Friday, April 29, 2016

Just Keep Sowing

In the Parable of the Sower  (Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8) we often spend a great deal of time trying to figure out those who have or have not responded appropriately to the seed (The Word of God).  Jesus does spend time describing the soil type and the results but notice how the parable begins.  The parable begins with the sower who is sowing the seed.  The Word of God is sweeter than honey(Psalm 19) The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and reveals the intentions of the heart(Hebrews 4) The Word of God provides answers for life, conflicts and relationships and possesses the truth that will set you free for all eternity.  Don't stop sowing the greatest hope for all of humanity's needs.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Be Still

Find a quiet place and just be still for a few moments.  It will refresh you spiritually, emotionally, relationally, mentally and physically!
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Sheep and Wolves

It's a dangerous world out there.  But notice what the Bible doesn't say...we aren't supposed to look like, act like or smell like the wolves.  We are supposed to be sheep who are very wisely and gently following Christ.  Don't be afraid to be a sheep in the world where you will encounter wolves. 
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves.  Matthew 10:16 AMP

Friday, April 22, 2016

Your Valuable!

How Valuable Are You?

In the vast complexity of the whole of creation God has great concern for the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures.  Even if one of a pair of sparrows falls, amongst the millions world wide, God knows.  And we are more valuable than the sparrows, to who God gives undivided attention.  Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave (consent) and notice. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31 AMP

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

HELP WANTED


The newspaper and social media sites are often teeming with Help Wanted Ads.  The very first Help Wanted Ad was written around AD 55 in the book of Matthew.   Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38 AMP
The startling reality is that the world had not been reached with the gospel because we have not answered the Help Wanted Ad.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Chrisendom and Israel

It would seem as though the anti semetic attitude of Sanballat and Tobiah is still prevalent today.  God chose Israel for very special purposes  yet as John chapter one tells us "He came unto His own and His own received Him not".  Yet God is not finished with Israel anymore than He is finished with humanity desiring that none would perish but that all would come to repentance II Peter 3:9.  It is quite ironic that the attitude of Sanballat and Tobiah is now even creeping into Chrisendom.  When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard this, it distressed them exceedingly that a man had come to inquire for and require the good and prosperity of the Israelites.
Nehemiah 2:10.  Remember what God told Abraham And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]. Genesis 12:3

Friday, April 15, 2016

The Road Not Taken

The Road Less Traveled

"I took the one less traveled by, 
And that has made all the difference."
You may recognize these two lines from American Poet Robert Frosts poem "The Road Not Taken".  Although I do not know Frosts intention for those lines in the poem they certainly ring loud an clear.  There is a road less traveled that each of us would be wise to take.  Which road are you on?  It begins at the gate.
Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 AMP

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Pigs Will Eat You


Its true, scripture presents truths that are difficult to swallow.  Sometimes Godly wisdom and truth should be kept to yourself because dogs and pigs just don't get it. On top of that pigs will turn on you and literally consume you bones and all.  Be careful with wild dogs and watch your back when you get in the pig pen.  Read the context of Matthew 7:6 "Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces."

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

God Loves Persistence


Don't quit asking, seeking or knocking!  God loves to hear His children coming before Him over and over again because He desires for us to depend on Him and trust in Him.  Unlike those of us who are earthly fathers and we get frustrated when our children keep on "bugging us". 
"Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him! "
Matthew 7:1-2, 7-11 AMP

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Be A Fountain Not A Drain

Be A Fountain Not A Drain!

It is so easy to look at others and become critical.  We tend to put criticism in another category but the reality is when we criticize we are setting as judge over another person.  When we criticize we dethrone God and set in His seat.
DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. Matthew 7:1-2 AMP
BE A FOUNTAIN NOT A DRAIN!

Friday, April 8, 2016

Broken Heart


We have all be brokenhearted at one time or another in our life because of a girlfriend or boyfriend or a spouse or a child or a friend but.....
When was the last time you were brokenhearted over the sinful condition of the nation?
Listen to the broken heart of Ezra.
AFTERWARD, THE officials came to me and said, The Israelites and the priests and Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, but have committed the abominations of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. For they have taken as wives some of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy offspring have mixed themselves with the peoples of the lands. Indeed, the officials and chief men have been foremost in this wicked act and direct violation [of God's will]. When I heard this, I rent my undergarment and my mantle, I pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. Then all those who trembled at the words of the God of Israel because of the offensive violation of His will by the returned exiles gathered around me as I sat astounded until the evening sacrifice. At the evening sacrifice I arose from my depression, and, having rent my undergarment and my mantle, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, Saying, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads and our guilt has mounted to the heavens.
Ezra 9:1-6