Seeds

^{Luke 8:4} And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: ⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Purpose of Parables

⁹ Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”
¹⁰ And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that

‘Seeing they may not see,And hearing they may not understand.’

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.¹² Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ¹⁵ But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

The Parable of the Revealed Light

¹⁶ “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷ For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸ Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

What seed are you? 

Can You See?

We can only see what we choose to see and unfortunately most of us choose to see nothing. This world we live in is not a happy, friendly, utopia, nor is everything morbidly awful and debased. However, the latter description is truer. If I can share a part of my character it is joy. My name and the definition of the word blessed are synonymous. People often are angry with me because I am always happy. Ninety-nine percent of the time I am smiling. Others literally just blurt out and ask, "Are you really this happy!?" Lol! And I sincerely am! Why? Because I know the truth. I seek truth. I embrace truth. I mediate on those things that are pure and lovely and honorable and that are of a good report but I do not choose to be ignorant, blind, and gullible so I can "appear" positive. 

My plea to you today is that you open your eyes. If you walk around believing everything media, government, popes, scientists, television pastors, celebrities, etc., say just because the "masses" believe them you are surely headed for destruction. If things do not look right or sound right to you, then those things probably are not right, so seek out the truth. Nothing is by happenstance! Nothing is coincidence! Example: VMAs come on once a year. This is a very strategically planned event. Practice rehearsals are required! Everyone: media, Internet, church, etc., is focusing on this lewd girl but the real message was preached to the masses. She was a distraction! Did you see it? Did you hear the message in every presenter and song? I am not a VMA supporter but I hate to be ignorant. I need to know for myself not what the masses tell me! Am I saying watch the VMAs, of course not, but it is a major event that I personally deem watch worthy because it is always promoting something other than videos! This is just one event but major events are happening every moment of every day. We may not know them all but we cannot be or choose to be ignorant to them all! 

Research deeper into what is truly happening. Stop using ignorance as an excuse. Ignorance destroys you in this life and the next for sure! No elaborate scriptures today, just pulling on your common sense and stirring up your wisdom. God freely has given us both so use them for they are our life. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Moving Forward

Today is an exciting day. Yesterday has passed and tomorrow never comes! By the time tomorrow comes it will be called today! Lol! The people of God have seen some really disturbing times, but this present day 'madness', for lack of a better word, has made us better and greater! God's word boldly tells us "Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this." (Ecclesiastes 7:10) You are not alone! I sometimes miss the days when church was packed with people who would come simply because I asked. There was a genuine thirst to know Christ and prosperity was flowing! But the word says in 2 Thessalonians 2:3

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, ... and in 2 Timothy 4:4 it says "...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." If these present things were not happening then Jesus would be further from returning. The saints of God should be super excited because our Lord and Savior is soon to return! It is our only hope in this decaying world and we are excited because we know exactly what's happening! The word confirms in Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near!" So be excited about today! Be excited about your walk with God! Your labor and holiness is not in vain! Know with confidence that, that day is at hand when ALL shall say ... “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.” (Psalms 58:11) God Bless!

..,That He May Bestow A Blessing This Day

<sup>Exodus 32: 26-29

26</sup>Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
²⁷ And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
²⁸ And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
²⁹ For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

"TO AN UNKNOWN GOD"

Acts 17:19: "Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)

22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.

30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. ..."

Every day someone talks of a "new" religion, belief, or ideology! But there is nothing new under God's sun. These verses in the book of Acts show us that people were just as ignorant then as they are now. Worshipping a God or god they do not know nor desire to know, just wanting something new to hear or talk about to justify them not serving the One True and Living God. And just like during Paul's time, most laughed, many seemed confused, but the CHOSEN believed and followed Christ. I pray God draws you to believe today and not leave you lost looking for "new things" like the foolish trend seeking Athenians. Pray God draws you to Him today. 

This Divided Church

"He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11

Jesus' return is nearer than most believe. The body of Christ is so divided it is sickening! God's word says, 'But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself WILL NOT stand."'  (Matthew 12:25) Jesus also says in Mark 3:25 a house divided CANNOT stand! So why did I use Revelation 22:11? Because, if you are a "so-called" follower of Christ but all you do is belittle your brethren in the church from leadership to the back row you are considered wicked to God. So, if WE, the so called saints of God, refuse to be one like Jesus prayed and commanded us throughout the bible, and we are not doing His will all our so called "messages" to the "masses" are in vain! Choose to serve God rather than man and READ and KNOW the bible before you try and teach it! 

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.  James 3:1 

Self Defense Or Murder?

9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. 12 They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment. 13 And of the cities which you give, you shall have six cities of refuge. 14 You shall appoint three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities you shall appoint in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge. 15 These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there.

16 ‘But if he strikes him with an iron implement, so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 And if he strikes him with a stone in the hand, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he strikes him with a wooden hand weapon, by which one could die, and he does die, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies, 21 or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

22 ‘However, if he pushes him suddenly without enmity, or throws anything at him without lying in wait, 23 or uses a stone, by which a man could die, throwing it at him without seeing him, so that he dies, while he was not his enemy or seeking his harm, 24 then the congregation shall judge between the manslayer and the avenger of blood according to these judgments. 25 So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. 26 But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, 27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.

29 ‘And these things shall be a statute of judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 30 Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty. 31 Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. 32 And you shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the priest. 33 So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 34 Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.’”  Numbers 35:9-34

Fortunately our justice system still follows God's law, thus I am confident God's justice will prevail. Amen.