Bible League: Living His Word And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground."— Mark 4:26 ESV Jesus compared the kingdom of God to sowing the seed and reaping the harvest. It's a simple concept, and everyone says, "We get it." But then, why aren't we all producing fruit in every season? Because we are sitting around waiting for God to do all the work. He doesn't act that way. There are some essential things that you must do by faith if you want to have a crop to reap at harvest time. First, you must sow the seed of the Word in faith, expecting it to grow. You must find precious promises from God in His Word, place them in your heart and in your life. Next, you need to water the seed. Water it daily with prayer and spending time in Scripture. That Word contains life, and those seed promises cannot grow without it. Finally, you have to stop the weeds outside! When the weeds of unforgiveness, doubt, fear, discouragement (and all the other rubbish the devil tries to plant in your garden) try to get in, yank them out. They will choke the seeds. All of this will require some diligence on your part. No one else will do it for you. You will have to weed your own garden, so be tough about it. When a small weed appears, pluck it and throw it away! Don't leave it even for a moment. Pull it out by the roots. Don't be tempted to keep a wildflower because it looks pretty. You do not need to hold on to that. You can have the best—God's best. Don't wait for God to tend your crops. Start planting. Begin to watch over your soil (your heart and mind) to keep it moist, watered with the Word, and free of weeds. Commit to doing your part and trust God to do His. You will have a bumper crop this season! By Pastor Sabri, Bible League International contributor Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Kings 15, 16, 17 2 Kings 15 -- Azariah, Jotham Kings of Judah; Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah Kings of Israel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 16 -- Ahaz Ruler over Judah; Damascus Falls; Ahaz Succeeded by Hezekiah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 17 -- Hoshea Last King of Israel; Northern Tribes Led into Captivity NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 6:1-21 John 6 -- Jesus Feeds Five Thousand, Walks on Water; "I am the Resurrection"; Many Desert Jesus; Peter Confesses Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Rise during the night and cry out.Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in every street they are faint with hunger. Insight The people's suffering and sin should have brought them to the Lord, weeping for forgiveness. Only when sin breaks our hearts can God come to our rescue. Challenge Just feeling sorry about experiencing sin's consequences does not bring forgiveness. But if we cry out to God, he will forgive us. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Kings 3:16,17 And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your cattle, and your beasts.The armies of the three kings were famishing for want of water: God was about to send it, and in these words the prophet announced the coming blessing. Here was a case of human helplessness: not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. Thus often the people of the Lord are at their wits' end; they see the vanity of the creature, and learn experimentally where their help is to be found. Still the people were to make a believing preparation for the divine blessing; they were to dig the trenches in which the precious liquid would be held. The church must by her varied agencies, efforts, and prayers, make herself ready to be blessed; she must make the pools, and the Lord will fill them. This must be done in faith, in the full assurance that the blessing is about to descend. By-and-by there was a singular bestowal of the needed boon. Not as in Elijah's case did the shower pour from the clouds, but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has his own sovereign modes of action: he is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as he pleases among the sons of men. It is ours thankfully to receive from him, and not to dictate to him. We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply--there was enough for the need of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing; all the wants of the congregation and of the entire church shall be met by the divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be speedily given to the armies of the Lord. What am I doing for Jesus? What trenches am I digging? O Lord, make me ready to receive the blessing which thou art so willing to bestow. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Proverbs 8:14 "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. • In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Isaiah 30:21 Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. Job 23:10 "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Proverbs 20:24 Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? Psalm 73:24 With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 48:14 For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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