In the light of the way in which leaven is always used in the Old Testament, Christ could use the word in a symbolic sence---as he did in Matt.13:33, and Matt.16:6 and his disciples would know exactly what was meant. And the exactly the same thing can be seen where leaven is used elsewhere in the New Testament. Every place this word appears, the context always clearly shows the word being used only one way--to show corruption and deterioration- in complete keeping with the Old Testament usage. In Matt.13:33 the context leading into the use of this word has to do with fruit-bearing and with the method Satan uses to stop Christians from bearing fruit. The preceding two parables reveal Satan introducing false doctrine, with a progressive corruption and deterioration following. And the parable of the leaven simply reveals the conclusion of the matter. Acording to the parable of the leaven, the message surrounding the proffered kingdom during the present time would, near the end, become completely leavened. Corruption introduced at the beginning would progressively permeate the whole of Christendom untill that having to do with the proffered kingdom would be completely corrupted. This is how, according to this parable,the dispensation would end. The Church will not only left its "first love"{Rev.2:4}, but the Church will be brought into a state described as "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked"{Rev.3:17b}
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cornell
I dont have the scriptures.. but the way i understand it is ...
There is repentance and blasphemy of the holy spirit.. i am not to clear on it either.. but here is what i do know

When we sin, if we confess our sins and turn God will forgive us.
Sin could be murder, murders,stealing, hate lust, lying, gossiping

Blasphemy as i understand it, not quite sure is when a person totally reject God , they have been given over to reprobate mind, they have
completly sold out and have no desire to come back home to God the Father

God knows the diffenence and he is not confuse when someone has completely rejected and refuse his Love, Him, His Son, His Spirit, His ways...

a story, testimony i love in the bible, is saul that perscuted, killed christians, one day on the road to Damascus was stop in his tracks
turn around repent of his evil ways was forgiven and greatly use by the same God, the same Jesus he tried to kill, and destroy his name and his people.....What a great testimony....God loves it when we turn, he is not a tricky God is not trying to trick us, sometimes the enemy tries to trick us into thinking i have gone to far God will never accept me now, look how i reject him,look at all those time he spoke to me, warn me and i walked away, rejected him and would not listen, will he listen to me now.... this is want the prodigal son parable son 's essence of the message is he will accept you, love you, bless you, if you come back home, return, repent confess, Lord, Father God i have sin against you
i have rejected you,i have(you fill in the blanks)
i want to come back home
i believe in You Father God, I believe in Your Son Jesus that he died for my sins, and that he arose on third day, and now i am made free by
The Blood of Jesus, and i ask for you The Holy Spirit to come into my heart and live inside of me,
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I would like a copy of the good shepard sermon

Thank You
sharan Jones
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Kevin,

You made some heavy references to Luke 16:1-13. Considering how important it seems to you, how could you have overlooked Luke 16:13? "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Be wary in your pursuit of money.
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i think your right. to much racism goes around everywhere leading people to death or the hurt of feelings inside. we should all love no matter what religion or what color cause in the inside, we all look the same and are all children of gods. atleast, this is what i think.
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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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The parable of the Sower, the first of four parables which Christ gave outside the house[Matt. 13:1], by the seashore, is comprised of four parts. Each part has to do with exactly the same thing: FRUIT-BEARING, with the Kingdom of heaven in view - a kingdom being offered[ during the time covered by this parable] to a people other than Israel [ to the new creation" in Christ "].
The parable of the Sower was given with a view to this entity not only being brought into existence but also being extended the opportunity to bring forth fruit for the kingdom. The parable of the Sower looks out a head to that time when the kingdom would be taken from Isael because of the nation's failure to produce fruit and given to a nation which would produce " the fruits thereof" [Matt.21:43]. In the first three parts of the parable through, indivduals comprising the one new man fail to bring forth fruit, as those in Israel had done relative to the proffered kingdom. Rather than overcoming and bearing fruit, they are instead overcome [through various means] and bear no fruit. But in the last part of the parable, that expected of the one new man during the present dispensation is shown. Unlike barren Israel, overcoming and fruit-bearing are seen. Thus, it is revealed at the beginning, before God brought this new creation into existence, that not all those comprising the one new man--not all Christians--would bring forth fruit. Fruit- bearing is seen in only one part of the parable, in the last part. In the first three parts individuals are shown to have been overcome through various means resulting in barrenness.
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ok...um good?
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In Luke 21 Jesus says:

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

I think it’s safe to say that this pertains to the rapture of the church. Because how do the WORTHY get extracted from the world to stand before the son of man and yet the unworthy get left behind?

If that’s the case then I think it relates to the parable of the ten virgins because they too are allowed into a gathering while others are not let in. What was the determining factor? For some reason these women lamps failed.

Being that Jesus likens this parable unto the kingdom of God, wouldn’t we have to take into consideration “kingdom of God” elements found in Mark chapter four? Jesus said, “You don’t understand this parable? Then how will you understand all parables?” (Of the kingdom of God.)

Jesus spoke of the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things “ENTERING IN” choking the word of God within us. Doesn’t that sound like the “overcharged” heart in the above-mentioned scripture?

Now, choke what? It chokes faith that is within us by his word abiding in our hearts.

Notice how these ladies lamps dwindled and went out. Jesus taught that our faith is radiated from our hearts. He also that taught that our hearts radiate light as a result of the things that we have spoken (“hidden” in our hearts) in the prayer closet.

It’s very clear to me that these woman (the body of Christ) were living worldly lives, being consumed in the cares of this world, drunkenness and surfeiting (excessive overeating). Subsequently it had a dampening affect on the keenness of their spiritual eyesight. Their eyes (spiritual eyes-the heart) were closing and their ability to be “watchful” was slipping away. All because they didn’t maintain the brilliant glow of this inner lamp. Which is our faith-our inner light.

What’s the solution? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Hebrews four says, “We which have believed do enter into rest”. Be master of your own domain in the prayer closet. But leave it there. Don’t attempt to manifest it in the light because that’s God’ job. He’ll reward us openly. But above all else, BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING, don’t let that stuff into your heart; it will dim your EYES, CANDLE, LAMP, FAITH. Do you get it?

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR LET HIM HEAR.

Watch the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Many feel that the signing of a peace agreement commences the seven-year tribulation period of time spoken of by Daniel. Could this be the “revealing” (of the man of sin, the Anti-Christ) that the book of Thessalonians hints that the rapture occurs before? God only knows. But be watchful.

Have a good one!



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I was searching for the pic of brassica to do my botony proj. I wonder if u have... (at least accoring to google description u do)...can u send me one?..
By the way, wat type of min is this?.. christians right?
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Every hurting person is your neighbor. Many times our concentration is on the good samaritan but what made him a good samaritan was the victim! What was his character, a hurting person and stripped of everything. Would you help or avoid him? They are every where, you do not need to travel to a third world country.

Christopher Lobo
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Denny,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your brother,
Rob

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the prodigal son is a parable of imense propotion the can touch the very fonation that you stand on its various words of knowledge and wisdom leave many suttering for words
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(Mathrews-13-22) He that receives the seed (Word of God) among the thorns is he that hears the Word: and the CARES OF THE WORLD, and th DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, choke the Word and he becomes UNFRUITFUL!
(39) The ENEMY that sowed them is the DEVIL: and the reapers are the angels.
Again, we look at a Lost deceived World, on it's way to Hell, that Christ loved so much, that He gave His life that man might be saved, and all you can do is keep knocking for Riches!! Pray tell me, what do you think He still OWES you?
Again I will say, You are walking on dangers ground! You gave me until Friday, for a list, what happens if God should require your soul before Friday? Would you be ready?
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1o years ago Ihad an opportunity to be a "good" samaritaln by accident. A vehicular accident happened near the area where I am fixing my car. Upon witnessing that accident I responded to the situation and being a nurse its my duty to respond to the situation without any hesitation.Iwas lucky to revive that poor victim where I rushed her together with another samaritan to a nearby hospital where he was able to live another 3 weeks of her life then passed away. It was a clear case of hit and run but victims relative was so powerful enough and desperate to solve the crime so they pulled some strings and involved me and the other person as the culprits. They produce false witnesses to the crime and created a different scenario to justify their claim, deviating to what had really happen.But my concsience is very clear and still proud of what I've done. thinking that I did the best I could to save that poor girl.But now I'm the one needing to be saved. Last september after 10 long years of battlling the court and proving innosence, judge ruled in favor of them and charge me guilty beyond reasonable doubt sentencing me to 4mo. to 2years for a crime I did not do. SOME GRATITUDE FOR A GOOD SAMARITAN.Now i'm appealing my case to a higher court hoping to reverse the decision and go on with my life. My family needs my support my wife is in abroad working hard away from us . It is suppose to be me who is working for my family but because of this case I feel my life is through. Why did all this has to happen at my expense? Is this really the fate of a good samaritan?
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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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Tnx!!! i have an assignment and it is about parables of Jesus... Because of this forum, i can understand it and it is easy to explain in the class!!!Im not a Catholic so i cant understand in the book... TNX Very Much!!! ^_^





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Bob:
Was Dr.Scofield a Freemason at any time?
Your answer will be greatly appreciated.
George
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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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I have heard leaven compared to rot because it was left out to ferment and was wild as apposed to the neatness and cleanliness of the Jewish Kitchen. Any comments?
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On behalf of everybody who like me has been martyred by the evil servants in charge of churches through calling the police to remove us from church or arranging hostile psychiatric hospitalization on account of spoiled rotten begging, I thank God for His words which justify us (Matt. 5:42, 6:24ff, 7:7) and promise our deliverance (Matt. 24:45-25:30).

We who have suffered such abominable punishments deserve to know well that we have no rewards waiting in heaven for us for patiently enduring under punishment from evil servants in charge or, especially, for going over the line between right and wrong in our begging... because Matt. 7:6 and I Peter 2:20 were printed in copies of the Holy Bible available to us long before our sufferings. Therefore, such a pastor as may dominate us now to keep our grievances quiet has no crowns in heaven to offer us for accepting his church discipline, and our rewards in heaven will be far greater if we cry out and call the church leaders completely to account for such failings as broken promises to spread the Gospel throughout the whole world by the year 2000.

Jesus Christ will be far more satisfied with us and able to bless us if we become completely frank with Him in prayer and no longer hold back our hearts. Failing to help us in our times of greatest need on earth through needed divine intervention, He has provided for absolutely incredible vengeance against the evil servants in charge (Matt. 24:45-51) in place of more years of freedom to apostatize in which to enjoy being completely healed and established as we might prefer. That the churches have already failed to fulfill their promises to evangelize the world by the year 2000 has changed the proper interpretation of Matthew 24:45-25:30 incredibly adversely for the evil servants in charge from offices to pulpits.

Because so many church leaders and evangelists have made and broken these promises, it is now patently apparent that they are unable to plan to spread the Gospel throughout the world with a testimony to all peoples (Matt. 24:14, Mark 14:9) and follow through on their promises. Well, the clock is ticking! The generation of Jews who saw Israel become a nation when they were twenty years old is aging, and God's holy Name is at stake to return before they all pass away. For this reason, the loss of morale among missionaries from failing to fulfill their promises to evangalize the world by the year 2000 cannot continue to drive churches inward to build the home church building and congregation and ignore world evangelism. In this context, the pastors' pretext that the judgements of Matthew 24:45-25:30 would be carried out in Heaven with the ever forgiving character of Jesus Christ as master must be torn to shreds; for if they should get their way, world evangelism will NEVER happen to make Jesus Christ return when He promised! Let us examine the judgements of Matthew 24:45-51 as possibe on earth with human masters or groups of humans as masters. This is now necessary to bring about world evangelism and the rapture of the saints.

Now seek I to bring about the judgement of the servants in charge as soon as possible on this earth (Matthew 24:45-51) so that without the hindrances of the Church Growth Movement, world evangelism may be attempted under faithful leadership, which unlike the Church Growth Movement will remember the need to memorialize Mary's anonymous anointing of Jesus Christ at Bethany if our spread of the Gospel really be worldwide (Mark 14:9, John 12:1-3). The power to judge is not yet in the right hands, yet our omnipotent Lord, praised be his name!--is surely able to bestow it. Promises from the American government such as our First, Fifth, and Eighth Amendment rights must fail, however that may happen, in order to judge the evil servants in charge with amputations and floggings as Jesus said would be done (Matt. 24:45-51, Luke 12:42-48); still I say, our awesome God is omnipotent and able to accomplish this, and both to those who pray to keep America safe and secure and to national enemies who would rejoice in an invasion or a coup d'etat I remember my citizenship in heaven and offer the Lord's Prayer just the same. American constitutional rights are defending injustices which Jesus Christ will not tolerate just before His return. Still, unless the United States Congress and the state legislators wake up to the reality of the end times and find some way to permit the imposition of the judgements upon the evil servants in charge prescribed by Jesus Christ, God's will could turn in an extremely adverse direction very fast in order to allow the ousting of bad pastors so that world evangelism may be accomplished.

And now I announce judgements. The demands of all the flock's wealth and amputations made by telephone in 2001 of the Meier family at Twin City Bible Church in Urbana, IL 61801, in place of failure to provide fifty million dollars requestewd in 1997 and 1998 to be obtained by begging to compensate Kevin Douglas Rosenberg for ruinous, utterly needless, admittedly mistaken psychiatric captivity and drugging (sin of witchcraft, Gal. 5:19, Greek), will accrue more demanded amputations before God: a thumb's weight weekly if evil servant in charge Bill Meier dare escape what was demanded before into the afternoon of December 26, 2003 UT. I myself cannot impose this, yet I dare ask Jesus his Lord, and He encourages me to keep on asking (Matt. 7:7). I have had to sin habitually because of Bill's influence on pastors to keep me quiet until I had to junk church after church to escape their domination, and I call down Matt. 18:5-7 to curse Twin City Bible Church like the fig tree in the name of Jesus Christ and send Bill's flock destitute for nearby churches to send out.

I do not possess such power as to bring this all about, yet still I thank God again for the Scriptures to show my current ways right before Him and to deliver me from the power of the evil servants in charge of today's churches through His will for vengeance. May God help our mentally ill brethren and everyone else in Him who needs assistance and has trouble asking for it among English speakers in authority. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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After much study and deliberation I have come to the conclusion that there is a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. 1st Thes 4;14-17 is quite clear about the way in which Christ will return "WITH" the saints. Then those of us still alive will be caught up in the air to meet him. Rev19:8 refers to the bride of Christ being arrayed in white linen described as the righteousness of the saints. Then in verse 14 it speaks of the army that followed Jesus from Hevan as being clothed in the same linen fine white and clean and ride white horses. So we must have been taken up before we could have descended to the Mt. of Olives.
Now then God always made a way to save his loyal remnant from earthly disaster. Noah and his family were saved by an ark. Lot and his family were told to flee Sodom&Gomorrah. So it stands to reason that his church should be removed from the face of the earth before God pours out his judgement upon the wicked. Besides "He" the Holy spirit must remove his restraining prescence so that the man of lawlessness can be revealed. God made a covenant to the church with his Holy Spirit that He would never leave us nor forsake us. So that means that we too must be removed befor the antichrist can be revealed.
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Sinning through work on the Sabbath for the sake of my other message, I must reply here first. You have confounded the general riches and plain gifts of rich lost folk with their offerings and sacrifices. Only their offerings and sacrifices are an abomination to the Lord.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is unwilling to accept their terms. Why, in the fifteenth century, rich folk bought false salvations without their repentance or faith when a monk named Johann Tetzel sold them indulgences! Our Lord, however, is unwilling to grant salvation in exchange for the willful offerings and sacrifices of rich lost folk: just read the story of the rich young man! (Matt. 19:16-26 ) The seeker of salvation who trusts in his or her wealth to purchase salvation even today still is to be told to sell everything he or she may own before returning to follow Christ.

I conclude that although Jesus plans for us Christians to use wealth from the rich folk of this world, never will He acquiesce in becoming thoroughly beholden to them. And so it is that our command from Him in Luke 16:9 is to make friends with the rich folk of this world without mention of keeping them. If we as congregations should deplete the favor of rich folk in our midsts, He will call us to flee the resulting persecution (Matt. 10:23) -- not necessarily for reasons explicitly of our faith. Jesus Christ can call groups of at least two Christians to flee, together or whither the first has taken refuge, just because psychiatry is coming after two of them, or just because psychiatry pursues one while another finds no welcome for his witness of Christ, or just because nobody among the lost people nearby will listen to the Word, or just because the rich folk never give freely but instead seek what Jesus in truth always denies them, or even because the rich folk of this world there see fit to give only what they most please, such as earrings, rather than what can be made useful for Christian ministry! I tell you, it is easy for groups of genuine Christians to get called by Christ to flee together!

In the name of Jesus Christ I warn you strongly not to use the Lord's Name in vain. By lumping the wealth of the wicked which they keep and their plainest gifts to the poor with offerings and sacrifices and calling it all "an abomination to the ****", Patsy, you have profaned the Name of the Lord. Please repent now! As for me, I am miserable, and we serve the Lord mostly in order to be happy. I need hearkenings to my requests for a congregation already faithful even in (with) the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16 as soon as possible to have any chance whatsoever to be happy and keep His commandments. Please read my newest posting.

+++Kevin Douglas Rosenberg
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This is one of any number of "Odd God" stories meant to overturn our notion of how God works and how we are to relate to one another. The younger son in effect tells his father to 'drop dead' or at least recognize that he is so senile, it is time for his sons to take over. The Father does what is most undignified for a semite, 'runs' out to meet his son. This Father, like our heavenly Father forsakes all dignity demonstrates the initiative to embrace us with love. Then all that is asked of us is what is asked of the older brother, that we in turn embrace one another.

I take exception to the persistent suggestion that the younger son has committed the most vile of sins. A consistent reading of the Gospels shows almost scandalously easy forgiveness for those who have committed sins of weakness and momentary lapses. Jesus reserves his strong condemnation for those who misuse power and authority, take advantage of the helpless, scorn those in need, or stand in the way of his mission. This provides a key to understanding the older brother whose sin of self-righteous comes dangerously close to the later category.
Dave Rogerson
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1. why is this parable only recorded by luke?
2. Why is there no mother in the story?
3. Could this parable refer to the story of Jacob in Genesis? There seem to be many parallels.
4. Many of us do what the prodigal son did--leave home and misuse our inheritance. I know of many cases. But was the son completely restored to his former priveledged position after he came home, or was he treated as a guest?
5. It seems unfair that the older son was never given a party--but God is a God of justice--there seems to be a contradiction between the justice of God and the mercy of God.
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The other night I watched a program that was just brutal to watch. A college campus had assembled a forum of “religious experts” to discuss salvation and weather Jesus was the only way to salvation. A basic understanding of the parables of the Kingdom could have really dispelled a lot of the unbelief that was perpetrated.

The panel consisted of about seven to nine diverse people. Jews (I think Christian Jew), Catholics, Muslim, fundamentalists and a self proclaimed “Christian Liberal”.

As the panel began to meander away from Christ being the only way to salvation (with every smooth argument in the world), the crowd began to get visibly annoyed. One by one they would stand up and try to bring the conversation back to what Jesus did at Calvary and his atoning work. One woman said in essence, your dismissing the whole of the word of God and aren’t respecting it as the WORD OF GOD.

At that the Christian liberal spoke up proudly quoting the word of John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, the was with God and the Word was God. This was the person who was the most dismissive of the idea that salvation was ONLY in Christ (such arrogance). The Muslim woman proudly stated that from day one, Islam has ALWAYS believed that Jesus IS the WORD OF GOD, and that he is even nicknamed that-if I understood correctly. She also expressed no need nor desire to accept Jesus a Lord or personal savior.

I couldn’t believe what was transpiring. I visualized a bowling alley and all these experts, apart from the fundamentalists, being pins that were ready for a person who knew the parables of the Kingdom to roll a perfect strike. Unfortunately, no one had the insight to call his or her bluff.

What if a person would have stood up and said this: “Sir, (the Liberal) you claim that Jesus is the WORD OF GOD. Is that right? Mam, (the Muslim) you also claim that Jesus is the WORD OF GOD right?

Peter said in his epistle, “Being born again not of corruptible SEED, but of incorruptible SEED, by the WORD OF GOD, which lives and abide forever”. JESUS-THE WORD OF GOD-mind you, said in Mark chapter four, “THE SEED IS THE WORD OF GOD”. So then there is a type of trinity in Jesus being the SEED and the WORD.

The functionary place of the seed is in the heart of a man, …“Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the word that is sown IN THE HEART.”

Which of you knowing a farmer, who HAD NEVER planted his seed for the year, and yet he believing that a wonderful crop was about to be produced, wouldn’t say to him (as kindly, political correctly, as respectfully-the fundamentalists were not of these) “sir I have news for you, your not going to reap a crop this year? He might say, “Well why not? I’m as good as the other farmers. I desire a crop really bad. What gives you the right to say that I won’t reap a crop? You in turn say “being good or wanting one has no bearing on weather or not you’ll reap a crop. Harvests are determined by seeds planted, not thinking, not wanting, not begging.” I would venture to say that not one of the panelists would allow a poor fellow with bills to pay, children to feed, a wife to keep, to believe such foolishness. And yet did you know that the “experts” were doing the same thing?

JESUS IS THE SEED. He is to be planted in our HEARTS, by “receiving”-planting, him in there (I call it the sinners prayer). Mark chapter four states:

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and RECEIVE it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And yet in their way of thinking, they were going to reap a crop of incorruptible fruit-salvation, without planting incorruptible seed. NOT!

A little bit of understanding could have pinned these unbelieving believers to the wall. And yet the fundamentalists, who as wonderful as they were, could not call the bluff’s of these panel members.

The panelists no doubt walked away smug, knowing that the scorecard in their heart read, liberals ten fundamentalists zero.

Oh, what a tragedy!

The next time someone says that they can obtain salvation without receiving Jesus, just say, “yea right, and farmers who never plant seed can expect a wonderful bumper crop!

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My first thing is that a servant is a christian and a beleiver.

Strong's Number: 1401 servant Transliterated: doulos Phonetic: doo'-los

Text: from 1210; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): --bond(-man), servant.

Strong's Number: 4190 evil Transliterated: poneros Phonetic: pon-ay-ros'

Text: from a derivative of 4192; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from 2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from 4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (but) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners: - -bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness). See also 4191.

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The parable of the 'shrewd manager' in Luke 16 is probably my favorite parable. Please provide the evidence from Luke 16 itself that suggests this is about picking the pockets of evil, rich unbelievers. I think it is quite the opposite!

Do I understand correctly? I think you are saying the talent parable is about literal money, right? Even if that is true, I say the emphasis in both parables is about GIVING your wealth away, using it, not bringing it in.

In Luke 16, Christ is telling us to use our wealth, our literal money to "gain friends for yourselves..." (vs. 9) and in turn make our master--God--look good by being generous with what he has entrusted to us. Just as the evil manager was commended for his shrewd, but wise, actions, we too will be commended by our heavenly master for being shrewd and generous with what has been entrusted to our care, investing it wisely in loving acts of generosity and kindness. After all isn't it "God's kindness (that) leads you toward repentance?" (Romans 2:4).
(Just as a side note notice how Paul in this Romans passage shows us what the real riches of God are, let us be found diligent and trustworthy with the 'true riches' (Luke 16:11) that God has entrusted to us.

The master commended his unworthy manager because it was very shrewd to win praise for both himself AND his master by using his master's possesions in this generous way. This is the very thing God wishes for us to do. God is exhorting us, "Take what I've given you and show the generosity and love of the master you serve!!!!!!!!!!!! They'll love you and they'll love me, too!. I've given it, now be shrewd and wise with what I've given you--USE IT!!!!!!!! What a witness you'll be!!!"

I can only say amen to the warning given by the previous person to you or anyone "who think that godliness is a means to financial gain" (1 Tim. 6:5).

This cannot be ignored: "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be RICH IN FAITH and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" (James 2:5) Read on for his opinion about rich people in general.


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A case can be made for the elder brother who stayed home. His father says that "all that I have is yours". He doesn't say "all I have less what is your younger brother's". In other words, even though he rejoiced when
the younger brother returned home, he still gave the remainder of his
inheritance to the son who never strayed. The prodigal son got nothing
but the party thrown for him.

It is this way in life. God rejoices when sinners return to the fold, but the greater gifts go to those who never strayed in the first place.
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Just like all these other folks, I would love to see a picture if you could possible email it to me. Thanks.
Karen
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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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The web linke to Ched Meyer's article does not work. Error 404... web page not found!

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I had a dream on June 21, 2003 and was shown an awesome sight. A swarm of Tornadoes descending from the sky that look like giant elephant trunks.

People will not know where to hide. So I am telling you now in advance. All that will listen, listen. You will want to find an underground place of shelter such as the below ground floor of a university or mall or parking garage that is windowless. Flying glass spells trouble. Start looking now where you will go. Watch for the signs, you will have time to go to your designated place of shelter. But to wait to look for the appropriate place of shelter at that time will be futile. You must do so now as an act of faith. And in that day, if anyone tells you, "Come with us! There is
a strong building over there". Don't go with them! Do not try and help anyone either or you will be confused and forget your hiding place.

I believe it will be as in the Parable of the 10 Virgins.
Let us pray earnestly to our God for the shed blood of the thousands of Iraqi people. Perhaps He will turn away His anger and leave us a blessing instead.

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When the Prodigal Son got a job on the pig farm, it would have been total humiliation, since the Jews believe that pigs are unclean. To make things worse, he had to eat the husks thrown to the pigs because no-one would give him anything. What do the pigs signify? Is it because he had to look after a living being other than himself? It seems that in the famine, the pigs were the only ones willing to share their food with him. ... A bit like the Good Samaritan maybe? I would appreciate some feed-back.

Thanks ever so much.

God Bless

Love Wendy
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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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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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If you're looking for a contemporary take on this parable... and any other biblical passage, for that matter, you might try Eugene Peterson's "The Message". He has done an admirable job of re-writing the Bible in today's context.
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The non prodigal son is the one who attends church every week. does all that is to be done to be a "good" son- obedient hardworking. yet he does not see how BIG his Father is- how his Father is capable of loving them both equally as much. He does not see how everything that God has belongs to him. Everything that he "worked" for is his to own. He is even petty about a fattened calf! To me, he has obeyed without really Knowing the character of his own father. My take on him. ;)
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There are a few major representations of the "oil". One, in the Old Testaments, it was instructed of Moses, by God, the use of the oil to anoint Aaron, the priest, for service for God. This was a great representation of separation and consecrating unto God to the priesthood. The anointing of God being represented on and in the presents of Aaron, which was also the same as the Holy Spirit in dwelling. Psalms 133:2 describes it as following: "It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body].

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

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

Also in the New Testament, it represents the HOLY SPIRIT, which brings understanding to the believer (1 John 2:20, 27). The Holy Spirit anoints a person's heart and mind with the love and truth of God's word.
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I think the parable has many applications, but try this. In every instance where the Good Samaritan is referred to, replace that person with Jesus. For instance - He came to where he was. Did God come to us when we were unable to go to him (inability to ascend by the law of Moses)?

When we are stricken. does He bind our wounds, pouring in His substance and anointing us (oil & wine)? Did He commend us to the Father before he departed (the host at the inn)? Does God provide a way of escape nobody thought about (Red Sea parting...he sat him on his beast) like he does the beast in this story or does the beast represent how we should behave as Jesus did,... you know the human need. Did He leave two things (two pence) behind for us...the Word and theHoly Spirit? When He comes again, will He repay? Now for the stricken man...is this you or is this the lost. I hope you know Christ.

Hope this blesses all.

Doug
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In looking at the various comments found below I notice that a lot of people inject their own ideas into the scripture when there is ample scripture to reveal what is meant. The King James Version of the bible is good because it keeps the integrity of individual words throughout the bible. This is especially important in the parables, because you can’t improve upon perfection. So a choice word, which is found in one parable, should be used in the others where the same (Greek) word is used. Jesus had the power of perfect wording and this is why he seems redundant in saying for instance “beware ye of the leaven of the scribes and the Pharisee’s, which is hypocrisy for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither is there anything hid which shall not be known. The latter part of this expression is found about four times throughout the gospels and maybe more. So the words hid, covered, revealed and of course leaven, are words that can be looked up in a concordance and traced back until a picture forms.

Leaven… Ah, the leaven and the dough parable! Leaven was hid in dough and it ended up being leavened. Might another expression for leavened be revealed? “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed. There is nothing hid that shall not be manifested”? Couldn’t the word manifested be synonymous with revealed or leavened?

But then you may remember that the idea there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed came out of Mark chapter four. Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested. Neither was anything kept secret……….

I think if you do a word study on the exact Greek words found in the parables you will find these unchangeable truths. The spirit or heart of a man-the candle, is also likened unto an eye. The light of the body is the eye…This is the ground that the word (seed) is sown in. The word obviously is the word of God, which is an aspect of the life of Christ. In the beginning was the word the word was with God and the word was God…. Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible seed by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. The treasure is the ability to manifest to the outer world the spiritual realities of the Kingdom of God or to tap into the human spirit and get in working on our behalf. Notice that in the parable of the treasure in the field and the merchant man seeking goodly pearls that there is great gain depicted. These are the secrets kept hidden from the foundation of the world.

These things were put in parables and metaphors because God foresaw that there would be a time when the Holy Spirit manifestation-the teacher, would dwindle. And people like you and me would have to learn the system through meditation vs. direct illumination from the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is received through the use of these principles. I realize that people will say with indignation “that’s not so”! But getting 500 hundred different interpretations per 500 people asked shows the Holy Spirit is not as manifest as should be. He’s a wee bit scarce ya know.

Just make sure that the Word interprets itself, for it says that it is not of any private interpretation.

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Do you no what the scientific name is for microorganism in bread.

what microorganism is used in bread and what group does the microorganism belong to


thankyou

bye
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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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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 was asked by a friend if I knew the name of the prodigal son. I'd never heard him referred to in any way except as "the younger son". Does anyone know of research that attaches a name to either the younger or older son?

Thanks!
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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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Please send me a story or a poem and the related message in at least 1000 words
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This has been a great study to learn how to apply this parable to my own life and pass on my findings in the LORD. I have a wonderful time looking at this small but great seed for my life.
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You all have very valid points,but are you willing to bet eternity on he said she said?I have a suggestion;get in a word church that teaches the uncompromised word of God.Also,study the word, and get to really know who God is,get to know his chracter.Then,I believe most of your comments will change and line up with the word of God.If the things you believe are opposite of the word,seek God,and his word.God loves you and he wants you to understand his word.Bible=basic instuctions before leaving earth.So read the instuctions carefully before you try to put it together.There is only 1 God,1 truth,and 1 way!
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In reading and rereading this parable I am moved by the Holy Spirit to realize this is very possibly a paradigm relative to the church.

We all seem to recognize who the prodigal son is. He is us. Who among us has not strayed or participated in sin? Our Father not only welcomes us back, He runs to us and falls upon our neck in a compassionate all-accepting, all-forgiving love.

What moves me most personally however, is how I see the older son in so many of us faithful churchgoers/ministers. Too many of us fail to realize the Father when He tells us, "All that I have is yours." What a powerful, dynamic statement our Father makes to us! We find ourselves burdened down in the fields of our churches, working in our own power, and don't see that our Father gives us all that we could ever want for victorious, overcoming life in Him.

Please read Matt 28:18-20 where we are told all authority is given to Jesus and He gives that authority to us! Then, in John 14:1014, we see that the power/authority/rights/abilities He has given us are all to glorify the Father. As joint heirs with Christ, we can hear the Father tell us, "All that I have is yours."

In Matt 6:9-13 we have the clencher! Jesus prays that God's kingdom and will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Did the Father refuse this request? Are we not on the Earth, therefor participants in "all that I have is yours." Perhaps we just need to recognize and apply our sonship privileges in God's Kingdom here on Earth. Be blessed.
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