In Matthew, Chapter 13, Jesus illustrates the tremendous importance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Illustration 1
Verse 22 is part of the Parable of the Farmer sowing 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."
* I fight being a worry wart! God does not approve of worrying. As a matter of fact, our faith in God can be wrecked if we allow worry to be our god.
* So often many of us think if we could get a large sum of cash, we would be set for life. I think this speaks to the inward struggle of we being in control or allowing God to be in control.
We must desire God above all else, and we must obey Him. Lord, have mercy and help me!!
Illustration 2
Verse 44
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field."
* Let us be sold-out Christians to our Lord Jesus!
Illustration 3
Verse 31
"Here is another illustration Jesus used: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."
* First, don't ignore the small requests God makes of us. Big stuff can happen!
* Next, let us not look down on anyone! The people society deems as small, may be God's giants!
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
'86
Last Saturday, Kentucky defeated Florida in a football game for the first time since 1986! This got me to thinking about the state of the world in '86.
The World
* The Soviet Union was 5 years away from dissolving.
* The Berlin Wall was still there!
The Nation
* Reagan was president.
* We were in the middle of a decade that saw no war or depression for the USA. This would be the only such decade from the first decade of the 20th century through today.
The State
* The Braves were still terrible.
* The Hawks were good.
* The Falcons had a great start, only to end average.
* Georgia Southern was about to win its second 1AA National Title
* Georgia was feeling the post-Hershel years. Vince was about to hang up his coaching shoes.
Me
* I was still preparing to be a teacher.
* I was yet to coach a VRD All-Star Softball Team, a VHS Sport, or a JRT Sport
* I was living in my seventh residence of the decade, Brookington Apartments
What do you remember about that time period?
The World
* The Soviet Union was 5 years away from dissolving.
* The Berlin Wall was still there!
The Nation
* Reagan was president.
* We were in the middle of a decade that saw no war or depression for the USA. This would be the only such decade from the first decade of the 20th century through today.
The State
* The Braves were still terrible.
* The Hawks were good.
* The Falcons had a great start, only to end average.
* Georgia Southern was about to win its second 1AA National Title
* Georgia was feeling the post-Hershel years. Vince was about to hang up his coaching shoes.
Me
* I was still preparing to be a teacher.
* I was yet to coach a VRD All-Star Softball Team, a VHS Sport, or a JRT Sport
* I was living in my seventh residence of the decade, Brookington Apartments
What do you remember about that time period?
Monday, September 3, 2018
Lesson from Matthew; Part 1
My last blog spoke of fighting doubts about the Christian faith. It certainly is worth the fight! God wants us to trust him, obey him, and love him. I believe we must continually seek God. Seek his face. Seek his will. Seek his love. Seek his presence.
We doubt-fighters have a famous teammate, found in Matthew 11. His name is John the Baptist.
In verse 3...While in prison, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"
This trips me out! Earlier, John declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God! He yelled it. I believe he was sure of it because God, the Father had revealed it to him. So how could he doubt.
Then, I see my spiritual reflection in the mirror. After God has saved me. Baptized me with his Holy Spirit. Healed me. Allowed me to know his sweet presence. Fought spiritual battles for me. Given me joy! Used me to witness for him. I still sometimes fight doubts. How can it be?!
As we look at verse 4, Jesus utters these words to John's disciples. This is a message to John. He may have texted him if it were our day. "...tell him--the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor."
I believe John received these words prayerfully. With his knowledge of the Old Testament, John had to know this was the affirmation he sought. Maybe he was afraid in that prison and he needed these words to encourage his withering faith.
Related lessons from Matthew 11...
Verse 19: But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.
Verse 20: We need to repent and turn to God. (God's message that John preached.)
Verse 25...revealed these thing to the childlike
Verse 28: Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Hopefully, Jesus' words gave John rest, because he would never leave that prison.)
Verse 29: Jesus said, "I am humble and gentle in soul." (As we seek God, I charge us to remember this.)
GLORY be to God!!! He has made us a little lower than the angels! He has put us in charge of all creation. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! (Psalm 8)
We doubt-fighters have a famous teammate, found in Matthew 11. His name is John the Baptist.
In verse 3...While in prison, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"
This trips me out! Earlier, John declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God! He yelled it. I believe he was sure of it because God, the Father had revealed it to him. So how could he doubt.
Then, I see my spiritual reflection in the mirror. After God has saved me. Baptized me with his Holy Spirit. Healed me. Allowed me to know his sweet presence. Fought spiritual battles for me. Given me joy! Used me to witness for him. I still sometimes fight doubts. How can it be?!
As we look at verse 4, Jesus utters these words to John's disciples. This is a message to John. He may have texted him if it were our day. "...tell him--the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor."
I believe John received these words prayerfully. With his knowledge of the Old Testament, John had to know this was the affirmation he sought. Maybe he was afraid in that prison and he needed these words to encourage his withering faith.
Related lessons from Matthew 11...
Verse 19: But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.
Verse 20: We need to repent and turn to God. (God's message that John preached.)
Verse 25...revealed these thing to the childlike
Verse 28: Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Hopefully, Jesus' words gave John rest, because he would never leave that prison.)
Verse 29: Jesus said, "I am humble and gentle in soul." (As we seek God, I charge us to remember this.)
GLORY be to God!!! He has made us a little lower than the angels! He has put us in charge of all creation. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! (Psalm 8)
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