It may be important to note that the younger son does not ask for his inheritance but for his share of the property. His inheritance would bring with it cultural and societial responsibility. He only wanted to cash in and then cash out to go and party. He did not want the responsibility in the community.
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The weeping and the gnashing of teeth {An Eastern expression of " Deep Grief"{ Matt.24:51; 25:30,ASV}. and this place is referred to as " the outer darkness"[ASV] in the latter parable.
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For another spin on this important parable, try...www.wordsntone.com

Peace,
Chip
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"Talents," as I translate them, are the strengths that God gives us--intellect, health, wisdom, empathy. compassion, etc. It is about what you do with those strengths--do you feed the homeless, do you help your neighbor, do you vote for taxes that benefit fire departments and schools, do you help with man with AIDS who is your neighbor with a meal? It seems to me that our talents must go toward actions that benefit our communities. I found it very hypocritical that despite the fires that ran through these wealthy foothill communities, most of these folks will still refuse to pay taxes that fund those public services that saved their homes. Talent is wasted, in my opinion.
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THis story is do be prepared for the coming of christ, be wise and bear all you have for he will accept all. The lord does not think kindly of the ones that turn blind to him or are sinners. The oil is the repersentation of reconslitation
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I believe your third explanation about Matthew 13:22 and what type of person this is, is not entirely correct. I believe they have indeed recieved the spirit and do have understanding. But the choking of the word or known as quenching of the Spirit, is done because of their cares for the world. They would rather indulge than follow the spirit in their heart therefore they choke him off from flourshing.
Like Paul says Don't take your liberty as an occasion to sin. That is this person. Thankyou for your comments on this though. I am sorry to see of the painstaking process you have had to endure. This is the patience and endurance of the Elect (Saints). God has blessed you with redemption friend what more do we need from this world.

Brother in Christ

James
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the smallest seed;becomes the largest tree.
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Mt. 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.
This is so simple...
The leaven represents the Holy Ghost
The three measures of meal is man - body, soul, spirit
When we receive the Kingdom of God within us, we are changed until we become whole, one in Him
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Point #2
(2) Being able to see one another, we see that they must have had bodies that were visible to one another. The rich man could still see, speak (to God), and feel the pain of his torment.

The comment should be "to Abraham" rather that "to God"

Simply another reminder that I am as fallible as the next man.

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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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Only people who has the Holy spirit will understand the spiritual matter. May the Lord open your heart to understand
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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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the parable of good samaritan is very interesting topic because what good deeds do we want to do is in the topic.and we know that love is very important in this world and without this is everywhere is chaos.
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our theater group has been staging passion plays for the past 30 years. Our theme for this year is about faith, we need to know more about the mustard seed and mustard plant. if you could possibly give us a picture of the plant and seed and what is its significance to faith perse as described in the parable. thanks and more power. God bless
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I am doing a report on the Prodigal Son for my Christian Ethics class and we have to answer some questions and i can't seem to find nething that i can use. Can someone help me?
Here are the questions:

A) What is the setting of the Parable?
B) What everyday event or happening is this parable modelled around?
C) List and explain all the symbols in this parable.
D) In what way does this parable relate to the Kingdom of God?
-describe God's Kingdom?
-tell how we should live if we are to build God's Kingdom?
-tell of the future coming of God's Kingdom?
-describe God?
E) What does this parable tell us about the Reign or Kingdom of God?
D) What does this parable teach us today?

If someone could help me out, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks
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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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I've heard it said this way "Use your time, talent and treasure for God". The scriptures support this:

TIME:
1 Peter 4:1-3 ...he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have SPENT ENOUGH TIME in the past doing what pagans choose to do...
(Peter is exhorting us to use our remaining TIME to do God's will, not to fulfill the evil human desires of our will. Don't jump to hasty conclusions or be moved by other peoples condemnations, read the scriptures thoroughly to discern God's will).

TALENT:
1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use WHATEVER GIFT HE HAS RECEIVED to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (Peter then goes on to list some of those 'various forms')

TREASURE:
2 Cor. 8:7 ...see that you EXCEL IN THIS GRACE (gift) OF GIVING.
(In light of all the scriptures there is no reason to think this only applied to the Corinthian church he was speaking to.)

As our character becomes more and more like Jesus's character we will become more and more productive in the things that Christians do. In
2 Peter 1:5-7 Peter lists the qualities of Godly, Christlike character. Then he goes on to say in verse 8: "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, THEY (these qualities) WILL KEEP YOU FROM BEING INEFFECTIVE AND UNPRODUCTIVE IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." (Godly character is what will equip you to 'produce', and bring 'increase', the very things we are exhorted to do in the parables.)

The seed sown and the talent entrusted is the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our responsibility is to let that knowledge grow and increase into active, visible deeds as God himself gives increase.

God develops the very character of Jesus within us, character that can't help but to be expressed in the righteous deeds of the Spirit. God changes WHAT we do by changing WHO we are.

Hope this is what you were looking for.






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what is the significance of the two silver coins when the good samaritan gives them to the man in the inn?
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Jesus gives the example of the Good Samaritan for us to pattern ourselves after when it comes to loving our neighbor and other points of living.Anyone can be a Good Samaritan if Jesus is in your Heart and you are operating from the Love that he gives you.Help others . Not just the ones that you know , but be ready to share his love and Charity with all.
God Bless You,
chris
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Hey, Rick......I don't know you personally, but I saw you were from home town, I thought I would say hello. I go to Spanish River and have lived in Boca 32 years now. How 'bout you?
There are quite a few interesting comments on this web-site. I think it's neat how people break stuff down and look for meanings. Like, "what do the sandals represent?"
I've been the prodigal son recently. got really off track. wheh! I mean really off track. It's so wonderful to be able to come to God with a broken and contrite heart and accept His forgiveness. What a pleasure being back in fellowship. Let me hear from you.
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In fact, the father did "reinstate" the son to his former place - that is the significance of the giving of the ring and the sandals. Servants did not wear sandals, and would certainly not have been given rings. These gestures indicated the father's full acceptance of the son "back into the fold".
You are probably right that the son came home out of desperation... sometimes, that's what it takes to effect a turnabout in one's life.
Each son had something to learn... the father's love extended beyond what either considered fair or "expected".
As far as each "righteous" person is concerned, when it comes to God, there is good news and bad news.
The bad news is - we don't get what we deserve.
The good news is - we don't get what we deserve.

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

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i am currently doing an assignment in school on biblical parables. i was wondering if you had a simplified childrens version that i could get hold of. thank you
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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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Big Island,

Look at the word axiomatic. It means: A self-evident principle or one that is accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument; a postulate.

Notice the expression “self-evident”.

I once read that if a certain muscle contains a lot of a certain nutrient, then it’s axiomatic that that nutrient is necessary for the function of that muscle.

What is the “secret”?

If I drive through a farming community and observe a farmer out planting seeds, we call that farming. He’s planting seeds for the sake of reaping a harvest.

Jesus took this idea and by the wisdom of God extracted the things out of it that makes it work, and then applied it to himself. He also taught others how to do it. In essence, HE PUT IT ON. HE PUT IT IN THE FIRST PERSON. He put on the principle of sowing and reaping.

When we look at a farmer, HE IS FARMING. When we attempt to use same the principle upon ourselves it’s called…..Drum roll please!

“KEEPING A SECRET”.

This entire hullabaloo about seeds and candles under bushels is merely Jesus’ teaching on faith and how it works. The subject matter is FAITH.

He’s saying that when we pray to God for something we have to declare it a “SECRET”. We literally say it out loud “heavenly father I declare it a divine “secret”; that I have received such and such (-whatever you have asked for in prayer), by faith, and I will not attempt in any way to exalt myself though attempts to bring this to light. It will remain a secret forever”.

The term SECRET is axiomatic to the principle itself. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING TO SHOW UP IN YOUR LIFE, YOU HAVE TO DECLARE IT A SECRET, AND THEN KEEP IT A SECRET FROM THE WORLD AROUND YOU. Anything less is going the opposite direction-the direction of mans reward-PEW! (lordy thaz nassy.)

YOU DON’T WANT THAT. Mans reward is not always good. If you want Gods reward then you have to declare it a “secret” and then keep it a secret from the world around you.

Apparently the human heart or spirit is a revealer of “secrets”. But you have to establish a secret in prayer and then maintain the secrecy.

Why would that be?

Job 28:21
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

When we seal Gods word within our hearts/spirits, we are “hiding” it from the fowls of the air that Jesus taught were the satanic forces in this world that want to devour that seed.

“Hiding” is synonymous with “secret” or “keeping a secret” (it’s merely a metaphor for planting). We are in essence hiding the Word of God within our hearts behind a pane of proverbial glass that all hell wants to come into for the sake of devouring the seed. As long as we keep it secret, we are keeping it in a place where Satan can’t get in and devour it. If we attempt to take it to the world through helping ourselves to mans reward I.E. self exaltation, we open the door to the devil and HE TAKES IT TO US.

When we take it to the world through “acting our faith”-WRONG, THE WORLD AND THE DEVIL, TAKES IT TO US (BAD).This would be accounted for by the expression “the cares of this world ENTERING IN, chokes the word and it becometh unfruitful”. Found in the parable of the sower. The cares of this world-worrying about how to “act your faith”-has to “enter in”. It can’t’ enter in when we have no connection or ties to the world by virtue of sealing off attempts to bring it to pass ourselves.

When we stack the various overtones of hiddeness over our lives we lock ourselves in the “secret place of the most high” as David said. It then is just a matter of time before God exalts us into the open. But it’s a lifestyle not a temporary fad.

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.

In the Old Testament a man demanded to know the name of the angel that was standing before him representing God. What did the angel say his name was? “Why do you ask me my name seeing it is SECRET” was the angels/Gods response.

This is axiomatic as to how God works in this earth. He wants to be hidden within our hearts and kept a secret. Again why? Because the human spirit is a culminator of sorts, it’s a revealer of secrets much like ground grows seeds that are planted. If God is held within our hearts in this hidden mode, there will come a time when he can show up in our lives I.E. MANIFEST. But until then, he beckons to be regarded as a secret-a planted seed.

I hope this helps.

Tell know man.

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ok, once again, don't take my word as gospel for this but i feel that God is telling me something here.

1. i honestly have no idea why this parably was only recorded by luke. maybe it touched luke in a different way than it touched the others, but i have no idea.

2. i think that the father might have symbolised God in this parable and considering there is only 1 god and there is no Mrs God, then maybe there is no need for a mother.

3. for sure, this story has many parallels and i think that it relates to many other stories in the bible as well.

4. i feel that the prodigal son was treated better than when he left. he was treated as royalty and we can see this by the gifts that the fther gives him. shoes for the feet, the ring, and the best robes.

5. the older son didn't get a party, because he already had everything that the father owned. would you want a party every time you see a non-christian come to the Lord? i'm not havinmg a dig at u here but im just showing how this relates to other examples in life.

once again, don't take my word for gospel, but i hope this gives u a better view of things

thanx
scott
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This statement is wrong, sorry. I retract it.
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im not here to reply i just want to tell you that the morals of islam agree completley with the teachings of jesus , you only have to study it careful by yourslef and dont believe what your media tells you .
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Denny,

I honestly didn't intend to leave the impression that we are praying to ourselves but I guess I did. And in a sense, any time we try to "establish our hearts" in something (be it good or ill), we mix repetition and emotion.

In some circles, it's called "positive affirmations". All it is, is self-talk. The world blasts us with negative self-images all the time. Really, the church does too (but that's a topic for another post).

Television and radio advertising conditions us to believe certain ways. The beliefs of our hearts drive what we spend our money on. Advertisers mix repetition and emotion through the senses. This sensual stimulation is designed to make us feel a certain way. Then it is repeated over and over until it becomes a pattern in us. When that pattern is laid down, the course of our lives follows.

We do the same thing as Christians. We immerse ourselves in the word because we it makes us feel good. We worship God because it feels great! We pray for the same thing over and over - not to convince God to do something He was originally unwilling to do, but to open up our hearts to the truth that we "have received" His blessing.

Mark 11:24 (NIV) says - "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Jesus said "... believe that you HAVE RECEIVED it and it will be yours". Well, I don't know about you, but that doesn't come easily to guys like me. Think about it - I don't have it but I'm praying to God believing that I already have it. That's not altogether intuitive, ya know?

Paul said - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil 4:6 NIV)

Did you ever pray with anxiety? I did. "God please have mercy!" That's really not the "kingdom way" to pray, is it? "Do not be anxious" but pray and petition - WITH THANKSGIVING! Thanking God for what? I'm just guessing - I'm no bible scholar - but I'd say we should be thanking God for the very thing(s) we were praying and petitioning about. "Dear God thank you for prospering me as my soul has been prospered. Now I can pay the rent." But your bank account is zero. God is good and He does deliver us from harm. He who trusts in the Lord shall not be disappointed.

Kingdom thinking is NOT intuitive but we get good at it after awhile. Fully trusting in God's grace is a challenge but it's not hard. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. His commandments are not grievous. And none of this is automatic. We spend time renewing our minds, don't we.

We conform to the world’s pattern when we pray with anxiety or think we've got to change God's mind about something. We are transformed when we renew our minds with "kingdom thinking". We "fully persuade" our hearts to receive the bounty of the kingdom of God - to believe God's promises by walking in His abundant life.

We condition our hearts the same way we've always conditioned them. We mix belief and emotion then we repeat it so that it gets down in our hearts, "GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!"

Denny, if you do that, you will be light years ahead of everybody you go to church with (unless you go to a MOST unusual church). If you get in your heart that God will not fail you, your study of His word will change. Things will begin to jump off the page. I know. It happened to me :)

God is NOT holding out on you. The good news is that God is not some "unjust judge" withholding His blessings. The apostle Paul understood that because he said, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32

God has come to our rescue (past tense). All we have to do is start believing it.

Or so it seems to me,
Rob




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Do you think that there are consequences for our sin? Is it possible, for example, that health problems can be a direct result or consequence for a life of eating junk food?
I'm dealing with a rebelious kid... he's lied, then we've caught him and he's apologized. Then he's lied again. Again, we've caught him later on and he's apologized. Each time, we've gone straight back to having the arms wide open like the father in this story. But it keeps happening again and again. The kid says that he's sorry and that he's been like the prodigal son and we must forgive him because that's what God wants us to do. And forgive, I will gladly do. However, trust is another thing completely... and I'm really struggling with understanding how the "unconditional forgiveness" fits into the whole picture. Does God want us to continue to put ourselves in the position of being lied to and yelled at over and over again? Is that healthy and a part of loving people like He does?
And I'm wondering, are we projecting an attitude onto the older son that was never expressed in Scripture? I think that the older son must have seen how hurt the father had been during the time that his younger son was gone. And that must've hurt him too. And I think that there is the part in me (as the older son type) that wants to know that there is a reason that I'm following hard after God and being faithful to my family and to the things He has called me to. If living life for myself and giving into my ungodly desires has no consequence, then why shouldn't I indulge myself? See, the difference I see between the two sons is that one gave into the sinful desires and another held strong because of his faith in God and his love for his father. It's not a sin to be tempted - heck, Jesus Christ was tempted in the New Testament. What IS a sin though, is when we give in to those desires.
How do I PRACTICALLY respond to the prodigal son... especially when it's hard to tell if he's really returned? After the arms wide open and the party and the ring... what then? PLEASE HELP ME!!!
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Greetings,

Are you the same Chris Godwin who lived in Dunwoody and went to Peachtree High in Georgia?

Please respond,

--Jay Sawyer
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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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My conscience simply will not let me solicit the friendship of someone (saved or unsaved) just to realize some financial gain for myself or the ministry. The thought of it is completely contrary to what God has been teaching me about what reaching out in true love really is. I can't think of a more selfish way to use somebody.

Partiality and favortism is at the very heart of our sinful nature--entertaining people for whatever benefit they can provide. That is precisely the 'old man' I want to see crucified.

Thank God that He (God) did not do that to me, leaving me an example to follow. Just when I had nothing to offer Him, He saved me:

"...because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRANSGRESSIONS..." (Ephesians 2:4)

"You see, at just the right time, when we WERE STILL POWERLESS, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)

One of my favorite scriptures that almost always causes me to well up in tears is Luke 14:12-14 (THIS is the very heart of God!)

"...When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, OR YOUR RICH NEIGHBORS; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, INVITE THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED, THE LAME, THE BLIND, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, YOU WILL BE REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS."

God, create in me THIS kind of love that you might be glorified and my joy will be complete.

"...the ONLY thing that counts is faith EXPRESSING ITSELF THROUGH LOVE." (Galatians 5:6)
















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I think this story gives us the clearest explanation in the bible of what happens to a person after they die
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Hello,
I am also just starting a CGS Program here in the Sacramento area. Could you please forward the photo of the mustard tree. I am having a difficult time locating one for the class. Thank you so much! God bless, Christine
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The text of the good Samaritan story does not say whether the man is Jewish or Gentile or Samaritan or anything. The greek uses an indefinite pronoun, so the best translation is "certain man". One may infer that he was Jewish because he was traveling from Jerusalem (a place Samaritans wouldn't be welcome), but it is not certain.
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Hello; When Christ was on earth the first time there were two major religious parities in Judaism--the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were the fundamental legalists. They believed the letter of the law. They believed in a future resurrection, in angels, and in the spirit realities. The Sadducees though were more liberal in their theology. They rejected any thought of a future resurrection, and they didn't believe in angels or in spirit realities [ Acts 23:8 ]

But the Pharisees and the Sadducees did have one thing in common. Neither would have anything to do with the message surrounding the proffered kingdom [Matt. 16:1-6 ]

The Pharisees followed Christ about the country, seeking to counter the signs being manifested , and seeking to bring about unbelief on the part of the people. They formed, by far, the largest religious sect in Israel. And, because of there numbers, they held undisputed sway over the people and masses. The sadducees were the second largest sect in Israel and sometimes joined themselves with the pharisees who controlled the religious like of the nation. They sat "in Moses seat" [Matt.23:1,2]. I hope this helps , Bye.....
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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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I wanted to know if Mildred Dean Windham who emailed your website July 25th, 2003 if she was able to get a copy of the mustard tree, story or legeng of the mustard tree. If so where could I get that information.
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This parable teaches us about persistance and how God wants us to pray, pray, pray, and ask, ask, ask for what we need. Look at the context of the whole chapter when reading this. The man most likely lived in a one room home, as was common in the time and country spoken of in the chapter. It would have stirred everyone else in the home, but because the friend was (importune = urge or beg persistantly) the friend who had rose up anyhow and gave. Prayer works people! Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.

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Webmaster,
Yesssss! Love it! Like we're all trying to get into that BAD heaven. I used to call that hell!

The operative word is LOGICAL.

If the kingdom of heaven is BAD as Bighouse5 is implying by his statements (if we LOGICALLY state them for him), then what about the BAD heaven that was a BAD man seeking BAD pearls? Matt 13:45 The BAD man that sowed BAD seed so that the really BAD tares could make it worse? Matt 13:24 The BAD Word coming from the BAD kingdom? I don't think that God's Word is BAD! Matt 13:19 The BAD mustard seed of the BAD woman whose BAD branches hide all those BAD birds? Matt 13:31, How about the good seeds of the BAD kingdom? Matt 13:38, The BAD treasure in a field? Who wants to search for a BAD treasure? Matt 13:44 The BAD net gathering all those good and BAD fishes so that the good can be separated forever from the BAD? Matt 13:47

This negativity lacks inspiration. Inspiration is uplifting and GOOD.

No, you're not confused or missing something, Webmaster. Bighouse5 has missed the point and hasn't logically thought this through. You're a scholar and a gentle man. YOU understand.


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parable of the Ten virigins, is just that get the MESSAGE.Sometimes, we as christians try to follow the letter of the law and not the holy spirit.I believe is about the anti-christ,the raputure, israel, belivers.This parable can be use for all, depending on where he or she is at the time....It is message to me and others Get right!!Get Ready!!To Go Home!! No man knows the day or hour the son of man coming....When is the end of time when is the rapture. My question is when is my personal end of time. my death we, me may die before the rapture, before end of time come...

Many times we behave pharisee and sadicucess. we do enough to get by, to pass not get thrown out, just little oil in my cup, just pay my tithes and church require offering or minium or matching 10%......

We say or works, and deed speak for us,i dont need to do more have extra oil, annoited life, we like the parable rich young rulers, ive keept all the commandemts since my Youth....I ve been doing good practical all my life we so proudly and pitously boost running down our list of things accomplishment we have done... Are we , me and you ready when Jesus comes with this unexpected request Sell everything and follow me...Jesus u asking for to much, ive done all require, like 5 foolish virgins we say we half lamp of oil, there is more i am to do, 5 wise were ready they were physical and spirtual faithful virgins, not only were the virgins physcially in there body where some one could see, but they were spirtual and had the annoting to prove it, power through testiomony expreience, trial test tribuliation pass the test, the 5 foolish were keeping themselves

pure....in church, in temple, praying long prayers, quoting,studying history that was good, but they miss Jesus the one they were preparing for the groom their future, the mansion their paradise because they had no extra oil, couldnt borrow it, it must be earn oil is made through press,they had to go through hard pressure exprenice to recive this annoiting oil......
.Oh my brothers, sisters and lil children, boys and girls , teenager , my Soul cries out To God our lord, our husbandman, prepare us the bride of Christ to be right, to be without wrinkle or spot, and
Study to show ourself approve and with all our Wisdom get an Understand so we can Stand with You at our Personal Appoint Judgment day and Hear You say Well done my Good and Faithful Servant .............


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One thing I am reminded of while I was reading through your messages was, not hiding the lamp under the bowl, but letting the light shine. Does everyone remember the concept of not hiding the light and letting our light shine? The last servant was scorned because he had buried into the world whatever the master had entrusted.
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And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.


I think Jesus might be talking about other than an Earthly fold here. He could be acknowledging lineage other than Adams, which he is the God of. It might be something worth considering.

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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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Rob

That was really good! I’m all ears.

A good example that would support what you’re saying would be the fact that Jesus said in Mark chapter Four “the earth brings forth fruit of herself”.

The earth is the human heart (our own). Jesus also said “things spoken in darkness will be heard in the light” and scripture supports that it’s your own spirit that’s radiating it outward-like a ball of dough manifesting yeast or becoming leavened (YOU CAN SEE IT!). And yet Jesus said “your HEAVENLY FATHER will reward you openly”.

Jesus taught that the human spirit acts as a candle or a light. I call it the overhead projector that projects things onto the canvas of our lives. But you’ve picked up on the fact that there’s a mystical parallel between the human heart and our heavenly father. Someone might be tempted to conclude that WE are GOD, but no I think the real meaning is that we were designed to be a type of mirror that reflects the glory of God (a chandelier?). God has sent the light of his word into the world and for those who allow it to “dwell in them richly”, that light will hit that inner mirror and be refracted into the world around us. Hence God uses this refracting property of mans heart as his M.O.

So, then the question is, just who is this unjust judge? FYI, I’m not saying that God is the unjust judge. What I was saying is that if this small, worldly insignificant woman can instill such torment into the heart of a human of great worldly stature through the use of this idea (it’s the idea of faith found in the new testament), then HOW MUCH MORE can we get results from one who is NOT proactively resisting us.

Both the man who came for bread at midnight and the widow came boldly DEMANDING that their petition be granted. Notice it had nothing to do with friendship, worldly status, or lack thereof; it had to do with BRAZENESS. That’s the word that comes closest to the real meaning of the word that was translated “importunity”. The real meaning of the word is WITHOUT BASHFULNESS. It’s the same idea found in the parable of the widow and unjust judge.

OK, but how about your point that we’re really in a sense praying to our own spirit and our own spirit is the putrid judge? Frankly I agree with you on that. But the question arises; do we need to go that far into the interpretation of this parable to reach some kind of understanding of it? Well your thinking is good! But I just don’t know if Jesus intended for us to analyze this analogy to that degree. But then that’s what we always say.

All that I can say right now is that I’ll have to look into that. I heard what you said and will take it seriously. But I like the way that you attempted to keep the underlying parallels of the kingdom in tacked when breaking this down.

Right now I think it’s merely an example of holy boldness and the refusal to capitulate upon the promises that we’ve received from God. It would also underscore the fact that prayer is based on covenant rights not wishy washy gravelling or begging as though were dogs under the table. HEY, didn’t Jesus say something similar to a woman who he ended the conversation with GREAT IS YOUR FAITH?

Rob keep up the good work. You’re an inspiration! And I’ll continue to look at it in the light that you’ve laid down.

God bless:)

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Luke 10: 25-37--
The love God teaches not only needs to be read or kept in my mind but must be shared thru our actions towards others. A simple
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No. They wer bridesmaids. Read about Eastern marriage customs.
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