today's devotional since it matches quite well with our JF theme.

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:23

Believers who produce spiritual fruit are not like the seeds sown on the wayside that Jesus spoke of in the Parable of the Sower. These symbolize people who never seem to grasp the Word of God. Nor are they like the seed sown on rocky soil, representing those who are rootless, allowing emotions to overpower obedience. Nor are they like the seed sown among thorns, signifying those who hear God's Word and plan to keep it, but gradually let worldly pursuits choke it out.

True believers hear God's Word and keep it. They respond decisively and promptly to what God shows them. They hear the message, internalize it, and make visible changes in their lives.

Outward changes don't save us, but if we really are saved, there will be changes. Works don't save us, but if we really are saved, there will be works. And if there are no changes in our lives outwardly, then there have been no real changes inwardly.

Have there been changes in your life? By "changes," I don't mean having a number of Bibles in your house in various colors to coordinate with different outfits. Nor do I mean having a bumper sticker with a Christian slogan on your car. Nor do I mean having a collection of church bulletins. What I do mean are changes to the extent that someone could look at your life and recognize you are a Christian.

If people were to look at your life today, what would they see? Would they see evidence of Jesus Christ living inside of you? Or, would they see the same old you? The choice is up to you.