Monday 14, September 2026

Our final reflection on the Parable of the Sower takes us to the soil. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Mark 4:20 CEB

[20] The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it. They bear fruit, in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case sixty to one, and in another case one hundred to one.”

Against the Odds

Many of us struggle with accepting ourselves. While there is merit in recognising that we all sin, that isn’t where the challenge lies for these people. Rather, for some, there’s an underlying and unresolved sense of rejection that prevents us from seeing good in ourselves. Hence the inability to see ourselves as worthy of Christ’s love. Others of us struggle with besetting sin and have bought into the lie that that sin cannot be overcome. We fail to believe that Christ’s love redeemed us all. Others may be faced with society’s views on perfection, and so, can’t see the beauty within, and deem ourselves unlovable. Still others of us have always existed in the margins, and are unable to realize that in Christ we are more than conquerors.

Self-Check

Do any of those categories describe or reality? What shall we do about it?

Digging Deeper

It is my prayer that the fact that you’re reading this Nougat asserts that God loves each of us do very much. I also pray that despite all we struggle with, we count ourselves with the fertile soil in the parable. More critically, I pray that we are reminded that God makes all things beautiful in God’s time. That includes you and me.

So no matter how sinful, unlovable, and forsaken we may feel, because of Christ we are worthy of God’s love. I pray that we remember that the sower scattered seed on ALL soil, not just some. This tells us that, God’s grace is extended to all, even the most hardened. Our openness to Christ’s love qualifies God’s Word to take root. How we receive the Word is what matters to God, not what others think of us.

As fertile soil, we recognize that we could have been so hard that the seed of God’s Word could not register on our hearts. But we were yielded. Likewise, had we rbeen ocky or thorny for long, the Word would have dried up our been cooked to death. Yet, by God’s mercy, we have prevailed, despite our sin and insecurities. We faced the worst conditions and survived! That is a blessing.

It is reason for us to be thankful. For our hearts remained open to God’s Word, despite rejection, insecurity, besetting sin and many countless temptations. God’s Word continues to be buried within, taking root, and has matured to the point that fruit is evident. We beat the odds, and have surpassed the expectations of many. We are truly more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

Hallelujah!

Yes

By God’s grace, we beat the odds, and are among the producers of thirty, sixty, and a hundred fruit. We are living testimonies of God’s grace. To God be the glory!

Let’s use this this moment to simply thank God for God’s mercy.

Prayer Point & Praise Break

Point to Ponder

Is there someone whom we’re about to give up on? Let’s hand them over to the Lord of the Harvest. It may not be too late for them to become fruitful soil.

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May all we seek be found in Christ