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
No comments:
Post a Comment