Roots and Fruits...

Matthew 13:18-23 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” There is a direct correlation in a plant between the furthermost points: How good (or even present) the fruit is depends upon how well rooted the plant is. What is it God wants to see in our lives? Fruit - Christlike character and a life that draws others to Him. What does that require? A well rooted life, open to the seed (His Word), His pulling weeds(the convicting and cleansing of the Spirit), and a devotion to Christ so strong that we choose not to be swayed by the things of this world (be it the worry of not having enough "stuff" to survive, or having so much that we do not thrive - think too little or too much water). May we hear, understand, let in, and listen to what God has to tell us today.