Pharisee Sadducees you do not see the phrases in the Old Testament. I am assuming they originated during the inter testamen period. Are they in the lost books
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i love jesus sooo much
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Does the prodigal son represent a person who comes to know the faith and has salvation but because he rely's on his own strength falls away from God and once he sees that he is eternaly seperated from God, decides to come back in repentance and with the attitude of humility is welcomed back in to Gods light and his salvation is renewed.
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Jesus sais in Matthew 17:20 If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

I only have a very short space here and must be very brief but hopefully I will impart enough to get you started. If not please email and I will give full discourse.

The mustard seed (as well as all seeds) has been given a commission by God. You may read this in Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
Genesis 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

We also have been given a commission to go into all the world and teach all people what the Lord has taught us. But to many times we look at situations and circumstances and say "I can't do that." But if the mustard seed said that it would never sprout and come out of the ground. A mustard seed is to be planted approximately 1/4" deep in the ground. Considering the physical size of the mustard seed to the depth that translates to a depth equal to over 100 times the size of the seed. It does not say I can't push the ground away and bring forth. Once it is planted it only has one intention. To bring forth seed. That is the program that is on the inside. The Master Programmer put this program in place way back in the beginning when He said "bring forth seed."

The same way God has put a unique program (or purpose) into each one of us. We each have a "destiny" that God planned for us before the foundation of the world. If we will allow ourselves to be planted, then the program will bring forth that thing in our lives that God has before ordained. Nothing will be impossible unto us, because we will only be concerned about doing what is our program. I will not try to emulate your program (ministry), and you would not try to emulate mine. You know that you have a special calling from the Lord, as do I. When you know what God has told you to do, then nothing is impossible. God does not instruct us to do what is impossible. He does not prepare us for failure. He instructs me to do what I can do (sometimes only with His help are these things possible), and has prepared me to do what He instructs me to do.

Hope this helps. I could go on for days if allowed.

brothertommy@hotmail.com
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I need a picture of the mustard tree for Bible Study on mustard seed faith.
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Hi,

I have read your story, sounded quite heavy. Seems it was posted in February I was wondering how you are doing now.

So Linda come and tell me what is going on, you have prayed to God. Well I know for a fact that you had many times depressions come and go.

So if you are still in need of help, just e-mail me ad d.a.civile@home.nl

Dear God
I am comming to you with this beatiful creation
And speak live to her inner being.
I speak live in Jesus name to her soul
I speak adjustment to her situation
This all by the loving power of Jesus Christ
I break in Jeusu name every oppresion and spirit of jalousie over your live
Also in your name lord Jesus do I break the spirit of dead over your live.
The passed is the passed, I declare rest and peace in your name Lord
Jesus, NOW RIGHT NOW.

All do we don't know each other, I lett you know that we love you very much.

David and Wanda Civile
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There were three main Jewish feast. Pass Over had no leaven, Penecost had leaven, And Tabernacles had no leaven in the bread. Passover speaks symbolically of the shed blood of Jesus and there is no leaven in that blood. Penecost speaks of the law/church age and there is plenty of division and separation and malice etc be it now or though out this long 2000 years. Tabernacles speaks the fullness of time when God will bring forth a new Kingdom of heaven. There will be no sin in that age. The Law pointed to grace but the law was not the answer. God will have a church with out spot or wrinkle. In fact he does right now if you understand the Kingdom of God is with in us.
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The parable is about the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus said the kingdom is inside of us(his true disciples). What was inside of his disciples? His word. Jesus Himself was a humble man, showing us an example to follow. He existed before we were all created, the Word was with God in the beginning, the Word was God. The Word dwelt in the flesh and was so humble, more humble than any man, because of that, he was exalted to sit beside the highest. The parable has connection with the sower and the seed, the seed can be related to the mustard seed, and He interpeted the seed to be the word of God. Jesus is the bread of life, and whoever eats his flesh, has eternal life. But bread must come from wheat, from a seed. And water must feed the seed. And people must tend and labour for the harvest. We must tend to the word of God, not only hear it, but do it, not be a slothful servant(proverbs talk about slothful servants, they are overcome with thorns and tares). When we tend to it, it grows, the word of God increases(the bible talks about this, I wont tell where the exact scriptures are, you'll have to work for that yourself) inside of us,(Jesus said one must be born of water and Spirit to inherit eternal life) the word of God is like water, washing our conscience(so we have a new conscience, born to abstain from all sin) so we can be baptised and then baptised with the Holy Spirit, born of Spirit. But before that we labour for the word to grow so the birds of the air with nest in it(the Spirit of God, there are gifts of the Spirit, working miracles, speaking differant languages, prophecy, revelation, faith, knowledge and wisdom), be not deceived, Paul said that everyone attending to the TRUE church of God, will and has to bring these things to every gathering. 1 Corinthians 14:26 - How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, EVERY ONE of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." Most of these so called churches are worshipping in vain if the gospel is not preached with power also, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross have no effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17 - For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." 1 Corinthians 2:4 - And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:" Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 1 Corinthians 4:20 - For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:" 2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" 2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
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The nearer interpretations of Fig Tree is Israel. Three years of
observation is the time of Lord's earthly ministry. Lord Jesus is the
dresser, who interceded for the Nation.

This parable can be applied to the believer of Lord Jesus Christ who is
spiritual Jew. If a believer is living a barren life, the judgement is
certain; but timing is not known when it happens. There are clear incidents
where believers who are living in sin in spite of repeated warnings from
the Lord through His servants are taken away from this world.
It is evident that by the intercession of Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly
High Priest, our lives are spared in spite of our short comings.
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Patrick hold on to your faith and Father God... He grieves with you...I too grive with you, as a formerly behaving as elder brother of prodigal son...Myself personaly God did a work in me and revealed my PRIDE, MY SELFISHNESS AND MY HEART, AND MY FEARS......

Keep praying God will reveal it to her in the scriptures about herself...
let god lead you when or if you should quote the scripture..Change may not come over night, as it did not come over night with you, or with the prodigal son, but the FATHER made his self availble to them, told elder son is been here for you the fatted calf, party, deliverance awaits your child. i love the comment made about wanting to be like the Prodigal son's Father that i read earlery

be bless everyone, i was enlightened by all the comments and revelations on this parable
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When you trust in God, He will give you a love, for whatever He calls you to do. He can give you the talent of music, being a mom, being a christian friend to someone in need. Ask The Lord to show you, His plan for your life, He will lead you in the right path, and when you find the path, you will know it's your calling, because the love in your heart for what you are doing, will tells you so!
God Bless You!
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There are a few major representations of the "oil". One, in the Old Testaments, it was instructed of Moses, by God, the use of the oil to anoint Aaron, the priest, for service for God. This was a great representation of separation and consecrating unto God to the priesthood. The anointing of God being represented on and in the presents of Aaron, which was also the same as the Holy Spirit in dwelling. Psalms 133:2 describes it as following: "It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body].

It also was the representation the Priests, Kings and Prophets that were anointed. Oil was poured on the head of the person being anointed. Kings were set apart through the ritual of anointing, which was performed by a prophet who acted in God's power and authority.

In the New Testament, anointing was represented with healing. The Holy Spirit's activities in a believer's life are picture in terms associated with anointing. The disciples anointed the sick in Mark 6:13 and James even instructed the elders to anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14).

Also in the New Testament, it represents the HOLY SPIRIT, which brings understanding to the believer (1 John 2:20, 27). The Holy Spirit anoints a person's heart and mind with the love and truth of God's word.
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do us a favor and get some manners please. these people are here to discuss the bible, not write your hw for you.

god bless
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This parable teaches us about persistance and how God wants us to pray, pray, pray, and ask, ask, ask for what we need. Look at the context of the whole chapter when reading this. The man most likely lived in a one room home, as was common in the time and country spoken of in the chapter. It would have stirred everyone else in the home, but because the friend was (importune = urge or beg persistantly) the friend who had rose up anyhow and gave. Prayer works people! Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.

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Hitch (and others): Bighouse has pegged the kingdom parables of Matt. ch. 13.
Consider that Jesus explained two of them (vs 18-23, 37-43). If the focus would have changed wouldn't our Lord have said so. Especially since the disciples understood the other parables without explaination (v 51).
Leavened bread was prescibed for peace offerings in Lev. 7:13. All other instances of peace offerings is represented by animal sacrifice and/or the fat thereof. As for Lev 7:13; "Leaven, commonly used at social feasts, was permitted in the thank offering because this was the spontaneous expression of devotion from lives that were not entirely rid of sin and evil in every case(v 13). It taught that everything eaten is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. (1Tim. 4:4-5; 1Cor. 10:23, 30) and that food which enters the stomach does not defile a man (Mt. 15:11)." --Dake commentary on Lev. 7:13
As for the 'foul fowls', certainly the dove denotes the Holy Spirit, but here again if we keep the train of thought being taught by the Lord in Matt. 13, these particular birds must be evil.
As for Strongs ref. 3772; it could mean --- the sky, right?
Consider this. The kingdom parables are taught as a warning to the Church. Dovetail this with the letters to the churches in Rev. and the endtime teaching on false teachers and doctrine. The church will be and has been infultrated by false doctine. Now reread the kingdom parables and consider what the Lord is warning. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." v.9.

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my wife and i are retired and during a recent discussion we each commented that we had never seen a mustard tree nor a picture of one. if you have a picture i would appreciate very much seeing it.
thanks!
john
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The bible is a spiritual book and it must be spiritually discerned.Jesus said that the words that He speaks are Spirit and Life(Jn.6:63).Barabas means father's son.He was in bondage and should have received death,except Jesus took his place.Barabas was a type of ourselves.Note that this was done on the Feast of Passover.Death passed over Barabas because Jesus took his place and shed His blood instead of Barabas,who was deserving to die.So Barabas became a child of God(Father's son).
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Hello, I'm new here and looking for some 'peace' re: the Prodigal Son story. This has bothered me for years...

It all makes sense to me except for the older son.

Why does everyone say that he didn't go into the party because it was for the younger son?

I think he didn't go into the party because he was left out in the field working and uninvited. He came upon the party by chance... then his father says, "Oh, come on in to the party."

I don't interpret him as being judgemental or ill-feeling toward having the younger brother home... I think he's feeling like his father doesn't appreciate him. And in response, the father negates his feelings as if they are invalid.

Someone higher up in this discussion pointed out that they were having this same type of problem with the story and would like to find resolution. I am also in the same position and did not see the answer. I hope I didn't miss it.
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This matter has had my concern for some years now. I see that there is a great confussion in mainly wo the virgins realy represent.
My concern lies in the fact that if the virgins are wives to be of the groom, then Jesus was using a parable using poliginy (understandable for the jewish and new chritians). If these virgins are not the wives to be of the bridegroom, bu merely bride's maids, what is so devastating if 5 of the maids can not enter the marriage feast?

What is the relation 'Kindom of God" and not so significant brides maids?

If Jesus is the groom, should the parable not be talking about the wive(s) to be instead of the brides maids?

When we get a definite and eliable expanation on this matter, oter issues will become clearer.
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thankyou for this well thought out extension of the parable of the good samaritan. It certainly left me with a lot to think about.

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I know the parable, but I know Jesus went to Samaria. Why couldn't the Samaritan have heard and perhaps accepted Jesus? Yes, I realize that non Christians show love. I teach primary children. The concept is to show love even when it is not convenient. When we know Jesus, He enables us to do this if we listen to Him.
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Hi Willy,

The Good Samaraitan act doesn't need a "modern day" example. It is relevant today as it is yesterday and in the future. The principle is to do "good" to anyone irregardless of who they are. To offer assistance to anyone who is in need. If you will, today, it is the "act of kindness". But most of all it must come from the givers heart, that the willingness to do good is pure and without asking or seeking any form of compensation or return.

You many have been doing this without you knowing it.

Willy
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One thing I am reminded of while I was reading through your messages was, not hiding the lamp under the bowl, but letting the light shine. Does everyone remember the concept of not hiding the light and letting our light shine? The last servant was scorned because he had buried into the world whatever the master had entrusted.
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In reading again the articles found below, I am going to attempt to prove that Jesus was talking about a PRINCIPLE and not sin, as many seem to think that leaven represents. My concern is that if this idea of leaven pertaining to sin is not purged (no pun intended) from believers hearts (and yes sometimes it does pertain to sin but not in this instance) then a lot of the teachings of the Kingdom will go unrecognized.

An example: if the leaven being hid in meal pertains only to sin hidden wherever, the church, society, etc., then how does it relate to the other parables that are related to good things?

Luke 13:
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure HID in a field; the which when a man hath found, he HIDETH, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that FIELD.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Notice the words HID, HIDETH, and FIELD. Aren’t those words that are found in the parable of the leaven and the dough?

Luke 13:
33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and HID in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Might the field (in verse 44) be the dough-the meal (the heart)?

Now, where is the “TREASURE” in sin? Where is the “PEARL OF GREAT PRICE” in sin? You would think that if this idea of leaven being sin were true, then the scripture would have to read something like this:

The Kingdom of God is like unto a man walking through a field, upon which he stepped in something…So he bought the field! (Lorde, lorde, lorde, it waz nassy.)

Joking aside, it doesn’t fit. Sin does not fit in with the whole of the parable teaching. Treasure, and Pearls of great price are BLESSINGS-GOOD THINGS. They’re not foul and putrid things as these people believe they are (I realize they haven’t given it much thought).

Can you see how you can take a wonderful idea and turn it into a real stinker?

The dough, the meal, the field, the ground-in this network of parables-is the heart of a man. THERE’S A TREASURE HID IN YOUR HEART. And it’s worth “SELLING ALL THAT YOU HAVE, TO AQUIRE IT” (paraphrased).

Look at this scripture.

33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

People think that this is difficult to understand because it’s filled with idioms and metaphors. But if you understand that Jesus is talking about the same idea here-what goes into the heart, gets radiated to the world around us-if done properly, then you can see how that it’s about a principle that can work either way. In the good direction or bad.

The light in this instance is the heart of a man. It’s the part of us that retains spiritual vision. That’s why Jesus likened it to an eye. But this eye can radiate things good and bad. “as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light”.

Mathew 13:52
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good TREASURE OF THE HEART bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the EVIL TREASURE bringeth forth evil things.

Once again, it’s the principle. We can deposit things in our hearts good or bad. And our hearts radiate it forth to the world around us good or bad, light or darkness.

Jesus said how great is that darkness!

If the human being was designed to carry about this inner light, “let your light so shine” and yet darkness gets injected into it, you can see how that it’s almost a double negative. A light bulb that can radiate darkness-hey a “black light”-just kidding.

I think this will serve as food for thought for now. But just remember that the Scribes and Pharisee’ probably seized upon this (idea that leaven is always bad) and thought that they knew what he was saying, and yet they really didn’t. The Kingdom principles are hidden FOR us, not from us. For we are the good hearted ones desiring to hear.

May God bless.





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In the postings found below I’ve extracted many different ideas out of the teachings of the Kingdom that are true and hold water all throughout scripture. But as of late I’ve been getting something that I feel is even more profound then anything I’ve laid down as yet. I think if you get this it will answer a lot of questions as to why we aren’t getting anything from God and why we are so barren spiritually.

Christianity was to be a message of power, resurrection life and of totally victory over death. And yet we don’t even have the bark of a chewawa when it comes to having any kind of influence in this world. Pardon the expression but man have we been impotent. Consider what I’m about to say and just see if you can see why our prayers are misdirected or that the connection with heaven is never made.

Quite often in writing about the teachings of the kingdom I try to ride the words of Christ as much as is possible. And yet I think there is one area that it would do me well to sever off from them and to put them in my own words.

I’m talking about the usage of the word “heart” vs. “spirit”. Why would this be important? Consider these two scriptures and just see if contradicting ideas don’t surface.

There is a scripture in the Bible that says that God will “write his laws in the fleshy tablets of the heart”. Now look at something that Jesus said:

John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Luke 24:39
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Can you see how that even though the terms spirit and heart are quite often used interchangeably, in some instances they shouldn’t be?

What I’m getting at is this. If our perceptions concerning the word heart are that it is somehow tied to the flesh then we are bound to have missed the spirit which Jesus said doesn’t have “flesh and blood”. It’s like an email that ends up in cyberspace instead of getting to the person that we are sending it to.

“OH, THAT’S REDICULOUS” YOU SAY. “THAT’S THE DUMBEST THING I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE”.

Is it really? When was the last time you had a prayer answered? “Forty years ago” you say. I REST MY CASE. Isn’t it clear that God is holding us to a higher degree of accuracy in spiritual matters these days? Remember, we are the ones who can use computers, text messages, download music to I pods. Some of us can get pretty snooty about techy things if we’re asked the wrong questions. Jesus said “with what measure you mete it will be measured unto you”. That means what you put in is what you get out. And it’s quite clear that God is saying to us “if you would put one iota of interest into spiritual things like you do that tech stuff, then maybe you’d get somewhere in your spiritual life”. FUSHTANE? (Do you get it?)

Let’s continue.

Could it be that all of this talk about “hidden” things, “secret” things, things “spoken in darkness”, “mysteries”, could all of these sayings be fingers so-to-speak that are pointing to the human spirit? Isn’t the human spirit a mystery of sorts? You can’t locate it. It’s subconscious. You can’t feel it. Don’t we have some ninety percent of the human brain that we don’t use? Could that be a reserve for when we revive the human spirit? Maybe it will come back on-line. The book of James says that God is the father of “spirits”. Are you a spirit? If you can read this I would submit that you are. The problem is that our perceptions about spiritual matters are all over the board. We never do isolate the part of us that runs the show. Kind of like the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz. “DON’T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO HIM”. Yea it’s YOU ya turkey!

The reason why it’s important to isolate the human spirit is because that’s where faith comes from. It’s the place where we either believe or fear.

GOD IS A SPIRIT. To contact God we have to use our spirits. I’ve totally replaced the use of the word heart in prayer with the word spirit. It’s making a difference.

In Luke 17:21 Jesus said.
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Have you ever looked at this scripture and thought WELL WHICH IS IT? DO YOU BIND ON EARTH OR DO YOU BIND IN HEAVEN?
Why does it matter? Because one will work and the other won’t. It’s these kinds of things that are defeating us, and we only have ourselves to blame. We’re just not a very diligent people. We’re content in living lives that make the word of God a lie (there is no power, no answer, no Holy Spirit-nothing). But things are changing. If you’re reading this there is a good chance that you too might be looking for answers.

When Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is within you, might he have been referring to the human spirit and that how it’s already separate from the realm of the natural? In other words, to affect the world around you, you must approach the Kingdom of God that abides within. IT’S YOUR SPIRT. Your spirit will abide after your body is lying in a coffin holding its breath. But when we use the word heart, the whole matter gets washed out and we never do isolate the spirit.

So then, we bind satanic forces IN OUR SPIRITS. We loose the things that we desire to enter our lives IN OUR SPIRITS. Our spirits subsequently shine these bindings and loosings out onto the picture screen of our lives. I will admit, I never thought that this scripture worked (binding and loosing). But then, I thought that you were to look out at the world and bind it in the world. NO, IT’S ALL DONE IN THE SECRET PLACE. The secret place is a metaphor for going into the realm of the spirit and establishing things there. THEN they show up in our lives. To attempt to affect the flesh or the world around us by the perception that we are dealing directly with it, is as foolish as using the word “manifestation” in prayer. DON’T DO IT. IF YOU DO YOU’VE BEEN DUPED BY THE DARK SIDE. That word doesn’t belong in your prayer life. It’s attempting to change things illegally. You’ll open the door to the adversary.

Our spirits are a place that Satan wants direct access to. But we are the only ones who have the “KEY” (as in “keys of the kingdom”). We set things there (establish). Then it’s just a waiting game. When you deal with your spirit your dealing with power, and there are checks placed on the system whereby the only things that get in there are due to either determination, or unreasonable hardheadedness-as in the person who reaped tragedy as a result of stubborn rebellion.

Proverbs 4: 20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the ISSUES OF LIFE.

When we use the word spirit in our prayer time as in “I bind the powers of darkness in my spirit, and I loose all of heaven in my spirit”, we are entering a realm that God has given us legal access to. The realm of the spirit is subject to different rules. In essence, what God says goes. It’s the sole truth. Nothing in the world can call it into question. But that’s the place where the Kingdom of God abides. Solomon said “the spirit of man is the candle of the lord searching all the inward parts of the belly”.

USE THE WORD SPIRIT NOT HEART IN PRAYER. You’ll be putting your finger right on the pulse of the issue. The power button.

The treasure that Jesus spoke of is the spirit of man. It’s the thing that at the time was a tremendous mystery. But when we hide things there, or bind or loose things there, truly it is the incubator or the loading dock that eventually ejects things into our lives.

If nothing else I think that this generates “kingdom thinking”. God bless you in your endeavors.

Tell no man.

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for all my life i've belived in jesus and his teachings even though i have never read the bible i have decided to live in jesuses footsteps WWJD, but as i grow old i get deeper in the belive but i get the sence that i am going very insane with my intence belive because i do not belive in having to go to church every day that is to teach children, i think if u have god on your mind all the time and live in Jesuses footsteps as he told us to live that is being a true cristian please get back to me i was brought up in a very strict catolic family and if i said this to people i know they would laugh at me.
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Kevin, you are walking on very dangerous grounds! The scripture you use, does not say what you are trying to make it say!
(Luke-16-9) And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness: that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations! Meaning, we know, the unrighteous go to Hell, therefore they may receive you in everlasting habitation of Hell!
(13) No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other: or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other, you cannot serve God and mammon. (unrighteousness)
You cannot serve both good and evil, you cannot serve satan and God!
(Matthew-6-25) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more then meat, and the body than raiment?
also note verses- 26-34

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the prodigal son is a parable of imense propotion the can touch the very fonation that you stand on its various words of knowledge and wisdom leave many suttering for words
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My problem is why did the father not send for the elder son in the field. He told his servants to do a lot of things, but never thought to send for the brother.

He had to come home and see all that was happening. I would have been upset.

The father did not think of the older son.
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At our home group tonight wed 16th July there was a suggested tie between the 2 fig tree accounts the one where Jesus looks for fruit and the husbandman says that he would till about it for another year that it might bring forth fruit. and the other account where Jesus finds the fig tree without fruit. This was suggested that prehaps it showed that the farmer was not merciful to the poor in not leaving figs on his tree for the poor. or prehaps like a picture of Israel were fruitless as a nation in leading others to the living God whom they had a mandate to share the truth of the merciful and just God whom men will have to do with at the end time. they obviously did not think the way Paul the apostle thought after his conversion shown to us in his letter to the Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek".
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In response to one of the postings found below, there is no question that leaven has been traditionally deemed a contaminating element. That being said, was Jesus bound to using that pattern in relation to the leaven and the dough parable?

Jesus said that he would reveal things kept secret from the foundations of the earth. The idea of leaven traditionally being bad is taught all over the bible. Is that a big secret? The leaven and the dough is a parable of the kingdom (secret).

Jesus used supernatural power to open the ears of those who had a good heart and intended to hear by saying “he that hath ears to hear, let him hear”.
Obviously those who were attempting to ensnare him in his words would not get the jest of what he was conveying. And Jesus did this intentionally. He declared they have eyes and don’t see, they have ears and don’t hear…and when they’re converted…

I don’t see any problem with using a prominent teaching or custom to express a different aspect or analogy.

But still I don’t think it’s contextually logical for Jesus to after saying in Mark Chapter four verse 20, one thing, and then to meander off into another subject.
(Amplified bible):

20And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit--some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much.
21And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a [6] peck measure or under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand?
22[[7] Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known.
23If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.
24And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [8] [of thought and study] you give [to [9] the truth you hear] will be the measure [10] [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Now, are people aware that they are saying that Jesus, after laying down the foundation of the parable of the sower, that he immediately began talking about sin, the church, immoral women and Satanic infiltration? And thereby totally changing the subject? Isn’t it more logical to stay on the same theme and maybe say the same thing in a different way? That’s what I believe he did. Remember; know body knew what he was saying anyway until he said, “he that had ears to hear let him hear”.

Are we to believe that Jesus went on hiatus in verse 21-25 and picked up on the idea again in verse 26?

26And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,

Or is it more logical to believe that he stayed on the same subject matter? What if I was to say, after saying all this, “the cream rises to the top-all we are is dust in the wind”. Wouldn’t you think, “what on earth is he talking about? That has nothing to do with what he just said”. And yet people are accusing Jesus-the Son of God of doing the same thing. In the presence of possibly hundreds of people.

The reason I chose the Amplified version of this scripture is to bring out something that isn’t as strong in the other translations. Look at verse 22. Things are HIDDEN temporarily only AS A MEANS to revelation. For there is nothing hidden EXCEPT TO BE REVEALED, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret EXCEPT in order that it may be made known. Notice the purpose or intent in this scripture. A person HID something in his heart FOR THE PURPOSE OF bringing it to light. They got on the front end of the deal. It worked against the scribes and the Pharisees in the negative.

Luke 12
1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the LEAVEN of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. (The same thing stated in Mark’account)
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

The above verse shows the tie between Mark chapter four “there is nothing hid…” and the parable of the leaven. Now, someone will probably say, “SEE, leaven is a bad thing”. Then why would somebody purposefully hide something in their heart if it were a wicked thing? No, it’s the principle that Jesus is laying down. Leaven isn’t good or bad. It’s just an agent that reacts with our hearts that eventually gets painted on the picture screen of our lives. Why can’t it be the Word of God? Why couldn’t righteousness be the leaven? The person in the above scripture hid it AS A MEANS to revelation. HE WANTED IT MANIFESTED.

It’s very clear that some people just don’t do their studying. And that’s a shame because the Son of God put it in a way that can be figured out, if people will spend some time meditating on it.

I often wondered how Jesus could say to a man “tell no man” without violating the precepts of this very principle. Isn’t he declaring something a secret? Isn’t he whispering something in the ear that will be proclaimed form the housetops? Check out the results of his doing that.

31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
36 AND HE CHARGED THEM that they should TELL NO MAN:

Now look at the results.

but the more he charged them, SO MUCH THE MORE A GREAT DEAL THEY PUBLISHED IT.

Go figure!

If these things are hard to glean from scripture, it may be because of something else. There is a spirit of humility that rests upon all the teachings of Jesus, and if you don’t understand that, then you won’t get the jest of what Jesus is saying. For more on that, see what I wrote in the article “true humility” under the subject, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. It may help you to understand these things.



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I am sorry that somehow the last clause of paragraph 2 was missing from my post in my second paragraph. I meant to send

"The Judgement of the Good and Evil Servants in Charge is coming right up! (Matt. 24 : 45 - 51 ) Should these judgements occur on this earth, the evil servants will be most thoroughly chastened with amputations, assignments of their portions with the hypocrites, rejections of their pleadings with weeping and gnashing of teeth, and floggings according to their former knowledge of their moral wrong before Christ, and only if afterwards they repent Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour for real ***will they be saved indeed.***

Thank you for your patience as I struggle with carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes in both arms, poverty and dependence upon my parents outside the Lord, and computer viruses such as the source of smiley faces replacing final verse numbers. I have no help save Jesus Christ in this.

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin Douglas Rosenberg
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This statement is wrong, sorry. I retract it.
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This is simple. The seed is Jesus which is planted in the world. The birds are the people of the world whom are given the chance to eat of the tree which is planted for them.
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I was looking for a picture of a mustard tree when this site came up. How wonderful is God to show me the way to this. Could some one please respond to my e-mail address and explain what this site is all about? Oh ya, I still want a picture of a mustard tree.
Blessing of the Father of us all on you!
Scott
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The second message is more complete, it has more to it at the bottom!
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By Alexander Viktorov

The 1917 Socialist Revolution in Russia is nearing its centennial in 2017. The antiglobalization movement, actually anticapitalist, is growing world over. Three fourths of the world do not seem to be willing to live on $1 a day by 2015, as the UN report predicts... And Russia is Russia...

2017. THE PRODIGAL SON FLEES HOME AGAIN

His comeback seems now to be made in vain,
And the prodigal son leaves home again.

In vain the fatted calf was for him slaughtered -
He got only a snippet of it and a cup of water.
And the bulk was devoured less than in an hour
By those who were not prodigal any
And who had stayed at home to save every penny,
Who skin prodigal sons and daughters
Having taken them alongside with calves to slaughter.

The prodigal son's father got stuffed to the gills and preaches:
"Look, only at home you can find real riches.
Together with you we can slaughter calves twofold
Then skin them, sell skins and get tenfold in gold.
What good is seeking other ways across life?
You had hardly half a cake a day - now you can have five!
All our folks will be glad:
Our business will thrive!
To our business you were dead,
And now you are back alive.
You've got a robe, a ring, and Le Monti shoes now.
All you must do, paying back, is to take a vow
That you stay and help me and your elder brother
Market our calves,
In that business we'll go halves:
You'll get more shoes, rings, and robes
Provided you live up to our hopes."

The elder brother came scowling and grinning:
«It seems to be paying - not working but sinning:
Behold, a fatted calf has been killed in your honor
And me - I am looked at as if I'm a donor..."
But the father cut his elder son short:
"Stop seeing a mote in your brother's eye!
He is back to become yours and mine ward
To stop him for ever from saying "good-bye"...
Well, I've had enough, 1 am tired and gonna couch...
But I don't want you to have a fight with your brother,
I am too old now to organize you another...
Since for peace this night neither of you can vouch
I'll put you, my prodigal boy, under lock and key
In our guest room so I have a guarantee
That I find you alright tomorrow,
You have given me, quitting once, enough sorrow..."

So the prodigal son got accommodated,
But all familial cares now come to him belated.
He can't sleep because of his heartfelt battle:
No, he's unprepared to skin and sell cattle,
He'd left his home for a freedom's mock...
And then he heard someone tamper with the lock,
He heard a key-turning rattle
And he readied himself for a home battle.
He turned to face the comer - one or another,
And the comer came to be his eider brother,
Who smirked a grin: "Brother, now it's my sin.
You won't anyway bring any grist to our mill,
You have got your own flagpole to shin
Who knows, maybe one day you'll win...
So you may go or do as you will."
"Thank you, brother, I thank you for that brotherly cup.
It was my error to have returned
To disturb you and our father and what you have earned...
Now I have to go - the time is up
To see again plains and trees, and waters, and birds,
And walk on, on and on
Along mountain paths and in all kind of dirts
To see in the very end The Kingdom of John ."*

“Okay, brother, you may go
To spare our family another woe...”
They parted without kiss,
And the prodigal son walked
Across the pain trying not to miss
The path so the East that people had talked
To be the path to the real bliss.

As he was just in the very start,
He heard a voice as if it was a dart:
“Stay, brother, don't be that speedy!
Share your way with me, be not so greedy.
I want also to see plains and trees, and waters, and birds,
To hear other nations talk, to learn foreign words.”
The prodigal son delayed and waited
For his elder brother to join him.
They had never been indeed closely related
And he believed his elder brother's word just a whim.
But the elder brother put his hand on the younger one's shoulder
And they walked on and on, the younger and the older...

The prodigal son's new history yet has not got much renown.
Maybe you have seen the two brothers passing thru your village or town?

*The Kingdom of Presbyter John was a legendary kingdom in the medieval East believed to be a hypothetical "Golden Age" state founded by a British crusader..

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hello fellow my Christian neighbors!! i was wondering what yall thought of what the religious significance was of this parable, the Good Samaritan, and how it pertains to our lives today. What is God trying to say in this parable? what message is HE trying to convey? PLEASE get back to me!! thankyou ever so much
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This is such a neat parable, and probably the most easily understood. prod·i·gal adj. Rashly or wastefully extravagant: prodigal expenditures on unneeded weaponry; a prodigal life. Giving or given in abundance; lavish or profuse: prodigal praise. n. One who is given to wasteful luxury or extravagance.

This son knew the comfort and security He would have if he would abide with his father, but the thought of his own money and freedom was alluring. He asked for what he thought he deserved, and the Father let him have it. Instead of the glamorous life he thought he would have, after the initial fun he ended up having to work with pigs just to barely survive. To a Jew, this was the ultimate disgrace, for pigs are considered the uncleanest of animals. But then look at what happens when he returns to his father, humbled, no longer feeling he had the right to be given anything, and with the intent of working for him. He is not driven away because of his previous actions and behavior....the father knew and was so overjoyed at his return he didn't even wait for his son to get all the way back...he ran out and met him! Not only did he meet him with joy, he gave him the best of what he had. The best clothes, the best food, and celebrated his return. Our Father is always there for us. He will not deny us if we come to Him, and He will not shame us for our past actions when we do. Like in the story, He knows we're coming, and is prepared and isn't thinking of our past, just rejoicing for our future. Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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Hello-
I have taught a women's Bible Study for many years, and my lesson next week is on mustard seeds. I would love a picture of a mustard tree to show the ladies. Thank you. Bea Heid
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sue has no scriptures to back-up her say-so
that leaven is the holy ghost
that the meal is man body mind soul and spirit
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teachers - profits

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discription as to what jesus is refering leaven to be is not mention so then leaven could be any thing that would spread rapidly. ie. leaven of the Pharisees- hipocrisy Luke 12:1, ie. pursuasion Galatians 5:8-9, ie. Malace and wickedness, sicerity and truth 1 Cor 5:8, ie. spread of the gospel Mat. 13:33.
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What will it take for the elder boy to come to his senses? I say it will take pain -- real pain, and a reflection on pain that seeks understanding, not only of its external cause but also for that part of caused by one's own action. For example, it hurt the elder to be taken for granted as a obedient son, to be "dissed," but it hurt him more to hold on to the memory of, or to impute malicious intent to the ignorant one. Christ avoided this by forgiving the ignorant, those who, due to lower consciousness, "do not know what they do." The fact that Jesuse even talks to the leaders shows he has hope in their transformation; this address anticipates repentance, as it is not condemning, just like the father does not condemn the, now, disobedient son.
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Did anyone find a picture of a full grown mustard tree? I also need this for my Sunday School class next week. Any ideas? Thank you, cjm
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reverend father,
i am a 4th year theology seminarian from st.mary's theologate i would like to secure a copy of your sermon on "good shepherd" for my homily guide regarding the same subject....tnx
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You confuse rich believers with rich folk of this world. The Apostle James condemned favoritism in the "church" or assembly of believers. It is rich believers who were dragging their poor brethren into court, and it is the poor among believers (that is, Jewish) whom Jesus most commended.

Wealth is not condemned; it is rich people of this world who pretend to be Christians and call themselves our brethren and sisters who are condemned. Jesus sent the rich young man away with His enormous demand because He could not speak favorably to his illiteracy and materialism. The need to hide the written Word in his heart was too great fot the rich young man to endure. Our command from Jesus in this Parable of the Unjust Steward is to make (more) friends with rich folk of the unrighteous mammon, all without mention of trying to keep them.

Resort to the magic of a rich sorcerer was rebuked as sin because sorcery itself was sin in Israel and because counsel for Christians should come from other believers (Psalm 1). If the request had been for money instead of magic powers, no sign of sin would be present. Please accept our need for friendship with rich folk of this world. If you try to earn all the money for ministry, sooner or later God will let it be given away unless you sin by withholding it, and poverty should show the need for the favour of the rich.

+++Kevin D. Rosenberg


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I am looking for a picture of a real mustard tree.
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HOW POWERFUL AND PROFOUND that artical is. It describes exactely howI feel for THE LORD GOD our FATHER the HOLIEST of HOLY! AMEN thank you for it. May GOD BLESS you + KEEP you
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I simply believe it is a tool to prophecy his ressurrection. Note the punchline - If they don't believe Moses they won't believe if someone rises from the dead.
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