This week we'll look at a vital spiritual practice to all the seeking the

girl in God, tilling the soil of the heart. Jesus spoke in Matthew 13 of two

different types of soil, heart and soft, and God longs for us to tell the

soil of our hearts that we might be receptive to the seed of his word and bear

fruit. May your heart become more responsive to the presence, will, and love of

God this week as you cultivate good soil with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Welcome to the first of team podcast.

Our scripture for today comes from Matthew 22 through 23. God's word says,

As for what was so in among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but

the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it

proves unfruitful. As for what was so in on good soil, this is the one who hears

the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred

fold and another sixty and in another thirty. The concept of good and bad soil is

something Jesus' listeners would have understood well. Planting and good or bad soil, man

having food or going hungry, emit having money or not. For their agrarian culture, it was

a matter of survival. And while Jesus is parable, might not have as direct a correlation

to us. Its principle remains just as relevant. We all have spiritual soil. Through

our mindsets and postures of the heart, we can receive the seed of God's word, which

will in turn yield life giving fruit. Or we can allow the soil of our hearts to make

us unreceptive to the powerful work of God in our lives. It's incredibly important

for us to understand that God never forces his desires on us. He waits patiently, beckoning

us to open our hearts fully to him. He gently shows us his love, whispers his perfect plans

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