Week 3...day 1

S: ¹⁸Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.²⁰Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."

O: The sower plants the word, therefore are four different responses to the Word/Jesus' Gospel. 1) no response at all 2) accepting it until hard times or the emotions run out 3) accept...then get distracted 4) accept...grow spiritually/mature...and multiply (tell their friends about Jesus and help them grow spiritually.

A: Out of the four responses...I am likely to be either the 3rd or 4th type of seed. I must identify my distractions so that i can prepare myself to evaluate how I'm doing as a follower of Jesu and continue to grow spiritually and help others grow.

As I looked at my possible distractions...all were pleasurable experiences...and good. But if used improperly and out of balance I could fall out of sink with the Lord. Therefore...I must use them properly (according to the Bible) and be thankful for them, but not seek them before i seek Jesus.

P: Father, May your Holy Spirit me to reel these things in to biblical use and thankfulness. May these good things not become God things. Lord, my spirit wants you above all...may my flesh not win over. Jesus...may you hold me close so the use of these things become useful in my walk with you and relationships with others. I love you....thanks for the gift of these good things!