Mathew 13.....

And there were gathered unto him great multitudes, so that he entered into a boat, and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

And he spake to them many things in parables,

“ saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow;

and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them:

and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them:

and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

He that hath ears, let him hear."

And the disciples came, and said unto him, “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?”

And he answered and said unto them, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”



Jesus is speaking to a “great multitude” here.

He knows....they only came to see His miracles.

I can remember at least 20 years ago, we went to a church service where there was a member of this church who was in a wheel chair....There were quite a few people who only ever came to that church when there was a special service and prayer were had for those who needed it.

Often, this young man in the wheel chair would go forward for healing.

He was so desperate to have the use of his legs again.....

But that miracle never happened while we were there.

Joni Erickson never got healed either....We don’t know why the Lord will or will not heal some people. I know Joni made use of her disability, and she brings people to Christ.


I don’t know if this other young man does the same or not....we moved away.

But my point is, these people who only came..... when there was a special service and prayers for those who needed it......only came.....to see a miracle.


Jesus saw their hearts and “knew” why they were there.


Jesus talks about seeds falling by the wayside.......

He did not go and pick them up and put them in fertile soil.....no!

He talks about seeds falling on rocky grounds......He did not rescue them, either.....

He talks about seeds falling among the thorns....he did nothing there either.....

none of the above got any attention.....he did not go and fertilize them or water them....he just left them.....

The same goes for people......

He will do the right thing,

but.......if their hearts are not open to “hear” what He is telling them, rocky, shallow, dry ground, then the seed of the word will not grow.....

so we should not think that....

”Right now I don’t have the time to follow Jesus I will do it later....”

that could be rocky ground.......or fallen by the way side.....or in the thorns......He does not go and chase them up......

so....later....could be too late!

The seed that falls on good ground, fertile ground, those seeds will be watered by the Holy Spirit, and yield fruit...some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

He who has ears to hear will hear!
Blessings
Yaddy

Biblical characters....

It’s great to take heart from the Scriptures when reading about biblical characters such as
Noah,

Moses,

Elijah

Jeremiah.
and others......

Great men of God as they were, I’m sure that there must have been times when they wondered if they’d heard God correctly.

In their own understanding they probably viewed the challenges they faced as almost insurmountable.



They had to stand up and confront the popular and distasteful culture of the day,

enduring trials along the way......

However, they trusted God.

They believed and took Him at his Word.
They did not have the whole Bible like we do.....today! Yet......

Today, there is so much contention about what God is supposed to be saying in His written Word. People write books and say they have coversations with God....would that not be like saying....

"Well, God said this to me and said to write it all down...."
to me that is adding to God's word.....

There is enough in the Bible....God's word....and He tells us we are not to add or take away from His Word...

So......are they really hearing from God?

I can’t help being reminded that casting such doubts originally began with the evil one when he tempted Eve with those words, “Did God really say … ?”
Blessings
Yaddy

Gospel Tracts | Simple Witness | Story of Mr Genor

Pre-Rapture Commentary: What Happened to “Repentance?”

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5)

“Repentance (metanoia, ‘change of mind’) involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness.” (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary’ London: Tyndale 1952 p. 97)

Repentance:

I.                to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent

II.             to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins

Amend (II):

alter, adjust, modify, revise, improve, change, correct, make changes..........

more at link:

 Pre-Rapture Commentary: What Happened to “Repentance?”

blessings
Yaddy

Psalm 51....a psalm by David

Restore unto me the joy of my salvation

the word SALVATION means= Preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil.
b. A source, means, or cause of such preservation or deliverance.
This joy, ......gladness, is not happiness that depends on our circumstances and our moods;
which has to do with our emotions or station in life.

This joy is something that is constant; ......it is from within us because He lives within.

One can have the same joy in terrible circumstance, that they would have when all is well, the same attitude of being on the mountain top when they are in the valley.

And....it was obvious that due to what David had done......(this is when he had Uriah killed and got Bathsheba pregnant) that he had lost the Joy of the Lord.

He might even have thought he’d lost his salvation as he asks “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and renew a right spirit within me".

Jesus makes two particular statements about joy for us....
in John 15:11: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

John 17:13-14: "But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

For now, this joy involves faith....
1 Pet. 1:8-9: “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-- the salvation of your souls.”
blessings....
Yaddy

Precious book

Though the cover is worn and the pages are torn,

and though places bear traces of tears,

yet more precious than gold is this book worn and old,
that can shatter and scatter my fears.

When I prayerfully look in this precious old book,as my eyes scan the pages I see:

many tokens of love from the father above, who is nearest and dearest to me.

This old book is my guide, tis a friend by my side, it will lighten and brighten my way.
And each promise I find soothes and gladdens my mind, as I read it and heed it today.

Whatever you have to sacrifice, what ever priorities you have to rearrange, read your bible every day!

Author unknown...
Blessings,
Yaddy

Mighty to save (+playlist)