DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
OCTOBER 9, 2026
READ: Luke 8 (Focus vs. 4-15)
MEMORY VERSE
The seed on good soil stands for those . . . who hear the word, retain it, and . . . produce a crop. Luke 8:15
BACKGROUND
A saguaro cactus is never in a hurry to grow. Flourishing amid some of the most barren desert climates in the world, the plant slowly takes root over a lifetime of steady, plodding growth. Over its first decade, a Saguaro may grow as little as 1.5 inches.
It may take thirty-five years to flower, and its arms can take fifty years to form. The cactus, however, can live up to two hundred years, reach forty-five feet high, and weigh up to two tons.
Over a lifetime, it yields a remarkable forty million seeds. A Saguaro’s growth is slow, but resilient.
Jesus used agricultural imagery to describe how His believers grow in the kingdom of God. Telling a parable of seeds sowed among various types of soil, He concluded with a description of how the final seeds “fell on good soil . . . and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8).
Christ explained how those seeds “in the good soil” are ones who “[hear] the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience” (v. 15 esv).
There’s a strong yield, abundant growth—but it only comes when we receive the wisdom of God and then patiently allow the Holy Spirit to produce growth in us.
This is how spiritual growth typically works. We may have explosive spurts, but our progress will typically be slow, as we receive God’s wisdom, follow His ways, and watch the Spirit work.
Winn Collier
INSIGHT
When it comes to spiritual growth, we sometimes fail to consider how growth happens in other areas of life. Becoming more and more like Jesus takes time.
The parable of the sower in Luke 8 includes the element of time. The word persevering (v. 15) is a translation of the Greek word hypomonē, which means “a patient, steadfast waiting.”
Here’s a helpful way to remember the importance of time in spiritual growth: Good seed in good soil produces good fruit in good time. We can ask God to help us trust Him as the Holy Spirit produces growth in us.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
Where do you get impatient with the slow way of spiritual growth? How can you relax and trust?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“When it comes to spiritual growth, we sometimes fail to consider how growth happens in other areas of life. Becoming more and more like Jesus takes time. Good seed in good soil produces good fruit in good time.” Arthur Jackson
PR’s TAKE
“We may have explosive spurts, in our spiritual growth, but our progress will typically be slow, as we receive God’s wisdom, follow His ways, and watch the Spirit work.” Winn Collier
“Justification is instantaneous, but sanctification is a lifework. We are to grow in wisdom.” D. L. Moody
“Spiritual maturity is a life-long pursuit. We grow in spiritual maturity moment by moment, day by day, year by year.” Jim George
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to patiently trust Your ways.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GROWING IN JESUS” Heritage Singers
It takes a lot of growing for a tree to reach the sky
It takes a lot of rain to help it grow
It takes a lot of running for a child to catch the wind
It takes a lot of walking to learn to run
And I’m growing in Jesus.
Getting stronger each and
every day in every way
‘Cause Jesus is growing in me.
Many times I felt discouraged
When the rain got in my way
I didn’t know that it could help me grow
And every time I run ahead
I always missed a turn
And end up looking back
with what I’ve learned
And I’m growing in Jesus
Getting stronger each and
every day in every way
‘Cause Jesus is growing in me.
And I’m growing in Jesus
Getting stronger each and
every day in every way
‘Cause Jesus is growing in me.
‘Cause Jesus is growing in me.
