So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
James 1:21 NLT
Do the groundwork.
What does that mean?
Do the things that prepare a good foundation to build upon.
To be fruitful in life and ministry, we need to get rid of all the filth and evil in our lives. We must deal with it now before it has a chance to grow in secret and destroy us later at the most inopportune time. Deal with things before they become a problem.
Repent of all evil and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts. Let that word take root. Water it daily. Let it grow. Let it become fruitful. Let it fill your life with good works and good fruit. Let the very life of God inside of you overtake you and overflow out of you to bring glory to God everywhere you go.
Jesus taught about the seed that is planted in our hearts. He spoke to the crowds in parables.
One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:
“A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.
“Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.
“Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.
“Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Luke 8:4-8 NLT
The Lord spoke plainly to His disciples to ensure they could understand His teachings.
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word.
“The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.
“The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.
“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”
Luke 8:11-15 NLT
If we want to be fruitful, we must do the groundwork. We must get rid of the things in our lives that distract us from the things of God.
If we want to see the harvest come in, we must do the groundwork. We must be praying and interceding for the lost, the hurting, the broken, the backslidden, and all those whose hearts are far from God.
It’s not enough to just listen to God’s word. That won’t change the world. We must do what it says.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:22-25 NLT
Prayer Points
- Ask God what you need to let go of.
- Ask God what He wants you to do.
- Ask God to help you do it.
Father in Heaven, may we not be asleep at the wheel. May we be aware of where You are leading us and what You are calling us to. Give us fresh vision and renew our strength. Direct our steps, O Lord. Amen.
Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.”
Luke 8:21 NLT
Recommended reading: James 1 and Luke 8.
Igniter Ministries 