How many times have you read about how the Pharisees and scribes attended the public meetings where Jesus taught and the Bible indicates that they did not understand his words? They attacked every word, concept, idea, parable and teaching that he delivered. How could these Bible experts not get it when it came to understanding the simple, yet profound teachings of a man who never attended their schools nor had the opportunities they did to devour wisdom and truth? Do you have people in your congregation who attack you or your words and have little understanding of their meaning?Jesus never promised that only those with a college degree would be able to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He actually described a formula for receiving the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible found in Luke 8: 8-18. But it's like most everything else. Where there's a way and blessing for us to receive from God, the devil comes along and interferes by providing a stumbling block to trick and deceive those who would receive this wisdom, but in essence, it was stolen and they didn't even recognize it was missing.When Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, often later his disciples would ask him to interpret what he actually said. But Jesus told them, the mysteries of God are actually granted to you to know the meaning and to understand. The parables are spoken to the crowds who will hear the words, but will not understand.. Was Jesus being mean, not giving the crowds liberty to understand these things? No, he explained exactly how to understand the mysteries of the Bible in his illustration of the parable of the sower.We all know that God made seed so we can plant it and when watered and fertilized it will grow into a plant, flower, tree or vegetable. But if you've ever planted a garden, you know that just because you put seed down does not guarantee that it will take off and produce. Certain elements must be in place for seed to grow. And once the elements are all in place correctly, you still have another element that you'll be dealing with, it's called a weed. The weed is the enemy of the seed and plant. Even though you do not seed the weed, you can be sure it will find its place in your garden and begin to take over.Now the parable speaks of the seed as the word of God. Any time we hear God's words, such as reading our Bible's or in a church service, these words come to us and are planted in our minds or understanding. They do not automatically take root. Like any seed, there must be the proper elements. So let's look at the four types of planting and what happens when the words of God are deposited in different types of personalities and individuals who upfront have a choice with what they will do with the words when they are released.The first seed is described as thrown by the wayside. Let's see the pastor as the sower. It's a Sunday morning and his message is quite touching. He describes how a loving God sent his son to die in our place and that if we receive that we can have everlasting life. A new visitor shows up at church and hears the word and is moved to believe it. So the word is deposited but just as the listener is deciding to believe the words, the devil comes along and he plants his thoughts or words which are quite contrary to what the visitor just heard. The devil reminds him that if God loved him so much then why did such and such happen to him or a member of his family 15 years ago. Now the visitor's heart begins to harden at the thought of, 'Yes, if God truly loved me that wouldn't have happened.' The seed or words lay on the ground (his mind) exposed, or not accepted as truth; the scriptures describe this as birds or fowls of the air devouring the seed. This is the illustration of the devil coming to steal God's words and replace them with his own words.Next, is seed that's thrown on rocky ground. This is the lady sitting next to the visitor. She hears God's words coming from the pastor, even feels the joy in accepting and believing the words. Yet there is no root system that's developed because to take root it needs to be watered a few times. The devil sees this as an opportunity to send some temptation or persecution to this woman so she'll lose interest and not have a desire to read the word and allow the watering of God's word to cause the good seed to sprout and mature..The third type of seed has been thrown among thorns. This is the person who hears, believes and actually goes forth with good intentions to build some faith on what the pastor just deposited in them. But the devil says, "I must send some distraction to this one." And along comes worry, extra responsibilities, trying to meet financial obligations or just placing the never ending pleasures of life before their eyes. When they are distracted, the fruit cannot develop and the devil wins again.The last illustration is seed that's deposited in good ground. Not only is this person an honest and good person, but when they hear God's word, they not only believe it, but they keep it. They recognize the voice of the enemy and are determined the seed planted will grow. So they water it, fertilize it, they listen to God's words and cling to them as well as spread them to others who also believe. When the devils' evil thoughts come they dismiss them. These people are noted to bring forth fruit with patience. They are praised for patience and diligence because they too were tempted, tried, cajoled, put down, persecuted for not accepting the weeds and thorns from the enemy.Pastor, how can you tell which members of your congregation are the ones who've taken your words and watered them and fertilized them and caused them to grow? Well, here are some clues. These people are the delights of your congregation.. These people are the ones who continually bless you, your spouse, family and others. These people do not make waves, cause division, gossip, or gripe. These individuals are the ones who support and back you financially, by volunteering and when things get rough they'll be there to give back with their words of love and support. These are the jewels you can trust. But how can you distinguish these from the others? My Bible says, "You'll know them by their fruit," These beautiful people bear the precious fruit that brings the most joy and love and blessing.You know that when you feed them your messages you're not throwing pearls before swine, because they never trample your efforts and love, they only spread the good words and bring more people like themselves into the body. These good people are lamp lighters. They hear your good words and share them with others in order to spread the light of Christ into the entire world.Next time you're tempted to concentrate on the gainsayers and trouble makers, those who bring mini-earth quakes, stop and reflect on the little sheep that God has given you who look forward to every word that comes forth out of your mouth. They cherish it like silver and gold and allow it to nourish them and others. These are the ones who bring the peace and reward to all your efforts.There will always be the Pharisees and scribes who have a need to dictate, control, pretend and deceive. But God says they have their reward and one thing they do not have but long for, and that's the ability to understand the wisdom of the Bible. They refuse to receive the word as a child in faith. The wisdom was presented to them but they chose to pull up the young plants in favor of the weeds. They heard the truth but chose to exchange it for lies. They were shown humility but chose pride, honor and glory instead. They could have had miracles but refused and even kept those around them from receiving.Pastor, you're like the farmer who sows seed and then carefully continues to water it. Your words, the seeds, will not all become fruit that is mature in everyone who hears it. But keep on watering, be patient, take courage and wait for the autumn for the precious harvest to ripen. Much will sprout and grow and become full, edible, delicious fruit and your reward from the Lord will surely come, for all your planting and special care. [EXTRACT] How many times have you read about how the Pharisees and the scribes, attending public meetings where Jesus taught that the Bible indicates that they did not understand his words? They attacked each word, concept, idea, parable and teaching that he delivered. Why did not the experts of the Bible that you get when trying to understand the teachings simple, yet profound about a man who never attended schools, nor had the opportunities that will devour the wisdom and truth? Do people in your congregation who attack you or your words and little understanding of its meaning? Jesus never promised that only those with a college degree would be able to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Actually describes a formula to receive wisdom and knowledge of the Bible in Luke 8: 8-18. But like everything else. Where there is a way and a blessing for us to receive from God, the devil comes and interferes providing a stumbling block to mislead and deceive those who receive his wisdom, but in essence it was stolen and did not even recognize it missing.When Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, often later his disciples asked him to interpret what he actually said. But Jesus said to them, the mysteries of God are actually granted to you to know the meaning and understanding. The parables spoken to the multitudes who heard the words, but will not understand .. Was Jesus being bad, not the freedom of the masses to understand these things? No, I explained exactly how to understand the mysteries of the Bible in his illustration of the parable of the sower.We all know that God made for us to sow seed and watered and fertilized when it will become a plant, flower, tree or vegetables. But if you ever planted a garden, you know that the act of putting the seed down, is no guarantee that it will take off and produce. Certain elements must be in place for the seed to grow. And once the elements are in place correctly, you still have another item that he occupies, which is called a weed. Weeds are the enemy of the seed and plant. Although not the seeds of the weed, you're sure to find your spot in your garden and start taking over.Now the parable speaks of the seed as the word of God. Every time we hear the words of God, as our Bible reading, or a religious service, these words come to us and are planted in our mind or understanding. Do not automatically take root. Like any seed, must have the appropriate elements. So let's look at the four types of seed and what happens when the words of God are deposited in different types of personalities and people who have put forward an option with what to do with words when first seed released.The described as lying in the gutter. Let's see the pastor as the sower. It's a Sunday morning and his message is very touching. He describes how a loving God sent his son to die in our place and that if we receive we can have eternal life. A new visitor appears in the church and hear the word and moves to believe. So the word is deposited, but as the listener is the decision to believe in words, the devil comes and the plants of their ideas or words that are the opposite of what the visitor just heard. The devil reminds you that if God loved him so much, why did this or that person or a family member 15 years ago. Now the visitor's heart begins to harden into thinking: "Yes, if God really loved me you would not have happened." The seed or the words were on the floor (his mind) in the open, or not accepted as true, the Scriptures describe as birds or birds of the air devoured the seed. This is the illustration of the devil comes to steal God's words and replace them with their own words.Next, is the seed that has been thrown on the rocky ground. This is the lady sitting next to the visitor. She hears the words of God that comes from the pastor, but feel the joy in accepting and believing the words. However, no root system that has developed due to take root that needs to be watered several times. The devil sees this as an opportunity to send some temptation or persecution of this woman for her to lose interest and have no desire to read the word and allow the irrigation of the word of God because of the good seed to germinate and mature .. The seed The third type has been cast among thorns. This is the person who listens, believes and actually come out with good intentions to build a little faith in what the minister has just deposited in them. But the devil says, "I have to send a little distraction to it." And over the responsibilities worry, extra, trying to meet financial obligations or simply placing the endless pleasures of life before their eyes. When distracted, the fruit can not develop and the devil won again.The last example is the seed that is placed on good ground. Not only is this person an honest and good, but when they hear the word of God, not just think so, but kept. Recognize the voice of the enemy and found the seed planted will grow. So water it, fertilize it, they hear the word of God and cling to them and spread them to other people who believe. When bad thoughts come to the fire demons. These people are noted to bear fruit with patience. They are renowned for their patience and diligence, because they too were tempted, tried, cajoled, write, persecuted for not accepting the weeds and thorns of enemy.Pastor, how can you say that members of his congregation are who have taken their words and watered and fertilized them and brought them to grow? Well, here are some clues. These people are the delight of his congregation .. These people are continually bless you, your spouse, family and others. These people do not make waves, cause division, gossip, or flu. These individuals are those who support and financial support through volunteering and when things get tough they will be there to back his words of love and support. These are the jewels you can trust. But how can you distinguish them from others? My Bible says, "You know them by their fruits:" The beautiful people that precious fruit which gives the greatest joy and love and blessing. You know that when you feed them the messages is not throwing pearls before swine, because you never trample on their efforts and love, which only spread the good word and bring more people like them in the body. These good people are the lamp lighters. They hear your words and share them with others to spread the light of Christ in the world now. Next all you're tempted to concentrate on those who oppose and trouble makers who bring mini-earth shakes, stop and reflect on the sheep that God has given you, we expect every word out of your mouth. They appreciate it as silver and gold and allow the feed, among others. These are the ones that bring peace and reward for all their efforts.There always the Pharisees and the scribes, who have a need to dictate, control, pretend and deceive. But God says that they have their reward and you do not have, but crave, and that is the ability to understand the wisdom of the Bible. They refuse to receive the word as a child in the faith. Wisdom is presented to them, but we chose to raise young plants for weeds. They heard the truth, but decided to change it for a lie. They chose to show humility but pride, honor and glory in its place. That might have had miracles, but he refused and even kept receiving.Pastor surround them, you are like the farmer who sows the seed and then carefully that the water continues. His words, the seeds, not all become fruit that has ripened in everyone who hears it. But keep in irrigation, be patient, be brave and wait until the fall to harvest precious to mature. Much sprout and grow and fill the fruit edible, delicious and reward from the Lord will surely come, for all their planting and care.
Wayside Gardens: Pastor - You've Planted Good Seed - Here's How to Tell Which Will Sprout and Which Will Not
How many times have you read about how the Pharisees and scribes attended the public meetings where Jesus taught and the Bible indicates that they did not understand his words? They attacked every word, concept, idea, parable and teaching that he delivered. How could these Bible experts not get it when it came to understanding the simple, yet profound teachings of a man who never attended their schools nor had the opportunities they did to devour wisdom and truth? Do you have people in your congregation who attack you or your words and have little understanding of their meaning?Jesus never promised that only those with a college degree would be able to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He actually described a formula for receiving the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible found in Luke 8: 8-18. But it's like most everything else. Where there's a way and blessing for us to receive from God, the devil comes along and interferes by providing a stumbling block to trick and deceive those who would receive this wisdom, but in essence, it was stolen and they didn't even recognize it was missing.When Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, often later his disciples would ask him to interpret what he actually said. But Jesus told them, the mysteries of God are actually granted to you to know the meaning and to understand. The parables are spoken to the crowds who will hear the words, but will not understand.. Was Jesus being mean, not giving the crowds liberty to understand these things? No, he explained exactly how to understand the mysteries of the Bible in his illustration of the parable of the sower.We all know that God made seed so we can plant it and when watered and fertilized it will grow into a plant, flower, tree or vegetable. But if you've ever planted a garden, you know that just because you put seed down does not guarantee that it will take off and produce. Certain elements must be in place for seed to grow. And once the elements are all in place correctly, you still have another element that you'll be dealing with, it's called a weed. The weed is the enemy of the seed and plant. Even though you do not seed the weed, you can be sure it will find its place in your garden and begin to take over.Now the parable speaks of the seed as the word of God. Any time we hear God's words, such as reading our Bible's or in a church service, these words come to us and are planted in our minds or understanding. They do not automatically take root. Like any seed, there must be the proper elements. So let's look at the four types of planting and what happens when the words of God are deposited in different types of personalities and individuals who upfront have a choice with what they will do with the words when they are released.The first seed is described as thrown by the wayside. Let's see the pastor as the sower. It's a Sunday morning and his message is quite touching. He describes how a loving God sent his son to die in our place and that if we receive that we can have everlasting life. A new visitor shows up at church and hears the word and is moved to believe it. So the word is deposited but just as the listener is deciding to believe the words, the devil comes along and he plants his thoughts or words which are quite contrary to what the visitor just heard. The devil reminds him that if God loved him so much then why did such and such happen to him or a member of his family 15 years ago. Now the visitor's heart begins to harden at the thought of, 'Yes, if God truly loved me that wouldn't have happened.' The seed or words lay on the ground (his mind) exposed, or not accepted as truth; the scriptures describe this as birds or fowls of the air devouring the seed. This is the illustration of the devil coming to steal God's words and replace them with his own words.Next, is seed that's thrown on rocky ground. This is the lady sitting next to the visitor. She hears God's words coming from the pastor, even feels the joy in accepting and believing the words. Yet there is no root system that's developed because to take root it needs to be watered a few times. The devil sees this as an opportunity to send some temptation or persecution to this woman so she'll lose interest and not have a desire to read the word and allow the watering of God's word to cause the good seed to sprout and mature..The third type of seed has been thrown among thorns. This is the person who hears, believes and actually goes forth with good intentions to build some faith on what the pastor just deposited in them. But the devil says, "I must send some distraction to this one." And along comes worry, extra responsibilities, trying to meet financial obligations or just placing the never ending pleasures of life before their eyes. When they are distracted, the fruit cannot develop and the devil wins again.The last illustration is seed that's deposited in good ground. Not only is this person an honest and good person, but when they hear God's word, they not only believe it, but they keep it. They recognize the voice of the enemy and are determined the seed planted will grow. So they water it, fertilize it, they listen to God's words and cling to them as well as spread them to others who also believe. When the devils' evil thoughts come they dismiss them. These people are noted to bring forth fruit with patience. They are praised for patience and diligence because they too were tempted, tried, cajoled, put down, persecuted for not accepting the weeds and thorns from the enemy.Pastor, how can you tell which members of your congregation are the ones who've taken your words and watered them and fertilized them and caused them to grow? Well, here are some clues. These people are the delights of your congregation.. These people are the ones who continually bless you, your spouse, family and others. These people do not make waves, cause division, gossip, or gripe. These individuals are the ones who support and back you financially, by volunteering and when things get rough they'll be there to give back with their words of love and support. These are the jewels you can trust. But how can you distinguish these from the others? My Bible says, "You'll know them by their fruit," These beautiful people bear the precious fruit that brings the most joy and love and blessing.You know that when you feed them your messages you're not throwing pearls before swine, because they never trample your efforts and love, they only spread the good words and bring more people like themselves into the body. These good people are lamp lighters. They hear your good words and share them with others in order to spread the light of Christ into the entire world.Next time you're tempted to concentrate on the gainsayers and trouble makers, those who bring mini-earth quakes, stop and reflect on the little sheep that God has given you who look forward to every word that comes forth out of your mouth. They cherish it like silver and gold and allow it to nourish them and others. These are the ones who bring the peace and reward to all your efforts.There will always be the Pharisees and scribes who have a need to dictate, control, pretend and deceive. But God says they have their reward and one thing they do not have but long for, and that's the ability to understand the wisdom of the Bible. They refuse to receive the word as a child in faith. The wisdom was presented to them but they chose to pull up the young plants in favor of the weeds. They heard the truth but chose to exchange it for lies. They were shown humility but chose pride, honor and glory instead. They could have had miracles but refused and even kept those around them from receiving.Pastor, you're like the farmer who sows seed and then carefully continues to water it. Your words, the seeds, will not all become fruit that is mature in everyone who hears it. But keep on watering, be patient, take courage and wait for the autumn for the precious harvest to ripen. Much will sprout and grow and become full, edible, delicious fruit and your reward from the Lord will surely come, for all your planting and special care. [EXTRACT] How many times have you read about how the Pharisees and the scribes, attending public meetings where Jesus taught that the Bible indicates that they did not understand his words? They attacked each word, concept, idea, parable and teaching that he delivered. Why did not the experts of the Bible that you get when trying to understand the teachings simple, yet profound about a man who never attended schools, nor had the opportunities that will devour the wisdom and truth? Do people in your congregation who attack you or your words and little understanding of its meaning? Jesus never promised that only those with a college degree would be able to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Actually describes a formula to receive wisdom and knowledge of the Bible in Luke 8: 8-18. But like everything else. Where there is a way and a blessing for us to receive from God, the devil comes and interferes providing a stumbling block to mislead and deceive those who receive his wisdom, but in essence it was stolen and did not even recognize it missing.When Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables, often later his disciples asked him to interpret what he actually said. But Jesus said to them, the mysteries of God are actually granted to you to know the meaning and understanding. The parables spoken to the multitudes who heard the words, but will not understand .. Was Jesus being bad, not the freedom of the masses to understand these things? No, I explained exactly how to understand the mysteries of the Bible in his illustration of the parable of the sower.We all know that God made for us to sow seed and watered and fertilized when it will become a plant, flower, tree or vegetables. But if you ever planted a garden, you know that the act of putting the seed down, is no guarantee that it will take off and produce. Certain elements must be in place for the seed to grow. And once the elements are in place correctly, you still have another item that he occupies, which is called a weed. Weeds are the enemy of the seed and plant. Although not the seeds of the weed, you're sure to find your spot in your garden and start taking over.Now the parable speaks of the seed as the word of God. Every time we hear the words of God, as our Bible reading, or a religious service, these words come to us and are planted in our mind or understanding. Do not automatically take root. Like any seed, must have the appropriate elements. So let's look at the four types of seed and what happens when the words of God are deposited in different types of personalities and people who have put forward an option with what to do with words when first seed released.The described as lying in the gutter. Let's see the pastor as the sower. It's a Sunday morning and his message is very touching. He describes how a loving God sent his son to die in our place and that if we receive we can have eternal life. A new visitor appears in the church and hear the word and moves to believe. So the word is deposited, but as the listener is the decision to believe in words, the devil comes and the plants of their ideas or words that are the opposite of what the visitor just heard. The devil reminds you that if God loved him so much, why did this or that person or a family member 15 years ago. Now the visitor's heart begins to harden into thinking: "Yes, if God really loved me you would not have happened." The seed or the words were on the floor (his mind) in the open, or not accepted as true, the Scriptures describe as birds or birds of the air devoured the seed. This is the illustration of the devil comes to steal God's words and replace them with their own words.Next, is the seed that has been thrown on the rocky ground. This is the lady sitting next to the visitor. She hears the words of God that comes from the pastor, but feel the joy in accepting and believing the words. However, no root system that has developed due to take root that needs to be watered several times. The devil sees this as an opportunity to send some temptation or persecution of this woman for her to lose interest and have no desire to read the word and allow the irrigation of the word of God because of the good seed to germinate and mature .. The seed The third type has been cast among thorns. This is the person who listens, believes and actually come out with good intentions to build a little faith in what the minister has just deposited in them. But the devil says, "I have to send a little distraction to it." And over the responsibilities worry, extra, trying to meet financial obligations or simply placing the endless pleasures of life before their eyes. When distracted, the fruit can not develop and the devil won again.The last example is the seed that is placed on good ground. Not only is this person an honest and good, but when they hear the word of God, not just think so, but kept. Recognize the voice of the enemy and found the seed planted will grow. So water it, fertilize it, they hear the word of God and cling to them and spread them to other people who believe. When bad thoughts come to the fire demons. These people are noted to bear fruit with patience. They are renowned for their patience and diligence, because they too were tempted, tried, cajoled, write, persecuted for not accepting the weeds and thorns of enemy.Pastor, how can you say that members of his congregation are who have taken their words and watered and fertilized them and brought them to grow? Well, here are some clues. These people are the delight of his congregation .. These people are continually bless you, your spouse, family and others. These people do not make waves, cause division, gossip, or flu. These individuals are those who support and financial support through volunteering and when things get tough they will be there to back his words of love and support. These are the jewels you can trust. But how can you distinguish them from others? My Bible says, "You know them by their fruits:" The beautiful people that precious fruit which gives the greatest joy and love and blessing. You know that when you feed them the messages is not throwing pearls before swine, because you never trample on their efforts and love, which only spread the good word and bring more people like them in the body. These good people are the lamp lighters. They hear your words and share them with others to spread the light of Christ in the world now. Next all you're tempted to concentrate on those who oppose and trouble makers who bring mini-earth shakes, stop and reflect on the sheep that God has given you, we expect every word out of your mouth. They appreciate it as silver and gold and allow the feed, among others. These are the ones that bring peace and reward for all their efforts.There always the Pharisees and the scribes, who have a need to dictate, control, pretend and deceive. But God says that they have their reward and you do not have, but crave, and that is the ability to understand the wisdom of the Bible. They refuse to receive the word as a child in the faith. Wisdom is presented to them, but we chose to raise young plants for weeds. They heard the truth, but decided to change it for a lie. They chose to show humility but pride, honor and glory in its place. That might have had miracles, but he refused and even kept receiving.Pastor surround them, you are like the farmer who sows the seed and then carefully that the water continues. His words, the seeds, not all become fruit that has ripened in everyone who hears it. But keep in irrigation, be patient, be brave and wait until the fall to harvest precious to mature. Much sprout and grow and fill the fruit edible, delicious and reward from the Lord will surely come, for all their planting and care.