"And the seeds that feel on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's Word,
cling to it, and patiently produce huge harvest."
Luke 8:15
cling to it, and patiently produce huge harvest."
Luke 8:15
My Take Aways
Something Old:
I always want to have ears, and really hear; eyes and really see. Thank you Lord Jesus for the stubborn love you have for me.
Something New:
The Kingdom of God is like:
The Farmer who scattered his seeds
A Mustard Seed
Yeast
A Hidden Treasure
A Pearl
A Fishing net full of fish
I love the way Jesus knows just what to say and to whom to say it. He was such a creative teacher.
Mark 4:27
"Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows but he does not understand how it happens."
The seed of God's Word is sprouting and growing all the time, night and day. We will never understand how. God is so cool about that, isn't He?
Something to Do:
Hear God's Word. Cling to it. (Oh, how I do.) Patiently wait for the Holy Spirit to do His work and produce a huge harvest.
15 Comments:
Dear Charlene,
I saw your post at the end of yesterday and I sat and prayed right then for your situation. May the God of all comfort, comfort and strengthen you in your time of need!
Jacque, what an uplifting story! Congratulations to Michael on 90 days of sobriety! Thank you also for sharing your heart and your illustration of the dinner party! I loved it all!
Donna, blessings to you and prayers for safe travels and lots of successful planting! Can't wait to hear the stories when you return!
Wendy, today the verse that leaped right off the page at me was Matthew 13:52 - Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
This is just exactly what we have been doing this year, encouraged by you to see our old, our new, and what we should do! How cool is that! I loved your "permission to relate to others" through illustrations that resonate with them. Likewise, we are given trials and we "suffer for awhile" in part so we can minister to others in similar situations, because we have hearts that understand.
I also wanted to remind us of Jeremiah 9:23-24 (when we think of hearts that understand):
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
Quickly, one more thing that struck me this morning, as you talked about the Kingdom of Heaven illustrations, the other similarity was with the weeds and wheat, and the fish.
The Evil One planted the weeds among the wheat. Pulling them out now and throwing them into the fire may also uproot the wheat. Why is this? Here is what Matthew Henry says:
"Note, It is not possible for any man infallibly to distinguish between tares and wheat, but he may be mistaken; and therefore such is the wisdom and grace of Christ, that he will rather permit the tares, than any way endanger the wheat."
Good point. So, in both the Wheat and the Fish illustration, when the harvest or catch is brought in, the wheat or good fish are gathered in and the weeds or bad fish are thrown away (the Angels throw both into the fire). The righteous shine like the Sun in their Father's Kingdom!
Sometimes in praying the Lord's Prayer "Thy Kingdom Come," I find it is a scary prayer for me. I have a lot of uncertainty about the between times and the "weeping and gnashing of teeth." I am shifting my focus on passages like this when I pray this prayer now. What I am really praying for is the end of time, when all will be at peace, surrounded by perfect love, and shining like the Son... :)
Have a good day all!
Karen, Basel
Hi Everybody,
Charlene…Welcome!! I will be having you and your husband wrapped up tight in prayer. Feel and embrace a ((warm hug)).
Beautiful daughters….Welcome also!! Have your daughter in prayers. How did your daughter make out at school? Keep being a “shining star for Jesus.”
Karen…Awesome more great pondering. You do it every time!! Was beside you in prayer for Charlene.
Commentary…from workbook for lectors and gospel readers by James L Weaver
Matthew 13:24-43
There is no way to define with precision the meaning of the word “parable” as the evangelists use it. For example, in Luke 4:23 Jesus states something our Bible calls a “proverb,” although the Greek word is parabole, which is usually translated as “parable.” The translation makes sense, for what Jesus then says (“Physician, cure yourself”) has more in common with an ordinary proverb or popular saying than with the parables we find in today’s reading, which are laden with hidden meaning.
Matthew offers us three parables comparing the kingdom of heaven to things that grow seemingly of their own accord. Jesus’ examples are drawn from the rustic world of farming and peasant life in which he and his Galilean audience were raised. In all three cases, the growth is set in motion by human beings, but comes to maturity by other means not immediately apparent. The woman leavens her dough, but it rises on its own. Likewise, the kingdom of heaven may be anticipated, proclaimed, and prepared for, but its full advent is not the result of human effort but rather an act of God.
Matthew reports that Jesus told the crowds nothing except in parables, but explained the parable of the wheat field to his disciples in private (Matthew 13:36). Mark makes the general statement that “without parables he [Jesus] did not speak to them [the crowd], but to his own disciples he explained everything in private” (Mark 4:34). This testifies to the special qualifications of the disciples to interpret Jesus’ words and explain them to others, but also highlights how great is their responsibility for upholding that teaching and remaining faithful to what they have been permitted to understand.
Also found this footnote interesting in the New American Bible:
Matthew 13:38: The field is the world: This presupposes the resurrection of Jesus and the granting of him of “all power in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28, 18).
Make it a Great Wednesday All…Talking more sunshine here!!.
Rhonda
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hi!
Just signing up to get comments. Andi's up already so I'm off for some daughter-time before school, and today's early release, too, so I'll try to get back, but in the meantime I don't want to miss anything.
Have a great day!
Dear Sisters’ ~ This morning I woke up with Dixie on my mind. Please let’s join across the miles and lift her up today. Boldly, let’s come before God and seek extra protection over her. I’m not sure where,(in AZ,) she is, - but, right now we are having unbelievable & atypical weather. The rain has created havoc in the valley. Hail storms have caused destruction, trees falling over have caused confusion and disruption and damage. Power lines have been toppling over, closing freeways leaving miles back up for several hours. Electricity is out & lightening has hit homes. Roofs have completely blown away! There is more rain due today. Our home was not hit, PTL, but I do want us to lift up sweet Dixie. I do not want anything to come in and interfere with her sweet time with her children. I know she had plans to see the Canyon and I have not seen anything mentioned regarding the north area. The valley seems to be the hardest hit. Whoa, in my mind, I see God, saying “AZ repent from your sins, you still have time to return to me.” Definitely, He has shook up the valley of the sun, and turned it upside down, over night!
Lord, cover sweet Dixie with your wings of protection. Keep her family hidden, tucked close to you away from any danger. We pray that this weather will not put a damper on her week. We pray that she and her children will enjoy sweet days of closeness. We thank you that your eyes are on her, and will not leave her. Guide them in your direction each day. We pray that this weather will draw the people in AZ to you, too. May your glory shine brightly here in this dark valley, that is full of sinfulness. We love you. We trust that your plan will give you the most glory. We join together to lift up are dear and beautiful sister, Dixie. Amen.
Lori
Good morning, GIGs,
Donna, our sisters composed some beautiful prayers for you yesterday, and I prayed for you as I read them.
Karen, wonderful post this morning. Thank you for the enlightenment about the wheat and tare - I was wondering the same, and now I understand why we have to endure certain people in our lives. Thank you.
Wendy, you are GLOWING today with the Holy Spirit! (But might I also add here, girlfriend to girlfriend, that red is a wonderful color on you!!)Also, you saved me some typing this morning, because I had two nuggets, and they were the same as yours. From my advanced age, ha ha, and having raised my children (25 and 22), I want to comfort all you younger mothers. It is a looooong road raising children. Often we get a case of the "sickas." (Sick of homework, sick of laundry, sick of taxi service, sick of what to make for dinner, sick of no time for ourselves, etc.) But if we count our blessings, as you said today, we can be cured of the "sickas" (until next time). And the harvest, down the road, after we patiently do our job, is, as it said in Luke 8:15 today, huge.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Amen, twin, to that lovely prayer for Dixie, Laurie and Brett.
Michelle
Amen and Amen!
Lori, I am adding you and yours as well to the prayer for Dixi and her family, I hope your area and your family were not impacted by the storms!
Karen
Wendy, thank you for your teaching (again!) - we love the Jesus coming out of you! The Word of God is challenging us, that remains true! I, too have so many notes in my Bible, I do not even know where to begin!
I was drawn to, the section in Mark where Jesus was teaching his disciples - how exactly did he teach this group? “he was alone with them” (Mark 4:34). Girls’ these five words just say everything we need to know! The men were away from their distractions; they anticipated and longed to hear every word Jesus had to say. They were willing to spend time with Jesus. They put Him before their own desires. They listened to Him. They clung to Him.
How are we going to be taught today? The same way that the disciples were! In the quiet ness of the morning, we need to spend time alone with our Father -without any distractions, we need to come before Him and spend time in His Word. Alone time. Quiet time. The Lord needs to be our number one teacher. We need to be watchful for anything that may come in and hinder this time we’ve set aside to be with Him. God will teach us his wisdom as we spend time reading His Word. His Word will be a light to our path.
Dear Lord, as each one of us on this journey comes to you today,- open our ears to hear what you have to say. Teach us what you want us to know. Reveal a golden nugget to us. We love you with all of our heart. Amen.
Blessings sweet girlfriends! I’m short on time today, but trust me, your daily posts are treasured, as I take in each sentence!
Lori
PS Charlene, we are blessed to have you journeying along with us through the Word! God brought you to our sisterhood for a reason -know that you are being prayed for.
Donna, praying for you too, may God’s Kingdom grow and advance through this trip. May you be lead to the ones, that are willing to listen! May God give your team protection as you share your love of Him.
PPS Thank you, Karen- we were not hit at all, - just with heavy rain…Last evening we were at Connor’s game. I wavered re: taking my umbrella in, thinking ‘we’ve had so much rain,certainly, we must be through by now’ -so I ended up leaving it in the car! Haha! Needless to say, it decided to rain again and let’s just say there was not one dry spot on my body! Smile! But, PTL, it was 9:30 pm, so I looked at it as being an evening shower! And, the kids –they loved it! Everyone in my family has been saved from any damage. One mile from my bro home, was the area hit by lightening. They have been evacuated. Girls’ nothing is for certain in this lustful world. Nothing. What a difference one day can make. Everything we think is ours, really is not! Let’s set out to seek today what we know is lasting! Thank you Jesus for choosing us to be yours. Thank you for the hope we have in you! May each one of us today have opportunities to share the Lord, with. May we remember our true focus: to further His kingdom. To give Him the glory.
Wonderful teaching today! The more I am in the Word, I find that I look at situations differently. Or maybe, it’s my age, but I am developing more patience and understanding of others. I wish I had these teaching when I was a teenager. I highlighted Mark 4:24 also today. “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen the more understanding you will be given.” It seems that when I learn a new truth in my study, I get gentle reminders all day. God uses lyrics to a song, a conversation with a friend, a commentary on the radio etc., to reinforce the teaching.
Donna, praying for your group’s safety. What a wonderful work you are doing!
Charlene, you are added to my prayer list.
I am going in for a chemo treatment this afternoon, and while I am sitting there, I will be listening to praise music, reading and listening to the ultimate healer.
Linda
Great lesson Wendy. As you speak your words, the Spirit is speaking to me too, sort of like footnotes in my mind... The message becomes even richer. Thank you.
I pondered Matt 13:13-15, wondering why Jesus only speaks in parables and keeps the answers from the people, giving the meanings only to the disciples. You teachers, do you not also have all the answers for your classes? But how much would your students learn if you just "gave" them the answers? The students need to research, work and think, and then they can really own the information.
And so with the lessons of Jesus, we need to participate. In order to "see" and to "understand" we must be actively looking and actively listening for the meanings. It takes research and work and thinking (prayer) to allow the light to shine on His truths for each of our own lives.
Those whose hearts are hardened, who have not been moved, don't desire to see or understand, they just allow the words and messages to flow in and out, as simple words, meaningless or even worse. But when we are actively seeking and continuing to study the word, we are rewarded with more and more truth! This girl loves being in our Lord's school-- always a new lesson!
My other notes-- the hidden treasure, the pearl-- am I willing to sell EVERYTHING?
Matt 13:52-- it was comforting to hear Jesus speak of the continued value of the old law (gems of truth) along with the new.
Charlene, special prayers for you this week as you seek answers. May the Spirit give you strength in the days ahead, and may you feel your Father's love in all circumstances.
Linda, blessings on your day, the ultimate Healer is with you every step of the way. ((hug))
Blessings and prayers,
Jacque
Joining in with all the prayers. Today is my last day for a while in spending time with my military family (daughter, SIL, grandchildren) and I have been so blessed by being with them.
Wendy, your vlogs have just been incredible and the Lord has been speaking through them. My husband often listens when I play them and then he and I talk to others about them. This study has certainly made a difference in my walk with the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Jesus calming the storm-He knows the storm is coming, but chooses to go through it with the disciples, rather than around it. Going through the storm and His calming of it increases the disciples' faith. As He went through the storm with the disciples, He also goes through the storms of life with me.
Everyone, thank you for sharing your insights- so much I miss that I then go back and look at with different eyes. Oh, that I may listen and really hear!!
Willing,
Gaylene
Wendy, I did not get a chance to watch yesterday's vlog until last night. Great teaching, sister. Control-freaks of the world, unite! :)
Welcome, Charlene and others who are joining us.
Linda/Must-Haves, it is good to see you again. Praying for you as you undergo chemo this afternoon. May the other patients be drawn to your joy and they will want what you have: Jesus.
Lori, amen to your prayers for our sweet Dixie.
Gaylene, enjoy your time with your family.
The storm caught my attention, too. I remember in one of the KI classes that Chuck Missler mentioned Satan's plan throughout the bible to thwart God's plan of salvation. It started with Cain's murder of Abel, to Haman's plan in the book of Esther and on to the new testament where Herod killed the young boys to this storm in the sea. This must have been an extraordinary storm because the majority of the disciples were experienced fishermen and they were very scared.
Here is Chuck Smith's commentary on it from blueletterbible.org
Now this isn't the first time and the only experience of a tremendous storm that arose on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus got in this little boat. And up at that north end of the lake these common -- it is a common thing to have these storms, these squalls come up. Through the valley there, that comes from the area of Haifa, there is this, there is this, a valley that comes through there and you'll get these tremendous winds that will just come up suddenly. And I've watched the Sea of Galilee go from just a glassy calm; wow, what great water skiing, to a tremendous waves that will just -- waves can get nine, ten feet high there in the Sea of Galilee in these sudden squalls that'll arise as the wind comes whistling up the Chinnereth Valley there. And so this isn't the only occasion that this happened.
Now it would seem that Satan is perhaps behind the whole thing trying to destroy Jesus. There arose a great tempest in the sea, and so much the ship was covered with waves, but He was a sleep. And Jesus had a common practice of sleeping when he got on the boat.
And his disciples came unto him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and he rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Mat 8:25-27)
So Jesus showed his mastery over the elements. One of the other gospels in telling us this story, tells us that Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go over to Gennesaret". Now uh, that's probably why He rebuked him for having a little faith; that they were fearful they were gonna go under. He said, "Let's go over", when Jesus said let's go over, there's no way you can go under. So when they woke him up and said Lord, don't you care if we perish? He rebuked them, said, "Where's your faith?" Did you hear me say, Let's go over to Gennesaret? "Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?"
Hi Everyone from Az.Dixie!
My daughter brought her computer with her so I am able to communicate. I have read all the remarks and had to reply that all is well here. Arrived safely on Monday and had rain storms on Monday. On Tuesday we drove to Jerome with on and off pouring rain and then on to Sedona. Beautiful red rock country and the weather cleared enabling picture time. Then rain again on the 2 1/2 return trip. But it was sunny when it needed to be. Today we are relaxing and tomorrow a.m. we drive to Grand Canyon to stay 3 days. My son is living rent free in a really nice home in Goodyear, Az. It is on the market for a short sale so he is looking after it for the owners who have moved to east coast of U.S. This part of Phoenix was untouched.
Don't want to take up a lot of computer time with 3 of us sharing but my comment for today is that in my case the seed fell on shallow dirt and was probably washed away or lay dormant for many years. This past year because of this study it has sprouted fully. I believe that is why I am alive at this time. God in his mercy gave me plenty of time to come around. Thank you God for each day of this extra time and tell my sisters not to be discouraged. Amen. And we are so blessed that God remembers our sins no more and has already forgiven the ones I may still commit.
Love, hugs and prayers for each and everyone of you. Dixie
Wendy, I didn't listen to this until today, but I was one of the ones who was also "messed up" with your "amateur providence" message. I still can't believe how specifically that spoke to the decision I had to make. Then, when I went to Bible study on Tuesday morning, our Beth Moore DVD spoke on that exact same thing! Beth also went on to speak of the risks of codependency and relationships that hinder our spiritual growth.
A couple of things I'll just pull out quickly from this passage today were 1: there was never anything wrong with the seed; and 2: I pray that the Lord would make me like the wind and the waves so I would obey Him.
Another truth that I pulled out was that Jesus invited his disciples into the storm. "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." The call "let's go" involved letting go. Sometimes the will of God includes a storm. There's a shore beckoning each one of us to set sail. With the Living Christ in my boat, I will reach the other side.
On the waves,
Joy
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