Mark 4:14-20, “The sower soweth the word. [15] 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. [16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; [17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
[18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, [19] 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. [20] 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.”
Have you ever wondered why the word of God does not produce the same result in every hearer? It is because it depends on the state of the heart of the hearer. As we can see, the quality of seed is the same but the type of soil determines how well the seed performs. The problem is not with the sower; the problem is not with the seed; it is with the soil. This explains why life’s outcome differs between different people who are exposed to church or the Word of God. Let us examine the four types of soil here:
a) Wayside. This refers to a toxic environment. This type of person is exposed and vulnerable because he or she is surrounded with ungodly friends and is not abiding in church.
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b) Stony ground. These type of people are in the church but refuse to attend any discipleship training program. They resist learning. They develop no root. As a result, they remain shallow and can easily be deceived. They do not obey the Word of God. These type of people can be rebellious. Their spirit is not being fed so they lapse into their old ways.
c) Among thorns. Toxic beliefs and emotions. This type of person is choked with the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, the pursuit of riches, greed, lust, etc. A soul that is crowded with problems cannot focus on Jesus. It will fall away.
d) The good ground. This the prepared heart, the willing heart. The ready heart. They are hungry for the Word of God and they are prepared to practice what they learn. The Word of God grows, flourishes and produces results in their lives.
The first three can be turned into good ground. We just must be deliberate about it especially now that we know.
That is why we need to pray for the hearts of the people we minister to before ministering to them. The soil has to be prepared to receive the seed. The seed has to be protected through prayer from being snatched by the devil. He is terrified of the seed. He has a phobia for the seed. Ever since God told him that he would be destroyed by the seed of the woman, he panics whenever he hears the Word seed. He attacks the seed and the sower. He knows what can happen when the seed is allowed to thrive. Because, any seed allowed to thrive will multiply his headache.
The seed is the devil’s nightmare!
Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” The Amplified Bible says, “…and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” People can be listening to you, but they are not paying attention. If they are not paying attention they cannot be impacted. Then the preaching will be in vain and your efforts will be wasted.
Ezra 7:10, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” From the word go, Ezra made up his mind to study the Word of God with a view to doing whatever it says.
7 Benefits Of Preparing The Soil
1. A prepared heart is easily ignited with the love of God. A prepared heart receives and embraces the Word of God, meditates on it until it becomes a personal promise.
2. A prepared heart surrenders to God’s will and is blessed.
3. A prepared heart mixes the Word with faith, acts on it until it turns into miracles and breakthroughs. The Word produces thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold in the prepared heart depending on how prepared it is.
4. A prepared heart receives sudden and instant miracles. 2Chronicles 29:36, “And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.”
5. The prepared heart witnesses and enjoys the glory of God when it’s manifested. The Holy Spirit is seeking for prepared hearts so He can move over their lives. God will show you His glory during the AGSS.
6. A prepared heart is not only fruitful, it abides.
7. Greatness. 2Chronicles 27:6, “So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.” God will lift you to enviable heights! You will become great. Your children will become great. Your finances will grow and become large. Great wealth awaits you in your glorious future, in the Name of Jesus!
God prepares people for His moves if we ask Him. Let us pray today and ask the Holy Spirit to not only prepare our hearts but the hearts of all those who are exposed to the Word of God during a program or any Service from now on or when they read or study the Word of God.
Pray that every heart will be receptive to the Word of God and surrender to God’s will. God will answer our prayers and prepare our hearts to receive. The Word of God will produce results in your life! Get ready for huge testimonies, in Jesus Name! Get ready to prosper and flourish, in Jesus Name!
Bishop Dr Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
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