{"id":35874,"date":"2023-10-28T03:30:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-28T10:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35874"},"modified":"2023-10-26T10:59:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T17:59:35","slug":"october-28-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/10\/28\/october-28-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"October 28, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The Rocky Ground<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u201cThen Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God\u2019s love and keep you strong.\u201d<\/em> Ephesians 3:17 NLT<\/p>\n

I love working outside in the yard, especially during the springtime. Those of you with the same appreciation know that when we plant seeds or flowers, we need good soil. If the soil is rocky, then the roots will have a difficult time getting the nutrients they need to survive. We also know that moisture coming from deep within the soil keeps large trees from having to be watered daily. If we add soil to cover just the top of the rocks, the plants may do well for awhile, but they tend to dry out no matter how much water we give them.<\/p>\n

Jesus shares the parable of the farmer sowing seed on rocky ground that didn\u2019t have much soil in Matthew 13:5-6 NLT. \u201cOther seeds fell on the shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn\u2019t have deep roots, they died.\u201d <\/em>Jesus explains His parable in vs. 20-21. \u201cThe seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don\u2019t have deep roots, they don\u2019t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God\u2019s Word.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus refers to the fact that our hearts are like soil, and that we are capable of improving ourselves. When we are willing to listen and be taught the Word of God and allow our roots to go down deep into our soil\u2014our hearts\u2014we then can produce happy, strong, hearty plants.<\/p>\n

Do we attend church just to be entertained and to hear a good message that makes us happy for that day? Do we actually profit by the message that God has for us and sincerely choose to change our ways and face our pain and problems so that we can become strong for our own good, for others, and for the glory of God? When trying times come into our lives, do we depend upon God to see us through, or do we depend on ourselves and decide to give up and quit and feel that the grass may be greener somewhere else? Where are we in our growth with our Lord this very day? Is our root system healthy? How deep is our soil?<\/p>\n

Lord, we love You. We ask for the desire to listen and learn from Your Word on a daily basis, and that our roots will grow down deep in Your love. Help us to rely on You, and only You, when we face trying times on our journey in this life. In Jesus\u2019 Name. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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