TCIKOBD: Some Fell Amongst the Thorns

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them out.  

²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.  Matt. 13:7,22

Did you know the first time that thorns are mentioned in the Bible were following the disobedience of Adam in the the garden?  Much like Adam's disobedience.....when we stop listening to God to pursue a different path we become subject to the same curse of reaping thorns and thistles.   In today's scriptural passage Jesus says that those seeds that fell upon the thorns are people who hear or have heard the WORD but because of the cares of this world, the pleasures, delights, glamour, deceitfulness of riches ultimately suffocates the word making it difficult if not wholly impossible to produce fruit.

APPLICATION:  If you are tuning into and trusting into sources that don't speak God's truth, then you can very well be subjected developing opinions and slants toward whichever those media sources provide.  I don't care whether it's FOX, MSNBC, NPR, your racist neighbors or family members.....whoever it is....if they are not helping you to LOVE GOD, and LOVE ALL PEOPLE the source is choking and suffocating your ability to be fully effective and fruitful for the KINGDOM, because you will inherently have an issue of contigency towards one people, political, or social group which makes it hard for you to focus on LOVING GOD, and LOVING PEOPLE. 

I'm not saying you can't listen to......I'm saying don't allow them to become the authority over the WORD, spend less time fact checking......and more time Studying GOD's WORD, so that at the end of the day.....You've allowed the SEED, the WORD to get deeper into the good soil of your heart.  Remember....He simply desires that you LOVE GOD, and LOVE (all) PEOPLE!  Have a great weekend!

TCIKOBD: Some Fell By The Rocks

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil; and at once they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.  ⁶ But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they dried up and withered away.  Matthew 13:5-6

Now this group of people's hearts are better than those that are on the footpath, but they too have a problem.   Jesus says that these seeds didn't have much soil, so therefore these seeds, these hearts aren't able to fully experience the benefit of the manure, the nutrients of life that actually feed it.  So what tends to happen...some of the people in the openly expressive with their joy in the music or the WORD, like these seeds spring up quickly.  Some of them are found in the AMEN and Hallelujah bunch (not all of them) where when the intense heat of their life, their boss, their marriage, whatever situation that applies the heat comes upon them....they default to the the old man.  The one who cusses folks out.  The one who under their breath or in cliques speak ill about their boss, their neighbors, their gov't officials an they cloak it in freedom in speech, or the " God knows my heart" which is precisely true.....the abundance of the heart comes out of the mouth.  

See these seeds need to be planted in the WORD, so that when life gets tough, because it will......their response, the response of their hearts reveal the fruit of the Spirit.  Where when forced to wait, patience permeates.   When hatred is shown or demonstrated toward you/them you respond with  self-control, love, kindness and longsuffering blossom to cultivate a relationship.   When people are complaining, your mouth is a instrument of peace and gentleness. 

You get my point, see....while we mean well...the truth is our hearts are any one of these soils...and tomorrow we will tackle the one among the thorns but today.....ask yourself.....WHEN LIFE HAPPENS, what's my response?  Be honest, and pray from there....and trust that GOD is faithful to complete the good work He begun in you, so that your life may bless someone else.   LGLP

  

TCIKOBD: Those That Fell On The Path

¹⁸ “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: ¹⁹ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. Matth. 13:18-19     

Remember as the farmer was scattering seeds some felt on the path, and the reality is that not everyone wants to hear about or receive the WORD.   When Jesus delivered this message there were those in the audience who were there to only see if He said something to give them a reason to cry heresy.    There were those that came because someone strongly and/or wrongly encouraged them.  There were people there that were mad and hearts were hard for a multitude of reasons.   If we are all honest, since these variety of soils are really conditions of the heart.....our hearts have been hardened before toward something or someone.    This is precisely why some messages you receive and others you struggle with or completely miss.   Let the sermon (THE WORD/SEED) be about loving your wife, or loving you neighbor as yourself, or about giving, or fully committing to________________________ (you fill in the blank) and we struggle because we are mad at ____________________ or we've been hurt one two many times by__________________ and we don't want to trust...................  

The problem is with this heart condition the word says any WORD/SEED that is scattered along this path gets eaten up by the enemy because:

 A servant owned by God must not make trouble. He must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must be willing to suffer when hurt for doing good. ²⁵ Be gentle when you try to teach those who are against what you say. God may change their hearts so they will turn to the truth. ²⁶ Then they will know they had been held in a trap by the devil to do what he wanted them to do. But now they are able to get out of it. 2Tim. 2:24-26

We too have been and are sometimes those that reject the WORD.  Paul wanted to encourage Timothy that as believers we are to be kind to EVERYONE.  Must be humble and teachable even as SAINTS of GOD.  We are to be gentle (especially with the LOST) and be willing to be hurt for and when doing good, so GOD may, so GOD would be able to change their hearts...........  We need to stop attempting to change our neighbors, our spouse, our kids, our co-workers hearts and rather focus on LOVING THEM as GOD commanded us to do, and ALLOW HIM to CHANGE their hearts...ours included.   When we aren't doing this...when we are mad, turned off by others we are TRAPPED in the BAIT OF SATAN called bitterness.  We are being held captive and our ability to LOVE is stifled because that seed is being picked off by Satan and we are given to hatred.  

So what chamber of your 4 heart chambers is hardened.....and let's pray that GOD would break and soften that chamber for that "people group" that HE TOO LOVES....that you TOO need to demonstrate HIS LOVE towards.    LGLP

TCIKOABD: It's a BIG DEAL TO ADMIT WHERE YOU ARE

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. ⁴ As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seeds fell on fertile soil...Matt. 13:3-8a

You know in all 12 step programs the first step is admitting who you are and where you are....in order to begin the healing process.  Last week we begun talking about this farmer scattering seeds and focusing on the what happens when the seed is in good soil, that is a mixture of dirt and manure.  As we continue this study...it's important to note that there are four soils mentioned and of the 4, 3 are not favorable.   The human heart is comprised of 4 chambers, and if we are to be honest to liken our hearts to the soils maybe very appropriate since scripture tells us: 

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?  Jer. 17:9

So in correct theory....we truly do have an issue with our hearts and while there is some good in it....we seem to have an obstacle in us with 3 of our chambers being hardened as pavement, one is infested with rocks that need to be cleared, and the last we need to clear out, pull out the weeds and thorns that seek to choke, strangle and keep the root from bringing forth fruit.

So as I prepare to launch this blog to follow this past Sunday's message....I need you to be real, and honest.....:  THAT YOU NEED HELP, because the reality is you can't do this on  your own, and this is why JESUS DIED for you because this is not a sermon on self help, but more so on recognizing without JESUS your heart condition will worsen daily.

My prayer is that you will pray this prayer from David: Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.¹¹ Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit^[a] from me.  I pray you are humbled to admit where you are, and pray to God to help you get to where He'd prefer you to be.   Seeds in a bag, on a bench are good for eating.....and discarding the shell.  Nothing ever grows from that.   You may have to admit, that you are on the bench, and getting into the game...well you're struggling to do so, but my prayer is that you find yourself cheering & supporting those in the game, and eventually taking your place on the field of play in the game of life!  LGLP (we need everyone in). 

TCIKOABD: SO WHAT HAVE YOUR SEEDS PRODUCED

Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!   Matthew 23:8

Believe it or not....there are all types of sowers.   They are called the media.   They sow seeds of doubt.  They sow seeds of division.   They sow seeds of fear.   They sow seeds panic, and depending on the condition of your heart towards them will greatly depend on what your heart ultimately produce.    Much like the seeds that Christ plants by His preached, teached, or read word each bring forth some sort of a harvest.  

Jesus' harvest produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, patience, kindness, meekness, joy, righteousness,.....etc.    So since we stand at Friday, what have all of what you have listened to, subscribed to this week produced?   Are you filled with PEACE or are you stressed out.   Are you JOY FILLED or are you rather bummed out?  Does your heart burst with fruits of the Spirit or are their bitter roots, weeds, and thorns piercing you.

With all of the campaigning going on and conventions ramping up, I would encourage you to tune into the WORD of GOD, and listen to BOTT radio over NPR, and feed your Spirit the things of GOD so that as you have divine appointments today, and this weekend that you handle each of them with the Grace, Mercy, and Love of the Father in you.   LGLP

TCIKOABD: HOLD ON the SEED WILL NOT BE DENIED

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.  Luke 8:15 NLT

But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest. Luke 8:15 MSG

The reality is.....we all hold on to certain things.  For some of us, it's the hurts of the past.   It's the abuse of your mother/father.   It's the destructive words fed to you by your teachers.   It's the way THEY treated you in grade/middle/H.S school.    You/we hold on to what happened the last time I joined a church, or when I talked to.....and HE/SHE/THEY said to me.........the list goes on an on....but holding on to these things....produces bitterness.  It harvests fear and complacency.  But to those that the seed falls on the good soil.....The ones who hold on to the reality that GOD loves you (John 3:16, Eph. 2:4), that GOD will never (has never) leave or forsake you (Matt. 28:20), that God's thoughts about you (not associated to what you've done, or doing) outnumber the grains of sand (Ps.139:17-18), that he has begun a great work in you and is faithful to see it completed (Phil. 1:6), and that He thinks you are wonderfully made are the ones who bear fruit of His goodness and glory in their lives.

While it may appear we live in a black in white world it's what GOD has placed in you (HIS SEED) that when it reveals itself through how you look at life, through how you talk to, and love on people sprouts color to the workspace, the classroom, the community, the church........GOD's SEED is a BIG DEAL, and because it is, it has been placed, sowed into you....that makes you....A BIG DEAL TOO, you are carrying GOD'S SEED!   Allow it to take root in your heart, and watch how it transforms your life and those around you.  LGLP

Here's a song link called Simply Put:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOrNmabnXcw

TCIKOABD: The Importance of the SOIL (Your Heart)

As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. ⁸ Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Matt. 13:4-8

Have you ever had a mud pie?  I know blah....or yuck, or even gag me......but it's amazing how depending upon where this seed or seeds fell what type of crop or return the sower got. We are shown four types of places where these seeds were scattered.  One was the road or path,...where if we think about it today it would be the equivalent of scattering seeds on HWY 70.   The other was rocky places which would be that similar to these seeds being scattered over the the rocks at say, Klondike park.   The next place was among the thorns....so imagine a place over run with thorn bushes and weed and ask yourself is that where you would love to plant a peach tree.     Lastly, there is good soil, and if you know anything about farming.....the good soil is more than just dirt.  Dirt is what we made mud pies with. 

Good soil though is dirt and manure.   Now we will get into the depth and breadth of this manure thing another day, but we all have manure in our lives.  It's the mess, the sins of our past and present.  It's the DWI, it's the drug charges, it's the late child support payments, it's the divorce, it's the abuse, it's the crap of your life.   But see when it comes to growth the soil is what feeds the seed, and simply put people have been sowing into you life since the beginning of your life, and I want you to check your heart, or the soil of your heart....because I want you to ask yourself why are you where you are?   Is your heart as hard as HWY to the things of God?  Or is there soil there, but rocks and boulders of your past are covering the soil so you see some attempts to do right but they never last for a long period of time.  Is your heart like the thorns, do you get the message, like the message, but because you are a worry wart........your growing in the faith is constantly being choked out.  Or does your heart represent the good soil....where you are transparent with your past and allow the SEED to feed off of manure of your life and bring forth fruit.

As I said we'll get into the soil breakdown in the next few days.....but before we do so, before you leave the house today for work......ask GOD to do a work in your heart.  That whichever soil you know to be the make up of your heart........pray and ask GOD to break your heart for what breaks his.  Ask that GOD will make you an answer to _______________________________(you fill in the blank).  LGLP

Here's a song to help you worship from where you are: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbAOujRu7l4

TCIKOABD: The POWER of the SEED

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop...."(Matt. 13:3b-8a)

What's amazing to me about this parable is that this farmer was very liberal in sowing these seeds.   Had he not been.....they would've only fallen on good soil...but He, the farmer wanted a crop, a harvest and knew that the only way these seeds had a chance......was to get them out of the bag, out of his hands, and out!

The other thing apparent in this passage is that if given a chance.....if you are listening....if the seed lands anywhere near your heart (the soil) it has a chance to produce a crop.  It was only the ones that fell along the path that gotten eaten up by birds, all the rest no matter where they fell....sprouted roots and began to grow. 

So as you are launching out into this brand new day, August 20, 2012......are you (is your heart) on the road being picked off, and picked on?  Or are you one of the ones....who fell off road and are trying to survive, hold on, because the SEED, the WORD of GOD in you........is trying to take root, and begin a transformation from a dead seed, into a live and living plant meant to produce produce.

Whichever you are.....remember you started off as a seed (embryo) and Philippians 1:4-6 says " Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. ⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."  So my prayers will continue that wherever you worship & serve that you are growing....cause the seeds your grandma, or grandpa, or whomever it was sowing that fell on you.......will someday bring forth a harvest that will bring glory to GOD!  LGLP

TCHIKOBD:The VALUE of WORSHIP

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.  Matthew 13:44-46

Pearls were valued far above that of gold in biblical times, simply because gold was easily mined vs. pearls weren't as easily recovered because there was no deep sea diving equipment to recover such rare finds.     So this jeweler, this buyer and seller of pearls was skilled in knowing which ones were good.  But the fine pearl her found....He realized there was not just none like it, but he even knew that there wouldn't be any valued higher.   Now, many of you probably are like.....surely there would come along sometime and even better one....but that's how our minds work.   We are always looking for the BETTER DEAL.    We will leave jobs, because we know there has to be something better.   We will leave spouses because we know there has to be a better one, and while sometimes you maybe  right......most of the time...it comes down to WHAT DO YOU VALUE AS THE BEST DEAL.  You know the one that gets you out of the game of dating.  The game of buying/selling/trading.   The one the ends the search of the PERFECT CHURCH.  

Both of theses men discovered treasures that caused them to sell all they had just to invest all that they mustered up to purchase it.   Have you realized there are no perfect jobs?   No perfect husbands/wives (they maybe perfect FOR YOU...but they aren't perfect...).  No perfect churches.   No perfect schools.  No perfect communities....why aren't they....because we the people, aren't perfect.   We are all in need of the grace of GOD, and grace of each other as we are trying to figure out this thing called LIFE.

So....who are you selling out for?  If it's a person...well prepare to be disappointed or heartbroken at some point.   Is it the job?  Believe you me, they may cut your salary, your time, or your position so be careful.   But if you sell out for Christ....he won't leave you nor forsake you.   He will keep you when those people disappoint you.  He will sustain you when you have issues on the job, but you have to come to Him, instead of complaining to others.  He deserves all of you, all of your effort.....but He won't force you to choose Him.   SELLOUT FOR JESUS as you love your spouse!  SELL OUT FOR JESUS as you love others!  SELLOUT FOR JESUS as you give of your time & talents. LGLP

MCIKOBD: The Treasure of WORSHIP

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Matt. 13:44

You got to love Jesus' way of being able to articulate the unseen.   Here He's telling us the the Kingdom, where God resides, where we long to go, is like a treasure.   You don't treasure junk.  As a matter of fact that is totally subjective, because one man's trash is another man's treasure....or something like that....but really those things that are most valued to us...we store away.  We might have it on display but it's not to be touched or handled.  I recall as a kid searching for buried treasure and thinking we've found something of great value....but I think we knew....it really wasn't of great value.  Even if it was a quarter or half dollar, we'd usually end up spending it at the corner store for candy.

But not this guy....he reburied it, and in his joy went and sold all that he had to buy the whole field, treasure and all.  Many of you are searching for the next best_____________________ and when you find it, chances are it won't really be the BEST, you'll dissect it or wreck it and notice the flaws.   But what about finding the treasure in CHRIST?  Have you discovered that you can't do anything to stop Him from loving you?  Sure you can wreck your end of it, but not His cause He's committed to you.  Have you discovered that because there are no flaws in Christ........He really is the Best Thing That Happened To You?

Spend today thinking about what really has been the BEST THING that you've found, or that has happened to you, and spend the day praising GOD for that! All the while don't forget to LOVE GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE!

Here's song link to help you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsAS1O_b9h8

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

MCIKOBD: We Are Meant To Be Agents of Change

³³ Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.  Matthew 13:33

Yeast is a fungus that when put into dough, causes a series of chemical chain reactions where the fungus is affected by the temperature and begins to ingest the sugars in the dough which causes miniature explosions to which in the end yields this bread in many shapes, sizes, and colors but the ratio to the amount of yeast needed for 1 teaspoon per 16 oz., which is a very small amount.    So Christ is painting this picture of this small little agent being mixed into every part of the dough, that eventually has a affect on the whole part.  

In other words we are like yeast, many of you have testified about your neighbors or your neighborhoods.   You've posted about the people or students on your job.   You've even talked about your encounters with people at Wal-Mart, Dr. offices, movie theatres, etc....and while you are being mixed in with them all.......What affect are you having as a special agent?  SERIOUSLY!  You were created to be a special agent, not a secret one....but rather where GOD places you that you would have an IMPACT, an IRREPLACEABLE IMPACT to which your adding to.....would leave the thumbprint, DNA of JESUS.

I know.....I don't know  your........... I've heard it all......and GOD has heard even more excuses but the question doesn't change.   My only question is ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE or are you adding to the DENSITY of the environment?  

I served at SSM Home Care for 9+ years, and this picture is a small representation of the many lives I affected, through my faith & the love of JESUS CHRIST, my prayer moving forward is that I continue to make an irreplaceable impact at Calvary Church, and every where GOD places me.  My prayer is the same for each of you!  LGLP

THE BIG DEAL IS THAT BIG THINGS come in small packages

 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. Act 7:20a

No this isn't Moses as a baby, but....think about it....not just Moses, but Elijah, David, Job, Joshua, Jesus, the disciples and Paul all had this beginning to their life.   That while yet in the womb, and even before GOD looked upon them much like it was referred to in the above scripture about MOSES, that his destiny was not to be an ordinary child, and how could he be.....he was envisioned in the mind of GOD long before even His parents were born.

So essentially GOD has a MASTER plan....not just for or about the spiritual juggernauts of the Bible, but for you too, the church, you the CHURCH.  The living breathing representation of the principles of the kingdom of heaven lived out through you, with the HELP of the HOLY SPIRIT!

Imagine the world without the church.   Many of our higher educational institutions wouldn't exist.   There would be no support for orphans across the globe.  There would be no "catholic" or any others, charities for the disenfranchised.   Without the church there would be no hope, nor encouragement for the brokenhearted.   See despite the attempt to stomp and stamp our the church it has survived centuries of persecution, why because the CHURCH MATTERS to GOD, and should to us....much like your life.  

If you struggle with self worth, self esteem, or significance......I submit to you this...remove just one of these aforementioned Biblical characters from the the history of the formation of the church, and see the ripple effect it causes.   Just the same.....you not existing matters which is precisely why you were born.   In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," George realizes only after being in a trance of sorts that his small deeds and efforts mattered greatly, and without him a whole town doesn't even exist.
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My point is, even though you may not see it, or even understand....stop questioning your existence and rather celebrate it, with friends, family, your small group, your work team, even strangers.....EVERYDAY...cause PEOPLE (You included)MATTER TO GOD!  LGLP

The CHURCH IS A BIG DEAL: GOD's VISION FOR IT IS BEAUTIFUL

While I was lying in my bed, this is what I dreamed. I saw a large tree in the middle of the earth. ¹¹ The tree grew very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. ¹² It had fresh green leaves, and it was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. All the world was fed from this tree.  Dan. 4:10-12

Trees have been central to the theme of the Bible from the beginning.  Remembering that it was from the Trees of the Garden that Adam and Eve were to be nourished from all, except for one tree.    During the EXODUS a tree was used to sweeten the bitter waters for the people of Israel.   There were trees that angels of the Lord were found sitting under.   In Daniel this vision came about a tree that was a metaphor for Babylon, which had grown and been blessed by God to be a epicenter of it's time.

This was also GOD's vision for what the church would be to the nations.  That we'd grow strong and tall in the WORD & our WORSHIP (we'll talk about our worship this Sunday).   That we could provide shelter/shade from those that were in need....including (not excluding) the wild animals would find safety/shelter there.    That we'd bear good fruit, to nourish all those that came to it.

So my parting question is .....ARE YOU THIS TREE?  How are you in the WORD & your WORSHIP?  Are you found stretching your branches (arms) up to heaven?  Are you growing  (in a group as we are told to in Act 2:42-47) in the WORD?  Howabout how you co-workers and neighbors view you?  Do people tend to find comfort in being around  you?  Do they call you for advice?  Because of your relationship with the VINE (John 15:5)....are others the recipients of your fruit, you know the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)? 

So.......sounds like we may need to (as a tree remember we were planted for a purpose, in an area of need....that whole bit of the us being the church, an expression of GOD's kingdom) dig our roots a little deeper and move past being an attender.....to becoming a member....to stop being fans of Jesus, or just followers of Jesus, and become DOERS of His WORD so that this dying WORLD might come to know and choose ETERNAL LIFE!!!!  LGLP 

The Church Is Kind of a BIG DEAL: BECAUSE GOD PLANTED IT!

Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. ³² It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches. Matt. 13:3-32

In God's hands we are even smaller than this seed, but there is a purpose.   That seed will produces not just a roots, not just a trunk, branches, leaves, more seeds, but community for many living creatures.

It will act as a metropolis to give shade, provide shelter, nourishment, it will spice up what it ever it is infused and/or added to, and yet it is so small in it's beginnings.  His church began small, as a baby in a manger, and look at it now.    You too, started off small.  As an embryo, and no matter where you are in that development......GOD has a plan for you!  That you'd act as a metropolis too....in your homes, your school, your community, your job...that you'd nourish, add life to those whom you are blessed to cross paths with.    That you planted at___________________ or in _____________________ would spice up the life, the relationship with HIS love flowing through you because you, CHRISTIAN,  are connected to THE SOURCE of all life.

Now understand as I close, seeds are planted not on the top of the soil, but rather deep underneath it.  So you are surrounded by dirt, worms, creepy and crawly things, but it's from those things that you get nourishment.  It's in the darkness of the Earth that you feed off those experiences to make your roots grow deeper in the LOVE of CHRIST, so that once you've endured it all........a plant springs forth, and you stretch out towards the heavens because you desire to receive more from the source of GLORY upon you......and as you do so....others see it, and take refuge, desiring that same connection.     So as you live amongst them today....recognize GOD's purpose for you is that His name would be glorified, magnified and that He'd be praised!   LGLP

SOLID CHOICES: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?

Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here  Matthew 7:22-23 (MSG)

Check out the picture.  No seriously look at it....there are so many nuggets of info here it's ridiculous!  Everyone is in position and dressed up in their respected roles.   It's the big game (cause every game is) and millions are watching.   Now look at the ump (the judge) he is in the position to make the best call.   The catcher is in position to catch whatever it is that is being delivered from the pitcher and the batter a slugger believes he's gonna knock this outta the park.   Now look a little closer....do you see that the ball is actually in the catcher's mitt?  Look at how far away the mitt and the ball are from the batter.    Look at the batter as he realizes not only did he miss it, but HE REALLY MISSED IT...he whiffed as we call it.

I'm sure fans of his were like WHAT THEY HECK ARE YOU DOING?   HOW COULD YOU?????   Well while we are analyzing this.....MILLIONS OF ANGELS and a few folks are watching you get suited up.  TODAY is the BIG GAME...it's called life.   And although you make look the part, and maybe even doing some of the stuff (like the so called believers in the scriptural excerpt above) but let me ask you.....WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING & WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?  Are you trying to impress your boss today?  Are you really doing these things to make yourself look good, or position yourself to do.....or be...... Or are you doing it simply because you LOVE GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE!

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO LIVE IT WRONG.....there's a reason why after every blog, every post....I tag it with LGLP.  Cause if you not REALLY LOVING GOD & LOVING PEOPLE it's all a wash!  You lived a straight up sham of a life.   LOVING PEOPLE comes down to coming down, getting off or you high horse, and being the servant in all venues.   When you go out to eat, I know they are to serve you, but how can you serve them.   I know when you go to church....sign up for a ministry FOR REAL.   I know when you go to work......stop complaining about what THEY DON'T DO, and you just start serving the needs of others.  LOVING GOD is simple.....remember who made it all possible....and out of that gratitude return it to Him, by LOVING THOSE that aren't being LOVED so that they may come to love HIM too.   FOCUS....this is the BIG GAME, called LIFE....KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL (the WHOLE PURPOSE) you are up, at the plate...........LGLP

SOLID CHOICES: Who Do You Know

 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

²¹ “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  Matthew 7:20-21

So yesterday we talked about good trees, bad trees, good fruit, and bad fruit....and how we can identify them.   One of the most discomfiting things is going to the Farmer's Market seeing all the wonderful, colorful and good looking produce, buying it, then getting it home only to realize:

1) They didn't give you the fruit you were actually looking at that was good fruit, or

2) The fruit they gave you looked good, but was spoiling even then or,

3) It only looked good....because once you cut or bit into it.....blah, yuck...you discovered it was rotten to the core.

So Jesus continues on this identification of people....not judging to condemn them, but rather looking at, examining their lives.  So HE really desires that we would GET TO KNOW people.   So He says NOT EVERYONE WHO CALLS OUT TO ME LORD, LORD will enter into Heaven...........now many of you reading this are like....is He saying there are people that think they are His, part of the family, etc that aren't going to be able to enter into HEAVEN?  YES!  Just because you attend church somewhere or even maybe on a regular basis doesn't make  you a follower of Christ, no more than going to Cardinals games make you a player on the team.   Jesus is challenging you the reader to examine not only your heart, but watching out for those that say one thing, and are actually false prophets.

Here's a few questions regarding your walk or that of someone else's:

1) After Sunday services do you spend the week allowing the message to work in you?

2) Do you allow the message to cause a change in how you treat friends, family, and strangers?

3)  Maybe your pastor, minister, or priest had a bad week and the message wasn't communicated well.....can  you still be found doing God's will to your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family?

4)  Fans visit, Fan's cheer, Fan's sometimes fully participate in the wave or ....but players suit up, work out, they make a difference in the game, and are in the game on the playing field......which are you? 

Are you just saying LORD, LORD, or does your life show WHO YOUR LORD IS?  Loving GOD, and Loving PEOPLE requires you to be actually doing something..........LGLP

SOLID CHOICES: WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.  Matt. 7:18-20

So you are getting ready for work.......and WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO?  Ok, so you are in the car, or cleaning the house (if you work from home, or a stay at home mom/dad) and the question hasn't changed: WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO?   Ok so none of us, I REPEAT NONE OF US are spiritually perfect, or celestial beings.....so come SUNDAY MORNING or SATURDAY...where do you go to get your spiritual food and oh by the way: WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO? 

See JESUS when delivering this message wanted people to understand that even as they were listening to HIM, that we need to really be certain of WHO ARE WE LISTENING TO, so he gave them them some ways of identifying those that were His, and those who aren't, because believe it or not....we are listening to someone constantly.   Many of us don't even realize it.   For instance, when you go to bed....do you go to bed with the TV off or on?  Just because you are sleep doesn't mean your brain isn't processing what it hears, so whether you fall asleep to the Disney, History, Cooking, or Playboy Channel....that's what you are feeding and filling your mind with.    Just the same with music.....music is the only audible sound that has the ability to cross the cortex's of the the brain, and enter subconsciously without any effort by you.  This is why you know jingles without having done anything to learn/rehearse them.  

He tells us to examine the tree...in other words examine the speakers life.  If they are a good tree....you should see fruit, not just leaves.  You should be able to see where they provide shelter, shade, air, and nourishment for all those who come to it, or are around it.   Because the reality is.....a good fruit tree leaves are full so it acts as a community where birds, squirrels, etc can find a resting place, a place to eat, and even while it takes in carbon dioxide something that can kill us....it converts that to oxygen which is what we need to live..  Just as a pastor/teacher should be a place where a variety of people can find shelter, food, they should also be able to find where this person takes in negative talk, and outputs fresh air.    For the bad tree......well I'll keep it short it doesn't provide shelter or it's leaves are falling, it's fruit isn't good to eat, and further more it's good for nothing besides fuel for fire.

So stop and thing today, as you turn on the television/radio.......WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO, because whoever it is, you are giving them the authority to set the tone for your day.   GOD BLESS, try to make wiser choices, LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE...and listen to folks that speak Jesus TRUTH!  LGLP