As I was reading the following this morning (Mk. 4:14-20), I felt God showing me that this is the way to bear much fruit; that it would be me who would determine whether I bore 30, 60 or 100 times what was planted.

"The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away."

"God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jm. 4:6-7). We are to use the full armour of God, to keep alert and to reject all the devil's lies. We are to cherish, cultivate and guard all of God's promises and not let the enemy snatch any away.

"The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word."

To bear fruit our roots must go down deeply into the love of Jesus (Eph. 3:17). The soil of that love is free from rocks, full of nutrients, has exactly the right amount of water and always benefits from the sunshine of the Father's love.

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced."

Caleb was wholehearted in his commitment and in his love for God. David asked the Lord for an undivided heart. Asaph wrote: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you" (Ps. 73:25).

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word [mixing it with faith] and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"

Jesus went on to say: "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given" (Mk. 4:24-25). So we must listen to, believe in, accept and obey all that God would teach u