Luke 8:1-25

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(v8) And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
  • We are called to hear God's word and in doing so, we are promised to grow in the Lord and this should lead to us bearing fruit

(v15) As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.  
  • Again, Jesus tells us that those who are in the good soil are the ones who dwell in the Word
  • Not only this, we must also hold onto it, apply it and live it with an 'honest and good heart'
    • not out of obligation but out of love and want
  • When we do this, we will bear fruit. Jesus tells us that we may not only grow in patience but we must also be patient with process of God's word breaking us down and showing fruitfulness over time (it's not a race)

(v18) Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."  
  • Jesus is talking about how you hear God's Word (Bible reading). The one who constantly works hard at sanctifying himself through the Bible, more will be given to them.
  • To those who think they have a lot outside of the Bible and God, even those things will perish and disappear

(v21) But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
  • All who are in Christ are family
  • We're able to have such deep and meaningful relationship with other brothers and sisters because we are united in Christ
  • Jesus also says not only that we are family if we exclusively 'hear' the word, but we must actually DO it as well
  • Our faith is shown not just when we hear the word of God, but when it penetrates our hearts and leads to change  

(v25) He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?"
  • In a seemingly disastrous situation, where all worldly wisdom pointed to destruction, Jesus points out the lack of the faith
  • How often am I in a situation that seems impossible to juggle, impossible to handle, and I don't trust God to provide a way through it
  • We are called to have faith that the sovereign God of the universe who loves us immeasurably, will provide what's best for us

Prayer:
Heavenly father, thank you for dying on the cross for us. Thank you that we can now have a relationship with you because you loved us first. I pray that as I start discipleship with Matt, and as I commit to walking with you daily, that it would be from a heart of joy and awe of you and not one of duty. I pray that as I go through increased workload of uni, my relationship with Jess and anything else that may cause anxiety, Lord I pray that I would be reminded of your power and I would have faith that you will provide and supply all that I need. May I find comfort in your grace and love. 

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