When The Word Is Given…

Matthew 13:18-23

Wayside – Hears/receives the word (seed), but lacks understanding, then the wicked one snatches away the seed of the word sown in the heart

Stony Places – Hears/receives the word (seed) immediately with joy, but has no roots (foundation) and lasts a little while, then falls apart when hard times come

Thorns – Hears/receives the word (seed), but allows the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches to make the word of non-effect, thus causing them to become unfruitful

Good Ground – Hears/receives the word (seed), understands it, bears and brings forth fruit in great abundance

Are you sitting by the wayside, among stony places, in the midst of thorns, or firmly planted in good ground when God’s word is given?

Relaxe, Deus Tem Você

Salmo 37:1-8

Não se estresse com pessoas más e não inveje aqueles que se envolvem em atividades perversas. Porque, com o tempo, suas más ações cessarão e eles desaparecerão. Em vez disso, confie no Senhor e continue fazendo o bem. Só então você se tornará mais estabelecido e Deus proverá todas as suas necessidades. Tenha grande prazer em cumprir a vontade do Pai e Ele, por sua vez, atenderá aos desejos do seu coração. Concentre todos os seus planos e idéias na piedade, confie em Deus sem vacilar, e você verá esses planos se manifestarem. Enquanto serve ao Senhor diligentemente, Ele tornará conhecidas suas obras de justiça aos outros, para que eles vejam a verdade de sua professada santidade e entendam por que você vive dessa maneira. Durante os momentos difíceis, faça o possível para não se estressar, relaxe a mente e espere pacientemente que Deus resolva as coisas para você. Mesmo quando parece que os ímpios estão prosperando e vivendo uma “vida boa”, confie e creia que Deus tratará com eles e cuidará de você … contanto que você mantenha a cabeça fria e evite fazer o mal durante sua luta. É difícil manter bons pensamentos e intenções puras quando a vida fica difícil, mas Deus vê sua luta e tem um tempo determinado para libertá-lo. Portanto, enquanto você sofre, concentre-se em obter toda a força, fé, sabedoria e conhecimento que puder com a sua situação e esteja pronto para ajudar a próxima pessoa que possa enfrentar um problema semelhante.

Relájate, Dios Te Tiene

Salmo 37:1-8

No te estreses por las personas malvadas y no envidies a quienes se involucran en actividades malvadas. Porque, con el tiempo, sus malas acciones cesarán y se desvanecerán. En cambio, confía en el Señor y continúa haciendo el bien. Solo entonces, se establecerá más y Dios proveerá para todas sus necesidades. Disfruta mucho de cumplir la voluntad del Padre, y Él, a su vez, te concederá los deseos de tu corazón. Enfoque todos sus planes e ideas en la piedad, confíe en Dios sin vacilar y verá que esos planes se manifiestan. Mientras sirve al Señor con diligencia, Él dará a conocer sus buenas obras a los demás, para que vean la verdad de su santidad profesada y comprendan por qué vive de la manera en que lo hace. Durante los momentos difíciles, haga todo lo posible por no estresarse, relajar la mente y esperar pacientemente a que Dios resuelva las cosas por usted. Incluso cuando parezca que las personas malvadas están prosperando y viviendo la “buena vida”, confíe y crea que Dios se ocupará de ellos y cuidará de usted … siempre y cuando mantenga la cabeza fría y se abstenga de hacer el mal. durante tu lucha. Es difícil mantener buenos pensamientos e intenciones puras cuando la vida se pone difícil, pero Dios ve tu lucha y tiene un tiempo establecido para liberarte. Entonces, mientras sufre, concéntrese en obtener toda la fuerza, fe, sabiduría y conocimiento que pueda de su situación, y esté listo para ayudar a la próxima persona que pueda estar en fila para enfrentar un problema similar.

Relax, God’s Got You

Psalm 37:1-8

Don’t stress yourself over evil people, and don’t envy those who involve themselves in wicked activities.  Because, in time, their evil deeds will cease and they’ll fade away. Instead, trust in the Lord and continue doing good. Only then, will you become more established, and God will provide for all your needs.

Take strong pleasure in fulfilling the will of the Father, and He’ll in turn, give you your heart’s desires. Focus all your plans and ideas on godliness, trust God without wavering, and you’ll see those plans manifest. While serving the Lord diligently, He will make known your righteous deeds to others, so they’ll see the truth of your professed holiness, and understand why you live the way you do.

During difficult times, try your best not to stress, relax your mind, and wait patiently for God to work things out for you. Even when it seems as if wicked people are prospering and living the “good life”, trust and believe that God will deal with them, and take care of you…as long as you keep a level head, and refrain from doing evil during your struggle.

It’s hard to maintain good thoughts and pure intentions when life gets hard, but God sees your struggle, and has a time set to deliver you. So, while you suffer, focus on gaining all the strength, faith, wisdom, and knowledge you can from your situation, and be ready to help the next person who may be lined up to face a similar issue.

“Don’t give up, help is on the way.”

Proper Perspective

James 4:3

I pray for wisdom, but I ignore it. I ask for strength, but I don’t use it. I seek peace, but from all the wrong places. I strive to do good, but give up before the journey begins. I choose my words wisely, but always when it’s too late. I ask, and nothing’s given. I seek, but can’t find. I knock, but no doors open. Then, I change my perspective. I pray for wisdom, then walk according to it. I ask for strength, then face life with boldness. I seek peace, and pursue it. I strive to do good, and diligently commit to it. I choose my words wisely, and use them to build up and edify. I ask, then I receive what I need. I seek, and find the answers to my concerns. I knock, and walk through doors that lead to the path of righteousness.

From Galilee To Jordan

Matthew 3

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “From Galilee To Jordan” starring, John the Baptist, and Jesus! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

John the Baptist: Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

(Crowds of people from Jerusalem, Judea, and all the regions of Jordan begin to come and hear John speak.)

John the Baptist: Hear me, and let my words penetrate into your hearts. Confess your sins before the Lord, and be baptized.

(Countless men and women confessed their sins, and were baptized. Note, baptism was an outward sign of inward confession. Although the water didn’t save men, the act showed others that a person made an honest confession to follow God.)

(John’s quick popularity caught the attention of the Pharisees and Saducees; the religious groups who held themselves to a higher standard than what God set in place.)

John the Baptist: Ahhhh, look who’s here. Oh generation of vipers! You must have heard about the coming wrath upon all who oppose righteousness. Make sure your acts are righteous, and that your works are good, because if you have bad thoughts and evil intentions, you will be cut down and destroyed.

(This message obviously didn’t rest well in the hearts of those wicked ones.)

John the Baptist: Surely, I baptize you with water unto repentance, but there’s someone coming after me, who is mightier than I am, and I’m not worthy to even carry his shoes. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

(The crowds of people wonder in amazement of who this other person could be.)

(“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.”)

John the Baptist: It’s you! But, I cannot baptize you. I forbid it! You are…

Jesus: It’s alright. Do it now, because we have a responsibility to fulfill all righteousness.

(“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” I wish I could have witnessed this in person.)

In times when you feel as though you’re unworthy to serve God, remember, you were made to bring glory to His name. So, in all you do, do it as unto the Lord, and He will reward you for all the good fruit you produce in the earth.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “From Galilee To Jordan”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

Deeply Rooted

Ephesians 3

When God created the world, He planted a great variety of trees, plants, and flowers all over the earth. Many tress and other types of flora are good for food, and offer a variety of other beneficial uses, but the most important part of any tree or plant is, it’s roots. According to easytogrowbulbs.com, the roots of a plant have several important functions. The roots anchor the plant in place, resisting the forces of wind and running water or mud flow. The root system takes in oxygen, water and nutrients from the soil, to move them up through the plant to the stems, leaves and blooms.  Roots often store the energies created by the plant through photosynthesis, to make them available to the plant as it is needed. Plant roots also stimulate and support microorganisms in the soil that benefit plant life.

Roots are vital to the survival and overall wellbeing of plant life, but what the roots are planted in, is the major benefactor in what it can bring forth. Jesus spoke a parable in Matthew 13 that reads, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”

When roots are planted in good ground, the probability of the tree bringing forth fruit is extremely high, but when tress are planted in unfavorable areas, they’ll bring forth little to no increase. When those who claim to be sons and daughters of God have their hearts rooted and grounded in love, they’ll undoubtedly bring forth much fruit for the kingdom of God. But, to those who have set their affections on things below, including money, power, wealth, careers, cars, or celebrity, they’ll never be fit for God’s kingdom. Although many aren’t rooted in God’s love, they have been blessed with limited time to get their hearts right with the Father. Are you deeply rooted in love, or are you planted in unfavorable, and unprofitable ground?

Antigo vs. Novo

Hebreus 10: 1-18

VELHO ——- Porque a lei, tendo sombra das coisas boas que virão, e não a própria imagem das coisas, nunca pode, com aqueles sacrifícios que eles ofereceram ano após ano, aperfeiçoar continuamente os que chegam a eles. Pois então eles não teriam deixado de ser oferecidos? porque os adoradores, uma vez purificados, não teriam mais consciência dos pecados. Mas nesses sacrifícios há uma lembrança feita dos pecados novamente a cada ano. Pois não é possível que o sangue de touros e de bodes tire os pecados.

NOVO ——– Pela qual vontade somos santificados por meio da oferta do corpo de Jesus Cristo uma vez por todas. E todo sacerdote permanece diariamente ministrando e oferecendo muitas vezes os mesmos sacrifícios, que nunca podem tirar os pecados: Mas este homem, depois de haver oferecido um sacrifício pelos pecados para sempre, sentou-se à destra de Deus; De agora em diante, esperando até que seus inimigos se tornem seu escabelo. Pois com uma só oferta ele aperfeiçoou para sempre os que são santificados. Do qual o Espírito Santo também é uma testemunha para nós: pois depois que ele disse antes, este é o convênio que farei com eles depois daqueles dias, diz o Senhor, eu colocarei minhas leis em seus corações e em suas mentes vou escrevê-los; E de seus pecados e iniqüidades não me lembrarei mais. Agora, onde está a remissão destes, não há mais oferta pelo pecado.

Por causa do sacrifício de Jesus, não há necessidade de nenhum outro substituto para expiar os pecados do homem. A oferta de Jesus foi eficaz para todos os pecados passados, presentes e futuros, mas a salvação é condicional e determinada pela confissão de pecado de um indivíduo e uma vida dedicada de submissão à vontade do Senhor.

Viejo vs. Nuevo

Hebreos 10: 1-18

VIEJO ——- Porque la ley, que tiene una sombra de los bienes venideros, y no la imagen misma de las cosas, nunca podrá, con los sacrificios que ofrecían año tras año, hacer perfectos continuamente a quienes la practican. Entonces, ¿no habrían dejado de ofrecerse? porque los adoradores una vez purgados no deberían haber tenido más conciencia de pecados. Pero en esos sacrificios hay un recuerdo de los pecados cada año. Porque no es posible que la sangre de toros y machos cabríos quite los pecados.

NUEVO ——– Por la cual seremos santificados mediante la ofrenda del cuerpo de Jesucristo hecha una vez para siempre. Y todo sacerdote está cada día ministrando y ofreciendo muchas veces los mismos sacrificios, que nunca pueden quitar los pecados. Pero este, habiendo ofrecido un solo sacrificio por los pecados para siempre, se sentó a la diestra de Dios; De ahora en adelante esperando hasta que sus enemigos sean puestos por estrado de sus pies. Porque con una sola ofrenda hizo perfectos para siempre a los santificados. De lo cual también el Espíritu Santo nos es testigo; porque después de que había dicho antes: Este es el convenio que haré con ellos después de aquellos días, dice el Señor: Pondré mis leyes en sus corazones y en sus mentes. les escribiré; Y nunca más me acordaré de sus pecados e iniquidades. Ahora bien, donde está la remisión de éstos, no hay más ofrenda por el pecado.

Debido al sacrificio de Jesús, no hay necesidad de ningún otro sustituto para expiar los pecados del hombre. La ofrenda de Jesús fue efectiva para todos los pecados pasados, presentes y futuros, pero la salvación está condicionada y determinada por la confesión adecuada del pecado de la persona y una vida dedicada de sumisión a la voluntad del Señor.

Old Vs. New

Hebrews 10:1-18

OLD
——-
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

NEW
——–
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, there’s no need for any other substitute to atone for man’s sins. Jesus’ offering was effective for all past, present, and future sins, but salvation is conditional, and determined on an individual’s proper confession of sin, and a dedicated life of submission to the will of the Lord.