Sadly, whilst almost one third of the world’s population – 2.5 billion people – claim to be Christians, many don’t actually have a genuine relationship with Jesus. And, truth be known, they come off looking like hypocrites.

There’s nothing worse than a Christian who claims to believe in Jesus yet lives contrary to His teachings, thereby bringing Christ into disrepute.

Jesus told a parable about different types of Christians, using the example of a farmer scattering seed: some of the seeds fell along the path and were eaten straight away by birds; some fell on rocky ground, sprouting quickly only to wither due to lack of depth; and some fell among thorns that ended up choking the plants.

Matthew 13:23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (NRSV)

Prominent 19^th century pastor and evangelist DL Moody once said this: I never saw a fruit-bearing Christian who was not a student of the Bible.

I couldn’t agree more. When you open your Bible, when you read what God has to say, when you allow His Spirit to write His Word on your heart … man, that changes you. It empowers you to live your life for His glory, to look more and more like Jesus as each day passes.

The path, the rocky soil, the thorns … they’re no place for you to be. Make sure you find yourself in good soil so you can bear abundant fruit worthy of your relationship with Jesus.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.