Is it true that when the small mustard seed is planted should grow into a large garden plant instead of a tree....?
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Allow me if you will to have some fun at Jesus’ expense (don’t worry I know him). As I’ve spent many hours meditating in the parables of the Kingdom. Many analogies have come to me that I feel Jesus might use, if he were in the earth today. Don’t worry I don’t think I’m Jesus and I’m trying to be half cute, so just humor me. Just consider what I’m saying in the analogies below and just decide if this might be what Jesus was saying.

It’s not the Word of God and you have the right to disagree. But didn’t Jesus use analogies taken from his surroundings to illustrate a point? So then it’s an excellent way to teach.

HEARKEN, BEHOLD! (Ooh, that’s good already)

The Kingdom God is likened unto an overhead projector upon which a teacher laid a transparency, she flipped a switch and mysteriously an image appeared on the wall. And all the children said yea!

Again the Kingdom of God is likened unto a very slow computer, upon which a man had typed an Internet web address, he hit enter and waited many days even months. One day he noticed that the site had come up!

Again the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a caterpillar, which spun a cocoon. After many days he was transformed and emerged a beautiful butterfly.

WHOSEVER DESIRES TO UNDERSTAND LET HIM NOW UNDERSTAND!

Now the parables are this: The overhead projector is the heart of a man. The transparency represents the past tense realities of Gods word-his promises that are offered to us. Flipping the switch represents the time in which we “believe” his promise “present tense”-“now” (Mark ll: 24 “when ye pray”).

Notice that the transparency is lying upon the overhead projector. That’s the way the Word of God is with some people. They have a lot of head knowledge but have never confessed in prayer that they “believe”-it is now theirs-in the prayer closet. This is what plants the seed in our hearts, or in the case above turns the power on thus emitting into the world around us the light (image) of that transparency. The wall of course is the canvas or picture screen of our lives. The Children are the people who marvel at the person who knows the mysteries of the Kingdom well enough to produce fruit, both for themselves and for you.

In parable #2 the SLOW computer represents the heart of a man. The website address represents our spiritual destination that is determined by the Word of God. Hitting enter is the time in which we “believe” present tense. This tells the computer (our heart) what function to complete. But notice that the computer operator only hit enter once. The rest of the time he rested in the fact that his entering it once had been recorded. Every subsequent time that he would have pressed enter he would have reset the computer and forfeited the time that he spent waiting. Did you notice that once he hit enter, it went into the past tense? If someone would have seen him sitting at his pc and said, “what are you waiting for? Just hit enter.” He would have responded, “I ALREADY HAVE”. Once we plant the seed of Gods word we need to LEAVE IT BURREID. PAST TENSE. “I RECEIVED IT, WHEN I BELIEVED-PRAYED.”

The computer screen is our life. Whatever is “hidden”-in the bowels of the computer-shall be “manifested” upon the screen. The screen is our lives.

The parable of the caterpillar is this: This caterpillar’ favorite scripture is no doubt Hebrews chapter four vs. 1-3. The caterpillar represents man (“a worm of the dust”) in his sinful state. But upon believing and entering into the rest of Christ, his inner self goes through a metamorphic change, and with time he emerges A NEW CREATURE. The butterfly emerging represents the harvest time. A time when that which was hidden, is now revealed out in the open. A supernatural change that only faith can accomplish (in the life of a believer.)

Hebrews 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which HAVE BELIEVED do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

The caterpillar LABOURED to enter into the rest of Christ, which comes through the believing process.

Have you ever spun a cocoon? Well I haven’t either but it’s got to be hard. A non-stop wrapping yourself with one strand of silk has got to be difficult. But apparently he had taken the admonition of the Lord very seriously (he didn’t want to fall after the same example of unbelief). For after he labored to establish his “shield of faith” he went into a period of rest in his inner man. The process of metamorphosis was now set in motion. The cocoon shielded him from the elements-from the dry winds of doubt and unbelief that blow against all believers. Even Christ encountered this. The cocoon represented an attitude of obliviousness to the sounds and distractions of Satan. It was an insulator that protected him during cycle, long enough for it to be completed.

In the above verse we are told that the word of God did not profit some, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. In the above parables flipping the switch and hitting enter served as the act of “mixing”. Believing is what imbeds the word in our hearts, hearing ourselves declare the promises of God in secret.


Luke 12:3
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.

Don’t be a sideline Christian thinking your defending the faith by sitting on the couch eating cake, hurling railing accusations against those who just want more of God. Get into the hunt, BELIEVE some things, and stand firm. Yea, you’ll get some whacks by Satan, but things could be worse. You may not get any attention from him, meaning that you’re worthless as a believer in his sight. But if we’ll learn the process, I have a sneaking suspicion that wonderful things lie in store for the body of Christ!




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Hello, I'm new here and looking for some 'peace' re: the Prodigal Son story. This has bothered me for years...

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

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

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

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

Someone higher up in this discussion pointed out that they were having this same type of problem with the story and would like to find resolution. I am also in the same position and did not see the answer. I hope I didn't miss it.
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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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yes we can be good samaritains in this era! If you kinda a person that has been left to die you would help them weather thye were a stranger or your enemy, it's still a person who diserves to live!
so yes we can be good samaritians!
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nice site
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picture
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AM NONYE I WILL LIKE TO TELL OTHER CHILDREN LIKE ME THAT IT IS GOOD TO SAVER GOD WITH SPIRIT AND TRUET, COS IT IS WAS MAKE LAZARUS TO SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD TODAY, PRAY ALWAYS AND HAVE THE FAITH, THANK GOD BLESS U AS YOU DO.
AMEN.
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The 13th chapter of Matthew is both a fork in the road and a litness test for the believer in Christ. Are you going to read the Bible with Jewish or Gentile definations? What is your interpertative stance? Do you read it as you always have or do you read it as it is?

Like all definations and types in the Bible, the must be taken in context and remain consistant with any usages in previous passages. Leaven is always used as a type of sin. To a Jew, putting leaven in the bread (the reference is the fellowship offering in the book of Leviticus) is a very bad thing. (In the book of Genesis, Sarah is asked by Abraham to make a fellowship offering for Lord and two angels and to use unleavened bread.)

This scripture is clear. In the kingdom of heaven there is sin that permeates the kingdom and is found everywhere. Now before you think that I am spreading heresy . . . just what is the kingdom of heaven anyway? Is it just a place of the saved or is it more than that.

Follow my logic. Both Jesus and John the Baptist began preaching, "Repent. The kingdom of heaven is at hand." They do not define this "kingdom" but just proclaim it. (It is from our New Testament only theology that we draw the conclusion that the kingdom of heaven is just the rehealm of the saved. In the Old Testament, the kingdom and the temple are always two separate entinitys. Salvation is appropriated at the temple. Justice and judgment is found at the throne. The law is appeased at the temple. The law is fulfilled at the throne.

The kingdom of heaven is the economy of God, not the people of the kingdom. It is how Christ will rule, not those who are ruled. It is Him, not us. We enter the kingdom by making Christ our King. (This is not Lordship salvation. Our salvation is by Christ our High Priest. Our purposes and placements are from our King. The kingdom of heaven exsists now in the spirit but one day it will be both in the spirit and in the flesh. Jesus will come back and rule from His throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years. Many of these parables in Matthew 13 are about His Millienial Reign. It is this Millienial Reign that will begin with the second coming of Christ and end with a war with the people of the earth who reject Him and follow Satan when he is loosed for a while. There will be fleshly people in the Millienial Kingdom and it is these carnal people and their pride that will be the sin that perminates the kingdom of heaven.

When you study the term "kingdom" from Moses thru David and the split kingdom, you will find that "kingdom" is not about who is being governed but how the people are governed. After His second coming, Christ will reign over the whole earth with a rod of iron but many will reject and hate this and thus be the unleaven bread that permeates the loaf.

I hope that this brief explanation is adequate. We are all woefully ignorant of the millienial reign. (Many popular end-times books and movies and teachers stop just after the second coming and do not realize that there is still an important chapter to go.

Write me if this is vague or confusing.

Peace
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Christ said to those Jews who believed in Him in John the eigth chapter
if you continue in my word then are you truly disciples of mine. In the new testament it says that we have the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Revelation to the Apostle John Chapter 4 says that the
LAMP IS THE HOLY SPIRIT. If the lamp is the Holy Spirit then the oil must be the WORD OF GOD. When you believe in Chirst you recieve the
Holy Spirit you are a believer. But Christ said you are a DISCIPLE IF YOU CONTINUE IN HIS WORD.
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You and other brothers and sisters in the Lord are the fulfilling of this parable.We are all to be as Jesus describes the Good Samaritan and other parables describing .Ready to help and serve others first.Put the Lord first and then the life and salvation of others after that.By puting the Lord first in our lives we will want to share the Lord to others as much as possible and be of service.Jesus lived to die for us.He came to serve and give himself for our eternal security with him and th Father.
God Bless you ,
chris
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Dear Brother,

Greetings in the nameof Jesus Christ.

I am preparing a message on Christ the Good shepherd and would like to have some good messages of the same and hope you can help me. Waiting to hear from you very soon.

Your friend,
Cheryan
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Robert , I say this out of Love for a Brother in hopes that you will see the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ has given us.
We must believe with our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him from the dead in order to be saved. There is a differance between judging and knowing the simple truth that our Lord gives us. Romans 10:9 . I hope that I only misunderstood what you were saying .
The only way to the Father is through the Son , Jesus Christ Our Lord. Matthew 11:27.
God Bless you much .You are in my prayers.
Your Brother ,
chris
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Ya know it amazes me that so many different people looking at the same parable come up with so many different ideas and interpretations of it. Who on earth is right? Obviously only God knows. But wouldn’t it be wiser to just let the context, and others that are talking about the same thing interpret the parable?

The parable of the Mustard seed is merely the parable of the sower modified to use upon ourselves. One account says that the kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed in HIS garden. Well the parable of the sower already has conveyed that the soil is the heart of a man. It also teaches that the seed is the word of God. The fowls of the air are spirits that seek to keep the word from growing in our hearts. What’s being said here is that we are privileged to be able to invert this principle upon ourselves by planting Gods word in our own hearts. Upon doing so we sleep on it. Have you ever been told by a parent that if you have a problem, sleeping upon it will help you see it differently in the morning? Well this is the idea. We sleep upon it night after night and the seed springs up automatically. Notice the word automatically. This is the actual word in the Greek that was translated “for the earth brings forth fruit of HERSELF”-AUTOMATICALLY. Automatic means, “done without conscious thought or volition (decision of the will). In other words, our jobs are to bury to word of God in our hearts, and our hearts automatically brings it forth to fruition, without our having to think about it. The principle entails knowing how to plant the seed and then being patient-the hardest thing.

Why a Mustard seed? I looked up mustard in an encyclopedia. The first sentence of the first line said, “mustard is an easy crop to grow”.

Now notice the COMPARISON, “whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God and with what comparison shall we compare it?” The comparison is this: The mustard seed is so small that the fowls can literally eat it. But if it’s planted and allowed to grow, it becomes so big that the only thing that the fowls can do against that tree, is to lodge in its branches. Do you think that birds bother a tree? It’s probably not bothered by humans! It’s too big and strong. It’s like there not even there.

When we plant the Word in our hearts, the seed is very small and insignificant, it’s at this time the Satan represented as fowls of the air come looming in around us. To the small size of that seed the birds seem like 747 airplanes. The spirits of darkness are TEMPORARILY stronger than us. “Then cometh the devil to take out the word that is sown in the heart”. He uses affliction and persecution in the beginning phases. Then after the seed has sunk roots and has become stronger, he employs different tactics, he attempts to CHOKE the word, with “the cares of this world the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things”. But if the seed is allowed to grow, with time the tree will become a 747 to the birds. In other words their non-existent as far as their influence goes.

What we are really doing is cultivating faith. Faith is the result of the word living and abiding in us. And it brings forth fruit. It manifests!

Now, the big question is how do we plant the seed?

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Time and again, the Parables of Our Christ Jesus has taught us so many things. Loving unconditionally is one of the golden rule. As I have read the passage once again after several years, (maybe a year or two), it still somehow touched my life and made me realized that we should not be selfish with our time in helping other people especially those outside of our homes. Accidents happen unexpectedly, anytime, anywhere. But if we are willing to help without asking anything in return, (rewards or financial compensation, that is), we could make peoples burden easier to carry. In what way, you may ask? This, by giving comfort, moral support, and aid to the victim, err, by calling 911 or any similar emergency departments. That we must help people in need regardlesss of race, nationality and religion... that we must show compassion even when forced during emergency cases. Christian love is what the Lord wants us to learn and feel towards our neighbor...must be difficult, but, very rewarding, isnt it?
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can you give me any information on the scientific name of bread and where it was originally found?
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Please send me a story or a poem and the related message in at least 1000 words
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We are all sinners. Whether we have God in our hearts always (stay with the Father) or whether we stray away and find our way back to our Father, He will always welcome us home with open arms.


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Wanted to see if this picture was better than the one I have for Bible class
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To this woman who wrote the reply above me, you use man's wisdom. Those who have ears to hear will hear what the parables mean. Other people are deaf.
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i just want to tell you that Allah will reward you in heaven if the human court wanst fair for you.......everything we do is written and allah will find your good deed and reward you for it .nothing goes invain
god bless you
be proud of yourslef

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What happen to Barabas after Jesus Christ death.
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I read a story years ago in a booklet entitled the "Good News." It said that at some point in history, the people who lived in the area the good Samaritan was from, departed from their homeland. They were led by an old man with a long beard, possibly Ezekial (this might be wrong). However they rolled a large stone with them as they left, and eventually reached England......and today (said this article) the stone they rolled all this long distance now sits HIDDEN UNDERNEATH the throne of the English Queen/King. Was this just my imagination??? Does anyone have any information on this?
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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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Did anyone find a picture of a full grown mustard tree? I also need this for my Sunday School class next week. Any ideas? Thank you, cjm
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1. HISTORY
Man used yeast before he knew how to write.

Hieroglyphics suggest that the ancient Egyptian civilizations were using
living yeast and the process of fermentation to rise their bread
over 5,000 years ago. Of course, they didn’t know what was responsible
for the leavening process. The chemical action of yeast that causes dough
to rise is known as fermentation and was probably looked upon by early
man as a mysterious and unreal phenomenon. It is believed that since
early times, mixtures of leavening for bread making were formed by
natural contaminants of the four such as: wild yeast and lactobacilli
(organisms also present in milk). Leaven, mentioned in the Bible, was a
soft dough-type medium kept from one baking of bread to another. A
small portion of this dough was used to start or leaven each new bread
dough. Later scientific research found that yeast is a microorganism
(visible only with a microscope). The chemical action and growth of yeast
that caused the dough to rise then became understandable.



2. WHAT IS YEAST
Yeast is a tiny form of fungi scientists call microorganisms. They are egg-
shaped cells that can only be seen with a microscope. It takes 20,000,00
00,000 (twenty billion) to weight one gram or 1/28 of an ounce.

The scientific name for one species of yeast is SACCHAROMYCES
CEREVISIAE or sugar eating fungus. Cerevisiae is the Latin word for
brewer. A very long name for such a tiny organism. It is a very strong
strain that is capable of fermentation or causing bread dough to rise.


Yeast cells digest food to obtain energy for growth. Their favorite food is
sugar; sucrose (beet or cane sugar), fructose and glucose (found in
honey, molasses, maple syrup and fruit) and maltose(derived from starch
in flour). The process, alcoholic fermentation, produces useful end
products, carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol, which are released by the
yeast cells into the surrounding liquid. This is how alcoholic drinks are
produced from starch containing flours, i.e., barley flour for making beer
and wheat, corn or other grains for making whiskey.


Fermentation occurs naturally in nature. For instance, many berries break
open in late fall when they are over-ripe and full of sugar. Natural yeast
from the air, so tiny they cannot be seen, lodge on the surface of these
berries, which then become fermented and alcoholic.

In commercial fermentation of grape juice for the production of wine, the
carbon dioxide gas escapes from the solution. Evidence of gas can be
seen in the heavy foam caps in fermenting wine tanks. In bread baking,
when yeast ferments the sugars available from the flour and from added
sugar, the carbon dioxide gas cannot escape because the dough is elastic
and stretchable. Therefore, the dough inflates as a result of the expanding
gas. Thus, the term yeast-leavened breads came into the vocabulary of
the world of baking.



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Better late than never to understand that his work to empower those bidden to supper was done. He wasted no time at all but extended what was intended for them to any within his reach. So it began again, to embolden others to forge ahead and gain their relationship to god. I see it as a positive outcome. The strength of the parable was in the nature of the giver to give, not the receiver to receive.
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In both parables of the talents and the parable of the pounds, unfaithfulness on the part of the Lords servants and the end result of unfaithfulness are shown in the latter part of each parable. Such unfaithfulness resulted in rebuke and loss in each instance; and also in each instance, the unfaithful servant was not associated in any manner whatsoever with positions of power and authority in the kingdom.

Those who refuse to use the initial investment will not only remain profitless but they will , as a consequence, suffer "Loss" {cf Matt.25:15, 18, 19, 24-30; Luke 19:15, 20-26}. They will experience the loss of their souls {cf.Matt. 16:24-27 }.

Consequenly, that which is involved in James 2:14, as explained in subsequent verses, is simply faithfulness to one's calling [ resulting in works ], or unfaithfulness to one's calling [ resulting in no works or valueless works not assocated with faith]. Works of this nature referred to in this verse emenate out of faith and bring faith to its proper goal, which is the salvation of one's soul [ James2:22; 1 Peter 1:9]. Apart from such a manifestation of faith, giving rise to works, there can be no profit; nor can the inherently connected salvation follow [ the savation of the soul]. We must obey the Lords commandments overcome the world,the flesh,and Satan. Works are believing what the Lord has said in his word ...
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I'd be interested in your response to these questions, too.

After Paul instructs Titus and the Cretian believers "to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need" why does he then go on to say: "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY PROVIDE FOR DAILY NECESSITIES AND NOT LIVE UNPRODUCTIVE LIVES" implying (again) that providing for ourselves and the ministry is through our own labors? (Titus 3:13, 14) Why no mention of getting this support elsewhere, like, rich unbelievers?

According to James, isn't it wrong to "show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes (rich folk)"? Instead of the rich man being seen as a friend and help of ministry, James says the rich are "the ones who are dragging you into court...(and)...slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong...(Read the entire slam on 'rich' people in James 2:1-7). How should one understand this in light of your interpretation?

Isn't it inconsistent of Jesus to commend the POOR widow for her 'two lepta' while minimizing the "many rich people" who "threw in large amounts", and who gave "out of their wealth"? (Mark 12:41-44) Is she a poor steward of the 'unrighteous mammon'? She was not commended for having solicited the favor of the rich people, but rather, for the greater value of HER small gift. Is it right for Jesus NOT to emphasize the value of the rich people's contributions over hers?

In John 12:3-8, why didn't Jesus commend Judas as a faithful and shrewd steward of 'unrighteous mammon' when he objected to wasting the perfume, worth a years wages, on Jesus's feet?

Wasn't Jesus disobedient to his own command to faithfully recruite the wealth of the rich by letting the rich young ruler leave discouraged without offering up some kind of persuasive argument to stay and finance his ministry? (Luke 18:18-25)

Peter and John are guilty, too. In Acts 8:9-25, they turned Simon the sorcerer (rich unbeliever) away when he "offered them money and said, 'Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit'." (vs. 18-19) In fact they rejected his PARTNERSHIP in their ministry because his "heart is not right before God" (vs. 21). A right heart is not even a necessary requirement in your version of the unjust steward, only money is. Did they let a big fish get away in direct disobedience to God's command?

Do you find anything wrong with the understanding of the 'parable of the unjust steward' I shared in another response?































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FYI, I think Pamela is referring to Mark eleven in which Jesus spoke to a fig tree and withered it “from the roots”. Though the above topic is a different scripture, I think it’s interesting how Jesus reacts to a tree (the same way) that does not produce fruit. IT’S CURSED.

I know that many people believe in once saved always saved. However it’s simply NOT taught in scripture. If you don’t produce fruit “the axe is laid to the root” and the tree is burned in the fire. Jesus played this out in the fig tree scenario. He was deceived by leafiness. People coming across as spiritual Joes and in reality these are the ones that Jesus said would “weep and wail and gnash their teeth” as their kicked out of Gods kingdom and appointed their place with the disobedient. And why? Because of no fruit production.

Have you ever asked who these people are who act this way? They aren’t people who curse God and say, “even if there is a God I’m not serving him. He can go take a hike”! Huh uh, these are people who thought that they were fine and dandy doing all the worldly things that they wanted to, and when somebody said hey the bible calls that behavior sin, they would retort “GOD IS LOVE DON’T JUDGE”!

I have news for you. The doctrine of once saved always saved was concocted in hell by some of Satan’ greatest minds. It’s a deception (the spirit of Anti-Christ). And if you believe this lie it could cost you your mother, brother, sister, spouse or any loved one.

Now does anybody want to continue in this nonsense? One consideration of Judas Iscariot in light of what the book of Psalms says about him will prove to you that here you have a saved man, who is now cursed throughout eternity.

Now do you really want to believe silly things? Or do you want to be wise and error on side of caution?

How long is eternity? Do you really know that there is this assurance of once accepting Jesus, you could become a serial killer, a Hitler, a child abuser, and yet a possessor of the promise of a throne in heaven?

GET REAL! It doesn’t happen. THESE ARE THE ONES WHO WEEP, WAIL AND GNASH THEIR TEETH.

Don’t let it be your loved ones.

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i think it really teaches about thing what about you?
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Our Father in Heaven's greatest commandment are clearabout our love toward God and others.St. Matthew 5:43-47 shows Our Lord Jesus giving an example of how we are to Love.St. Matthew 22:37-40 shows Our Lord and Savior Jesus speaking the 2 greatest commandments to the pharisees.These are fulfillments of the law.All is given from God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.Read Romans 10:8-10. God Bless You.
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I believe you are very probably correct. A biblical generation of 40 years represented a generation in unbelief. We saw a blood red moon on March 8, 2004. It gave no light, only deep red, low in the sky and full and huge. Can't say for sure it is what Joel and Acts speak of, but it could be. We are close. We all sense it. Those who have ears to hear are not missing these things. God Bless You, Shalom
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Please consider that a simple reading of this parable teaches something that is actually untenible.

How can it be that the 99 are " just persons, which need no repentance."

There are no such persons anywhere, ever.

So who are these 99, and to what is Jesus referring?

In Matthew 15:1-2 we read to whom Jesus was speaking: tax collectors and sinners, Pharisees and teachers of the law. These latter two groups were being critical of Jesus as he spoke.

Is it not the case that the Pharisees and teachers of the law were the ones who represent the 99? Would not they, and all who heard, have know Jesus was speaking of them as the ones "which need not repentance?" Not that they did not need repentance, but that they denied needing repentance.

The whole story is about the pruning of the vine, in which the hard hearted Jews were removed. The one sheep is then those Jews who would hear, and the gentiles as well.

As you read the following 4 stories Jesus gave, you will see this same thread in all of them, culminating in the Rich Man and Lazarus.

This is the real reason the Pharisees and teachers of the law got more and more perturbed as Jesus spoke!

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I agree, it's not designed to make us beg, it's designed to show us how eaiser it is for us to count on God than anyone else
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I believe that the rich fool is meaning that anyone who is blessed with goods that he/she needs to thank God and his workings that he made before we just think we can sit back and be lazy. I also believe that this passage means that sometimes we take things that we have for granted and we always expect these things but we never kno when we will lose these things and/or waste these things.
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sue has no scriptures to back-up her say-so
that leaven is the holy ghost
that the meal is man body mind soul and spirit
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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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what exactly is gnashing of teeth?
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The wise were those who build their lives on Christ, not on any worldly form so many are doing. So many seem to build their supposedly Christian life on anything but the real Truth of Christ. The power of reason is so strong in many that they become as god's to themselves. They decide what the rules are based upon their own way of believing. It is a form. a shell of godliness, but is shallow and without power. They do not have the approval of God upon their heart. They know nothing of the assurances the true believer experiences when they follow the Lord. These have been decieved by the great deceiver of mankind, the Devil. To these, the Bible has been largely ignored. Or they have not divided the Scriptures so it all fits together without contradictions. Their supposedly educated reasoning is so wonderful, that in fact they make their own laws, and worship themselves. These have not built their house upon the eternal rock of Christ, but upon the sand of their own ideas. Or they have picked out some of the Bible truth, according to their own liking, and left some other vital facts of the Bible out. This is building on sand. Their house will not hold up in the time of testing, of the trials of life.
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The Jungian view would be to see these two sons as parts of ourselves. The Shadow side would be the son we deny (hide). The Father represents Individuation, or Wholeness.
Many haggle over which brother should receive the most praise. If we consider that the risk-taking adventurer and the dutiful cautious law abider are just two slices to investigate within ourselves, we may deepen our understanding of how God can love both when we are centered in Him (or home). The older son "projects" his shadow on the younger instead of owning it. This is like the pharisee who prayed (regarding the sinner( "I thank you God that I am not like him".) Or like the woman about to be stoned by those who probably fantasized about what she did, but never dared act it out. Shadow issues come out when we get critical and judgemental.
Regardless of which brother moves us or yanks our chain, the Father symbolizes the wholeness (in Christ) that can come when we don't split-off (judge) and we come home to forgiveness (reconciation) and a wholeness that gives us peace. I am a Christian as well as a Jungian psychotherapist (pastoral).



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Something as simple as finding a picture of a mustard tree, as turned
into a sales product to make others money, I just want to see a picture of
a Mustard tree.
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The elder son represents those who stand to inheriet the kingdom of God,yet are unwilling to follow God's standards on forgiving those who have trespassed against us. God has such a loving heart, He freely shows love to those who have strayed from Him, but come back with a repentant heart seeking His forgiveness. The elder son should take a few lessons that his father practices and learn how to be more forgiving.
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okay like i have a problem i have a giant project on hope and i need a scripture on hope and i cant find any thing please help!
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I need a picture of the mustard tree for Bible Study on mustard seed faith.
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Hi, Rae-

I think drug addiction and mental illness have to be checked out in your son's case. That said, if it is a case of willfulness, then tough love must come into play. Tell him you are sorry for whatever misfortune he may encounter, but that he will be on his own when he reaches 18. If he is under 18, he loses whatever privileges you can withhold, and if that doesn't work check into reporting him to child services as a child out of control. Of course this must be done in a loving manner in which you explain that he himself holds the key to his treatment. A loving parent wants a child to be an independent, contributing member of society, able to support himself. If that doesn't happen, your son will face great obstacles in life, not just from you but also from the rest of society. Forgiving is one thing, holding a person responsible is another. Children and everyone else must be held responsible, that is, have to face the natural consequences of their actions. Enabling an irresponsible child to continue that way does him and you a disservice.
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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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If by agape love you mean Gods unconditional Love towards all, then you are right on.
God Bless You,
chris
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The quote of Jesus that there will eventually be one fold and one shepherd is one of the most important in the New Testament. We know from the Lord's prayer that we seek the kingdom of God on earth. This surely aligns with the idea that there will eventually be one fold under one shepherd on earth. The true shepherd must be God, in this case acting through the station of the son, or Christ. But who comprises the "fold" of Christ? The only possible meaning is that the fold are the followers of and believers in Jesus as sent by God as the Christ. But Jesus refers to others not of the same fold which also have to be brought to God. The argument that this means the gentiles rather than the Jews does not stand up to scrutiny. Any person, Roman soldier or otherwise, who believed in Jesus was of his fold. Jesus was not concerned whether they were Jews or not, only that they believed in him. He did not discriminate on the grounds of race or ethnicity.
So who comprises the other fold? This can only mean other people in the world who could not know about Jesus. For practical reasons this comprised most of the people of the world at that time. These also have to eventually be brought to God and included in the one fold. They will not be believers in Jesus as they are of another fold(s), possibly of other religions. If we accept the prophecy, it must lead eventually to one unified godly community on earth, a time of world peace and unity. But how will God achieve this? The revelation of Jesus recorded in the New Testament was completed when he died and ascended. Thus was created the Christian fold comprised of the followers of Jesus ever since. But they are only a minority of the total people on earth, even today. Of necessity there needs be another revelation from God to bring all the people in different folds into one fold, otherwise the prophecy cannot be fulfilled.
We might regard that revelation as the return of Christ on earth, with teachings necessary to create one fold for all. This could only occur when the circumstances were right on earth to enable that revelation to be made known around the world so that all people can have an opportunity to accept or reject it. Given modern technological advances and the rise of the global village, the present is such a time.
So where is that revelation? We need to search for the evidences of teachings from God that have the spiritual power to unite all peoples in one fold. We need to identify the return of Christ with such a message. We know he will come as a thief in the night - the Bible says so many times. So the search will not be easy. It is, however, the most important search of our lives.
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See this fascinating take on the parable at:

http://www.theotherside.org/archive/may-jun99/myers.html
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