Lay It on Me

T HE P ROGRESSION OF THE B LESSING / 39

As Jesus preached the parable of the sower, He painted a beautiful illustration for His listeners. Everything He spoke about could be seen before the eyes of the people. Jesus then revealed that if the seed of the Word took root, it would always produce. In fact, it would produce "some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred" (Mark 4:8). The level of blessing is not measured solely by the amount of seed planted, but it is also determined by the condition of the soil, or the heart of the person receiving the Word. The story of Ruth reveals the three-fold level of increase upon those who are willing to hear, plant and obey the Word of God.

T HE P RINCIPLE OF I NCREASE For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the