“The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they, which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:14-19
Today’s Christian daily devotional
Coach McMullan barked out the play by play on the sidelines of the dew-soaked field. The scoreboard reflected a dismal reality for the Addison Raiders. Most of the players were ready to call it quits and just order a pizza.
But, McMullan’s demeanor didn’t show any signs of corrosion in his belief of his Raiders.
“We can do this. Do you believe it? I do. But that doesn’t mean squat if you don’t believe it.” He dropped his clipboard and peered straight into the eyes and right down the hearts of each one of his players.
“Do you believe it?” His gaze settled on a boy named Trevor.
Trevor was almost passed over in the first draft, but something about that hungry look in his eyes caused the coach to overlook his weak throw. He definitely wasn’t born with the natural gift of football, and with his skinny legs and short stature, it took some convincing on the coach’s behalf to get him on the team. But, Mr. McMullan’s keen instinct and thirty-five years of experience certainly paid off.
Out of all the players, scrawny little Trevor Wright grew quick and agile. He concentrated hard on pummeling out his weak points and before long; they were no longer an issue. Within eight months, he was the player to watch for the Raiders.
“It doesn’t look good, Coach. But, I know that don’t mean a thing. I believe we can have whatever we shoot for. I’m in it to win it.” Trevor didn’t miss a beat. He spoke as if it were just he and Mr. McMullan out on that field.
As the rest of the team listened in, a burning sensation started to churn in their hearts. Trevor’s words lit a fire in their belly. In that moment they only saw the word impossible as the enemy that must be defeated.
In Mark 4:14-19 Jesus gives the infamous parable of the sower and the seed. This story reflects the plight of God’s word in the hearts of men. God’s word is powerful, but it will only penetrate a heart that is soft and willing to handle its potent truth.
Trevor didn’t have the most shining natural abilities, but his heart was willing to learn, he wasn’t lazy and he didn’t let set backs set him back for very long.
Not everyone who hears the word of God will allow its power to change his or her lives. Because, not everyone is as hungry for a change as they say they are.
Change never happens by osmosis. It happens when you apply the wisdom you are given and take advantage of all that God has already written for you. Are you ready to be blessed? Then, read God’s word. I dare you.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I hear about people giving their lives to you. And quite honestly, that idea really freaks me out.
I worry too much about what other people think. At the end of the day, people’s minds are so fickle. I cannot gamble my eternal destiny on the fear of what others think of me.
Lord, today, I let that go.
I am tired of my life, tired of the decisions that I keep making over and over again hoping that I will get “lucky” one day and just be blessed.
I see that if I want to be blessed, I must have a heart that is ready to receive a blessing.
Your word was sent to man to teach us how to live a blessed life. I have shoved it in a dusty corner, thinking that it was a great book for my grandmother, but not for me.
I’m ready to open my heart now. What do you have for ME? Teach me, Lord. Lead me through your word. Light the fire of my heart and open my eyes to see what I have missed every time I tried to read the Bible and claimed that it was not for me.
If I want to be blessed, then I must embrace the fact that the Bible is the greatest blessing there is—and so today I embrace it.
I commit to reading it, obeying what you say through it and trusting that one year from now you will see me as one of your star players, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Mark 4:14-19
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan