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Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Can people really change? Can hearts that have been hardened, distracted, or overwhelmed become fertile ground for God’s work?
As the Love Boldly series came to a close, Rev. Mary Teague returned to Jesus’ Parable of the Sower with a hopeful reminder: none of us is just one kind of soil. Throughout our lives, we experience seasons when God’s Word struggles to take root, but we also experience seasons of remarkable growth. The condition of our hearts is not fixed, and our past does not determine our future.
Rather than dwelling on failures or missed opportunities, we are invited to recognize God’s grace at work in every season. God never stops planting seeds of hope, forgiveness, and new life. As we learn to receive that love for ourselves, we become people who can share it more freely with others.
Where might God be preparing your heart for new growth today?
Matthew 13:1-9 NIV
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:18-23 NIV
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
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