Hard Soil to Holy Ground
Hard Soil to Holy Ground
Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: August 10, 2025
If we only follow God when we agree with Him, that’s not real submission. True obedience means walking in humility and letting His Word take root in our lives. In this final Get Shredded message, Pastor Lee Cummings unpacks the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13 and how to cultivate “good soil” that leads to lasting change.
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: The Power of God's Word
Reading: Psalm 119:169–176
Devotional: God's Word is living and active, capable of transforming our lives when we approach it with humility. Today, reflect on your attitude towards Scripture. Are you coming to it with pride, thinking you already know everything, or with a teachable spirit? Ask God to soften your heart and give you understanding as you read His Word.
Day 2: Receiving the Word with Meekness
Reading: James 1:21–25
Devotional: James instructs us to receive God's Word with meekness. This means approaching Scripture with humility, ready to be changed by its truth. Think about areas in your life where you might be resistant to God's Word. Are there commandments you struggle to obey? Pray for the strength to not just be a hearer of the Word, but a doer as well.
Day 3: The Parable of the Sower
Reading: Matthew 13:18–23
Devotional: Jesus uses the parable of the sower to illustrate different responses to God's Word. Examine your heart: Which type of soil are you? Are there areas where the Word has been choked out by worries or the deceitfulness of wealth? Ask God to help you cultivate good soil in your heart, removing the rocks and thorns that hinder growth.
Day 4: Breaking Up the Fallow Ground
Reading: Hosea 10:12
Devotional: Hosea calls us to break up our fallow ground—the hardened areas of our hearts. What parts of your life have become resistant to God's Word? It might be a habit, an attitude, or a relationship. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these areas to you. Pray for God's grace to soften your heart and make it receptive to His truth. Choose one area to focus on and ask God to help you cultivate it for His purposes.
Day 5: Bearing Fruit
Reading: John 15:1-8
Devotional: Jesus teaches that remaining connected to Him is essential for bearing fruit. Reflect on your connection to Christ—are you abiding in Him daily? Consider how your life is bearing fruit for God's kingdom. Are there areas where you need to allow God's Word to prune you so that you can be more fruitful?