What Jesus Did! 'Choke Point' — Matthew 13:18, 22

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: ... The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced."
— Matthew 13:18, 22 NLT

Key Thought

Over-stimulation. Over-saturation. Over-whelmed. We feel under equipped for the sensory overload we carry each day. Commercials tell us all that is wrong with us and what we need to fix those problems. We are constantly reminded of what we need to do and what we need to pursue. There are so many choices. Then there's our stuff! We worry about it. We insure it. We move it. We hoard it. We desire it. We buy it on credit. We own it. But pretty soon it owns us. Only one thing is needed in our lives - an insatiable quest to live for the Kingdom and honor the King. All other things find their priority in relation to this one. But our desire for more stuff and our distraction by so many glittering pursuits ultimately choke out our passion for this one thing. We must not let this keep happening. We must not. I must not. Or all is out of whack.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, please help me as I try to make the quest for your Kingdom my central orienting priority. I want to be wholly yours. I don't want to keep letting stuff, things, money, and an unhealthy desire for security rob me of my passion to live for you and to be fruitful in your work in the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 13:22
Devo: Today's Verse
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Illustration of Matthew 13:22
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 13:22 -- The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
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"[Jesus continued:] "Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those...."
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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 13:18, 22 NLT — "Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: ..."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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