Hi there-- I am a saved person and born again-- however according to bearing fruit, well am i going to hell and don't know it, what i mean is this i don't pass out tracks and iam not a preacher but if th case arises i will speak up for Jesus i am not ashamed at all of the name of Jesus but i don't stand on corners and preach or things like that.


Larry
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In understanding Jesus’ teachings concerning the Kingdom of God, (God’s way of doing things in the earth) one of the most misunderstood and underrated things that a Christian has to consider is the time element involved in Faith.

Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is likened unto a seed, which is sown in the earth, and then after many days a fruit is harvested. But in light of faith being likened unto a seed or the idea of farming, the growing time has to be considered.

As difficult as this is to do, there is no other way around it. When I want a fishing lure, I want it today not tomorrow. When I woman eyeballs a new pair of shoes, is she content in having them next week? Trust me, if she really wants them she’ll have them tonight.

But in the realm of the spirit there are mechanisms set in place for our protection. It's called growing time. So, why this growing time? Is God just a hard head? Is he just being unreasonable? Or is there divine reasoning behind it?

According to Jesus our hearts are a two way street. “Let your light so shine”, “take heed that the light which be in you be not darkness”. And God has confined himself to working through the human heart. But do you know what? Satan is also confined to working through the heart. Now he has an advantage because he’s already in the earth (due to the fall of man). God on the other hand is trying to get back into the earth, and the great battleground is the heart.

The growing time is a buffer zone that God uses to function in the spiritual realm where #1. Satan can never beat him (us). And #2. He can preserve Christians from the affects of fickleness and unbelief. If the system worked that way we wanted it to, then Satan would be able to wipe us out in a matter of days. But this long growing time assures that the only things that truly enter into our hearts are things that we really desire or things that we obstinantly adhere to (negative things-yes they can get in there too). The whole thing is a safety mechanism whereby God in his infinite wisdom can keep us alive and happy.

Jesus taught that there is power in words and interestingly, he manifested himself as the Word of God (John 1:1). If all of the crud and expressions of the day were to REALLY take root in our hearts, we would seal a fate of doom very quickly. But be of comfort, God has set up a plan whereby we can access the “treasure of our hearts” in a deliberate way without destroying ourselves in the process. Of course the one drawback is this long time element, but if we know it going into the process then we can #1. Make sure that the things that we pray for are truly desires of the heart and not temporary whims that we all get into. And #2, we’re encouraged to be responsible thereby preparing for the future, much like Noah preparing an ark on dry land being warned by God’s Word of things yet to come. (This is the meaning of this parable: Prepare beforehand.)

This parable shows vividly this time element and it also shows the importance of preparation for the future in a godly sober manner.

God is not the author of hardship though we may think that he is in making us wait such a long time-so it seems, (we want everything yesterday) for the things that we ask for. But give the God of the heavens-the one who actually died for us the benefit of the doubt and know that he doesn’t withhold things from us, he preserves them for us. But we must figure in the time element in the growing of our faith.

If done properly we can feather a nest of blessing, security and provision over our families that terrorism or global uncertainty can never quell.

But you have to get on the front end of things and this entails preparation in the light of Gods word for the future. This is what a wise person does. A fool will always live behind the eight ball, forever reacting to unexpected visitors from the dark side in the form of circumstances not in line with the abundant life that Jesus promised all.

If done correctly, not only will our life’s structures prevail against the storms of life, but also we’ll have room for others who have not been so wise, so as to build their lives upon the word of the Almighty.

Don’t ever buy into that anger business where the adversary accuses God of making you wait as though he’s dangling a carrot in front of our faces leading us on. No, to the contrary, we’ve probably been believing things in our hearts that if he were to honor the one he would have to honor the other, and the other could possibly destroy us. God will work as advocate and counselor making up for our “ways” assuring us blessing if we but patiently harbor his promises in our hearts.

Cheer up! God’s CAUSING these things to come to pass, not impeding them. But we must hold fast his Word in our hearts liberally giving him time to work around our sin and quirks. All things considered, we serve a wonderful God that is not hard and unreasonable, but one who has all the facts, and who is our greatest ally.

So build your spiritual structures on the foundation of prayer and the believing of his word, in time you’ll be the “strong tower” that others come running to in times of a storm and destruction.

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Is it truly possible to be called in a spirtual way for something, I have had such vivid color dreams of christ, I had a feeling of some presence pulling me, I had such a increadible felling of such great love and happeness flow through me i just would have died if i stayed in that state. I seem to know a thing, not just knowing it but know it as an absalute, then ill see it or live it, but the knowing first. I fell im being pulled, i cant stop if i wanted to, i cant shut up eaither, im driving my family nuts on realigion Sheryl stewart
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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 has been a great study to learn how to apply this parable to my own life and pass on my findings in the LORD. I have a wonderful time looking at this small but great seed for my life.
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need for school
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I WAS TOLD THAT A MUSTARD PLANT IS ONE OF THE FEW PLANTS THAT WON'T CROSS POLLENATE WITH ANYTHING ELSE. IT THAT TRUE?
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This is not the complete story about the two sons.
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Janette,
I feel like i know what you are going through. I was saved several years ago, I have also strayed away from God in the past year or so. I question if I lost my salvation and faith. I realized that Once the LORD is in your HEART he is there for GOOD. NO MATTER WHAT. He will alswya be there for you even if he feels distant.
I pray that God would reveal HIMself to you today and that his HOLY SPIRIT will rest upon you in a might way today. Where he is Evil cannot be. The only way evil can enter into us is if we open a door to it. focus on him and his faithfulness to you.


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Some of you "greatly err, not knowing the scriptures". It is not unlawful for a Jew to lend money for usury in all circumstances, it is only unlawful to lend money for usury to fellow Jews. Reference Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 23:20. These clearly spell out the Mosaic laws for usury. "Giving the money to the changers" would be a reference to the money changers in the Temple who would exchange foreign currency so that foreign worshippers could contribute to the Temple treasury. This was perfectly legal under Mosaic law. It started out as a legitimate enterprise but quickly became a get-rich-quick scam due to people's greed. These are the 'den or thieves' that Jesus chased out of the Temple, not because of their occupation, but because they used this occupation to rip off others.

How can some of you think this is a 'reverse parable' when it clearly starts out with the words "For the kingdom of heaven is as..." ? This describes the parable clearly as a comparison to the kingdom of heaven. Which part of that is backwards?

If you want the true meaning of the parable refer to James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ASK OF GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. " Prayer and meditation will be answered and you will find what the parable means TO YOU. True interpretation of Scripture will not be found in the commentaries of others. Each of us has a personal, individual, and unique spiritual walk. What this passage of Scripture means to you may be entirely different from the interpretation for me. Pray and meditate and get your personal interpretation directly from the one who will give you wisdom LIBERALLY.

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The Parable of the Sower is about the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

The Sower - Jesus
The Seed - The Sons of the Kingdom ( The Christians )
The Field - The World - Our respective areas ( working place ) where
Jesus has sown us.(marketplace)

All believers of Jesus are sown to respective location to be the light and salt to conquer that place and establish the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God should start on that person by LIVING according to the Word of God, if not the Devil will take away the light and darkened his testimony and will cause unfruitfulness. He should continue to be a testimony and be mature so that root will be established . Persecution and the World temptation will be part of his life but to be fruitful he should continue to HEAR AND DO ( understand ) the Word of God thus becoming fruitful for the Expansion of God's Kingdom in his area of responsibility.

All Christian are ambassador of Christ. We are the representative of God's Kingdom. In our areas, we need to LIVE and DO the Kingdom of God agenda ( Gospel of Matthew ) We need to please the KING. We can only expand the Kingdom of God through fruitfulness not just attending our sunday services. The Kingdom of God can be established Monday up to Saturday. ...in our WORKPLACE.

HONOR THE KING. EXPAND THE KINGDOM.LIVE IN THE KINGDOM PRINCIPLE. CONQUER MORE KINGDOM IN THIS WORLD FOR OUR KING.BE FRUITFUL. GOD BLESS YOU
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You're both wrong. It's obvious that in this parable it is being taught that, should you have a talent, do not waste it. Although it's shown, the relationship between servant and master really isn't what's really being portrayed (you could take to this, though.). Things like this happen a lot when extremely talented people get into the wrong things before the talent is allowed to flourish, or people just too lazy to care, to take the time to develop what they have.

Faith is a great thing, but don't let it blind you.
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Surely it's all about God's love being for everyone. The younger son is like those who do not want to know God the Father, who tun their backs on him. But then in the end they do recognise the father and humbly accept forgiveness from him. The elder son is like those who have always been with God the Father within the church. Basically there are no long-service medals in heaven - we will all be equal no matter how long we have acknowledged God as our Father - so long as we do eventually.
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Can anybody offer anything in way of how we plant this mustard seed? If we are going by faith and there is no evidence to support that it really got planted, then it seems to me that it would be imperative that we know exactly how to do it. Wouldn't it? If were judged according to the fruit that we produce by the planting of this seed, then wouldn't everything START with that knowledge? Is that not a valid question? Am I missing something? Does anybody know?
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I agree with you! The fowls of the air are from Gen 1:20-21, 31 where God, who is Love, brought forth the fowls of the air to fly in the firmament of heaven and God saw everything that he made and behold it was very good. (Why would a good, loving God create evil birds to fly in His heaven? He did not.) Why would anyone want to take a symbol of inspiration, love and protection such as birds reflect and want to see them as they are described but once in the Bible as unclean, foul and hateful? There are so many inspired references to wings, brooding, flying, nest, eagles that are beautiful in the Scriptures. I'd rather take the inspired Word of the Bible. Mustard seed and leaven are synon. and both small but growing and changing into good, useful things. The woman hid the leaven in three measures of meal---modes of human thought. Meal in the Bible stands for healing. The leaven is NOT that of the hypocritical Pharasees but of God's Christ, Truth. This leaven of Truth is changing the whole of thought until the whole of evil thought is leavened--changed into Truth. The grains of mustard signify this growth of Truth too, until the leaves of the tree of Truth are used for the healing of the nations--knowing the Truth that makes us free----free from what? A lie. Truth always frees us from lies. Truth never frees us from itself! Only, only from lies. The devil is a liar and the Father of it and abides not in truth. John 8:44
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there is no biblical name given. Maybe its better that . Many of our names could fit into the story We may not have done exactly what he did but, how many of us have been foolish and wasteful with our lives then come to our senses
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Quote: The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit!

That is not what the bible says! I am tired of these lying preachers adding to the Word of God!

Matthew 12
31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

Example of blasphemy against the Spirit

Matthew 12
22 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
23 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, "Can this be the son of David?"
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."


blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for the Holy Spirit, calling the work of the Holy as Evil)
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Read Matt. 24:24-26. The rise of false prophets and false Christs (Messiahs) able to deceive some of the very elect was prophesied by our Lord Jesus Christ. Many Christians have been ruined by the evil servants in charge of today's churches.
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I would say, mercy! That is all Lazarus desired in the crumbs!
The rich man now is experiencing the consiquences of his own
life decisions, in death. In life, the rich man had an opportunity,
which was a chance to give mercy to Lazarus or any one who was in need of mercy.He had in life, favorable conditions.We
must be very careful how we treat people. People belong to God.
So, now we see in the text the two extremes have traded places
substance wise. The rich man has become the begger, and the begger
has become rich!!!! Lazarus is so rich with the wealth of God that
he has Father Abraham as an AMBASSADOR! (smiles)
"Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus"

2nd
Hell is forever! once you are in hell there is no chance, no way, no how!
No,no,no, listen to the responce of Abraham to the rich mans plea.
Luke 16:26 And besides all this, there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us,that would come from thence. But, there is still to come judgement after a period of time. Not that this rich man is going to be in hell for a time and then go to heaven. Once we die, its too late to work the work of repentance. The time is now, while the blood is running warm in our vains. Now is the time of salvation! We all must repent of our sins before we pass away to an eternal state of existance. Then shall we forever be with the Lord Jesus having all things in common. Joy Peace Love Happiness that shall never cease. No more pain, no more suffering, no more sorrow,no more saddness. No more sickness, no more dying, no more crying, there be no more preaching no more teaching, for all secrets will be revealed, no more hate, no more no more no more! Joy! Love! God shall be with us and we shall be with Him forever! Give! and don"t hold back like the rich man. Give your life to Jesus and like He did for Lazarus he likewise do the same for all that believe and trust in Him.
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After reading all the comments on the Filling of the spirit I find this one to be right on the money. I was going to post a writing of my own, but after reading this I decided to commend this writing. God bless and an excellent job Robert.
Pastor Rick.
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I am currently doing a paper, for school, on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. I do not have much background in Christianity. I am to write a Modernized version of this parable and would greatly appriciate any advice or suggestion that you have.
Thank-You
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teaching vacation bible school. the kids would love to see what a mustard tree loos like.

thank you
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barren people should most definatly not die, that is just ridiculous! the parable of the withered fig tree, means not the people who are barren, must die, for all humans must die eventually. but rather that those who do not produce christian fruits must die. not even necessairly die, but they will be cut off from the kingdom of Heaven. we must bare the fuits of our christian nature in our everyday life. if we truly love god he should be an important part of our life, and should shine through us.

Tricia Wieske
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The best sermon I ever heard was about "the other son". It is also why this parable to me is NOT the most easiest to understand. When is it ok to say "what about me???" Perhaps "the other son" was really "the lost son".
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This is not about the rapture of the church at all. Jesus is speaking to Jews about the tribulation period. The virgins are Jews. Five responded to the preaching of the 144,000 evangelists and worshipped God and five did not. When the king comes to reign at the end of the tribulation period, the tribulation saints are raptured as He gathers the elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. 24:31 Notice that they go out to meet the bridegroom, not to marry him. He is already married to the church which is a virgin in the singular never in plural. This parable which begins with "then" (Identifying the period that is being discussed) is nestled between Matt 24:30 describing the Lord coming in in the clouds in His glory (Rev 19) and Matt.25:32 where is is seated on His throne and judging the nations. While these foolish virgins go out to buy oil, they take the mark of the beast, forever shutting themselves out and sealing their destiny to be cast into the lake of fire. Rev 14:1-6
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Hello,
Thanks for all the comments. It's been very interesting reading the inputs. I've always felt for the older son because he had stayed with the father all the time and yet he felt that there was no reward for him. His father seemed to "prefer" the younger son who had squandered all his inheritance in loose living. I think I am guilty of this as well.

My concept of God's character is one who keeps accounts - that if I am good and do good deeds, He will love me more. But actually, God is not like that. He loves us whether we do anything good or bad. That's just how he is. God is LOVE. When Jesus died on the cross for us, He died while we were still sinners, even though we rejected Him, He chose to die for us.

I am so glad and grateful that my heavenly Father is always so loving and so good. His love for me is never dependent on my performance (preach to 1000 people or don't even bother to go to church). I am reminded that I must not be like the older son. I need to be set free from self-righteousness (just like the Pharisees). To recognise that I am just a sinner who needs Jesus so badly. There is nothing I can ever do to earn His love for me. Praise God ! ! !
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I am trying to locate a particular picture of a grown mustard seed in white sketching with birds flying over it on a grey background. I do not know where else to look. At the bottom of the picture are the words
Heaven.
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I am doing the parable of the mustard seed for a baptism class and need a picture of a mustard tree.
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I'm wondering about this connection - the "prodigal" son has a life issue - ADHD. Anyone who has lived in a family where one child has this life issue and another doesn't understands perfectly well the distress of the elder son on the return and celebration for the younger. The non-affected child, in many ADHD living situations, takes back seat to the behavior and emotions of the affected child as the parents spend most/all of their parental energy working with the affected child to maintain some sort of stability in the home and between the family members. The non-affected child does not KNOW that he is welcome to all the parents/father have as most of the family resources go to maintain the issued child.
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I see so many different answers above. I can tell you that most of you guys are wrong. Those who said that the birds of the tree are a good thing has a misunderstanding of the scriptures. Please read Job 28:21. For those who believe the leaven parable is a good thing, I suggest you read Leviticus 2:11. Jesus was prophesying the apostasy of the church in the last days. One reader said that mustard seeds don't grow to be trees. He made a good point because they grow to be herbs, and were never meant give shade to the birds. The Roman Catholic church has become the mustard tree in this parable.
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I think I’m going to utilize the aspect of anonymity (sort of) for the sake of saying things that will never be said out in public. That’s the interesting thing about this web site that’s so cool. You can express your beliefs without this social pressure that people place upon you in public.

But I’m going to drop a bombshell right in the middle of you readers. I’m going to be the proverbial “skunk at the garden party”. Maybe some of you won’t recognize just how unreligious this is going to be, but others will probably tell me to swipe my mouth (put a lid on it).

But, I’ve known something for a long time and I’ve decided to let loose. Here’s the idea that I think will generate controversy, hopefully. But do you know what, I don’t care, because it’s the pure Word of God. Feel free to challenge it.

Do you know what my bombshell is?

Do you remember when Jesus was often heard telling a person that he had just healed, to “TELL NO MAN”? Do you know why he did that? It was to get an OPPOSITE RESULT”. “Oh, that’s insane” you may say. “That’s reverse psychology”. NO, IT ISN’T.

Mark 7
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:

Look at the results.

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

Luke 5
12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
14 And he charged him to TELL NO MAN: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
15 BUT SO MUCH MORE went there A FAME ABROAD of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

Mark 1
41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
44 And saith unto him, See thou SAY NOTHING TO ANY MAN: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
45 But he went out, and began to PUBLISH it much, and to BLAZE ABROAD the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Mark 7:24
And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have NO MAN KNOW IT: but he could not be HID (there is nothing HID which shall not be manifested…).

Now before you get mad, I’m going to paraphrase some things that Jesus said. Either you can believe that he did this intentionally or you can believe that he was overwhelmed by a contrary result, which would be failure-SIN.

Notice some of the things that Jesus said (paraphrased).

“The things that I tell you in secret that preach ye in the light”. “The things that are whispered in the ear (both in your own ear and the ears of others) in closets (secrets-or in secret places) will be proclaimed from the housetops”. The amplified bible says in Mark 4:22, “ 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”.

Are we agreed that Jesus said these things? Are we also agreed that the definition of hypocrisy is to say one thing and to do another? Are we agreed that this was a part of his message that he taught from town to town-namely, the Kingdom of God has come unto you?

Then how on earth can Jesus commit the SIN (it wasn’t sin as you’ll shortly find out) of hypocrisy by saying one thing and yet doing another?

What was he “HIDING”? Why the big “SECRET”? What’s the big “COVER UP” (covered-“there’s nothing covered that shall not be revealed”…)? Was he afraid? He wasn’t afraid of anything-he had no fear. Fear is termed sin in the book of Revelation. Hell is filled with the “fearful”. What good reason is there for this man to hush the person that he had just done a wonderful thing for, when he had said “the things that I tell you in secret, that preach ye in the light”?

When I was a kid I was watching the Brady Bunch, and even Alice the maid had told the kids “you know a very great man once said that secrets were made for telling”. Forever I wondered who had said that. And lo and behold Jesus was that man. Somebody got the same meaning that I see from the Word.

So how could he do this KNOWING that the end result was going to be the very thing being blasted from the housetop? Was it deception? Was it subterfuge?

How about this? IT WAS DIVINE HUMILITY.

Don’t think for one minute that I’m saying that Jesus was harboring in his heart that this person would do just the opposite. When Jesus said “TELL NO MAN”, what he was saying is “I don’t need flesh to testify of me. I have a relationship with my heavenly father and he’s well able to bring this to light IF HE SO CHOOSES. If I am deemed humble by my heavenly father, he will exalt me, if not he won’t”. But refuse to believe that Jesus meant anything other then exactly what he said-“he straightly charged them, tell no man”. This is divine humility at it’s best, just beckoning exaltation. He didn’t care how the father was going to get the message out. He just did his part by being humble and depending on the father for everything.

Another thing to consider is that Jesus may have known that these people would encounter persecution or they may not be able to deal with questioning crowds. So he empowered the situation by activating a spiritual law that would work over the heads of the people involved.

Are you convinced yet?

Even if you don’t believe that Jesus did this intentionally, you’ve got to admit, it’s a beautiful example of “there is nothing hid which shall not be manifest and neither was anything kept secret but that it should come abroad”.

Regardless of what you think of this revelation.

I hereby charge you to TELL NO MAN.

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It seems by the way Jesus told the story, that one need not be a christian to inherit eternal life. Jesus was asked this question and after the parable answered " Go and do likewise". Now the good samaritan was not a christian, but a product of mixed interbreeding between jews from the Northern Kingdom and other people after Israel's exile. They were considered heretics. Yet, it was what was in the samaritans heart that was the focal point of the parable. To say that only christians ( only people who accept Jesus as their Lord and savior and accept that he died on the cross for their sins) are going to be saved, is in a way like, judging other people. And as you well know, Jesus clearly states "judge not, least you yourself be judged.
Amen and God bless everyone.
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I was asked by a friend if I knew the name of the prodigal son. I'd never heard him referred to in any way except as "the younger son". Does anyone know of research that attaches a name to either the younger or older son?

Thanks!
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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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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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I believe that Lazarus in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is the only character in any of Jesus' parables who is addressed by name. Even then, the name Lazarus that comes from the Hebrew Eleazar means "God helps," and thereby characterizes him foretells the fate that Lazarus will eventually experience, since nobody else lifted a finger to help him live - only to help him die.
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Webmaster, I found the link for the "Parable of Servants" to lead me afar to the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. Without a page for Matt. 24:45-51, I include it with this Parable of the Ten Virgins.

The preceding Parable of the Two Servants is critical to the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which begins with the word "Then" (Matt. 25:1). Therefore, the fulfillment of the Parable of the Ten Virgins will shorly follow that of the preceding Parable of the Two Servants (Matt. 24:45-51). Well, when will that be? Who are the servants in charge, and who is their master?

For centuries churches have taught that Jesus Christ is the Master of His parable, but this understanding is collapsing before our very eyes in today's end times. He has prophesied that the end of the age, when He would rapture us home to heaven, would come once the gospel of salvation through Him got spread throughout the whole inhabitable earth for a testimony to all peoples (Matt. 24:14). My problem with the traditional church teaching is as follows: what if the evil servant in charge should prevent world evangelism so that Christ should never return? Well, in that case, Jesus Christ obviously was not the master of His parable. Hebrew and Aramaic grammar can shed light on this.

In English, we usually speak of classes of things in the plural unless we use collective nouns. The same was true of Greek, yet Hebrew and Aramaic were exceptions. In those two tongues, there is a "general (use of the) masculine singular" as we see in Psalm 1, in which a righteous (man) in Hebrew represents righteous people ("am) in general. In the Parable of the Two Servants (Matt. 24:45-51), the general masculine singular "master," "wise and faithful servant," and "evil servant" have been retained upon translation to Greek and English rather than receiving grammatrically correct plural translations to preserve the meaning of the text. The verb "dichotome^sei" (will cut asunder) could merely mean "will categorize" if the evil servant were presented naturally in the plural in Matt. 24:51. By leaving the general masculine singular forms intact upon translation to Greek, Saint Matthew makes it completely clear to us that, yes, the master(s) will most certainly cut the evil servant(s) to pieces. Now that we understand the general masculine singular, I examine the plural meanings of the master and each servant in charge.

If the master be not Jesus, he must have entrusted the servants in charge of his wealth or at least now hold the position to return and judge them. Only the people, or successors threof, who entrusted the servants in charge of the goods of God's people and responsible to nourish them can then be this master. Furthermore, when this master returns, he must recognize faithful service and entrust the good servant with all his goods: who is so incredibly generous today? Furthermore, he must conceal his intentions to return to the evil servant unawares, do so in good times, cut him to pieces, understand how the evil servant was hypocritical and assign him his portion of the hypocrites, cast him out knowing the weeping and gnashing of teeth to result, and beat or flog the evil servant according to the servant's conscience (Luke's account). The text to condemn the evil servant is Matt. 7:7 to refute the spiritual claims of every pastor who browbeat his needy while he lived it up. By putting his needy down when they made requests, the evil servant has caused them to sin habitually (worth a curse, Matt. 18:5-7) by putting aside Jesus' commands not to worry but to ask, seek, and knock. In light of the general use of the Hebrew or Aramaic masculine singular forms, the master, if not Jesus, over servants, represent the following situations...

Board of elders (master) over pastor, treasurer, Sunday school teacher;
State legislature or accreditation board (master) over psychiatrists, corrections officers, physicians, psychiatric gatekeepers, etc.;
HR Department (master) over hospital billing staff, nurses, etc.;
College of cardinals (master) over Roman Catholic bishops (servants);
Head of the United Methodist Church (master) over itinerant ministers;

and so on. Still, this judgement cannot happen yet because these masters still have today's laws to fear, laws against aggravated assault and battery. Remember, in order to return as master, each of these gatherings in power must be able to amputate the evil servants, so literal a word in the Greek as to make Matthew retain the general masculine singular of Hebrew in Greek translation to preserve its meaning of cutting into pieces, of absolute amputations, perhaps just one, perhaps several amputations. Furthermore, from Luke's account they must have the power and will to beat the crying evil servants already kicked out severely according to the content of the conscience of each. How the various masters will gain their rights to impose these corporal punishments, judgements of Scripture, I leave to the Lord Almighty. (Lord's Prayer)

Next, after all this has happened, the Parable of the Virgins will be fulfilled as the church worship industry dies and loses its buildings. The five wise virgins with extra oil represent believers, such as churchgoers, with salvation and sufficient obedience to Jesus to be received into house churches. In contrast, the five foolish virgins represent lukewarm so-called or backslidden Christians who believe or go to church for social reasons and are unwilling to desist from sin in order to stay welcome at a house church. When the Kingdom of Heaven moves out of the dedicated church buildings and into house churches to meet in mundane places, will the social churchgoers indeed feel locked out! And thus our "extra oil" represents sanctification beyond the oil in the lamps, justification. Lastly, the wedding banquet will occur then in the house churches if not after the Rapture in heaven.

Finally, the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30) will be fulfilled as masters call their rank-and-file stewards to account. Each steward, each of us in charge of wealth of our own, however little, has been entrusted to make a profit according to our abilities. The good stewards or servants (not necessarily in charge of people) will have profits to show their masters, their rich friends of Luke 16 if not Jesus Christ in heaven. The lazy servants have failed to do what was right: to trade with their wealth and make profits. Perhaps the load of seventy-six pounds avordupois of silver was too heavy for the lazy to carry; soldiers who drop their seventy-pound rucksacks are those most likely to get killed because others have to carry their packs for them. Perhaps his experience is with funerals and burials rather than in trading; perhaps he does not trust in his master's return, thinking instead, "He won't ever come back. When he dies, I won't trust his heirs; they won't know what I have hidden to free myself." In the worst case, however, the lazy servants say they never had money to invest. In that case, I, Kevin Douglas Rosenberg, prophet of Luke 16, or some ally of mine, shall be their master if the faithful servants answer to their rich friends then instead of to Jesus Christ after the Rapture.

I will tell the hard-lot lazy servants that they had Luke 16:1-13 in their bibles; how come they contented themselves with financially limited congregations despising Jesus' commands to generosity as they hewed to their Budgets? Very few of them indeed in Christ can say they never had the chance to read this passage, only that no one led them to it. I will be far less sympathetic toward those lazy servants who did not have such a problem as incarceration yet still ignored Jesus' clear command to make friends with the rich people of the world so that people might welcome us into everlasting dwellings if we lost our homes and so that our congregations might be granted the wealth for our ministries. And the profitable servants will be commended by their grantors while the lazy servants get stripped of their little wealth and possessions and cast out into the outer darkness of homelessness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Yes, the lazy servants content to serve God by themselves with what they have will lose it all, and that will be given to the best stewards.

By obeying Luke 16, we may know the rich people of the world, and they may let us in on their investment advice. In contrast, the proud among us who avoid the rich will make dumb investments such as gambling. Therefore, faithfulness even in the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16:1-13 is even more important than investment advice for hard-earned money.

I wish you all the best of luck in these end times as we get our houses in order for these awesome events.

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin D. Rosenberg

(reply here; e-mail is exclusive of junk mail)



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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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The “secret” (Death of the seed)

In the parable of the leaven and the dough, Jesus uses the reaction between the two as an example of how fruit production is brought forth by the believer. A woman “hid” yeast in a ball of dough and soon a mystical story was told. What was that story? Somebody had done something that caused a mystical, noticeable change. The idea is that you could see the results.

Bear in mind that this analogy is linked to the idea of sowing and reaping by virtue of that very idea being found in Mark chapter four where Jesus in his doctrine is talking about seeds and ground, and candles under bushels.

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.
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.

Can you see how that this scripture ties the leaven and the dough parable with Mark chapter four? Leaven (hypocrisy) was hidden in the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees much like yeast in dough. The subsequent results are covered in terminology that’s very similar to Mark chapter four.

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Marks account says “for there is nothing hid that shall not be manifest, neither was anything kept secret but that it should come abroad”.

What’s Jesus saying?

Hypocrisy was played out in them in living color. It’s like a radio station playing music in the background. Everybody could hear the music on a subconscious level but they-the scribes and Pharisees-were too sly to ever get caught out in the open. And yet they were outed. Everybody KNEW that they were hypocrites. Though, nobody ever said anything about it due to fear. They couldn’t help but to manifest the contents of their hearts in the presence of people. Truly their lights were shinning. BUT SHINNING WHAT? Hypocrisy. Jesus said “take heed that the light which is in you be not darkness”…

Ok, enough with all of the metaphoric talk. Why would this be? What is the underlying principle at work here that makes this all work? Allow me to share with you what I think is at play here. I think that if you see it in a certain light then the light will be turned on indeed, and the idea of “secrecy” and “hiddenness” or as one person called it “crypticness” will be dispelled.

Look at these synonymous terms used by Jesus that seem to be the catalyst or activator of what is a work here.

Hid
Concealed
Kept secret
Covered
Planted
BURIED

Did you notice the last one? BURIED? Does that get you thinking?

I once noticed when looking at these words in a concordance, the similarity between these words and DEATH or the dying process. Why death? For instance the expression “nothing kept secret”. Do you know what the meaning of the word secret is (found in this context)? It comes from the word for CRYPT, a cellar. As in tomb, burying place, vault, secret chamber for housing something that is dead. But it’s a “secret” place.

All right, what does that have to do with anything?

Do you remember doubting Thomas? Did you know that he too wrote a gospel? Now, I’m not either endorsing or pooh-poohing it, he was one of the twelve, and he was there in the upper room when the Holy Spirit was given, but I’d probably choose the latter (dude really was backwards). But get this. He said:

“THERE IS NOTHING BURIED THAT WILL NOT BE RAISED”.

WOW, I think that’s a bombshell. That confirms what is really being said.

But still how does that apply to us?

Jesus said:

John 12:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Paul said:

1 Corinthians 15:36
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

A lot of Christians are TRYING to get things to come to pass in their lives. THAT’S WHERE WE ARE GOING WRONG! Can you see that when we pray for something and receive the word of his promise, that we must allow it to DIE?

To me that means that I have to resign to the fact that it’s is impossible for me to bring it to pass. I must cast the care of it over on God. I must enter into the rest that Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 refer to. We must “cease from our own works as God did from his”. And it’s a PERCEPTION. If you perceive that you have to do something on your part other then praying and invoking God, than your perception is one of working and not of resting I.E. Dying to the works of the flesh, as we’re supposed to do. Subsequently, the seed never dies, and we are locked in a state of forever barren.

Now look at the idea of “hiding” something. A person who is hiding something IS NOT TRYING TO GET IT TO COME TO PASS. A person who is “keeping something secret” (within his heart) is not TRYING to reveal it.

With the idea of the death of the seed in mind we can see that the idea of “hiding” or “covering” something up isn’t a tongue in cheek expression. It’s not any kind of reverse psychology. It’s literally dropping that thing into the hands of God and leaving it with him.

Look at the two examples given in scripture that support this idea of killing the seed for the sake of invoking growth.

Abraham’s son Isaac was around twenty years old when God ordered him to offer his son as a sacrifice. Why on earth would God demand such a thing? Abraham was so faithful and diligent to believe God for this miracle child and yet God demanded that he offer him as a sacrifice? I submit that there is magic when a person resigns to something being impossible to them. Some will say “but with God all things are possible”. Yes but the idea of killing something in order for it to grow is Gods idea. Is it not found in nature? Is it not found all around us? Everything that we see in the botanical kingdom has come forth from a seed that died and was buried. And yet this idea of the death of something is not found in our understanding of faith.

The other example is that of Jesus. He lived a perfect life as the “Word” of God and yet he deemed it necessary to play out the death of the seed scenario so that we could be the fruit of his faith. Notice where he leaves the earth-in the tomb. Some will say “but he was raised from the dead”. Yes I believe that too. However, it requires faith to believe that. The only ones who ever saw Jesus thereafter were the true believers.

Might identifying with Jesus’ life, place us in the tomb right along with him? He died fOR us you know.

The beautiful thing about it is how we can go on a journey with the son of God and be dropped off right along with him in his burial chamber (secret place). We can become “hidden” in him. But remember “there is nothing hid that will not be manifest”. “There is nothing buried that will not be raised”. Can you see how that all of the teachings of the kingdom have overtones to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus? All of this and we don’t even have to literally die!

Let me put this in common vernacular without using kingdom terms.

Jesus in his sinless life was in communication with the father all of his life. Jesus by the spirit of wisdom considered the seed. He noticed that when it dies and is covered by soil, it invokes a mystical response from the spirit of resurrection. Mother Nature-so to speak, monitors all seeds that die, are carried by the wind and deposited in the earth. In sequence he goes to work to raise it from the dead.

GOD ALMIGHTY, MOTHER NATURE, THE SPIRIT OF RESSURECTION IS A LOVE SLAVE TO SOMETHING THAT IS DEAD AND BURIED. HE CAN’T RESIST RAISING IT TO LIFE!

But get this. The thing that makes a seed grow is the fact that it’s a recipient of a promise given to it in Genesis. That promise being, “when you are dead and buried, I will raise you up” (my paraphrasing). BUT IT’S THE WORD OF HIS PROMISE THAT’S BEING PERFORMED.

Jesus knew that you don’t need a piece of cellulosic material to invoke a response from the spirit of Mother Nature (resurrection life). In other words you can dupe the spirit of eternal life to raise you up if you will but mimic a seed that’s dead and buried.

Can you see how it’s a miracle when a seed which has been in a pyramid for thousands of years is planted, and yet springs to life? IT’S IMPOSSIBLE THAT THAT HAPPENED! And yet it does everyday! A seed is an impossibility made possible.

MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERY DAY! But you must know how to illicit a response from this mystical being-the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

Now, the idea of being baptized into his death makes sense:) (Big smile).

Romans chapter 6 says:
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Does that sound familiar?

5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Can you see it? In Christ we are planted in the earth with him. We are mimicking the idea of a planted seed. Then, as supernaturally as a seed is moved upon by the spirit of Mother Nature-GOD, and raised from the dead, WE ARE TOO!

Somebody might say “yeah, but I’ve done all of that and God still leaves me in the cesspool”.

Have you hid your candle?

WHAT?

Jesus said in Mark chapter 4:

21And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.


Have you proactively RESISTED works of the flesh? Strivings? Busy work? “Acting your faith” (as holy as this sounds it’s not scriptural, all that it is, is carrying the care. The one scripture that refers to the actions of faith refers to helping a hungry indigent person vs. saying “be thou clothed and fed”. Give em some money!). Have you become the candle hidden under the bushel basket of the enclosed prayer closet? Notice that Jesus said bed. “Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a BED”? Why, a bed?

A BED IS SOMETHING THAT YOU REST ON. YOU REST ON THE PRINCIPLE OF THE HIDDEN CANDLE, HENCE CANDLE UNDER A BED. It all takes place in the darkness of your bedroom-that’s what was in Jesus’ mind when he spoke these things. Then, you rest in humbleness I.E. DYING to attempts to bring it to pass. If you pray for financial help, don’t go out and buy a lottery ticket because God is so stupid that he needs your help. Do you get it?

When you pray for the Holy Spirit, resist this garbage “take one word and go with it” that's just you. You’re not even allowing your faith to grow. Trust me when the time of harvest comes you’ll know it. The Holy Spirit will "MANIFEST".

David said “he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty”. Do you want to abide there too? Then learn the secret of hiding your candle. God is well able to remove the bushel and call you out into the light and that’s what we’re looking for:)

God Bless and “tell no man”.

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thats it, brother
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Perhaps the answer you are looking for in the question, "What was lost" is
"SELF". An object such as a silver coin cannot search for itself if lost or misplaced, it must be found by the one who lost it.

The prodigal son lost himSELF, searched, and found himself. He is the one who lost something, he is the one who remembered where he put it, and he is the one who found it.
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howdy
i just wanted to say hello and thank you all very much.you have kindly supplied me with informations i have been seeking for my homework for 3 days.
thanks again and i'd love to be a regular attendant here.
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I believe that when the Good Samaritan gave the coins to the Innkeeper he established that he would return to the Inn and pay whatever amount was necesary to cover the mans needs for his injuries.
This personnally tells me that when I help someone , that I need to be ready to pay whatever price that it takes to meet that need if possible. We are called to be Good Samaritans like Jesus was, and to set that example for others.That price may be money or it may be many ours praying and talking to the person.It may be shelter or clothing.
Whatever the need may be , when we help someone are we ready to tru0ly help and pay the price?
I hope that this was helpful to you David. God Bless You.
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the smallest seed;becomes the largest tree.
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Often times when we stray away from the Body of Christ, we feel as if we can't return. We are often embarrassed and ashamed of our actions. Sometimes we feel as if God has somehow revealed to everyone the dirt that we have done. In similarity to the Prodigal Son for a while he rather stepped down from returning to his father because of the wrong he had done. He had went out and had a worldly time with his share of the wealth. He felt bad about his actions,but he knew his father, he didn't know what to expect but he knew his father. Just the same as we know the "FATHER", if you are saved, and you have fallen short, you still know God and can identify with his fogiving and loving spirit. You may not know the consequence, but you know that through the blood of Jesus, you are saved and forgiven if you go to our Lord with divine, and sincere repentance. All you have to do is call on the Father and we will restore you to your rightful place, just as the Prodigal Son was restored to his.
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Big Island, the seed is planted with the words of our mouth-spoken out loud. Apparently there is a mechanism set up within the human being that forever monitors our words and accepts them as programs. It doesn’t differentiate between good and bad, it just receives them much like the ground accepts seeds when planted, or the way yeast responds with dough.

IT’S THE NATURE OF THE WORDS DUDE! Second Corinthians chapter four says:

13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Paul quotes David and says in essence: (paraphrased) “do you recall when David said, “I believed therefore have I spoken”? Well we also have that same spirit of faith. Our faith also climaxes with a confession of the mouth.”

Jesus said a lot about our words and the affect that they have on our inner man. He talked about the faith that would speak to a mountain, sycamine tree, or uttered out loud (in the ear) in the privacy of the prayer closet.

Jesus said “if you had faith as a grain of Mustard seed you might say…” It’s very clear that he’s saying, “If you had faith as a seed, you would PLANT.

Make sense?

I hope that helps.

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Parable of the Ten Virgins is a reverse parable.
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Dear Kevin, Count it all joy, when we suffer for the Lord's Sake. God also says, revenge not yourselves, for God will Revenge! We are living in evil days, many profess His Name, but their hearts are far from Him. This battle belongs to God, but He also said, have not fellowship with the works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Onething you said that has me concerned, your judgment of 50 million dollars, in which you said, caused you to sin habitually.
Now ask yourself, has anyone suffered from the hands of man, more then our Lord?
Where would you and I be, had He required such a Judgment for you and for me?
Test the spirit, if it has caused you to sin habitually, then know, it is not of God!
Wait on the Lord, Knowing, He is true to His Word. Vengeanace is Mine saith The Lord!
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Had adult bible study about the small mustard and the large tree that it grows into. Thanks Dick Welch
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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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