Are you Plugged in to Jesus

Good morning to all on this wonderful Thursday morning. God is in His Heaven and truly all is right with the world! The Kong household is in the final count down to launch Aleron on his medical career. Please keep this young man in your prayers and that God will continue to mold him into a GREAT and Wonderful healer.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 16 verses 13-20, "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then He warned His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ. Amen and amen! what a revelation this must have been to Peter, that finally the Messiah, the Christ that all the tribes of Israel had been waiting on was here! At that very moment Peter was a changed man. Although he had been with Jesus for 3 years; had witnessed countless miracles; had seen Jesus walk on water and then walked on water himself; this is the moment that Peter KNEW that Jesus was the Christ and this was the moment of Peter's conversion.

All Christians have had this Peter experience when you just know that your Savior lives! You know that your life is not an accident and not dependant on circumstance or the kindness of other. You can feel the Power of the Holy Spirit and you step out on faith daily knowing that your Savior is behind you. You hunger for prayer and the Word of God. You don't feel right until you commune with the Lord. YOU HAVE TO BE PLUGGED IN! Peter KNEW right then and there; the veil of the temple had been rent through his faith and he saw his Messiah. Hallelujah and hallelujah. Our Christ lives today and if the world could know this joy then their lives would be enriched. Unlike Peter and the rest of the disciples, we are to preach and tell everyone of the good news that our Savior, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, lives and that He lives for all of us to accept Him and to turn our vision to His. He will help you get the junk out of your trunk! Like Peter in Matthew 14:29 you can walk on the water through your faith knowing that if you begin to sink and cry out to Jesus for help HE WILL HELP YOU IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are you waiting for today? It is a great day to exercise our faith in the One and Only Living God of the Old and New testaments. Jesus has fulfilled all the scriptures so that we can live a victorious and abundant life! Have a wonderful, kingdom building day!

Stephanie

All Things are Possible through Your Faith

Good morning to all on this beautiful Thursday morning. Waine and I are leaving our little island today so please pray God's traveling mercies for us. I tell you that every day I am alive I come to know and understand the love of a wonderful God and this loving man. When Jesus said that the Greatest Commandment was that we love the Lord God with all our our heart and Second like unto to it, that we love one another as God has loved us, He really knew what He was talking about!

I am continuing my journey into Matthew 16, verses 1-12, "The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested Him by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied,"When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away. When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."  They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread." Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that He was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Amen in Jesus name!

Well this is certainly a great passage! First, did you know that sailors have a saying "Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky at dawn, sailors forlorn."? So much common sense advice is provided in the Bible and it is an account of the ministry of Christ as well as those that followed in His foot steps. Christ was telling the Pharisees and Sadducees that He was not fooled by their inquiry and about this time Christ knew that His time was short on the earth so He really didn't have time for their foolishness any more. No more time to placate folk that are intent on playing games. He was moving on and so should we when we have exhausted our ability to provide insight to those who will not accept the love or word of God. There are many people who still need to be touched in our Kingdom building efforts and when its time to roll then keep this passage in mind.

I also found it funny that Christ had to tell His disciples that they needed to stop acting as foolish children and begin to reflect on the life they had been exposed to by walking with Christ! As is recounted here, He was so through with this bread business and feeding the multitude, He provided them with a rebuke. Christ however rebuked the behavior of His disciples and didn't dismiss them. He loved His disciples and grieved over the lack of their faith in His abilities and the abilities that can come forth through their own FAITH. The disciples needed to begin to REFLECT and then ACCEPT the power of God through His Son Jesus and get over listening to what others said. I am so glad that Jesus loves me enough to continue to put up with the crappy stuff that comes out of my life sometimes and I thank Him, thank Him, thank Him for hanging with me.

I pray that you have a Faith filled day and I thank God for you in Jesus name! Amen and amen!

Stephanie

The Compassion of Christ

Good  morning to all on this Sunday morning. This is the day the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it! This is also the day Aleron will be flying back from Jamaica and I will be flying to Jamaica so please pray God's traveling mercies for us. God is good everyday and His mercies have no boundaries. Let go of whatever you are holding on to that does not bring joy into your heart and life. Its not worth it.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 15 today verses 29-39, "Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?" "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish." He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when He had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. After Jesus had sent the crowd away, He got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan. Amen!

Lord help. These disciples were lame or as Jesus said to Peter "dull"! The disciples were with Jesus when He took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed 10,000 men and their families and here we are with another crowd and they ask the same questions. Jesus doesn't fire them and start over; Jesus doesn't give up on them; Jesus doesn't get mad at them; Jesus just instructs them. What a message for us. We are just like these disciples. we just can't get it right it some areas of our live and if we just stick with the Master, He will never leave us or forsake us.  He lovingly instructs us over and over again. Doesn't mean he doesn't think we are "dull" and He loves us just the same because He knows our hearts. He can count on us just as he counted on the disciples to be there to help Him. Our willingness to be a help to Him is what He wants. What strikes me over and over is the compassion of Christ. He has great compassion even to this day for all of us and wants us to be healed. Sin causes so much havoc and He can heal us from the sin that Adam and Eve introduced. When we are Christ like we are demonstrating compassion for one another. We should care about each other's welfare as Christ did and be practical in our caring. Christ did just preach to people, He made sure they were fed "so that they wouldn't collapse" on the way home. Are you practical in your love for those you minister to? To know Him is to love Him; to love Him is to serve Him. To know Him is to love Him; to love Him is to serve you in Jesus name amen.

Be of good courage you will be fed today.

Stephanie

Focus and Intent

Good  morning to all from Atlanta, GA! Had an exciting week in Louisiana and I am happy to be back home. Waine and Aleron had a good bonding week and pray for Aleron's safe travels on Sunday as well as mine. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world. Whatever is going on in your life today if it doesn't bear the Fruits, then let it go because it will not benefit you!

I am continuing my journey in Matthew chapter 15, verses 12-28, "Then the disciples came to Him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides.If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Peter said, "Explain the parable to us." "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' " Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.  WOW!

Some people have viewed this passage and thought ill of Christ; that this exchange did not speak well of His ministry however I view it differently. The Promise of God was made to Abraham and His seed. At the time the Promise was made, God had roamed the world to find a righteous man who would and could keep the Law of God in his heart. That imperfect man was Abraham and the seed that came from Abraham and Sarah. Jesus came to fulfill that promise to the seed, or to Israel. This exchange was with a woman who was not from one of the 12 tribes and thus not the focus of His ministry. She was however an early example that faith in the mission of Christ transcends tradition! Although His ministry was to save the Lost Sheep of Israel, her faith and His love made her daughter whole. With the Great Commission, Paul was sent to preach to the Gentiles, however Christ never gave up on the Jews and to this day when a Jew accepts Christ and finds the Messiah as preached about in the Torah that is one happy Jew!

This passage is also a good illustration that Christ wants us to wear our thinking hats at all times and stop acting as children. He was about through with the naivety of those disciples. They were always asking questions that they had answers to. At some point we have to mature as Christians and walk a life that reaps the Fruits of the Spirit. We are victorious in Christ Jesus! Let our lights shine so other men and women may know the joy we have!

Stephanie

Lip Service is Never Enough!

Good morning to all from Baton Rouge, Louisiana! It is a wonderful day here and the weather has finally gotten warm. Waine and Aleron are having a good time in Jamaica and I am sure our youngest son is learning more about his Dad,which is always a good thing.  Continue to pray God's traveling mercies for us and thank you for your continue prayers for our family.

I am continuing my journey through Matthew, chapter 15, verses 1-10 "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother and anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." Amen!

What I notice as I travel through Matthew is that Jesus is about through with these Pharisees; these religious rulers who were making stuff up to further their own agenda.  Sound familiar.  There are a bunch of Pharisees out here even today; they go around and misinterpret the Word of God for their own agenda.  How can you tell? Christ said if it is of Him then it will bear the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--against these there IS NO LAW! In this passage the Pharisees were not speaking in faith, actually the exact opposite. They were causing dissension and strife and therefore were not motivated for Kingdom building and Christ clocked them on it. Christ was also telling us that lip service is not what Kingdom building is all about. Its about what is in your heart. The praise and worship we do has to come from our hearts to be effective and as Christians all that we do should honor our walk in Christ.  Does our daily walk honor the life of Christ or not? Do people notice something different about you or do you have the same walk as unbelievers? There should be something different about Christians. Our employers should  notice something different about us--or work ethic, out commitment to excellence. Our friends and family should notice something different about us-- our capacity to forgive and forget. The world should be able to point us out because we are bearing the Fruits of the Teachings of the Master and not the world. We are to be different as Jesus was! He only had one agenda and that was to service His Father and that He did daily!

To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To know Him is to  love Him. To love Him is to serve you. Be true to Christ today and let the Fruits of the Spirit shine forth in your life and mine. In Jesus name, amen and amen.

Stephanie

Just like Peter are You In or Out the Boat?

Good morning to all on this wonderful Tuesday morning. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world. Waine and Aleron are in Kingston, Jamaica; my two men on a road trip together. Pray that their time is well spent as father and son have time to transition. Aleron is our last child; the last one to leave the nest and make a life for himself. God is worthy of all praise for this accomplishment; Waine and I are humbled and very grateful. Pray for their safety and traveling mercies for all of us.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 14 today, verses 22-36, "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." Amen and amen!" Praise God I just found the spell check!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes when I read accounts of the 12 disciples, they seem like the "keystone cops", a bunch of knuckleheads! And they were the chosen which then humbles me because would I react the same way. I think not because when Christ ascended into Heaven He left behind the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit assists Christians to discern and connect with the Holy Scriptures and with the Body of Christ! Thank God for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, because as I read the accounts of the disciples I cannot imagine them just now saying that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God! They had spent all this one on one time with Christ and yet had doubt. I am sure Jesus felt their doubt which is why He sent them on the boat themselves so that He could have some one on one time with His Father God to rejuvenate Himself; He had just fed the 10,000 and then sent the disciples on their way while "He dismissed" the crowd. What do yo think He said to them? There are no accounts because the author of this scripture was in the boat! I think Jesus blessed them and extolled them to give their lives over to God by accepting Him as the Christ Messiah. We will find out when we meet Him in the Heavenly places! And then the next miracle--Christ gets up and walks on the water to meet them and the first words out of their mouths was "its a ghost"--I think it was common for Jewish priests to perform magic tricks. There are accounts of this in the old Testament which is what Moses had to fight against so the disciples thinking they were seeing an apparition was probably the normal but Peter knew it was Christ and asked to be called! Isn't that beautiful?! When we recognize the void in our lives and recognize that Christ can fill that void we too asked to be called and when we step out on FAITH we are transformed. And just like Peter, when we take our eye off of God, we will fail.  But just like Peter we can call out for help to Jesus. And just like Peter Christ will immediately help and save us! The help is always immediate and out ability to accept and see the help is dependent on our faith! Hallelujah!

Christ is asking you about your faith today. How much do you have and where are you placing it? Do you doubt His ability to feed you, the 10,000 didn't but the 12 did. Do you doubt that your safety and happiness is in His hands? Peter didn't the 11 did. Are you in or out of the boat?

Be blessed today and walk on the water with Jesus!

Stephanie

Are You Sweating the Small Stuff?

Good morning to all on this beautiful Sunday. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Whereever this Blog finds you today I am praying God's mercy for you and your family. Our family had a baby shower for Haillie Christine Kong yesterday who is scheduled to come out and play with us in early June. Can't wait to see her; I have met her acquaintance for some time. I had to make rounds on two wonderful babies yesterday at the hospital which made me long for little Haillie even more!

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 14 verses 13-21, "When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to Me," He said. And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Amen and amen!

We all know this story however when I read it this morning several things struck me. One, Jesus was mourning the death of His cousin and friend John the Baptist and just wanted some time with Himself to rejuvenate His Spirit. Jesus understood the need to be alone with God so that His own Spirit could be made right. Remember He was like us in the flesh "yet without sin". He felt sadness, He felt hunger, He felt anger, He definetly felt disappointment and yet without sin. Always seeking the will of His Father despite what he felt. Good lesson for us. We will have emotions and "feel" things and yet when we seek the Will of the Father we will not sin. The opposite is also true, when we let our emotions rule us, Satan has a foot hold into us. When we chew on an emotion our thinking becomes cloudy because during these negative thinking period, we are focused on only on what was done to us or what was said to us. What Jesus admonishes is to think about forgiveness and love, the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And although Jesus was in mourning and was meditating a crowd still followed Him. At that moment their need were more important to themselves than the needs of the Master and instead of being upset, the scripture writer says "Jesus had compassion for the multitudes". He had compassion, He understood their need and wanted to help them and us today. Jesus has compassion for us all the time and it is through this compassion all of our needs were met and always met immediately.

Was the miracle the ability of the Creator to take five loaves and 2 fish and feed more than 10,000 people? Or was the miracle His ability to feel compassion on these desciples who had yet to understand His power and majesty? These 12 guys had been with Him from the beginning. They were witness to all His miracles and yet 1) they were still instructing Jesus on what to do, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food" and 2) when Jesus told them to feed the crowd, they responded "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.". You see I wold have been too through with these folk and would have decided to start over with a new crew but Jesus never skipped a beat, He just continued to instruct and demonstrate His LOVE for His crew and the multitude. Hallelujah! When He picked these guys He knew their hearts and knew that in the end their heats and faith would give them the courage to satnd firm. He didn't get involved with the small stuff; He looked beyoind their faults and saw their hearts.

After feeding the multitude each of the 12 had a basket for themselves. So true will be for us. When we take care of the needs of others, there will be an abundance left for us! To know Him is to love Him, to love Him is to serve Him. To know Him is to love Him, to love Him is to serve You! Be encouraged today and rejoy for all your needs have been handled. Go forth and love and forgive your brother and be blessed.

Stephanie

The Power of One

Good morning to all on this beautiful Saturday morning from Bainbridge, Georgia. I am working here over the weekend and Waine came and joined me last night. This is a quaint little town; I saw churches still being used that were probably built in the 1800's by exslaves. There are large trees with moss hanging and the people are very friendly. This part of Georgia is so remote Waine's GPS couldn't triangulate a signal. Pray for our safe travels as Waine heads back tomorrow and me on Monday morning.

I am continuing my travels in Matthew, chapter 14, verse 1-14, "At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet. On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus." Amen and amen!

John preached the truth and was not afraid of the consequences of his truth telling. John had been preaching and making the way for our Lord. He had baptized Jesus and then was inprisoned specifically for preaching against the adulterous behavior of the Jewish "king" Herod. It would appear that Herod's lusts didn't stop with his brother's wife--Herod lusted after his neice. Now we know Herod, Herodias and this neice are now in hell where they belong for they neither obeyed the Law or were open to Christ but I don't think that is why John died. John died because it was his time. Regardless of the "power" of Herod, Herod's power was no match for the Power of the God we serve. John was not afraid of death, he knew where he would awaken. He knew his Saviored lived and that the Power of His life would provide the eternal rest and peace John so richly deserved.

Never fear the man that can harm your body--fear the God that can take your body and your soul. Hallelujah! If we are to be messengers for Christ, we must live boldly and confront the sin that exists in the lives of others. Satan will not be happy and at times you will feel threatened; take heart because that means you are on the right track!

Be blessed today in Jesus name, amen!

Stephanie

The Story of the Commas

Good morning to all on this Wednesday morning. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world! Waine and I are both traveling today so pray God's traveling mercies for the both of us. Thank you for all the prayers yo put up for me and my family and I praise God that we canpray for one another in love, His love!

I am continuing my journey in Matthews 13 today, verses 44-58, "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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied. He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. When Jesus had finished these parables, He moved on from there. Coming to His hometown, He began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't His mother's name Mary, and aren't His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all His sisters with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." And He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Amen.

This chapter of Matthew finishes with the account of Jesus again preaching to the multitude from a small boat in the middle of a lake. He was aware that He had a mixed crowd, those whose hearts were like the good soil in whom the Seed of the Kingdom would take hold and those who were there just to gather intelligence with which to harm Him. Regardless, Jesus continues to preach the Gospel and continues to be about Kingdom building. He likens the Kingdom of Heaven as hidden treasure; a treasure that you cannot see on the surface but must dig deep to get. Once found it is so precious that everything else shold be sacraficed in order for you to have the hidden treasure that is buried. You have to sacrifice the desires of the flesh, the "surface you" in order that "new you" can be found and reign. Our life with Christ is described as "riches", "treasures" and "pearls". Think about that! Do you know that your life in Christ is one of riches untold. I don't think this is just metaphorical; the abundance of life is ours for the asking an dis given to each to our own measure and none of us should be struggling. The only struggle we should have is against the forces of evil who seek to destroy us so that the Kingsom of Heaven is not advanced. And how do you know when you are being effective for the Kingdom, easy! When the people around you begin to criticize and belittle you for your faith, you can thank God because you are in good company--you are a prophet who will not be embraced or accepted because of your beliefs. Hallelujah! This is your barometer. Likewise if your faith is buried in the field you are the only one that will know of the treasure that is hidden and many will contine to be lost when that last net is cast by the Father.

 

Christ wants us to be about Kingdom building with our lives, our words and our very being. Many souls are still lost and need to hear the Good News that is possible because of the Resurrection! Remember many great men have lived and died. Buddha was born, he lived and he died. Confuscious was born, he lived and he died. Mohammed was born, he lived and he died. Christ was born, He lived, He died,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and then He rose again! Hallelujah and amen! Tell the Story about the Commas!

 

Be blessed in Jesus name today.

 

Stephanie

Shine Like the Sun

Good morning to all and I can't believe its been five days since I re-visited my blog. Its not because I haven't been praising God for truly He is worthy of praise each day. God fills my days with Waine with wonder and love and at times I feel so blessed I can't hardly contain myself. We are busy getting ready for Aleron's graduation and as we launch our last child I am praising God for bringing our family through. This adventure fills me with such overflowing joy. It's just what Christ preached about--the abundance of life that is available to all that trust and obey. No one can write your story but you and Christ. Amen and amen!

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 13 verses 24-47, "Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 'An enemy did this,' he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."Then He left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear! Amen ans in Jesus name let them hear!

These parables are GREAT! What struck me is that as Christians, we were sown to live our harvest in furtile ground and the sin that enters our lives fills our environment with confusion, stressors and potential calamity however in the parable the "sin weeds" cannot destroy us! Hallelujah! Once you have planted your life in the soil of the Holy Spirit you will thrive despite that sin that surrounds you; we need only to stand in the SON and be an example with just our lives! Words do not havve to be spoken if you let your light shine, shine, shine! we are to shine like the sun, the Son. Stop lookn at the "weeds" they cannot harm you and if you ever needed scriptures to testify to this fact you now have it.

Be blessed today and Shine!

Stephanie