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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Hi,

I understand, that the Good Samaritan was a real person who lived long before Jesus, and the same thing happened to him, he was perscuted for doing good deeds to other. That's the reason why Jesus was able to tell this story. I forgot the name of this person.

Could you help me? What is the Good Samaritan's name?

Thanks
Willy
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1. why is this parable only recorded by luke?
2. Why is there no mother in the story?
3. Could this parable refer to the story of Jacob in Genesis? There seem to be many parallels.
4. Many of us do what the prodigal son did--leave home and misuse our inheritance. I know of many cases. But was the son completely restored to his former priveledged position after he came home, or was he treated as a guest?
5. It seems unfair that the older son was never given a party--but God is a God of justice--there seems to be a contradiction between the justice of God and the mercy of God.
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First of all, let it be known that I never stated my judgement of fifty million dollars on evil servant Bill Meier pastor of Twin City Bible Church in Urbana IL as the cause of my sinning habitually. It was domination by pastors reared among the lower class and thus inclined to see my enormous request as unreal stuff of dreams which caused me to sin habitually and quit their churches. That I asked, however, was the best way to mend (Matt. 7 : 7 ); by making a financial request for positive help, I obeyed Jesus Christ when otherwise I would have desired clear vengeance. Besides, psychiatry summoned by Bill Meier had caused weeds of habitual sin to sprout in my weakened walk with God long before my financial demands became clear. Let us now examine the lower-class backgrounds of so many of today's pastors and ministers.

Much has changed economically with the churches and the pastoral profession during the current Great Apostasy ( II Tim. 4: 3 - 4 ). Before the Great Apostasy and scientific belief in geologic time and biological evolution, pastors were highly esteemed, just like today's physicians; the upper class admired them and sought those privileged positions of minister or pastor. Seminaries catered to the upper class through extensive required coursework such as Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Along with a lack of financial aid for the lower and middle classes, extensive, difficult required coursework forced most students who needed to earn the money for tuition to wait or quit. Thus, pastors of then were well educated and mostly from a rather rich background.

Since the Great Apostasy began, scientific repudiation of our faith, and stingy donations have led the upper class to pursue doctorates and careers in law and medicine en masse while shunning theology. So hard have seminaries struggled to keep heretics out of their faculties and to fill their rosters that they have allowed pastoral students from the lower class concession after concession from financial aid packages to dropping of essential course requirements such as Greek. Are today's pastors and ministers really up to their jobs? I believe that most appear to fulfill their nominal requirements of employment but fail God's: they are especially likely to keep their jobs at the cost of incurring judgement as evil servants in charge (Matt. 24 : 45 - 51 ).

As a category, pastors who hail from poor backgrounds are inferior to those from the upper class in three ways, and the current Church Growth Movement seminaries have catered to them at the expense of the Lord. Those born poor have grown up in a subculture which discourages study, stifles creativity and encourages imitation, and most importantly demands conformity (quote: a book, "Great Expectations"). Recruitment of those born poor by seminaries has involved not only concessions of financial aid packages, but also of dropping critical course requirements and of graduating called missionaries-to-be as pastoral graduates and of granting pastoral degrees for more kinds of those disqualified by I Tim. 3 : 1 - 8 .

Extreme consequences of the presences of typical men born poor in positions of pastor and in the pastoral job pool are manifest. Because students from poor backgrounds generally dislike study, they do less study and are less thoroughly grounded in God's Word than their counterparts of old. Sin has more opportunities to enter and take hold. Because growing up among the poor stifles creativity and encourages imitation, many pastors preach well from their pulpits with the fruits of others' walks with God, yet are they a fright to meet in their offices!-- for they will follow their own evil hearts in preference to whatever Scriptures the needy may present, let alone the unnoticed will of God from His Word. Such indifference to truth prevails that ruinously trumped-up petitions and reports for psychiatric intervention have resulted. Because life among the poor in English-speaking lands demands conformity, pastors likewise demand conformity without regard to the will of God, and many are evil servants in charge of their flocks of Christian followers. They do what is popular and brings in crowds rather than pleasing God. All of this is to the detriment of the needy, so much that government has taken up the slack through income taxes and entitlement programs.

Through domination such as psychiatry, the evil servants in charge had repeatedly knocked the socks off my weakened, woeful walk with God long before I understood the truths of these horrible situations, and still I suffer from what they have done. Now that I know, however, never again will I follow them. Deeply dispirited, I dare not bother the churches anymore where I have come to live, but ask, seek, and knock here for a guide to some congregation already faithful in the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16, which I must present before I dare ask any churchgoer for anything financial. I was right in Christ to ask pastors to seek fifty millioin dollars from Bill Meier because Jesus commanded the giving and told me to ask (Matt. 5 : 42 , 7 : 7 ) and because as a former psychiatric patient apt to lie on applications I was sure to sin through continual worry if denied, worth a curse of the denying man in charge (Matt. 6: 24ff , 18 : 5 -7 ). In order to know whom to ask justly, however, I needed to know who had the wealth and which churches knew rich folk personally, and that was way beyond me. Vengeance indeed belongs to the Lord, and it will take place in His manner with amputations and announcements of hypocrisy and floggings (Matt. 24 : 45 - 51 ; also Luke) and losses of church buildings (Matt. 25 : 1-13 ) and deprivations and expulsions into homelessness (Matt. 25 : 14 - 30 ) rather than through the financial solutions I used to seek.

Unless the Gospel be spread throughout the whole inhabitable earth as Jesus Christ Himself commanded (Matt. 28 : 20 ) in the way He prophesied its spread before His coming again (Matt. 24 : 14 ) extremely soon, say, before next Passover, with the evil servants still in charge, it will indeed become necessary that the masters of the good and evil servants in charge of churches and so on wake up to return and reveal themselves as their masters: that Jesus Christ was not the master of His Parable of the Servants to judge them in heaven... but authorized ***them*** to execute these judgements on earth. Although vengeance belongs to the Lord, He has used humans to bring it about (Hab. 1 : 5 - 11 ). Because I have understood Chavaqquq (in the KJV spelled Habakkuk) and the general use of the masculine singular forms "master" and "servant" in the Hebrew and Aramaic manner of Psalm 1, I have no problem with God's plan to use boards and committees of humans as masters to execute His vengeance. May this happen soon! Martyrs in Christ among the mentally ill have suffered far too long, and still entire peoples have yet to hear the Good News!





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Please could anyone send me a photo or picture of the mustard tree mentioned in scripture, which is reputed to grow around 15 feet tall(4 metres)
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On the topic of the younger son hating his father. It is not said that he hates his father, and I don't believe that he does... but in asking for his inheritance... it is like wishing his father were dead. That had to hurt the father. Yet the father took him back unconditionally.

As for the older son, that has also been on my heart a lot. You see my sister ran away from home. When she returned I was glad and celebrated, but at the same time it was frustrating. Where was my reward for being the good daughter?? The father's response to the older's sons complaints is, "Everything I have is yours". God gives us everything! He gave us His Son and eternal life. At the same time, the father's plea to the older son to join in the celebration, is how God us to celebrate when others grow in relationship with him.
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I don't fully undertsand this one.... God calls these people at diffrent times, and gives each person the same reward for thier diligance, I understand that, but I do not understand the lines:
(15) Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
(16) So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Were all not called and chosen? They all were rewarded. Why was he calling those questioning him evil? Was he calling them evil? What is this about first and last? Did they all not come up for pay at the same time?

Can anyone help me out with this one?

--Asherea
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This is the only parable we are told(!) to learn.

could be '48 or '67.

starts with Adam 'n Eve weaving APRONS (not face masks) of FIG leaves to cover the sin; winds up in Revelation.

it meshes directly with the Parable of the Wheat & Tares... which also starts in the Garden and culminates in Revelation.

just like the Word of God.

phil

http://WordStudy.org
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ok...um good?
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I heard a preacher preach on the mustard tree.
Sheep can lie under it and be healed of fleas and ticks from the sap that runs free.
The tree has white blooms with a gold center.
The goats hate this tree.
The only flower that will bloom under the tree is the sweet rose of Sharon. when it blooms the white flowers on the tree turns crimson red.
Also the tree is battered and beaten in the winter time, the leaves fall off and in three days it will bloom agasin.
This was the pretiest story i've ever heard and want to know if there is some way I an get a copy os the tree. and the story, or legend of the mustard tree.
It is over twenty feet tall and huge around.
Thanks for your time, and may God bless you.
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Thank you so much for all of your comments.
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Go to the church where you received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and ask them to explain it further. Tongues is a devine language that God understands. A direct communication line to him that the Devil can not understand. Also, check out..
http://www.bible.com/answers/ahsbaptiz.html
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What's the difference between a Pharisee and a Sadducee? Is it true that the Pharisees were based in the synagoges while the Sadducees were based in the Temple? What kind of "traditions" did the Pharisees adhere to? Why were they perceived to be so rigid?
I was told that the Publicans at the time of Christ were Jews themselves who collected taxes from their own people and got as much as possible because they were paid on commission. I was also told they were paid not in currency but in goods. Is this the case? Can you tell me more about the Publicans at the time of Christ.

Thanks
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Jews believed that since they were God's chosen people, the first ones in being called; the gentiles(non-Jews) converted to God through the techings of Christ will not received the same reward. What Jesus was saying was that salvation was for all. No matter when you believed or how. What is important is who ha chsosen you. His character is just. He has prepared blessings for all who come to him.
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I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. A lot of people think that Jesus is saying that we should pray repetitiously over any one thing. Is that really what is being said in light of the fact the Jesus said, "pray not vain repititions like the heathens do"? When he says, "men ought always to pray and not faint", is he saying to pray continuously? Or might he be saying "every single time you pray, don't faint or stand upon that one prayer until your answered? I submit that that's what this is saying. But she came over and over again someone will say. No, it said, "she came unto him saying". She barely got in the door and wasn't even done walking when she demanded justice. Someone will also say but he said that he will avenge her lest by her CONTINUAL coming she weary him. She was coming day and night". No, lest means, because IF SHE CONTINUES to come, she'll drive him nuts. She only came once, but by the determination in her words she impressed upon him, "she means business". So where does faith fit in to all of this? Didn't Jesus say, "if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed you would say unto this sycamine tree be thou plucked up by the root and be cast into the sea and it would obey you? Notice the aspect of patience, HE WOULD NOT FOR A WHILE but afterward he said, "though I fear not God nor regard man, I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she weary me. She planted a seed in his heart by her boldness, words and address. That seed grew within his heart and consumed him. But only "after a while". She didn't come again because in her heart it was a done deal. "And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night?” I believe that Jesus is saying that instead of crying day and night, if we would just have the faith to approach God boldly, as a covenant partner, and regard it a done deal, we would qualify as one of those who are avenged speedily. Will he find this kind of faith on earth when he comes? You decide.
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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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We have several interpretations on the parable of the Ten Virgins. But one thing is sure, the five who were taken to be with the bridegroom were ready and the others were not. This shows the urgency for us to be watchful and prayerful and ready ourselves for !the coming of the LORD JESUS.

See you there in the KOG (Kingdom of God)
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(14 ) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own "Pastors", and delivered unto them His goods.
(15 ) And unto one "the kingdom of heaven" gave five souls, to another two souls, and to another one soul; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
(16 ) Then he that had received the five souls went and traded with the same, and made them other five souls.
(17 ) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
(18 ) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's soul.
(19 ) After a long time the Lord of those "Pastors" cometh, and reckoneth with them.
(20 ) And so he that had received five souls came and brought other five souls, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five souls: behold, I have gained beside them five souls more.
(21 ) His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
(22 ) He also that had received two souls came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two souls: behold, I have gained two other souls beside them.
(23 ) His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
(24 ) Then he which had received the one soul came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
(25 ) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy soul in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
(26 ) His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful "Pastor", thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
(27 ) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my souls to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
(28 ) Take therefore the soul from him, and give it unto him which hath ten souls.
(29 ) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
(30 ) And cast ye the unprofitable "Pastor" into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The talents are Souls!
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The section of the wise and foolish builders is basically the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Therefore, in order to understand this final section we must have in perspective the complete Sermon on the Mount that covers chapters 5-7 in the gospel of Matthew. The Sermon of the Mount is a brief summary of the whole message of the gospel preached by Jesus. We can say that it is the gospel in a "nutshell." The wise-foolish builders is an analogy about obedience and disobedience. Jesus uses this analogy to explain who are those that are OBEDIENT and who are those DISOBEDIENT to his teachings. The wise people HEAR the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. The foolish people only LISTEN but not hear the words of Jesus and disobeys them. So, the analogy of the Wise and Foolish builders is about obedience and disobedience. The Wise people obey Jesus and build their house on the rock and the Foolish people disobey Jesus and build their house on the sand. Where is your house build? Are you obedient?
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Denny,

I really enjoy your musings. I tend to agree with you about most of what you say. I think that makes you a very wise person - in my estimation :)

Humility is not groveling in the dust, calling God a liar. The apostle Paul called that "false humility". True humility is when we agree that God's view and opinion is reality. True humility is when we agree with God who says we are righteous. We WERE sinners but not now.

The parable of the "unprofitable servant", (Luke 17) when taken out of context might, at first blush, seem to be telling us to work hard for God and not expect any words of thanks. But Jesus had just finished telling of the great power that is available to us if we would just believe it. "Lord, increase our faith", prayed the apostles.

If I'm commanding sycamine trees to be uprooted and planted in the sea, then such power might go to my head, don't you think? Jesus warned us to do these great works of God and keep in mind that He is the source of our power.

Far from trying to connect people with a sense of inadequacy, Jesus parable is a warning NOT to let all this power go to our heads. Jesus has all power in heaven and earth and if we are in Him, so do we. If Jesus can walk on water then so can I. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me. If Jesus can heal the sick then so can I. If Jesus can raise the dead, so can I. "I can do all things", the apostle said, "through Christ which strengeneth me".

Do all things, small and great and remember always to give God the glory. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6) By acknowledging God in all that we do, He keeps us on the strait and narrow. That's a promise I can use.

And the scripture was fulfilled which said, "And Rob and Denny believed God and it was credited to them for righteousness."

God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Rest in the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.

Your brother,
Rob

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copy this url to your address bar, it not a picture but it may help :)


http://www.khouse.org/6640_media_serve.php?show_id=229&show_day=wednesday
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God invited the Jews to the supper, they had better things to do so he sent the Christians into streets and lanes to bring in all to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
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Have you ever planted a garden?
Some seeds never grow.
Some grows then withers away.
Some grow several inches then start to die.
Some dying plants catch ahold of good ground or water and sprout back to life.
Some dying plants are tended to by the gardener and sprout back to life.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
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Also do not forget what Jesus says later in both Matthew and Mark... several chapters after the cursing of the fig tree and the parable of the fig tree Jesus says this:

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my workds will never pass away." - Matthew 24:32-35 and Mark 13:28-31.

Jesus is speaking here just after relating a series of warnings about the end times and in fact the since the fig tree represents the NATION (tree) of ISRAEL (fig) it is feasible to suggest that this is a direct prophesy about the coming of the Tribulation.

I'm not the kind of person who goes around prognosticating and ranting about the end of the world and the Bible clearly says that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief" (2 Peter 3:10) so I'm not trying to predict the end but I do think that it is fascinating to see how this correllates with the withering of the nation of Israel about AD 70 and its subsequent rebirth in AD 1948.

I've read that the Bible maintians that a generation lasts 40 years and begins in the 20th year and ends in the 60th, putting the coming of Christ some time in 2008 if you do the math that way. But generation could also mean RACE in which case there is no math to be done. If this is the prophesised generation of the fig tree then we may see these things fulfilled very soon. Perhaps not though.

The point is to be prepared and always have your heart in the right state and never waver in doing the work God has put you here to do.
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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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Jesus does show in this parable that it is the content and character of a man's heart that is important to God. But to say that there will be those who will go to heaven without Christ as their Savior is a misunderstanding of this parable. Jesus is showing that no matter what amount of religion a person seems to have, as in the case of the priest who passed the beggers by, that a person will not be saved by religious acts but will be judged by our heart and the actions that ultimately come forth from it. Jesus is very clear (if one really does believe in the authenticity of scripture) in John 14:6 - "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, noone comes to the Father except through Me" Either believe Christ or don't, but do not twist His words to make any unacceptable religion ok in your own eyes.
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Would you please send me a copy of that picture? If it's good, I'd like to use it for my sermon on Sunday.

Mike
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The parable of the sower calls for steadfastness from all believers. Teh word must be strongly rooted in you so as to produce result.
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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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"So we learn that there is rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents; but those who are faithful and transgress not any of the commandments, shall inherit 'all that the Father hath,' while those who might be sons, but thought their 'riotous living' waste their inheritance, may come back through their repentance to salvation to be servants, not to inherit exaltation as sons.
"The wonderful story of the prodigal son has been misinterpreted almost universally. How frequently is the statement made from sectarian pulpits that because this younger son transgressed and committed all manner of sin and then repented, he was better off than his older brother who did not sin. By many the real lesson in this parable is lost. The younger son asked for his inheritance and received it. He went out and spent it in the vilest wickedness. When his substance was gone, he was forced by physical suffering and degradation to repent. Had his substance held out longer, he would have sinned that much more. It is needless to repeat all the circumstances of this story. It is sufficient to say that when he returned his father received him, but did not promise to reinstate him in the fullness of the inheritance; this is apparent in the answer made to the obedient son: 'Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine'." (The Way to Perfection, p21)

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life application of the growth of mustard seed
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Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
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I agree with all of what you said but some people may still be a little confused. To simplify things just remember to be filled by the spirit is to be controlled by the spirit.
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I added them several days ago. Please email if anybody finds anymore pictures. Also anybody email if something is (C), I am running 4 websites and don't have the time to check everything. I really need some moderators and other help on the websites.

Thanks
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In my church there was an example of this. Almost perfect.

A certain man came to my church one day. He had been there before as a child, some 30 or 40 years ago. His memories of the place were good in a life that was falling apart. He had lost his family a few years ago to divorce. Just a year or so earlier, he lost his job, his income, and then his home. He had been living on the street since then. He came to us in December, and it was unseasonably cold. Cold enough that I was worried he'd freeze to death. A couple from the church heard his story and saw that he was truly in need. They drove him to the nearest YMCA, and got him a room there for the year, paying for it all. They're in the process of finding him a job, too, where the husband of the couple works.
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Amen.
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Shaloom Guys (again, I'n not a jew),

The traditions spoken of the pharisees are actually the book of Talmud, which is their interpretation of what the Torah actually means, and how to comply them.

In example, the Talmud says that the meaning of not working during the sabbath are, to name one, not walking more than ### number of paces. Lifting things are considered working, but holding a baby is not. However the baby must not carry anything more than the usual baby clothing, in example a lamp. So lifting and holding a baby is not working, but if the baby holds a lamp you are breaking the Torah, so they say. (That's why israelis nowadays have moslem servants ha ha ha). One famous talmud tradition is washing of hands before eating.

The Talmud is not considered THE WORD OF GOD by Lord Jesus, rather HE called it a human tradition.

Sugeng Wiguno

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Understanding the Prodigal Son parable requires understanding why Jesus told the parable in the first place. He was speaking to a very mixed crowd. In Luke 15:1-2 there are at least 4 groups, sinners, tax collectors, Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus tells this series of three parables to drive home a simple point: God loves the lost and His heart's desire is to find all those separated from Him. Each parable gives a little different spin on His point.
In the third parable, Jesus gives two parts to the parable. In the first part, the younger son is the object of the parable. In the second half, the elder brother is the focus. Each of these parts speaks to the two classes of people to which Jesus was speaking i.e. the sinners and the Pharisees. The first would speak to those who had been separated from God (were prodigal in their relationship with God). The second half would be directed toward the Pharisees and Scribes (those who hadn't departed from God physically).
As I study this parable, it becomes apparent to me that neither son understood the father. The younger son thought that doing righteous things makes you worthy of the father's love. Wrong!
The older brother thought the same thing. Instead, the father was not focusing upon the behaviors of either son. He wanted to have a relationship of love with both brothers. He demonstrates this when he doesn't listen to the smooth lines the younger brother has rehearsed. He also says it to the older brother when he says, " Child, (a different term in the Greek than the word for son, "hwion") you are always with me, and all my things are yours. But it was necessary to kill the fatted calf and celebrate because your brother was dead and is now alive, he was lost and now he is found.
The father's heart desired whole relationships with both his sons. Neither understood. Could it be that in our attempt to be worthy of God's love, we miss what God is really trying to say to us: that we have a priceless value to Him, clearly demonstrated upon the cross.
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who is the fig tree, isit the nation of Israel as a whole which was born in May14th. 1948 or is it of Jursalem recaptured in 1967 durning the 1967 war
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Just like all these other folks, I would love to see a picture if you could possible email it to me. Thanks.
Karen
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I agree with your interpretation that the neighbor is the Samaritan, i.e. Jesus.

The dying man trusted the Samaritan and took the Samaritan's help without doubt and hesitation, even though he despised the Samaritan.
In this parable of Good Samaritan, the dying man is ourselves. People should beleive in God humbly like the dying man did.

This Parable of good samaritan tells me that men should humble themselves for believing in God and loving Jesus.


Thanks,

Donna
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But factor this in: the tares are the CHILDREN and were planted by the Evil one. The word 'WORLD' in the text is the Greek word Kosmos - it means UNIVERSE or WORLD - not church or kingdom.
Some how the tares are actually children of the Devil (Jn 8:43-44).

While God's seed begins enslaved to Satan they are not Son's of Satan. They are as the Prodical Son who worked for no pay for the pig farmer. And as the Father of that son ran out to him when he returned - calling forth for a new robe (robe of righteousness) shoes (shod with the Gospel) and a ring (sealed with the Holy Spirit) (note the words of this Father: "for this my son was DEAD and is ALIVE AGAIN - i.e. born again). Satan's seed at times work for God - but they are paid: such as Judas who was called "the son of Evil" or as other hirelings (Jn 10:12). Satan actually loves his children - 2nd Corith. 4:4.

If this all smacks of dualism - lay this blame with Jesus himself and Matt. 13.
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I know what it is like to be the Prodigal child who is too ashamed to approach our Father's home...and yet, when my soul heard my Father's silent prayer calling me back; I ran.
Indeed my Father welcomed me, and blessed me incredibly...which only caused me to shed endless tears of gratitude...a very different person than I had been when I was a "loyal church member"...this time, each tiny gift of bread or water, each stone on my Father's property was sacred to me...this time I took NOTHING for granted. I was so thrilled to be in the presence of my Father's home once again.
However, my elder brothers and sisters could not help but whisper about me, and none visited my home when I lived nearby. This hurt deeply, but I could understand.
I continued to pray with tears of gratitude each day, in a way that I never knew how to pray before...over the years, my tears melted away the residue of resentment I felt towards my elder brothers and sisters in the church, and I began to feel deep compassion for each one of them... and found myself praying that my tears of gratitude and of repentance could be used by our Heavenly Father to wash away the resentment in my elder brother's and sister's hearts...so that there is no resentment or sense of separation left...so that we are of one heart in front of our Heavenly Father...
I pray this not only for my own situation, but for the drama of elder and younger brother being played out in the middle east right now. If the Jewish people has been able to recognize Jesus and to embrace him as the King of Kings (instead of killing him, as Cain killed Abel); Jesus would have unified the Jews and their brothers, the Palistines long ago.
I agree with the writer, that our Heavenly Father is looking for both brothers to love one another with tears of gratitude while in the presence of our Lord.
Thank you, and Happy Father's Day,
Annie
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This parable came to me while at work, for me it was a revelation. I am a very insecure person..and though I have faith in God..have had little or no faith in my ability to spread Gods word..or be assertive and confident in Christ.
(But I think that is changing in me now)..that parable to me means that the Lord has given us each a measure of faith..and to use that faith to win souls for Christ. But in order to do that we must be able to take a risk in our personal and social lifes. What each of the servants did was invest for their master the talents given to them in good faith..not knowing rather or not there would be an increase they still had faith in the ten talents given to them by Him..they took took a risk and succeeded..
where as the other servant, he played it safe,,yes he still had what his master had given him..but because he chose not to have faith in the master, the talents given to him or in the masters choice of giving the talents to him to increase..he buried them, not taking a risk which resulted in no increase to be returned to the master.
Sometimes as Christians we do that..we are comfortable in the pews and hanging around other christians..praying for each other..talking to each other about the goodness of God..and that is good, because we need to fellowship, however, God has given us each a measure of faith, the word, and His Holy Spirit..to spread the good news..to reach out and take a risk, make a investment in someone other then those we are comfortable with.
I did something out to character to day..I prayed for a man at the grocery store..I dont know if investing a prayer in this man will increase what he needs in his life..but I took a risk..the rest up to the Lord.


In Christ Jesus:
Partricia
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I am looking for information that is at once Biblical and biological and reconciling the seed and the tree or large shrub.
Thank you.
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The ten virgins represent those to whom the offer of the kingdom of heavens is presently being extended. They, thus, could only represent ALL of the saved ["ten"showing ordinal completion] during the present despensation [ all of the saved ], would represent those who will form the bride[those called out of the called]. All ten of the virgins possessed lamps with oil.The request of the five foolish virgins in Matt. 25:8 should read," Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out'[ ref,ASV, NASB,NIV]. The difference between the wise and foolish virgins lay, not in the thought that the foolish had no oil[ otherwise, their lamps could not be "going out"], but in the fact that the wise virgins possessed an extra supply of oil. "OIL" is symbolic of the Holy Spirit[1Sam. 10:1,6;16:13; Lev.8:10-12;21:12]. The five wise virgins possessed an extra supply of oil typify Christians possessing an extra supply of the Holy Spirit , i.e., Christians filled with the Holy Spirit; and the five foolish virgins lacking the extra supply of oil typify Christians lacking an extra supply of the Holy Spirit, i.e.,Christians not filled with the Holy Spirit. All ten of the virgins in Matt.25 went forth to meet the bridegroom together- just as all Christians will go forth will go forth to meet the bridegroom together. But only those five wise virgins with an extra supply of oil entered into the marriage festivties [v.10]. Thus, will it be in the future experience of Christians relative to being filled or not being filled with the Holy Spirit
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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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Like the other parables of Jesus, this one is about fruit-bearing, and the un-fruitful are thrown into hell. Those who hear the TRUE word of God, they are cleansed by it by doing it. Christ abides in the TRUE hearers and doers. Luke 6:47 - Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them..." John 8:47 - He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 1 Corinthians 4:15 - For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. 1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" Philippians 3:9 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" 3 John 1:11 - Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." Who can do good, but the true ones on the vine? Even TRUE faith is not from flesh and blood, but from God. John 3:27 - John answered and said, A man can receive NOTHING, except it be given him from heaven." 1 Corinthians 12:9 - To another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;" Not one man can TRULY say that Jesus Christ is the son of God nor can any man truly tell people,(so-called preachers, ministers, or pastors) Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Also, to put an end to false teachers that say if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and saviour, you'll be saved, NO MAN can come to Jesus unless God Himself decides that he would. Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." But then, those people heared the TRUE word of God, and the words of JESUS CHRIST, John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 - Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Then again, same gospel, 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.(God revealed it to them, and had faith in him, that faith is not from their own heart, but from God) 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve(God approved those 12, not the other disciples, because if He did give it to them to come to Jesus, they would of stayed, like the true disciples), and one of you is a devil?" Now all you people that read this, the false christians will not believe this, but the true christians will. John 15:20 - Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." These sayings are in the bible, those who just ignored them in the bible will ignore my words(no, not truly mine) also. Those who believe these things, or knew them already, please, please contact me, at dallascourchene @ hotmail.com (NOTE: there are no spaces in the address.) Also to the so-called born-again christians, what did God call you to do? Live a normal life? I don't think so. People who are truly called are CALLED to do something for the LORD, not just worship Him and those who are called, know what they have to do by a certain wonder, or phenomemon. Acts 16:10 - And after he had seen the VISION, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had CALLED us for to preach the gospel unto them." Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, CALLED to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God," Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 1 Corinthians 7:20 - Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." Ephesians 4:1 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," We MUST be also worthy of this calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 - Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" 1 Peter 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you PERFECT, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 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:" And yes, we can be perfect like Jesus. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." 2 Corinthians 4:4 - In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Philippians 2:6 - Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 1 John 2:13 - I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father." 1 John 3:9 - Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Revelation 3:21 - To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." We are called to be made into the image of Christ, who is the image of God. Jesus said so himself, the called can and will be like him. Matthew 10:25 - It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord..."
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Jesus uses leaven in some parables to explain how evil can quickly take over a person but in the parable in Matt 13 he is using it to describe how the Spirit of God causes the values of the kingdom of God to permeate in a Christian. Jesus does not have to tie his symbols down to one idea.
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Sheryl,

It may be that you’re experiencing a “move of the spirit” in your life. God may be manifesting his spirit to you and I feel it’s a wonderful thing. The question you have to ask yourself is, are you a Word founded person? Do you have an active knowledge of the New Testament? And of course do you confess Jesus as Lord? If you do, then there isn’t any reason of concern-as far as fearing it goes. But you have to be honest with yourself. I would be very disappointed if I found out that you had a history of drug use etc.

What your describing could be a type of Pentecostal experience that many people have had in history and they ended up having incredible ministries-though that’s not always the case. Don’t think that you’re necessarily being called to the ministry though.

But as long as you’re a Word oriented person, there’s no reason to be afraid of it. But then again it sounds like a good experience. If you deem it bad then it could be the devil trying to pull something on you.

Actually I believe that that’s the way it should be and if it is a TRUE manifestation of the Holy Ghost then accept it. But I can only judge based on what I’ve heard you write.

My suggestion is to do this: Go to a search engine (google will bring you right to it) and plug in “New Zealand Revival”. Then scroll down looking for the article “great healing revivalists-how the power came” by Andrew Strom. Then read about some of the experiences that Gods great ones have had in history. It’s a fabulous article. Compare your experiences with theirs and see if it sounds similar. But a lot of people would discourage you from accepting that anointing-I however do not and would encourage you to accept it. There again if it’s a good thing. You have to decide.

Just make sure that everything that you believe lines up with scripture.

God bless

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