TOPIC: A BRAND-NEW HEART II
MEMORISE:
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Psalm 42:1
READ: Matthew 13:3-4, 19
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Matthew 13:19
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
MESSAGE
The first type of soil that Jesus mentioned in the Parable of the Sower is The way side', as we see in today's Bible reading. This soil type refers to people who hear God's word but do not understand it or act upon it. This category of people do not study their Bibles, and even when they do, they don't ask their pastors or Bible Study teachers any questions. They never seek to understand God's word; they only hear His word and move on with their lives. Many of the people in this category are ceremonial churchgoers; they are often raised in Christian homes; so it is normal for them to attend church on Sundays. I was once this type of Christian. I thought that my father, being a church volunteer, and my name being Enoch, was proof that I was a child of God. I heard God's word several times, but I never studied it. I thank God that He gave me a new heart when I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.
Beloved, are you the same way I was? Are you only reading this devotional because it is the norm in your church, family, or office to do so? Do you ever dig deeper to understand what is discussed? When you study your Bible, do you get bored after reading the second or third verse? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, you need to ask God for a new heart; a heart that yearns to know Him more. Ask God to give you a heart that finds His word interesting and loves to spend time in His presence. Most importantly, ensure that you take some time every day to study your Bible. You can start by reading a bit further on the topics discussed in this devotional each day, or using the Bible-in-one-year passages. You may not understand much when you begin doing these things, but as you remain consistent and ask God to help you, the Holy Spirit will start explaining the Scriptures to you, and soon, your heart will begin to soak in God's word and yield great fruit.
The best thing you can do for yourself is to seek to understand God's word more each day. When you make this your priority, you will begin to experience His peace and favour in ways you have never done before. I pray that your life will indeed be a bountiful harvest of God's goodness, in Jesus' name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please give me a heart that yearns for Your word more than anything else.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 25-30
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 3: ANCIENT WORD
1 Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
CHORUS
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
2 Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
3 Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
4 Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
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